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Sony

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Sony E Mount

The ultimate standard zoom — incredibly sharp, exceptionally compact, and built for professionals.

$2,299

Launch price

Released Apr 2022

vs

Tamron

150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

Sony E Mount

150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD — 150–500mm f/5-6.7 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$1,399

Launch price

Released Jun 2021

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 11 months newer.

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Wins

6categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

WildlifeVideo & Hybrid

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 4 categories·150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD wins 1 categories
  • B150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Weight (695 g vs 1725 g)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.7)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Length (120 mm vs 280 mm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Focal Length24-70 mm150-500 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/5-6.7
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNo5 stops
Weight695 g1725 g
Min Focus21 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm77 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Portrait
4.5Fair
2.5Limited
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
7.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
5.5Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
10.0Excellent
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
3.5Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED…

  • Weight

    695 g vs 1725 g — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/6.7 — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 280 mm — lower is better

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/5 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD supports it

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

Control ring

Both support control ring

Custom function button

Both support custom function button

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Pros

  • Outstanding sharpness across the entire zoom range
  • Remarkably small and lightweight for an f/2.8 zoom
  • Four XD Linear focus motors provide blazing-fast AF tracking
  • Excellent close-up magnification
  • De-clickable aperture ring and customized function buttons

Cons

  • No built-in optical image stabilization (relies on body IBIS)
  • High launch price
  • Aperture ring can be easily bumped if not locked

150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

  • Relatively heavy for extended handheld use
  • Slower maximum aperture limits low-light performance

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Tamron 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
150 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
500 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8+1.7 stops wider
f/5
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2.5 stops wider
f/6.7
Elements
20
23
Groups
15
17
Special elements
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
Aspherical
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Min focus distance
21 cm−17 cm less
38 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×+28%
0.25 ×
Autofocus motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Optical stabilization
No
Yes
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
5 stops
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Weight
695 g−1,030 g less
1725 g
Length
120 mm−160 mm less
280 mm
Diameter
88 mm
81 mm−7 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
Lens mount
Sony E
Sony E
Format coverage
Full Frame
Full Frame

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.