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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

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

Sony E Mount

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD — 28–200mm f/2.8-5.6 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$729

Launch price

Released Jun 2020

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 1.8 years newer.

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Wins

4categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

2categories

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

PortraitTravel

2 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 3 categories·28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD wins 2 categories
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/5.6)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 38 cm)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has higher Max magnification (0.32 × vs 0.25 ×)
  • B28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD has lower Diameter (70 mm vs 88 mm)
  • B28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD has lower Weight (575 g vs 695 g)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Focal Length24-70 mm28-200 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8-5.6
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight695 g575 g
Min Focus21 cm38 cm
Filter Size82 mm67 mm

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Portrait
4.5Fair
7.5Good
Sports & Action
6.5Good
5.0Fair
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Landscape
7.0Good
3.0Limited
Travel
5.5Fair
6.5Good
Wildlife
3.0Limited
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
2.0Limited

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…

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/5.6 — lower is better

  • Control ring

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II supports it

  • Min focus distance

    21 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better

  • Length

    120 mm vs 131 mm — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.32 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose the 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Diameter

    70 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

  • Weight

    575 g vs 695 g — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Weather sealing

Both support weather sealing

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

28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

Pros

  • Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • No optical stabilization — relies on body IBIS
  • Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II and 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
28 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
200 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8+2 stops wider
f/5.6
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
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
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
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
Weight
695 g
575 g−120 g less
Length
120 mm−11 mm less
131 mm
Diameter
88 mm
70 mm−18 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
67 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
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.