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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

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

Sony E Mount

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO — 90mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.

$649

Launch price

Released Feb 2022

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is 2 months newer.

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Wins

1categories

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

LandscapeSports & Action

Wins

3categories

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

Macro & Close-upSports & Action

4 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II wins 1 categories·90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO wins 3 categories
  • B90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO has higher Max magnification (1 × vs 0.32 ×)
  • B90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO has lower Weight (500 g vs 695 g)
  • AFE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II has lower Min focus distance (21 cm vs 28 cm)
  • B90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 88 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Focal Length24-70 mm90 mm
Max Aperturef/2.8f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
StabilizationNoNo
Weight695 g500 g
Min Focus21 cm28 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 II90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Portrait
4.5Fair
4.5Fair
Sports & Action
6.5Good
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
5.0Fair
2.0Limited
Landscape
7.0Good
1.0Limited
Travel
5.5Fair
4.0Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
1.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
3.5Limited
7.5Good

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…

  • Weather sealing

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

  • 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 28 cm — lower is better

Reasons to choose the 90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Max magnification

    1 × vs 0.32 × — higher is better

  • Weight

    500 g vs 695 g — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better

Shared specifications

Max aperture (Wide)

Both f/2.8

Max aperture (Tele)

Both f/2.8

Internal focus

Both support internal focus

Length

Both 120 mm

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

90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

Pros

  • Solid optical performance for the price tier
  • Native Sony E mount compatibility

Cons

  • 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 90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO at major authorized retailers.

Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II

Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO

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
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Focal length (Min)
24 mm
90 mm
Focal length (Max)
70 mm
90 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8
f/2.8
Elements
20
14
Groups
15
11
Special elements
2 XA (extreme aspherical), 3 Aspherical, 2 ED, 2 Super ED
Aspherical
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Min focus distance
21 cm−7 cm less
28 cm
Max magnification
0.32 ×
1 ×3.1× more
Autofocus motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Optical stabilization
No
No
OIS effectiveness
0 stops
0 stops
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
Weight
695 g
500 g−195 g less
Length
120 mm
120 mm
Diameter
88 mm
81 mm−7 mm less
Filter thread size
82 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
No
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
90mm F2.8 Di III MACRO
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.