Sony
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II
Sony E Mount
524g GM wide-angle with XD Linear AF — 20% lighter than the original 35mm F1.4 GM.
$1,599
Launch priceReleased Apr 2024
Tamron
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Sony E Mount
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD — 70–180mm f/2.8 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.
$1,199
Launch priceReleased May 2020
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II is 3.9 years newer.
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Wins
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II
Wins
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
1 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AFE 35mm F1.4 GM II has lower Length (76 mm vs 164 mm)
- AFE 35mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
- AFE 35mm F1.4 GM II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/1.4 vs f/2.8)
- AFE 35mm F1.4 GM II has lower Weight (524 g vs 815 g)
- AFE 35mm F1.4 GM II has lower Min focus distance (27 cm vs 38 cm)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II
⌀76 × 76 mm
524 g (1.16 lb / 18.48 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
⌀81 × 164 mm
815 g (1.80 lb / 28.75 oz)
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II is 88mm shorter and 5mm narrower than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II is 291 g lighter than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.
Diameter (⌀) is the maximum barrel width; length is measured from the mount to the front of the lens.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose the FE 35mm F1.4 GM II
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 XA, 2 Aspherical, 1 ED
- ✓
Length
76 mm vs 164 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/1.4 vs f/2.8 — lower is better
- ✓
Custom function button
Only FE 35mm F1.4 GM II supports it
- ✓
Weight
524 g vs 815 g — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
27 cm vs 38 cm — lower is better
- ✓
Diameter
76 mm vs 81 mm — lower is better
Reasons to choose the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
- ✓
Special elements
Adds Aspherical
- ✓
Max magnification
0.25 × vs 0.23 × — higher is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Weather sealing
Both support weather sealing
Control ring
Both support control ring
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
FE 35mm F1.4 GM II
Pros
- ✓Bright f/1.4 aperture for low light and subject separation
- ✓Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
Cons
- –Third-party or older alternatives may offer better value
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Pros
- ✓Versatile zoom range covers multiple focal lengths in one lens
- ✓Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting
- ✓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 35mm F1.4 GM II and 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.
Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM II
Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.