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Sony

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS

Sony E Mount

3040g 600mm F4 G Master with XD Linear AF, OSS, and fluorite/ED optics.

$12,999

Launch price

Released Apr 2021

vs

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 price

Released May 2020

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is 11 months newer.

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Wins

1categories

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS

WildlifeSports & Action

Wins

7categories

70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

PortraitSports & Action

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS wins 1 categories·70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD wins 4 categories
  • AFE 600mm F4 GM OSS has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 0 stops)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Min focus distance (38 cm vs 450 cm)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Weight (815 g vs 3040 g)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Length (164 mm vs 368 mm)
  • B70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD has lower Diameter (81 mm vs 160 mm)

Key specs at a glance

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal Length600 mm70-180 mm
Max Aperturef/4f/2.8
MountSony ESony E
CoverageFull FrameFull Frame
Stabilization5 stopsNo
Weight3040 g815 g
Min Focus450 cm38 cm
Filter Size40.5 mm77 mm

Size and weight, to scale

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS

160 × 368 mm

3040 g (6.70 lb / 107.23 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

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 600mm F4 GM OSS is 204mm longer and 79mm wider than 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD.

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS is 2225 g heavier 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

Use caseFE 600mm F4 GM OSS70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Portrait
2.5Limited
7.5Good
Sports & Action
9.0Excellent
6.5Good
Video & Hybrid
7.0Good
5.0Fair
Landscape
4.0Fair
3.0Limited
Travel
2.0Limited
2.0Limited
Wildlife
10.0Excellent
3.0Limited
Macro & Close-up
1.5Limited
2.0Limited

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose the FE 600mm F4 GM OSS

  • Special elements

    Adds 2 Fluorite, 2 ED

  • OIS effectiveness

    5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Optical stabilization

    Only FE 600mm F4 GM OSS supports it

  • Custom function button

    Only FE 600mm F4 GM OSS supports it

Reasons to choose the 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

  • Special elements

    Adds Aspherical

  • Min focus distance

    38 cm vs 450 cm — lower is better

  • Weight

    815 g vs 3040 g — lower is better

  • Length

    164 mm vs 368 mm — lower is better

  • Diameter

    81 mm vs 160 mm — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Wide)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max aperture (Tele)

    f/2.8 vs f/4 — lower is better

  • Max magnification

    0.25 × vs 0.14 × — 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 600mm F4 GM OSS

Pros

  • Prime design typically delivers strong sharpness and lighter weight
  • Built-in optical image stabilization
  • Weather-sealed construction for outdoor shooting

Cons

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

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 600mm F4 GM OSS and 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD at major authorized retailers.

Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

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Full specifications

= category winner

FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Focal length (Min)
600 mm
70 mm
Focal length (Max)
600 mm
180 mm
Max aperture (Wide)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Max aperture (Tele)
f/4
f/2.8+1 stop wider
Elements
24
23
Groups
18
17
Special elements
2 Fluorite, 2 ED
Aspherical
FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Min focus distance
450 cm
38 cm−412 cm less
Max magnification
0.14 ×
0.25 ×+79%
Autofocus motor
4 XD Linear Motors
Linear / Stepping Motor
Internal focus
Yes
Yes
FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Optical stabilization
Yes
No
OIS effectiveness
5 stops
0 stops
FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Weight
3040 g
815 g−2,225 g less
Length
368 mm
164 mm−204 mm less
Diameter
160 mm
81 mm−79 mm less
Filter thread size
40.5 mm
77 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes
Diaphragm blades
11
9
FE 600mm F4 GM OSS
70-180mm F2.8 Di III 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 June 2026.