Sony
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Sony E Mount
The standard telephoto zoom, completely redesigned to be 29% lighter and significantly sharper.
$2,799
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
Tamron
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Sony E Mount
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD — 50–400mm f/4.5-6.3 for Sony E, a popular choice in the tamron lineup.
$1,299
Launch priceReleased Sep 2022
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD is 11 months newer.
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Wins
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Wins
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
TL;DR — Key differences
- AFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Tele) (f/2.8 vs f/6.3)
- AFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Max aperture (Wide) (f/2.8 vs f/4.5)
- AFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has higher Max magnification (0.3 × vs 0.25 ×)
- B50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD has higher OIS effectiveness (5 stops vs 4.5 stops)
- AFE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II has lower Weight (1045 g vs 1155 g)
Key specs at a glance
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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
- ✓
Special elements
Adds 1 XA, 1 Aspherical, 1 Super ED…
- ✓
Max aperture (Tele)
f/2.8 vs f/6.3 — lower is better
- ✓
Max aperture (Wide)
f/2.8 vs f/4.5 — lower is better
- ✓
Weight
1045 g vs 1155 g — lower is better
- ✓
Length
200 mm vs 212 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Max magnification
0.3 × vs 0.25 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose the 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- ✓
Special elements
Adds Aspherical
- ✓
Control ring
Only 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD supports it
- ✓
OIS effectiveness
5 stops vs 4.5 stops — higher is better
- ✓
Diameter
81 mm vs 88 mm — lower is better
- ✓
Min focus distance
38 cm vs 40 cm — lower is better
Shared specifications
Internal focus
Both support internal focus
Optical stabilization
Both support optical stabilization
Weather sealing
Both support weather sealing
Custom function button
Both support custom function button
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Pros
- ✓Extremely lightweight for an f/2.8 telephoto zoom (only 1045g)
- ✓Virtually instantaneous and silent autofocus with 4 XD Linear motors
- ✓Stunning optical performance and contrast across entire range
- ✓Outstanding built-in Optical SteadyShot stabilization
- ✓Dedicated physical aperture ring with click and lock switches
Cons
- –Very high price tag
- –Lens hood is bulky and can block storage space easily
50-400mm F4.5-6.3 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 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II and 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD at major authorized retailers.
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
Tamron 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.