I haven’t owned a 70-200mm F2.8 in years because I got tired of avoiding the weight and strain over a long day of use. I ordered the Tamron as soon as I saw the size and weight of it. Thank you for showing that it’s a strong choice. I never buy Sigma lenses since they always end up being way too heavy at any focal length.
Tamron has done a good job with managing weight on their Sony zooms...even if if means compromising in some other area (like the -20mm in focal range here).
Great comparison video. Thank you Justin. I look forward to all your videos with great anticipation. I own the original 70-180 and it has done a great job for me. I had a chance to shoot the G2 version of the lens. The advantages of the G2 are many comparing the two Tamrons. The G2 has better corner sharpness along with VC and the surprise macro feature. I think both lenses are great alternative to the Sony GM II which is the king!
I've been waiting for this comparison ! Many thanks Dustin for creating it. It seems that Tamron is punching "above its weight". I really hoped that the Sigma would be smaller and lighter. I really like the idea of a tripod collar and aperture ring, but the weight and size is just too much in comparison to the Tamron. Either lens however gives the Sony 2.8 a run for its price tag... wow, it's really steep !
The new G2 is improved optically and has new cool features. I have the original 70-180 and it is no slouch. It is my go to lens and I have shot tons of images at 2.8 and f4 with pro class results. The lens is so light, it does not need a collar. If budget is an issue for you, get a used 70-180. They go for about half the cost of a new one.
THE greatest camera/lens reviewer on the internet, ive purchased all of my gear over the years on his trusted reviews, he never lets me down. Love this channel.
He’s amazing FOR SURE!!! Wish he had talked about shooting video even for a short 3 minute segment for us videographers buying one of these. I ordered the Tamron !
To me, the size & weight win it all for Tamron, regardless of the rest of the features or performances. The Tamron is more than good enough in all other aspects.
I have the original G1 version and it is a keeper. I have shot the new one and it is improved with lots of cool new features. For the money, the G2 is a no brainer. My G1 is a beast and an optical powerhouse. I am contemplating the switch to G2 to take advantage of the added features. For the optics alone, I would not switch as G1 is 95% as good.
I feel exactly this way. The image quality differences are maybe noticeable in a side by side, but you're never going to be disappointed in the tamron's image. And the size and weight makes such a huge difference. The sigma 24-70 art and the tamron 70-180 are close to the same size and I can carry both in a tiny shoulder bag with my a7iv. There's no reason to give that up for an aperture ring I don't need or for slightly better optical stabilization. The stab would matter more if I could use a teleconverter on these but sadly Sony doesn't like to play fair. If the teleconverter was an option, then the sigma would win hands down, but without it, and the frame rate limit, tamron is the king here
Exactly. You're only as good as the camera and lens you bring with you. The Tamron fits in my bag with a couple more lenses. The Sigma would stay at home.
Thank you for providing the comparison. It was very informative. I believe I'll choose Tamron. The difference in image quality is minimal, and its lighter, more compact design is a significant advantage for me.
I just buy tamron 70-180 G2 after watching this video, this lens is amazing really love it. It's great for photographing volleyball or basketball. Didnt have any complain for this lens
I bought them both 1.5 weeks ago, and I agree with everything that Dustin said. I got the Sigma on sale for $1399, and the Tamron used darn near mint for $875 and I traded in a Sony 70-200 f4 oss ver 1 and Tamron 70-180mm ver 1. I also traded in a Sony 24-70mm gm version 1 in and got a Sigma 24-70mm ver 2, which is a much better lens optically. The Sigma is the better lens, better build quality, slightly faster to focus, internal more controls. The Tamron is still an excellent lens that is fast, customizable, and focuses well. Also, Dustin, Tamron's ver 3.0 of the software made the autofocus motor quieter. According to Tamron, with ver 3.0 firmware the Tamron will shoot 120fps with the A9III if you shoot single autofocus, manual focus, or Dfm, not AFC mode.
Thank you for this. I think you've pushed me to the Sigma (although I continue to look at my Bank Acct to see if I can pull off the Sony…but geesh, that is hard to justify as a hobbyist!)
That's the challenge. The GM II is such an amazing lens, but unless you have a lot of money or can justify it as a business expense, that's a lot of money to plop down.
I recently bought the brand new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS | Sport Sony FE mount, but unfortunately it keeps making relatively audible noises when it is connected to the camera and the camera is on. The noise is comparable to when an external hard drive is connected to a laptop and you click through the files. In other words, like when an external hard drive is running. The noises are similar. If I turn off the image stabilisation switch on the lens, the noise is just the same. Even if I don't press the camera's shutter release button halfway, the noises are audible. They are permanently audible, regardless of whether I am taking photos. Can someone please give me some feedback as to whether this is normal with this lens. I would hate to have bought a defective lens for so much money. Many thanks in advance.
Thank you for creating this thorough review! Interesting results seeing how great both of these lenses seem. I've been considering the Tamron since they came out with the G2 for a relatively inexpensive option for some amateur indoor sports work. I'm also toying with the idea of the Sony f4 G mark II, even though you lose some light it looks like an excellent lens. And now the Sigma looks like a compelling option. I currently have the Samyang 85mm f1.4 mark I, and I really like it, so I was also considering their 135 f1.8, although I worry that the autofocus motor might be lacking even though you could potentially get some faster shutter speeds.
The good news is that every lenses you've mentioned is an excellent option. You've got to choose what works best for you, but the quality of all the lenses is pretty amazing.
I have the Tamron 70-180 G1 and four other lenses from Tamron for my Sony system. I do not do sports photography and for my landscape work, they are great lenses. Their autofocus is only acceptable on my Sony A7RIVa. I am not sure how they perform on other Sony bodies. If your goal is to get the shot and have high rate of keepers that are in focus, I would check out the new Sigma. If you have the budget, got for the Sony. Sony lens on a Sony body is the best combo if focus speed is the goal.
What I’m far more interested in is the Sigma va the GM mk1. Used, the GM mk1 costs about the same as a new sigma. How does the autofocus compare, especially?
There are plenty of tests that show that the original GM lens was somewhat lacking in autofocus, so I suspect you'll find that the Sigma is the better autofocusing lens. It benefits from their newest autofocus technology, while the original GM lens had some of Sony's earliest autofocus technology.
What an awesome comparison. Thanks for all the work you put in for this. I wish you continued success. I will try to get the Tamron eventually, based on this information.
I’m thankful the tamron g1 existed as it was my gateway into the focal range. I definitely couldn’t justify the gm back then. But after recently getting the gmii (tc, weight, focus speed, etc) there’s definitely no desire to opt for the sigma. The clunky hood needs a replacement asap.
Hi Dustin, thanks a tonne for these amazingly thorough and detailed reviews! One question: I think I briefly saw you include a snapshot of the Tamron 70-180 g2 mounted (from the camera's tripod plate itself) on a tripod. Given that this lens doesn't have a natively designed tripod collar, would you say that one can get by (e.g., due to lesser weight of the lens) with mounting just the base of the camera on the tripod, and not worrying about the torque pulling the ball head down (say, when the lens is extended all the way to 180mm)? Or, would you say that for tripod work, an aftermarket solution (which of course, takes up space, adds weight, etc) is a necessity, e.g., for the longer exposures and/or at the largest focal lengths? Thanks a lot!
You're right - the Sigma's price premium is modest for all the extras it provides. People seem to be choosing Tamron more for the size advantage than the price advantage.
to my eyes the Sigma is slightly better on all aspects of image quality, that being said I've ordered the Tamron due to size, I just need the 17-28 as G2 to complete the trilogy
That's the thing - all of the options are so good optically that they're all more than good enough. Some of these other intangibles become the "big deal"
Dustin, thank you for the work you do! I can safely say that these are the best reviews you can find on the Internet! :) I think the Tamron lens would be preferable for portraits. It has less defined contours, slightly lower contrast and softer bokeh. This is preferable for a portrait. In this case, he is not afraid of a drop in sharpness at the edges of the frame if he is shooting a portrait. And when shooting a landscape, everything will be corrected by closing the aperture.
Very nice comparison..I've re-evaluated the options for "70-200" fast or semi-fast zooms now near the holidays, since I cannot afford the 70-200 GM II. The Tamron is on sale for 10 990SEK, the Sigma is not on sale and is 20 000SEK and so is the Sony 70-200/4 G II Macro. I do value portability and have no use for TCs..however a foot is nice for the few times a tripod would be needed. Those times are few and far between however. The Tamron seems very good optically and it sure is the cheapest.
The Sony version if the Sigma 70 to 200 mm f2.8 "Sport" is almost an entirety different lens from the Nikon F and Canon mount versions. The Nikon and Canon mount lenses being a full pound heavier, with 82 mm front filter sizes.
Thank you for the best comparison as always Dustin. Really fun to watch. I am between these two lenses now to use with R6 mark II. Do you have any idea about focus pulsing issue Sigma has with mirrorless cameras? My 150-600 C is pulsing with R6 mark II. Is Sigma 70-200 has same kind of issue?
Neither of these lenses can be used on the R6MK II, unfortunately. These are mirrorless designs that you can only use on Sony (or L-mount, in the case of the sigma).
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you Dustin :) I was thinking Tamron 70-200 somehow. Confused with 70-180. Do you recommend Sigma 70-200 Sport Canon mount for R6 m2?
Great review! Everyone is so concerned with weight but I bet many have the biggest smart phone they can buy but they don’t complain about that! Lenses were much heavier than this in previous years gone by so the weight reason is people just saying they want the cheaper lens… which is fine… just my opinion.
Thanks Dustin! Is it just me or the Sigma seems significantly higher in contrast? But maybe that is something you can fix with Tamron in post editing? Other than that I don't no reason to pick Sigma, I agree with another commenter, 500 gram is literally another lens in your bag!
Hi Dustin! I've read that the Tamron has a better autofocus hit rate than the Sigma. Not in speed, but in accuracy, more images became sharp with the Tamron. Is this true? I would switch from Tamron G1 to Sigma, I work with it, accuracy is important, but I don't have money for Gm II. Thank you very much
Hi, Dustin. Thanks for the review! Have you tried Nikon's Z 70-180 f2.8? It would be so great, if you make the side by side comparison video between Nikon's Z 70-180 and Tamron's 70-180 G2, especially about their bokeh rendering (in comparison with Sony's 70-200 GM ii creamy bokeh) and AF speed and accuracy. I had such high hopes for Nikon's 70-180, 'coz it works with TC's (and also its size, weight and 2.8), but its softness (and it seems not so great busy bokeh) was such a disappointment, judging by not to many existing reviews of this lens 😢
I do hope to purchase a Z8 this year and start to cover some Nikon Z mount products, but thus far I haven't been able to get any cooperation from Nikon to get loaners.
i have the sigma 70-200. i friggin' love it. yeah, it could be lighter. but the aesthetics (looks bada$$), optics and images are top tier. i really love having internal zoom and an aperture ring. i am considering getting a used tamron as a portable backup, though. it definitely seems to serve its purpose.
That would certainly be interesting, though the challenge for Sigma is that Sony restriction on burst rate and TCs. People buying those expensive telephotos are very likely to want those sport oriented advantages.
I would say my answer is complicated. They are both incredibly good, but I did love the versatility of the Sony G II lens. I loved the execution of its macro capabilities (definitely friendlier than Tamron) and the ability to get full speed burst and the use of TC's. I love the Tamron's price, F2.8 aperture, and overall performance. I'd go with the Sony if you have some prime lenses to cover the situations where you need more light, but the Tamron if you don't.
Another review found 1 in 3 pics on moving portraits had auto 8:15 focus issues with the Tamron, creating questions on its use for sports. Did you find that same extent of issue on either lens?
Now I’m really interested to compare the sigma 200mm to the Sony 200mm focal length. The Sony doesn’t breathe very much so the sigma should be wider right?
From the comparison photo @15:02 it seems to me that the (theoretical) 20mm of difference in focal length does not exist in practice. So, is it all covered by the difference in magnification that the Tamron lens has? I'm quite new to photography, con someone tell me if I'm wrong ot what? Thank you in advance 🙂
As always, a great comparison! Though, I must disagree with you about the bokeh quality. Tamron tends to produce very bright and pronounced edges around bokeh balls that give a noisy impression when you look at the whole picture. Compared to that, whatever is going on inside the bokeh balls is a minor issue in my opinion. In fact, this is not an isolated issue with Tamron 70-180mm, but you can see the same thing with 28-75mm and 17-28mm that comprise the Tamron trinity.
That stupid hood and collar is such a shame on the otherwise excellent sigma lens... Tamron is just a better buy if you are going to ever base your decisions which lens to take on trip or a walk or even for work. A lens that you have is much better than the one you don't and tamron allows for ant entire other lens to be taken for the weight and volume savings.
Sigma definitely has a weight problem. Not just this lens, but most of the art lenses are much heavier than the competition. Great build quality though.
I have the new Sony A6700 and have been waiting for this comparison. Am i wrong to want to go with the Tamron just because of the size being more closely matched to the small body of my camera? Also, how would the Tamron's OS work in conjunction with the Sony's in camera stablization? Does that make your point about the Sigma's OS being better? Thanks so much for a great review.
In either case, it is impossible to determine how much of stabilization comes from the lens and what comes from the camera, as you can't turn the systems on or off independently. But I would say if I were an a6700 owner, I would lean towards the Tamron for the very reason you specify.
Also considering tamron for my a6700, because of size and weight. About stabilization, I think there is no lens in sony system that work together with ibis, all tests shows zero improvement. I think ibis work only when you attach non stabilized lens. I've tested tamron 150-500, sony 200-600 and sony 70-350 with non stabilized a6100, then with a6600 and a6700, in my use case zero difference, like ibis were not working at all.
I’d never buy a lens w/o watching Dustin’s review a few times. Secondly, good golly why can’t Sigma make a smaller/lighter lens? That thing is larger and heavier the 50-400 Tamron I just received. And almost as heavy as the original GM. Yikes! That the little Tamron goes toe to toe with that behemoth says a lot about Tamron’s engineering prowess. The Sigma’s size and weight are both deal killers for me. But I’m no pro. Maybe the Sigma will be so popular Tamron will see the need to drop their price $100 soon. 😉 Another terrific review, Mr. Abbott! ❤
Yes, though I guess the question would be whether or not they could keep the size down. The Tamron is a really, really strong lens, so doing it one better would be difficult.
I transfered over to Sony from Canon, so the backwards zooming (like Nikon) is so frustrating (old dog new tricks). The only reason I want to buy this lens is to match the zoom direction I'm used to.
@@DustinAbbottTWI If only they hadn't botched the lens after all these years of waiting. I have the Sony 70-200mm 2.8 (version 1). How would you say this compares to the version 1 at least? I've been wanting the version 2, but really hoped sigma could compete with that one, seeing that it's a newer lens. Guess not.
thanks dustin i think nothing beats sigma rendering and charcter, and when aperture ring and tripod collar adds to the basket its really makes the sigma the best lens for pepole who dosent want compromises. that being said...the weight and the size is something that is just to much for a hobbist like me that wanna be light as much as possible ... so tamron it is thanks again
Thank you, Dustin 👏🏻 I recently bought the brand new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS | Sport Sony FE mount, but unfortunately it keeps making relatively audible noises when it is connected to the camera and the camera is on. The noise is comparable to when an external hard drive is connected to a laptop and you click through the files. In other words, like when an external hard drive is running. The noises are similar. If I turn off the image stabilisation switch on the lens, the noise is just the same. Even if I don't press the camera's shutter release button halfway, the noises are audible. They are permanently audible, regardless of whether I am taking photos. Can someone please give me some feedback as to whether this is normal with this lens. I would hate to have bought a defective lens for so much money. Many thanks in advance.
I'm actually surprised by that, as I'm not aware of L-mount lenses also rotating in that direction, which means that Sigma is matching...Nikon? (and aren't really offering lenses on Z-mount!)
You are going to see next to no lenses releasing for EF in the future. Designing for mirrorless and for cameras with a mirror require completely different physical (and optical) designs, and no one is making new DSLRs...thus no one is making new DSLR lenses.
Sigma is the clear winner for me. 200$ is nothing for 20mm extra length, better OS and built like a tank quality. I have hold all three in my hands and the Sigma has the best construction quality. Even better than Sony...that costs TWICE as much.
I’m kind of thinking the opposite. I see the 70-200 focal length as occasionally used, but an absolute necessary lens to bring with me to shoots. It being lighter and smaller is a huge plus. If they were the same price I would probably still choose the Tamron.
Does heaviness / metal translate to better shock resistance or weather resistance? I'm not so sure. Or is construction quality more of a "bling factor" in this case (not meant cynically)?
I've personally found that heavier things when dropped are more likely to break. I've dropped a couple of "plastic fantastic" lenses and they were absolutely fine.@@acouragefann
Guys remember to take these "pro reviews" with a huge grain of salt. I have the first version of the Tamron 70-180 and its freaking amazing ! Usb-c ? Dont need it. Sigma has a tiny better dynamic range ? Can be fixed in edit. I have NEVER had any focus issues with my Tamron. Imagine how cheap this first version is now as used. Yes Sigma make amazing lenses. But remember to take these "pro reviews" with a huge grain of salt.
Yeah Sigma are better but this doesn't convince me that I'm carrying a lens that's almost twice as heavy (Contrast and colours are little better on Sigma). I think the Tamron are amazing compromise between quality and weight.
I love the format where you complete the overview with recommendations and then do optional deep dive. Excellent. Especially with chapter markings.
Thank you. I need to figure out a way to make this work for my standard review format but without extending the length of them.
@@DustinAbbottTWI F/4’s should be compared to F/4’s.
I haven’t owned a 70-200mm F2.8 in years because I got tired of avoiding the weight and strain over a long day of use. I ordered the Tamron as soon as I saw the size and weight of it. Thank you for showing that it’s a strong choice.
I never buy Sigma lenses since they always end up being way too heavy at any focal length.
Tamron has done a good job with managing weight on their Sony zooms...even if if means compromising in some other area (like the -20mm in focal range here).
Great comparison video. Thank you Justin. I look forward to all your videos with great anticipation.
I own the original 70-180 and it has done a great job for me. I had a chance to shoot the G2 version of the lens. The advantages of the G2 are many comparing the two Tamrons. The G2 has better corner sharpness along with VC and the surprise macro feature. I think both lenses are great alternative to the Sony GM II which is the king!
The new G2 is definitely a solid improvement.
I've been waiting for this comparison ! Many thanks Dustin for creating it. It seems that Tamron is punching "above its weight". I really hoped that the Sigma would be smaller and lighter. I really like the idea of a tripod collar and aperture ring, but the weight and size is just too much in comparison to the Tamron. Either lens however gives the Sony 2.8 a run for its price tag... wow, it's really steep !
There seems to be a lot of people who feel the same.
The new G2 is improved optically and has new cool features. I have the original 70-180 and it is no slouch. It is my go to lens and I have shot tons of images at 2.8 and f4 with pro class results. The lens is so light, it does not need a collar. If budget is an issue for you, get a used 70-180. They go for about half the cost of a new one.
THE greatest camera/lens reviewer on the internet, ive purchased all of my gear over the years on his trusted reviews, he never lets me down. Love this channel.
No pressure ;)
He’s amazing FOR SURE!!!
Wish he had talked about shooting video even for a short 3 minute segment for us videographers buying one of these. I ordered the Tamron !
To me, the size & weight win it all for Tamron, regardless of the rest of the features or performances. The Tamron is more than good enough in all other aspects.
That's not necessarily the consensus opinion, but it is definitely a popular one.
I have the original G1 version and it is a keeper. I have shot the new one and it is improved with lots of cool new features. For the money, the G2 is a no brainer. My G1 is a beast and an optical powerhouse. I am contemplating the switch to G2 to take advantage of the added features. For the optics alone, I would not switch as G1 is 95% as good.
I feel exactly this way. The image quality differences are maybe noticeable in a side by side, but you're never going to be disappointed in the tamron's image. And the size and weight makes such a huge difference. The sigma 24-70 art and the tamron 70-180 are close to the same size and I can carry both in a tiny shoulder bag with my a7iv. There's no reason to give that up for an aperture ring I don't need or for slightly better optical stabilization. The stab would matter more if I could use a teleconverter on these but sadly Sony doesn't like to play fair. If the teleconverter was an option, then the sigma would win hands down, but without it, and the frame rate limit, tamron is the king here
Exactly. You're only as good as the camera and lens you bring with you. The Tamron fits in my bag with a couple more lenses. The Sigma would stay at home.
@@randomlyunknown2012 Well put. Totally agree.
Your reviews are awesome ! Thank you
My pleasure!
Would love a followup value/performance comparison like this, but adding the Sony f4 "macro" 70-200 into the mix
That's fair, though the problem is that I don't have ANY of the lenses anymore!!
Thank you for providing the comparison. It was very informative. I believe I'll choose Tamron. The difference in image quality is minimal, and its lighter, more compact design is a significant advantage for me.
That does seem to be the overall consensus. Size is obviously a very big factor.
I just buy tamron 70-180 G2 after watching this video, this lens is amazing really love it. It's great for photographing volleyball or basketball. Didnt have any complain for this lens
It's a great lens.
Did you notice any dust goes inside the lens?
Great Video as always. Thank you and greetings from Germany
Thank you!
Thank you very much, this is what I was waiting for! :)
Glad I could help!
Thank you for your great reviews.
My pleasure.
I bought them both 1.5 weeks ago, and I agree with everything that Dustin said.
I got the Sigma on sale for $1399, and the Tamron used darn near mint for $875 and I traded in a Sony 70-200 f4 oss ver 1 and Tamron 70-180mm ver 1.
I also traded in a Sony 24-70mm gm version 1 in and got a Sigma 24-70mm ver 2, which is a much better lens optically.
The Sigma is the better lens, better build quality, slightly faster to focus, internal
more controls.
The Tamron is still an excellent lens that is fast, customizable, and focuses well.
Also, Dustin, Tamron's ver 3.0 of the software made the autofocus motor quieter.
According to Tamron, with ver 3.0 firmware the Tamron will shoot 120fps with the A9III if you shoot single autofocus, manual focus, or Dfm, not AFC mode.
Thanks for the feedback.
Thank you for this. I think you've pushed me to the Sigma (although I continue to look at my Bank Acct to see if I can pull off the Sony…but geesh, that is hard to justify as a hobbyist!)
That's the challenge. The GM II is such an amazing lens, but unless you have a lot of money or can justify it as a business expense, that's a lot of money to plop down.
I recently bought the brand new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS | Sport Sony FE mount, but unfortunately it keeps making relatively audible noises when it is connected to the camera and the camera is on.
The noise is comparable to when an external hard drive is connected to a laptop and you click through the files. In other words, like when an external hard drive is running. The noises are similar. If I turn off the image stabilisation switch on the lens, the noise is just the same. Even if I don't press the camera's shutter release button halfway, the noises are audible. They are permanently audible, regardless of whether I am taking photos.
Can someone please give me some feedback as to whether this is normal with this lens. I would hate to have bought a defective lens for so much money. Many thanks in advance.
@@SebastianWorldwideI’ll double check but I don’t believe my copy makes any loud noises
@@andyroddick7307 Wow, that would be great if you could give me some more feedback. I would be very grateful. Thank you very much
Thank you for creating this thorough review! Interesting results seeing how great both of these lenses seem. I've been considering the Tamron since they came out with the G2 for a relatively inexpensive option for some amateur indoor sports work. I'm also toying with the idea of the Sony f4 G mark II, even though you lose some light it looks like an excellent lens. And now the Sigma looks like a compelling option. I currently have the Samyang 85mm f1.4 mark I, and I really like it, so I was also considering their 135 f1.8, although I worry that the autofocus motor might be lacking even though you could potentially get some faster shutter speeds.
The good news is that every lenses you've mentioned is an excellent option. You've got to choose what works best for you, but the quality of all the lenses is pretty amazing.
I have the Tamron 70-180 G1 and four other lenses from Tamron for my Sony system. I do not do sports photography and for my landscape work, they are great lenses. Their autofocus is only acceptable on my Sony A7RIVa. I am not sure how they perform on other Sony bodies. If your goal is to get the shot and have high rate of keepers that are in focus, I would check out the new Sigma. If you have the budget, got for the Sony. Sony lens on a Sony body is the best combo if focus speed is the goal.
That was very good compartion video. Thank you!
My pleasure.
What I’m far more interested in is the Sigma va the GM mk1. Used, the GM mk1 costs about the same as a new sigma. How does the autofocus compare, especially?
There are plenty of tests that show that the original GM lens was somewhat lacking in autofocus, so I suspect you'll find that the Sigma is the better autofocusing lens. It benefits from their newest autofocus technology, while the original GM lens had some of Sony's earliest autofocus technology.
What an awesome comparison. Thanks for all the work you put in for this. I wish you continued success. I will try to get the Tamron eventually, based on this information.
Glad it was helpful!
The best viedo for comparision between Sigma and Tamron~
I won't argue with you!
5:55 what's the right direction for focus? Is zooming in necessarily for closer subjects, or vice versa?
I would say that the "right direction" is the one that every other lens on the platform moves in. The lenses zoom out towards the telephoto end.
Brilliant comparison 👌👌
Thank you!
Thx for a great review. I´m now sure that the Tamron is the way to go for me. Sigma is just way too big and heavy for my style of shooting.
These types of comparisons tend to illuminate things for people. Ironically, people often draw the exact opposite conclusions from them.
Great comparison! For me tamron wins, similar performance with smaller size and weight.
That's an opinion I've heard a number of times.
I’m thankful the tamron g1 existed as it was my gateway into the focal range. I definitely couldn’t justify the gm back then. But after recently getting the gmii (tc, weight, focus speed, etc) there’s definitely no desire to opt for the sigma. The clunky hood needs a replacement asap.
the GM II is still the premium option.
Hi Dustin, thanks a tonne for these amazingly thorough and detailed reviews! One question: I think I briefly saw you include a snapshot of the Tamron 70-180 g2 mounted (from the camera's tripod plate itself) on a tripod. Given that this lens doesn't have a natively designed tripod collar, would you say that one can get by (e.g., due to lesser weight of the lens) with mounting just the base of the camera on the tripod, and not worrying about the torque pulling the ball head down (say, when the lens is extended all the way to 180mm)? Or, would you say that for tripod work, an aftermarket solution (which of course, takes up space, adds weight, etc) is a necessity, e.g., for the longer exposures and/or at the largest focal lengths? Thanks a lot!
Thanks @dustin - this is a great comparison. It’s a tough choice if weight matters but the sigma seems to be superior for the modest price difference.
You're right - the Sigma's price premium is modest for all the extras it provides. People seem to be choosing Tamron more for the size advantage than the price advantage.
to my eyes the Sigma is slightly better on all aspects of image quality, that being said I've ordered the Tamron due to size, I just need the 17-28 as G2 to complete the trilogy
That's the thing - all of the options are so good optically that they're all more than good enough. Some of these other intangibles become the "big deal"
Dustin, thank you for the work you do! I can safely say that these are the best reviews you can find on the Internet! :)
I think the Tamron lens would be preferable for portraits. It has less defined contours, slightly lower contrast and softer bokeh. This is preferable for a portrait. In this case, he is not afraid of a drop in sharpness at the edges of the frame if he is shooting a portrait. And when shooting a landscape, everything will be corrected by closing the aperture.
Thank you for the nice feedback.
Very nice comparison..I've re-evaluated the options for "70-200" fast or semi-fast zooms now near the holidays, since I cannot afford the 70-200 GM II. The Tamron is on sale for 10 990SEK, the Sigma is not on sale and is 20 000SEK and so is the Sony 70-200/4 G II Macro. I do value portability and have no use for TCs..however a foot is nice for the few times a tripod would be needed. Those times are few and far between however. The Tamron seems very good optically and it sure is the cheapest.
That's a huge difference in price.
The Sony version if the Sigma 70 to 200 mm f2.8 "Sport" is almost an entirety different lens from the Nikon F and Canon mount versions. The Nikon and Canon mount lenses being a full pound heavier, with 82 mm front filter sizes.
That's correct.
Hey Dustin, Optically is the Tamron better then the Sigma?
There's some give and take between then.
Hi Dustin. Could you comment on the OIS of the two from the video perspective?
I feel like the Sigma's OS is a bit better.
Thank you for the best comparison as always Dustin. Really fun to watch. I am between these two lenses now to use with R6 mark II. Do you have any idea about focus pulsing issue Sigma has with mirrorless cameras? My 150-600 C is pulsing with R6 mark II. Is Sigma 70-200 has same kind of issue?
Neither of these lenses can be used on the R6MK II, unfortunately. These are mirrorless designs that you can only use on Sony (or L-mount, in the case of the sigma).
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you Dustin :) I was thinking Tamron 70-200 somehow. Confused with 70-180. Do you recommend Sigma 70-200 Sport Canon mount for R6 m2?
Great review! Everyone is so concerned with weight but I bet many have the biggest smart phone they can buy but they don’t complain about that! Lenses were much heavier than this in previous years gone by so the weight reason is people just saying they want the cheaper lens… which is fine… just my opinion.
Fair enough.
Nice comparison
Thanks
Thanks Dustin! Is it just me or the Sigma seems significantly higher in contrast? But maybe that is something you can fix with Tamron in post editing? Other than that I don't no reason to pick Sigma, I agree with another commenter, 500 gram is literally another lens in your bag!
The Sigma does have higher contrast in the sense of the "look" of images, though when testing on a chart, they are roughly equal.
Hi Dustin! I've read that the Tamron has a better autofocus hit rate than the Sigma. Not in speed, but in accuracy, more images became sharp with the Tamron. Is this true? I would switch from Tamron G1 to Sigma, I work with it, accuracy is important, but I don't have money for Gm II. Thank you very much
Hmmm, I can't say that I saw that in my reviews.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you, then I can confidently buy the Sigma for work as well! Thanks to you
Hi, Dustin. Thanks for the review! Have you tried Nikon's Z 70-180 f2.8? It would be so great, if you make the side by side comparison video between Nikon's Z 70-180 and Tamron's 70-180 G2, especially about their bokeh rendering (in comparison with Sony's 70-200 GM ii creamy bokeh) and AF speed and accuracy. I had such high hopes for Nikon's 70-180, 'coz it works with TC's (and also its size, weight and 2.8), but its softness (and it seems not so great busy bokeh) was such a disappointment, judging by not to many existing reviews of this lens 😢
I do hope to purchase a Z8 this year and start to cover some Nikon Z mount products, but thus far I haven't been able to get any cooperation from Nikon to get loaners.
@@DustinAbbottTWI hope it will be happen soon, looking forward for it! God bless you! ☺
i have the sigma 70-200. i friggin' love it. yeah, it could be lighter. but the aesthetics (looks bada$$), optics and images are top tier. i really love having internal zoom and an aperture ring. i am considering getting a used tamron as a portable backup, though. it definitely seems to serve its purpose.
I'm glad you are enjoying your lens.
This Sigma seems great. However, I’m gonna wait for Sigma to make a DN version of the legendary Sigma 120-300 2.8 Sport.
That would certainly be interesting, though the challenge for Sigma is that Sony restriction on burst rate and TCs. People buying those expensive telephotos are very likely to want those sport oriented advantages.
How is the Tamron compared to the G markII? What would be your opinion having tried both?
I would say my answer is complicated. They are both incredibly good, but I did love the versatility of the Sony G II lens. I loved the execution of its macro capabilities (definitely friendlier than Tamron) and the ability to get full speed burst and the use of TC's. I love the Tamron's price, F2.8 aperture, and overall performance. I'd go with the Sony if you have some prime lenses to cover the situations where you need more light, but the Tamron if you don't.
Which one is best for Motorsport photography? I can’t decide
Do you need the extra 20mm reach of the Sigma? If not, get the Tamron for less money and less weight.
Nice hoodie, is this where I can order from Europe?
I think I got mine from a company called Yukon Cardigan, but I'm not sure they are in business or not.
Would any of these better than the F4 macro for night shot sports photography?
They would both be better in the sense that they let in twice as much light as an F4 aperture.
Another review found 1 in 3 pics on moving portraits had auto 8:15 focus issues with the Tamron, creating questions on its use for sports. Did you find that same extent of issue on either lens?
Tamron has updated the firmware about a month ago to improve in that situation.
Now I’m really interested to compare the sigma 200mm to the Sony 200mm focal length. The Sony doesn’t breathe very much so the sigma should be wider right?
I would suspect so.
well now I am super happy I preordered the sigma immediately!!!
I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Sorry if you mentioned this but are either of these lenses parfocal like the GM's?
I don't think either of them are
@@DustinAbbottTWI it's something rarely mentioned but very useful
Hello Dustin, if we are compare 70-200 IS II USM and Tamron with Sigma, which one will be more useful on crop cameras of Canon with more than 30Mp?
Neither of these lenses can be adapted to Canon, so its a moot point.
@@DustinAbbottTWI a little bit misunderstanding. This both lences are for ef mount....
Please do talk about this lens VS the F4 macro from Sony. Would love to here your thoughts as they're similarly priced.
Which of the two lenses are you referring to?
@@DustinAbbottTWI apologies, the Sigma VS the Sony F4 macro.
From the comparison photo @15:02 it seems to me that the (theoretical) 20mm of difference in focal length does not exist in practice. So, is it all covered by the difference in magnification that the Tamron lens has? I'm quite new to photography, con someone tell me if I'm wrong ot what?
Thank you in advance 🙂
Okay, it's more clear at 19:26. Basically the're almost the same. Interesting.
As always, a great comparison!
Though, I must disagree with you about the bokeh quality. Tamron tends to produce very bright and pronounced edges around bokeh balls that give a noisy impression when you look at the whole picture. Compared to that, whatever is going on inside the bokeh balls is a minor issue in my opinion. In fact, this is not an isolated issue with Tamron 70-180mm, but you can see the same thing with 28-75mm and 17-28mm that comprise the Tamron trinity.
Bokeh is subjective, which means that a certain look might appeal to one person while another look appeals to another.
size and weight and boke of Tamron makes my deal. Having one and using without a problem.
I'm hearing that pretty often.
I didn't watched the video. I pressed like. I'm sure the review is the best on the internet.
That's both good and bad..:)
That stupid hood and collar is such a shame on the otherwise excellent sigma lens... Tamron is just a better buy if you are going to ever base your decisions which lens to take on trip or a walk or even for work. A lens that you have is much better than the one you don't and tamron allows for ant entire other lens to be taken for the weight and volume savings.
Sigma definitely has a weight problem. Not just this lens, but most of the art lenses are much heavier than the competition. Great build quality though.
Tamron seems to have really read the room when it comes to the size and weight. That's the most common bit of feedback I've gleaned.
I have the new Sony A6700 and have been waiting for this comparison. Am i wrong to want to go with the Tamron just because of the size being more closely matched to the small body of my camera? Also, how would the Tamron's OS work in conjunction with the Sony's in camera stablization? Does that make your point about the Sigma's OS being better? Thanks so much for a great review.
In either case, it is impossible to determine how much of stabilization comes from the lens and what comes from the camera, as you can't turn the systems on or off independently. But I would say if I were an a6700 owner, I would lean towards the Tamron for the very reason you specify.
@@DustinAbbottTWI thank you!
Also considering tamron for my a6700, because of size and weight. About stabilization, I think there is no lens in sony system that work together with ibis, all tests shows zero improvement. I think ibis work only when you attach non stabilized lens.
I've tested tamron 150-500, sony 200-600 and sony 70-350 with non stabilized a6100, then with a6600 and a6700, in my use case zero difference, like ibis were not working at all.
I love my A6700 with the Tamron together. It's light and small with amazing photo quality especially shooting sports.
I’d never buy a lens w/o watching Dustin’s review a few times. Secondly, good golly why can’t Sigma make a smaller/lighter lens? That thing is larger and heavier the 50-400 Tamron I just received. And almost as heavy as the original GM. Yikes! That the little Tamron goes toe to toe with that behemoth says a lot about Tamron’s engineering prowess. The Sigma’s size and weight are both deal killers for me. But I’m no pro. Maybe the Sigma will be so popular Tamron will see the need to drop their price $100 soon. 😉 Another terrific review, Mr. Abbott! ❤
The consensus feedback is pretty focused on the size of the Sigma. People seem to value the compact size of the Tamron even if it has less features.
tamron is on sale for about 950usd after tax here atm, its really hard to decide at this price.
That's a very strong value. If the weaknesses of the lens I've detailed in this comparison don't both you, I'd go the Tamron.
It would be really great if Sigma came out with their competitive 35-150 2.8 with OS & parfocal now.
Yes, though I guess the question would be whether or not they could keep the size down. The Tamron is a really, really strong lens, so doing it one better would be difficult.
I like they Tamron, due to size.
There are definitely a lot of people who have responded similarly
I transfered over to Sony from Canon, so the backwards zooming (like Nikon) is so frustrating (old dog new tricks). The only reason I want to buy this lens is to match the zoom direction I'm used to.
That’s fair
@@DustinAbbottTWI If only they hadn't botched the lens after all these years of waiting. I have the Sony 70-200mm 2.8 (version 1). How would you say this compares to the version 1 at least? I've been wanting the version 2, but really hoped sigma could compete with that one, seeing that it's a newer lens. Guess not.
Unbias Comparison. I can see what you see in all comparisons. Well done
Thank you. That's my goal.
Dust sucker should be listed as a feature of Tamron lens
That's interesting, as I've owned a number of Tamron zooms for years and have not had that issue at all.
Don't own a sony but enjoyed watching this video as always.
That's always a high compliment to me.
The point for the sigma is the internal zoom… all the rest makes the Tamron a better buy, for me. Keep earning trying to get the GM 😅
Fair enough.
thanks dustin
i think nothing beats sigma rendering and charcter,
and when aperture ring and tripod collar adds to the basket
its really makes the sigma the best lens for pepole who dosent want compromises.
that being said...the weight and the size is something
that is just to much for a hobbist like me that wanna be light as much as possible ...
so tamron it is
thanks again
There's no question that the Sigma is good value for money.
Thank you for excellent comparison as usual. However, still cant decide which one to get 😂
I get it. Lenses are so good these days that choosing can be difficult.
спасибо, очень классно сделано
Thank you, Dustin 👏🏻
I recently bought the brand new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS | Sport Sony FE mount, but unfortunately it keeps making relatively audible noises when it is connected to the camera and the camera is on.
The noise is comparable to when an external hard drive is connected to a laptop and you click through the files. In other words, like when an external hard drive is running. The noises are similar. If I turn off the image stabilisation switch on the lens, the noise is just the same. Even if I don't press the camera's shutter release button halfway, the noises are audible. They are permanently audible, regardless of whether I am taking photos.
Can someone please give me some feedback as to whether this is normal with this lens. I would hate to have bought a defective lens for so much money. Many thanks in advance.
That doesn't sound normal to me.
Just buy Tamron instead..
@@PlayGameToday I bought the Sony 70-200 f4 G2 👍🏻
@@SebastianWorldwide hmm, not bad, but is only f4.. Depends on your tasks. If you happy with it - congrats!
I like how they have completely different design philosophy/doctrine lol
That's very true.
The Sigma seems more contrasting, the Tamron has washed out colors. A plus for Tamron for the size and for Sigma for quality.
Fair enough.
OMG, thanks for pointing out that the Sigma zooms opposite of Sony lenses. That is just bonkers.
I'm actually surprised by that, as I'm not aware of L-mount lenses also rotating in that direction, which means that Sigma is matching...Nikon? (and aren't really offering lenses on Z-mount!)
It's a Shame that this fabulous lens won't come in a Canon EF mount ! Shame on Canon !
You are going to see next to no lenses releasing for EF in the future. Designing for mirrorless and for cameras with a mirror require completely different physical (and optical) designs, and no one is making new DSLRs...thus no one is making new DSLR lenses.
Build quality is major in my eyes. Sigma win!
Fair enough.
Price difference between the Sony and the Sigma would afford a dedicated L-mount camera with TC-2011!
That's probably true.
How can you compare Sigma with Tamaron?
Crazy really!
Sigma is the best absolutely!
Dustin did a great job and . Both lenses are excellent depending on one’s needs and expectations.
Well I hope that I have answered the question of how you can compare them ;)
As much as I like Sigma, Tamron wins this based on price and even features..
Fair enough.
Sigma is the clear winner for me. 200$ is nothing for 20mm extra length, better OS and built like a tank quality. I have hold all three in my hands and the Sigma has the best construction quality. Even better than Sony...that costs TWICE as much.
I’m kind of thinking the opposite. I see the 70-200 focal length as occasionally used, but an absolute necessary lens to bring with me to shoots.
It being lighter and smaller is a huge plus.
If they were the same price I would probably still choose the Tamron.
Does heaviness / metal translate to better shock resistance or weather resistance? I'm not so sure. Or is construction quality more of a "bling factor" in this case (not meant cynically)?
I've personally found that heavier things when dropped are more likely to break. I've dropped a couple of "plastic fantastic" lenses and they were absolutely fine.@@acouragefann
@@I922sParkCiryeah, same here. It's crazy how small the Tamron is. I like that focal range for hiking and it's almost no burden to carry.
The weight and that stupid screw in lens hud puts me off
It's THAT small?
Screw those 20mm, I'm getting a Tamron.
It’s a big difference
Sigma loose focus while zooming
I can't recall that off hand, but perhaps.
Guys remember to take these "pro reviews" with a huge grain of salt.
I have the first version of the Tamron 70-180 and its freaking amazing ! Usb-c ? Dont need it. Sigma has a tiny better dynamic range ? Can be fixed in edit. I have NEVER had any focus issues with my Tamron. Imagine how cheap this first version is now as used.
Yes Sigma make amazing lenses. But remember to take these "pro reviews" with a huge grain of salt.
I'm not quite sure why your comment means that my review should be taken with a grain of salt.
The Tamron is a car, the Sigma is a horse and carriage.
Neat analogy, but I'm not quite sure how it applies.
@@DustinAbbottTWII think he's just commenting on the convenience of bringing and traveling with the lens
GM win
That's true, unless you have a budget.
Yeah Sigma are better but this doesn't convince me that I'm carrying a lens that's almost twice as heavy (Contrast and colours are little better on Sigma). I think the Tamron are amazing compromise between quality and weight.
That seemed to be a pretty frequent response to this video. I think a lot of people agree with you.
Sigma is waaaaay to heavy
That does seem to be the overall consensus. Size is obviously a very big factor.
The clear winner isn’t here. It’s Sony 70-200 f2.8 GM II. Puts these two in the gutter by a mile.
It's a great lens, but the price premium does put it out of reach for a lot of people.