Review
Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II Review: APS-C's Best Standard Zoom
The redesigned 16-55 finally adds OIS and trims weight, making it the obvious choice for Fuji X shooters.
4.7
Head to head
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM vs Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
A direct, no-fluff comparison: specs, pros and cons, pricing, and the scenarios where each one earns its keep.
Spec snapshot
| Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM | Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | $1298 | $899 |
| Our rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Category | camera-lenses | camera-lenses |
| Pros | 4 | 3 |
| Cons | 2 | 2 |
The case for each
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
4.8
Pros
- +Stunning sharpness wide open
- +Beautiful bokeh
- +Much lighter than the f/1.2 GM
- +Fast, silent AF
Cons
- −Premium price
- −No image stabilization
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2
4.6
Pros
- +Excellent sharpness
- +Half the weight of the GM equivalent
- +Great value
Cons
- −28mm wide end (not 24)
- −Plastic build
Winner by use case
Vlogging & videoTie
Low-light photographyTie
Value for moneyTie
Pro & enterprise useTie
BeginnersTie
Inferred from each camera's pros and review focus. Treat as a starting point, then read the full reviews for nuance.
Common questions
Is the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM better than the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
It depends on what you shoot. Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM scores 4.8/5 in our review, while the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 scores 4.6/5. See the spec table and use-case breakdown above for our verdict.
Which is cheaper, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM or the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM sells around $1298, and Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 around $899. The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is the cheaper of the two.
Which one is better for beginners?
Both are capable, but beginners usually do better with whichever has the simpler interface and more forgiving autofocus. Read the "Winner by use case" section above for our specific call.
Should I upgrade from the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2?
Only if the gap in features you actually use is wide. If you already own one, the marginal upgrade is rarely worth the cost unless a specific shortcoming is blocking your work.
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