Sony FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM vs Tamron 12-20mm F2.8
Every published spec side by side, with today's lowest prices for the market you've chosen.
Key differences
- Aperture blades: 12 on the 12-20mm F2.8, against 9 on the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM.
- Closest focus: 0.18 m on the 12-20mm F2.8, against 0.28 m on the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM.
- Max magnification: 0.17× on the 12-20mm F2.8, against 0.14× on the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM.
- Aperture ring: Yes on the 12-20mm F2.8, against No on the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM.
- Weight: 570 g on the 12-20mm F2.8, against 847 g on the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM.
FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM or 12-20mm F2.8: which should you buy?
On published specs the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM leads the 12-20mm F2.8 nowhere; buy it for its price, its handling or the lenses you already own.
Choose the 12-20mm F2.8 for its aperture blades, closest focus, max magnification and aperture ring. It leads on 5 specs in all.
On paper the 12-20mm F2.8 wins more rows (5 to 0); if the FE 12-24mm F2.8 GM's strengths are the ones you shoot with, and its price is lower where you buy, it can still be the better buy.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price today | $2,749 new $2,099 used | $1,508 new $1,649.95 used |
| Optics | ||
| Focal length | 12–24mm | 12–20mm |
| 35mm equivalent | 12–24mm (full frame) | 12–20mm (full frame) |
| Maximum apertureLower f-number lets in more light. A zoom wins only when it is as bright at both ends. | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/16 |
| Made for | Full frame | Full frame |
| Elements / groups | 17 / 14 | 17 / 12 |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 12 (best) |
| Closest focus | 0.28 m | 0.18 m (best) |
| Max magnification | 0.14× | 0.17× (best) |
| Focus & handling | ||
| Autofocus | Yes (XD Linear) | Yes (VXD) |
| Optical stabilisation | No | No |
| Weather sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Internal zoom | — | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes (best) |
| Teleconverter compatible | No | No |
| Size & weight | ||
| Weight | 847 g | 570 g (best) |
| Diameter × length | 97.6 × 137 mm | 90 × 119.3 mm |
| Filter thread | — | — |
Green marks the better figure where “better” is unambiguous. A dash means the maker doesn't publish it or we haven't verified it yet.