Sony
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
 vs
Sony
70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Significantly better telephoto 400 mm vs 200 mm
Help
 2x more reach, less perspective distortion
More zoom 5.7x vs 2.9x
Help
 2x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Slightly more magnification 1:3.7 (0.3x) vs 1:4.7 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 30% larger in your photo
Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM Learn more about
the Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Reasons to consider the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Has a consant aperture Yes vs No
Help
 Constant aperture lenses offer the same aperture at all focal lengths
Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
Help
 At its narrowest, the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM goes 1.1 f-stops narrower
Wider aperture f/2.8 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM captures slightly more light, 1 f-stop
Slightly lighter 1.4 kg vs 1.6 kg
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM Learn more about
the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Focus motor Silent focus motor Help
Silent and fast
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Length Quite long Help
70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM:196 mm
70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM:197 mm

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
70 mm
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM

Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM

Wildlife lens

$998
Length Is shorter
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Sony D 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6

Sony D 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6

Wildlife lens

$248
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Length Is shorter
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Focus motor Lacks a silent focus motor
Compare the D 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the D 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f

Sports lens

$1,249
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Nikon-f vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Sony-alpha

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Sony-alpha

Sports lens

$1,249
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Sony-alpha vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Sony-alpha vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM

Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Nikon Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED

Wildlife lens

$1,499
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Nikkor VR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$1,509
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Zoom range Significantly more zoom
Aperture Narrower aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f

Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f

Wildlife lens

$499
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Length Shorter
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D Nikon-f vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha

Tamron SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha

Wildlife lens

$449
Weight Lighter
Lowest price Cheaper
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the SP 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di USD Sony-alpha vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM

Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM

Sports lens

$749
Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Significantly worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Compare the 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM vs the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Sony-alpha

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Sony-alpha

Sports lens

$799
Lowest price Cheaper
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM Sony-alpha vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM

Sports lens

$2,499
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Sony-alpha

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Sony-alpha

Sports lens

$769
Lowest price Cheaper
Magnification More magnification
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Compare the 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD Macro Sony-alpha vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 *

Sony Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 *

Sports lens

$1,798
Prime lens Is a prime lens
Aperture Wider aperture
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Significantly wider aperture
Compare the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 * vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM
Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef

Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$1,049
Max focal length Better telephoto
Lowest price Cheaper
Aperture Narrower aperture
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the 100-300mm f/4 EX DG IF HSM Canon-ef vs the 70-200mm f/2.8 APO G SSM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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