Digital Camera World - UK (2021-03)

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com MARCH 2021 DIGITAL CAMERA^131

ony’s FE 70-200mm f/4
lens is an impressive
performer, but the newer
f/2.8 G Master really
aims for glory, adding an ultra-high
tolerance XA (eXtreme Aspherical)
element for greater control of colour
fringing and enhanced bokeh. Like
the Sigma Sports lens, it features 11
diaphragm blades to maintain a very
well-rounded aperture. The autofocus
system features both ring-type
ultrasonic and dual linear motors.

Performance
The Sony combines excellent
sharpness and contrast with soft
and dreamy bokeh. However, despite
the advanced autofocus system,
focusing speed proved slower in our
tests than with competing lenses.
The stabiliser gave a disappointing
two-stop effectiveness, although it’s
boosted when used in conjunction
with sensor-shift stabilisation.

his Tamron G2 (Generation

2) lens feels every inch a

pro-grade offering. Its

optical design has been

refined to increase sharpness and

contrast, while reducing colour

fringing, ghosting and flare.

The autofocus system is uprated for

faster, more accurate performance,

and the Vibration Compensation

system boasts five-stop effectiveness

with three switchable modes. A key

update over the previous edition is that

the G2 is compatible with Tamron’s

1.4x and 2.0x tele-converters.

Performance

As advertised, the autofocus system is

very fast and operates with excellent

precision. Image quality is gorgeous,

although shots are marginally less

sharp than with the Nikon and Sigma

f/2.8 lenses. Stabilisation is great

for static photos, but less

impressive for panning shots.

ST

Sony

FE 70-200mm

f/2.8 GM OSS

£2,149/$2,398

A feature-rich G Master zoom

Lens mounts Sony FE

Sharpness

Centre sharpness is largely

excellent, but corner

sharpness is pretty average.

Sharpness

It’s not quite as sharp as the

Nikon and Sigma contenders,

especially wide-open.

Fringing

Short 1.0 Long 0.43

It’s the best here for tackling

lateral chromatic aberrations.

Fringing

Short 1.93 Long 0.64

Minor fringing at 70mm

becomes negligible.

Distortion

Short -1 .41 Long 2.2

Distortion is worse than with

most other lenses on test.

Distortion

Short -0.7 Long 1.32

There’s very little distortion

at short to medium settings.

Digital Camera verdict Digital Camera verdict

It’s twice the price of
the 70-200mm f/4 G
OSS. It’s not a leader
for autofocus speed or
the effectiveness of
stabilisation, but it
delivers sumptuous
image quality.

It’s a superb lens with

high-end features,

great handling and

tough weather-sealed

build quality, along

with superb image

quality and all-round

performance.

BEST FOR

SONY

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

70mm 100mm

135mm 200mm

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

70mm 100mm

135mm 200mm

Tamron

SP 70-200mm

f/2.8 Di VC USD G2

£1,249/$1,299

A significant upgrade from Tamron

Lens mounts Canon EF, Nikon F

4.5 Outstanding 4.5 Outstanding

5.0 4.5

Features Features

4.0 4.0

Performance Performance

4.0 5.0

Value Value

5.0 5.0

Build &

handling

Build &

handling