Tamron 17-70mm
Score: 82/100
Samyang 24mm F1.8
Score: 83/100Rankings
The Samyang 24mm f/1.8 FE is a compact, weather-sealed wide-angle prime with fast autofocus and a bright f/1.8 aperture, delivering sharp images and good low-light performance. While its by-wire focus ring can feel stepped and bokeh isn't perfectly circular, it offers strong value for Sony E-mount users. Suited for landscape, astrophotography, and hybrid shooters.
The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is a versatile, constant-aperture zoom with built-in vibration compensation and weather-sealed construction, delivering sharp images across a useful focal range. Minor vignetting and by-wire focus quirks are its main trade-offs. It excels for APS-C mirrorless shooters needing a fast, all-round travel lens.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
— | 24 mmbest | |
2.8best | 1.8 | |
| ↓ lower better | 0.19 mbest | 0.19 mbest |
| ↓ lower better | 525 g | 454 gbest |
4.1best | — | |
9best | 9best | |
0.2best | 0.2best | |
16best | 11 |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Compatibility(1) | ||
Mount Compatibility | Sony E-mount (APS-C) | Sony E |
Features(1) | ||
Autofocus Type | RXD | Silent STM |
Optics(5) | ||
Focal Length (mm) | 17-70 mm | 24 mm |
Maximum Aperture (f‑stop) | 2.8 | 1.8 |
Number of Optical Elements | 16 | 11 |
Number of Optical Groups | 12 | 8 |
Coating | Fluorine, BBAR | Ultra Multi-Coating (UMC) |
Build & Design(4) | ||
Filter Thread Size (mm) | 67 mm | 58 mm |
Weight (g) | 525 g | 454 g |
Length (mm) | 119.3 mm | 72 mm |
Maximum Diameter (mm) | 74.6 mm | 65 mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 for its travel-friendly size, constant fast aperture, and the added benefit of VC, which together deliver high-resolution, homogenous images and quiet, responsive autofocus. The lens is praised as a well-balanced, versatile option that feels solid in hand, though critics point out its noticeable vignetting, slight edge softness at 70 mm, and the quirks of its by-wire focus system.
Everyday users love the lens's portability, sharpness and the ability to shoot handheld in low light thanks to the f/2.8 aperture and VC. They frequently cite its "do-it-all" range as a major value, while repeatedly noting the need to correct vignetting and occasional autofocus oddities as the main pain points.
Professional reviewers commend the Samyang 24mm f/1.8 for its impressive mid-frame sharpness, lightweight construction, and weather-sealed build, calling it a significant step up from earlier Samyang models and praising its quiet AF for video. They note the by-wire focus ring's tactile feel and the less than perfectly circular bokeh as minor drawbacks.
Everyday users repeatedly praise the lens's portability, feather-light weight, and sharp wide-angle results for landscapes, astrophotography, and portraits, often highlighting its excellent value. Common complaints focus on the stepped feel of the electronic focus ring and the desire for smoother bokeh, but overall sentiment is highly positive.
“Constant f/2.8 maximum aperture enables consistent exposure and depth-of-field control.”
“Built-in Tamron Vibration Compensation provides up to approximately five stops of image stabilization.”
