Sony 70-200 vs 70-300: Which One Comes Out on Top?
Sony 70-200 and 70-300 FE lenses are a go-to for many photographers. These two telephoto zoom lenses by Sony have proved their worth in the industry.
The obvious difference between the Sony 70-300 and 70-200 lenses is the focal range. The former has a focal range of 70 to 300mm while the latter is 70 to 200mm. Besides that, other notable differences between the two lie in their filter threads, maximum aperture sizes, weight, diameter, and length.
This article gives a thorough review of the two lenses to help you decide between the two.
Sony 70-200 vs 70-300
Sony is a renowned brand in various devices. It has maintained its top position in the market by consistently producing high-quality devices for different needs. Having been in the camera industry for quite a while, Sony is a reliable brand in the production of both cameras and camera accessories such as lenses.
In its product line are the Sony 70-200 FE and Sony 70-300 FE lenses that have aroused debates on which one is better two. This article compares the two lenses in detail to help you differentiate them and identify the right one for you.
Comparison Chart
| Key Features | Sony FE 70-300 | Sony FE 70-200 |
| Focal range | 70 to 300mm | 70 to 200mm |
| Maximum aperture | F4.5 – F5.6 | F4.0 |
| Filter thread | 72mm | 72mm |
| Weight | 854g | 840g |
| Diameter | 84mm | 80mm |
| Length | 144mm | 175mm |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.9m | 1m |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Sony FE 70-200 Overview
The Sony FE 70-200 can be said to be a lightweight Tele zoom lens with crisp optics and lightning-fast focus. This model was among Sony’s first set of top-end G master series.
In recent years, Sony has come up with a newer edition maintaining the same focal range, but with an improved optical formula. This was done with the aim of guaranteeing clearer results and a faster focus without compromising on its lightweight nature.
Despite the price increase, the Sony 70-200 is most suited for professionals looking for a Sony zoom lens.
Pros
- Speedy linear focus motors
- It has a very light build
- Sharp results on high-resolution cameras
- It is compatible with teleconverters
Cons
- It is on the expensive side
- Its tripod foot does not fit Arca mounts
Sony FE 70-300 Overview
The Sony 70-300 is a great lens choice. Its focal range is ideal, and it comes nicely built and quietly focuses fast. Its OSS system provides a steady view of the scene with great image quality.
The 70-300mm focal length range is suitable for a lot of photography scenarios such as sporting events including basketball, swimming, soccer, track, and field. On top of that, it has a moderate price tag on it. This explains why it is a popular choice and makes a decent value.
Pros
- It quietly focuses fast
- The flare control is excellent
- Quick and quiet AF system
- It is affordable
Cons
- The manual focus ring is electronic, not direct mechanical
Features Compared
Size and weight comparison
When you want to choose between two lenses, an important deciding factor is the size of the lens. The Sony FE 70-200 is the longer one of the two at 175mm. Its counterpart Sony FE 70-300 is 31 mm shorter at 144mm. Moreover, Sony FE 70-300 has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to the 80mm of Sony 70-200.
Besides the external dimensions, the weight of the lens is equally important. This is especially true if you plan on holding the lens and camera for a long period of time. Sony FE 70-200 weighs 840g making it 14g lighter than Sony FE 70-300 at 854g.
Focal range
The Sony FE 70-300 lens comes with a focal range of 70 to 300mm and a zoom ratio of 4.3X. When you mount this lens on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, then it provides a 35mm equivalent of 105 to 450mm.
Its competitor, Sony FE 70-200 lens, has a focal range of 70 to 200mm and a zoom ratio of 2.9X. When mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, there will be a 35mm equivalent of 105 to 300mm.
Lens mount
Both the Sony FE 70-300 and 70-200 have the same Sony E lens mount. There are some newly released camera models that are compatible with the Sony E lens mount including Sony FX30, Sony A7R V, and Sony ZV-E1.
The Winner
The Sony FE 70-200 lens can be seen to be better than its counterpart. For one, it has an 11.11% wider aperture at the minimum focal length. You can also use it to focus to infinity with its 1.6f wider aperture at the maximum focal length. This lens is also lighter and optically superior to its competitor.
FAQs
What type of photography are the Sony FE 70-300mm and the Sony FE 70-200mm lenses good for?
One important determining factor of your lens choice is the type of photography you want to practice. Different lenses are differently suited for different scenarios. The Sony FE 70-200 and Sony FE 70-300, for instance, perform superbly in sports and birds /wildlife photography. They have average performance in portrait, wedding, landscape, and walk around and fairly in travel and street photography. However, they are not recommended for vlogging.
Conclusion
‘Which lens should I get next?’ This is a common question that many photographers tend to ask. If you have a camera and a general-purpose zoom lens and are ready to take the next step, this is the article for you. We have compared two of Sony’s best-selling telezoom lenses side by side to help you make the perfect pick.
You Can Also Read:
- Sony 100 400 vs 200 600
- Sony 100-400 vs Sigma 100-400
- Samyang vs Rokinon
- Can You Use 120 Film in a 35MM Camera
- Canon R5 Mark ii (Release Date, Price & Specs) - December 20, 2023
- Sony 100 400 vs 200 600: Which Telephoto Lens is Right? - December 15, 2023
- Sony A1 II Camera (Release Date, Price & Specs) - November 30, 2023
