Sony E 16mm f/2.8 vs Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
Both are Sony E mount primes for wide-angle and street — here's how the specs differ and which to pick. Every spec is from the manufacturer's own catalog.
| Spec | Sony E 16mm f/2.8 | Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 16mm | 20mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 | f/2.8 |
| Type | prime | prime |
| Coverage | APS-C | full-frame |
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
Which should you buy?
- the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 (16mm) is wider — more in the frame for street and interiors; the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 (20mm) is tighter — more reach and compression for portraits
- the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 covers full-frame (also works on APS-C bodies); the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 is APS-C-only — it won't fill a full-frame sensor
- the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 is first-party (Sony) for guaranteed full autofocus and in-camera corrections; the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 is third-party — usually the value pick
Where to buy
Sony E 16mm f/2.8See price on Amazon
Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2See price on Amazon
FAQ
What's the difference between the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 and the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2?
The Sony E 16mm f/2.8 is 16mm f/2.8 prime, APS-C; the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 is 20mm f/2.8 prime, full-frame. Both fit the Sony E mount.
Do the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 and Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 fit the same camera?
Yes — both are Sony E mount lenses, so they fit Sony a7/a9/a1 (full-frame) and a6000-series (APS-C). Note the Sony E 16mm f/2.8 is APS-C-only and won't fill a full-frame sensor.
More Sony E comparisons: Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 vs Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D · Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE vs Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 FE · Sony E 16mm f/2.8 vs Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 · Sony E 20mm f/2.8 vs 7Artisans AF 27mm f/2.8 (APS-C) · all Sony E lenses · all comparisons