Comparison: Nikkor 24-70 F2.8G ED vs. Tamron SP 24-70 F2.8 VC USD
- Thomas Mayrhofer
- Dec 2, 2015
- 16 min read
Today I want to show you the comparison of two standard zoom lenses for the Nikon system: The Nikkor 24-70 F2.8G ED and the Tamron SP 24-70 F2.8 VC USD. Is the Tamron as good as the original Nikkor glass or is it even better? Let’s find it out!
Sadly, I had not that much time to compare the lenses due to a heavy storm we had the weekend when I took the comparison shots. But the material I collected makes a conclusion possible. I compared the lenses in image quality, size and usability.
Comparison
Specifications of the LensesNikkor 24-70 F2.8 G EDTamron SP 24-70 F2.8 VC USDApertureF 2.8 – F22F 2.8 – F22Diaphragm Blades99AutofocusSilent Wave Motor (SWM)Ultrasonic Silent Drive (USD)Image StabilizationNoYesMinimum focus distance0,38 m0,38 mWeight900 g825 gSize83 mm x 133 mm88.2 mm x 116.9 mmFilter thread77 mm82 mmConstruction15 Elements in 11 Groups17 Elements in 12 GroupsComes with lens bagyesnoPrice1.439 € / 1.796 $829 € / 1.299 $
Build comparision
As you can see from the specs, the Tamron is shorter but has a bigger diameter than the Nikkor lens. It also has bigger filters which makes it more expensive. The focus on each lens is set internally with ultrasonic motors (SWM, USD) and the front element doesn’t turn wherefore polarizers are not a problem. Both lenses have a sturdy build, feel rugged and nothing is shaking or rattling. The Nikkor with the all-metal construction is heavier, however, attached on the Nikon D750 it feels a bit better balanced. The Tamron offers a big zoom ring at the front and a narrow focus ring at the back section of the lens. The order on the Nikkor, which offers bigger rings, is reversed. On both lenses the rings are very grippy but on the Tamron they are stiffer to turn which makes it easier to control the focal length or to fine-tune the focus.
As you will see in the pictures below, the lenses are equally long when the focal length is set to 70 mm because the Tamron is fully extended, at 24 mm the Nikkor is fully extended and is therefore substantially longer. In regard of the lens hood, the Nikkor offers the far superior quality. It is big and chunky and has a lock, so it cannot be accidently turned when attached. The lens hood of the Tamron does its job as expected but you have to be more careful as it is not so big and the material seems not so sturdy.
Autofocus
Both lenses offer ultrasonic motors for focusing. The SWM of the Nikkor does a really outstanding job. It is fast, totally silent and very precise. The USD of the Tamron offers also a decent performance as it is silent and very precise but it is noticeable slower than the SWM of the Nikkor.
Image stabilization
This is the big advantage of the Tamron. It offers a very good image stabilization system. I was able to take sharp shots at around 1/10 sec at 70mm handheld which is very impressive. With the Nikkor, I struggled to get sharp shots at shutter speeds lower than 1/80 to 1/60 sec at 70 mm. You have to raise your ISO settings with the Nikkor to get sharp shots in the same light conditions. (Example settings: Tamron @ ISO 200 with 1/8 sec vs. Nikkor @ ISO 1600 with 1/60 sec)
Page description
Page 1: Specifications, Build quality, Autofocus, Image stabilization Page 2: Center sharpness – 100% crops Page 3: Midframe sharpness – 100% crops Page 4: Corner sharpness – 100% crops Page 5: Colors, Flares/Ghosting, C/A, Field of view and vignetting, Bokeh, Conclusion
Image quality: sharpness
I shot comparison pictures of a detailed scene at the apertures F2.8, F4, F5.6, F8, F11, F16 and F22 at the focal lengths of 24, 35, 50 and 70mm to compare the sharpness of the two lenses. I mounted the Nikon D750 on my Manfrotto 055 tripod with Sirui K30x ballhead and shot the pictures with mirror lockup and in live view with CDAF to get the best quality.
Here you find the 100% crops of the center sharpness (At 2.8 I messed up the focus with the Tamron at 50 mm and 70 mm, the CDAF field was on a garage in the foreground). As you will see in the crops, the center sharpness of both lenses is very good, especially in the range of F4 to F11, at F16 and F22 the diffraction affects the Tamron a bit more than the Nikkor. Overall I am impressed with the sharpness of both lenses.
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 24 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 35 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 50 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 70 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F4 Tamron @ 24 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F4 Tamron @ 35 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F4 Tamron @ 50 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F4 Tamron @ 70 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 24 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 35 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 50 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 70 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F8 Tamron @ 24 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F8 Tamron @ 35 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F8 Tamron @ 50 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F8 Tamron @ 70 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F11 Tamron @ 24 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F11 Tamron @ 35 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F11 Tamron @ 50 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F11 Tamron @ 70 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F16 Tamron @ 24 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F16 Tamron @ 35 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F16 Tamron @ 50 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F16 Tamron @ 70 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F22 Tamron @ 24 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F22 Tamron @ 35 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F22 Tamron @ 50 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F22 Tamron @ 70 mm, F22
Page 1: Specifications, Build quality, Autofocus, Image stabilization Page 2: Center sharpness – 100% crops Page 3: Midframe sharpness – 100% crops Page 4: Corner sharpness – 100% crops Page 5: Colors, Flares/Ghosting, C/A, Field of view and vignetting, Bokeh, Conclusion
Here you find the 100% crops of the midframe sharpness. At F2.8 and F4 the Nikkor is a bit ahead. From F5.6 upwards the quality is in fact the same although diffraction is more visible at F16 and F22 on the Tamron. Both lenses do very well.
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 24 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 35 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 50 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 70 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F4 Tamron @ 24 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F4 Tamron @ 35 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F4 Tamron @ 50 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F4 Tamron @ 70 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 24 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 35 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 50 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 70 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F8 Tamron @ 24 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F8 Tamron @ 35 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F8 Tamron @ 50 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F8 Tamron @ 70 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F11 Tamron @ 24 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F11 Tamron @ 35 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F11 Tamron @ 50 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F11 Tamron @ 70 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F16 Tamron @ 24 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F16 Tamron @ 35 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F16 Tamron @ 50 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F16 Tamron @ 70 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F22 Tamron @ 24 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F22 Tamron @ 35 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F22 Tamron @ 50 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F22 Tamron @ 70 mm, F22
Page 1: Specifications, Build quality, Autofocus, Image stabilization Page 2: Center sharpness – 100% crops Page 3: Midframe sharpness – 100% crops Page 4: Corner sharpness – 100% crops Page 5: Colors, Flares/Ghosting, C/A, Field of view and vignetting, Bokeh, Conclusion
Here you find the 100% crops of the corner sharpness. Surprisingly the Tamron is the winner here at all apertures.
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 24 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 35 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 50 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F2.8 Tamron @ 70 mm, F2.8
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F4 Tamron @ 24 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F4 Tamron @ 35 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F4 Tamron @ 50 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F4 Tamron @ 70 mm, F4
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 24 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 35 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 50 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F5.6 Tamron @ 70 mm, F5.6
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F8 Tamron @ 24 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F8 Tamron @ 35 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F8 Tamron @ 50 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F8 Tamron @ 70 mm, F8
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F11 Tamron @ 24 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F11 Tamron @ 35 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F11 Tamron @ 50 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F11 Tamron @ 70 mm, F11
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F16 Tamron @ 24 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F16 Tamron @ 35 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F16 Tamron @ 50 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F16 Tamron @ 70 mm, F16
Nikkor @ 24 mm, F22 Tamron @ 24 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 35 mm, F22 Tamron @ 35 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 50 mm, F22 Tamron @ 50 mm, F22
Nikkor @ 70 mm, F22 Tamron @ 70 mm, F22
Page 1: Specifications, Build quality, Autofocus, Image stabilization Page 2: Center sharpness – 100% crops Page 3: Midframe sharpness – 100% crops Page 4: Corner sharpness – 100% crops Page 5: Colors, Flares/Ghosting, C/A, Field of view and vignetting, Bokeh, Conclusion
Colors
As you have seen in the 100 % crops from the sharpness test, the Nikkor produces warm colors. The Tamron is more natural with a slight hint of warm colors. The contrast on both lenses is very good.
Flares and Ghosting
The Nikkor is more prone to flares. You see them more or less in every picture with a strong light source directly ahead or towards the edges of the frame. Here I want to show you 2 extreme examples. The Tamron does very well here. I was not able to produce major flares with it. Ghosting is not an issue at both lenses.
C/A
Both lenses do very well here. I did not notice any C/A on my test shots.
Field of view and Vignetting
In this regard the Tamron is a bit wider at 24 mm than the Nikkor. The reason may be the distortion of the lenses. At 35 mm, 50 mm and 70 mm the field of view is similar. Here you see an example at 24mm. You can identify the pictures by the Flares (Nikkor) and the heavier vignetting (Tamron). The vignetting itself is visible on both lenses at F2.8 but gets better when stopping down. It disappears completely with the Nikkor lens at around F5.6 to F8, while with the Tamron, there is always a certain amount visible.
Bokeh
The Bokeh from the Nikkor and the Tamron is very pleasing and creamy. The only drawback with the Tamron is the onion ring bokeh which is slightly visible at blurred light sources.
Here you see bokeh samples of the Nikkor at 70 mm and 24 mm at various apertures.
Here you see bokeh samples of the Tamron at 70 mm and 24 mm at various apertures.
Conclusion
Both 24-70 lenses offer a really great overall performance. The Nikkor is a bit ahead in terms of image and build quality but the Tamron offers the advantage of the lower price, the VR system, the more modern coatings (Flares) and the more precise zoom- and focus-ring. As I said in my hands-on review of the Nikkor it depends on your own style and how you like to shoot to pick the right lens for you. Both lenses are really recommendable but I think the Tamron is the more versatile choice and the slightly better image quality does not justify the higher price of the Nikkor.
I also recommend to read my review of the Tamron SP 24-70 F2.8 VC USD and the hands-on review of the Nikkor 24-70 F2.8G ED for more pictures and detailled informations.
Page 1: Specifications, Build quality, Autofocus, Image stabilization Page 2: Center sharpness – 100% crops Page 3: Midframe sharpness – 100% crops Page 4: Corner sharpness – 100% crops Page 5: Colors, Flares/Ghosting, C/A, Field of view and vignetting, Bokeh, Conclusion
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