12/04/2026 11:26 pm
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What is the absolute best all-around travel zoom for the Sony a7C II because Im honestly about to lose my mind with my current setup. I bought the 24-70 GM II thinking it was the dream but its just way too heavy and bulky for long walks. I took it to Kyoto last week and my neck was literally killing me by noon every day and the balance on the tiny a7C II body is just off. I feel like I wasted so much money on something I hate carrying. Budget is around 1200 since Ill sell the GM and I need it before a trip to Italy next month. Is the Tamron 28-200 actually sharp enough or should I just get the Sony 20-70? I just want something that wont make me regret bringing my camera...
4 Answers
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12/04/2026 11:57 pm
Catching up on this... honestly, be careful with the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G because f/4 might struggle in dim cathedrals. The Tamron is sharp enough but I would suggest the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary instead. Its much lighter and cheaper, saving you like 400 bucks for your trip. Make sure to check the weight because it actually feels right on the a7C II tho.
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13/04/2026 12:12 am
@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is sharp enough for most travel shots. It balances way better on that body than your GM. If you want to save even more cash and weight, the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G is great for narrow streets. Just dont expect miracles in low light. Either way, youll save enough for a few nice dinners in Venice.
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12/04/2026 11:26 pm
Unfortunately, that GM was not as good as expected for walking. I had issues with balance too.
- try Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD
- sell the bulky glass Youll love Italy tho!
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17/04/2026 9:27 pm
To add to the point above: everyone seems to love that 28-200, but unfortunately I've had issues with those superzooms in the past. They just arent as reliable as native glass when you're actually out in the field for weeks. It's kinda disappointing because the range looks good on paper, but the corner sharpness was not as good as expected for me... If you want something that actually fits the vibe of the a7C II, you should look at the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G. Its way lighter than your GM II and much better built than the third party options. You'll lose some reach, but that f/2.8 is a total lifesaver in those dim Italian cathedrals. It feels like it was actually made for your camera body and wont wreck your neck by lunchtime. TL;DR: Skip the superzooms if you want better reliability and low light performance. The Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G is the sweet spot for that compact body.
