Head-to-head · Best Macro Lenses

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount) vs Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount) comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.8 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Nikon Z shooters who want a stabilized, weather-sealed macro and short-telephoto portrait lens — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Macro Lenses

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount)

4.8

3 sources2 derived$896.95as of Aug 2

S-line sharpness, vibration reduction and a long working distance make the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S the benchmark macro lens for the Z system. Digital Camera World rated it 5 stars ('a stunner'), Cameralabs marked it Highly Recommended, and Amateur Photographer praised its 'excellent sharpness across the frame.' Set against the Canon and Sony flagships, its one real limitation is that it stops at 1:1 magnification.

Strengths

— Very sharp across the frame, usable wide open with minimal aberrations
— Built-in VR stabilization (around 4.5 stops) aids handheld macro
— Long 105mm working distance keeps you back from skittish subjects

Watch-outs

— Maxes out at 1:1, not the 1.4:1 of the Canon and Sony flagships
— Premium price for the Z system
— No teleconverter support for greater-than-life-size magnification

$896.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Macro Lenses

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)

4.3

3 sources2 derived$639.95as of Aug 2

Tamron's legendary 90mm macro returns for mirrorless as the 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD, the value champion of this field. PetaPixel called it 'sharp and capable for the value-minded photographer,' and Cameralabs rated it Highly Recommended. You get first-party-grade 1:1 sharpness and fast VXD autofocus for hundreds less than the Sony or Nikon glass, minus in-lens stabilization.

Strengths

— Excellent value, considerably cheaper than first-party macros
— Incredibly sharp in the center at f/2.8 with strong corners
— Fast, accurate VXD linear-motor autofocus

Watch-outs

— No optical image stabilization (relies on in-body IBIS)
— Stops at 1:1, not the 1.4:1 of the Canon and Sony flagships
— Roughly 4-inch working distance is shorter than the 105mm options

$639.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount)

The Nikon Z MC 105mm offers a longer working distance than the Tamron 90mm and Sigma 105mm and adds in-lens VR they lack, but it stops at 1:1 where the Canon RF 100mm and Sony FE 100mm GM reach 1.4:1.

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)

The Tamron 90mm undercuts the first-party Sony FE 100mm GM and Nikon Z MC 105mm on price while delivering comparable 1:1 sharpness, but unlike them and the Canon RF 100mm it has no optical stabilization; like the Sigma 105mm it relies on in-body IBIS.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S (Z mount)	Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Sony E / Nikon Z)
Mount	Nikon Z	Sony E / Nikon Z
Focal Length	105mm	90mm
Max Aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Max Magnification	1:1	1:1
Min Focus	0.29m	0.23m
Stabilization	VR (~4.5 stops)	—
Filter Size	62mm	—
Weight	630g	630g
AF	—	VXD linear motor
Weather Sealed	—	Yes

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