Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm
What Buyers Say
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is widely praised as an excellent all-in-one travel and walkaround lens for APS-C E-mount cameras. Users consistently highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range. While many note it is not ideal for low light and some report significant vignetting at the wide end, the overall sentiment is very positive, with most considering it a great value kit lens upgrade.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight
- Versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range
- Effective optical image stabilization
- Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
- Significant vignetting at 18mm wide end
- Not ideal for low light photography
- Variable aperture limits brightness at telephoto
- Some copies may have quality control issues
- Slight autofocus lag compared to premium lenses
Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm
The Laowa 45mm f/0.95 lens offers a unique rendering that appeals to photographers seeking a distinctive look rather than technical perfection. Users appreciate its special character but note significant design flaws, including a heavy feel due to the center of gravity being far from the mount and the lack of electronic communication with the camera. It is a fully manual lens with no weather sealing, and while it can be a good alternative to hard-to-find competitors, it requires compromise.
Pros
- Unique rendering
- Special character
- Good alternative to rare lenses
Cons
- Heavy feel due to center of gravity
- No electronic communication with camera
- Fully manual focus
- No weather sealing
- Design flaws
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 45 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 45 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 13 |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/0.95 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 15★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.83 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 500 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:8★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong stabilization (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
Laowa Argus 45mm f/0.95 45mm
- Strong optical (65th percentile)
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)3rd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average af (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average build (23rd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 20 specs.