Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO 25mm
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 25mm f/0.95 CF APO 25mm
This lens is highly praised for its superb optics and build quality, especially given its price-to-performance ratio. Users find it a keeper among cheap f/0.95 lenses, with excellent sharpness and handling. However, a few drawbacks are noted: significant vignetting wide open, lack of electronic contacts for EXIF, and a click-less aperture ring that can be accidentally bumped. Overall, it meets expectations for those seeking top-notch performance on Micro Four Thirds.
Pros
- Superb optics
- Excellent build quality
- Great price-to-performance ratio
- Sharp wide open
- Good handling
Cons
- Significant vignetting wide open
- No electronic contacts for EXIF
- Click-less aperture ring can be bumped
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 CF APO 25mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 25 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 25 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 9 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | — | APO |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/11 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/0.95 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.57 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 62 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 340 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | 0.15x |
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 25mm f/0.95 CF APO 25mm
- Strong optical (74th percentile)
- Below average social proof (3rd percentile)3rd %ile
- Below average af (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 20 specs.