Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ
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
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ
The Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm II R is widely praised as one of the best kit zooms available, offering impressive sharpness, compact size, and fast autofocus for its price. Users appreciate its lightweight, collapsible design and versatile focal range, though many note the variable aperture (f/3.5-5.6) limits low-light performance and bokeh. Common criticisms include the plastic mount, lack of included lens hood, and a sometimes-fiddly lock mechanism. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens and a great value when bundled with a camera body.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Sharp image quality for a kit lens
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Versatile focal range (28-84mm equivalent)
- Great value when bundled with camera
Cons
- Variable aperture limits low-light performance
- Plastic lens mount feels cheap
- No lens hood included
- Lock mechanism can be cumbersome
- Small aperture restricts bokeh
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 14 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 42 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 8 |
| Groups | 12 | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | — | ZERO |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | 5 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg | 0.09 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 37 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | MSC |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 200 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:4.35★ |
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 (81st percentile)81st %ile
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ
- Strong build (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong macro (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong versatility (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong social proof (74th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ offers 2.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.
