Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm
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
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm
This lens is highly praised for its sharpness, compact size, and constant f/2.8 aperture, making it an excellent travel and run-and-gun lens for Micro Four Thirds shooters. Video users appreciate the micro-step aperture control and linear focus option on newer bodies, though some report micro-jitter at the long end. Overall, it is seen as a versatile workhorse that pairs well with Lumix and Olympus cameras.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Compact and lightweight design
- Constant f/2.8 aperture
- Internal zoom and focus
- Weather-sealed construction
Cons
- Micro-jitter at long end in video
- O.I.S. not compatible with Olympus bodies
- Focus-by-wire may not suit all users
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 35 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 100 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 18 |
| Groups | 12 | 13 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | — | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.36 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 2.5 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 850 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:10★ |
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
Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES35100 35-100mm
- Strong optical (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong aperture (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong bokeh (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong build (80th percentile)80th %ile
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 1.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 4 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.
