Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
What Buyers Say
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
The Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM lens is a notable upgrade from the kit 18-55mm, offering a constant fast aperture, silent autofocus, and superior image quality. Users praise its sharpness, bokeh, and build, though they note it is heavier and bulkier. A few refurbished units had minor scratches or early malfunction, but overall the lens is highly recommended for Sony Alpha APS-C cameras.
Pros
- Constant F2.8 aperture
- Fast and silent autofocus
- Excellent image sharpness and contrast
- Pleasing bokeh
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Heavy and bulky
- Some units have early malfunctions
- Not compatible with full-frame cameras
- Moderate flare issue
- Limited zoom range to 50mm
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens is widely praised as a versatile all-in-one walk-around lens for APS-C cameras. Users consistently highlight its silent and smooth STM autofocus, effective image stabilization, and useful zoom range that covers wide-angle to short telephoto. While image quality is considered very good for a kit-level zoom, some reviewers note softness at extreme focal lengths, barrel distortion at 18mm, and a variable aperture that limits low-light performance. Build quality is described as mostly plastic but adequate, though the focus-by-wire manual ring and occasional stiff zoom ring draw criticism.
Pros
- Silent and smooth STM autofocus
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile 18-135mm zoom range
- Good image quality for a kit lens
- Lightweight and compact design
Cons
- Softness at extreme focal lengths
- Barrel distortion at 18mm
- Variable aperture limits low-light use
- Focus-by-wire manual ring
- Plastic build feels cheap
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm | Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 16 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 50 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 9 | 16 |
| Groups | 8 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 4★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | — | Super Spectra Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Canon EF-S |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.11 kg★ | 0.52 kg |
| Filter Thread | 41 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Autofocus | NANO USM★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops | 4 stops |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 390 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.215x | 0.28x★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
- Strong build (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong social proof (81st percentile)81st %ile
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong af (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong optical (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
No current pricing available
Verdict
Both products are closely matched - Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS 50mm wins 4 specs while Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM wins 2.
