Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
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
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
The Tamron 150-500mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and excellent value compared to native telephoto zooms. Many users appreciate the extra reach and image quality, though the weight is a common concern, especially for handheld use. Some reviewers note trade-offs in low-light performance and stabilization, and a few report compatibility issues with teleconverters or defective copies.
Pros
- Excellent sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Great value for money
- Extra reach over 100-400mm
- Effective image stabilization (VC)
Cons
- Heavy for handheld use
- Average low-light performance
- Stabilization not as good as native lenses
- No teleconverter compatibility
- Some copies may be defective
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | super-telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 150 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 500 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 25 |
| Groups | 12 | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 5★ |
| Coating | — | BBAR-G2 and fluorine coatings |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 5-6.7 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Fujifilm X |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 1.73 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 82 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | VXD linear autofocus motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 600 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:3.1★ |
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 (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
Tamron Di III 150-500mm F5-6.7 Di III VC VXD
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong stabilization (80th percentile)80th %ile
- Below average build (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average social proof (25th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (30th percentile)
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 2.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 91 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
