Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 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 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
Users are overwhelmingly positive about this Tamron 50-300mm lens, praising its versatility, sharpness, and lightweight design. It is seen as a great value for travel and outdoor photography, with impressive macro capability and fast autofocus. A few minor complaints include a non-smooth focus ring and limited aperture in low light, but these are considered acceptable for the price.
Pros
- Versatile zoom range
- Lightweight design
- Sharp image quality
- Fast autofocus
- Impressive macro capability
Cons
- Non-smooth focus ring
- Limited aperture in low light
- Not compatible with teleconverters
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 50 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 19 |
| Groups | 12 | 14 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | — | Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | 22-32★ |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.67 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor | VXD Linear Motor |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 221 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:2★ |
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 aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong optical (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Tamron Di III 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
No current pricing available
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 2 of 21 specs.
