Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
What Buyers Say
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
This kit lens is generally well-regarded as a versatile and affordable starter option for Canon DSLR beginners, delivering sharp images and effective image stabilization for the price. However, many users note its limitations in low light, slow and sometimes unreliable autofocus, and a plastic build that can wear out over time. While it's a great value for learning, most reviewers recommend upgrading to a faster or higher-quality lens as skills improve.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Effective image stabilization
- Versatile focal range
- Lightweight and compact
- Great value for beginners
Cons
- Slow autofocus in low light
- Plastic build quality
- Limited aperture at telephoto
- Autofocus hunting
- Noise during video recording
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
Scores
Specifications
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 11 | 16 |
| Groups | 9 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 2★ |
| 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 | 6 | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon EF-S | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.20 kg★ | 0.33 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Micro Motor | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 250 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.34x★ | 0.29x |
Pros & Cons
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong versatility (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
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
Pricing
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II offers 2.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 7 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 22 specs.
