Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
What Buyers Say
Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm
The Viltrox lenses receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional value, sharp image quality, and solid build. Users praise the fast apertures and autofocus performance, though some note issues with chromatic aberration in high-contrast scenes and noisy autofocus on certain models. Overall, these lenses are seen as a budget-friendly alternative that punches above their price point.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Sharp image quality wide open
- Solid metal construction
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Pleasing bokeh
Cons
- Chromatic aberration in high contrast
- Noisy autofocus in video
- Slow autofocus in low light
- No weather sealing
- Front-heavy on small bodies
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
| Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | wide-angle | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 9 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 9 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 13 | 16 |
| Groups | 11 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 3★ | 2 |
| Coating | HD multilayer nano coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/16 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.17 kg★ | 0.33 kg |
| Filter Thread | 58 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 130 mm★ | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x | 0.29x★ |
Pros & Cons
Viltrox Air AF 9mm F2.8 Air E 9mm
- Strong build (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong optical (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
- Below average versatility (34th percentile)
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 (80th percentile)80th %ile
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.