Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Sigma EX 726306 80-400mm
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
Sigma EX 726306 80-400mm
The Sigma 80-400mm lens offers good value for money compared to the Nikon equivalent, with decent optics and vibration reduction. However, users report issues with stiff zoom and focus rings, and the autofocus can be noisy. While some find it excellent for wildlife photography after practice, others prefer saving for the Nikon version due to build quality concerns.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Decent optics
- Effective vibration reduction
- Handheld usability
- Good for wildlife photography
Cons
- Stiff zoom and focus rings
- Noisy autofocus
- VR drift over time
- Inferior build quality compared to Nikon
- Learning curve for sharp images
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Sigma EX 726306 80-400mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 80 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 400 mm |
| Elements | 16 | — |
| Groups | 12 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 1★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/4.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 4.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon F |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 1.75 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | HSM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 35 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | — |
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
Sigma EX 726306 80-400mm
- Strong macro (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong versatility (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Below average build (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
- Below average user sentiment (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average social proof (17th percentile)17th %ile
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 20 specs.