Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
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
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
The Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback for its sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and excellent performance in low light and portraits. Users praise its clarity and value, though some note it may have focusing issues on older Pentax DSLR bodies. Overall, it is considered a superb lens that delivers professional-quality results.
Pros
- Razor sharp image quality
- Beautiful smooth bokeh
- Excellent low-light performance
- Great for portraits and events
- Weather-sealed for outdoor use
Cons
- Potential focusing issues on older Pentax bodies
- Slightly large size
- Not as sharp as Carl Zeiss lenses
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Pentax DA 21790 55mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 55 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 9 |
| Groups | 12 | 8 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | — | Aero Bright coating, Super Protect (SP) coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Pentax K |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.38 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | SDM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 450 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 0.3x★ |
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
Pentax DA 21790 55mm
- Strong build (79th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.