Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
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
Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
The Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens is widely praised for its exceptional sharpness, fast autofocus, and robust build quality. Users highlight its versatility for wildlife, sports, and even close-up photography, with many noting it outperforms competitors like the Sigma and Tamron 150-600mm lenses in image quality. However, some criticize the price increase and occasional sharpness inconsistencies, while a few users report autofocus limitations with extenders on certain camera bodies.
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness
- Fast and accurate autofocus
- Versatile zoom range (100-400mm)
- Excellent image stabilization
- Robust build quality
Cons
- Price increase over time
- Heavy weight
- Autofocus limitations with 2x extender
- Some copies lack sharpness
- Not ideal for Sony mirrorless
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | telephoto |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 100 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 400 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 21 |
| Groups | 12 | 16 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | — | Air Sphere Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/100 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 4.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Canon EF |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 1.64 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 77 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | USM |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | — | 4 stops★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 980 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 0.31x★ |
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 (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong stabilization (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
Canon L EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
- Strong optical (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong af (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong stabilization (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong versatility (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Below average aperture (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average bokeh (1st percentile)1st %ile
- Below average build (16th percentile)16th %ile
- Below average macro (34th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 22 specs.