Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm
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
Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm
The Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II is a budget-friendly lens that delivers excellent image quality, creamy bokeh, and fast autofocus for many users, though a significant number report serious AF issues, especially with certain Sony cameras like the A7C II. Build quality is generally praised as solid, but complaints about a wobbly mount, defective focus rings, and a flimsy hood exist. The value proposition is strong at its price point, making it a worthwhile choice for those willing to risk potential firmware or compatibility quirks.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Creamy bokeh
- Sharp image quality
- Fast f/1.4 aperture
- Solid build construction
Cons
- Serious autofocus issues on some cameras
- Incompatible with Sony A7C II
- Flimsy lens hood
- Wobbly lens mount
- Warm color cast reported
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | prime |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 85 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 85 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 9 |
| Groups | 12 | 7 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| Coating | — | Ultra Multi-Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/1.4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.51 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 72 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 900 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | 0.11x |
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
Samyang AF SYIO85AF-E 85mm
- Strong social proof (77th percentile)
- Strong build (69th percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average macro (25th percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 2.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.
