Sony SEL18135
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
What Buyers Say
Sony SEL18135
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 HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
The Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens is highly praised for its sharpness, fast autofocus, and lightweight design. Users upgrading from older versions note significant improvements in optics and focusing speed. The weather sealing and compact size make it a versatile choice for outdoor photography, though some find it slightly heavy and note compatibility limitations with older film cameras.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Fast and quiet autofocus
- Lightweight and compact design
- Weather sealing for outdoor use
- Affordable price for the quality
Cons
- Slightly heavy for some users
- No aperture ring for older cameras
- Not compatible with teleconverters
- Limited compatibility with film cameras
Scores
Specifications
| Sony SEL18135 | Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 55 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 14 |
| Groups | 12 | 11 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1★ | 0 |
| ED Elements | 2★ | 0 |
| Coating | — | HD coating, SP coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/4.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 4.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 9★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Pentax K |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.44 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 58 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | PLM |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 930 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:3.33★ |
Pros & Cons
Sony SEL18135
- Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
Pentax HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
- Strong versatility (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong bokeh (78th percentile)
- Strong build (75th percentile)
Verdict
Scores 90 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.