Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
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
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
The Laowa 4mm f/2.8 fisheye is a fun, ultra-wide lens that delivers a unique circular image at a very low price. Users praise its sharpness and build quality, but note that it requires careful handling to avoid including fingers, grips, or lens markings in the frame. Compatibility with full-frame cameras is limited, often requiring cropping, and manual focus can be tricky. Overall, it's seen as a great value for creative or occasional use.
Pros
- Very low price
- Unique circular fisheye image
- Sharp image quality
- Fun and creative perspective
- Compact and sturdy build
Cons
- Fingers and grip visible in frame
- Manual focus can be tricky
- Limited compatibility with full-frame cameras
- Requires cropping to remove black edges
- Lens markings appear in images
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | fisheye |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 4 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 4 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 7 |
| Groups | 12 | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1★ | — |
| ED Elements | 2★ | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/16 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Nikon Z |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.33 kg | 0.14 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | manual focus only |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 80 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:9.09★ |
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
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
- Strong macro (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong build (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Below average optical (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (17th percentile)17th %ile
- Below average bokeh (31st percentile)
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
No current pricing available
Laowa 4mm f/2.8 Fisheye 4mm
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 20 specs.
