Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
What Buyers Say
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
This Nikon 18-55mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, light weight, and excellent value for money, especially as a kit lens. Users highlight its vivid colors and quiet autofocus, though some note the plastic build feels fragile and the barrel can wobble at extended focal lengths. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens that outperforms its modest price point.
Pros
- Sharp image quality
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent value for money
- Vivid color reproduction
- Quiet autofocus
Cons
- Plastic build feels fragile
- Barrel wobbles at extended focal lengths
- No image stabilization
- Loose tolerances can affect focus
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
This Sony 18-70mm kit lens receives mixed reviews, with many praising its value, clarity, and quick autofocus for general photography. However, several users report durability issues, particularly with the plastic mount and softness at maximum zoom, leading to two failed copies for one buyer. Overall, it is seen as an affordable, lightweight option for casual use but not a professional-grade lens.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Fast autofocus
- Good clarity and color
- Lightweight and compact
- Works well for general photography
Cons
- Fragile plastic mount
- Soft at maximum zoom
- Durability issues (multiple failures)
- Not sharp throughout zoom range
- Auto focus can fail after impact
Scores
Specifications
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm | Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 55 mm | 70 mm |
| Elements | 7 | — |
| Groups | 5 | — |
| Aspherical Elements | 2★ | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 | 1 |
| Coating | Super Integrated Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7★ | — |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony A |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weight | 0.20 kg★ | 0.23 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | — |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | pulse stepping motor★ | — |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | — |
| Stabilization Stops | 4 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 55 mm | 35 mm★ |
Pros & Cons
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
- Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile
Sony DT SAL1870 18-70mm
- Strong macro (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong versatility (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong aperture (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
- Strong bokeh (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (11th percentile)11th %ile
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
Pricing
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm offers 8.0x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 20 specs.
