Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony
92 Overall Score
vs
Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

Sigma
73 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

82 out of 100 high confidence 117 reviews

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
👍 Image quality 35
👍 Build quality 12
👍 Value for money 18
👎 Vignetting 6
👎 Low light performance 10
👍 Zoom range 25

Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

88 out of 100 low confidence 8 reviews

This Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC OS HSM lens is widely praised for its versatility, sharpness, and fast aperture, making it an excellent upgrade from kit lenses. Users highlight the close focus capability, effective optical stabilization, and natural color rendition. Some note trade-offs like softness at the telephoto end, lack of full-time manual focus, and slightly higher weight. Overall, it offers great value for amateur photographers seeking a walkaround lens.

Pros
  • Fast f/2.8 aperture at wide end
  • Excellent close focus capability
  • Effective optical stabilization (OS)
  • Sharp images at wide focal lengths
  • Natural color rendition
Cons
  • Softness at 70mm f/4
  • No full-time manual focus
  • Slightly heavy weight
  • Vignetting and barrel distortion at 17mm
  • OS drains battery faster
👍 Image quality 6
👍 Aperture speed 5
👍 Close focus macro 4
👍 Optical stabilization 4
👍 Build quality 3
👍 Value for money 4

Scores

Budget
Sony
96
Sigma
66
Street
Sony
89
Sigma
57
Portrait
Sony
89
Sigma
73
Travel
Sony
89
Sigma
49
Wildlife Sports
Sony
84
Sigma
50
Video Cinema
Sony
82
Sigma
59
Landscape
Sony
76
Sigma
50
Macro
Sony
68
Sigma
75
Professional
Sony
74
Sigma
52

Specifications

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSSSigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min18 mm17 mm
Focal Length Max135 mm70 mm
Elements164
Groups12—
Aspherical Elements13★
ED Elements2★1
Aperture
Max Aperturef/3.5f/2.8
Min Aperture3.5-5.62.8-4
Constant✗✗
Diaphragm Blades7★—
Build
MountSony ESony E
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed✗—
Weight0.33 kg★0.54 kg
Filter Thread55 mm—
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeLinear motor★HSM
Stabilization✓✓
Stabilization Stops—4 stops★
Focus
Min Focus Distance450 mm220 mm★
Max Magnification0.29x1:2.7★

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

Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

  • Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
  • Strong versatility (90th percentile)90th %ile
  • Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
  • Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
  • Below average build (21st percentile)

Pricing

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

No current pricing available

Verdict

★ Winner: Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Scores 92 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Better at:

BudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

Sigma DC Macro OS HSM 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Better at:

Macro

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