Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM
Sony SEL18135
What Buyers Say
Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM
This RF 55-210mm lens is highly praised by beginners and hobbyists for its lightweight design and excellent image quality, especially in well-lit outdoor settings. Users love the smooth zoom and background blur that rivals much more expensive lenses. It is considered a great value for portrait and casual photography, though some note it is not perfect in low light.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Excellent image quality in good light
- Smooth zoom operation
- Great background blur for the price
- Perfect for beginners and casual use
Cons
- Not perfect in low light
- Not for fast-paced professional events
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
Scores
Specifications
| Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM | Sony SEL18135 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 55 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 210 mm | 135 mm |
| Elements | 11 | 16 |
| Groups | 8 | 12 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 1 |
| ED Elements | 2 | 2 |
| Coating | Super Spectra Coating | — |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/7.1 | f/3.5 |
| Min Aperture | 5-7.1 | 3.5-5.6 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Canon RF | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | APS-C |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.27 kg★ | 0.33 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | STM | Linear motor★ |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stabilization Stops | 4.5 stops★ | — |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 730 mm | 450 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.28x | 0.29x★ |
Pros & Cons
Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM
- Strong stabilization (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong versatility (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Below average macro (34th percentile)
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
Pricing
Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM offers 3.0x better value for money
Verdict
Both products are closely matched - Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 is STM wins 2 specs while Sony SEL18135 wins 3.
