Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
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
Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
Users overwhelmingly praise this lens for its excellent build quality, sharpness, and versatile focal range. It is highly recommended for landscape, architectural, and real estate photography, with many noting its silent autofocus and smooth zoom. The included filter bundle is a welcome bonus, and the lens pairs well with both Olympus and Panasonic bodies.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Sharp image quality
- Versatile focal range
- Silent autofocus
- Smooth zoom
Cons
- No significant cons mentioned
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 15 |
| Groups | 12 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 3★ |
| Coating | — | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | APS-C★ | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg | 0.32 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm | 230 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x★ | 0.12x |
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 (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong aperture (86th percentile)86th %ile
- Strong bokeh (84th percentile)84th %ile
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 1.5x better value for money
Verdict
Both products are closely matched - Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS wins 3 specs while Panasonic LUMIX G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 wins 5.
