Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Tamron Di III VC AF020N700 28-300mm
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
Tamron Di III VC AF020N700 28-300mm
The Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD VC lens receives mixed feedback from users. Some praise its versatility, lightweight design, and value for money, especially for travel and casual photography. However, several users report significant issues with autofocus reliability, image sharpness, and lens creep, with some experiencing failures after a short period. The lens seems to work well for some but has notable quality control and compatibility concerns.
Pros
- Versatile zoom range
- Lightweight and portable
- Good value for money
- Vibration compensation
- Suitable for travel and casual use
Cons
- Autofocus reliability issues
- Soft image quality at times
- Lens creep problem
- Noisy autofocus operation
- Poor low-light performance due to high f-stop
Scores
Specifications
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Tamron Di III VC AF020N700 28-300mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | zoom | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 18 mm | 28 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 135 mm | 300 mm |
| Elements | 16 | 19 |
| Groups | 12 | 15 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| Coating | — | XR (Extra Refractive Index) glass |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/3.5 | f/4 |
| Min Aperture | 3.5-5.6 | 3.5-6.3 |
| Constant | ✗ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Sony E | Sony E |
| Format | APS-C | full-frame★ |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.33 kg★ | 0.54 kg |
| Filter Thread | 55 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | Linear motor★ | VXD |
| Stabilization | ✓ | ✓ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 450 mm★ | 490 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.29x | 1:3.5★ |
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
Tamron Di III VC AF020N700 28-300mm
- Strong optical (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong stabilization (79th percentile)
- Strong aperture (71st percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (2nd percentile)2nd %ile
Pricing
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers 1.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 92 overall, wins 6 of 9 usage categories and 3 of 21 specs.
