Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS vs Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS
Sony E-Mount
This is less about competition than about whether a travel zoom is enough or a telephoto should be added. The E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS (January 2018) covers wide angle to telephoto, weighs 325 g and has stabilization. The E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS (August 2011) is a pure telephoto zoom at 345 g, also stabilized. It starts only at 55 mm, but reaches 75 mm further and has a small 49 mm filter thread.
A standard zoom combined with the 55-210 covers 18 to 210 mm, but means swapping lenses.
Which one suits whom?
- 18-135mm: You want one lens for everything without changing.
- 55-210mm: You already have a standard zoom such as the 16-50 and want to add telephoto specifically.
Key differences
- Focal length: 18-135 mm on the Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS, 55-210 mm on the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS.
- The Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is faster: f/3.5 instead of f/4.5, about 0.7 stops more light.
- The Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is 20 g lighter (325 g vs 345 g).
- The Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is 20 mm shorter.
- The Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS focuses closer: from 45 cm instead of 100 cm.
- Filter thread: 55 mm on the Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS, 49 mm on the Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS | Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 18-135 mm | 55-210 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/3.5-5.6 | f/4.5-6.3 |
| Weight | 325 g | 345 g |
| Filter diameter | 55 mm | 49 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 45 cm | 100 cm |
| Length | 88 mm | 108 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | yes | yes |
Size comparison
- Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS: 88 × 67 mm
- Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS: 108 × 64 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).