Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E

Review

The Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is a versatile and compact zoom lens designed for the Sony E-mount system. It combines a useful focal range with a reasonably fast aperture, making it a great option for a variety of photography types, from landscapes to portraits and even some close-up work.

Design and Build Quality

The lens is well-constructed, featuring a solid yet lightweight design that makes it a joy to handle during long shooting sessions. The compact size, coupled with its retractable design, allows it to easily fit into camera bags without taking up much space. At around 325 grams, it’s an ideal lens for travel and everyday use. The lens has a smooth zoom ring, but the focus ring is also responsive, making manual focusing quite enjoyable.

Optical Performance

Optically, the Sony E 18-135mm lens delivers sharp images across its entire zoom range. At its widest aperture (F3.5), you’ll notice decent bokeh and good separation of subjects, although sharpness increases significantly when stopped down. The lens is equipped with Optical SteadyShot (OSS) image stabilization, which helps reduce blur caused by camera shake, particularly useful when shooting handheld in low-light scenarios or at longer focal lengths.

However, there are some compromises to be aware of. While edge sharpness is quite good in most situations, it can be softer at the extreme ends of the zoom range. Chromatic aberration can occasionally rear its head, particularly in high-contrast scenes, although this is generally manageable in post-processing.

Autofocus Performance

The autofocus performance is quick and relatively quiet, making it suitable for both photography and videography. It features a linear motor for fast focusing, which works well even in dynamic situations. The lens struggles slightly in low-light conditions but still manages to perform reasonably well for most users.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design, perfect for travel.
• Versatile focal range from wide-angle to moderate telephoto.
• Good image stabilization with OSS functionality.
• Generally sharp images throughout the zoom range.
• Responsive autofocus suitable for both stills and video.

Cons

• Slightly softer edges at extreme zoom ranges.
• Some optical aberrations might require post-processing.
• Maximum aperture is not very fast, limiting low-light performance.

Verdict

Overall, the Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is a well-rounded lens that excels in versatility and ease of use, making it a great addition to any Sony E-mount kit. While it may not be the absolute top choice for those demanding the ultimate in optical performance or low-light capabilities, it offers an excellent balance of features that should satisfy enthusiast photographers and videographers alike. If you are looking for a reliable lens that can handle a variety of shooting situations without breaking the bank, this lens is definitely worth considering.