Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA vs Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

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Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA compared with E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

	SonyVario-Sonnar T* DT 16–80mm F3.5–4.5 ZA	SonyE 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Overview
Released
Released	March 2007	February 2018
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Zoom
Focal length
Focal length	16–80 mm	18–135 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/3.5–4.5	f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/22–29	f/22–36
Optical construction
Optical construction	14 elements in ten groups	Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
Special elements	Two glass-moulded aspherical elements	One aspherical element and two ED glass elements
Coatings
Coatings	Zeiss T* coating	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Seven rounded blades	Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
Angle of view	83°–20° on APS-C	76°–12° APS-C
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Sony A	Sony E
Image circle
Image circle	APS-C	APS-C
Image circle detail
Image circle detail	APS-C-only A-mount coverage; 24–120 mm equivalent field of view	APS-C coverage; 27–202.5 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Sony 1.4× and 2× teleconverters unsupported	Not compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	0.35 m	0.45 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.24×	0.29×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	–	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Camera-body screw-drive autofocus (Cameralabs and OpticalLimits); automatic clutch prevents focus-ring rotation during autofocus	Linear autofocus motor; no XD designation published
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	0.35 m minimum focus from the sensor plane; distance window. Internal focusing keeps front element stationary (Cameralabs)	0.45 m minimum focus
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	–	0.29× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	–	Optical SteadyShot; no maker lens-only stop rating published. Digital Camera World found approximately 2.5 stops in its test, not a maker guarantee
Design
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	62 mm	55 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	72 mm	67.2 mm
Length
Length	83 mm	88 mm
Weight
Weight	445 g	325 g (better)
Controls
Controls	–	Separate zoom and manual-focus rings and AF/MF switch
Zoom design
Zoom design	Extending zoom barrel	Extending zoom barrel; Photography Blog measured approximately 25 mm additional extension at 135 mm
Filter detail
Filter detail	–	55 mm front filter thread; filter does not rotate during focusing (Photography Blog)
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 72 × 83 mm in the maker operating instructions	67.2 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm length
Weight detail
Weight detail	Approximately 445 g in the maker operating instructions	Approximately 325 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
Lens hood	Petal-shaped bayonet hood	ALC-SH153 petal bayonet hood
In the box
In the box	Lens, front and rear caps, hood, lens case and printed documentation	ALC-SH153 hood, ALC-F55S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap; no case listed
Release detail
Release detail	Sony’s 23 February 2007 notice confirms Japanese sale from 23 March 2007 following the earlier March release plan; local dealer arrival could vary.	Sony Europe announced 5 January 2018 and specified February 2018 availability. Full independent reviews: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein on Alpha 6500 and Digital Camera World Matthew Richards. Their long-end edge sharpness and distortion/fringing results differ; raw and corrected-image impressions are distinguished. Sony’s 325 g weight supersedes Digital Camera World326 g, and no listed case supersedes Photography Blog’s supplied-case claim. Sony’s 27 mm equivalent wide end supersedes Photography Blog28 mm. No unconfirmed coatings or weather resistance imported