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Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS · Photo source

Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Photo 1 of 2

Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS · Photo source

Sony

E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Released February 2018

An APS-C E-mount 7.5× zoom with Optical SteadyShot and a linear autofocus motor.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
18–135 mm
Max aperture
f/3.5–5.6
Stabilisation
Yes
Weight
325 g

What reviewers say

Both value broad travel coverage, low weight, quick quiet autofocus and optical stabilisation, while noting the lack of weather sealing. Photography Blog finds strong long-end edge sharpness and little distortion in its test images; Digital Camera World finds weaker long-end edges, visible uncorrected telephoto colour fringing and strong raw wide-angle distortion. Both consider it a useful all-purpose lens.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and digitalcameraworld.com

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
18–135 mm
Maximum aperture
f/3.5–5.6
Minimum aperture
f/22–36
Optical construction
Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
One aspherical element and two ED glass elements
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
76°–12° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
APS-C
Image circle detail
APS-C coverage; 27–202.5 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Not compatible with SEL14TC or SEL20TC

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Maximum magnification
0.29×
Optical stabilisation
Yes
Autofocus detail
Linear autofocus motor; no XD designation published
Focus distance detail
0.45 m minimum focus
Magnification detail
0.29× maximum magnification
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
55 mm
Maximum diameter
67.2 mm
Length
88 mm
Weight
325 g
Controls
Separate zoom and manual-focus rings and AF/MF switch
Zoom design
Extending zoom barrel; Photography Blog measured approximately 25 mm additional extension at 135 mm
Filter detail
55 mm front filter thread; filter does not rotate during focusing (Photography Blog)
Dimensions detail
67.2 mm maximum diameter × 88 mm length
Weight detail
Approximately 325 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
ALC-SH153 petal bayonet hood
In the box
ALC-SH153 hood, ALC-F55S front cap and ALC-R1EM rear cap; no case listed
Release detail
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

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 27–202.5 mm equivalent field of view
  • 325 g lens weight
  • Optical SteadyShot

Cons

  • Variable F3.5–5.6 maximum aperture
  • No weather sealing (reviews)

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E18–110 mmf/4Yes1,105 gNov 2016
Sony E18–105 mmf/4Yes427 gDec 2013
Sony E18–200 mmf/3.5–6.3Yes460 gJun 2012

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL18135/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SEL18135/feature_1.html
  3. mynewsdesk.com/sony-europe/pressreleases/sony-adds-high-magnification-high-qual…
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_e_18_135mm_f3_5_5_6_oss_review
  5. digitalcameraworld.com/reviews/sony-e-18-135mm-f35-56-oss-review

Photo: sony.jp

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