Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS

Sony

E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS

Released December 2013

An APS-C E-mount constant-F4 power zoom with Optical SteadyShot and a barrel that keeps its length during focusing and zooming.

Mount
Sony E
Focal length
18–105 mm
Max aperture
f/4
Stabilisation
Yes
Weight
427 g

What reviewers say

Both find useful coverage, good central sharpness, quiet focusing and worthwhile value, with weaker corners and dependence on optical correction. Photography Blog finds the lens awkward on Alpha 5100 and highlights wide-end distortion. OpticalLimits finds handling acceptable on NEX-7, but particularly severe uncorrected distortion beyond 18 mm. Both like general background blur while noting optical compromises.

From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and opticallimits.com

Optics

Lens type
Zoom
Focal length
18–105 mm
Maximum aperture
f/4
Minimum aperture
f/22
Optical construction
Sixteen elements in twelve groups
Special elements
Three aspherical elements and two ED elements
Diaphragm
Seven rounded blades
Angle of view
76°–15° APS-C

Mount and compatibility

Mounts
Sony E
Image circle
APS-C
Image circle detail
APS-C coverage; 27–157.5 mm equivalent field of view
Teleconverter support
Not compatible with Sony E-mount teleconverters

Focus and stabilisation

Autofocus
Yes
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Maximum magnification
0.11×
Optical stabilisation
Yes
Autofocus detail
Quiet focusing using Sony Handycam-derived mechanism; read maker pages do not identify a specific AF motor type
Focus distance detail
Minimum focus distance 0.45 m at 18 mm and 0.95 m at 105 mm
Magnification detail
0.11× maximum magnification
Stabilisation detail
Built-in Optical SteadyShot; no maker stop rating published
Video features
Constant F4 aperture, quiet zoom and focus operation, variable-speed power zoom lever

Design

Filter diameter
72 mm
Maximum diameter
78 mm
Length
110 mm
Weight
427 g
Controls
Separate focus and zoom rings and continuously variable-speed power zoom lever
Zoom design
Powered zoom; overall barrel length remains constant during zoom and focus
Filter detail
72 mm front filter thread
Weather resistance
No maker dust or moisture resistance claim in read exact pages
Dimensions detail
78 mm maximum diameter × 110 mm maker length
Weight detail
Approximately 427 g lens; separate hood and caps excluded
Lens hood
ALC-SH128 petal bayonet hood, supplied
In the box
ALC-SH128 hood and front and rear caps; no case listed
Release detail
Sony Japan announcement dated 27 August 2013 specifies December availability; exact first global sale day unconfirmed. Two full independent reviews read: Photography Blog Mark Goldstein on Alpha 5100 and OpticalLimits Klaus Schroiff on NEX-7, sample centring described as okay with slightly softer right side. Different handling and distortion findings retained, processing and body context qualified. Blog supporting sharpness pages incorrectly label lens F3.5–5.6; maker constant F4 used. OpticalLimits erroneous equivalent focal range corrected to maker 27–157.5mm. Review barrel material descriptions disagree and are omitted; no inferred predecessor link

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Constant F4 maximum aperture
  • Variable-speed power zoom lever
  • Optical SteadyShot stabilisation

Cons

  • APS-C image coverage
  • No maker weather resistance claim

Closest rivals

Model
MountFocal lengthMax apertureStabilisationWeightReleased
Sony E18–110 mmf/4Yes1,105 gNov 2016
Sony E16–70 mmf/4Yes308 gSept 2013
Sony E18–135 mmf/3.5–5.6Yes325 gFeb 2018

Sources

  1. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SELP18105G/spec.html
  2. sony.jp/ichigan/products/SELP18105G/feature_1.html
  3. sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201308/13-0827B
  4. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_e_pz_18_105mm_f4_g_oss_review
  5. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_e_pz_18_105mm_f4_g_oss_review/conclusion
  6. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_e_pz_18_105mm_f4_g_oss_review/sharpness_2
  7. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_e_pz_18_105mm_f4_g_oss_review/sharpness_3
  8. photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_e_pz_18_105mm_f4_g_oss_review/sharpness_4
  9. opticallimits.com/sony/sony-e-18-105mm-f-4-g-oss-sel18105g-review

Photo: sony.jp

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