This is a review of the new version (for mirrorless E-mount cameras) of Sony’s 18-135mm superzoom lens (SEL18135). It’s certainly nice and small – perfect for a mirrorless, APS-C camera – let’s see if its image quality is also up to scratch.
All pictures taken by me on Sony a7r ii and a5100 cameras.
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Music:
‘Opportunity Walks’, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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Price: $278.00
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How bad this lens, Will it be better Sigma 17-70mm + Sigma MC11, or Sony Carl Zeiss 16-70mm?
Christopher, you sound as if you have a cold. I hope you start feeling better.
great video, and i hope you get well early
Your voice is sounding a little scratchy. I hope you’re feeling ok!
I discard this lens, but youtubers recommend the Sigma 17-70mm + sigma MC11, with this adapter has better performance, but Christofer reviewed it in 2014 and it did not look so good that time, has anyone tried it?
@Christopher Really amazing and informative video. Thank you very much. How do you compare its image quality with the Canon EF-M 18-150mm? I saw your review on that as well but wanted to know your personal experience. Thank you again. God bless.
Wow, this lens is so bad when it comes to vignetting and distortion! This is so bad!
8:17 Can see chemtrails in the sky.
WTF Sony that distortion is horrible this is why I shoot Samyang.
Are you not well?? You sound a bit out of breadth. Take some rest. As always good review.
Shocked to see the distortion and vignetting from a sony lens.
Like the majority of there lenses cheap to expensive just crap overpriced ridiculous electronics such a shame freaking tamron 18 200 is amazing for only $220 bucks. The biggest issue is the flange distance that causing these problems definitely you should get to review Sony 18 105 and Sony 16 70. Feel better you don’t sound too well first time I’ve heard you this sick god bless you.
Another excellent review, mate. Get well.
You sound rough mate, hope all is well.
Ridiculous. The Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM is only $400!
Gosh, Sony really treats their APS-C line like crap. This was supposed to be the best zoom lens, the one they took years to release. And then it doesn’t even cover the sensor… not to mention those awful Sony colors. So glad I moved to Fuji.
I thought Sony abondoned E-mount, but apparently it’s not 🙂 happy to watch your video, but take care yourself! Your voice makes me sad.
‘dat raspy voice though
very bad result, shame for Sony again…
I would rather buy the 18-105 f4 OSS than this
Need Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens Review.
Compare with the 18-105mm f/4 is about the same price
f/8 is the sweet spot of all Sony e-mount lenses. This can be viewed on their MTF charts.
As usual super zoom lenses full open suffer from spherical aberration.
Sony has a similar much older lens 2012 for a-mount cameras.
https://www.sony.com/electronics/camera-lenses/sal18135/specifications
your reviews are the best 🙂
please review 16-35 f4 and f2.8 for sony fe – i cant decide
Hi Christopher, Thanks a lot. Still have some questions in mind’
– How is 18-135 on APSC compared to 24-105 on fullframe?
– Heard that 18-135 had a much worse stabilisation to 18-105
– How is it compared to 16-70
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a smart way to buy this is as a kit with A6500 , you get it for about 25% of the stand alone price in Australia it’s A$2158 Body + lens vs $1899 body + $899 kens
Wow!! I love Sony
Hey Chris, I hope you didn’t have a cold while filming this video! If you were sick, I hope you’re feeling better now. Your channel is awesome, the content you put out is very informative and useful! Have you ever considered reviewing the Sony/Zeiss 16-70mm f/4? I’d be very curious to see how it compares to the 18-135mm you reviewed here. If nothing else, perhaps a review by you could help put to rest the rather controversial reputation that the 16-70mm seems to have on the internet :).
Love your videos. Keep it up.
This is bad performance for the price Sony is asking IMHO. This looks very much like a kit lens. The IS is not magic bullet either.
I have no experience with superzooms, are they supposed ot be bad?
Meyer Optik Görlitz announced a 75 mm 0.95 :0 would be nice if you try and borrow one:)
1st
Get well soon, and great video btw.
Since you review this, can you review the cheaper and bigger the sony 18-105mm APSC lens? I would like to know is the corner sharpness is better than 18-135mm
ummm..i remembered that the sony 24-240 for full frame seems to have a similar price tag?
u dont sounds well hope u get better
Sony cheating on the lens capability again.
Can you review the old Sony E 18-55 OSS kit lens? Will the bigger size make it perform better?
Do you think it is good alternative to Sony 24-240 on A7RIII?
I like the size. I don’t like the optics, or the price!