Sony DT 18-135 F3.5-5.6 SAM  reviews

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Huge   review date: April-27-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 16-50 2.8 SSM
TAmron 28-300
Sigma 18-250 HSM Macro
Sony 18-55 SAM (kit lens)

price paid:

219 £ (new)

positive:

Very good extinction resolution (Rayleigh criterion)
CA is simple and easily removed
Good build
Fast focus
Distortion is mostly simple and easily removed in camera or by post processing from raw

negative:

From 90-135, focus can occasionally hunt briefly
Some loss of chrominance micro-contrast
Astigmatism at ends of range (only in corners, but see comments)
Varifocal (hence no distance scale!)

comment:

I was having difficulty deciding HOW to review this lens

I decided to work on the basis that most people will use in-camera jpg or a more recent RAW converter that handles distortion and CA. In this lens, these aberrations are quite significant, but fairly simple and designed for correction; so in reality are not a problem at all.

The sharpness/contrast characteristic is again designed so that post processing can reveal remarkable levels of detail, with only the corner astigmatism remaining (but see the comment on DxO). Of course this approach only sharpens luminance, so there is a detectable loss of chominance micro-contrast remaining, but this is nit picking). These two prevent it getting 5 for both sharpness and colour. The results I have obtained are significantly better than those obtained by Kurt Munger in his review of this lens (was his lens a pre-production example perhaps?).

DxO. Finally, when the images are processed using DxO 8, the lens profile is excellent an also corrects the astigmatism; this lens then gets a 5 for sharpness. In fact the images are SO good that, in many cases, they are better than in-camera jpeg images from the Sony 16-50 2.8! - quite an astonishing feat for a 7.5x zoom. For anyone using this lens I heartily recommend DxO, it's the best accessory you can buy for it!

Like the 16-50 this is another lens that doesn't (generally) get in the way during picture taking; it just does it's job unobtrusively, allowing you to concentrate on the image.

Bottom Line: Very good lens, easy to use, and when used with distortion and CA correction this lens will not disappoint at all; when used with DxO it's simply amazing.

This is now my walkabout lens, I just don't see any significant loss of quality compared to the 16-50.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: kukynas   review date: April-25-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

CZ 16-80
50/1.4

price paid:

400 USD (new)

positive:

Range
Fast and Quiet AF
Build
SAM motor
Sharp
light

negative:

nothing to mention

comment:

better then CZ16-80. Highly recommended.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 5 

user: Freddan_6   review date: March-14-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 18-55 3.5-5.6 SAM
KonicaMinolta 28-75 2.8
Tamron 17-55 2.8
Minolta Beercan 70-210 4
Minolta Big Beercan 75-300 4.5-5.6
Minolt 80-200 2.8 APO
Sony 18-200 3.5-6.3

price paid:

239£ (new)

positive:

Compact, colors, sharpness, weight.

negative:

A bit stiff zooming

comment:

The updated SAM is fast, accurate and silent.
Bought it new without box from UK, to a good price. This is not as sharp in the corners as the KM 28-75 or Tam 17-50 wide open but it sharpens up nicely at f8. Center is really sharp from wide open. I will use this as a travellens. Much better sharpness, contrast and colors than the 18-200. Color are a little more blue than minolta, still good colors.
A little busy bokeh, worse thena the Beercan.
Nice Minimal Focal Distance.
No need for the zoom-lock so far.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: mnerd   review date: March-12-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

16-80 CZ
24-85

price paid:

220 eur (used)

positive:

+ range
+ SAM
+ sharp
+ fast focus
+ lightweight

negative:

- no macro
- APSC

comment:

Best colors, range and weight for money.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Peter1982   review date: January-12-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

- Minolta 24-85 mm RS
- Minolta 28-105 mm RS
- Sigma 18-200 mm DC
- Sony 18-55 mm
- Sony 18-70 mm
- Tamron 28-200mm (not macro)

price paid:

295 € (new)

positive:

- Sharp
- light weight
- range
- the new SAM
- CA-correction (with newer SLTs, like A65)
- distortion correction

negative:

- AF sometimes a little bit nervous between 100-135 mm
- only 135 mm
- only F3,5-5,6 (but it is normal for a 7,5x zoom lens)
- some vignetting with Raynox DCR-FE181pro Fisheye converter(more then the Sigma)

comment:

This is the best all-round lens I've ever had (especially for travelling). It has the Image quality of the Minolta 28-105 mm RS, with a better range for APS-C, the new quiet SAM and no CA (A65 has a correction for this lens). I have also the Sigma 18-200mm DC, which is a great lens, but it has sometimes a lot of CA and a noisy AF, which is not good for video recording.
So if you have a SLT with lens corrections and if you're looking for a all-round lens for trevelling and video recording, I would recommend you this lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Canafan   review date: January-10-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony SAL 55-200
Kit lens 18-55

price paid:

550 CAN

positive:

fast focus
colors
fits excellent with Sony A57

negative:

non

comment:

Very good lens compare to lenses listed above. Now I'm looking forward to buy macro lens 50/2.8 or 100/2.8.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: alex200464   review date: January-10-13  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 25-105

price paid:

500 USD

positive:

fast focusing , Color

negative:

nothing

comment:

sharpness: 3 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: chrishoek   review date: December-01-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

18-55 sony
24-135 Tamron SP
35-105 Minolta

price paid:

200 euro

positive:

Good built quality
Good range
SAM autofocus

negative:

Not so sharp as expected.

comment:

I think the sharpness of this lens is somewhat overrated, and the lens is just as sharp as to be expected for this kind of zoom range.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: hg102   review date: November-29-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

16-105 Sony
24-70 f2.8 CZ

price paid:

425 USD (new)

positive:

The weight is considerably lighter than the 16-50
It doesn't creep like the 16-105.
the color is good I find I need to uner exppose to get good stauration
I have not shot any structures so I may be off on the distortion
no flare yet.

negative:

nothing so far.

comment:

I bought the lens because it covered the focal range I needed and found it to be much better than I expected
This is a keeper. I will review the build rating after I have used it more and can see how well it holds up.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: EdwinB   review date: November-10-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 17-50 2.8
Sony Sal55-200

price paid:

305 euro bulk new

positive:

Feel
focus and zoom ring
Color
Price!

negative:

nothing to mention

comment:

Balances well with my A57. Zoomring and manualfocus ring are well placed en big enough to have a good grip. No lenscreep tiny lock button not necessary. Range is great. I am used to the combo 17-50 and 55-200 but thes two lenses will stay in my bag. Great lens for daily use. Love it.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: JohnF   review date: November-06-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

KM 1870, Sony 18-70, Minolta 24-28, Minolta 100-300, Tamron 90mm.

price paid:

<£300

positive:

Well made and nicely proportioned lens with a nice firm feel to the zoom ring. Good for colour, contrast, sharpness and speed of operation. Nice bokeh at the 135mm end with closeups.

negative:

Distortiion at 18mm needed to be fixed in Photoshop from KM 5D image. Sony A57 appears to autofix it with just a little cropping. 62mm filter required.

comment:

I can recommend this lens for anyone who wants something better than the basic kit lens and who doesn't want to pay a premium for the nicer shorter zooms. If light weight is vitally important then stay with the standard kit lens and use Photoshop CS to improve contrast and sharpness etc.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: glassesofwater   review date: October-16-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

SAL16-105, SAL18-55

price paid:

bundled with the a77

positive:

Range
Fast and Quiet AF
Build
SAM motor
Sharp

negative:

Not weather sealed
Distortion at 18mm

comment:

This piece came bundled with my a77. At first, I thought about selling it. But then I decided to use it a little and found it is a keeper. It is as sharp as a zoom of this range can be - which is, comparing it to the 16-105, damn sharp. I think it really shines when you use it with the a77. Didn't have to do AF adjustment on it, since it was spot on from the beginning. Seems to be as sharp as the 16-105

Colors are really good - not Minolta good, but Sony good. Comparing it to the SAL-16-105, I probably could not tell one lens from the other at the same focal lenght.

This lens seems to have a rather sturdy built - it is much better built at first glance than the 16-105, which was not poorly build lens at all. It has a metal mount, doesn't expand when focusing and the focus rings is very smooth thanks to SAM. AF is fast and quiet. I would probably rate this as 4.75 if it were possible, since it doesn't have weather sealing. As it came bundled with the a77, it would be a rather nice feature to have. What made me keep this lens is the SAM motor. Since I intend on doing video, having a quiet AF motor and smooth MF is welcome.

Oh, and this lens looks sexy on new sony bodies.

Distortion is pretty pronounced at 18mm. Vignetting is also present and noticeable. Something that is expected in a lens of this range.

This lens comes with a petal hood, which is a great aid in flare control. If you don't take the hood off, you won't have much problem with flare as far as my testing of it goes. One interesting thing to point out is the format of the light flare it produces. I am into long exposure night photography and this lens produces a much more pleasing (IMO)pattern of light sources than the SAL16-105. Despite both having round aperture, the 18-135 produces a rounded pattern, which is really easy on the eyes, even when the lens is stopped down - while the 16-105 produces that star like patterns if is isn't used wide open, which I find really distractive.

If you are looking for a super zoom lens, this one is a great option to consider. Only if Sony had put this nice SAM motor on the 16-105...

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Vois   review date: October-15-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

16-50
cz16-80
18-250
M 28-135

positive:

135 bokeh
more than sharp enough

negative:

comment:

Exactly what I was looking for with more versatility than the CZ16-80 and quiet faster focusing than the 18-250.

It's as if the 16-50/2.8 SSM and the 18-250 had a "love child" lens... inheriting some versatility and bokeh from the 18-250 and approaching build quality, IQ, almost quiet quick focusing of the 16-50.

if looking foe a versatile focal length walk around lens for photos, quiet and quick AF... this is it...

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: icemantx   review date: September-22-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 16-50
Tamron 17-50
Sigma 50-150
Tamron 70-210
Tamron 18-250

price paid:

499 USD

positive:

Sharp
Color
Focal range
Build

negative:

Distortion at 18mm

comment:

I have only owned this lens a short time, but I can say my initial impressions are great. I sold my Sony 16-50 to get this lens to have more range and I am very happy with this decision. The lens is very sharp and will be on my A57 the vast majority of the time. Great all around lens. Highly recommended.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Rush2112   review date: September-20-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Everything else in this category on the market :)

price paid:

$425.00

positive:

Build quality, silent focusing, 135mm performance, magnification, bokeh, weight and size, versatile

negative:

Nitpicking- Barrell and vignetting distortions on 18mm end, wide open (but normal for such a lens)

comment:

Full review on photographic-central.blogspot.com for more comments, but basically this is my favorite wide angle consumer zoom kit lens to date. Great features (full time DMF for example) great performance on the long end (no drop off and sharp wide open), good weight, great handling, great price and more.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Fred   review date: August-22-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

18-70, 18-55, 18-250

price paid:

£295

positive:

Quick AF, handy range and lightweight

negative:

Colors may need some adjustment?

comment:

Got this lens to replace 18-55 and has a much improved efficient edge. Sharper images throughout.
Newer SAM is evident with quicker AF and am very plesed so far with performance on a57.
Very reasonable for anyone looking for better smaller lightweight zoom lens.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: sonicx   review date: August-18-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 2.8 16-50mm
Tamron 70-300mm USD
Sigma 18-200mm

price paid:

500 EUR

positive:

- the range
- quite and fast focus

negative:

comment:

Great travel lens. It is quite, fast and very light. The range is great for holiday, hiking, and for different occ. when you want to have wide angle and tele in one lens.

The lens is very quite thanks to the obvious new SAM. It is also fast. Therefore useable for video as well.