Sony AF DT 18-55 F3.5-5.6 SAM  reviews

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: camperbc   review date: June-19-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70mm kit lens

price paid:

110 new

positive:

- excellent clarity and sharpness, right to the sides and into the corners
- even performs well in low light
- 110% better in every way than the original kit lens

negative:

none to speak of!

comment:

What a breath of fresh air this lens has turned out to be! I have taken a few incredible shots with the original kit lens, but it took a lot of work to get there. With the 18-55mm, it is hard to take a bad shot. Really. For the price, this lens cannot be beat for clarity and sharpness. The 18-55mm should be in everyone's bag!

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 5 

user: Bill73   review date: June-13-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

SONY CZ 16-80/f3.5-4.5
Tamron 90mm/f2.8 Macro
Sony 18-70 kit
Sony 50/f1.4
Sony 75-300/f4.5-5.6(kit)
Tamron 18-200/f4.5-6.3
Sigma 28-200/f3.8.5.6

price paid:

kit

positive:

Light and compact (plastic construction a plus I would argue)
huge improvement over 18-70mmSOny
Great lens!
Nice (but not perfect) color rendition and sharpness.

negative:

Not a thing.

comment:

I really like this lens! I believe it is better than either the Canon or Nikon kit lenses. It is a very significant improvement over the 18-70Sony - even though shorter. Shooting at 55mm and cropping produces a sharper/better image than shooting at 70mm with the 18-70mm! All-in-all a very convincing kit lens that will cope (and cope well!) with what is was designed for.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: Thelone   review date: May-25-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

- Minolta AF 35-70 F3.5-4.5

price paid:

59.99€ (new)

positive:

- Cheap
- Light
- Sharp
- Short MFD

negative:

- Not much

comment:

A great kit lens. For the price, you can't really go wrong with this little guy. Sure, it's all plastic and SAM is kind of a joke, but who cares ?

The lens can also be used for proxy/macro shots.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: atmaan   review date: May-20-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony DT 18-70
KM 18-70
Km 24-105

price paid:

$100, (as a kit)

positive:

Light, accurate AF, Sharp, Close focusing, nice colors

negative:

Somewhat loud AF, not the most pleasant bokeh

comment:

This lens came as a kit, so I will compare it to other "kit" lenses I have used or own. It is of a all plastic/polycarbonate construction, so will feel awkward on heavier cameras, but mates nicely with the a2...5 Sony alphas. Capable of some reasonable macro type shots, but Bokeh is not the most pleasing. Very light, and is sharper than both the 18-70 lenses. Nice, light, very usable travel lens, definitely not a "body cap only". Does not come with a hood, but I have not noticed any flare to speak of. Usual,(expected) distortion at wide end only, as with most cheap zooms.
This lens finally lets alpha mount Kit owners take pictures equal or I dare say better that Cannonites and Nikonians with theirr 18-55 kits.

sharpness: 4 

color: 3 

build: 2 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 4 

user: brororn   review date: March-13-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

K-M 17-35/2.8-4
Sony Zeiss 16-80/3.5-4.5

price paid:

69 EUR (new)

positive:

Small and lightweight, close focusing, cheap

negative:

Mechanics not so good

comment:

Not perfect but best buy because it is so cheap, focusing not so fast and very noisy.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: warriors.photo   review date: March-12-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony DT 18-70

price paid:

With kit

positive:

Small lens

negative:

Color distortion

comment:

I like this lens more then the Sony DT 18-70, for its color rendition. I do like that lenses extra reach though.
The colors are sometimes off, I don't really get sharp images like I though I would with this lens.
It does have the AF/MF switch on it. Its small.
I sold it already and didn't really look back.
Just my .02 on this lens.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: the_fat_zebra   review date: February-20-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

Kit Lens

positive:

Very sharp for a kit lens.
Lightweight.

negative:

It hunts, hunts, hunts in anything other than ideal lighting conditions. It's making me look for a replacement such as the 17-50 tamron.

comment:

For a kit lens, this is an excellent performer. The focal range is useful, although maybe a tad short, but I've managed to get some amazingly sharp pictures from this. As for build quality, I don't mind modern plastics at all as they are light.
The main thing I don't like is that it hunts a lot in low-light shooting, but that may also be the alpha 230 on which I use it.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: harbinger   review date: January-25-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70
50mm 1.7
50mm 1.4
135mm 1.8
70-210 F4

price paid:

$90

positive:

Good center focus
Sharp edge to edge starting at F7.1
Acceptable group shots at F5.6
small lightweight and new constructs

negative:

i still hate the rubber area, its a dust magnet
Just a little short on the 55mm

comment:

Truly an amazing gem released by Sony. Comparing it to the 18-70mm, this one starts to get sharp even at f4 for group shots.

A more accurate lens in terms of getting the right mix of sharpness across the range.

Combined with a powerful flash and my A200, its so amazing how pictures come out sharp edge to edge

Not something you should pass up especially if you want a casual day to day lens. it won't compare to the 18-250 in terms of versstility but think about where you will most cry when you drop the lens?

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: ScYcS   review date: January-20-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70mm Kit
Canon 18-55mm IS
Canon 18-55mm non IS

price paid:

$100 US

positive:

Cheap kit lens that actually delivers. Fabulous for the price. Useful range on APS-C.

negative:

Plasticky....

comment:

Great lens for a kit lens. There really isn't much to complain about and i would even consider buying it for $100 seperately. It delivers and delivers well.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: gancho   review date: January-02-10  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 28,2.8
Minolta 50, 1.7
Minolta 35-70
Sigma 70-210
Tamron 80-210
Sigma 105 EX macro

price paid:

L67

positive:

Great quality for the price, Very good macro which surprise me. Excellent sharp and good colours. Wide on my Sony A 200.

negative:

Plastic built is the main negative.

comment:

Much, Much better than 18-70 sony lens. The macro function is something I did not expected. I am pleased with the range 18-55 which is the best for camera from this sort. Well done for Sony. I will keep the lens defenitely.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: use_ran86   review date: November-30-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

sony dt 18-70
minolta 35-70 f4
sony 50 f1.8

price paid:

nzd 160

positive:

sharp
nice color
cheap
light weight

negative:

slightly noisy
build quality

comment:

this lens is really sharp for a kit lens.

i use it on my a200 replacing the original kit lens. center sharpness is amazing. it feels quite cheap but i like the new look. much better than the 18-70 kit lens. i think, optically it can easily match to canon or nikon kit lens.

SAM doesn't give much advantage..

recommended!! go get one for you.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: otamcnet   review date: November-25-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70 Kit
Minolta 50 1.7
Tamron 55-200

price paid:

77 USD

positive:

Sharp
Lightweight

negative:

SAM is noisy
Oter than that - None

comment:

Nice Lens - compared to the 18-70 kit lens its a monster. I got a good deal on ebay but would have spent the 2 bills if I could have found it local. Excellent, nice and sharp, lightweight. Some say the build is off, but I think its fine - I think the days of the heavy metal monsters are over. The lens is so good, I will wait for a bit to get the Minolta 28-85.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Derek   review date: October-20-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta 18-70
Tokina 20-35 f3.5-4.5

price paid:

L65 (mint)

positive:

Lightweight
Sharp
Colour
Cheap

negative:

Could be sharper at the wide end

comment:

Nice lens, build surprisingly good considering the weight.

No major faults but it is definitely sharper at the longer focal lengths which is dissappointing as I bought this lens to cover focal lengths up to 24 mm until I can find (and afford) the Sigma 15-30.

Interestingly, when at 55mm the exif data records 50 mm

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 4 

user: jarnoshen   review date: October-14-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta AF 35-70/3.5-4.5

positive:

Kit lens (cheap)
Good build, very fast focus on my Sony A500.
Sharpness is fine for its price.
Color is nice in low light environment (especially with red lights).

negative:

Distortion is a little too large in 18mm end.
Color is too blue in shadow.
Sometimes, flare remains.

comment:

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Henryk   review date: October-04-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70mm, 16-105mm

price paid:

40GBP

positive:

Very light, reasonably sharp centrally, much better edges than 18-70, very good from 35-55mm, extremely cheap.

negative:

Build quality, noise, edges at 18 and 24mm when wide open, but at this price this nit-picking!

comment:

A great budget buy. I got mine on eBay and it is surprisingly good. It focusses very close and will double up as a flower close-up lens for me.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 3 

distortion: 3 

flare control: 4 

user: ksat90   review date: September-06-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

SAL1870DT
SAL75300

positive:

Sharp... possibly outresolving the 10MP sensor at most centers wide open. Also, very sharp wide open. very little flare or vignetting. Distortion is correctable. Focusing is decently fast and accurate...

negative:

Build quality is so-so... SAM whines a lot...

comment:

I think this is possibly the most bang for buck lens that Sony has ever come up with. It's really sharp at any focal length at most apertures, and the contrast and color rendition definitely beats the old Minolta-based 18-70 design.
The only gripe I have is that the SAM motor is rather high-pitched and although it doesn't seem noisy in usual environments, it is quite obtrusive in quieter environments such as theaters or plays...

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 2 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 3 

user: perslucht   review date: August-31-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70mm f3.5-5.6
Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5

price paid:

49 Euro

positive:

Sharpness

negative:

Build quality
No lens hood
It feels very cheap
Plastic lens mount

comment:

I like this new kit lens very much. I may look cheap and plasticly but the image quality is very nice.

In low the light conditions it is not a good performer, but when there's enough light the images are very nice!

I don't think the SAM makes much difference, it's just a kind of marketing trick. Canon and Nikon also sell build-in-focus-motor-kit-lenses so Sony also had to.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Doc_KoMi   review date: August-21-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony/Minolta DT 18-70

Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 DC

price paid:

35 Euro

positive:

Surprisingly sharp!

negative:

the missing lens hood

comment:

A very nice new "kit lens"! Surprisingly sharp, nice minimum focus distance, in my onpinion a big step ahead compared to the old 18-70, this cheap lens is almost as good as the Sigma 17-70. There is simply no reason why not to have it. Someone who is willing to buy a new entry level Alpha 230, 330 or 380 should also buy this kit lens! You really would miss out a good and affordable lens.

Well, this lens may have a plastic feel (when you touch it), but it has a good look and an even better performance.

SAM ist not really faster or even quiter than internal camera motor driven AF is, I guess upcoming new entry level Alphas will not have any internal AF motor... this is the beginning of something new, look at the small Nikon DSLR cameras. Well, but even that is nothing to complain about!

The only bad thing that really annoys me is the missing lens hood (for god´s sake the 18-70 hood suits!) and the very cheap cap for the mounting bayonet. This was the first thing I changed when I bought this lens! I got myself a good and trusty hard plastic cap from an old Tamron... :)

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: terrylloydsmith   review date: July-28-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

18-70 kit lens
17-50/2.8 Tamron

price paid:

$199.99 new

positive:

Very Sharp
Light Weight
Close focus ability
Low cost

negative:

Slightly noisy
No lens hood included

comment:

This new kit lens from Sony is much better than the old 18-70. Sharpness is excellent, even wide open. Color is nice too. Lots of plastic but the build quality is top rate. Sony hit a home run with this lens, however why no lens shade?
I purchased this for my daughter but I may have to get one for myself as well. Way to go Sony.

sharpness: 4 

color: 5 

build: 3 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: Paul07   review date: July-01-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sony 18-70
Sony 18-250
KM 28-75

price paid:

€59

positive:

compact and light
color and sharpness
flare well controlled

negative:

cheap build quality - plastic mount (although way better than former kitlens !)

comment:

Compared to the previous kitlens, about everything has improved: i.e. better built, easy to use manual focus ring, better image quality (sharpness wide open has improved considerably and flare is very well controlled).
AF performance is good, definitely fast enough, and accurate.

Compared to the 28-75: sharpness is not up to the level of this f/2.8 lens (as expected), but colors of the 18-55 are nicer i.m.o. (a bit warmer). Obviously build quality of 28-75 is at a higher level, but so is price, weight and size ;-).

And finally, compared to the 18-250, the 18-55 shows less distortion, and sharpness wide open is better. AF is a bit faster and more silent also (although not much).

In summary, I think Sony did an outstanding job, redesigning the next generation kitlens.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: CC   review date: July-01-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

CZ 16-80

price paid:

€ 49

positive:

Color
Price
Weight

negative:

Missing hood

comment:

Fast AF. Fantastic image quality for € 49.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: Ivanhoe   review date: June-24-09  

    tested on film camera:

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

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

16-105
70-300G

price paid:

EUR 49

positive:

Price
Weight
Distortion

negative:

Construction
No hood
Plastic lens mount

comment:

This replacement of the 18-70 kit lens holds up very well. Image quality is quite good for a lens of this price range. The construction is very light. There is no hood supplied, the lens mount is plastic and the extending barrel shows some play, but you get what you pay for. There is some barrel distorion at 18mm but it is not too bad. The length of the lens does not change much when zooming.

The autofocus motor in the lens does what it has to do. Autofocus speed is pretty fast, but I don't really see the advantage compared to a screw driven lens: speed and noise are about the same. An SSM lens is vastly superior. I cannot escape the impression that the SAM is primarily for marketing purposes.

All in all a very good beginners lens or nice backup lens.