Sony AF DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM A-mount lens review by zastavia

zastavia#10788 date: Dec-16-2012
sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 3 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 overall: 3.8	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Minolta 28-105
price paid:	0.0
positive:	-Sharp, especially at 55 -Minolta colors -very good flare control -superb close-focus ability -compact & light-weight -fast, accurate focus in good light -cheap if you have to buy
negative:	-obvious distortion of vertical plane at wide end (mostly close objects such as lamp posts etc, but easily corrected in lightroom) -somewhat plasticky build
comment:	Had this lens come with my a33 and also my a57. My newer version has a smoother zoom barrel, while the older one was a bit sticky half way. Very plastic design and build, and rather loose focus ring at front. Aside from this, this is actually a very good kit lens, known to be greatly superior to its Canon counterpart. I have always liked this lens a lot, especially its beautiful colors, focus accuracy and very good level of sharpness. When shooting at 55mm, gives superb IQ, especially as a macro-lens. I use this for flowers and insects, and with a Raynox 250 on the front, it becomes a razor sharp microscope lens surpassing £600 macro lenses. I cant ever see myself buying a more expensive 18-55, because all other lenses do not have the fantastic close-up ability.