Features:

  • High performance E-mount lens with excellent contrast; Minimum Aperture (F): 22
  • Minimum Focus Distance : 1.48 (Wide)-3.12 ft (Tele), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.11x, Focal Length : 18-105 mm
  • Versatile 27-158mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range. Angle of view (APS-C): 76°- 15°
  • Constant F4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Filter diameter (mm):72 mm
  • It is recommended that you use a lens hood to reduce flare and ensure maximum image quality.Focal Length (mm) 11/16 - 4-1/8 35 mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) 1-1/16 - 6-3/16 inches
If I could only have one A6000 lens--this would be it (includes cropped image comparisons)

I've spent the last 3 months researching the A6000 and all of its lenses, and this has to be the most capable lens available--bar none. Let me clear the air first.... This lens does NOT beat every other lens in every single focal range and aperture. But, to be fair, that lens just doesn't exist. However, it does everything I want and need well enough that it spends 95% of the time on my A6000. I'll explain the other 5% at the end, if you're not bored out of your mind by then. A little backstory. I'm a peeper... a pixel peeper that is, and I want every photo crisp and sharp.... that's just me. So I spent days setting up my test bed, taking test photos, compiling them, and comparing them in Photoshop to see how they all stack up and attached a test photo with my results. SHOT SETTINGS: ISO100, Manual Focus, Focal length: 18/19mm, Noise Reduction: OFF, SteadyShot: OFF RESULTS: The SELP18105G at least matches the Sigma at f4.0 It blows the SELP1650 out of the water (Just check the shots and you'll see why) THOUGHTS: If a zoom lens can zoom 87mm and still hold its own (and in some cases win) against a well regarded prime lens, then why buy prime? So, you can get more exercise?! This was at the lens's widest too! At F5.0 it most definitely matches or beats the Sigma in sharpness all across the image. I took way too many photos to share here, but trust me this lens is way worth it. TIPS: I checked this lens at every focal length with every F-stop, and it is SHARPEST at F5.0-F5.6 (depending on focal length). If you own this lens, set it to aperture priority F5.0 and you should get the sharpest image this lens can produce at the given focal length. I compared this against the SEL55210 and found it to be sharper than it as well at comparable focal lengths (but obviously it had an extra 95mm range). Lastly, the only other lens I use (that 5% I mentioned earlier) is a Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f2.0 for astrophotography. Don't get me wrong, the SELP18105G can do that too, but the extra FOV and two stops of light are worth the trouble of swapping lenses and having to manually dial everything in. My whole camera kit is made up of just those two lenses and I couldn't be any happier with the results I get from them. OTHER STUFF: OSS: This lens has optical image stabilization which is a must for video IMO and important towards the telephoto end of the lens (70mm+) PS: I Bought and reviewed the "International Version" to save the 100+ bucks but it should be exactly the same as this version.

Amazing price, so versatile!!

This is not going to be a technical review on this lens as there are other very in-depth reviews already so if you want to read that, this isn't for you, BUT if you want to know how this works for me and how it can work for what you do keep reading. I bought a Sony a6300 and did a lot of research on lenses and I bought the Sigma 35 mm 1.4. I would say I am an amateur photographer and I needed another lens to replace the kit lenses 16-55 which was f 5.6 on the longer end, this one is f 4 throughout and while that may be slow for 18mm but it is a great lens. Is has OSS so you get smooth footage. I do car photography and have found that the bokeh at the telephoto end is pretty good, while at 18 you don't get much. I found that this lens is sharp and it one of the best all-around lenses, so if you want an all in one that does video recording, photos this is a great lens and even better than the Sigma 16-70 because of the price. This has so many uses for what I use it for, I don't have to switch lenses as often because this is a great lens, its a great buy especially for the price!

PERFECT Walking-Around All-Purpose Lens on any of the Sony APS-C bodies

I’ve been wanting to update my review of this simply terrific, sterling lens. I’ve had it now for almost a year and it has become my absolute go-to lens. It is wire sharp at all focal lengths (equivalent 27 mm to 158 mm) plus holds f/4.0 throughout its range, making it the perfect walking-around lens for pretty much any purpose you can think of. It is a chunk, big and heavy owing to its impressive range plus f/4.0. It’s actually heavier than the APS-C bodies, but it is so superb in performance that it is THE lens I will have on if I go out with just a body, lens, and spare battery. I have a set of inexpensive but fully automatic extension tubes that couple with the zoom and allow it to be used as a zooming macro. I also have an E-mount Sony 30mm macro which is only marginally better than using the big zoom with extension tubes. I’ve added some new pictures to demonstrate. I would say that for most purposes, if you have only one lens, this one performs so well it replaces a bagful of primes. Yes, it is “only” f/4.0, but the APS-C sensor tolerates some stratospheric ISO. I have used my 18-105 to cover an indoor flag football game at ISO 12,800. Most of the noise was mitigated in Lightroom alone (shooting only raw), and only a few needed Topaz de-noise. I personally think it’s a myth that you must have fast lenses in low light, especially with mirrorless EVF that is bright no matter the speed of the lens.

Good value lens - comparison of Sony lenses

SELP18105G: This lens is a good value for the features and cost. For $600, the lens has f-4 max aperture, standard OSS optical stabilization, 6x zoom (27-157mm 35mm equivalent), internal focusing (lens length remains constant for easier handling), power zoom (smoother focusing for videos and can be controlled by the free PlayMemories app), and good weight of 15.1oz (< 1 lb). Yes, there is mild chromatic aberration and distortion, but both of these can be compensated. The chromatic aberration is not always noticeable (depends on the scenery), and is virtually gone by reducing the aperture to f-5.0. The distortion only shows up in RAW images, and any decent photo editing software can correct it with one click. SEL18200: This lens costs $250 more, but has 2x more zoom than the SELP18105G, but 1.3 higher f-stop at max zoom (smaller aperture, > 2x less light). Its about the same size as the SELP18105G, but weighs 18.5oz (3.4oz more). This lens does not have internal focusing or power zoom, but does have a relatively better stabilization that Sony dubbed Active OSS. SEL18200le: This lens has the same featues as the SEL18200 lens, but costs $100 less because it only has the regular OSS, not the Active OSS. Due to that fact, it weighs in at 16.3oz and is 1cm shorter and 1cm smaller diameter than the SELP18105G. The issue with this lens is that critics noted it's basically a rebranded Tamron 18-200mm lens, so you are paying a premium just for the Sony name. SELP18200: This lens is like combining the SELP18105 and SEL18200 lenses because it has the internal focusing and power zoom (indicated by the "P" in the model #), while providing 200mm zoom and Active OSS. See the above descriptions for benefits of these features. However, you are paying $1100 for this lens. SEL55210: If you have the kit lens (SEL1650 or SEL1855) and are on a budget, then this lens is the best option for you since it's only $300. However, you will have to swap lenses whenever you cross the 50mm zoom boundary, which may cause dust to settle on your image sensor. Also, it does not have internal focusing or power zoom, but does have regular OSS. SEL1670Z: This lens is Sony's premium lens with Carl Zeiss (indicated by the "Z" in the model #) AR-coated optics and f-4 max aperture, but costs $1000. But it has relatively weak zoom (24-105mm 35mm equivalent), and some reviews noted focusing issues. It has internal focusing and regular OSS, but no power zoom. For $1000, the lens should not have focusing problems, and the zoom needs to be stronger (at least 6x). Comparing Sony's E-mount APS-C lenses, this lens (SELP18105G) is the best value for the price. I tested this lens on my Sony NEX-6 camera.

Yep. It's a workhorse.

Wow this lens. Just wow. I've been looking for that work-horse all purpose lens, and I think I found it. Now I'm coming from several primes, some kit lenses, the 55-210 and an ultrawide. I think (personally) that this lens is worthy of the G series moniker even with the fact that it does hunt a bit; it's just not going to be as fast as your primes (I knew that coming in), but it's not bad. I'm not shooting sports, I'm shooting my kid. I got some of my favorite shots the first time I tried the lens out. Just awesome. Updates likely to follow, but I'll be putting this lens through its paces shortly.

This lens meets the Zeiss 16-70mm in image quality for half the price with way more zoom!

Compared this for several weeks with the Zeiss 16-70mm. This lens meets the Zeiss in image quality for half the price and way more zoom. Bokeh is awesome, the OIS works perfectly even when zoomed in to 105, and doesn't look any different in the end than the Zeiss! This one is a no-brainer to me.

OK for Photo, Stellar for Video

Most of the other reviews here adequately encompass the strengths and weaknesses of this lens so to regurgitate them would be mostly pointless; however, to sum it up briefly- I shoot event/wedding photography and videography. If I'm doing a photography job, I use Sony G-Master glass and nothing else. If i'm doing videography, this lens is my main go-to. Using this lens on an A7R2 or A7S2 in super 35mm mode provides excellent video results. I use my camera mounted onto a DJI Ronin-M, mounted upside down on a Jockey 5th Axis Stabilizer mount with a record/zoom remote attached to the handle via a clamp mount. I can film, stabilized, with the zoom and record controls right at my fingertips. It's magical. If you're doing photography, there are quite a few better lenses than this. If you're doing videography, this is one of the best lenses available, especially if you're recording events where a wide range of focal lengths are required. The optical stabilization is REALLY good and the power zoom has variable speeds depending on how hard you depress the zoom buttons, for a wide range of applications. The power zoom can be activated via a Sony Camera remote attached to the "multi" port of the camera so that you can operate the zoom and record functions without touching the camera. TLDR: for photography, there are better options available. For videography, this is one of the best.

Must buy for new Sony users! ( Sharp walk-around lens)

I was initially going for a 2.8 zoom lens for Sony but the prices were way out of my budget. Although a f4 lens, it gives you a wide range which is helpful if you are on a trip with family and friends. It is not so heavy as you would expect from photos or reviews, but if your camera is on a selfie grip or tripod, you may feel the setup a little front heavy. In my testing, it is a bit softer at f4 mostly in the wider ranges 18mm -35mm but it seems to be the sharpest between 50mm to 85mm at f4, otherwise just stop it down to 5.6 for slight improvement. There is a fall off when you zoom all the way to 105mm, so just test the ranges out before you do any shoot or anything professional. For me, since photography is just a side hobby, this lens fullfills my needs. For this range and price, I am happy with f4. Hope this lens has worked well for you all! Cheers!

Fantastic all-around lens

Fantastic all-around lens. Extremely versatile focal range. Excellent bokeh at F4 and the constant aperature is a nice plus. Sharp images. Distortion is non-existent on the Sony A6000. Zoom is steady and dead silent. A great upgrade from the kit lens. The 18-105 range covers 95% of my shooting. Attached total eclipse photos were taken with an A6000 at F5.6, focal length of 105mm. No photoshopping whatsoever, just a slight crop to center image.

Amazing lens: sharp, beautiful color, smooth zoom, solid build

Awesome lens! I came from the Canon side of the fence. Sold all my gear and went SONY mirrorless with a6000.This lens is very sharp edge to edge, has color reproduction and detail comparable to a Canon L lens. F4 is a compromise to keep the price low. At F2.8 this lens would have probably cost twice as much and likely be larger too. I haven't found that to be a problem though. I can still get a nice portrait at 105mm with blurred background and nice subject isolation. It produces gorgeous landscape shots though. Zoom is silky smooth and perfect for video. I actually started shooting more videos because of this lens. Focus ring is also smooth. Construction is solid, it has a quality feel to it. I am very happy: very high image quality at fraction of the weight and cost of high end Canon.

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