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Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS E Mount Review

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Main Features

  • 18-55mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 - F5.6 Max Aperture
  • Image Stabilization
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Sony E Mount
  • Weight: 214g / 0.47 lb
  • Dimensions(øxL): 62mm x 60mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.24m
  • Max Magnification: 0.31x
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Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Overview


Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is a Variable aperture Auto Focus (AF) Superzoom Zoom lens with Optical Image stabilization and APS-C / DX max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with E Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifeFair
SportsFair
PortraitGood
TravelGood
StreetGood
WeddingGood
Walk AroundVery Good
VloggingGood
LandscapeVery Good
MacroAverage

Reasons to Buy Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Optical Image Stabilization
Autofocus
Hood supplied
Full-time Manual Focusing
Minimum focus distance of 0.24m / 9.4 inch
Report a correction

Buy Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Lens Extents while zooming
Slow Aperture at Tele end
Variable Aperture


Lens Mount

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is compatible with cameras that have a Sony E lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sony E lenses are Sony A6700, Sony FX30 and Sony ZV-E10.

Sony A6700 with Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Size
Sony A6700 with the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Sony FX30 with Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Size
Sony FX30 with the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Sony ZV-E10 with Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Size
Sony ZV-E10 with the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS has a maximum diameter of 62mm and total length of 60mm when not extended. It weighs 214g / 7.5 oz.

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS has a filter thread of 49mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS:

  • 49mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 49mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 49mm Clear Protection Lens Filters




Focal Range

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS has a focal range of 18-55mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27-82.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.


Optical Image Stabilization

The Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS features an optical image stabilization system which helps to reduce the blur that occurs due to shaking during hand-held shooting.

Zoom Method

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.31x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.24m. For a non-macro lens, the 0.31x is considered a high magnification and will come handy for close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Superzoom Zoom type Sony E mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3: 0.35x - (Compare)
  • Sony E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS: 0.35x - (Compare)
  • Tamron 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III: 0.32x - (Compare)

Aperture

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is a variable aperture lens with a max aperture of f3.5 and a minimum aperture of f22 at 18mm, and a max aperture of f5.6 and minimum aperture of f32 at 55mm .

Focal Length Max Aperture Min Aperture
18mm F3.5 F22
55mm F5.6 F32

Optical Formula

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS's optical formula consists of 11 elements in 9 groups . Special elements used in this design is 4 aspheric elements.

Lens Hood

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Body Colour

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is available in Silver and Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Lens Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 116 g / 0.26 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
Compare
APS-C / DX 290 g / 0.64 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Sony FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Compare
35mm FF 295 g / 0.65 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Compare
APS-C / DX 494 g / 1.09 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16mm F2.8 Pancake Lens Sony E 16mm F2.8 Pancake
Compare
APS-C / DX 74 g / 0.16 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 325 g / 0.72 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9 Lens Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9
Compare
35mm FF 980 g / 2.16 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 35mm F1.8 Lens Sony FE 35mm F1.8
Compare
35mm FF 280 g / 0.62 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Alternatives in Sony E Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G Lens Sony E 16-55mm F2.8 G
Compare
APS-C / DX 494 g / 1.09 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9 Lens Fujinon MK 18-55mm T2.9
Compare
35mm FF 980 g / 2.16 lb MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
Compare
35mm FF 695 g / 1.53 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G Lens Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G
Compare
35mm FF 488 g / 1.07 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS Lens Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 116 g / 0.26 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar T
Compare
35mm FF 426 g / 0.94 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS Lens Sony Vario-Tessar T E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS
Compare
APS-C / DX 308 g / 0.68 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM
Compare
35mm FF 886 g / 1.95 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art Lens Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Art
Compare
35mm FF 835 g / 1.84 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 24-70mm f2.8 AF Lens Samyang 24-70mm f2.8 AF
Compare
35mm FF 1027 g / 2.26 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD Lens Tamron 20-40mm F2.8 Di III VXD
Compare
35mm FF 365 g / 0.80 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens Tamron 17-70 F2.8 Di III-A VC RXD
Compare
APS-C / DX 525 g / 1.16 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron 17-50mm f4 Di III VXD Lens Tamron 17-50mm f4 Di III VXD
Compare
35mm FF 460 g / 1.01 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary
Compare
APS-C / DX 290 g / 0.64 lb AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Sony
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type SuperZoom
Lens Mount Sony E
Max Format APS-C / DX
Focal Range 18-55mm
Image Stabilization Yes
Colour Silver; Black version available in NEX-7 kit
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 3.1X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F3.5 - F5.6
Min Aperture F22.0 - F32.0
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 7
Optics
Optical Elements 11
Optical Groups 9
Special Elements 4 aspheric elements

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.24m
Max Magnification 0.31X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 214g
Diameter 62mm
Length 60mm
Materials steel mount, aluminium alloy barrel
Weather Sealing Unknown
Filter Thread 49mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
Report a Correction
Frequently Asked Questions about Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
is the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
is the Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS
Does Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS have Image Stabilization?
Does Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Sony E 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS


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