Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM vs Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135)
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM is faster by 0.6 stops (f/2.8 vs f/3.5), letting in more light.
- Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135) is lighter by 179g.
- Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM goes wider (16mm vs 18mm).
- Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135) reaches further (135mm vs 50mm).
- Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135) is the newer design (2012 vs 2011).
| Spec | DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM | DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135) |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Sony |
| Mount | Sony A | Sony A |
| Type | Zoom | Superzoom |
| Focal length | 16-50mm (wider) | 18-135mm |
| Max aperture | f/2.8 (faster) | f/3.5 |
| Released | 2011 | 2012 |
| Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Format | aps-c | aps-c |
| Groups | 13 | 11 |
| Af motor | SSM | SAM |
| Elements | 16 | 14 |
| Weight g | 577 | 398 (lighter) |
| Filter mm | 72 | 62 |
| Length mm | 88.0 | n/a |
| Min focus m | 0.3 (closer focusing) | 0.45 |
| Weather sealed | Yes | n/a |
| Max magnification | 0.2 | 0.25 |
Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM
This 16-50mm f/2.8 fast standard zoom lens from Sony fits Sony A mount cameras. The range covers everything from wide scenes to portraits, so it works as a general-purpose lens.
Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135)
A walk-around APS-C zoom for A-mount with 7.5x range. It weighs about 398 g and has a SAM motor and 62mm filter thread.
Pros
- Wide 18-135mm range
- SAM autofocus
- Reasonable weight at about 398 g
- Close focus of 0.45 m
Cons
- Slow aperture at the long end
- Not weather sealed
- APS-C only