OVERALL
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Scored using Camera lenses Methodology v1.0
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Products in this category are evaluated mathematically under Frontumo Camera lenses Methodology v1.0 using verified laboratory benchmarks, technical specifications, and authentic consumer ratings with 0% commercial bias.
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Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£440Lens mount:Sony AMaximum focal length:135 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):5.6Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:76 °

Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

5.6

Overall score

Score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

80%

5.0

Technical score

20%

7.8

User score

â–¼Worse than 91% of camera-lenses
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components

35%

4.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.2

Build & Handling

20%

6.0

Focus & Controls

10%

8.2

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 90% of camera-lenses
7.8

User score

User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on 136 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 78% of camera-lenses
  • sony-dt-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-sam
  • sony-dt-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-sam
  • sony-dt-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-sam
  • sony-dt-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-sam
sony-dt-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-sam
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sony-dt-18-135mm-f-3-5-5-6-sam

Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
Score components:

35%

4.1

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.2

Build & Handling

20%

6.0

Focus & Controls

10%

8.2

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.0
User score
User score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.4

Number of reviews

Based on 136 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
7.8
Popularity
Popularity
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Popularity:
Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM has a popularity score of 6.4 points, which is lower than 61% of camera lenses.
6.4
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

60%

5.6

Overall score

40%

8.2

Price

6.4
Lens type
zoom
Lens mount
Sony A
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
62 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
18 mm
Maximum focal length
135 mm
Optical zoom
7.5xx
Maximum angle of view
76 °
Minimum angle of view
12 °
Show more
Focus motor
SAM
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
Minimum focus distance
0.45 m
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.45 m, which is farther than 63.6% of camera lenses and equal to 5.4% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.25xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.25x
â–² Better than 70% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.25x, which is higher than 70% of camera lenses and equal to 4.5% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
yes
Internal focusing
yes
â–² Better than 16% of models
This camera lens supports internal focusing. 83.6% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Barrel extends only during zooming.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
440 g
Weight
440 g
â–² Better than 59% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 440 g, which is lighter than 58.9% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens length
86 mm
Lens length
86 mm
â–² Better than 59% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 86 mm long, which is shorter than 58.5% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.5% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
76 mm
Lens diameter
76 mm
â–² Better than 53% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 76 mm, which is slimmer than 52.6% of camera lenses and equal to that of 1.1% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
0.9 EV
DxOMark vignetting
0.9 EV
â–² Better than 69% of models
Market range: <0.7 EV – >1.9 EV
This camera lens has DxOMark vignetting of 0.9 EV, which is lower than that of 68.9% of camera lenses and equal to that of 13.5% of camera lenses.
Show more

Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has zoom lock switch
    Zoom lock switch
    yes
    ★ Better than 92% of models
    This camera lens has a zoom lock switch, the average camera lens does not. 8.6% of camera lenses include a zoom lock switch.
    Zoom lock switch present.
  • 0.3 EV less vignetting
    DxOMark vignetting
    0.900 EV
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    Market range: <0.7 EV – >1.9 EV
    This camera lens has less vignetting than the average camera lens (0.9 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
    0.900 EV vs 1.2 EV
  • 0.06 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.25 x
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.25 x vs 0.192 x
  • 70 g lighter
    Weight
    440 g
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (440 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    440 g vs 510 g
  • 6.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    86 mm
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (86 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    86 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Has zoom lock switch
    Zoom lock switch
    yes
    ★ Better than 92% of models
    This camera lens has a zoom lock switch, the average camera lens does not. 8.6% of camera lenses include a zoom lock switch.
    Zoom lock switch present.
  • 0.06 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.25 x
    â–² Better than 70% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.25 x vs 0.192 x
  • 70 g lighter
    Weight
    440 g
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (440 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    440 g vs 510 g
  • 6.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    86 mm
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (86 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    86 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 0.3 EV less vignetting
    DxOMark vignetting
    0.900 EV
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    Market range: <0.7 EV – >1.9 EV
    This camera lens has less vignetting than the average camera lens (0.9 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
    0.900 EV vs 1.2 EV
  • 2.8 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    5.6
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/5.6 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    5.6 vs 2.8
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2012
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2012 vs 2016
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • 6.7% lower user score
    User score
    7.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM
    the average camera lens
    Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.84 vs 8.360).
    7.84 vs 8.36
  • 8% worse value for money
    Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.38 vs 6.9).
    6.38 vs 6.89
  • 6.7% lower user score
    User score
    7.8/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM
    the average camera lens
    Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.84 vs 8.360).
    7.84 vs 8.36
  • 8% worse value for money
    Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.38 vs 6.9).
    6.38 vs 6.89
  • 2.8 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    5.6
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/5.6 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    5.6 vs 2.8
  • 2 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    7
    â–¼ Worse than 61% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (7 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    7 vs 9
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 0.15 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.45 m
    â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.5 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.45 m vs 0.3 m
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2012
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

P
photoreview.com.au
15/06/2012
Summary of the review
Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM Lens - Photo Review
D
dyxum.com
07/03/2025
Summary of the review
Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM A-mount lens reviews
D
digitalkamera.de
01/07/2012
Summary of the review
Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL18135) Spec Sheet & Quick Review
(Translated)Show original
C
chip.de
20/02/2013
Summary of the review
The Best Lenses: Sony A Zoom
(Translated)Show original
H
helpx.adobe.com
abril de 2026
Summary of the review
Lenses compatible with Adobe Camera Raw: Sony DT 18-135 mm F3.5-5.6 SAM
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 136 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM

  • Versatile 7.5x zoom range (27-202.5mm equivalent) suitable for travel and everyday use
  • Fast and quiet Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) performance
  • Compact and lightweight design compared to other superzooms
  • Sharp center image quality throughout the zoom range
  • Direct Manual Focus (DMF) allows for quick focus overrides without changing menus
  • Minimal chromatic aberration thanks to ED and aspherical glass elements

What we don't like about Sony DT 18 135mm F 3 5 5 6 SAM

  • Noticeable barrel distortion at the wide (18mm) end
  • Lacks internal optical image stabilization (relies on camera body IBIS)
  • Poor edge and corner sharpness, especially at longer focal lengths
  • Not weather-sealed, making it less ideal for harsh environments
  • Relatively slow variable aperture (f/3.5-5.6) limits low-light performance
  • Can exhibit some mechanical vignetting when in-camera corrections are disabled

Verdict

The Sony DT 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM is a versatile 7.5x superzoom lens designed for APS-C A-mount cameras, providing a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27–202.5mm. Its optical construction includes one extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element and two aspherical elements to suppress chromatic aberration and distortion, while a 7-blade circular aperture helps produce smooth bokeh. Key pros include a lightweight, travel-friendly design (approx. 398g), a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m for close-up shots, and a quiet Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) with a Direct Manual Focus override. However, notable cons include the lack of built-in optical image stabilization, occasional softness in the corners of the frame, and reduced autofocus speed in low-light conditions at the telephoto end.

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