Sony E PZ 18 105mm F4 G OSS Review | 54 Data compared

The Sony E 18-105mm f/4 PZ G OSS is a versatile, videographer-focused zoom lens featuring robust metal construction, effective Optical SteadyShot, and smooth, silent power zoom functionality. It boasts excellent center sharpness across its range and utilizes an internal design to maintain a constant physical length. However, the lens is constrained by severe 7.2% pincushion distortion at 105mm and weak corner resolution, along with noticeable operational lag when activating the zoom.

The PCMag review rates the Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS lens a 3.5 out of 5 ("Good"), defining it as a highly functional yet optically compromised option for Sony APS-C E-mount cameras. The core pros highlighted in the review include its versatile 5.8x zoom ratio (providing a 27-158mm equivalent range), built-in optical stabilization, a constant f/4 maximum aperture, and a dedicated power zoom design that features a side zoom rocker for exceptionally smooth adjustments during video capture. Priced as a more affordable alternative to premium options like the Zeiss 16-70mm, it is highly praised for its utility in filmmaking and video applications. However, the review outlines substantial optical cons, most notably an absurd 7.1 percent pincushion distortion when shooting in Raw mode at a 35mm focal length, which continues to bow lines throughout the zoom range. While this distortion is automatically corrected in-camera for JPGs and video, or via software profiles like Adobe Lightroom, it remains a severe drawback for users processing raw files manually. Furthermore, the lens suffers from inconsistent sharpness, showing noticeable edge softness at its...

The Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G PZ OSS (SELP18105G) is an electronic E-mount lens designed for APS-C sensors, offering a versatile 27-158mm equivalent focal range and a constant f/4 aperture that appeals heavily to videographers. Its strongest advantages lie in its video-centric handling features, including an internal zoom mechanism that prevents lens extension, optical image stabilization offering up to 3 stops of steadiness, and a variable-speed power zoom lever. Additionally, it features a smooth manual focus ring that automatically triggers useful in-camera display magnification, and it maintains a completely stationary front element that accommodates filters seamlessly. However, the lens makes significant optical compromises to accommodate its electronic power zoom design. Its most glaring flaw is a massive, uncorrected physical distortion—showing barrel distortion in the center and off-the-charts pincushion distortion at the edges—which relies entirely on in-camera software to fix. While modern Sony cameras correct this automatically, older high-end video bodies like the FS100 and FS700 display severe, uncorrected warping. Furthermore, the lens suffers from soft corners when shot wide open at f/4, high levels of chromatic aberration (magenta fringing) at...

Ken Rockwell describes the Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS as a versatile "do-everything" travel lens for Sony APS-C cameras, highlighting its fast autofocus, 6x zoom range (27–158mm equivalent), and effective Optical SteadyShot for handheld, low-light shooting. The electronic power zoom mechanism is noted as a significant pro for videographers, providing smooth, consistent zoom transitions. Ken Rockwell Conversely, the lens's fully electronic, focus-by-wire zoom mechanism is a con for users desiring immediate mechanical control, as it requires waiting for the motor to adjust. Additionally, the lens is described as less ideal for landscape photographers or those seeking maximum edge-to-edge sharpness, prioritizing convenience and video performance over critical, high-resolution imaging.

The Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G OSS is a highly practical, affordable standard zoom lens designed primarily for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, making it a popular choice for travel photography and video makers. On the positive side, it boasts a robust metal build quality with a fixed physical length that does not extend during focusing or zooming. It delivers an incredibly sharp image center across the entire zoom range, very snappy and quiet autofocus performance, and an integrated optical image stabilizer (OSS) providing 2-3 stops of efficiency. Additionally, its smooth, motorized zoom mechanism is highly optimized for silent movie production, and the lens renders a smoother-than-average background bokeh compared to typical zoom options. However, the lens suffers from extreme native optical flaws, most notably an unacceptable pincushion distortion exceeding 6% in the 35-105mm range, which forces heavy reliance on digital auto-correction. Its sharpness is highly uneven; while the 35mm setting serves as a sweet spot, the image borders and corners turn noticeably soft at the 105mm extreme, even when stopped down. Furthermore, users must contend with pronounced lateral chromatic aberrations...

The PCMag review highlights the Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS as a versatile, more affordable alternative to the Zeiss 16-70mm f/4, offering a long, constant f/4 aperture reach. Pros include excellent center sharpness—achieving high sharpness at 18mm f/5.6—and easily corrected barrel distortion. However, the lens has cons, including significant edge and corner softness at 18mm and long telephoto settings, along with heavy 7.2% pincushion distortion in uncorrected Raw files. Additionally, its large, bulky form factor is noted as a drawback on smaller E-mount bodies.

The Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS is reviewed by SonyAlphaLab as a highly versatile, all-in-one zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C E-mount mirrorless cameras like the Sony A6000. Priced at $598 US, it features a constant f/4 aperture throughout its 6x zoom range, alongside Optical SteadyShot image stabilization for effective low-light, handheld shooting. The reviewer notes that its fully self-contained internal zoom design prevents the lens barrel from protruding, meaning the 72mm filter thread remains fixed and does not rotate. Key strengths highlighted include a butter-smooth, near-silent 3-speed variable power zoom lever, quick autofocus, and an excellent overall value-to-cost ratio for hybrid users who shoot both high-quality photos and video. However, the review outlines several specific drawbacks regarding the lens's physical size and optical performance. Weighing 1.06 lbs (482 g) and measuring roughly 3.07 x 4.33 inches, it is criticized for being quite large and heavy for compact mirrorless camera bodies. Optically, the lens exhibits significant distortion throughout the entire focal range when uncorrected, and it lacks the edge-to-edge sharpness found in higher-end competitors. For instance, a direct...

The Sony E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS is a versatile 5.8x E-mount zoom lens designed for Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras, offering a 28-164mm equivalent focal range and a constant f/4 maximum aperture. A major strength highlighted in the review is its impressive central sharpness, which remains strong across the entire zoom range, even when shooting wide-open at the longer focal lengths. This performance holds up well against the more expensive Sony Zeiss 16-70mm lens. Additionally, its inclusion of optical image stabilization, a stepper-type focusing motor, and a built-in power zoom option makes it an exceptionally attractive and functional tool for video creators. However, the lens suffers from notable optical compromise outside of the frame's center. Edge and corner sharpness are poor, failing to improve significantly even when the aperture is stopped down. Furthermore, it exhibits unusually high levels of pincushion distortion from 18mm onwards, alongside troublesome chromatic aberration restricted to the corners at both ends of the zoom spectrum. While it is slightly slower in transmission than competing options and prone to vignetting at longer focal lengths, its budget-friendly...

The Shotkit review highlights the Sony E 18-105mm f/4 as a responsive, cost-effective upgrade over standard kit lenses, featuring excellent central sharpness and fast, accurate autofocus suitable for action. Key strengths include a versatile zoom range and pleasing bokeh at 105mm, though users should note significant corner softness and limited background blur at wider focal lengths.

The Sony E PZ 18-105mm f4G OSS is a highly recommended general-purpose 5.8x motorized zoom lens designed for Sony’s APS-C mirrorless cameras, providing a 27-158mm equivalent focal range. A major pro of this lens is its constant f4 aperture and integrated optical stabilisation, which deliver a significant step-up in quality over the standard 16-50mm kit zoom. Video creators will particularly appreciate the smooth motorized Power Zoom mechanism, internal focusing, and internal zooming, meaning the lens barrel does not physically extend during use. On the downside, the lens is notably larger and heavier than the standard kit option, weighing 427g and utilising a large 72mm filter thread. Still photographers may also find the motorized zoom ring slightly detached or unusual at first compared to traditional mechanical lenses. Additionally, optical performance can become soft in the corners, and the review notes that the newer E 18-135mm zoom might offer better value for most everyday shooters at the same price point.