Let’s compare the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN to the Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS. Both lenses are great for all-around photography but the Sony offers a lot more zoom!
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
- Focal Length: 18-50mm
- Max Aperture: f/2.8
- Mount: Sony E
- Stabilized: ❌
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Weight: 290g
- Released: 2021
- Amazon ($$)
Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
- Focal Length: 18-135
- Max Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
- Mount: Sony E
- Stabilized: ✔️
- Weather-Sealing: ❌
- Weight: 325g
- Released: 2018
- Amazon ($$)
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN’s biggest strength is the big bright f/2.8 aperture, making it ideal for any light scenario.
The Sony 18-135mm on the other hand has a lot more zoom and features image stabilization, which helps if your mirrorless camera doesn’t have any built-in.
In this comparison, I will also go over how they both compare at different photography types, along with a detailed table of their most important features. If you’re in a hurry, the advantages below are all you need to make the final decision.
Advantages of Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN
Advantages of Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Now, let’s see which features and advantages are actually important for your specific needs and which ones only sound good on paper.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6: Detailed Comparison
🔭 1. Focal Length
- Sigma 18-50mm: From 17mm to 70mm
- Sony 18-135mm: From 18mm to 135mm
- Winner: Sony 🏆
The Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS offers an incredible reach, from wide angle 18mm up to 135mm which is quite well in the telephoto range.
It’s truly an all-in-one lens for traveling and daily photography. Going from 18 to 135mm in a single twist saves you a lot of time, especially if your subject is moving all over the place.
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is also a great all-around option, but won’t be that good for sports or activities further away. I use it as my go to travel lens when I want to stay compact, but often miss the luxury of having more reach. That’s why I carry 2 lenses, and this depends on your traveling style.
🎥 2. Maximum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: Constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths
- Sony 18-135mm: Variable aperture; f/3.5 at 18mm and f/5.6 at 135mm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is a clear winner here, as it lets in a lot more light.
It’s perfect for low light and night time photography, whereas the Sony 18-135mm lets in between 1/2 – 2 stops less light. That’s the difference between being able to shoot at 1/125 (with the Sigma) or 1/30 (with the Sony) in identical conditions!
Here’s the deal.
If you buy the Sony 18-135mm, you’ll most likely have to get yourself a prime lens with a very big aperture.
Why?
Because you’ll need something for those low light situations. It could be a birthday party, or shooting in the evening. The difference between f/2.8 and f/5.6 is huge.
A big aperture also makes the background appear blurry, which is often considered more “professional”. It’s great for portraits, animals and food photography.
📏 3. Dimensions & Weight
- Sigma 18-50mm: 290g
- Sony 18-135mm: 325g
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The weight difference between these two lenses is minimal, as you’ll be hard to tell which one is 30g lighter.
Both are extremely lightweight and great travel companions.
- Sigma 18-50mm: 65.4 x 74.5mm
- Sony 18-135mm: 67.2 x 88mm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN is 15% shorter and takes up a little bit less volume.
Still, I wouldn’t choose between these two lenses based on their dimensions and weight. It hardly gets better than this!
🎥 4. Minimum Aperture
- Sigma 18-50mm: f/22
- Sony 18-135mm: f/22-36
- Winner: Sony 🏆
The Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS can stop down up to f/22 and f/36 at 135mm.
Therefore, the Sony lens can achieve a greater depth of field than the Sigma 18-50mm, but only between 50-135mm.
To be honest, f/16 is good enough for 90% photographers. For certain landscape or time lapse uses, having the ability to stop all the way down to f/36 (1.5 stops smaller than f/22) could be beneficial.
Personally, I wouldn’t worry too much about this difference.
🔬 5. Minimum Focusing Distance
- Sigma 18-50mm: Minimum focusing distance of 12.1cm
- Sony 18-135mm: Minimum focusing distance of 45cm
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN has one of the closest focusing distances of all lenses on the market! With 12.1cm, it’s way better than 45cm of the Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS.
This makes it ideal for close-up photography, products, flowers, bugs, details, etc.
A shorter minimum focusing distance allows you to get much closer to your subject. Remember, these distances are measured from your camera’s sensor and not from the front of the lens.
Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS can “only” focus at 45cm or further, which is still okay but far from anything special. Basically, if a flower is closer than 45cm, you won’t be able to take a picture of it.
⛅ 6. Weather-Sealing
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Sony 18-135mm: ❌
- Winner: Tie
Neither of these two lenses feature any weather-sealing.
That’s why they are both so compact and relatively affordable.
For casual use, all lenses can handle a normal amount of rain, snow and dust. It won’t simply stop working if a little bit of rain falls onto them. Hundreds of thousands of photographers travel with gear that isn’t completely weather-sealed.
🎦 7. Image Stabilization
- Sigma 18-50mm: ❌
- Sony 18-135mm: ✔️
- Winner: Sony 🏆
Image stabilization helps make your images appear less blurry when shooting with slow shutter speeds.
The Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS has Optical SteadyShot (aka stabilization) which is super handy if you’re shooting with a Sony mirrorless camera that doesn’t have built-in stabilization. If you’re using the Sony A6500 or anything newer, then you have nothing to worry about.
For recording videos, image stabilization can also help reduce some shake and jitter, although the positive effects are more obvious when taking pictures.
💿 8. Aperture Blades
- Sigma 18-50mm: 7 rounded diaphragm blades
- Sony 18-135mm: 7 rounded diaphragm blades
- Winner: Tie
A lens with more diaphragm blades will usually produce smoother bokeh, aka background blur.
Since both have 7, their bokeh quality is average and nothing special to talk about.
📽 9. Filter Size
- Sigma 18-50mm: 55mm filter size
- Sony 18-135mm: 55mm filter size
- Winner: Sony 🏆
Another category where both lenses have an identical feature.
55mm lens filters are very cheap and easy to find, so you won’t be breaking the bank here. For traveling, it’s always wise to have a filter attached, just to make sure you won’t break the front element of the lens.
💲 10. Price
- Sigma 18-50mm: ~$549
- Sony 18-135mm: ~$649
- Winner: Sigma 🏆
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN costs around $100 less, but there are many online deals for both.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Sony 18-135mm: Photography Type
From 1 being the worst, 5 being the best.
It’s best to choose a lens that suits your favorite photography types, or offers you something that your current gear is not good enough for.
Sigma 18-50mm vs Sony 18-135mm: Comparison Table
Better specifications are highlighted in green.
| 🎥 Lens Specification | Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 | Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-50mm | 18-135mm |
| 35mm Equivalent | 27-75mm | 27-202.5mm |
| Mount | Sony E (APS-C) | Sony E (APS-C) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 | f/3.5-5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 | f/22-36 |
| Filter Size | 55 mm | 55 mm |
| Maximum Magnification | 0.36x | 0.29x |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 12.1 cm | 45 cm |
| Aperture Ring | No | No |
| Focus Type | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Motor Type | Stepper Motor | Linear Motor |
| Lens Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups | 16 elements in 12 groups |
| Aperture Blades | 7 (rounded) | 7 (rounded) |
| Image Stabilization | ❌ | ✔️ |
| Weather Sealing | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dimensions (mm) | 65.4 x 74.5mm / 2.57″ x 2.93″ | 67.2 x 88mm |
| Weight (g) | 290g / 0.64lb | 325g |
| Hood Included | No | Yes |
| Released | 2021 | 2018 |
| Price | Amazon | Amazon |
So, which lens is the better one?
Choose the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 if:
- You often shoot in low light (indoors, night time, weddings)
- You often shoot portraits and want more background blur
- You want to try some macro and close-up photography
Choose the Sony 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 if:
- You want 1 lens with so much zoom it can handle any situation
- You want an all-around travel lens that is very lightweight and compact
- You rarely shoot in low light, or are okay with buying an extra prime lens
