Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Standard Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 2 x 2 inches ; 13.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000DZH7TO
• Item model number: SAL1870
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 14, 2006

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

A superb zoom lens for everyday photography -- the lens you’ll put on, and leave on. This superb standard lens for the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera handles the full range of shots you’ll take most often -- but there’s nothing "standard" about its advanced optical design. In 35mm equivalent, it covers wide-angle 27mm to 105mm midrange telephoto for snapshots, portraits, interiors,+ and more -- an excellent all-around lens to travel with.

Lens Features

DT lens design
A more compact, lightweight lens designed specifically for the APS-size CCD imager used in the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera.

Aspherical lens elements
To correct visual aberrations at wide-angle setting, enabling a lightweight lens to capture more visually accurate wide-angle shots.

ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass
To reduce chromatic aberration at telephoto extension, correcting certain wavelengths of light for sharp, clear images with well defined colors.

Circular aperture
Because aperture blades form a near circle at the wide openings used for low-light shots, spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect.

Product Description

RE) SONY 18-70MM F/3.5-5.6 ZOOM

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent lens for the money, May 18, 2007

By 

ROSE RN (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Standard Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

I got this lens as part of a package with the alpha body. Most times, it appears this lens is extraordinarily sharp... a wonderful all around lens. It's wide enough for most use...great for group photos and such, and the long end provides beautiful, sharp portraits. A wonderful combination with the alpha body.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Lens, August 27, 2007

By 

Marcus Daniel (Sao Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Standard Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

This is a much better lens than you would believe for the price. Stopped down a bit and in the middle ranges of the zoom it offers good sharpness! This is my Auto settings lens and when i need to hand the camera to my wife or someone who isnt familiar with DSLR but wants to take some pictures in a family setting for example. Using a tripod and a remote release also helps alot getting the most out of this lens. I would rate it 3.5-4 depending on the mm/stop. My next lens will be the Sony SAL1680 Carl Zeiss to replace this one.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A decent wide zoom lens, but you'll eventually want to upgrade., May 26, 2009

By 

D. H. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Standard Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera (Electronics)

I've been using this lens with an A300 for the last 6 months and it has worked reliably during this time and has taken some very nice pictures. That said, I've recently upgraded to a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 (~$500 new on Amazon) and there is a large difference in quality, but the Tamron is much more expensive.

The main problem with this lens is edge blur and soft centers at the wide (18mm) end and dull/low-contrast pictures at the far (70mm) end. The sweet spot is really around 50mm @ f8, but that does not work well for indoor use without an external flash. The Tamron has a larger aperture with more sharpness throughout its range, making it a more ideal lens for indoor/outdoor low-light use.

Still, if you're on a budget this is an alright lens and can really take some impressive shots within a certain zoom and aperture range. The lens is also very light for a zoom with this range and it is easy to tote around on your DSLR all day. But if you can afford it, I'd say to save up for a little longer and get a mid-level zoom lens from Sony or a third party manufacturer.