Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 8.4 x 4.3 inches ; 15.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VUFDPG
• Item model number: SAL18250
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

This long-telephoto Sony zoom lens provides high magnification and a broad 14X zooming range in compact, lightweight design that makes it easy to carry -- and its 35mm-equivalent range of 27mm wide-angle to 375mm telephoto excels at capturing faraway subjects, sports events, dramatic landscapes and intimate close-up views.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome lens!!!, January 21, 2008

By 

Bailey Z. Rose (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood (Electronics)

Short version: This is a great lens... very well made, effective, versatile, and performs impressively. A great investment for anyone wanting a lens that really can 'do it all'.

Long version: I got this lens as an upgrade from my original Sony 18-55 lens, since I wanted a lens with a little more zoom capability (and some close-up as well) without having to switch back and forth between the 18-55 for wide angle and a bulky telephoto for higher zoom.

I was worried a little bit by reviews of the similar Tamron 18-250 lens because some reviewers claimed it had slower focus times and zoom slip.

Well, with this lens, I've not noticed any difference in focusing speed or had any problem with the zoom slipping; the zoom itself is tight and the autofocus is spot-on (I have mediocre eyesight, so AF is pretty important for me). Colors are vibrant, the view is clear... everything is good with this lens so far. I'm very pleased and not at all remorseful about dropping the cash for it.

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but not magic., May 3, 2008

By 

jpr (CO, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood (Electronics)

I've only had a chance to take a few hundred shots with this lens so far, but I'm fairly impressed. It's an excellent zoom lens considering the large range it covers; making it a very good "all-purpose" lens. It's clearly better than the kit lens in their overlapping range, focuses pretty quick, and offers much greater zoom, but there's still some noticeable barrel distortion at 18 to 21mm or so, and some softness and light loss at the tele end as expected. You can definately beat this lens with the right smaller range lenses or primes, but you'll pay a LOT more and have more to carry around.

60 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect match, February 20, 2008

By 

Olivier Douin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood (Electronics)

My wife uses the Tamron 18-250 on her Alfa 100. The results are good no more, no less and it is difficult to focus when there is not enough contrast.

I must say I used this lens on my Minolta 7D. I got faster results with this camera but again the pictures were good, no more no less.

With the Sony 18-250 on my (new) Alfa 700, this is another story. This couple is damn fast; only in a few occasions did I have some difficulties to focus. I shot already 1000 pictures at the sea side, in mountain areas, in a desert; I am happy to report that I got accurate colors (those I actually saw) and distortion free pictures.

If you want to travel light, the couple Alfa 700/Sony 18-250 is a must. It is a kind of standard lens along with the Sony 11-18 that I rate 5 stars too.

Simply amazing.