Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS

Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Review

The Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS is a good example of an all-in-one zoom lens, but a newer version is available, and is a better fit for most photographers. Sony camera owners have three versions of the 18-200mm all-in-one zoom to choose from. The de facto standard edition, and the first of the three to come to market, is the E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS ($899.99). It uses the same optical formula as the others, and offers Active Stabilization to better steady video for shots involving camera movement. It's a good lens if you put an emphasis on zoom range above all else, but the E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS is a better overall performer. Aesthetics Stuck in Time The E 18-200mm has been in production for about a decade, and it shows. The industrial design is a product of its time. The optics are housed in a shiny silver barrel, but the control rings and telescoping barrel are black. The two-tone look is out of place on more recent Sony cameras, sold only in basic black. Sony's updated version of the lens, the 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE, looks a little better on a new camera, and is also a little smaller. The original version comes in at 3.9 by...

Sony E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Review

The Sony E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS is a niche version of the 11x lens built for video with a smooth, adjustable speed servo-powered zoom. Sony's mirrorless camera system is as adept for video as stills, in part due to some specialized lenses sold for the latter. The E PZ 18-200mm F3.5.6.3 OSS ($1,199.99) is one of them, with an adjustable-speed power zoom, a wide focal range, and a stabilization system that works for shots with camera movement. If you're not doing a lot of video work, though, you can get the same optics for less with the E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE, available for about $850. Power Zoom for Video The E PZ is bulkier than the other versions in the 18-200mm series for a simple reason—it's got a motor attached to drive its zoom mechanism. The lens comes in at 1.4 pounds and 3.9 by 3.7 inches (HD) when set to its 18mm position, and just about doubles in length at 200mm. It supports 67mm front filters and includes a large, rectangular lens hood. The zoom speed is adjustable, with low, medium, and high speed options available. Zoom is activated using a rocker switch on the side. The action is very smoot...

Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE Review

The Sony E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE is a good choice if you value zoom power and don't want to change lenses when using your a6000-series camera. Sony sells its 18-200mm all-in-one zoom lens in three versions. The least expensive, the E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE ($849.99), offers the same optics as its pricier siblings in a slightly slimmer housing. The stabilization system isn't quite as good as the the non-LE version of the lens for video, but photographers won't be able to tell the difference. It's an attractive option for anyone who wants a single zoom lens solution for a Sony camera, but you'll enjoy better overall image quality, and spend less, if you go with our Editors' Choice E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS instead. All-In-One Zoom The E 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS LE is an update to the industrial design, not the optics, for the earlier E 18-200mm that remains in market. It does make one sacrifice for a smaller, lighter build, dropping the Active Shot video stabilization feature. If you're primarily a videographer, you'll want to think about the standard version or the Power Zoom variation, but photographers will be happy with ...