Sony 18-135 f/3.5-5.6 OSS Zoom for a6000, a6300, a6500 Cameras

E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSSSony has announced the latest addition to the rapidly-growing E-mount lens lineup. The 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 gives an equivalent 27-202.5mm range when mounted on the α6500, α6300 and α6000 cameras and provides Optical SteadyShot (OSS) stabilization.Holy crap it's been over FOUR years since Sony has released an E-mount lens?!  Looking back I can't find anything from Sony for their crop sensor line since the 16-70 f/4 Announced Aug 27, 2013. Third party manufacturers like Sigma have filled in some of the gaps but it is clear that filling out the FE mount line(for the full frame a7/a9 series cameras) was a priority. Now we should see a few more e mount lenses for their crop sensor line - the a6000/6300/6500. Sony needs more affordable lenses in this category to compete with Canon.Sony E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSSBased on the quality of recently released lenses I expect this to be a good lens and a strong value, especially for the traveler looking to take just one lens.  The compact lens weighs just 325 g (0.72 lb)The new E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS APS-C Zoom Lens will ship in February 2018 and will be sold for about $600 US and $780 CA

Shipping February 15th - Preorder from B&H Photo Today! 

Specifications

Mount: Sony E-mountFormat: APS-CFocal Length (mm): 18-13535mm Equivalent Focal Length (APS-C): 27-202.5Lens Groups / Elements: 12–16Angle of View (APS-C): 76°-12°2Maximum Aperture (F): 3.5-5.6Minimum Aperture (F): 22-36Aperture Blades: 7Circular Aperture: YesMinimum Focus Distance: 1.48 Ft (0.45 M)Maximum Magnification Ratio (X): 0 29Filter Diameter (mm): 55Image Stabilization (Steadyshot): Optical SteadyshotZoom System: ManualHood Type: Petal Shape, Bayonet TypeDimensions (Diameter X Length): 67.2 X 88 mm (2-3/4 X 3-1/2 ")Weight: 11.5 Oz (325 G)
 Sample Images

New Sony a6300 / a6500 Instant Rebates and bundle savings

New Sony a6300 / a6500 Instant Rebates and bundle savings

Sony a6300 a6500 saleSony a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm & 55-210mm Lenses and Mic KitReg Price: $2,146 | Instant Savings: $350 | You Pay: $1,746 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm & 55-210mm Lenses & Free KitReg Price: $2,096 | Instant Savings: $150 | You Pay: $1,846 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6500 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-70mm Zeiss Lens & Free Accessory KitReg Price: $2,396 | Instant Savings: $100 | You Pay: $2,296 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm & 55-210mm Lenses KitReg Price: $1,496 | Instant Savings: $250 | You Pay: $1,246 – NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens and Free Accessory KitReg Price: $1,148 | Instant Savings: $100 | You Pay: $1,048 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body with Free Accessory KitReg Price: $998 | Instant Savings: $50 | You Pay: $948 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-70mm Zeiss Lens KitReg Price: $1,996 | Instant Savings: $150 | You Pay: $1,846 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm and 55-210mm Lenses & Mic KitReg Price: $1,498 | Instant Savings: $250 | You Pay: $1,248–NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA)Sony a6300 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-70mm Zeiss Lens and Mic KitReg Price: $1,996 | Instant Savings: $150 | You Pay: $1,846 –NO TAX OUTSIDE OF NY & FREE SHIPPING (USA) 

Panasonic GH5 fully Announced

What you need to know: The Panasonic GH4 is a mirrorless camera that looks like a small DSLR. Capable of shooting photos and video the GH4 was one of the first truly affordable 4K capable cameras that provides a host of features professional videographers love. The GH5 shipping in late March 2017 offers some noteable improvements that look to continue to place it at the top of 4K capable cameras BUT the now more expensive $1999 price certainly provides room for competitors.

My Current Recommended cameras for primarily videoSerious video work - Panasonic GH4 / Sony a6300 or a6500Best vlogging camera - Panasonic G85Smallest 4k video capable I can recommend - Sony RX100 Mark IV

I own and use the Panasonic GH4 daily - it is the camera I use to shoot all of my videos including my travel vlogs (except the recent Alaska trip where I tried the Olympus EM1 Mark II)  The GH4 shoots beautiful 4K video, has a battery that lasts for hours and hours of shooting and it's nicely portable with a fully articulating screen- I could go on but you are here because the successor to the GH4 has just been completely announced- I say completely because we had an official announcement from panasonic about the GH5 last September.  That announcement wasn't complete with some information missing. We now have the complete picture.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPxKZ2MWgdI

Panasonic GH5 Specs

  • 20.3MP Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter.
  • 4K Video: Internal recording at 4K60/50p (4:2:0 8bit) & 4K30/25p/24p (4:2:2 10bit).
  • Variable Video Frame Rates 4K: Max. 60fps & FHD: Max. 180fps.
  • No additional crop factor when shooting 4K
  • 5-Axis Photo/Video Dual I.S. 2.0 up to 5 stops with compatible LUMIX MFT lenses, plus in-body stabilization support for classic non-O.I.S lenses.
  • Fast and accurate focusing utilizing LUMIX 480 fps DFD focusing system and Venus Engine 10
  • Full size (Type A) HDMI terminal with cable lock included & twin SD Card slots (UHS-II U3 Compatible).
  • 3.5mm mic & headphone terminals - optional DMW-XLR1 microphone adaptor.
  • Eye viewfinder 3680k-dot OLED, 21mm, 0.76x.
  • V-LogL recording with (Optional) DMW-SFU1 paid upgrade

Body style looks very similar to the GH4 with a few differences

  • Dual SD Card Slots
  • Full-sized HDMI port
  • USB-C for data transfer
  • Joystick button for focus point selection & menu navigation (You can also use the touch screen)

Additional firmware updates planned in April and later in 2017 will provide additional bit rates.Price $1,999 an increase over the GH4 and $600 more over the Sony a6500Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo

GH5 vs the a6500/a6300

Benefits of the GH5

  • Better Battery Life
  • 4k at 60FPS
  • Better slow mo
  • Higher bitrate files
  • Fully articulated touchscreen
  • Touchscreen works well for ALL camera options
  • Large photo burst rate
  • no overheating. We don't know for sure yet but the a6500 can in some warmer/hotter conditions shut down do to high internal temps.
  • Better lens selection
  • Stabilized sensor vs the a6300.

Benefits of Sony a6500

  • Better low light performance
  • Faster AF
  • Better photos (greater resolution and cleaner high ISO)
  • Cheaper and the a6300 is almost 1/2 the price.

The list certainly looks good for the GH5 but if you need better low light performance or want a more capable photo camera the a6500 or a6300 would probably be my pick. The GH5 wins in usability and offers that fully articulating screen if you need to vlog.Buy the a6500 from B&H Photo  $1,398.00Buy the a6300 from B&H Photo $998.00Pre Order the GH5 from B&H Photo $1,999.00  

Sony a6500 Sample Images / Early Review

BLACK FRIDAY DEAL: Sony a6300 - $998 with a $100 B&H Photo Gift Card | More Black Friday DealsI spent the last few days shoot with the Sony a6500 -  Also the Sony RX 100 Mark V and the a99 Mark II - more on those cameras soon.  The a6500 is what I want to share more about.   And a quick reminder that I think the a6000/a6300 are awesome cameras - the a6300 low light performance is fantastic and it was the only camera I took to Moab, Utah last April - leaving my heavier full frame camera at home - I had no regrets.   See my original review of the Sony a6300 and my a6300 shooting tips video.https://youtu.be/l-227X1gA_kA few of my favorite Sony a6300 shots from the last yearhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BKtTD4IjvVn/ https://www.instagram.com/p/BKRsUsJj73O/https://www.instagram.com/p/BIXaKc4Degq/ 

A6500 Review -


Remember the a6500 is NOT being positioned as a replacement for the a6300- rather a higher model that offers several advantages over the earlier model.

Advantages of the a6500 over the a6300

  • Stabilization! The sensor in the a6500 is now stabilized like the a7Sii, A7Rii and the new a99ii - this means every lens you attach, even old legacy lenses via adapters, are stabilized. Good for slower shutter speed shooting when using a handheld video or not using a tripod. In my testing, the difference is noticeable and the stabilization is useful.
  • Faster and more responsive. Deeper buffer with internal changes means the a6500 can capture 107 RAW images at 11FPS. The a6300 was limited to just 21 RAWS. And, you can now start to preview images as they are writing to the card. The a6500 also provides an indication of where it is in the writing process with a little meter in the top left corner of the screen. The a6300 does not provide this and, at times, it feels very slow to clear and be ready for any action again. In two days of shooting fast action with the a6500, I found very few frustrating slowdowns. It is a much more responsive camera.
  • The a6500 offers a touchscreen. Unfortunately, it takes some getting used to and is still not at the level of the excellent touchscreen you find on a Canon or the Panasonic GH4 . However, you can use it to touch to focus and, somewhat similar to the Nikon D5500, you can put your eye to the viewfinder and slide your finger around on the touchscreen to change the focus point - this feels a little loose and it wasn't until I found several menu settings that let you adjust this control that I started to understand exactly how it worked. It still isn't great but, better than nothing. Touchscreen does not work for menu navigation or image playback.
  • Slightly deeper grip and an additional customizable button. It does feel a little nicer in hand, especially with longer lenses and I appreciate the VERY large amount of customizability these small cameras offer.
  • A redesigned menu - it is now better organized and colorful :)

Advantages of the a6300 over the a6500

  • Cheaper - a6300 Body Only at B&H Photo $998.00 | a6500 Body Only at B&H Photo $1398.00
    • $400 difference for a more responsive camera, stabilization and a fiddly touchscreen- Worth it to you?
  • Battery life - The touchscreen and the image stabilization do drawn additional power and you get a little less time out of each battery with the a6500.

Clearly the a6500 has advantages over the a6300 - but I do think those advantages apply to fairly narrow audience and most photographers would be better saving money on the a6300 or putting those savings toward a nice prime lens that will get you some awesome results.Support this site - Buy the Sony a6500 from B&H PhotoOr Buy the Sony a6300 and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4  (see my list of recommended Wide angle lenses including sony options)

Sample Images from the Sony a6500

all JPEGS straight out of camera except where noted.

Sony a6500 Announced: Speed, Stabilization, and a Touchscreen

 a6500Sony steps up with the new a6500, serious speed in a very small mirrorless package. The a6500 comes with 5-axis in-camera image stabilization and touchscreen capability; the two major points everyone asked for after the a6300 was released in February. Considering Canon and Nikon’s release schedules are yearly it seems a bit early for a new model but with a 24.2MP sensor, 11 frames per second, and 4k video it’s the little camera that can make a mark.a6500 frames per secondSharing the same 4D FOCUS as the a6300 you get fast autofocus times in as little as 0.05 seconds. Not too unexpected considering the a6500 has 425 phase detection AF points and a 169-area contrast detection system. The highest number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera. Even while tracking fast subjects in continuous autofocus the 11 frame per second speed can capture up to 307 photos. A large part of the boost thanks to using a new front-end LSI chip like the A99 II announced during Photokina.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVIHtPmszwYou also get 4k Super 35mm format video and 1080p 120fps with the a6500. Touch focusing and adjustable focus transitions for video make recording a breeze. Grab any shot you need while recording with 8MP stills available from recording in 4K. A S&Q (Slow & Quick) Motion setting allows full HD video from 1-120fps to control speed and pace your shot for slow motion for faster action. S-Gamut and S-Log shooting allow for post production color grading with a wide dynamic range for better editing for the advanced videographer. With a new magnesium body design to fit ibis hopefully the overheating and rolling shutter issues found in the a5300 were fixed as well in the update.a6500 ibisThe first Sony APS-C sensor camera to get Sony’s great in-body stabilization. The a6500 gets a step closer to it’s higher end counterparts while barely increasing the camera’s size. With approximately five steps of stabilization, it can handle any lens you can get to fit on the camera. A feature sure to be a major selling point with adapters such as metabones as it allows a giant lens ecosystem of third party lenses to choose from that ibis can provide stabilization.  a6500 TouchscreenOne major complaint of the a6300 has always been that people get the camera then come to realize that it does not have a touch screen. Something available both on Nikon and Canon entry level DSLR’s making it a bit of the odd man out with the competition. Sony's updated the a6500 with this in mind adding a 3” OLED tilting touchscreen that should fit that bill fine. Touch focus is available even when using the viewfinder, swipe while shooting to move the focus point where needed without looking at the screen. Unfortunately while it is touch to focus for photo and video it cannot be used to select menu settings. a6500 menuThe a6300 to a6500 upgrade has gotten a few other tweaks. The menu system is now rearranged and colored for quick access when you need to find a setting. With the body redesign you gain another custom button, improved grip, better eyepiece, and updated weather sealing (but not listed to what degree). It's slightly larger to fit everything in as well, making it a bit less pocketable while adding a bit more balance with larger lenses (a6300 4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9 in vs a6500 4.75 x 2.75 x 2.125 in).

Time to sell the a6300 to upgrade for that touch screen and stabilization you always wanted? Despite sharing names the a6500 has enough going on that it's another camera almost. At least on paper with 5-axis stabilization, 11fps shooting, a 300+ shot buffer, 4k video, and weather sealing you can't complain that the specifications are not impressive. The a6500 will be available in November starting at $1,400 body only with pre-orders starting soon.

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Link to Specifications