I took the new Sony SELP18105G for a test ride.
First impression: The lens is solid, well built and has two rings – one to zoom and one to focus. What makes here stand out from other lenses is a small lever which can also be used to zoom.
It looks like it was thought for videographers: The zoom lever for video, the constant aperture of f/4 through the whole zoom range and finally: The length does not change its length when zooming, which makes it easier to use with matte boxes.
As a photog it was the constant aperture and zoom length which draw me to this lens. From what I have seen until now it could be a good travel lens or even used for portraits.
Actually it is a really big lens. And by big I mean long and wide. Although the filter thread is 72mm the lens feels balanced on the Nex-7. I would say that it is definitely not heavy.
The lens has a wonderful circular aperture which produces the kind of bokeh I like.
I also like the tele end of the lens at f/4. I am curious how the HDRs will work out.
If you want further images you can find them on my flickr stream in the album SELP18105G-sooc.
Contact me, if you want to buy me a coffee 😉 or leave a comment and tell me and the other readers why you would or would not buy this lens.
usinglight 
8 responses to “A quick look at the new Sony 18-105 f/4 G”
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Hi, what did you use to shoot those photos. I tried it on a camcorder sony nex fs100 and I had a problem above 50mm, it distorts the image with a barrel shape at the edges. Check the link with my video:
I shot everything with a Sony Nex-7. I will check tomorrow and try a test video…
Did not encouter those problems
See impression shot with nex6
Willem Broere
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Thanks for this review. How does this lens compare with the 18-200: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SEL18200-E-mount-18-200mm-F3-5-6-3/dp/B0042GFYLI/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t As you may know, there are two versions of the 18-200, and I’m talking about the bigger, more expensive one — how does it compare with the 18-105 in image quality? Thanks again.
I do not have Either of these. So I cannot tell. The 18-200 is a different lens. The 18-105 is a shorter one, the aperture is constant. It is a perfect lens for people who shoot video and who hate it when the aperture changes while they zoom.
The 18-200 is for people who travel with one lens, who are lazy to swap lenses. Size wise they are both big lenses on an e mount.