Sony

Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS Power Zoom Lens

4.5 (2575 reviews)

Versatile constant-aperture zoom that delivers sharp, stabilized images from wide-angle scenes to compressed telephoto portraits on Sony APS-C bodies.

$848.00*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 17, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Sony SELP18105G occupies a unique space in the E-mount ecosystem: a powered zoom lens built for hybrid creators who need cinematic zoom pulls and reliable stills performance in a single package. Covering an equivalent 27–158mm range on APS-C bodies, it handles everything from environmental wide shots to compressed telephoto framing without a lens change. The constant f/4 aperture means your exposure stays locked as you zoom through a scene — critical during video takes where aperture shifts create visible brightness fluctuations. Two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements keep chromatic aberration and distortion in check, producing images with clean contrast and accurate color rendition that hold up well in post.

Build quality reflects Sony's G-series standard: a robust polycarbonate barrel with a smooth zoom ring, solid mounting flange, and a well-damped focus-by-wire system. At 427 grams it's not featherweight, but the trade-off is a lens that feels planted on the camera and inspires confidence on long shoots. Optical SteadyShot performs admirably at the telephoto end, buying you two to three extra stops of handheld stability — enough to shoot sharp stills at 1/15s in good form. For videographers, the motorized zoom is the headline feature: consistent speed, zero wobble, and remote-controllable on compatible bodies. It's a lens that rewards shooters who value versatility and fluid motion over raw speed, and it has earned its reputation as the default all-rounder for Sony APS-C kits.

Key Features

High performance E mount lens with excellent contrast; Minimum Aperture (F): 22

Minimum Focus Distance : 1.48 (Wide) 3.12 ft (Tele), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.11x, Focal Length : 18 105 mm

Versatile 27 158mm (35mm equiv.) zoom range. Angle of view (APS C): 76° 15°. Number of aperture blades are 7

Constant F4 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. Filter diameter (mm):72 mm

It is recommended that you use a lens hood to reduce flare and ensure maximum image quality.Focal Length (mm) 11/16 4 1/8 35 mm equivalent focal length (APS C) 1 1/16 6 3/16 inches

Specifications

Focal Length
18–105mm (27–158mm equivalent on APS-C)
Maximum Aperture
f/4 (constant)
Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Mount
Sony E-mount
Optical Design
Two ED glass elements, three aspherical elements
Aperture Blades
7
Image Stabilization
Optical SteadyShot (OSS)
Minimum Focus Distance
0.45m (wide) / 0.95m (telephoto)
Maximum Magnification
0.11x
Filter Diameter
72mm
Angle of View (APS-C)
76° – 15°
Zoom Type
Power Zoom (motorized)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Constant f/4 aperture maintains consistent exposure and depth of field across the entire 18-105mm range, eliminating compensation when zooming during video takes.
  • The power zoom mechanism enables buttery-smooth motorized zoom pulls that are nearly impossible to replicate by hand, making it exceptional for solo video work.
  • Built-in Optical SteadyShot delivers noticeably steadier handheld footage at the telephoto end, reducing the need for a gimbal in run-and-gun shooting.
  • The 5.8x zoom range covers wide establishing shots through medium telephoto compression in a single lens, keeping you nimble on documentary or event shoots.
  • Sony G-series optics with two ED elements produce clean, high-contrast images with well-controlled chromatic aberration, even wide open at f/4.

👎 Cons

  • At f/4 maximum aperture you'll need to push ISO higher in dimly lit venues — not the lens for available-light work where f/2.8 or faster glass is expected.
  • The lens is noticeably front-heavy on smaller APS-C bodies like the a6100, creating an unbalanced feel during long handheld shooting sessions.
  • Autofocus motor is adequate but not silent — in quiet interview settings the zoom and focus motors can be picked up by sensitive on-camera microphones.
  • Bokeh rendering at f/4 with the seven-blade aperture is acceptable but not creamy — portrait shooters who want pronounced background separation will want faster primes.
  • The power zoom ring lacks the tactile precision of a manual zoom ring, which can feel disconnected for photographers accustomed to direct mechanical control.

Frequently Asked Questions

It mounts on any Sony E-mount body, but it's designed for APS-C sensors. On a full-frame camera you'll see heavy vignetting unless you shoot in APS-C crop mode, which reduces your resolution. Best paired with cameras like the a6700 or FX30.
The motorized zoom ring provides smooth, consistent zoom pulls at adjustable speeds — a major advantage over manual zoom rings that can introduce jerky motion. You can also assign zoom speed via the camera body on compatible models, making it a go-to for one-person video shoots.
Yes. On IBIS-equipped Sony bodies the lens OSS and body stabilization work together for enhanced shake reduction, which is especially noticeable at the telephoto end when shooting handheld in low light or walking while recording video.
Minimum focus distance is about 0.45m at the wide end. It won't replace a dedicated macro, but at 105mm you can isolate small subjects with decent working distance — useful for quick detail shots on set without swapping glass.
It takes 72mm filters. This is a common pro-size thread, so finding ND filters, polarizers, and UV filters is straightforward and affordable.