I'm using this lens on an a6300. I would have to categorize this lens as sharp enough and good enough. I am happy with the photos I make with it while understanding that I am trading off some optical quality for the convenience of fewer lens changes. I think some have rated the focusing action as slow, however, considering the great range this focus must rack through it is once again, good enough in my opinion. The focus ring is smooth and manual focus is a breeze with it. There is no dead band before the camera realizes you are trying to adjust focus. The zoom ring is very stiff. I can't tell if the ring is loosening up a bit with use or if my arm is getting stronger with the exercise. I don't really know what the lock is for at 18mm. Pretty useless unless you are ... MoreI'm using this lens on an a6300. I would have to categorize this lens as sharp enough and good enough. I am happy with the photos I make with it while understanding that I am trading off some optical quality for the convenience of fewer lens changes. I think some have rated the focusing action as slow, however, considering the great range this focus must rack through it is once again, good enough in my opinion. The focus ring is smooth and manual focus is a breeze with it. There is no dead band before the camera realizes you are trying to adjust focus. The zoom ring is very stiff. I can't tell if the ring is loosening up a bit with use or if my arm is getting stronger with the exercise. I don't really know what the lock is for at 18mm. Pretty useless unless you are pointing the camera straight down and want it to stay, for certain, at 18mm. I had one disturbing problem with the lens at first use. When I would hold focus on a subject the focus mechanism would vibrate alarmingly and squeal loudly. I was pretty sure the lens was going back to B&H as that was really alarming. I dismounted the lens and reattached it and the bad activity was somewhat reduced. Each cycling of the mount improved matters a bit. Now I'm thinking the contacts on the lens might be a problem. I took a dry cotton swab and burnished the contacts. The problem was then gone. Since then there is no hint of the problem.

This is a nice-looking, nice-performing, easy-to-carry companion for my a6000. This is not for protraiture or fine-detail work. This is for taking with you to the zoo, amusement park, dog park, vacation, etc. Depending on your model NEX/Alpha, it may not be good for low-light/indoors, as it drops quickly from its maximum f3.5 as you zoom. (I don't have that much issue with the a6000, a pretty decent low-light performer.) It is as good as or better than any of the newer superzoom APS-C and mirrorless lenses out there, such as the latest Sigma 18-200 |C or Lumix 14-140 II. It works well with the NEX/Aplha hybrid AF. It's quiet for video (Although, you may prefer the PZ version, if that is your main use.) And, with the built-in lens correction of the a6000, I do not ... MoreThis is a nice-looking, nice-performing, easy-to-carry companion for my a6000. This is not for protraiture or fine-detail work. This is for taking with you to the zoo, amusement park, dog park, vacation, etc. Depending on your model NEX/Alpha, it may not be good for low-light/indoors, as it drops quickly from its maximum f3.5 as you zoom. (I don't have that much issue with the a6000, a pretty decent low-light performer.) It is as good as or better than any of the newer superzoom APS-C and mirrorless lenses out there, such as the latest Sigma 18-200 |C or Lumix 14-140 II. It works well with the NEX/Aplha hybrid AF. It's quiet for video (Although, you may prefer the PZ version, if that is your main use.) And, with the built-in lens correction of the a6000, I do not see any CA, and only a little bit of distortion at the wide end and for close shots. The biggest con is the price. Similar lenses for Canon/Nikon from Sigma and Tamron are half the price! Even the Lumix equivilent is 100 cheaper. But, e-mount apparently demands a premium compared to other systems, as the Tamron version of this for e-mount is around the same price as the Sony. (and the Sony version is rumored to be a re-brand of the Tamron, which it certainly bears a striking resemblance to.) I do recommend it, despite it's high price tag, as it is really the best way to enjoy your e-mount camera in a sightseeing environment.

I rented this lens to pair with an FX30 and it got the job done. Images came out nicely and the stabilishot worked as promised, but the camera struggled to recognize the lens from time to time and required remounting on the fly for autofocus to work correctly. When recognized, the pairing of internal stabilization with the lens' stabilishot provides a tripod-like level of stability, which can get a little jerky if trying to go from no movement to a small pan or tilt. Overall, if you're looking for a good travel lens with good responsiveness and few chromatic issues, it'll work.