Best all-around zoom lens for travel with the Sony a6700?

Question

Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger on the Sony a6700 recently and I am absolutely blown away by the autofocus and the overall performance of the sensor. It is such a massive step up from my old setup. However, I have a big three-week trip coming up across Italy and France next month, and I am struggling to decide on the perfect lens to pair with it. I really want to avoid carrying a heavy bag full of glass, so I am looking for that one perfect all-around zoom lens that can stay on the camera for 90 percent of the trip.

I have been doing a lot of research, but I am feeling a bit stuck between a few different philosophies. Since the a6700 has great in-body image stabilization, I am wondering if I should prioritize a constant f/2.8 aperture for those dim cathedrals and evening street scenes, or if a variable aperture lens with a much longer reach would be more practical for travel. I plan on shooting a mix of everything: wide architectural shots of plazas, some street photography, and probably some zoomed-in detail shots of historic landmarks.

A few lenses have caught my eye. The Sony 18-135mm seems like a great lightweight contender, but I am worried the image quality might not do the 26MP sensor justice. Then there is the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8, which sounds amazing on paper, but I am concerned it might be a bit too bulky for all-day walking. I also looked at the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 because it is so tiny and sharp, but I am scared I will constantly be wishing for more than 50mm of reach.

I really want to keep the kit manageable because we will be walking miles every day, but I do not want to regret leaving a better lens at home. My budget is around $600 to $900, but I am open to spending a bit more if it is truly the ultimate travel companion.

For those of you who use the a6700 for travel, what has been your go-to one-lens solution? If you could only bring one zoom to cover everything from landscapes to portraits, which one would you pick and why?

Michaelbex · Accepted Answer

Quick question - how much low-light shooting are you planning? Honestly, I'd prioritize the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for the technical reliability of f/2.8 despite the bulk.

Peterkix · Answer

For your situation, grab a used Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS ($400). It is:Super lightweightMassive zoom rangeWatch the low light tho, it is reallyyy amazing!! gl!

tank_cfOi · Answer

So I went through this exact situation last year before a month-long trip. I've been shooting Sony for a long time and honestly, I've spent way too much money trying to find the one perfect lens. I used to think I absolutely needed that f/2.8 constant aperture for everything. But after lugging a heavy setup through Rome in the heat, my perspective totally shifted toward the budget-friendly, lightweight stuff. Here is basically what I've learned from my journey:

I picked up a used Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS for about 350 dollars and it totally surprised me. Even on the 26MP sensor of the Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera, the sharpness is usually plenty for travel shots if you aren't pixel peeping. Plus, it's so cheap compared to the G-series stuff.

For the low light stuff, I actually saved money by NOT getting a big f/2.8 zoom. I found that pairing a cheaper zoom with a tiny prime like the Sony E 20mm f/2.8 was much easier on my neck. You can find those for maybe 200 to 250 dollars used.

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is a steal at around 500 bucks new. I eventually settled on this one because it didn't break my back or my bank account. In my experience, you kinda stop caring about the extra reach when ur feet are killing you at the end of the day. I found that I'd rather crop a bit into a sharp 50mm shot than carry the extra weight of the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD all day. Keeping the kit under budget meant more money for wine and museums... anyway, that's just how I ended up doing it!