02/04/2026 5:26 am
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
APS-C E-mount Lens
2
Posts
3
Users
0
Reactions
38
Views
0
What is the absolute best all-in-one zoom for the a6700 because I am losing my mind trying to pick one for my Italy trip next month. I keep seeing people recommend the Sony 18-135mm because its light but then others say the Tamron 18-300mm is the king of travel even though it looks like a literal brick.
Im really worried about the weight since we are gonna be walking all over Florence and Rome and my budget is strictly under $800. Is the extra reach on the Tamron actually worth the shoulder pain or should I just stick with the Sony and crop? Its so hard to tell if the image quality is actually better or if im just overthinking it...
2 Answers
10
02/04/2026 5:37 am
Regarding what #1 said about the 18-135mm, its okay for weight but the optics are just average. In my experience, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is the better choice for Italy.
- Constant f/2.8 is huge for low light churches
- Built-in VC helps keep shots steady
- Way sharper than that 18-300mm brick I wouldnt lug that 18-300 around all day, your shoulder will hate you. Tbh, 70mm is usually plenty for city travel.
1
02/04/2026 5:26 am
I have used the a6700 for several European trips now and I am incredibly satisfied with the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS as a primary lens. It hits a sweet spot that basically makes it the perfect travel companion for that specific camera body. The Tamron is a great piece of glass, but carrying it around Florence all day is a heavy task that might ruin the experience.
- Weight: At around 325g, it feels balanced and wont strain your neck during long walking tours.
- Performance: The autofocus is lightning fast and native to the Sony system, so tracking works flawlessly.
- Versatility: While 135mm seems shorter than 300mm, it is usually plenty for most landmarks and street photography. Honestly, I have no complaints about the image quality or the build. You can always crop a bit if you need more reach, but you cant make a heavy lens lighter. It works well and stays within your budget too.
