Best versatile zoom lens for Sony a6700 travel photography?

Question

I am literally losing sleep over this and my trip to Tokyo and Kyoto is in like 22 days. I just upgraded to the a6700 from an old a6000 and I want one lens that can basically stay on the camera the whole time because I know if I have to swap lenses while walking through a crowded market or in the rain I just wont do it and I'll miss the shot. I really need something versatile that handles everything from street food shots to landscape views at Fuji.

Right now Im torn between three main options but mostly two. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 seems like the smart choice because of the f/2.8 constant aperture which would be huge for dinner shots and night markets but man that thing looks massive in videos. Like, is it gonna feel like a brick around my neck after walking 20k steps a day? My budget is capped at about $800 so it fits there but the size really scares me for a two week trip where I'm carrying everything in a small sling.

Then there is the Sony 18-135mm. I love how small it is and that extra reach would be amazing for getting shots of architectural details on temples but it starts at f/3.5 and goes to f/5.6 really fast. Am I gonna regret that the second the sun goes down? Or is the a6700 sensor good enough at high ISO that it doesnt matter? I also looked at the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 which is tiny and adorable but I feel like 50mm just isnt enough zoom for a once in a lifetime trip.

Im leaning toward the Tamron for the image quality but the Sony for the weight and I keep flip flopping every hour. I just want something versatile that wont make my shoulder ache but also wont give me grainy junk when I go inside a dim shrine or a narrow alleyway at night. Does the stabilization in the Tamron plus the IBIS in the a6700 actually make a huge difference for handheld stuff? Or should I just go with the Sony 18-135 and just deal with the slower glass...

HenryFaign · Accepted Answer

To add to the point above, if you are really worried about weight but need that f/2.8 for night markets, you should look at the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G. In my experience, having that 16mm on the wide end is a lifesaver for cramped Kyoto streets. It lacks stabilization, but the IBIS in your a6700 handles handheld shots just fine. TL;DR: The Tamron is a beast, but the Sony 16-55mm is the pro choice for weight and sharpness if you can find a deal.

b0b0b1 · Answer

Re: To add to the point above, im satisfied with the Sony E 18-105mm f/4 G OSS. Constant f/4 beats the 18-135's variable aperture, and internal zooming keeps the balance perfect handheld.

RNR_lhea · Answer

Japan is gonna be incredible, you are seriously going to have a blast in Kyoto! I went through the exact same struggle when I first got my a6700 and honestly, I am so satisfied with my choice to go with the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. I know the size looks a bit intimidating in YouTube videos, but in actual use, it balances really well on the newer body. I have spent entire days walking 25k steps with it and it works so well that I barely notice the weight anymore, tho a good padded strap helps. The main reason I am so happy I picked this over the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is the low light stuff. Japan has so many dim shrines and those gorgeous narrow, neon-lit alleys in Shinjuku that just look better at f/2.8. If you go with the slower Sony lens, you are gonna be cranking that ISO way up the second you step inside a building or the sun starts to set. The Tamron handles those dinner shots perfectly without getting grainy junk. Also, the stabilization (VC) in the lens paired with the a6700 IBIS is basically magic. I have taken handheld shots at like 1/5th of a second and they come out looking tack sharp. The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is tiny and cute, but for a once in a lifetime trip, you will definitely want the extra reach the Tamron gives you for those Fuji views. It has been my main lens for a year now and I have zero complaints, it really is the ultimate travel companion for this camera system!