What is actually the best versatile zoom lens for the Sony a6700 because I am seriously losing my mind with this kit lens? I honestly thought getting a high-end crop sensor like the a6700 would solve my problems but the 16-50mm power zoom lens it came with is just... bad. Like really bad. I’m trying to prep for a huge trip to Italy next month—it's my first big solo trip and I’m supposed to be filming my cousin's small ceremony there too—and every test shot I take looks like it was captured on a potato from 2012. It's so soft at the edges and the f3.5-5.6 is basically useless as soon as the sun starts to go down even a little bit. I spent way too much on the camera body to have it feel like a toy.

I need something that covers a good range but isn't a massive brick because I’ll be hiking around Tuscany and I don't want to carry a ten pound bag. I’ve been looking at the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 because it has stabilization but I heard it’s huge and might look weird on the compact a6700 body? Then there is the Sigma 18-50mm which everyone says is tiny and sharp but it doesn't have optical stabilization and I’m worried my handheld video is gonna look all shaky even with the a6700's IBIS. My budget is capped at around $850 because I already blew most of my savings on the tickets and the camera itself.

I just want one lens that stays on the camera 90% of the time for both street shots and decent video work without me constantly wishing I had more light or more reach. Is the Sony 18-135mm even worth looking at or is that just another slow aperture nightmare? I’m just so frustrated because I feel like I’m drowning in reviews and none of them give a straight answer for someone who needs to pack light but wants pro-ish results. I just want to be able to zoom in without the image falling apart or the autofocus hunting for five seconds while the moment passes me by...