Coming back to this thread after seeing you mention food photos... honestly the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary is a total beast for macro-style shots! I used it for a food tour recently and the close-up focus is just insane, you can basically touch the plate. You're gonna love it for those ramen shots. Since the Sony Alpha a6700 Mirrorless Camera has killer IBIS, the lack of stabilization on the Sigma is a non-issue for stills. If you want more reach tho, you gotta check out the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. It's definitely bigger, but that extra zoom range saved me so many times when I couldn't get close to a temple. It's basically a do-it-all monster. Personally, I'd go Sigma for Japan because walking 25k steps with a heavy rig is the absolute worst... but that Tamron is fantastic!

> since the a6700 has built in stabilization does it even matter that the Sigma doesnt have it? Honestly, the IBIS on the a6700 is solid, but if you want the absolute smoothest footage or handheld low-light shots in those dimly lit Tokyo alleys, you should definitely look at the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. I've been using it for a while and I'm super satisfied with how it handles... well, everything. It is definitely a bit bigger than the Sigma, but that extra reach on the long end is a lifesaver for street photography when youre across the road. Plus, it has its own built-in stabilization (VC) that works with your cameras IBIS. For video, that combo is basically magic. It fits perfectly in your $800 budget too. No complaints here, it basically never leaves my camera body because its so versatile for both food and landscapes. Worth the extra bulk for the zoom range imo.

Honestly, if you're hitting Japan in three weeks, just grab the Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary and dont look back. I have spent years lugging heavy gear across cities and let me tell you, that extra weight on the Sony E 16-55mm f2.8 G gets real old after ten miles of walking. Since the a6700 has that great IBIS, the lack of lens stabilization is basically a non-issue for photos and light video. Heres why the Sigma wins for your trip:

• Minimum focus distance is wild, perfect for those detailed sushi shots.
• Constant f2.8 lets you keep shooting when the sun goes down in Shinjuku.
• Its so light you wont even feel it on your neck. The Sony G lens is incredible glass, sure, but its massive for an APS-C setup. Stick with the Sigma, save the cash for your trip, and enjoy the compact setup... you really dont need the extra bulk.