Technically, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is still king for optical quality, but the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is way more travel-friendly. Just be careful with the Sigma's weather sealing!

So, I recently got the a6700 too and honestly, picking a lens felt sooo overwhelming cuz there are like way too many options. Basically, before you decide, you gotta think about how much weight you wanna carry around all day. In my experience, even though the a6700 has IBIS, you still want a lens that feels balanced and safe on the body so you dont accidentally strain the mount or anything lol. I ended up going with the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Sony E and I'm reallyyy satisfied with it. It’s incredibly light for travel, which is a big deal if youre walking miles. I was worried about the lack of reach compared to the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Sony E, but the Sigma is just so tiny and reliable. If you have the extra cash and want that "safe" official choice, the Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is the top tier one, but it's heavier and maybe pricey for a beginner? I'd say the Sigma works well for most daily stuff! 👍

Solid advice 👍

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I pretty much agree that the high-end native glass is still the king for pure optics, but I respectfully disagree that those f/2.8 zooms are the only path for a travel setup. Idk, I feel like everyone gets so caught up in the 2.8 hype that they overlook how much the market has evolved recently. Basically, from a market analysis standpoint, the third-party manufacturers are reallyyy putting pressure on the big brands by offering much better value for the money. Tbh, you have to decide what matters more:

• Native AF algorithms and brand prestige
• Third-party innovation and lower price points
• Trading a constant aperture for significantly more zoom range The a6700 is such a capable body that it handles the third-party glass pretty well anyway. Honestly, some of the newer designs coming from the smaller brands are giving the big guys a run for their money in terms of weight and size, which is sooo important for travel. Just my two cents on the market situation right now!

Seconded!