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Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens

  • Price: $648.00
  • GBP 412.73
  • B&H # SO1825035
  • Mfr# SAL18250

Product Highlights

  • For Alpha & Minolta Digital SLR Series
  • Zoom Super Wide Angle-Telephoto

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The Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens is a compact, wide-angle to long-telephoto zoom lens specifically designed for the Sony Alpha and Minolta Digital SLR cameras. This long zoom range translates into a 14x zoom ratio. This lens is relatively very compact, and the optics have been optimized for the small diameter image circle in order to work with the APS-C size CCD used with digital SLR cameras. When used with a digital SLR camera, the equivalent focal length for this lens is 27-375mm, ideal for snapshots, portraits, interiors and more - an excellent all-around lens to travel with.

Note! Not compatible with 35mm or "full-frame" digital SLR cameras.

DT lenses employ a new optical system that is specifically designed for digital SLR cameras which incorporate an APS-C size CCD image sensor.
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass to reduce chromatic aberration at telephoto extension, correcting certain wavelengths of light for sharp, clear images with well defined colors.
Internal Focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, allowing the use of a circular polarizing filter.
A 7-blade circular aperture for pleasing defocused effects.
Performance
Focal Length 18 - 250 mm
Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 27 - 375 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/3.5 - 6.3
Minimum: f/22 - 40
Camera Mount Type Sony Alpha, Minolta AF
Format Compatibility DSLR (APS-C Sensor)
Angle of View 76° - 6°
Minimum Focus Distance 1.48' (45 cm)
Magnification 0.29x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:3.44
Groups/Elements 13/16
Diaphragm Blades 7
Features
Image Stabilization No
Autofocus Yes
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread 62 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 2.95 x 3.39" (7.49 x 8.61 cm)
Weight 15.52 oz (440 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens
 
4.7

(based on 73 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (51)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (22)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (44)
  • Improves picture quality (27)
  • Compact (26)
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus (15)
  • Strong construction (15)

Cons

  • Heavy (6)

Best Uses

  • Shooting outdoors (40)
  • General purpose (24)
  • Shooting indoors (20)
  • Upgrade (17)
  • Close up filming (13)
    • How long have you owned it:
    • A month or less

       

      63% 

      (5 reviews)

      One-to-three months

       

      Three-to-six months

       

      More than six months

       
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Tech savvy (23), Enthusiast (22), Parent (12), Technically challenged (4), Advanced amateur (3)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (25)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 73 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-20

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5.0

Totally Satisfied

By Gearhead

from Pittsfield, Mass

About Me Tech Savvy

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Compact Design
  • Easy To Use
  • Improves Picture Quality

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Shooting Outdoors

    Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

    I am an advanced amateur and bought this lens to broaden my flexibility for the shooting spectrum. I had been recently frustrated by missing key shots while changing lenses...I often carry two SLRs to avoid this, but thought this lens might work. Based on other comments on the sharpness of this lens, I ordered it but was still skeptical. On my last vacation trip I used this lens 90% of the time with my other SLR dedicated only to extra long telephoto shots.
    This lens is an excellent performer. Quick and reliable focusing on manual and auto focus. Nice sharp images...really nice.
    I had tried some other zooms with larger apertures for depth of field reasons but found that their best image quality was at f/8, so I'm not really giving much away with this f/3.5 > f/6.3 lens. I'll take image quality first every time.
    I've found the lens lock handy and necessary. If unlocked, this compact lens will eventually end up extending out to it's considerable full length for telephoto. The simple lock button is a good idea.
    I have not yet done the detailed image tune-ups in photo shop ( I do this on all my images ) but the results of the images shot with this lens show no issues with flare, distortion, chromatic aberrations...
    This is now my "workhorse" lens without reservation.

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Comment on this review

    (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Perfect lens!

    By Barb

    from Cullman, AL

    About Me Parent, Technically Challenged

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Compact Design
    • Easy To Use

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Close Up Filming
      • Panoramic Filming

      Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

      Recently at a concert, I would have to change my camera lens for distance and then again with close-up photos. Miss out on some photos during the change out process. No more of that! You can go from distance to close up without the fumble of lens change. This lens is lighter than previous panoramic lens.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

       
      4.0

      great value for the price

      By CT

      from Tucson, Arizona

      About Me Amateur

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Close focusing
      • Good image quality
      • Very versatile range

      Cons

      • Zooming slightly stiff

      Best Uses

      • General shooting

      Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

      I purchased this lens for use as a telephoto lens and at the same time to replace the 18-70 mm kit lens that came with my Sony Alpha 100. The lens does not disappoint. It is a great all-purpose lens whose range covers most shooting situations. It is not overly large or heavy given its range.
      Resulting images have been sharp, but not as sharp as my Minolta 85mm f1.4, but that is to be expected. The results are better than the 18-70mm kit lens.
      The only thing that I noticed that was not so great was that the zooming is a little stiff but not enough to disturb shooting.
      Be aware that the trade off for the range is reduced apertures at most ranges, but this is well worth the versatility the lens offers. Here are the maximum apertures I observed: 18mm f3.5; 35mm f4; 50mm f4.5; 70mm f5; 100mm f5.6; 180mm+ f6.3.
      Overall if you own a Sony DLSR and would have only one lens I can't imagine a better value than the 18-250.

      • Was this a gift?:
      • No

      Comment on this review

      (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      GREAT lens, I HIGHLY recommend it

      By Ron the road cyclist

      from Kennesaw

      About Me Photo Enthusiast, Tech Savvy

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Compact Design
      • Improves Picture Quality

      Cons

      • None

      Best Uses

        Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

        I had the Carl Zeiss 16-80 which is an excellent lens, but found I needed more reach when on vacation and didn't want to change lenses while walking around sightseeing and so I did a comparison between the Sony 18-250 vs. the CZ 16-80 vs. the Tamron 18-270. I am here to say the Sony 18-250 provided superior optical quality to the others! It was CLEARLY superior in color and clarity to the Tamron and even sharper in clarity to the CZ which was a surprise to me! This will now be my walkaround lens of choice. The lens lock is a nice feature as well to prevent lens creep while walking around. I use it on my Sony Alpha 55.

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

        Comment on this review

         
        5.0

        great lens

        By David

        from Miami, FL

        About Me Parent

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Compact Design
        • Easy To Use
        • Improves Picture Quality

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Close Up Filming
          • Panoramic Filming
          • Shooting Indoors
          • Shooting Outdoors

          Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

          i highly recommend this lens.....B&H had great pricing on it.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          nicely done

          By Amature

          from Canoga park California

          About Me Parent, Technically Challenged

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Compact Design
          • Easy To Use
          • Improves Picture Quality
          • Interfaces Well With Camcorder

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Shooting Indoors
            • Shooting Outdoors
            • Upgrade

            Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

            previous to this lens have several lenses and I have to carry them all the time, with this ,it's all around lens never get off my camera again.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

             
            4.0

            Great to walk around with

            By dusty

            from Cincinnati, OH

            About Me Tech Savvy

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Easy To Use
            • Long range

            Cons

            • Low light

            Best Uses

            • Shooting Outdoors

            Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

            This is my lens that I use almost all the time with my a55. Such a large range and takes great shots. I can get up close without having to change lenses.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            awesome lens

            By miguelRN

            from Dallas, TX

            About Me Tech Savvy

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Easy To Use

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Shooting Outdoors
              • Upgrade

              Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

              great multi-use camera.

              • Was this a gift?:
              • Yes

              Comment on this review

              (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              LOVE THIS LENS!!

              By Portraits by Joy

              from Albuquerque, NM

              About Me NewbornChildren Photog, Parent

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Compact Design
              • Easy To Use
              • Improves Picture Quality
              • Sharper than Sigma too
              • Smaller than Sigma

              Cons

              • Haven't found a downside

              Best Uses

              • A Do-It-All Lens

              Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

              I bought this lens as an upgrade to my kit lens that came with my Sony a-700 and as a upgrade to the Minolta 70-300mm and 28-80mm. It'a a vast improvement! The picture quality is phenomenally better. It gives me better sharpness, contrast and saturation. It completely changed how I view my own photography. I shot a wedding the first day I owned it, the macro DOF was great on their rings and at the opposite end I got a sharp picture with great bokeh around them. My only regret is that I hadn't bought this sooner. Buy it... seriously, this lens will never leave the body!

              • Was this a gift?:
              • No

              Comment on this review

              (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Great Lens for the money

              By Buster

              from Oregon coast

              About Me Tech Savvy

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Compact Design
              • Easy To Use
              • Improves Picture Quality

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Close Up Filming
                • Panoramic Filming
                • Shooting Indoors
                • Shooting Outdoors

                Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                I purchased the lens for use with the Sony a55v body. For my use it will be used 99% of the time.
                It is well made, light weight & sharp.
                It also focuses quite close. Took some nice closeup shots of flowers.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Comment on this review

                 
                5.0

                Great! Lens

                By Christy

                from Easton, MD

                About Me Parent, Tech Savvy

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Easy To Use

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Shooting Indoors
                  • Shooting Outdoors

                  Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                  Awesome Lens, loving having the best of both worlds some macro-portrait abilities without having to change lens. All around great lens for the money.

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

                  Comment on this review

                   
                  4.0

                  Love it

                  By Connie

                  from Missouri

                  About Me Parent

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Easy To Use
                  • Improves Picture Quality

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Shooting Outdoors
                    • Upgrade

                    Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                    I just got it not too long ago....I tested it a little and what I saw I like!!!! Its sharp and a over all good lens.
                    I would recommend it.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

                    Comment on this review

                    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    5.0

                    Love this lens.

                    By Stephen W.

                    from Fort Wayne, Indiana

                    About Me Tech Savvy

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Easy To Use
                    • Improves Picture Quality

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Shooting Outdoors

                      Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                      I've invested the money in some prime lens and fisheye lens yet was still slacking with my kit zoom lens(18-70mm) So i finally decided i needed a actual zoom lens and I love this one. Stays on my camera in my bag being the most versatile lens I have.

                      • Was this a gift?:
                      • No

                      Comment on this review

                      (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                       
                      5.0

                      Terrific so far

                      By Bookem T

                      from Rockport, TX

                      About Me Tech Savvy

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Easy To Use
                      • Improves Picture Quality
                      • Interfaces Well With Camcorder
                      • Warm rich color

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Close Up Filming
                        • Shooting Indoors

                        Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                        [...] I purchased this lens for a replacement of the stock lens that came with the Sony A33 camera kit. My first shooting with it was last night at my grand daughter's 13th birthday dinner. I had one picture that wasn't perfectly focused out of about 20 but the other pictures were amazing. This lens really works well with the camera and absolutely made a huge difference. Can't wait for the next shoot. I also like that it came with the lens hood. This lens is also a good weight, not too heavy. It feels very dependable not cheap. I would highly recommend purchasing it.

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Comment on this review

                        (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                         
                        5.0

                        Great lens. I use it for every thing.

                        By Fioretti

                        from São Paulo, Braxil

                        About Me Parent

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Easy To Use

                        Cons

                        • Nothing

                        Best Uses

                        • Shooting Outdoors

                        Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                        I loved this lens. I use the Sony a55. No words.

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

                        Comment on this review

                         
                        5.0

                        Great lens

                        By Mauricio-DF

                        from Brasília - Brazil

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Improves Picture Quality

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Shooting Outdoors

                          Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                          This is a very good lens! I recomend it for everyone, very good lens for the price. I´m use in Sony Alpha SLT-A33.

                          Comment on this review

                           
                          5.0

                          Just what I needed !!!

                          By LaChina

                          from I live in Rota Spain!!!!!

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Easy To Use

                          Cons

                          • Bulky Design

                          Best Uses

                          • Close Up Filming
                          • Panoramic Filming
                          • Shooting Indoors
                          • Shooting Outdoors
                          • Upgrade

                          Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                          I travel allot and and love to snap away without changing the lens.

                          • Was this a gift?:
                          • No

                          Comment on this review

                          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                           
                          5.0

                          Fantastic All Around Lens

                          By Uncle Gare

                          from Milwaukee, WI

                          About Me Tech Savvy

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Compact Design
                          • Easy To Use
                          • Improves Picture Quality

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Close Up Filming
                            • Shooting Indoors
                            • Shooting Outdoors
                            • Upgrade

                            Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                            I am an amateur photographer and shoot mostly vacations and family events. After years of frustration with the quality of P&S cameras, I decided to take the plunge into DSLR land. I quickly realized how much I used the zoom on my camera and found out that (for me) changing lenses is a major hassle (carrying them, worrying about dust, and missed shots). My hope was that if I spent a few extra dollars on this lens it would give me the focal range I was accustomed to while also providing a giant step-up in picture quality. This lens did not disappoint! It is very fast to focus and extremely sharp. I love that I can shoot a portrait at 18mm and with a flick of the wrist be shooting action across the backyard at 250mm! Simply fantastic!

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

                            Comment on this review

                             
                            4.0

                            First superzoom

                            By Birder

                            from Nevada,MO

                            About Me Total amature

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Compact Design
                            • Easy To Use
                            • Wide range

                            Cons

                            • Picture loss at corners

                            Best Uses

                            • Close Up Filming
                            • Shooting Indoors
                            • Shooting Outdoors

                            Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                            Purchased to have single lens for trip to Ecuador. Use with alpha100. Around the house and in the yard I'm very pleased. Sharp pics thru out its range, however some loss of photo at left corners.

                            • Was this a gift?:
                            • No

                            Comment on this review

                             
                            5.0

                            Excellent product

                            By Chris from Magog

                            from Quebec, Canada

                            About Me Technically Challenged

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Easy To Use
                            • Improves Picture Quality

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Shooting Outdoors
                              • Upgrade

                              Comments about Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens:

                              This lens replace the 18-55mm that came with the camera (sony A33). This one is better built, has better image quality and the zoom is perfect for outdoor use.

                              • Was this a gift?:
                              • No

                              Comment on this review

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                              Sony SAL-18250 DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Autofocus Lens
                               
                               
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