A 7.5x zoom range packed into one lens means fewer lens changes — and for APS-C Sony shooters, the E 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 OSS covers wide-angle to telephoto (28-202.5mm full-frame equivalent) in a single 325-gram package. That range would normally demand carrying two or three separate lenses; here it's one, with built-in optical stabilization that pairs with in-body stabilization on newer Sony bodies for extra steadiness.
The tradeoffs are the ones any superzoom accepts: a variable aperture that narrows as you zoom in, and edge sharpness that softens somewhat at the telephoto end compared to prime lenses. For travel photographers who'd rather pack light than carry a full kit, reviewers have consistently pointed to it as the lens that gets left in the bag the least — not the sharpest option available, but the one that's actually there when the shot happens.
