APS-C STANDARD ZOOM LENS SHOOTOUT

The default lens that any photographer or novice buys into is the kit lens

- SANCHIT MISHRA

While the kit lenses are something that are interesting, manufactures also tend to give options for dual/varied kits to the user in case they are keen on other options. In this shootout we have included the best APS-C Mirrorless Standard Zoom Lenses from the manufacturers. These lenses cover a wide range of focal lengths, from 18mm to 150mm, giving photographers a lot of options for their creative work.

Look, Body and Feel:

• Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

The RF-S 18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM lens is really light, just 310 gms, and it’s quite small for such a versatile zoom lens. It works well with medium-sized cameras like the Canon EOS R10 and also what’s interesting is that it also works on the full-frame mount as well.

The build quality is okay, even though it’s mostly made of plastic, including the lens mount. With a plastic mount it is not possible to have weather sealing as well and understandably this also doesn’t. The lens uses the standard 55mm diameter and comes with in-built image stabilization. You also have the option to turn it on/off through the camera menu. It gives you up to 4.5 stops of stabilization when used with the Canon R10. You can also switch the focussing ring to be a Lens Control Ring, but you have to do it through the camera menu since there’s no dedicated switch on the lens. Overall in this department it is pretty good.

• Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140MM F/3.5-6.3 VR Lens 

The Nikon Z DX 18-140mm F3.5-6.3 VR lens is light with a weight of 315 gms. But it is still 5 gms heavier than the Canon here, not that you will notice those 5 gms. It works well with the Nikon Z30 camera and much like its counterpart it is also made mostly of plastic.