Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS vs Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical

The bottom line

These cover different focal lengths — the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS is 10-18mm, the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical is 35mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS for wide-angle, the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical for short-telephoto / portrait.

Choose the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS if…

  • You shoot wide — it starts at 10mm vs 35mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture.
  • You want one-lens flexibility — a 10-18mm zoom covers what the fixed 35mm can't reframe.
  • You shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Choose the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical if…

  • You want more light and background blur — f/2 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation.
  • You need more reach — it goes to 35mm vs 18mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport.
  • You prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 35mm prime over a zoom.
  • You like close-focus work — 0.15x magnification vs 0.1x.

Where they differ

  • Aperture: the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical opens to f/2 vs the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS's f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.
  • Focal range: Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS is 10-18mm, Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical is 35mm — different framing and reach.
  • Type: the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS is a zoom (flexible framing), the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical a prime (one focal length, usually brighter and lighter).
  • Stabilisation: only the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS has optical stabilisation — steadier handheld shots, especially on bodies without IBIS.

Frequently asked

Is the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS or the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical better?

These cover different focal lengths — the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS is 10-18mm, the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical is 35mm — so they're not really substitutes. Pick by the field of view you actually need: the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS for wide-angle, the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical for short-telephoto / portrait.

Who should choose the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS?

Choose the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS if you shoot wide — it starts at 10mm vs 35mm for landscapes, interiors and architecture. Choose it if you want one-lens flexibility — a 10-18mm zoom covers what the fixed 35mm can't reframe. Choose it if you shoot handheld or on an unstabilised body — it has optical stabilisation, the other doesn't.

Who should choose the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical?

Choose the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical if you want more light and background blur — f/2 is faster than f/4, better for low light and subject separation. Choose it if you need more reach — it goes to 35mm vs 18mm for distant subjects, wildlife and sport. Choose it if you prefer a fast, compact single focal length — a 35mm prime over a zoom. Choose it if you like close-focus work — 0.15x magnification vs 0.1x.

What is the main difference between the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS and the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical?

Aperture: the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 35mm f/2 Aspherical opens to f/2 vs the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS's f/4 — more light and shallower depth-of-field.

Product
Optical Design
Focal Length10-18mm35mm
Lens TypeZoomPrime
Optical Elements129
Optical Groups117
Aperture & Iris
Maximum Aperturef/4f/2
Minimum Aperturef/22f/16
Aperture Blades710
Rounded ApertureNoYes
Coverage & Angle
Format CoverageAPS-CFull-Frame
Lens MountSony ESony E
Angle of View110° – 76°63°
35mm Equivalent15-27mm
Focus
AutofocusYesNo
Focus MotorStepping
Focus LimiterNoNo
AF/MF SwitchNoNo
Min Focus Distance25 cm35 cm
Max Magnification0.1x0.15x
Stabilization & Video
Optical StabilizationYesNo
Aperture RingNoNo
Declickable ApertureNoNo
ParfocalNoNo
Internal ZoomNoNo
General
Price (MSRP)$749$749
Filter Size62mm52mm
Diameter70.8mm65.6mm
Length63.8mm70mm
Weight225g (7.9 oz)185g (6.5 oz)
Weather SealedNoNo
Tripod CollarNoNo