The DT 18-70mm 1:3.5-5.6 is Sony's standard kit lens supplied with their entry level DSLRs, which they describe as a versatile general purpose lens covering a wide range of applications, and which features aspheric and ED glass lens elements for 'outstanding clarity at all focal lengths'. The 70mm maximum focal length extends further into the classic 'portrait' range compared to the 18-55mm kit lenses typically supplied by other manufacturers, offering a flattering perspective for people pictures. The 'DT' designation stands for 'Digital Technology', and indicates that the lens is optimized for use on cameras with APS-C sized imagers.
This design first saw light of day in July 2005 as the 'Konica Minolta AF DT ZOOM 18-70mm F3.5-5.6(D)', announced to accompany the Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D SLR. Following Sony's acquisition of KM's DSLR business, the lens was soon re-announced in its current Sony incarnation, with presumably only a cosmetic branding makeover (and the thankfully abbreviated name) distinguishing the new version from old.
Sony's plans to target the entry-level DSLR market with their trio of entry-level models in the Alpha 200, 300 and 350 will likely be dependant for success almost as much on the quality of this lens as the capability of the new cameras; so with the likes of Nikon, Canon and Pentax announcing updated kit lenses to accompany their latest 12-14Mp DSLRs, can this comparatively old model still keep up with the megapixel race?
Andy Westlake
more : dpreview
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