I notice that JB Hi-Fi is selling Canon EOS 80D (with 18-55mm IS Lens) at $1274 from time to time. Yet rarely did I see EOS 80D coming with 18-135mm kit lenses discounted at this price in one of those big stores (Myer, Harvey Norman. JB Hi-Fi, etc.). However, I'm still thinking whether I should go for it or I should wait for some potential bigger discounts coming soon.
The kit lens is the newest version with Nano USM and Power Zoom compatibility. I have it and Nano USM is the real deal. Could you possibly have mistaken it with the STM or even the non-STM model? Nano USM is better than the STM version. The STM version is much better than the non-STM model.
Point taken, the older version was already a good affordable option, as are canons other cheap options. I have the 10-18 and 55-250 STM versions
I have that lens, it's not that sharp… should've got the 28-70 L lens…
Cannon 18-135mm lens normal price in hk is a little bit above A$300
As everyone's said the 18-135mm is not worth the price premium. If you really want that lens buy it second hand or grey market. IMO there are better options at a little more money, eg. a 24-105 f4L or at a bit less money, e.g. the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 OS HSM which is great for the price and takes good photos…
Crap lens
In addition to everything said above, you could get a 80D body for around $1200 (eBay 20% off deal - or wait for a better deal with 18-55mm and sell the 18-55mm) and either 24-105 STM for around $480 (Teds with 20% off), or wait for the next eBay 10 or 15% off store wide and get the 24-105L (white box) for around around $700, or a used 24-105L because they are fairly bulletproof normally.
I am pretty much sure that all superzooms are quite bad irrespectively to the brand.
18-270mm are even worse.
Actually I just bought a Canon M5 with 18-150 EFM, and it is surprisingly sharp, a bit slow at f6.3 zoomed, but quite decent IQ.
Just checked the 20% off search link, and ShoppingSquare have a 80D with 18-55mm for $1449-20%=$1160, sell the lens for around $150 on Gumtree, and buy either 24-105 STM for $480 - total cost around $1500, or add another $3-400 for the L lens.
I'm not sure whether the people above who dislike the lens actually have ever used one before. This lens is the Nano USM. I have the previous STM version and the Nano USM focuses faster and slightly sharper. I have 70D and 6D.The 70D is always paired with 18-135 lens and 55-250 STM. I pair my 6D with Sigma 24-105, Canon 70-200 IS II and few other full frame lenses. What I have learned is that for crop bodies, crop lenses make more sense. They are lighter, great range and the image quality of the above crop lenses are pretty good when compared with full frame zoom lenses when used on crop bodies. For video works I don't think there are other lenses that work as well as this lens.
Thanks a lot for all your input and comments. They are all very useful to me, as a beginner, to do the research and make my decision.
That lens is not worth 500,get grey import instead, it's a relatively cheap lens