[Klaus]

I'm about to buy a Tamron 18-270 (Sony A-Mount) and the above does make me feel a little better. It's a bit annoying to pay the same as Canon and Nikon users and get a lens which does not include the stabilizer, but at least I can comfort myself in the somewhat lower chance of decentering (and possibly better longevity down the road).

 

This lens has a 15x zoom ratio. Or in other words - any centering defect present at 18mm (center) will be magnified by this factor (plus minus a little) at 270mm.

I would not assiciate a 18-270mm lens with longevity ...