Reference Topaz Sharpen AI - instead of doing it yourself - all I can say is everyone should try it - they offer a 30 day free trial. As far as I am concerned it is magic that I could never hope to replicate myself.

"From my perspective the greatest thing about the Alpha 1 is that it's innovative technology will soon work it's way down to prosumer level bodies."

I totally agree! I'm looking forward to more new stuff containing some of the A1 technologies. Like an A6700.

Very nice work!

I have the 18-135mm lens too - and I find it to be terrific. At f5.6 - f8 it is as sharp as some very good fixed focal length lenses but offers the significant benefits of a zoom.

Note too that the 18-135 is a stabilized lens, which is a huge plus when used with a camera without built in stabilization, such as you A6000.

Cheers

Actually, I meant holding one hand on the camera and the other on the lens. But with the shortness of the mirror lens, I found I had less stability as I do with the physically longer lens.

Cheers

A few years ago the FCC announced it was working to be a Kinder, Gentler Bureaucracy.

Take note of the initials...

Sorry to go against the flow, but for one thing, it is only a guard rail that is carved on. And, really, it's kind of sad spending too much time tut-tuting about the guard rail when exquisite beauty is just above it. It would be a lot worse to see beer cans below the rail - but I don't.

Lighten up, people!

I had much the same experience. Ideally, the mirror lines was sharp, in practice, difficult at best to get a good image hand held. I gave it up. I suspect part of the problem is that hand holding the package short package doesn't lend itself to a solid grip. A physically longer lens allows a two handed grip that helps a lot.
More recently I changed over to an A6500 - available used at quite good prices these days - and found the image stabilization made a huge difference, especially with longer lenses. Then, later, I added the Sony 70 - 350 mm zoom lens, which is also stabilized. The improvement has been huge. The lens is extremely sharp throughout its range, and I am delighted with the combination. Add Topaz Sharpen AI into the mix and Wow! This is a spendy approach but it delivered.

The OP's question is: "So the question is, does the software ever become a replacement for higher end lenses?"
A lot of the responses are suggesting that software can not make a better picture. But that is NOT the point. Software CAN serve to improve picture sharpness, and Topaz AI and Topaz Gigapixel AI are proof of that. The best fixed focal length lenses of 20 years ago are still very viable today, especially when shot at say f/5.6 or f/8.Software can certainly improve the technical quality of a photograph. Making an artistically good or great photograph is a different matter.

Right!

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The lens has a tiny area where the paint was rubbed off in a carry container. See photo. There is absolutely no deformation of the metal.

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I normally strongly dislike the current fad of using a wide angle lens for a landscape and including a huge amount of distracting foreground. But your picture pulls it off very well. It's good as presented and definitely better with the download. Congrats on a great shot!

FWIW, I concur about Affinity and Luminar. Particular for your desires I think Luminar. Very powerful, and, importantly, easy to use.

A lot of users WANT larger cameras. The justification often used is that smaller cameras don't fit in their hands. I think that is strictly an excuse. Many users want a camera that has more dials than a 747 cockpit with multiple displays, more weight and large size. Canon and Nikon play to this market, especially for FF cameras; Sony tends to go smaller. A lot of users, though certainly not all, feel that a larger and heavier camera must take better pictures. And I guess if you believe that then the larger camera is what you should buy.

I pretty much have to agree with your points. Indeed, I think it is more a matter of personal philosophy. You want sharpness - better do your due diligence before buying. Some lens of the 70's were very good indeed especially for the day. Others were pure crap. Just because a lens has an attractive focal length, aperture and price, those features insure nothing. But that is true of today's lenses as well...