Lens comparison - 18-55 Mk1 vs 16-45 f4

Dear All,

I would be interested to hear comments from users of both the 18-55 Mk1 kit lens and the 16-45 f4 on their relative merits.

Although many of you have suggested that the 18-55 is a decent lens, I sometimes feel that it lacks a bit of sharpness. I feel that the 50-200 performs better by comparison, despite being the "other half" of the low cost kit.

How does the 16-45 autofocus and sharpness compare with the 18-55.
I am sure that there is plenty to justify its greater price over the kit lens, but what do users think?

Looking forward to your responses,


Regards

Peter

You'll find this has been extensively discussed - try the forum search facility.

The summary is that the 18-55mm is an excellent lens, probebly the best of all the kit lenses from any manufacturer. It is fairly soft wide open but sharpens up very nicely when stopped down.

The 16-45mm is a much better lens of professional quality and capable of the highest standards.

most people talk like "It's a little soft wide open..esp at the tele end" like thats a bad thing....
wide open at the tele end is where you'd be if you were taking a portrait.
people portraits with a little softening is hardly a defect or problem!

Quite right, it can be very nice for portraits.

There you have it. With the affordable and versatile DA16-45 you can blame only yourself for the quality of your images. I have one and love it.