If you're just taking snap shots then you won't see much difference
I have both and use them (18-55 on *ist-Ds), and the 16-45 has the following differences:

* Slightly wider (like 24 vs 28mm on film)
* Contrast is better, IMHO. In difficult scenes the 16-45 shines (like straight into sun; wide dynamics etc)
* Sharpness is superb (but the 18-55 is very very good so it can be difficult to tell except at large sizes)
* Bokeh is nicer on the 16-45. The 16-45 has 8 aperture blades vs 6 on the 18-55.
* Unbelievable close focus at 16mm on the 16-45. Try taking portraits at 30cm. I haven't been able to match this whacky view


I would say the 16-45 is definitely a better lens. But depending on what you shoot and how hard you push things you may not see a marked difference

(And I reckon the same will probably go for the new 16-50/2.8 )
Matt

Accomplished

Moderator Note
niblue/Steve - I removed the trailing spaces in your URL and IMG lines. You had http://something/something.jpg (note the last space).

And you don't need to have been training at the gym for the DA50-200
It's a carry-everywhere lens (unlike the f/2.8 lenses :shock
Matt

I think SRS Microsystems have the pukkah Pentax cleaning kit...

Set it for the actual total focal length. (ie 2x the focal length of the lens if using a 2x teleconverter)

The SR mechanism needs to know the actual focal length in order to effectively compensate for camera movement.
Matt

Think that SRS Microsystems can still do refurb'd *ist-DS bodies
Matt

Ok, some Google'ing...
http://blogs.msdn.com/tomarcher/archive/2006/06/02/615199.aspx
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=186
and http://www.grantgibson.co.uk/misc/readyboost/

Personally, I'd probably go with the 2Gb Sandisk Extreme III so I could use for either camera or Vista
HTH!
Matt

I'll second that from George
With the cost of a 133x Sandisk 2G at less than £18, it's a financial no-brainer as well
Just buy more cards...
Matt

AFAIK the base is the same. So SDHD are pretty yucky slow.
There are some faster ones coming out around now (think it was Sandisk Extreme and running at 50x).
I could dig out the spec...

No idea about Vista... I'm giving it a miss until SP1 arrives

Matt