Sony Alpha 18-200 vs. Sony Alpha 18-250

[allegretto]

Hi folks. Picked up my new A77. A great camera that I'm just getting to dig into. Anyway, was thinking about a walk-around lens for daytime and like the idea of these two lenses.

I know the 200 has aspheric elements, which should be better around the wide end, but heard that it isn't as clear IQ-wise.

Anyone with first hand experience?

Thanks in advance

[Vivec]

I have only used the 18-250 but I think it is generallybagreed upon that the 18-250 is a much better lens.

Having said that, i think you will get much more out of your a77 with lenses that have lower apertures. I would suggest trying a prime like the 35 f1.8 or the new 16-50mm f2.8 and combine it with a separate zoom, like the excellent 70-300mm f4-f5.6 G.

Good luck

[rickk]

My experience is with an 18-250 on an A55. I needed a wide-range zoom for a travel situation where changing lenses wasn't a good option. For that purpose, I was favorably impressed with the lens. Most of the pix from that trip were adequately sharp and would not have been possible if the camera had been fitted with another lens. Nevertheless, back home, where I can be more deliberate in lens choice, the old Minolta prime lenses provide much better image quality than the 18-250 zoom. Hopefully, you can try both lenses before purchase. Have fun with your A77.

Regards,

Rick

[allegretto]

Thanks guys

I already have the 16-35Z and the 24-70Z as well as the kit 16-50 so I am set with zooms for most use. Having been a camera guy since youth (Nikon Ftn in college, worked all summer to buy it and a 58mm f1.4 lens) I would NEVER consider a zoom that wide. But I figured WTF it would make a good outdoors daytime grab-shot piece for the zoo or travel with the brood. Worse came to worse, if IQ wasn't there I'd just use it for video.

But what you say about the 250 seems the word on the street. Thanks again...