Nikkor 28-300 vs 70-300VR

Trying to decide which lens will go on Euro vacation with me next month (with D700).

At first I was dismissing 28-300VR from contention due to 1) I was never a big fan of 18-200VR, and 2) It seems heavy and large, for something to carry for hours.

Then I keep reading these reviews in which people claim that 28-300 is as good in 70-300 range as 70-300VR. Now I do own 70-300VR and I am a big fan of that lens. Is that true? Is 28-300VR as good as 70-300VR? If it is, it might be an easier decision for me, to sell 70-300 and replace it 28-300. It sounds fishy that they could make a 12X zoom lens operate as good as 2.8x zoom. But I guess technology moves.

My key requirements are 1) sharpness and 2) decent bokeh. I don't care about distortion at 28mm. Distortion I can fix, soft photos I can't.

Anyone who owns/owned these two lenses can chime in with comparison?

David

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