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Samsung 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 vs. 18-55

Started Dec 23, 2014 | Questions thread
Ben Herrmann
Ben Herrmann Forum Pro • Posts: 21,163
Delighted to reply...
1

I have the 18-55 (version III) and up to around a year ago I kept it on my NX300. Other than a less than smooth focusing ring (on my copy), I've been very happy with the IQ of this lens. It's obviously constructed much better than most plastic only kit lenses from various brands.

But I knew that eventually Samsung would have to release (well, I was hoping they would) a pancake style of zoom lens - in this case a Power Zoom lens.

So once the new 16-50 PZ hit the market, I was one of the first who managed to get my paws on one here in the US.

All I can say is that I've been nothing less than absolutely delighted with the IQ performance of this lens - so much so that the 18-55 is now sitting in a drawer. Not only does the 16-50 PZ lens work superbly (smooth everything and fast AF), how it looks on the camera makes it even more attractive. It balances out the NX300 nicely.

But lest you think the 16-50 is just another "kit lens" (and I'm loathe to even refer to it as a kit lens), the optical performance of this lens causes you to think, "why even spend the money on the more expensive 16-50 f2-2.8 S zoom?" So ergonomically, AF-wise, optically, and IQ-wise, this baby rocks - it's that good (IMO and with my copy of the lens - of course).

Alright...who's next to reply.

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Have a great one....
Bernd (Ben) W. Herrmann
North Carolina, USA
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