Lens advice please for new convert coming from DSLR

Hi,

The 18-55 is an excellent all-rounder, great value for money purchased with a body, and offers reasonable speed for a zoom and OIS.  For travel and landscape, I'd agree with 57even that the 14mm is an excellent wide angle (and far less expensive than the larger, heavier and faster 16mm).

Your dilemma appears to center on how to get the longer end - 18-135, 55-200 or 50-230.  Obviously the 18-135 is an option that might replace the 18-55 and a longer zoom, but I personally found when I tried one that it was a bit large (for me) to enjoy on the camera all the time.  It's a not a strength thing, but a balance and feel thing.  (I use the 18-55, and for the same reason and lack of OIS wouldn't buy the 16-50 either.)

Of the 50-230 and 55-200, the former is the cheaper, slower and (at 375g) far lighter lens.  It has a plastic mount, but there haven't been problems reported with breakage.  It's owners do report that its optical quality is actually pretty sound, and more so for the money.  The filter size is usefully the same as the 14 and 18-55.  The 55-200 is better in both build and optical quality but weighs 600gm by the time you add the caps on.  It's definitely a more noticeable lump in the day pack if you're traveling with it for any length of time.  An excellent lens.  I love it when I use it, but have to confess that it gets left at home simply because of its weight.  And I don't take it at all on extended trips overseas.

Enjoy whatever you decide.

Regards, Rod