Tamron AF 18-200mm vs 18-55 Kit lens

How does the IQ of the Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens stand up against the standard 18-55 Kit lens?

The Tamron AF 18-200mm looks really good on paper for a general walk around lens and the price is wonderful. I know it is not as good as the 18 - 200 Nikon lens but how does it stand up against the quality of the 18 - 55 kit lens?

Not sure it is a fair comparison. Any all in one, do it all lens will sacrifice certain aspects to get that all in one focal range. With the tamron, you will get more distortion, but apparently it is decently sharp across the whole focal range. In all honesty, i would stick with ur two lens system you have going on now.

Given the big disparity in focal length ranges I am wondering if this is not a matter of comparing apples to oranges. For me at least, a big red flag is how slow the lens is at its longest focal length. Optically I do not know anything about the two so I am not much help in that department but with optics, as with most things, the saying a "jack of all trades but a master of none" seems like it might fit here as well

From a distortion and resolution perspective, the 18-55 kit lens even beats the Nikon 18-200 in it's range. Tamron all-in-ones fare even worse. While I'm a proponent of Tamron"s newer glass, this one is definitely a step back in IQ.

I know it is Apples to Oranges. I know my 18-55 is not a sharp as my 40mm macro so was just curious is the overall quality of the 18-200 was anywhere in the ballpark. Was hoping someone had shot it and would have some first hand experience. Would mainly use for just walking around when I am just out shooing for fun and not serious shooting.

Even though it doesn't have the range, I think the best "inexpensive" walk around would have to be the Nikon 18-105. I've seen new from kits on craigslist for under $300.

Rick M said:

Even though it doesn't have the range, I think the best "inexpensive" walk around would have to be the Nikon 18-105. I've seen new from kits on craigslist for under $300.

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That is one I have been looking at.

The reason for the long lens is to get my wife to liking my D5100 more. She shoots with a L120 now and it has a very long lens and it does macro. That is the thing she loves about it. She would like my D5100 to shoot but she does not like carring extra lenses around or changing them. If I can get her to love my D5100 I can give it to her and get a D7000 or D7100. There is method to my madness.

I have both lenses.

For travel photos, when most of the shots at daylight, I find Tamron 18-200 very good. No difference over kit lens.

In low light condition, kit lens is marginally better due to VR.

Tamron is also much easier in manual focus mode.

I personally find Tamron 18-200 an extremely versatile lens at a budget price. I am not a pixel peeper though.