From SAR What is the point? Why would Sony reduce the effectiveness of built in image stabilisation? I guess the reduction in close focusing distance would be welcome by some.

They had a problem of not offering a kit for P&S superzoom upgraders. The original SEL18-200 is way too expensive and large for that purpose.

So they simply add a cheap Tamron-based superzoom and are now able to offer a good enough relatively cheap kit.

I expect to see F3/18200LE kit having that lens at about half its standalone MSRP.

Good point agorabasta. Here is the quote from Amateur Photographer

So why would anybody (other than those craving the Sony name on the lens) spend £670 on essentially a Tamron lens when you can buy the Tamron on Amazon UK for £500 delivered? I think that David Kilpatrick quite likes his Tamron 18-200 for NEX.
Not sure Tamron will appreciate the comment that their image stabilisation is less efficient than Sony's own. Maybe reviewers can pass a verdict here.

I expect that once things settle down there will be more difference in the price - the new lens is overall a smaller package as well - in SGNL they gave the idea that the new lens was for stills people, and the "more expensive" and larger original model was really for the videographers and was a kit lens for the Nex Video bodies (VG20 etc.).

Unless it was better than my SEL 55-210 at the long end I'll stick with changing lenses .

The SEL18200 is a video lens, primarily. So it's able to stabilise image with no jerks in real time. That's a completely different and more complex type of IS.

The new LE version will find some sales due to lower (and to lower further) price; but I believe, it's main intention is the kit sales.

Y.A.W.N.

Hey Sony, what happened to the 2012 roadmap. Are we taking a detour??

Owning a Tamron 18-200, I can say the image stabilization is just excellent. Full stop.