Photoclubalpha

I think the important point is that it's
1: Priced reasonably (ie a lot more affordable than the 16-105mm and 16-80mm)
2: Has a decent optical performance (ie not like the Pentax lens which sucks unless stopped right down and it's very poor tele end)
3: Other stuff like metal/plastic mount well that depends on the price. That is the only area I think the Nikkor 18-105mm is a let down should have a metal mount
4: It could be part of a "kit bundle" and for a reasonable cost (ie bit more than the 18-55mm but not £200 more!)

Most folks can live with some distortion and the "normal not fast speed"

Greg Beetham wrote:but one does wonder if the screw drive lens days are numbered.

I highly doubt we'll see another screw drive lens released by Sony... SAM or SSM all the way now.

bfitzgerald wrote: 4: It could be part of a "kit bundle" and for a reasonable cost (ie bit more than the 18-55mm but not £200 more!)

I'd be surprised if it wasn't, the "long kits" seem quite popular in other mounts, from what I've seen.

Disappointed if they are moving away from 16 at the short end (i.e. 16-80 and 16-105). Perhaps this makes it too expensive, and 16 at the wide end will be reserved for 'premium' lenses.

16-105mm is nice but it's a pricey lens (£500 odd) and it's quite weak at a number of focal lengths too. I suspect if you simply over zoom the range then you run into all sorts of optical issues. I actually think it's a pretty good idea, maybe not high up the "want list" but so long as Sony don't charge £400 for it or mess up the optics it could be a decent (hate the phrase myself) walk-around lens.