[jadem]

I'm planning to buy a kit lens for my K200D. As of now I'm using my one and only lens the FA 50mm F1.4 prime lens. I want to know, Is there a difference in image quality between the 18-55mm AL and 18-55 AL 11? What's the advantage of getting the AL 11?

[gemini]

18-55 AL II is a little better. for example in contrast.

[Erik]

It's supposed to be better, but it's not "WHOA" better. If you want a REAL upgrade you need to go 16-50 or 17-70.

I couldn't probably tell the difference in a print. When I got my 18-55 II for free I sold off my previous 18-55 I without really trying to work out if the new one really was better -- the consensus seems to be that it's a little sharper and more well-suited to 10+ MP sensors. Since I bought my 40/2.8 I hardly ever use the kit lens anyway

[causey]

I'd say it's much better. Sharper and brighter. See what people say (also look for forum discussions):

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II Lens for Pentax and Samsung Digital SLR Cameras

[creampuff]

I did a comparison of both versions of the kit lens here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/30984-original...-compared.html

As cheap as the kit lens is, I still keep it because it is actually pretty good and suitable for IR photography.

[Marc Sabatella]

My standard advice on this matter is: if faced with the chocie, there is no reason not to get the new version - it is better, and probably worth whatever difference in price there might be. I you already have the ol one, though, the difference is probably *not* worth the trouble and mney it would take to upgrade - better to save your upgrade money for a lens that gives you something you don't already have (eg, different focal lengths, larger aperture, macro capability, *significant* increase in IQ, etc).