Originally posted by parkpy I'm not too impressed with a rental copy of the DA* 16-50 on my K200d. It backfocuses, hunts, and then ultimately front focuses. It's slow to focus, and when it does focus, it's off. Fortunately I can grab the focus ring at anytime and adjust. The ergonomics are awkward, it's heavy for what it is, and doesn't feel like it's built out of better materials than the 16-45.
Disagree.
Ergonomics are well balanced with a body+grip, although I'd agree that the zoom ring is small and tucked in too close to the body.
Heavy for what it is? Have you handled Canon's FF counterpart? The 24-70L?
For what it is, it's light, if anything. But a lens is not judged on weight - if it's too heavy for someone, then sure, the 16-45 is another option...
No better build than the 16-45? How do you gather this?
The outer plastic shell, which itself is hardier than the 16-45's covering, conceals all the weather sealing and solid metal materials within, which distinguishes it from the 16-45. Now the SDM mechanism isn't fall-proof, so it may not take a big knock or fall as well as other screw-drive lenses, but that's the price for precision electronics...
Sorry that your rented 16-50 didn't perform to scratch - mine and many others' copies do the job brilliantly every time.