Here some facts, without religious beliefs
HD PENTAX 18-50 DC WR RE Aperture ring No (serious show-stopper for me)
min focusing 0,3m (we will probably loose some macro ability here, comparing to old kit)
Maximum magnification 0.23× (less than previously on kitlens)
focus translates to 27,5-76.5 mm range on 35 mm format (shorter)
filter diameter 58mm (does not represent front element size)
weight 158g (improvement)
f4-5,6 (we lost here)
minimal aperture 22-32
○最大径×長さ:約71×約41mm - should be dimensions in japanese...
Features:
DC
Splash-proof construction
Quick Shift Focus
SP coating
HD coating
The aperture circular
No lens hood at all. (or can you call this one hood?)
smc Pentax DA 18-55 mm F3,5-5,6 AL WR
minimal focus distantce 0,25m (we get closer)
Maximum magnification 0.34× (we see bigger)
minimal aperture 22-38
27,5-84,5mm-s on 35mm format
filter 52mm
weight 235g (heavier)
○最大径×長さ:約68.5×約67.5mm (dimensions)
Features:
Splash-proof construction
Quick Shift Focus
SP coating
Body AF
both lenses have nearly equal diagonal of view 76-32 vs 76-31,5 degrees
Looking schematics, is hard to believe we will get optically very different performance from previous kit.
Looks more like win-win solution.
info extracted from this one:
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/support/catalog/pdf/lenses_accessories.pdf