I just bit the bullet and upgraded to the X-T5 after years with an old Canon rebel and I am leaving for a two week trip to Japan in literally ten days. Im panicking a bit because I still havent picked a primary lens and I really just want one do it all piece of glass so I dont have to carry a bag of primes around Tokyo and Kyoto.
I spent all night on forums and keep seeing conflicting stuff. Most people say the 18-55mm kit lens is legendary but then I read it cant handle the new 40 megapixel sensor and looks muddy or loses detail. Then I look at the 16-80mm f4 which seems perfect for travel range but half the reviews say its soft as butter on the long end and the other half say its fine?? Then there is the 16-55mm red badge which is supposedly the best quality but its so heavy and honestly I dont want a neck ache by day three plus it has no OIS which scares me for night shots even with the IBIS in the body.
My budget is strictly under a thousand bucks so maybe a used copy of something? I need something that is sharp enough for the high res sensor but wont break my back while Im walking 20k steps a day. What is actually the best all-arounder for this specific body if you could only bring one...
Japan is gonna be absolutely amazing! Honestly, you made a fantastic choice with the X-T5, it's such a killer camera for travel. To keep things simple and stay under your budget, I really think you should look at the third-party zoom options from brands like Sigma or Tamron. I've used their glass on high-res sensors before and the results are honestly amazing! These brands offer much better value for your money right now, giving you pro-grade sharpness for way less than a thousand bucks. Also, they are usually designed to be way more compact... which is a lifesaver for those 20k step days in Tokyo. I love how lightweight they feel compared to the bulky pro lenses. Just grab a versatile, fast zoom from one of those companies and you'll be set for everything from street shots to temples!
