Honestly, skip the kit lens. I had the Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS for a while and honestly the corner sharpness is just not there. It left me pretty disappointed with my travel shots, especially when you catch that perfect light in Tokyo. If you want something that actually performs for street photography on a budget, you gotta go with a prime.

• The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is way sharper than any kit zoom.
• Youre gonna get much better low light performance for those evening neon shots. It sucks that you lose the zoom range, but the image quality jump is night and day. Youll thank yourself when you see the final images. Just grab the Sigma and dont look back.

Been shooting in Japan a few times now, and man, the light in those narrow alleyways is tricky. Saw your post earlier but finally got a second to sit down. If you want street shots that actually pop without breaking the bank, forget the kit lens. It just feels mushy to me. In my experience, you should look at these instead:

• Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS is a total game changer. You can usually find a used copy well under your 400 dollar limit. The image stabilization is a lifesaver when you're walking around Kyoto at night and don't want to carry a tripod. It's sharp, small, and that f/1.8 aperture gives you way better bokeh for portraits.
• Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary if you prefer wider shots. This thing is an absolute beast for architecture. I've taken this all over and it handles low light like a dream. Might push the top end of your budget, but keep an eye on the used market. You'll find it for around 350 if you hunt a bit. Basically, grab a prime lens and learn to move your feet. You'll get way better results than zooming with a slow lens. Don't waste your money on cheap kit stuff. Spend the extra cash on a decent prime and honestly, you'll be stoked with the sharpness. Japan is gonna be incredible, just make sure your glass can keep up with the vibe!

Forget the kit lens entirely, the aperture range just wont handle the depth you need for street work. In my experience, shooting in Japan requires gear that handles edge-to-edge resolution properly, especially when you are cropping in post.

• Stick to primes with a minimum f/2 aperture to ensure your shutter speeds stay fast enough to freeze motion in dim alleyways.
• Avoid variable aperture zooms if you want consistent bokeh and low-light performance throughout your focal range.
• Always check the mount for any signs of play or loose elements, especially if buying used, as these lenses can lose calibration over time. Most people make the mistake of prioritizing zoom range over glass quality. Trust me, you'll regret the soft corners more than missing that extra reach. Get a lens that offers high micro-contrast so your photos dont look flat once you get home. Keep it simple and focus on the light.

Just saw this thread. Honestly, I tried the kit lens in Kyoto and the lack of low light performance was super frustrating. If you want something sharper that wont break the bank, try these:

• Tamron 20mm F/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 for those tight street shots.
• Rokinon 12mm F2.0 NCS CS if you want epic architecture photos. Both are pretty reliable and usually fit right under your budget if you buy used.