Yes, there is a loss in image quality with zooms generally. The problem is that a fixed lens is optimized to provide the sharpest focus at a particular focal length. A zoom lens can't do that and therefore has to compromise somewhat.

The wider the zoom range, the bigger the compromise. So an 18-200 zoom is going to be less sharp than a 70-200 zoom. There are exceptions - Sigma's 50-500 zoom is surprisingly sharp.

That said, there are some very good zoom lenses around and many of them are very sharp. They usually are sharpest at intermediate focal lengths but a few good ones are sharp at the long focal lengths as well. You get what you pay for however. A $1200 70-210 lens is going to be a very different beast than the 70-210 zoom that you can get for $89.95.

So for optimal quality, a good prime is always best. But a good zoom can take excellent pictures.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

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