Zoom Telephoto vs. Zoom Wide

[ang]

Is there any difference in quality between, say a, 35mm-300mm lens and a 70mm--300mm lens, all else being equal?

Does the lens with the greater range (35mm-300mm) produce less sharp pictures?

 

[Big Mike]

Not necessarily. The manufacturers could make a high quality 35-300 or they could make a consumer level 35-300. The greater the range, the more expensive it is to build a high quality lens. Therefore, you are more likely to find a lower quality (but more affordable) zoom with a wide range.

If they make a lens that is too expensive, it will not sell. So they make what they think the consumer will buy.