None of those are "walk-around" lenses. Those are "do-it-all-but-none-of-it-particularly-well" extreme Super Zooms (10X and greater) for people who are too lazy to carry a second lens and change it when needed. They sort of defeat the whole purpose of buying an interchangeable lens camera. Okay, okay... They do serve some purposes, such as for travel when you're really limited how much you can take with you, for example. But they inevitably compromise in various ways... slow focus, lower image quality, small & variable apertures, significant distortions, etc.

A "walk-around" zoom is actually one that's moderate wide angle to normal to short telephoto... A general purpose lens that's, say, a 16-80mm, 16-85mm, 17-50mm, 17-55mm, 17-70mm, 18-55mm, 18-105mm, 24-70mm, 24-85mm, or 24-120mm.

Grandpa - I'm not a pro...more of a true amateur. I bought a Tamron 28 - 300mm for a Mediterranean cruise and used it every day. It is my lens of choice. It stays on my Canon 5D and is very easy to carry and take what I consider tremendous shots. I switched to the Tamron from my Canon 28 or 35 - 300mm zoom because the Canon lens was too long and was heavier. I always carry a second camera for the closer shots or group shots that I don't want to use the Canon/Tamron for. I'm very satisfied with the results.

None of those are "walk-around" lenses. Those are "do-it-all-but-none-of-it-particularly-well" extreme Super Zooms (10X and greater) for people who are too lazy to carry a second lens and change it when needed. They sort of defeat the whole purpose of buying an interchangeable lens camera. Okay, okay... They do serve some purposes, such as for travel when you're really limited how much you can take with you, for example. But they inevitably compromise in various ways... slow focus, lower image quality, small & variable apertures, significant distortions, etc.

A "walk-around" zoom is actually one that's moderate wide angle to normal to short telephoto... A general purpose lens that's, say, a 16-80mm, 16-85mm, 17-50mm, 17-55mm, 17-70mm, 18-55mm, 18-105mm, 24-70mm, 24-85mm, or 24-120mm.

I've been collecting Canon lenses since I was in high school. All my old FD lenses are packed away in a box and I don't even remember where it is. Canon started making EF lenses in 1987. In my previous reply I mistyped the older lenses size, it's really 35-350 not 300. The 28-300, which was introduced in 2004 replaced the 35-350, which came out in 1993. They were/are both off white L series lenses. The most common EF lens from Canon, way back then that went out to 300mm was the 75-300, of which they made over half a dozen different versions. I completely understand replacing some of those older heavier lenses with a newer lighter one. I just wish someone would introduce a EF 28-300 that is lighter than the current version and produces the same quality images.

You get answers all over the map, depending on personal preferences. I have the D5300 and did China wonderfully with the kit 18-55. In preparing to travel to Cambodia, the Mekong River and Japan I wanted a "travel lens." I was debating between the 18-300 and the 18-200 at the camera store the day the Nikon rep was there. I asked for his advice he said to go with the newer lens, the 18-300, 3.5-6.3. I have looked at reviews until I can't see straight--of the 18?-140, the 18-200 and the 18-300. I have used my lens on one trip to San Antonio and Austin. I have to say that the photos I took seemed a bit soft with the 18-300--not as sharp as I think they ought to be- and I frankly haven't decided what I think of the lens, but I am not overwhelmed. It's rare I really need to zoom that far. I think if I were to go to Yellowstone I would get a long lens. I do have a full frame AF 70-200, which I have used Colorado and it's sharp as a tack. When I travel, I use 18 or so mm more than one would think, close quarters, in museums, etc. Before going on my next trip to the Far East, I will decide if I want a shorter zoom lens to carry all day or just take the 18-55 kit lens. I guess my conclusion is that if you value sharpness, go with the shorter 140 or 200 or a shorter one for general travel not involving wildlife.