MTF charts of this lens indicate either Nikon is going further the way of Canon by publishing bullshit MTF charts, or this lens will have superb contrast and sharpness at the wide end - much better than the 18-70DX kit lens. At the long end, sharpness looks to be excellent in the centre, but trailing off towards the edge, the sagital and meridonial deviations suggest bokeh will be nothing much to speak of.
That's my based purely on theory Ken Rockwell dissertation review of this lens that I have not physically touched... Feel free to come to your own conclusions:
http://nikonimaging.com/global/products ... /index.htm