Which lens is sharper, nikon 18-55mm or 55 -300mm nikon?

I know ones a zoom and ones a telephoto, but if i shoot a say 30mm with the 18-55 and 100mm with the 55-300mm which would produce the sharpest (or best) image?

Dslr: Nikon D5100

Added (1). Just because they can both zoom doesn't mean there are both called zoom lenses -.- learn about these things yourself before (attempting) helping others

Added (2). Wow is everyone here stupid, I have done university courses in photography so I KNOW what I'm talking about. Yes both are zoom lenses as a general categorization yet there are many type of zoom lenses in which he failed to acknowledge. There's a difference between a normal zoom and a telephoto and it's obvious your the ones that need further learning. I ask this question as I was looking for an the optic are better in a or b and therefore… Not some people beating around the bush telling me I don't know what I talk about just because they can't answer the question. Reviews say a is sharp for a zoom and b is sharp for a telephoto zoom but they don't compete directly.

Added (3). I don't want to annoy people, just wanted people to actually give me an answer and stop critiquing my wording of the question, thanks of you that actually have!

Uh… *both* are zooms. Ken Rockwell does a ton of reviews on Nikon gear. And… Sharpest doesn't necessarily mean best.

Then perhaps you need to do some learning as well. Learn how to do research as to what lens is this or that. Or just by them both and decide for yourself.

Oh and since they both zoom they are both zoom lenses - not prime lenses. There's only two types used at the consumer level, zoom and prime. If it zooms, it's a zoom lens. If it doesn't it's a prime lens… So perhaps you should do some learning as well.

Both lenses can be used to take sharp photos. It depends on how you set the camera. Generally, DOF plays a big part on photo sharpness. Lighting (and contrast) also contribute aside from the dead still posing, tripod mounting and anti-shake technology used in setting up the camera.

Yes, because they zoom, they are called zoom lenses. What other reason could there be? Quite frankly, you're lost on that one.

Have you started this question to annoy others, or you can't accept the fact that even though you have gone through universities, a zoom is a lens that can go from one focal length to another. Sure we know what's a telephoto lens, but it just sounds a bit funny. But that's not what you're asking us here.

Nikon 18-55mm is the cheap kit lens that comes with every DSLR below $1000.It's a great thing to start with, but once you upgrade the quality gets better. The 55-300mm doesn't only have better quality and sharpness, it's also better at focusing.

And again, a telephoto zoom is a zoom, so is any other zoom called zoom.

The 18-55mm lens is a wide-angle to mid-range zoom.

The 55-300mm lens is a mid-range to telephoto zoom.

The 55-300mm lens is in the same class as the 18-55mm; it's an entry level lens. I have not tested the 55-300, but I have tested the 55-200, and I was less than impressed. I'll make the assumption that the 55-300 is a similar performing lens to the 55-200.

Here is a comparison I did with the Nikon 18-55mm, 55-200mm, and 18-200mm lenses.

http://www.althephoto.com/lenses/super-zooms.php

Realize though that the aperture you use has a lot to do with masking lens defects.