Is there a HUGE difference between nikkor 18-55 and 16-85?

When i say difference, i mean IQ and sharpness, so forget about the focal length. I wanted to buy a better zoom, but i have read so many good reviews about both, some people saying that they were pretty much the same when it came to sharpness! Lets say i'm doing portraits, is it really worth spending all that money for the 16-85? And no i don't want to get a prime, simply because there's no zoom.

Yes - the difference is about $500.

Seriously, the 16-85mm DX lens is a limited production zoom lens intended for semi-professional photographers, while the 18-55 mm lens was designed as a 'kit lens' to be sold with DSLR bodies. They are both fine lenses, but the 16-85 is theoretically superior and probably more rugged. Practically, you may not be able to discern the differences in performance. The 16-85 is probably a bit more convenient because it has a longer zoom range, but whether that is of any value depends on how you would use it.

"Is there a HUGE difference between nikkor 18-55 and 16-85?" About $400.

-The lens is better but for $600 you still get a sliding aperture f/3, 5-5, 6.

"so forget about the focal length."

-It's all about the focal length and the aperture.

"Lets say i'm doing portraits, is it really worth spending all that money for the 16-85?"

-No, if you do portrait you should try to find a faster lens, something that will provide you with a wider aperture in case you want to be creative.

"And no i don't want to get a prime, simply because there's no zoom."

-There is two type of Prime lens, you have the zoom who will offer you an f/2, 8 aperture that can be used toward the whole focal range unlike the 16-85mm who give you f/3, 5-5, 6 and a fix focal length will give you a bigger aperture: ex f/1, 4 - f/1, 8 - f/2

-Too me it's not worth spending $600 for the 16-85mm f/3, 5-5, 6, if I had this budget and I had to spend it right away to buy a lens I would prefer a fix focal length but if I had to buy a zoom I would rather buy something like the Tamron 17-50mm f/2, 8 or the Tamron 28-75mm f/2, 8 because they're both decent lens and both give me an f/2, 8 aperture that can be used toward the whole focal range.

-Both can be use for portrait, I have a preference over the 28-75mm f/2, 8 because it offer more range but for landscape photography the 17-50mm f/2, 8 will have a wider angle of view.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Di_II.html

http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=7&perpage=30&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&res=3

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...XR_Di.html

http://www.pixel-peeper.com/lenses/?lens=6&perpage=30&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&res=3