Get the kit lens!
Some background: I have a Sony NEX-3N. I put a lot of miles on the kit lens, I've taken it everywhere. It's very portable. We've been through a lot of mud together. I take risky shots I simply wouldn't with a more expensive lens. And you know what? I have taken some great pictures. I can get the droplets in a splash of water on a lake in the early morning, in shade no less! It is a truly competent lens.
I then bought the Sony 50mm F1.8 prime. It is glorious. I now truly understand what being a portrait lens is about. It's my (don't tell my kit lens) my favorite lens. It's sooo fast!!! It makes people look good! I use it whenever I can make it work, sometimes to a fault.
So why do I recommend the kit lens?
- Portability - Weight, size
- Less aversion to hostile situations
- Versatility - Landscapes AND portraits (This one right here!!)
- Cost
You are going to Europe. You will want to take portraits AND landscapes. You CANNOT GET A PRIME LENS THAT'S GOOD AT BOTH. Believe me, I've looked. (See Will a 14mm f/2.8 prime be useful for nearby action shots?Will a 14mm f/2.8 prime be useful for nearby action shots?) Panoramas will only get you so far (though perhaps far enough to swing your decision towards a prime). You cannot get these shots with photo stitching.
If you can afford to buy at least two lenses to specialize, go ahead and get a solid prime at the focal length you want most, in addition to the kit. It will be glorious and beautiful at that one set of tasks it is good for. If you jump the gun, you WILL MISS SHOTS. The best photo is the one you take. Unless you are comfortable dropping either landscape or portrait(In Europe!!!), you will be sad about a missed opportunity. The kit lens isn't bad, it's really quite good - much better than a missed opportunity.
Update: Started shooting in raw over the weekend, and found out just how much correction the kit lens actually needs (when shooting in JPG the correction is handled automatically, in camera). The barrel distortion is pretty extreme (correctable, for sure, but it's something to be aware of). I'll post some shots as soon as I can get some software that can process Sony's proprietary raw format(ARW).
