Are zooms less sharp than prime lenses?

[Anorakus]

Straightforward question... assuming I go for quality lenses (as a Canon user, say comparing Canon's own f/2.8 24-70mm L to the f/1.4 50mm), will there be a noticeable difference when setting the zoom to a comparable focal length and aperture as a prime lens?

I used to read all the camera mags back in the 80's when I first got into photography, and this was the accepted wisdom of the day. I don't know whether things have changed 20 years on... With digital allowing you to examine pics in great detail, any difference in quality becomes more apparent.

A.

 

[CT]

Zooms have come a long way in the last 20 years, and the situation has drastically improved. It's still true though that a quality prime lens will be sharper than a zoom. Sometimes the difference may be very noticeable, sometimes not so noticeable, but the prime will be sharper.

Quality zooms are capable of excellent results though these days. Stick to good glass and you should have nothing to worry about.

 

[theory]

I think primes have so much more character though. It's that rather than the sharpness that makes primes so attractive for me... plus primes have a habit of making you get shots you wouldn't normally consider because you'd zoom right past it otherwise.

I think there are exceptions, but its how I feel at the moment, I really love the 24-70L canon zoom for it's OOF character in particular.

 

[Canon Bob]

....(as a Canon user, say comparing Canon's own f/2.8 24-70mm L to the f/1.4 50mm), will there be a noticeable difference when setting the zoom to a comparable focal length and aperture as a prime lens?

Your example is pitching an L zoom against a non-L prime but I'd still expect the prime to be sharper.
Another consideration would be the aperture. The prime would be stopped down a little before it got to the zoom's maximum aperture and would have sharpened itsself up in the process...most lenses do.
Primes usually have better bokeh and contrast but both of those parameters are subjective and keeping a zoom away from the 10-15% at each end of the FL range helps them.
Canonwise, putting the 35L,50L,85L and 135L in your bag is expensive but you'd find it hard to use your zooms afterwards.
All strictly IMO....
Bob

 

[t1nt1n]

Zooms are good when you are in a restrictive shooting environment i.e. you can't move closer to the subject or you are shooting sports and need to adjust framing depending on the subject. Primes will always be sharper though, no question.