Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6mm IS versus Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II are the cheapest lenses in Canon's line-up today. To compare image quality (sharpness & color rendering) of these lenses, I shot with Canon EOS 40D using RAW and convert the results to JPEG using DPP ver 3.2.1.5. I set my 40D into Manual Mode to make sure that Aperture and Shutter Speed are equal between two lenses.

Comparison 1
I took pictures of my son new toys. The focus point is in the Locomotive.
Av f/5.6, Tv 1/15 sec, ISO 100
Canon EF-S 18-55mm <---------> Canon EF 50mm


Click the pictures to enlarge.


Comparison 2
To compare the color, I took pictures of 24 pieces of Colored Pencils.
Av f/5.6, Tv 0.6 sec, ISO 100
Canon EF-S 18-55mm <---------> Canon EF 50mm


Click the pictures to enlarge.


Comparison 3
The last pictures, flowers.
Av f/5.6, Tv 1/15 sec, ISO 100
Canon EF-S 18-55mm <---------> Canon EF 50mm


Click the pictures to enlarge.


From those pictures, I find that the Image Quality of Canon EF 50mm is better than Canon EF-S 18-55mm. From the first and third comparisons, image from 50mm is a bit sharper. From the second, I like the color from 50mm much more.

Links to Flickr:
Pic1 of 18-55mm - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boazyw/5251522024/
Pic1 of 50mm - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boazyw/5250920979/
Pic2 of 18-55mm - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boazyw/5250927871/
Pic2 of 50mm - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boazyw/5251538408/
Pic3 of 18-55mm - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boazyw/5250943295/
Pic3 of 50mm - http://www.flickr.com/photos/boazyw/5250945203/