Nice review bro.
Most wide angle to tele zooms exhibit barrel to pincushion distortion going from wide to tele, so the obvious barrel distortion is to be expected and correctable.
I think the zoom range is ideal for a one lens travel kit plus the weather sealing and silent focusing is a big plus.
Only thing I want to know is if the lens is IR-friendly. That would be a big bonus.
Thanks man!

Perhaps some out there with the lens can try it out and post here?