Pentax SMCP-DA 16-45mm f/4.0 ED AL Lens

Pros: Very good optical characteristics (but not perfect, see text); Good build quality; Best value.
Cons: Reverse zoom design; Still larger and heavier than film counterparts; Some unfavourable optical characteristics.

Preamble: This review is intended for advanced amateurs to professional photographers. Some of the terms used will not be explained in details, however, I would try to explain them in brief within brackets. If you still do not know exactly what the ...

Pros: Fix 4.0 aperture
Cons: This is zoom lens of Pentax. Dont expect a tack sharp picture

I have photography experience from film and start shooting digital almost 2 yrs ago. I'm not fan of post processing by photo shop or something. I take it whatever comes from camera/lens. Construction is solid. There is no flaw in body of the lens. ...

Pros: Decent centre sharpness, flare resistance, really shines at close range, affordable.
Cons: Average built quality, corner sharpness could be better for scenery, block built-in flash beyond 28mm.

This is a lens that you both love and hate. First of all, it seems a little large for its range and aperture. It almost double its length at 16mm. The built-in flash would be blocked a little beyond 28mm. Centre sharpness is decent but corner sharpness could be better, especially for distant subjects like scenery. The drops in corner sharpness might be due to the average built quality, but then it is a very affordable lens for this range and optical performance. At close distance, like family snaps, pictures are really sharp. It is pretty flare resistance too. It is sharper at the wide end than the long end.

Pros: Excellent all-purpose zoom. Excellent contrast, resolution and flare control.
Cons: Slightly heavy; interferes with built-in flash below about 24 mm setting.

The Pentax 16-45 zoom is a constant aperture zoom with a number of features which distinguish it from the normal kit lens supplied with low end digital cameras. It produces very sharp photos at enlargements up to 8X10". I have used the lens now for real-world photography for over 1.5 years now and few complaints. I bought the lens for its almost ideal range (equivalent to 24-70 in 35 mm), constant aperture and excellent optical characteristics. One particularly nice feature of this lens is its resistance to flare. Bright conditions often bring out the worse in optics having numerous optical elements but the Pentax zoom shines in this arena. I think too much has been made of the chromatic aberration noted in some reviews at wide settings. I have seen little of that. I also believe that the images show high contrast yet hold significant shadow detail.

Pros: Excellent optics Really strong close-focusing performance SMC ensures low flare, good color
Cons: Zooming out to 16mm blocks in-camera flash Average fit and finish Moderate CA

With the introduction of DA*16-50/2.8, this little brother has become available used on EBay at 1/2 its original price. This makes the DA 16-45/4 ever more appealing than the kit DA 18-55 due to the vastly superior optical performance (sharp wide open, better bokeh, nicer color rendition) and a faster F-stop. Side by side comparison with my FA 20/2.8, FA 35/2 and FA 50/1.4 revealed that the DA 16-45 matched or exceeded the resolution of those fixed focal length lenses at various apertures. Combining that kind of sharpness with low distortion, low field curvature, nice contrast and good versatility, Pentax has a real winner here! As a matter of fact, an overwhelming majority of DA 16-45 users give their lens top notch reviews and ratings. I am just one of the many satisfied owners who swear by the overall quality of this lens and the images it delivers.