Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8ED AL [IF] SDM Lens Review

Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8ED AL [IF] SDM Sample Photos

Wide-angle | 1/250 sec | f/6.3 | 16.0 mm | ISO 80

Wide-angle | 1/250 sec | f/6.3 | 16.0 mm | ISO 80
High-Res

Telephoto | 1/500 sec | f/6.3 | 50.0 mm | ISO 80

Telephoto | 1/500 sec | f/6.3 | 50.0 mm | ISO 80
High-Res

Performance at maximum aperture could be better, especially towards the edges of the frame, and at 50mm  | 1/80 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 100

Performance at maximum aperture could be better, especially towards the edges of the frame, and at 50mm | 1/80 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res

This lens appears to perform at its best when stopped down to between f/5.6 and f/8 throughout the zoom range | 1/250 sec | f/6.3 | 28.0 mm | ISO 80

This lens appears to perform at its best when stopped down to between f/5.6 and f/8 throughout the zoom range | 1/250 sec | f/6.3 | 28.0 mm | ISO 80
High-Res

1/640 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 80

1/640 sec | f/2.8 | 50.0 mm | ISO 80
High-Res

1/50 sec | f/5.6 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100

1/50 sec | f/5.6 | 18.0 mm | ISO 100
High-Res

1/100 sec | f/8.0 | 16.0 mm | ISO 80

1/100 sec | f/8.0 | 16.0 mm | ISO 80
High-Res

1/80 sec | f/8.0 | 16.0 mm | ISO 80

1/80 sec | f/8.0 | 16.0 mm | ISO 80
High-Res


Value For Money

Being priced at around £840, this lens is quite reasonably priced for a manufacturer's own standard zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture. In fact, this lens is currently £10 cheaper than the recently released Pentax 20-40mm f/2.8-4 Limited lens, which has a narrower zoom range and a variable maximum aperture.

Sigma also offer a 17-50mm f/2.8 lens, which costs around £310 in Pentax fit, or Tamron also offer a 17-50mm f/2.8 lens, for around £260. Either lens may be a viable alternative for those on a budget.

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