HD vs. SMC Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6

Conclusion

Kit lenses do not generally excite passion in their owners. They get the job done, with varying levels of success, and will please their owners as long as their expectations are not too high.

The 18-55 WR is a bit different. When it launched, it was the first affordable wide-angle, weather-resistant lens. Before it, a DA* lens was often needed to build a WR kit. Even today, the lens is relatively popular for people wanting a WR lens for emergencies. Its small size makes it useful when traveling light.

Pentax K-S2 shown with the SMC DA L 18-50mm collapsed

The new 18-50mm retractable builds on those bases and improves many of them: silent AF with a DC motor, retractable design for an even more compact size, better coatings in the HD version. All of this makes the lens desirable for many photographers, even those equipped with higher-level glass.

The upgrade from the 18-55mm design to the newer 18-50mm shows an evolution in ergonomics and autofocus. While the gains are obvious regarding AF, the ergonomics are more of a mixed bag. The retractable design clearly delivers a smaller package when retracted, but it brings compromises regarding focus and sturdiness. This design is more fragile and not as easy to operate as a typical lens, and the zoom ring is very narrow and stiffer to operate. In other words, it is functional but can be inconvenient at times. Still, Pentax should be commended for bringing this innovative lens to the market.

Regarding image quality, the new HD version shows clear improvements regarding flare control and sharpness. On the other hand, the older 18-55mm can still hold its own regarding vignetting and distortion, and none of the three tested lenses is particularly good in these regards. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled for in-focus areas, but not very good in out-of-focus zones. Bokeh is greatly improved on the 18-50mm thanks to the inclusion of rounded aperture blades.

SMC DA L 18-50mm DC WR RE

The DA L 18-50mm WR RE is a true upgrade when compared to its older sibling. The AF system is a welcome evolution, being both faster and silent, but manual focus is less efficient than before because of the focus-by-wire system. The retractable barrel is interesting and useful, although it makes the lens more fragile. It is also less intuitive and convenient to use than a regular lens barrel. Sharpness figures at middle and long focal lengths are more than acceptable, especially in the center, but the lens isn't as good as the older model at 18mm. The new design loses 5mm at the tele end and a third of a stop at the wide end. For $100 when bundled as a kit, this lens is an excellent value, a modern offering and a welcome addition to the Pentax lineup.

Pros

• Very small and light (best in class)
• Retractable design works as advertised
• Fast, silent AF with DC motor
• Good sharpness figures at medium and long focal lengths (in the center)
• Smooth bokeh with round highlights
• Weather resistant

Cons

• Body design makes it more fragile, less intuitive to use
• Focus-by-wire makes manual focusing less efficient
• Hood not included
• Flare control average at best
• Vignetting, distortion, CA and corner sharpness not impressive

Ratings

HD DA 18-50mm DC WR RE

The HD version of the 18-50mm is a step above the DA L versions regarding flare. Surprisingly, it is also better regarding sharpness. The two lenses are identical in all other aspects, which makes it hard to recommend one over the other when considering price. The inclusion of a lens hood is good, and its general optical performance make it an extremely reliable and compact zoom. It is clearly better than a typical kit lens. While it is currently the cheapest HD zoom available, at $299, the older SMC coatings are quite good in their own right, and a little more money will let buyers purchase even more versatile lenses (for instance the DA 18-135mm). Still, the retractable design makes it unique on the market, and could be enough to sway buyers towards it. For optical performance alone, it is the clear winner in our tests.

Pros

• Very small and light (best in class)
• Retractable design works as advertised
• Fast, silent AF with DC motor
• Excellent control of flare
• Excellent sharpness
• Smooth bokeh with round highlights
• Weather resistant

Cons

• Hood is the window-style, prevents the use of filters
• Body design makes it more fragile, less intuitive to use
• Focus-by-wire makes manual focusing less efficient
• Vignetting, distortion and CA not impressive
• Filters and hood cannot be used together
• High price when compared to other kit lenses

Ratings

Compared to the DA 18-55mm WR

The classic 18-55mm WR design is utilitarian, reliable, and it delivers good image quality at a very low price ($100 when bundled with a body, $200 outright for the DA version). Its AF performance pales when compared to newer lenses, especially in Live View, but is still fast and accurate (though noisy) when using the viewfinder. Its sharpness results are below par except at 18mm, though its real-life results are still perfectly usable. It is still a good value and a nice starter kit, and has a more solid feel to it than the new retractable zooms.

Who is it For

Any of these lenses can be useful for beginners. Their low price and easy availability (being often bundled with camera bodies) makes them accessible for just about anybody. If nothing else, they can let a new photographer experiment and discover which path to follow for an eventual upgrade.

The collapsible design is perfect for trips in which bag space is limited.

The WR kit lenses are also very useful for campers, hikers, of anyone interested in a compact kit for an active lifestyle. Their optical performance, while not up to the best standards, is still perfectly acceptable, while their small size makes them easy to carry anywhere. Their weather resistance, nearly unique in the photographic industry at these price points, really sets them apart from the kits lenses from other manufacturers.

The Bottom Line

Nobody expects kit lenses to be top dogs regarding build and image quality. With that in mind, it is extremely pleasing to see Pentax offer modernized kit lenses with reliable optical performance. With their low costs and small sizes, they have their place in every photographer's bag. The HD version sets itself as a higher quality offering regarding its optical performance, and can compete with more expensive lenses.

Purchase links at B&H Photo

• DA 18-55mm WR
• DA L 18-50mm WR RE (as a kit with the Pentax K-S2)
• HD 18-50mm WR RE

Have Your Say

Post a user review by following one of the links below, or tell us what you think in the comments.

• DA 18-55mm WR
• DA L 18-50mm WR RE
• HD 18-50mm WR RE