The D FA★ 50mm F1.4 is the Best Pentax Lens of All Time

2021 PF Pentax Lens Tournament: Winners and Stats

By PF Staff in Giveaways and Events on Mar 22, 2021

Welcome to the final debrief for our 2021 Pentax Lens Tournament.  For the quickest overview of the tournament, we invite you to watch the video below:

Per our tournament results, the HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 lens is the new Best Pentax Lens of All Time, dethroning the FA 77mm from our 2014 Lens Tournament.

This means that we will be giving away a copy of the D FA* 50mm in April.  Stay tuned for details!

Unlike the 2014 tournament, which was largely a popularity contest, the 2021 tournament featured blind voting in which each lens was judged based on several photos taken by forum members.  When evaluating pairs of photos, voters were not aware of the lens used. 

Of course, no tournament is perfect: there is more to a lens than the photos it is can take, and some lenses had more photos than others.  However, we hope that this tournament has offered an interesting perspective on the current Pentax lens landscape.  We are positively surprised by the stellar performance of recently launched Pentax lenses—in particular the winning 50mm, which was designed by Pentax as part of a new series of ultra high performance primes (together with the D FA* 85mm).

In total, we saw 252 lens nominations in this tournament- 137 of which were made for the 20 top lenses which subsequently became finalists.  Interestingly, no third-party lenses ended up becoming finalists. More details on the nominations can be found on the forum.

In the final round, 235 users cast more than 57,700 votes.  Only the top 6 lenses won more often than they lost, on average.

Tournament
Rank
Popularity
Rank
% Wins
Lens
Photos
Award
1 8 60.47% HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW 6 Best Pentax lens
2 5 59.37% SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited 8 Best standard
3 10 55.98% HD D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW 5 Best telephoto
4 1 55.41% SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM 17 Honorable mention
5 13 53.64% SMC DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited 4 Best ultra-wide
6 2 53.55% HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW 12 Honorable mention
7 13 49.02% HD D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR 4  
8 10 48.78% SMC DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM 5  
9 13 48.77% SMC FA 43mm F1.9 Limited 4  
10 13 48.63% SMC DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR 4  
11 3 48.45% SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR 11  
12 4 48.39% SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited 10  
13 5 48.28% HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE 8  
14 13 47.65% SMC DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] 4  
15 13 47.38% HD DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR 4  
16 10 45.45% HD D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR 5  
17 8 45.18% HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR 6  
18 5 41.00% SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro 8  
19 13 38.17% SMC DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED 4  
20 13 37.18% SMC DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM 4  
Pentax eBooks

We have now made all 252 nomination entries public in the Post Your Photos forum. Feel free to leave a comment for your favorites! We would also like to congratulate the users who took the top-ranking photos. 

Stats for the 136 photos taken with the 20 finalist lenses can be found below (there are 136, not 137, because 1 photo was disqualified for including a caption with the lens name). Click on any thumbnail to enlarge:

% Wins
Photo
Lens
81.53% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
80.52% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
78.88% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
77.27% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
76.83% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
74.60% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
73.84% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
73.67% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
72.39% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
72.00% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
69.34% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
68.49% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
68.29% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
68.19% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
68.13% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
66.75% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
66.71% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
66.08% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
64.53% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
64.32% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
63.04% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
62.55% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
61.50% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
61.28% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]
61.09% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
60.92% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
60.89% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
60.85% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
60.70% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
59.72% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
59.38% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
59.26% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
58.73% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
58.70% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
58.55% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
58.19% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
58.14% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
57.87% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
57.64% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
57.63% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
57.57% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
57.33% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
56.76% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
56.71% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
56.34% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
56.27% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
55.53% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
55.52% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
55.34% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
54.99% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]
54.49% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
54.05% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
53.91% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
53.53% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
53.36% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
53.12% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
53.11% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
52.62% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
51.75% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
51.62% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
51.57% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
51.46% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
50.75% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
50.42% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
50.12% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
50.00% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
49.26% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
48.91% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
48.67% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
48.62% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
48.34% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
47.58% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
47.43% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
47.37% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
47.21% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
47.13% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
46.95% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
46.70% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
46.59% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
46.45% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
46.40% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM
45.50% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]
45.40% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM
45.36% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
45.35% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
44.83% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
44.74% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
44.64% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
44.23% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
43.93% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
43.88% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
43.75% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
43.09% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
43.07% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
42.92% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
42.89% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM
42.79% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
41.61% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
41.33% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
40.50% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
40.29% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
40.09% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
40.00% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
39.68% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
39.03% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
37.50% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
37.05% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
36.70% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
36.36% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
35.94% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
35.94% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
35.41% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
35.10% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
33.96% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
33.93% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
33.71% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR
33.33% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
31.68% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
31.28% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
31.18% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC FA 77mm F1.8 Limited
29.52% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
28.87% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF]
27.92% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro
26.99% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR
26.56% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM
25.72% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED
24.38% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW
21.49% Contest entry

View in thread
HD D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR
21.31% Contest entry

View in thread
HD DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
16.77% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR
13.52% Contest entry

View in thread
SMC DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM

To learn more about the D FA* 50mm, please see our in-depth review.  Stay tuned for the giveaway in April!

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