Originally posted by czech user Is Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL great lens? I donīt think.
Yes it is a great zoom, noticeably better than the DA18-55 II (optically a bit updated version 2) I still keep. For $200 on used market, you get considerably sharper and wider zoom than 18-55 (2 mm makes a difference on the wide side!) what compared very well in sharpness at F4 & 5.6 with DA*16-50 I tried. For 1/4 the price, I kept the still in production DA16-45. 67 mm filter vs 77mm and almost half the weight was also a factor.
Understand, the DA17-70 F4 is only SDM. Therefore no good for older bodies than K10D, what must be updated to FW 1.30 to recognize it.
I took the 16-45 with me to Europe (also to Prague, CZ) and was glad I did. It's good for video too, has the quick shift and the "reversed" zoom is an interesting feature as well.