DA 15mm Or DA16-45mm?

Driline · 01-27-2013, 01:46 PM

Ok I know this is one crazy question so here goes. What difference if any will there be between the DA15mm limited and the wide end (16mm) of the DA16-45mm lens. I mean why not save a few bucks and get the DA 16-45mm instead? Help me out here......

Na Horuk · 01-27-2013, 02:00 PM

The DA will probably be wider and have less distortion, be sharper, have better aberration control, and improved overall IQ. Primes exist for a reason, though modern zoom lenses are getting pretty good as well. But it would be great if someone would post a 100% crop of the same scene taken with the 16-45mm af 16mm and the 15mm prime

NitroDC · 01-27-2013, 02:16 PM - **1 Like**

I pondered over this exact question for a few weeks.

Ended up getting the DA15. If you need a walkaround lens and your kit lens really does not cut it, then get the 16-45. Although do know that the 16-45 is fully extended (quite long) at 16mm, so if size/invasiveness is important to you then the DA15 wins there.
I was going to go for the 16-45 first but then decided that my 18-55 kit lens was good enough as a walkaround lens. 24mm and onward it worked quite well. I really wanted a wide lens for landscapes, and the DA15 was basically the best choice for its sharpness, abberation and distortion control, and flare resistance. I don't know if it's even possible to get any flare with this lens.

And obviously, the DA15 is a "Limited" Pentax lens. All-metal construction. The focus ring is heavy and well damped (almost as good as the one on my old M 50/1.7). Just everything about the lens screams high quality, down to the details.

The 16-45 will be an excellent replacement to the kit lens. Probably won't get anything better from the $300-400 range new.

It all comes down to what you want to get out of the lenses. If you need something just for wide angle, definitely go for the DA15. If you need a walkaround/versatile lens then go for the 16-45. Know that the DA15 doesn't really allow for a step-up filter thread, so you will have to have 49mm filters, if that's important to you. Take size (and weight) into account as well.

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-27-2013, 02:49 PM

Here's one test that made me feel fine with my 16-45/4:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/151855-18-135-vs-16-45-15mm.html

The comparison is at f8, which may not highlight the worst possible performance, but I take a lot of shots at 16mm f8. I like the DA 16-45/4 as a wide angle a lot, secondarily as a kit lens replacement, third with a flash, kind of big but you can't have everything.

drugal · 01-27-2013, 04:05 PM

I do own both of these, but I don't really take them out at the same time. The 15mm is a pleasure to use and gives good results.

If I could only have one lens, though, it would be the 16-45. On the other hand, I only got the 16-45 because I didn't own a zoom in this range.

According to photozone.de, on a K10, the 15 wins on distortion, CA, and resolution above f/5.6. I really think the 16-45 would meet your needs, though.

Thankfully I can have more than one lens because I so thoroughly enjoy the results and usage of my limited lenses

Driline · 01-27-2013, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

Here's one test that made me feel fine with my 16-45/4:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/151855-18-135-vs-16-45-15mm.html

The comparison is at f8, which may not highlight the worst possible performance, but I take a lot of shots at 16mm f8. I like the DA 16-45/4 as a wide angle a lot, secondarily as a kit lens replacement, third with a flash, kind of big but you can't have everything.

Wow great comparison shots. I'm looking at replacing my kit lens 18-55mm DA L (plastic mount) anyway and this pretty much seals the deal. If the DA16-45 looks that good even at the wide end then its a no brainer. This should make a great walk around lens too. I'm glad I wasn't the only one wondering about this

Driline · 01-27-2013, 06:54 PM

I will say however that the 15mm still looks the best.

mikeSF · 01-27-2013, 07:35 PM

I owned both at the same time and did enough comparison to know I wanted to keep the da15. Contrast and flare resistance was better in the da15 and the sharpness was slightly better too. The 16-45 has some barrel distortion not seen in the da15.

audiobomber · 01-27-2013, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

The comparison is at f8, which may not highlight the worst possible performance, but I take a lot of shots at 16mm f8.

My 16-45 is sharper than my 15mm in the corners, at f4 and f8.

Originally posted by Driline

Wow great comparison shots. I'm looking at replacing my kit lens 18-55mm DA L (plastic mount) anyway and this pretty much seals the deal. If the DA16-45 looks that good even at the wide end then its a no brainer. This should make a great walk around lens too. I'm glad I wasn't the only one wondering about this

The 16-45 easily beats the 18-55 at the wide end, but it murders it at the long end. It is sharper at f4 and 45mm than the 18-55 @ 55mm, even cropped to 55mm. I don't hesitate to shoot the 16-45 wide open. The 18-55 needs to be stopped down, so I consider the 16-45 two stops faster at the long end, where it really counts.

Originally posted by Driline

I will say however that the 15mm still looks the best.

I agree; colour & contrast, distortion, flare and CA are more important to IQ than corner resolution.

I should confess that the 18-135 and 15mm have replaced the 16-45 in my main kit. The 16-45 is a better lens in every way than the 18-135 (except for bokeh), but IQ is still good and the range is soooo handy. The 15mm is easy to carry along with the extended zoom.

Driline · 01-27-2013, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

My 16-45 is sharper than my 15mm in the corners, at f4 and f8.

The 16-45 easily beats the 18-55 at the wide end, but it murders it at the long end. It is sharper at f4 and 45mm than the 18-55 @ 55mm, even cropped to 55mm. I don't hesitate to shoot the 16-45 wide open. The 18-55 needs to be stopped down, so I consider the 16-45 two stops faster at the long end, where it really counts.

I agree; colour & contrast, distortion, flare and CA are more important to IQ than corner resolution.

I should confess that the 18-135 and 15mm have replaced the 16-45 in my main kit. The 16-45 is a better lens in every way than the 18-135 (except for bokeh), but IQ is still good and the range is soooo handy. The 15mm is easy to carry along with the extended zoom.

Did you ever consider the Sigma 17-50mm over the Pentax 16-45?

builttospill · 01-27-2013, 08:19 PM

I also owned both. The two lenses are different tools, both very good at what they do. The 15 is built well, small and resistant to flare. The 16-45 is very sharp and has a nice zoom range.

Driline · 01-27-2013, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

I also owned both. The two lenses are different tools, both very good at what they do. The 15 is built well, small and resistant to flare. The 16-45 is very sharp and has a nice zoom range.

I do like the Starburst effect when shooting the sun. I haven't seen a lens yet that looks that good.

audiobomber · 01-27-2013, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Did you ever consider the Sigma 17-50mm over the Pentax 16-45?

I don't believe the Sigma 17-50 existed when I bought the 16-45. There was just the Sigma 17-70.

Na Horuk · 01-28-2013, 06:51 AM

Btw, pretty much all manufacturers now make a lens of that sort of focal range. Here is a review of some:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-16-50-vs-sigma-17-50-vs-tamron-17-50mm.html

Driline · 01-28-2013, 08:35 AM

My head is spinning after looking at what seems hundreds of different lens combinations and reviews. So many choices....to replace my kit lens.

Now I'm thinking just screw it and buy a couple of primes and be done with it.
1) 15mm prime
2) 35mm macro prime.

If I need a telephoto I'll buy one later........

01-27-2013, 01:46 PM	#1
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704	DA 15mm Or DA16-45mm? Ok I know this is one crazy question so here goes. What difference if any will there be between the DA15mm limited and the wide end (16mm) of the DA16-45mm lens. I mean why not save a few bucks and get the DA 16-45mm instead? Help me out here......

01-27-2013, 02:16 PM - 1 Like	#3
NitroDC Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 342	I pondered over this exact question for a few weeks. Ended up getting the DA15. If you need a walkaround lens and your kit lens really does not cut it, then get the 16-45. Although do know that the 16-45 is fully extended (quite long) at 16mm, so if size/invasiveness is important to you then the DA15 wins there. I was going to go for the 16-45 first but then decided that my 18-55 kit lens was good enough as a walkaround lens. 24mm and onward it worked quite well. I really wanted a wide lens for landscapes, and the DA15 was basically the best choice for its sharpness, abberation and distortion control, and flare resistance. I don't know if it's even possible to get any flare with this lens. And obviously, the DA15 is a "Limited" Pentax lens. All-metal construction. The focus ring is heavy and well damped (almost as good as the one on my old M 50/1.7). Just everything about the lens screams high quality, down to the details. The 16-45 will be an excellent replacement to the kit lens. Probably won't get anything better from the $300-400 range new. It all comes down to what you want to get out of the lenses. If you need something just for wide angle, definitely go for the DA15. If you need a walkaround/versatile lens then go for the 16-45. Know that the DA15 doesn't really allow for a step-up filter thread, so you will have to have 49mm filters, if that's important to you. Take size (and weight) into account as well. Last edited by NitroDC; 01-27-2013 at 02:23 PM.

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01-27-2013, 02:00 PM	#2
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	The DA will probably be wider and have less distortion, be sharper, have better aberration control, and improved overall IQ. Primes exist for a reason, though modern zoom lenses are getting pretty good as well. But it would be great if someone would post a 100% crop of the same scene taken with the 16-45mm af 16mm and the 15mm prime

01-27-2013, 02:49 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Here's one test that made me feel fine with my 16-45/4: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/151855-18-135-vs-16-45-15mm.html The comparison is at f8, which may not highlight the worst possible performance, but I take a lot of shots at 16mm f8. I like the DA 16-45/4 as a wide angle a lot, secondarily as a kit lens replacement, third with a flash, kind of big but you can't have everything.

01-27-2013, 04:05 PM	#5
drugal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Detroit suburbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 259	I do own both of these, but I don't really take them out at the same time. The 15mm is a pleasure to use and gives good results. If I could only have one lens, though, it would be the 16-45. On the other hand, I only got the 16-45 because I didn't own a zoom in this range. According to photozone.de, on a K10, the 15 wins on distortion, CA, and resolution above f/5.6. I really think the 16-45 would meet your needs, though. Thankfully I can have more than one lens because I so thoroughly enjoy the results and usage of my limited lenses

01-27-2013, 04:34 PM	#6
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave Here's one test that made me feel fine with my 16-45/4: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/151855-18-135-vs-16-45-15mm.html The comparison is at f8, which may not highlight the worst possible performance, but I take a lot of shots at 16mm f8. I like the DA 16-45/4 as a wide angle a lot, secondarily as a kit lens replacement, third with a flash, kind of big but you can't have everything. Wow great comparison shots. I'm looking at replacing my kit lens 18-55mm DA L (plastic mount) anyway and this pretty much seals the deal. If the DA16-45 looks that good even at the wide end then its a no brainer. This should make a great walk around lens too. I'm glad I wasn't the only one wondering about this

01-27-2013, 06:54 PM	#7
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704 Original Poster	I will say however that the 15mm still looks the best.

01-27-2013, 07:35 PM	#8
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	I owned both at the same time and did enough comparison to know I wanted to keep the da15. Contrast and flare resistance was better in the da15 and the sharpness was slightly better too. The 16-45 has some barrel distortion not seen in the da15.

01-27-2013, 08:10 PM	#9
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave The comparison is at f8, which may not highlight the worst possible performance, but I take a lot of shots at 16mm f8. My 16-45 is sharper than my 15mm in the corners, at f4 and f8. Originally posted by Driline Wow great comparison shots. I'm looking at replacing my kit lens 18-55mm DA L (plastic mount) anyway and this pretty much seals the deal. If the DA16-45 looks that good even at the wide end then its a no brainer. This should make a great walk around lens too. I'm glad I wasn't the only one wondering about this The 16-45 easily beats the 18-55 at the wide end, but it murders it at the long end. It is sharper at f4 and 45mm than the 18-55 @ 55mm, even cropped to 55mm. I don't hesitate to shoot the 16-45 wide open. The 18-55 needs to be stopped down, so I consider the 16-45 two stops faster at the long end, where it really counts. Originally posted by Driline I will say however that the 15mm still looks the best. I agree; colour & contrast, distortion, flare and CA are more important to IQ than corner resolution. I should confess that the 18-135 and 15mm have replaced the 16-45 in my main kit. The 16-45 is a better lens in every way than the 18-135 (except for bokeh), but IQ is still good and the range is soooo handy. The 15mm is easy to carry along with the extended zoom.

01-27-2013, 08:19 PM	#10
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber My 16-45 is sharper than my 15mm in the corners, at f4 and f8. The 16-45 easily beats the 18-55 at the wide end, but it murders it at the long end. It is sharper at f4 and 45mm than the 18-55 @ 55mm, even cropped to 55mm. I don't hesitate to shoot the 16-45 wide open. The 18-55 needs to be stopped down, so I consider the 16-45 two stops faster at the long end, where it really counts. I agree; colour & contrast, distortion, flare and CA are more important to IQ than corner resolution. I should confess that the 18-135 and 15mm have replaced the 16-45 in my main kit. The 16-45 is a better lens in every way than the 18-135 (except for bokeh), but IQ is still good and the range is soooo handy. The 15mm is easy to carry along with the extended zoom. Did you ever consider the Sigma 17-50mm over the Pentax 16-45?

01-27-2013, 08:19 PM	#11
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	I also owned both. The two lenses are different tools, both very good at what they do. The 15 is built well, small and resistant to flare. The 16-45 is very sharp and has a nice zoom range.

01-27-2013, 08:55 PM	#12
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704 Original Poster	Originally posted by builttospill I also owned both. The two lenses are different tools, both very good at what they do. The 15 is built well, small and resistant to flare. The 16-45 is very sharp and has a nice zoom range. I do like the Starburst effect when shooting the sun. I haven't seen a lens yet that looks that good.

01-27-2013, 10:08 PM	#13
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by Driline Did you ever consider the Sigma 17-50mm over the Pentax 16-45? I don't believe the Sigma 17-50 existed when I bought the 16-45. There was just the Sigma 17-70.

01-28-2013, 06:51 AM	#14
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Btw, pretty much all manufacturers now make a lens of that sort of focal range. Here is a review of some: https://www.pentaxforums.com/news/pentax-16-50-vs-sigma-17-50-vs-tamron-17-50mm.html

01-28-2013, 08:35 AM	#15
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704 Original Poster	My head is spinning after looking at what seems hundreds of different lens combinations and reviews. So many choices....to replace my kit lens. Now I'm thinking just screw it and buy a couple of primes and be done with it. 1) 15mm prime 2) 35mm macro prime. If I need a telephoto I'll buy one later........