Ok, I once had this test done for myself and finally decided to keep them both. I like both of these lenses and to me both are useful and unique. However while discussing which 40mm for K-01 is the best choice in this thread :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-01/229040-40-k01.html
The test I posted there wasn't done up to standards - so I decided to do another one - this time I picked proper subject.
The test was done on tripod with remote so no in camera SR or camera shake.
The subject wasn't prone to the wind either so no subject motion.
The images taken with K-01.
The images supplied are 100% crops for sharpness test and slightly scaled down for bokeh - which is blurred anyway so so worries about loose of details.
Please judge for yourself and let me know what you think.
NOTE: While judging the images - right click on 100% crop images and select 'View image' - on firefox - this will load it to separate window or tab - where should be available in full size which is about 1500 x 1500 pix. Only this way you can see all the details properly - otherwise the image can be scaled down by the browser.
My own opinion is subjective and can be wrong but I think that both lenses performs similarly well - altough I can see that XS has slightly better micro contrast - especially visible at 2.8 - but I still think that in parts where both lenses are sharp on the pictures below - especially at 2.8 I can see some more detail on SMC-M than XS40mm.
Also from the crops below should be clear now that XS 40mm is slightly wider than SMC-M - although the difference is very little - it is good to know.
-manntax
SMC-M 40mm f/2.8 sharpness
XS 40mm f/2.8 sharpness
Here are results for f4.8 - both lenses gets phenomenal for me :
SMC-M 40mm f4.0 sharpness
XS-40mm f4.0 sharpness
Below you can see how both lenses perform in term of bokeh. My observation is that XS gives slightly smother bokeh at all apertures - but that might be my or my copy only or I simple can be wrong. Judge for yourself from the images below
SMC-M f2.8 bokeh test
XS 40mm f2.8 bokeh test
SMC-M 40mm f4.0 bokeh test
XS 40mm f4.0 bokeh test
Now I hope for a discussion - which lens you think is better ?
Were you surprised by the results ?
Have you done similar tests in the past with different results ?
Could you compare one or both lenses with Limited lenses ?
- manntax