Originally posted by scorpioh I practically don't own much zooms. If you want a wide and light prime, it has got to be the DA15. Usually, the dilemma is between DA15, DA14, DA12-24 and Sigma10-20. Not quite the DA21 but since its part of your dilemma, I am suspecting you are not really too concern with the <15mm regions. I think DA15 is really more suitable for landscapes than the DA21. DA21 is good for general street photography but do not give you that impactful perspective required usually for landscape photography. So, get the DA15 first, especially if weight is a concern and perhaps the DA21 later on. Forget the zooms altogether...
I have to disagree with this. The DA 21 is certainly wide enough for landscape photography:
For me, when hiking and not knowing what I'm going to encounter, I'd be less worried about "can I get it all in" with the DA 21, and more worried about "can I get close enough" with the DA 15. And I find the color/rendering of the DA 21 to be fantastic. Reviews on sharpness, etc. are just tests. The lens produces very nice images.
All that being said, the 12-24 covers it all and doesn't even way a pound, so it's not THAT big and heavy. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these three (12-24, 21 or 15)