Originally posted by Kunzite Last time Pentax announced a new screw drive lens was in 2012 (not counting the HD DA Limiteds).
Pentax will not ditch the in-body motor, for compatibility reasons. But, they will have in-lens motors in most (if not all) of the new lenses.
The in-body motor allows for very small lenses like the DA 15/21/40/70 Ltd., not to mention the FA 43 and the very lightweight DA 50/1.8 and DA 35/2.4.
They all achieve their size/weight advantages because of screw drive primarily.
The DA 18-135 isn't going anywhere except to the HD upgrade. It is a compact, light weight, fast focusing, wide to tele-zoom with WR. It is my go-to lens for outdoors on a K-30. I consider the 16-85 too large, especially this day of the trend (K-S2) towards smaller kits. The 18-135 is a very strategic lens for Pentax a must-have in their line up.