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SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4

Sharpness 
 8.7
Aberrations 
 7.9
Bokeh 
 7.7
Autofocus 
 8.4
Handling 
 8.4
Value 
 9.2
Reviews Views Date of last review
120 460,326 Thu March 30, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
94% of reviewers $265.20 8.72
SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4
supersize


Description:
This wide-angle to normal lens is among the earlier DA lenses. It has a fixed maximum aperture of F4 across the entire zoom range.

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 ED AL [IF]
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 8 blades
Optics
13 elements, 10 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F4
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
Yes
Min. Focus
28 cm
Max. Magnification
0.26x
Filter Size
67 mm
Internal Focus
Yes
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 83-35 ° / 74-30 °
Hood
PH-RBL 67 mm
Case
S90-140
Lens Cap
F 67 mm
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
71 x 91 mm (2.8 x 3.6 in.)
Weight
366 g (12.9 oz.)
Production Years
2003 to 2014
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-DA 1:4 16-45mm ED AL [IF]
Product Code
21507
Reviews
User reviews
Unofficial Full-Frame Compatibility Tests by Pentax Forums
★★☆ Full coverage at some F-stop and focal length combinations
Show details
Notes
One of the earliest DA lenses.
Two aspherical elements, one ED element.
Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusQuick ShiftAutomatic ApertureAPS-C Digital OnlyDiscontinued
Purchase: Buy the SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Buy the SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 120
Site Supporter

Registered: February, 2017
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 32

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 30, 2023 Recommended | Price: $175.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Very sharp, quick shift, light, fast focus, well made.
Cons: In view of the cost: nothing to complain about.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K3 and K3II   

I use this lens mainly for landscapes. In the old days, this lens would be advertised as having macro capability. I can focus very closely. This is a very nice lens and it is a pleasure to use yielding very high quality photos.
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2019
Posts: 6

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 4, 2022 Recommended | Price: $20.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Build, AF, optics, ease of use
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-3, K-5   

This pristine copy of an SMC Pentax DA 16-45mm ED-AL F4 was recently acquired from Japan through eBay. It was part of a package deal that included a very lightly-used K-5. Why would I buy such a "kit"? I'd recently been looking to replace my ageing, lower-resolution K-r -- my "old backup" for my newer (but now well-used) K-3.

I had not been considering acquiring another lens because I am very familiar with and regularly make good use the following auto aperture lenses (in order of frequency of daily carry-around use):

[i] Tamron 18-200AF (overall good quality, moderate macro);
[ii] Sigma DC 17-70mm (excellent quality, closer focus moderate macro);
[iii] Tamron SP AF 90mm f2.8, Model 172E (#1 quality, super-sharp, beautiful 1:1 macro);
[iv] an older Sigma 24mm Super-wide II (compact, a very nice "early" macro -- although uncoated).

Each of these four lenses serves well for a variety of related, overlapping purposes. I regularly take them out "into the field" at different times and for different "nature photography" purposes (broad vistas; snow, skies and clouds; very active wildlife and birds; countless insects, etc.; foliage, wildflowers, etc.). All of these lenses are fitted with UV filters and appropriate shades / hoods. None of these lenses are WR, which has never been a problem for me. I like them all for what they offer and what they can do. The best part is: I continue to learn from each of them.

Anyway, I wasn't looking for a camera + lens package -- but couldn't say "no" when this deal came up. So, an almost-unused SMC Pentax DA 16-45mm ED-AL F4 was welcomed into the family somewhat unexpectedly. But, I am very glad it arrived when it did.

Using both my K-3 and K-5 cameras, I've tested this beauty for a few uninterrupted weeks on my daily outdoor hikes under a wide range of circumstances. I've also carried out a few standard indoor test shots of typical household objects, surfaces and features.

Because I have considerable experience with the four above-mentioned lenses (as well as a host of others not listed here that nowadays do not usually see a great deal of use), I feel confident in providing the following observations about the SMC Pentax DA 16-45mm ED-AL F4:

• overall size, operations, control placement, weight, balance and "heft" (with K-3 and K-5) are excellent
• sharpness appears very good at all focal lengths; edge distortion, flare and CA either don't exist or are negligible
• close-focusing (semi-macro) is quite sharp, easy to accomplish, and provides better results than expected
• judgments about colour rendition tend to be subjective -- but I really like what this lens produces overall
• bokeh has also turned out to be unexpectedly pleasing to the eye -- a real plus, especially for "field imaging"
• AF responsiveness and accuracy, plus relatively quiet operation, are all very good (the AF is a pleasure to use)
• build quality, finish, integrity of all components, plus AF mechanisms and overall lens "robustness" are top notch
• hood, lens cap work perfectly and are trouble-free -- absolutely no complaints (just plan ahead, as usual)

Summary: the SMC Pentax DA 16-45mm ED-AL F4 is a very good quality general purpose lens at all focal lengths (very subjective and personal, I know). If I want a lens longer than 45mm, I'll make sure to carry it in my pack and take the time and care to install it on the camera (my common practice). This lens does not "feel" cheap in any way. It is robust, very well made, and very easy to use. The optical, focus and aperture mechanisms perform extremely well, appear to have been very well engineered, and work perfectly. The combination of AF and manual focusing "feels" very natural and also works perfectly. Based on my decades of SLR and DSLR photography experience with a wide variety of lenses, all images so far taken with this 16-45mm lens are very good indeed (examples to be provided at a later time).

Based on these findings, I highly recommend the SMC Pentax DA 16-45mm ED-AL F4.

Cheers and best wishes to all / BlueLeezard
   
New Member

Registered: July, 2013
Posts: 2

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 26, 2021 Recommended | Price: $80.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Well built, sharp, reasonably fast aperture, hood included
Cons: Reverse zoom (extends for shorter focal length)
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 6    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 7    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K70   

Bought this lens recently, open box (new condition, unused) with full warranty. I didn't really need it, but it was available new for about 25% of original retail. Initially, very impressed with the sharpness, contrast and colour rendition, not unexpected, as the reviews of this lens indicated it was a good performer. It is substantially better optically than my 18-55 DA L kit lens, which is likely to be little used from now on. Highly recommended if you are using an 18-55 kit lens and want to improve your images. I don't see many examples in the used market, likely because those who have this lens keep it. Don't agree with reviewers who claim it's flimsy - it incorporates less metal than SMC era lenses, but it's just as well put together and it's significantly lighter as a result.
   
Senior Member

Registered: June, 2013
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 110

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 19, 2021 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: 16mm wide angle, lightweight, f/4 constant zoom, fast autofocus, sharp and beautiful colors
Cons: plastic and somewhat flimsy construction, not WR, screw drive noisy autofocus
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-30, K-01   

This zoom lens is awesome! I love how lightweight it is, and the beautiful "Pentax" colors it produces. Sharp wide open and the 16-45mm range is a great walkaround, though it's missing the telephoto zoom end. And on the used market, it is so cheap and makes a great bang for the buck! There are times when the images I take with this lens pop almost as much as my DA limited primes... My only negatives are its lack of any WR and the weird zoom operation (where it's longest at the wide end and shortest at the telephoto end). Autofocus operation is blazing fast and accurate, though sometimes a bit noisy because it doesn't have a silent AF motor. I'm thinking of replacing it with newer zoom lenses like DA* 16-50 or DA 16-85 but those are a lot more expensive. As a step up from the 18-55 kit lens, this can't be beat!!
   
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2015
Location: Central Ontario
Posts: 143
Review Date: October 11, 2020 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: sufficient and convenient range
Cons: lacking a little brilliance in colour
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K5 and K3   

This was my first upgrade from the kit lens on the K5 and I quite liked it. There were no issues that I encountered but I nevertheless eventually decided to upgrade this to the DA* 16-50 lens. I found this to have better colour and to somehow be a bit sharper. However, I would not hesitate to suggest this lens to anyone looking at it. I used this exclusively for two years on my K5 and a bit on my K3 ( because I had the DA* 16-50 by then ).

One thing I have found is that using really good ( and unfortunately, more expensive ) filters is the best route to go with this, and any, lens.
   
Junior Member

Registered: June, 2018
Posts: 42
Review Date: October 30, 2019 Recommended | Price: $30.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: fast focus,color,rendition,cheap
Cons: a bit big
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 6    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k-50. K-S2   

Bought it on the fly for 30$ and have no regrets. Am used to using prime lenses so I find it some what bulky. but I do like the versatility on the road. Nice Buy
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: February, 2014
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,695

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 13, 2019 Recommended | Price: $290.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Color rendition, IQ at middle focal lenghts
Cons: Autofocus issues below 20mm and at 45mm
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 4    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: *1st D, K-30, K5iis, K-3   

I purchased my DA 16-45mm new way back in 2004 to use with my *1st D. Thousands of exposures later, it still rides in my camera bag from time to time.

The 16-45 can be a very capable lens when kept at middle apertures f5.6-11, and between 20-40mm focal length. Wide open there is a strong possibility of purple CA. Distortion is nicely controlled even at 16mm HOWEVER I’ve used this lens on seven different bodies and the autofocus between 16-20mm and at 45mm is completely unreliable. Severe back focus at the short focal lengths and front focus at 45mm. I’d wager this lens helped the “Pentax AF is terrible” complaints stick more than any other. If you use live view or the focus confirmation in the viewfinder to manually focus, results are much more predictable.

Many question the durability of this plastic lens. My copy has been used a great deal and has held up well. It does have some fine internal dust, typical of older zooms. If you buy a copy of this lens, make sure to check out the barrel for excessive wobble and also look for internal dirt.

Verdict, it’s better than kit lenses, especially at the wide end and if you use manual focus, not autofocus, results are very good to excellent. I’d say for $150 or less used, it’s a good buy.
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2018
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Posts: 6,479

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: March 5, 2019 Recommended | Price: $240.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Very useful focal range. Very sharp between f/5.6 and f/11. Beautiful contrast and colors.
Cons: Chromatic aberrations visible on older bodies that have no correction provision.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 6    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K3, K5, K20d   
































   
New Member

Registered: May, 2017
Location: Kiev
Posts: 12

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 2, 2018 Recommended | Price: $250.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Cheap cost. Convenient focal lengths for indoor photography. Saturated colors in the photo.
Cons: Large dimensions. With an open diaphragm, the photographs are not too sharp. The lack of protection from ingress of moisture and dust) on the quality of photos is not affected). Staggering design (the quality of photos is not affected).
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 6    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 7    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K 5   

I like the lens. Although in the beginning he frightened me with his large size. But the fact that thanks to this lens you get good pictures, completely excuses its large size.
Focal lengths of the lens are very convenient for photographing during walks and travel. In the rooms it is also convenient to remove this lens. Just do not forget about the stationary flash. Because the aperture to this lens, for shooting in not very bright rooms, is often not enough.
When I have this lens on my camera, I always snap a stationary flash on the camera. And I photograph with a flash even in the daytime (I also include the "contrast adjustment" function on the flash).
With an open diaphragm (F4), the sharpness of the image decreases. And chromatic aberrations appear. But if you shoot at diaphragms 5,6-11. And focal lengths of 20-40mm., While using a stationary flash, the images are sharp, and the photos have beautiful and saturated colors.



   
New Member

Registered: April, 2017
Location: France
Posts: 9
Review Date: August 3, 2018 Not Recommended | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: sharpness, weight, quality / price ratio
Cons: autofocus at 16 and 45mm, plastic construction
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 9    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5   

objective of good quality and quite clean, with a deplorable autofocus at the ends
Not bad for the proxi.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: July, 2013
Location: People's Republic of America
Posts: 9,892

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 22, 2018 Recommended | Price: $120.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Constant f4, very cheap in the used market, sharp throughout range, very pleasing images
Cons: Construction could be better - the barrel tends to wobble with time
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K10D, K-r, K-S1   

I have had this lens now for a couple of years, and have not been disappointed. It is a work horse, and used a lot of times for family outings, indoor pictures (works great with flash), travels, events and so on.

It is not as sharp or fast as a prime lens, nor does it render as exquisitely as they can, but in what it does, I feel it does it well, and even exceeds expectations. It is sharper than a lot of vintage lenses (especially most 3rd party lenses I have tried), and the coatings are great - always contrasty and with vivid colors, and you can even shoot into the sun, at least my copy does with hardly any problems.

It is sharp wide open except the extreme corners in my copy. There is a bit of field curvature so f4 landscapes at 16mm can be affected depending on where you focus, but from what I can tell it is still much less than other similar types of lenses. In fact the distortion is quite low and what little there is, does not feel unnatural at all. It even focuses very close as well, it's supposed to be 1:4 magnification but in my experience it's more like 1:3 at 45mm.

Better photographers than me have taken some absolutely wonderful pictures with this lens, so I feel that if you like the way it renders, there's really no need to go for the third party 17-50 2.8 models which won't give the nice Pentax colors that this lens does, along with good flare control, sharpness, very low distortion and a relatively lightweight package.

Some samples.

K-S1, 28mm f8, shot as JPEG and edited in RawTherapee.
Rain is Coming by ChristianRock, on Flickr

K-S1, Around 24mm f6.3, and I also forgot the camera in JPEG mode when I took this picture. Edited from the JPEG in RawTherapee.
Little River Bridge by ChristianRock, on Flickr

K-S1, 16mm at f7.1
Little River Bridge Side by ChristianRock, on Flickr

Cotton at MFD, f8 and 45mm
Cotton by ChristianRock, on Flickr
   
Senior Member

Registered: December, 2011
Location: Hanko, Finland
Posts: 223
Review Date: June 22, 2018 Recommended | Price: $160.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Cheap, good average picture quality, useful range.
Cons: Quite plastic feeling and quite long to be only 45mm.
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-30   

I have not tested the lens technically, only by taking photographs and honestly it is much better than quite many reviews in here are told.
What I'm missing is a little longer long end like 70 mm.
Anyway much more useful than the 18 - 55 mm standard zoom because of the wider end.
   
New Member

Registered: March, 2015
Location: Kaliningrad
Posts: 1
Review Date: June 6, 2018 Recommended | Price: $120.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: The constant of light intensity. Quick focus. Wide angle. Non-rotating front element.
Cons: I would like even more sharpness. At 16 mm there are distortions (works well with 18-20 mm). At 45 mm sharpness is not satisfied.
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 6    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 6    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K10D, K-70   

I took this lens to K10D as an alternative DA18-55 mm. Not quite impressed with the result. With such a modest aperture, I would like good sharpness in the entire diaphragm range. This is the main claim to the lens. In the rest, he justifies his price.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 497
Review Date: May 26, 2018 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, useful range, minimum focusing distance, light
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-10D, K-7, K-50, K-S2   

A lens from *ist years. Still quite good. Although f/4 is a bit slow, the maximum aperture is close to the optimum aperture. Sharp from corner to corner. Classic color rendering. Very useful range and minimum focusing distance.

Look for a good copy and you will not be disappointed.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: January, 2013
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 419

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 11, 2017 Recommended | Price: $350.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Great walkaround and travel lens
Cons: Reverse behavior for somewhat noisy zoom
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-r and K-5   

This is my favorite lens. I almost always get good shots, be they landscapes, portraits, or even action shots. Sharpness is found at f5.6 and tighter, but face shots at f4.0 are very nice and slightly soft with natural and tungsten lighting. I prefer this to any zoom or single lens. It's a little on the heavy side and the zoom feature works reverse to what most people expect (it contracts when zooming).

Overall, just a great build and exceptionally good glass.
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