Dec 29, 2012
Pentax-DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Review
Introduction
The SMC Pentax-DA 18-270 mm F3.5-6.3 ED SDM super zoom hit the market in December 2012 and succeeds the SMC Pentax-DA 18-250 mm ED AL [IF] lens which has now been out of production for quite a while. Both lenses are based on a design by Tamron who has been a leader in super zooms for many years. Also, the new lens has internal focusing despite the fact that the "[IF]" designation is missing from the lens name.
This 18-270mm promises to be the best choice for those looking for an all-in-one lens for Pentax. The addition of silent focusing and improved optics compared to the older 18-250mm are two highlights which we will be examining in more detail in this review.
Read on to learn whether or not this lens is worth the money (it launched at an MSRP of $799), and how it compares to the Pentax 18-135mm WR lens which was launched in 2010 (after the 18-250mm).