Best Pentax lenses in 2022

Are you trying to work out what’s the best Pentax lenses for your APS-C or full-frame DSLR? These are our top lens picks to extend your camera kit bag.

Pentax lenses – a summary

The K-mount was introduced in 1976 primarily for Pentax 35mm cameras like the legendary Pentax K1000.

Nearly 50 years on, all Pentax 35mm and DSLR cameras use K-mount lenses – the mount is the same physical size.

How to choose a Pentax lens

Digital age lenses are denoted with a ‘D‘. More specifically, ‘DA‘ or ‘DA*‘ lenses are designed primarily for APS-C format cameras while ‘D FA‘ or ‘D FA*‘ lenses are for full-frame.

Despite getting in on the DSLR action early with the APS-C format *ist D in 2003, it would take Pentax another thirteen years to create a full-frame DSLR in the shape of the K-1 in 2016. As such, there are plenty APS-C format lenses to choose from, and a more limited full-frame range.

Those with an APS-C format camera like the Pentax K-70 can use full-frame lenses with a 1.5x focal length multiplier (approx). For example, the professional Pentax-D FA* 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW lens on a Pentax K-70 becomes a 76.5mm lens.

Likewise, attach an APS-C lens to the full-frame Pentax K-1 or K1 II and it’ll work, albeit with a 1.5x crop to avoid vignetting. There’s an in-camera automatic ‘Crop Mode’ for such a set up. However, to get the most resolution out of a lens with the full-frame K-1 or K-1 II, you’ll want a full-frame lens.

In recent lenses, ‘SDM’/ ‘DC’ / ‘PLM’ / ‘IF‘ all refer to the autofocus motor. For example, ‘SDM’ denotes supersonic direct-drive motor and is responsible for the high-accuracy and autofocus speed performance.

Pentax also places a high standard on the build-quality and operability of its lenses, with ‘AW‘ or ‘WR‘ referring to all weather or weather resistance. ‘HD‘ and ‘SP‘ are lens coatings that reduce flare and protect the lens surface respectively, while ‘AL‘ and ‘ED‘ are types of lens elements designed to improve image quality.

Every Pentax DSLR since the Pentax K100D in 2007 features sensor shift stabilisation (‘Shake Reduction’). As such, modern Pentax lenses do not need to add optical image stabilisation to the mix.

Good news is there’s a heck of a lot of Pentax lenses, covering virtually all genres of photography. We can’t sensibly include all the excellent lenses, so for this round-up APS-C and full-frame lenses are grouped together by focal length; wide, standard, telephoto and super zoom.

Within these categories we include third party options. We also highlight which genres they are particularly suited to, including the likes of macro photography and portraits.

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What’s the best Pentax lens for wide-angle photography?

Best APS-C wide-angle zoom lens

HD Pentax-DA* 11-18mm F2.8 ED DC AW

Price | £1349 / $1296

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/2.8 to f/22
• Weighs 704g
• 17.5-27.5mm equivalent focal length
• 82mm Filter diameter
• In production

Completing the trinity of f/2.8 zoom lenses for APS-C format, the 11-18mm is the widest of the three, offering an equivalent 17.5-27.5mm focal length. It doesn’t go quite as wide as the full-frame 15-30mm f/2.8 equivalent, but this professional-grade lens is well-suited to landscape photography. It’s an AW (all-weather) lens with HD lens coating, while the lens construction comprises 16 elements in 11 groups with ED (extra low dispersion) elements.

When you consider the benefits of APS-C over full-frame, size and weight has to feature. The three f/2.8 lens put together weigh about half that of their full-frame equivalents. If you can live without the bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, then the Pentax DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] is a slightly more cost-effective and compact wide-angle zoom lens with slightly further reach.

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Best full-frame wide-angle zoom lens

HD Pentax-D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR

Price | £1629 / $1446

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/2.8 to f/22
• Weighs 1040g
• 23-45mm in APS-C crop mode
• No filter thread
• Not in production

You’re not exactly spoilt for choice with Pentax full-frame wide-angle lenses. However, the Pentax 15-30mm F2.8, which was launched around the same time as the Pentax K-1 in 2016, is a fine choice.

It’s a reassuringly bulky lens at just over 1kg and being weather resistant is a solid pairing with a tough camera like the Pentax K1 or its replacement the K-1 II. This pairing is probably the best bet for astrophotographers because APS-C equivalents don’t go quite as wide – though the manual focus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D is an excellent full-frame alternative.

Benefitting from a lens construction of 18 elements in 13 groups, this lens is sharp from centre to edges even at the maximum f/2.8 aperture that is available throughout the entire zoom range. What might initially cause confusion to Pentax shooters especially those that manual focus, is that the 15-30mm lens focuses in the opposite direction to every other Pentax lens.

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What’s the best standard lens for Pentax DSLRs?

Best APS-C portrait lens

smc Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM

Price | £899 / $546

At a glance:

• 84.5mm equivalent focal length
• Weighs 375g
• Quick-Shift focus
• 58mm filter diameter
• In production

Recreating the classic 85mm focal length associated with portraiture, the smc Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is an excellent choice particularly for those with an APS-C camera like the K-3 III, K-5 II or K-70. This medium telephoto lens offers a flattering perspective and bright f/1.4 maximum aperture with what Pentax claims is a round iris diaphragm up to f/2.8. In short, it’s a buttery-smooth-bokeh-beauty.

Elsewhere, there’s everything that we would expect of a Pentax * lens; an Aero Bright coating that reduces flare, weather-sealing to protect from water and dust ingress, while Quick-Shift focus comes in handy when creating such shallow depth of field portraits and you need to manually override autofocus to tweak focus exactly where you want it. This is portraiture at the next level.

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Best APS-C standard zoom lens

HD Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW

Price | £1349 / $1296

At a glance:

• 24.5-76.5mm equivalent focal length
• Weighs 712g
• Weather-resistant
• 77mm filter diameter
• In production

The HD Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is your classic 24-70mm f/2.8 lens but for APS-C format cameras such as the Pentax K-3 III. If you’re cutting teeth as a photographer and limited to one lens only, arguably it’s the most versatile lens around, being popular with events, wedding, portrait and landscape photographers. Pentax also offers a full-frame equivalent for K-1 II shooters, the HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm F2.8 ED SDM WR.

Technically a 24.5-76.5mm lens, this updated classic lens wearing the Pentax DA* badge boasts a 2x faster and quieter ‘PLM’ autofocus motor compared to the classic version, plus Pentax’s ‘AW’ dust and weather-resistant build and an array of aspherical (AL) and Extra low Dispersion (ED) lens elements for top drawer image quality. It’s a little pricy but can be found for way less than that RRP.

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Best full-frame lens for portraits

HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited

Price | £799 / $696

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/1.8 to f/22
• Weighs 270g
• Weather-resistant
• 49mm filter diameter
• Not in production

We could have gone for a number of excellent full-frame K-mount lenses for portraiture, including the HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW (£1,160 RRP) or the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 ED SDM AW (£1,799 RRP), but landed on the charming HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 limited. And no, that’s not a typo – this is the focal length and not the filter diameter.

The 77mm f/1.8 is part of a trio of ‘limited’ lenses updating FA legacy Pentax lenses more than 20-years old, that also includes the 31mm f/1.8 and 43mm f/1.9.

In this updated version, handling is largely the same which is a good thing. This is a compact all-metal lens (though sadly it’s not officially weather-sealed) with aperture ring and focus distance scale and a clever retractable lens hood. Autofocus is possible via the camera body, though Quick Shift focus is missing so you can’t manually override focus when in auto. Shame. Overall, the experience with this lens is better when manually focusing. What’s also new is the HD and SP coatings that reduce flare in bright light and protect that front lens element, plus the aperture blades are rounded so you get some gorgeous bokeh.

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Best budget lens

smc Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL

Price | £179 / $116

At a glance:

• Weighs 124g
• 0.3 minimum focus distance
• 53.5mm equivalent focal length
• 49mm filter diameter
• Not in production

If you’d like an everyday lens that captures your point of view (as you focus your attention), then you can’t go far wrong with the smc Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL. Providing an equivalent focal length of 53.5mm, this tiny lens measures a mere 45mm in length and weighs a nimble 124g, yet boasts a maximum aperture of f/2.4.

Lenses like this can enjoy a simple design yet garner decent image quality – in this case it’s a simple lens construction of 6 elements with an aspherical element to minimise aberrations. You don’t get the same build quality as Pentax * lenses, but why would you in a lens that costs less than £200? Take it out on a walk, make family snapshots and pleasing portraits, it’s a lovely lens. For the same outlay, an alternative is the smc Pentax DA 50mm F1.8 which gives an equivalent 76.5mm focal length.

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Best compact lens

HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 limited

Price | £449 / $396

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/2.8 to f/22
• Weighs 89g and measures 15mm
• 61mm equivalent focal length
• 30.5mm or 49mm filter diameter
• Not in production

If you thought the 35mm f2.4 lens was light at 124g, try the HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 limited for size. It’s a ‘pancake’ lens at a feather-light 89g and only 15mm long. There’s a lighter-still ‘XS’ version at 52g and 9mm long which is described as the ‘biscuit’ lens, practically the size of a lens cap and cheaper than the Limited version featured here. Who needs a body cap when you have a pancake lens?!

Both pancake lenses offer a 61mm equivalent focal length and comprise 5 elements in 4 groups. For the extra outlay, the ‘Limited’ version has a metal build, lens hood and accepts threaded lens filters at either 49mm or a curious 30.5mm. Another fine example of an everyday lens, offering that extra quality over a smartphone camera thanks to sharp detail in the centre and more control over depth of field with that f/2.8 maximum aperture.

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What’s the best telephoto lens for Pentax DSLRs?

Best APS-C telephoto zoom lens

smc Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM

Price | £1199 / $1046

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/2.8 to f/22
• Weighs 685g
• 76.5-207mm equivalent focal length
• 67mm filter diameter
• In production

Of the f/2.8 trinity of zoom lenses, the smc Pentax-DA* 50-135mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM is the telephoto option for APS-C format cameras like the Pentax K-3 III. It’s such a versatile focal length and an ideal pairing for those earning money from photography, especially for events and sports, but also portraiture and even landscapes.

A surprisingly compact and lightweight lens with internal focusing that means the physical length of the lens is unchanged, the 50-135mm F2.8 boasts an excellent build quality and is armed with Pentax’s finest lens construction, packing 18 elements in 14 groups that included extra-low dispersion (ED) elements. It’s actually very good value, too. For those shooting full-frame with the K-1 II, the HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW is the equivalent and appropriate choice. It may be on the more expensive side, but you’ll still get your money’s worth.

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Best macro lens

Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR

Price | £599 / $546

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/2.8 to f/32
• Weighs 340g
• 0.3m close focusing
• 49mm filter diameter
• Not in production

If you’re going to get one Pentax macro lens, it has to be the Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR. The classic 100mm focal length (which is 153mm on an APS-C camera) provides a decent working distance from tiny subjects while obtaining the maximum 1x reproduction ratio (1:1 life size). Machined aluminium casing, weather-resistant construction, it’s a tough lens for confidently exploring the macro world and whatever conditions it throws at you.

It’s an auto-focus lens with a focus mechanism that also provides a smooth manual focus experience with Quick-Shift focus on board – that’s good news for macro photographers who usually obtain sharp focus initially using autofocus and then tweak manually afterwards. Elsewhere, there are decent third-party alternatives for macro photographers from the likes of Laowa, including the Laowa 25mm f2.8 2.5-5x Ultra-Macro.

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Best lens for wildlife

smc Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM

Price | £1169 / $1096

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/4 to f/32
• Weighs 1,070g
• 460mm equivalent focal length
• 77mm filter diameter
• In production

For telephoto wildlife photography, a smaller sensor brings several advantages, and this APS-C lens provides an equivalent 460mm focal length with f/4 maximum aperture yet only weighs around 1kg. A full-frame equivalent would be much heavier but also much more expensive. In addition, there’s a little extra depth of field that’ll improve your chances of sharp focus where you want it on far-away subjects.

Sensor format aside, the 300mm F4 lens is solid, with sealed components gaining that ‘AW’ status, plus an inner SDM focus mechanism for quiet and smooth autofocus. A close focus distance of 1.4m enables a 0.24x reproduction ratio so you can get reasonably close, too. If you don’t need as much of a telephoto reach, then the smc Pentax-DA* 200mm F2.8 ED [IF] SDM is an equally impressive lens at a similar price point.

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Best zoom lens for sports

HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW

Price | £1979 / $1896

At a glance:

• Weighs 2,325mm with hood and collar
• 86mm filter diameter
• Close focusing 2m
• Not in production

The HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm for full-frame Pentax cameras filled a large void in the K-mount lens range when it was launched. It’s a particularly popular lens with sports photographers especially those on the sidelines who need that long reach when the action is far-away but the ability to zoom out when subjects move closer. If you opt to use an APS-C camera like the K3-III instead of a full-frame K-1 II, then the focal range is extended to a mammoth 230-690mm.

This is a lens designed to withstand what the elements throw at it, being sealed in 21 places and boasting a solid construction. At more than 2kg it’s a hefty combination when paired with Pentax flagship cameras.

K-mount lens exteriors tend to be simple, but here there are four AF buttons, a three-way switch for quick access to Quick-Shift focus modes, a focus range limiter, zoom lock, plus a rotating lens collar. Throw in HD and SP lens coatings and the premium Pentax optics and the package is complete. The most obvious alternative for APS-C cameras is the smc Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM.

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Best third-party portrait lens

Laowa 105mm f/2 (T3.2) STF

Price | £749 / $699

At a glance:

• Aperture range f/2.2 (T3.2) to f/32
• Weighs 745g
• Manual focus
• Two diaphragms
• 67mm filter diameter

In our review of the Laowa 105mm f/2 STF lens we waxed lyrical about the quality of blur and bokeh in this unique lens primarily designed for portraiture. Like most Laowa lenses, it’s a solid metal manual-focus only lens that stands out from the crowd, in this case featuring an apodization element for what’s called Smooth Trans Focus (STF). There’s also dual diaphragms; a de-clicked 14-blade T-stop aperture and clicked 8-blade f/stop aperture.

In short, STF creates a particularly sharp in focus area and a buttery smooth out-of-focus transition and bokeh. However, portrait photographers using a Pentax DSLR need to know just how hard it is to acquire sharp focus with this manual focus lens and no manual focus assist like you get with a mirrorless camera. It’ll sharpen your own technique as you persist and the focus ring itself handles very well, but the hit ratio of sharp shots will not match an autofocus lens.

Lens flare can be a bit of an issue too, and as an aside there’s no electronic contacts for metadata nor Laowa lens profiles for raw editing. When all the elements come together the results can be spectacular.

Read our full review of the Laowa 105mm f/2 (T3.2) STF.

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What’s the best Pentax super-zoom lens?

Best third-party super-zoom lens

Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

Price | £370 / $320

At a glance:

• Weighs 585g
• 28-450mm equivalent focal length
• 1:3 macro capability
• 72mm filter diameter
• Not in production

If you want an all-in-one travel lens, then the Sigma 18-300mm is a solid third-party option and a sensible kit lens upgrade. The ‘DC’ badge indicates this is a lens designed for APS-C cameras and its 16.6x optical zoom covers the 28-450mm focal range (approx) when attached to a camera like the Pentax K-70. At 585g only and a fraction over 10cm in length, it’s also a well-balanced pairing with the K-70.

Not only is a wide focal range covered, but macro photographers are well catered for with a close focusing distance of 0.39m and maximum 1:3 life-size reproduction. Attach Sigma’s optional AML72-01 macro filter designed primarily for this lens and you get 1:2 life size shots.

The Pentax version of this lens does not require Optical Image Stabilisation because ‘Shake Reduction’ is provided in-camera. Sigma’s HSM autofocus motor is on board for quick-and-quiet focusing, while the lens construction of 17 elements in 13 groups includes low-dispersion glass.

When stowed away the zoom lock prevents the barrel from extending and avoid potential barrel damage. All in all, an excellent travel lens. Those that aren’t fussed about the wide-angle end here could look at the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE as an alternative.

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Best full-frame travel lens

HD Pentax D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR

Price | £699 / $496

At a glance:

• Weighs 440g
• 0.22x magnification
• 62mm filter diameter
• Not in production

Launched alongside the Pentax K-1 that marked the birth of Pentax’s full-frame DSLR range, the HD Pentax D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR is a low-cost zoom lens for K-1 or K-1 II shooters. Used on an APS-C camera and that focal range becomes 43-161mm.

It may not offer quite the same reach as the Sigma super-zoom lens, but 28-105mm is plenty enough for the majority of scenarios on your travels. It is also a well-built weather-resistant lens that weighs a mere 440g – that’s impressive stuff for a full-frame lens.

As for the design – it’s simplicity personified. There are no switches or buttons, just a large ridge zoom ring and focus ring to get to grips with. Performance-wise, autofocus is snappy and virtually silent, Quick-Shift focus features, and there’s Sigma’s HD and SP lens coating to reduce flare and protect the front lens element. This is a lens that punches above its weight.

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Further Reading

Best Pentax DSLRS of all time 2022
Best lenses for astrophotography in 2022
Best lenses for low light, from just £129
How to check a second-hand lens for faults

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