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Pentax smc DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited vs Pentax smc DA 14mm F2.8 ED IF

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Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L

Wideangle Prime | Pentax KAF

Pentax smc DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited
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Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED

Wideangle Prime | Pentax KAF

Pentax smc DA 14mm F2.8 ED IF
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BUY from B&H PHOTO

Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L vs Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L for the KAF Mount and Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED for the KAF Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses by Pentax.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L Key Specs

  • 21mm Focal Range
  • F3.2 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • Weight: 140g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 25mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m
  • Max Magnification:0.17x

Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED Key Specs

  • 14mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • Weight: 420g.
  • Diameter: 84mm
  • Length: 69mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.17m
  • Max Magnification:0.19x

What type of photography are the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L and Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L and the Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitAverageFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingAverageFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingGoodVery Good
LandscapeVery GoodGood
MacroPoorPoor

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED is the longer of the two lenses at 69mm. The Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L with a length of 25mm is 44mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED also has a larger diameter of 84mm compared to Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L's 63mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L weighs 140g, which means it is 280g (66%) lighter than the Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED which has a weight of 420g.


Below you can find the dimension and weight table of the 'Wideangle Prime Lenses in Pentax KAF Mount for size comparison purposes.

Wideangle Prime Lenses in Pentax KAF Mount for Size Comparison
Model Length Diameter Weight Street Price
Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited Lens Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L
69mm
65mm 345g Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Ltd
69mm
65mm 341g Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Lens Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L
25mm
63mm 134g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 20mm F1.8 ED AS UMC Lens Samyang 20mm F1.8
88mm
83mm 497g Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited Lens Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L
40mm
63mm 189g Amazon B&H Photo
Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II Lens Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II
29mm
63mm 205g Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 35mm F1.4
112mm
63mm 660g Amazon B&H Photo
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228 Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28
93mm
64mm 520g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L and Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED has the same Pentax KAF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Pentax KAF lenses are Pentax KF, Pentax K-3 III and Pentax KP.

Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L is also available in Pentax KAF mount.

Focal Range

Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 21mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 31.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera. Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 14mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 21mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Pentax smc DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited over Pentax smc DA 14mm F2.8 ED IF

Focal Length - Tele 21mm vs 14mm 7mm more Tele coverage
Diaphgragm Blades 7 vs 6 Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Weight 140g vs 420g 280g lighter
Diameter 63mm vs 84mm 21mm smaller in diameter
Length 25mm vs 69mm 44mm shorter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 77mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find

Reasons to choose Pentax smc DA 14mm F2.8 ED IF over Pentax smc DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited

Focal Length - Wide 14mm vs 21mm 7mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 2.8 vs 3.2 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 2.8 vs 3.2 Wider aperture at tele end
Minimum Focus Distance 0.17m vs 0.2m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.19x vs 0.17x higher magnification better for close-up shots
Common Weaknesses of Pentax smc DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited and Pentax smc DA 14mm F2.8 ED IF
Image Stabilization No vs No Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing No vs No not safe under rain and dust


**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L vs Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Pentax Pentax
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Pentax KAF Pentax KAF
Max Format APS-C / DX APS-C / DX
Focal Range 21mm 14mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour Black Black
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.2 F2.8
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring No No
Diaphragm Blades 7 6
Optics
Optical Elements 8 12
Optical Groups 5 11
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.2m 0.17m
Max Magnification 0.17X 0.19X
Autofocus Yes Yes
AF Motor Type Screw drive from camera Screw drive from camera
Full Time Manual Yes Yes
Focus Method - Internal
Distance Scale - Yes
DoF Scale - Yes
Distance Scale - Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 140g 420g
Diameter 63mm 84mm
Length 25mm 69mm
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 49mm 77mm
Hood Supplied Yes Yes
Tripod Collar No No
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