The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G and the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR for their suitability to various photography scenarios:
Size and Weight Comparison
The size of a lens is a crucial factor to consider when comparing two lenses. Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G is the longer of the two lenses at 142mm. The Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR with a length of 112mm, is 30mm shorter. Besides being longer, the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G also has a larger diameter of 77mm compared to the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR's 71mm diameter.
The weight of a lens is equally significant as its external dimensions, particularly if you intend to handhold your camera and lens combination for extended periods. Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR weighs 466g, 25% (159g) lighter than the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G's weight of 625g.
Filter Threads
The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G has a filter size of 67mm whereas the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR has a 58mm diameter. Larger filters are generally more expensive than the smaller ones given all the other features are equal.
Below are links to the 67mm filters that we recommend you to consider for the Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G:
And these are the 58mm filters that we recommend for the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR:
Lens Mounts
The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G has the Sony E lens mount whereas the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR has the Pentax KAF2 lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Sony ZV-E10 II, Sony A6700 and Sony FX30 for the Sony E Mount and , and for the Pentax KAF2 Mount.
Focal Range
Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G has a focal range of 70-350mm and
5.0X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of
105-525mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
On the other hand, the Pentax DA 55-300mm F4.0-5.8 ED WR has a focal range of 55-300mm and 5.5X zoom ratio which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 82.5-450mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.
