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Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II vs Pentax HD DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited

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Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II

Wideangle Prime | Pentax KAF

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO
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Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L

Wideangle Prime | Pentax KAF

HD Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
CHECK PRICE
BUY from B&H PHOTO

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II vs Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L Comparison Overview

In this review, we will be comparing Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II for the KAF Mount and Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L for the KAF Mount, two Wideangle Prime lenses from Voigtlander and 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.

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II Key Specs

  • 20mm Focal Range
  • F3.5 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 52mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • Weight: 205g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 29mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.2m

Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L Key Specs

  • 15mm Focal Range
  • F4.0 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 49mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • Weight: 189g.
  • Diameter: 63mm
  • Length: 40mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.18m
  • Max Magnification:0.15x

What type of photography are the Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II and Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II and the Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L
Bird/WildlifePoorPoor
SportsPoorPoor
PortraitFairFair
TravelAverageAverage
StreetExcellentExcellent
WeddingFairFair
Walk AroundAverageAverage
VloggingVery GoodVery Good
LandscapeGoodGood

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L is the longer of the two lenses at 40mm. The Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II with a length of 29mm is 11mm shorter. On the other hand, there is no difference between the max diameters of these lenses, both coming at 63mm.

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 15mm F4 ED AL L weighs 189g, 7% (16g) lighter than the Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II's weight of 205g.


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
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
Pentax smc DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited Lens Pentax 21mm F3.2 AL L
25mm
63mm 140g Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 14mm F2.8 ED IF Lens Pentax 14mm F2.8 ED
69mm
84mm 420g Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mounts

Both Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II and Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L 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 K-1 II.

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II is also available in Canon EF and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 20mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 30mm.
Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 15mm which has an effective (full-frame 35mm equivalent) focal range of 22.5mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.

Reasons to choose Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II over HD Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited

Focal Length - Tele 20mm vs 15mm 5mm more Tele coverage
Max Aperture - Wide 3.5 vs 4 Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele 3.5 vs 4 Wider aperture at tele end
Aperture Ring Yes vs No able to adjust the aperture on the lens
Max Sensor Coverage 35mm FF vs APS-C / DX covers larger sensors
Length 29mm vs 40mm 11mm shorter

Reasons to choose HD Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited over Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II

Focal Length - Wide 15mm vs 20mm 5mm Wider coverage
Autofocus Yes vs No Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight 189g vs 205g 16g lighter
Filter Thread 49mm vs 52mm Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance 0.18m vs 0.2m can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification 0.15x vs x higher magnification better for close-up shots

Common Strengths of Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II and HD Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
Distance Scale Yes vs Yes Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale Yes vs Yes Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Common Weaknesses of Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 Color Skopar SL II and HD Pentax DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited
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.

Voigtlander 20mm F3.5 SL II vs Pentax 15mm F4 ED AL L Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General
Brand Voigtlander Pentax
Lens Type Prime Prime
Price CHECK PRICE CHECK PRICE
Lens Type Wideangle Prime Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Pentax KAF Pentax KAF
Max Format 35mm FF APS-C / DX
Focal Range 20mm 15mm
Image Stabilization No No
Colour - Black, Silver
Zoom Method No Zoom No Zoom
Power Zoom No No
Zoom Lock No No
Zoom Ratio 1.0X 1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture F3.5 F4.0
Min Aperture F22.0 F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes No
Diaphragm Blades 9 9
Optics
Optical Elements 9 8
Optical Groups 6 6
Focusing
Min Focus Distance 0.2m 0.18m
Max Magnification - 0.15X
Autofocus No Yes
AF Motor Type None Screw drive from camera
Full Time Manual N/A Yes
Focus Method - Unit
Distance Scale Yes Yes
DoF Scale Yes Yes
Distance Scale Yes Yes
Focus Distance Limiter No No
Physical Specs
Weight 205g 189g
Diameter 63mm 63mm
Length 29mm 40mm
Materials metal barrel, metal mount -
Weather Sealing No No
Filter Thread 52mm 49mm
Hood Supplied No Yes
Hood Code LH 20 -
Tripod Collar No No
Optional Accessories LH 20 Lenshood -
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