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

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

Main Features

  • 16-50mm Focal Range
  • F2.8 Max Aperture
  • Weather Sealed
  • Filter Thread: 77mm
  • Max Format: APS-C / DX
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • Weight: 712g.
  • Diameter: 84mm
  • Length: 117mm
  • Min Focus Distance:0.3m
  • Max Magnification:0.24x
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Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW Overview

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is an Auto Focus (AF) Standard Zoom lens with APS-C / DX max sensor coverage and it is designed to be used with Pentax KAF4 mount cameras.

Lenses in Pentax KAF4 Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Pentax smc DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL IF SDM Lens Pentax smc DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL IF SDM
Compare
APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Lens Mount

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is compatible with cameras that have Pentax KAF4 lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Pentax KAF4 lenses are Pentax K-3 III, Pentax KP and Pentax K-70.

Focal Range

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW has a focal range of 16-50mm and 3.1X zoom ratio which has a 35mm equivalent focal range of 24-75mm when used on a APS-C / DX format camera.


Weather Sealings

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is a weather sealed lens which provides an extra protection to prevent water and dust get inside the lens and camera body under light rain, snow and wind. In order to have an effective protection, you have to pair the Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW with a weather sealed camera body such as Pentax K-3 III, Pentax KP and Pentax K-70.

Optical Image Stabilization

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Alternatively, you can check the Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM in Pentax KAF4 mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.

Lenses Similar to Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW With Optical Image Stabilization
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 395gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Zoom Method

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW features Rotary (extending) zoom method where the length of the lens changes as you zoom in or out. This makes it possible to design the lens with a smaller minimum length ( generally when it is zoomed out) compared to internal zoom lenses. The disadvantages of this design are being harder to seal against dust and moisture, weight balance shifting while zooming and zoom creep in certain lenses.

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.24x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m.

Aperture

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is a fixed aperture lens with a constant max aperture of f2.8 from 16mm all the way to the 50mm .

Optical Formula

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW's optical formula consists of 16 elements in 10 groups . Following special elements are used in this design:

  • ED
  • anomalous glass
  • aspherical elements
  • HD coating

Lens Hood

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW doesn't come with a lens hood but there is an optional lens hood with a part code of PH-RBN77 that you can order separately.

Body Colour

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is available in Black color.

Popular Comparisons of Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW

Here is the eight most popular comparisons of Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL IF SDM Lens Pentax smc DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL IF SDM
Compare
APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax DA 18-50mm F4.5-5.6 DC WR RE Lens Pentax DA 18-50mm F4.5-5.6 DC WR RE
Compare
APS-C / DX 158gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Lens Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
Compare
APS-C / DX 430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samsung D-Xenon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Lens Samsung D-Xenon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
Compare
APS-C / DX 225gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR Lens HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR
Compare
APS-C / DX 283gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL Lens Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL
Compare
APS-C / DX 225gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL II IF Lens Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL II IF
Compare
APS-C / DX 220gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

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Pros and Cons of Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW


PROs
Weather Sealed
Built-in Autofocus
Full-time Manual Focusing
Fast and Bright at Wide end
Fast and Bright at Tele end
Constant f2.8 Aperture throughout the range

CONs
Lens Extents while focusing
Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW Alternatives in Pentax KAF4 Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
Pentax DA 18-50mm F4.5-5.6 DC WR RE Lens Pentax DA 18-50mm F4.5-5.6 DC WR RE
Compare
APS-C / DX 158gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL Lens Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL
Compare
APS-C / DX 225gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR Lens Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR
Compare
APS-C / DX 230gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL II IF Lens Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL II IF
Compare
APS-C / DX 220gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR Lens HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR
Compare
APS-C / DX 283gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL IF SDM Lens Pentax smc DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED AL IF SDM
Compare
APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samsung D-Xenon 16-45mm F4 Lens Samsung D-Xenon 16-45mm F4
Compare
APS-C / DX 365gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samsung D-Xenon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 Lens Samsung D-Xenon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
Compare
APS-C / DX 225gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 565gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Lens Sigma 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 395gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Lens Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical IF
Compare
APS-C / DX 430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Pentax 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Pentax
Lens Type Zoom
Lens Type Standard Zoom
Lens Mount Pentax KAF4
Max Format APS-C / DX
Focal Range 16-50mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black
Zoom Method Rotary (extending)
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No
Zoom Ratio 3.1X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F2.8
Min Aperture F22
Aperture Ring No
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 16
Optical Groups 10
Special Elements ED , anomalous glass , aspherical elements, HD coating

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.3m
Max Magnification 0.24X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Stepper motor
Full Time Manual Yes
Focus Method Internal
Focus Distance Limiter No
Distance Scale No
DoF Scale No
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 712g
Diameter 84mm
Length 117mm
Materials Magnesium alloy
Weather Sealing Yes
Filter Thread 77mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Code PH-RBN77
Tripod Collar No
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW
is the Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW a Weather Sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW
is the Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW
Does Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW have Image Stabilization?
Does Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Pentax DA 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW
FOLLOW US


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