Pentax DA HD 55 300mm F4 5 6 3 ED PLM WR RE Review | 54 Data compared

The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE is a versatile, weather-resistant, and compact telephoto zoom for APS-C DSLRs, highlighted for its very fast, near-silent Pulse Motor (PLM) autofocus and smooth electromagnetic diaphragm. It delivers high-contrast, sharp images with attractive bokeh, proving to be a high-performance, compact choice for photographers, as reviewed in this ePhotozine article. Key limitations include the slightly slow f/4.5-6.3 aperture, a lack of firm damping on the electronic manual focus ring, and limited compatibility with older Pentax bodies due to the KAF4 mount. However, the lens provides exceptional value, with its retractable design and quick focus making it a practical option. YouTube

The HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE is a highly compact, lightweight telephoto zoom lens engineered specifically for Pentax APS-C format DSLRs, yielding an effective 82.5-450mm super-telephoto zoom range in full-frame terms. Its standout features include a retractable barrel design that shrinks the lens to a highly packable 89mm length, a modest weight of just 442g, and a full set of weather-seals. The lens delivers very good overall image quality with impressive contrast, controlled barrel distortion at the short end, and a fast, whisper-quiet stepping-motor autofocus system. This combination of portability and performance makes it a highly valuable, travel-friendly option for action, sports, and wildlife photography without requiring a tripod. However, the lens does compromise on a few technical specifications to achieve its lightweight form factor. Its primary drawbacks are a modest f/4.5-6.3 maximum aperture at the long end and the complete lack of built-in optical image stabilization. While Pentax camera bodies feature built-in sensor-shift stabilization, the reviewer notes that adding optical stabilization would have provided a beneficial performance boost at such long focal lengths. Lab results also...

The HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm PLM WR lens is highly praised for its groundbreaking, near-silent Pulse Motor (PLM) autofocus, which offers exceptional speed and zero hunting, even at 300mm. It successfully eliminates the noise of older screw-drive lenses, providing a fast, consistent experience for stationary subjects. Conversely, the review notes drawbacks regarding the electronic, focus-by-wire manual focus system, which feels loose, imprecise, and poorly positioned near the lens mount. While Quick-Shift is available, this implementation is considered impractical for tracking fast action.

The Pentax Forums review highlights the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE as offering exceptional image quality and value, featuring crisper contrast and improved sharpness across the frame compared to its predecessor. Key advantages include the fast, silent, and accurate PLM autofocus system, a compact retractable design, and weather-resistant (WR) construction. Conversely, the review notes limitations such as a narrow, slow aperture that demands ample light, with sharpness decreasing slightly at the 300mm end. Additionally, the lack of a mechanical aperture link means the lens is not compatible with older Pentax bodies, requiring K-S1 or newer cameras for electronic aperture control.

The DPReview real-world gallery of the Pentax 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE highlights the lens's excellent sharpness and the rapid, quiet autofocus performance of the new Pulse Motor (PLM) on APS-C cameras. It is praised for being lightweight, compact, and weather-sealed, making it highly suitable for outdoor and travel photography. Conversely, the lens features a dimmer f/6.3 variable aperture at the telephoto end, limiting low-light capabilities, and requires specific, newer camera bodies due to its electromagnetic diaphragm. Additionally, the retractable design requires manual extension to operate, which may be inconvenient for some users. View the full gallery and analysis at DPReview.