Pentax HD DA 16 50mm F 2 8 ED PLM AW Review | 54 Data compared

The Pentax HD DA 16-50mm f/2.8 ED PLM AW* is a completely redesigned, professional-grade zoom lens designed to fully leverage the advanced autofocus capabilities of the APS-C format Pentax K-3 Mark III DSLR. It features an exceptionally durable, metal body construction with robust weather-sealing and smooth, rigid control rings that prevent barrel drift. Equipped with a Pulse-Linear-Motor (PLM), the lens delivers lightning-fast, accurate, and reliable autofocus tracking, snapping onto targets almost instantly in good light and maintaining consistent speed across its entire f/2.8 to f/22 aperture range. Optically, it provides excellent image quality, pleasant round bokeh patterns, and realistic color rendition, while successfully eliminating ghosting and minimizing chromatic aberration and distortion throughout most of its focal length. However, the lens has several notable drawbacks, including a heavy (1.65 pounds) and bulky physical footprint that is roughly 25% larger than its predecessor. It utilizes an external zooming mechanism that extends the barrel by two inches, raising minor concerns regarding dust and moisture entry. Optically, noticeable vignetting and distortion are still present when shooting wide-open into the sun at the widest 16mm...

The Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED PLM AW is a pro-grade APS-C workhorse zoom lens designed to pair perfectly with the Pentax K-3 III DSLR camera. It delivers off-the-charts sharpness, with a bitingly sharp center wide-open at f/2.8 and excellent edge-to-edge clarity when stopped down to f/4. Powered by new pulse motor (PLM) technology, it stands out as Pentax's fastest autofocusing lens, tracking subjects silently, quickly, and accurately. Furthermore, it features an incredibly robust, tank-like metal construction with extensive weather sealing, allowing photographers to shoot reliably in harsh environments like rain or snow. However, the lens comes with several notable drawbacks, starting with its steep $1,400 price tag and its hefty, bulky build that weighs roughly the same as a full-frame lens. Optically, it suffers from a significant amount of barrel distortion and vignetting on the wide end, particularly from 16mm to 35mm, though these flaws can be corrected during post-processing. High-contrast images are prone to green and purple chromatic aberration fringing that can be difficult to remove. Additionally, its autofocus performance can exhibit a bit of hesitancy and slowdown...

The Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 PLM AW is described by Neocamera as a fully redesigned, professional-grade lens delivering nearly perfect image quality to maximize the 26MP sensor of the K-3 Mark III. It features an exceptionally durable, weather-sealed build, along with a user-friendly design including a locking zoom ring and a unique windowed lens hood for adjusting filters. However, the lens is larger and heavier than its predecessor, a direct result of its advanced optical design, which limits portability. Additionally, the switch to a fly-by-wire focus system means manual focusing is impossible when the camera is off, and its KAF4 electromagnetic diaphragm restricts full functionality to newer camera bodies.

Mike Muizebelt's review of the HD Pentax-DA★ 16-50mm f/2.8 ED PLM AW highlights the lens’s significantly updated optical design and lightweight focusing group, which enables ultra-fast, silent autofocus via a pulse motor (PLM). Paired with the K-3 Mark III, it offers robust AW weather sealing and improved image rendering with a smooth bokeh. Conversely, the lens exhibits a softer, more mellow image at the maximum f/2.8 aperture, requiring it to be stopped down for maximum sharpness. Additionally, the electronic KAF4 mount limits compatibility, making it unusable on older, non-compliant Pentax camera bodies.

The HD Pentax-DA* 16-50mm F2.8 ED PLM AW is a high-performance, weather-sealed APS-C lens offering exceptional center sharpness, fast PLM autofocus, and pleasant bokeh, representing a significant upgrade over its predecessor. Pros include robust construction and superior optical quality throughout most of the zoom range. Conversely, the lens is larger and heavier than competing options, with notable cons including soft corners and barrel distortion at 16mm, susceptibility to flare, and a high price point.