Pentax HD DA 55 300mm F4 5 8 ED WR Review | 54 Data compared

This review evaluates the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE lens, testing it primarily in APS-C mode on a Pentax K-1 camera. Highly praised as a lightweight and compact budget-friendly option for travel and hiking, the lens weighs just 442g and features a collapsible design that shrinks to 89mm when not in use. The review highlights several notable technical improvements, including a highly responsive and silent PLM pulse motor for internal focusing, weather-resistant (WR) construction, a shortened minimum focusing distance of 95cm, and an innovative electromagnetic diaphragm control. Optically, the lens delivers a commendable overall performance score of 82/100, characterized by excellent control over chromatic aberrations, minimal flare susceptibility when using the included lens hood, solid edge-to-edge sharpness, and a visually pleasing bokeh despite not being a macro lens. Despite these strengths, the reviewer outlines clear drawbacks regarding the optical speed and video usability. The maximum aperture has dropped compared to its predecessors, opening at f/4.5 at the short end and a slow f/6.3 at 300mm, which negatively impacts bokeh depth. While the lens exhibits visible pincushion distortion,...

Review Overview and Lens Comparison This comparative review evaluates the standalone (non-kit) versions of the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED (the older version featuring a green ring) and its successor, the HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR (featuring a red ring). Tested on a Pentax K-3 body in real-world conditions rather than a laboratory, both lenses utilize an identical optical formula consisting of 12 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements to reduce chromatic aberrations. They are designed for APS-C bodies, weigh just under 500 grams, and feature a firm zoom mechanism alongside a 6-blade diaphragm. While the older model has a distinct spindle-shaped barrel and a striated grip, the HD version offers a modernized, dimpled rubber coating, enhanced HD lens coatings, and weather-resistant (WR) construction. Performance, Pros, and Cons The reviewer notes that both zooms deliver excellent, highly similar performance, making them excellent travel companions due to their versatile focal range, lightweight handling, and high image quality relative to their price point. The pros highlight that the HD version secures a clear advantage by providing visibly...

The HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE is a highly versatile and lightweight telephoto zoom lens that balances practical field use with reliable performance, especially when paired with APS-C bodies like the Pentax K-3 III. Weighing just 442 grams (approx. 1 pound) and measuring a compact 89mm in length due to its retractable structure, it serves as an excellent companion for hiking and outdoor photography. Key strengths include its weather-resistant (WR) construction for harsh environments, a minimal focusing distance of 0.95 metres for close-up capabilities, and a highly responsive pulse motor (PLM) autofocus system that is up to 8.3 times faster at the wide end than its predecessor. Additionally, it features an SP (Super Protect) fluorine coating to protect the front lens element and supports the KAF4 mount with electromagnetic diaphragm control. Despite its high utility, the lens exhibits several drawbacks inherent to its consumer price point. Optically, it suffers from a mediocre and uneven sharpness across the frame when shooting at maximum wide-open apertures, though the image quality improves significantly when stopping down the diaphragm. While the autofocus...

The Pentax DA HD 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED WR lens is recognized for its compact, aesthetic design, ease of use, and solid optical performance, with users praising the inclusion of a lens hood and pouch. Conversely, the lens uses a noisier, older screw-drive autofocus system that can struggle in low light, and image sharpness decreases at the edges when extended to 300mm. For further details, visit the Fnac product review page.

This review evaluates the first-generation Pentax smc DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED lens, specifically examining its performance as a budget-friendly telephoto workaround on the full-frame Pentax K-1 camera. The reviewer notes that Pentax lacks affordable, full-frame native autofocus telephoto zooms up to 300mm for sports and wildlife, making this lightweight APS-C lens a compelling alternative. A major pro highlighted in the text is that its vignette on a full-frame sensor is surprisingly manageable in post-production, particularly when stopped down to f/13 where the darkening becomes very discreet. It is also praised for offering a very honorable, consumer-priced performance that outperforms comparable third-party options from Sigma and Tamron, which suffer from severe chromatic aberrations or mechanical failures. However, the lens comes with distinct cons, primarily centered around its slow variable maximum aperture (f/4.0-5.8) which makes it less than ideal for freezing fast action in poor lighting conditions. While its vignette is manageable, it remains a persistent defect that requires selective manual cropping—costing roughly 10% to 15% of the total image area—especially around the 200mm focal range at wide-open apertures. Additionally, an interactive...

The Sigma 70-300 mm f/4-5.6 APO DG MACRO is a budget-friendly telephoto zoom lens tested on a full-frame Pentax K-1 camera, though it is also fully compatible with APS-C bodies where it provides an effective 105-450mm focal range. The reviewer praises the lens for its exceptional value at an estimated price of €169, note-worthy general build and handling quality, lightweight 550g design, and near-total lack of optical distortion across all focal ranges. Optically, it delivers strong sharpness and overall image quality up to 200mm, heavily aided by the inclusion of apochromatic elements within its 14-lens formula. Additionally, its dedicated macro mode offers a practical 1:2 magnification ratio between 200mm and 300mm, making it an excellent entry-level option for close-up proxi-photography. However, the lens comes with several distinct limitations, scoring an overall 71/100. It features a variable maximum aperture that drops to a slow f/5.6 at 300mm, which limits its usability for wildlife photography in low light and can cause unpredictable autofocus behaviour. The screw-drive autofocus design makes the lens considerably noisy, and it lacks optical stabilization, weather sealing, and internal...