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Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£260
Avg. price in US: ~$290
Lens mount: Pentax K
Maximum focal length: 24 mm
Maximum aperture (telephoto end): 4
Optical image stabilization: no
Maximum angle of view: 99 °

Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF review. Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among camera lenses and if it is worth buying.

6.0

Good

5.8

Good

7.0

Very good

7.1
Low-light photography
Score components:
70.0%
9.7
Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
30.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization
4.8
Travel
Score components:
30.0%
8.7
Lens length
25.0%
7.2
Lens diameter
25.0%
1.0
Weather sealing (splashproof)
20.0%
1.0
Optical image stabilization

Best prices in UK

£?

Best rankings

#399 in Best Wide Angle Lenses
#886 in Best Camera Lenses

Verdict

The Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED AL (IF) is a high-performance ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed for APS-C DSLRs, offering a 35mm equivalent focal range of 18-36mm and a constant f/4 maximum aperture. Its optical construction includes 13 elements in 11 groups, featuring two aspherical (AL) and one extra-low dispersion (ED) element to minimize aberrations, alongside an 8-blade diaphragm and a non-rotating 77mm filter thread. Key characteristics include an internal focusing (IF) design, a durable metallic mount, and the Quick-Shift Focus System for instant manual override. Main pros are its exceptional sharpness across the frame, robust build quality, and fast focusing performance. However, notable cons include significant chromatic aberration towards the edges, a susceptibility to flare, and a lack of weather sealing.

Technical Specifications of Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF

Overall score

6.0

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the camera lens.

When it matters: When you want to see which camera lenses attract the most buyer attention and review activity.

Mount & Format

1.0

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Lens type

What it is: The optical category that indicates whether the lens is a prime, zoom, macro, fisheye, or another design.

When it matters: When you are choosing between a prime, zoom, macro, or specialty lens for the kind of subjects you shoot.

Importance: LOW

zoom

Lens mount

What it is: The mechanical and electronic interface that determines which cameras the lens can be attached to.

When it matters: When camera compatibility and access to the right lens ecosystem are central to your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

Pentax K

Sensor format coverage

What it is: The largest sensor size the lens is designed to cover without severe vignetting.

When it matters: When you need the lens to fully cover your camera sensor without heavy corner darkening.

Importance: LOW

APS-C

Filter thread size

What it is: The diameter of the front filter thread used for screw-in filters and compatible accessories.

When it matters: When you plan to use screw-in filters such as polarizers, ND filters, or protective glass.

Importance: LOW

77 mm

Teleconverter compatibility

What it is: Whether the lens can be used with compatible teleconverters to extend focal length.

When it matters: When you want to extend reach for wildlife or sports without changing to a different long lens.

Importance: HIGH

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Optics & Aperture

6.7

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Minimum focal length

What it is: The shortest focal length the lens can provide, which determines its widest framing.

When it matters: When wide framing matters for landscapes, interiors, architecture, or travel shots.

Importance: LOW

12 mm

Maximum focal length

What it is: The longest focal length the lens can reach, which determines its telephoto reach.

When it matters: When you need more reach for wildlife, sports, stage events, or distant details.

Importance: LOW

24 mm

Optical zoom

What it is: The ratio between the longest and shortest focal lengths available in the lens zoom range.

When it matters: When you want one lens to cover a broader range of compositions without swapping glass.

Importance: LOW

2x

Maximum angle of view

What it is: The widest scene the lens can capture at its shortest focal length.

When it matters: When you need to fit more of a room, skyline, or landscape into the frame.

Importance: LOW

99 °

Minimum angle of view

What it is: The narrowest scene the lens captures at its longest focal length.

When it matters: When you want tighter framing on faraway subjects without moving closer.

Importance: LOW

61 °

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Focus & Controls

5.6

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Focus motor

What it is: The autofocus drive system responsible for moving lens elements into focus.

When it matters: When fast, quiet autofocus matters for video, wildlife, street shots, or moving subjects.

Importance: LOW

screw-drive

Minimum focus distance

What it is: The shortest distance at which the lens can focus on a subject.

When it matters: When you like shooting details, food, flowers, or products from a very short distance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Maximum reproduction ratio

What it is: The highest magnification the lens can achieve when focusing at its closest distance.

When it matters: When close-up magnification matters for macro work, textures, or small product details.

Importance: MEDIUM

Full-time manual focus

What it is: The ability to adjust focus manually without leaving autofocus mode.

When it matters: When you want to fine-tune focus instantly without switching out of autofocus.

Importance: HIGH

Internal focusing

What it is: A focusing design in which internal elements move while the outer barrel length stays unchanged.

When it matters: When you use polarizers, gimbals, or close-up setups that benefit from a lens that does not extend while focusing.

Importance: HIGH

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Stabilization

4.2

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Optical image stabilization

What it is: A hardware system that shifts optical elements to counteract camera shake and reduce blur.

When it matters: When you want steadier handheld shots and less blur, especially in low light or at longer focal lengths.

Importance: HIGH

Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)

What it is: The rated stabilizer benefit, measured in stops, under CIPA testing standards.

When it matters: When you are comparing stabilized lenses and want to know how much handheld shutter-speed advantage they offer.

Importance: HIGH

?

Build & Handling

6.1

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Weight

What it is: The total mass of the lens, affecting portability and handling balance on the camera body.

When it matters: When you carry a lens all day for travel, hiking, or event coverage and want to keep your kit manageable.

Importance: HIGH

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Lens length

What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.

When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.

Importance: HIGH

Lens diameter

What it is: The widest outer diameter of the lens barrel.

When it matters: When grip comfort, filter size, or fit inside a tight camera bag matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Weather sealing (splashproof)

What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.

When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.

Importance: HIGH

Metal mount

What it is: A lens mount made of metal rather than plastic for greater durability at the camera connection point.

When it matters: When durability matters because you change lenses often or use heavier gear for work.

Importance: HIGH

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Lab Scores

5.1

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DxOMark overall score

What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.

When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark sharpness score

What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.

When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.

Importance: HIGH

DxOMark transmission

What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.

When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark distortion

What it is: The DxOMark metric that measures how much the lens bends straight lines away from their true shape.

When it matters: When straight lines matter in architecture, interiors, copy work, or product photography.

Importance: MEDIUM

DxOMark vignetting

What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.

When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF vs the average camera lens

Why is Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF better than the average camera lens?

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0.6 EV less vignetting
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has less vignetting than the average camera lens (0.6 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.
What it is: The DxOMark measurement of corner darkening relative to the center of the image.
When it matters: When even corner brightness matters for skies, studio backdrops, or clean product shots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has less vignetting than the average camera lens (0.6 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.0.600 EV vs 1.2 EV
2.04x cheaper
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF is cheaper than the average camera lens (£260 vs £530).
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF is cheaper than the average camera lens (£260 vs £530).£260 vs £530
4.5 mm shorter lens
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF is shorter than the average camera lens (87.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
What it is: The physical length of the lens body from mount to front edge.
When it matters: When bag space, balance, or front clearance matters in a compact travel or video setup.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF is shorter than the average camera lens (87.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.87.5 mm vs 92 mm
4.5 mm shorter lens
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF is shorter than the average camera lens (87.5 mm vs 92 mm). The average lens has a length of 92 mm.
0.6 EV less vignetting
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has less vignetting than the average camera lens (0.6 EV vs 1.2 EV). The average lens has vignetting of 1.2 EV.

Build & Handling

Why is Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF worse than the average camera lens?

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No rounded blades
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
8 blades.
1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
1 fewer aperture blades
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
1 fewer low-dispersion elements
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
0.07 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1x vs 0.192x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192x.
Not weather-sealed
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Older release date
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF was released earlier than the average camera lens.
March 2005
7 mm wider lens barrel
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF is wider than the average camera lens (84 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
11 points lower DxOMark score
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (15 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
8 points lower DxOMark sharpness
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (8 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.
1.4 T-stop higher transmission value
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a higher T-stop value than the average camera lens (4.5 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.
Not weather-sealed
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
What it is: Protective sealing intended to resist splashes, dust, and light environmental exposure.
When it matters: When you often shoot outdoors in light rain, dust, or changing conditions.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
No rounded blades
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
8 blades.
What it is: A blade design that keeps the aperture opening more circular for smoother out-of-focus highlights.
When it matters: When you care about smoother bokeh and rounder highlight shapes in blurred backgrounds.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 88.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
1.2 higher f-number at telephoto end
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
What it is: The widest aperture available at the long end of the zoom range, affecting light intake and background blur.
When it matters: When you shoot at the long end in low light or want stronger background blur for portraits and sports.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.4 vs 2.8
11 points lower DxOMark score
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (15 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.
What it is: The combined DxOMark lens rating based on lab-tested optical performance.
When it matters: When you want a quick lab-based summary of overall optical performance before comparing lenses in detail.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower DxOMark overall score than the average camera lens (15 vs 26). The average lens has a DxOMark overall score of 26.15 vs 26
1 fewer aperture blades
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
What it is: The number of diaphragm blades that shape the aperture opening and influence blur rendering.
When it matters: When the look of out-of-focus highlights matters in portraits, close-ups, or cinematic video.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (8 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.8 vs 9
8 points lower DxOMark sharpness
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (8 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.
What it is: The DxOMark subscore that reflects how much detail the lens can resolve across the frame.
When it matters: When fine detail matters for landscapes, product work, or high-resolution cameras.
Importance: HIGH
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a lower DxOMark sharpness score than the average camera lens (8 vs 16). The average lens has a DxOMark sharpness score of 16.8 vs 16
Older release date
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF was released earlier than the average camera lens.
March 2005
What it is: The date when the lens model was first officially introduced.
When it matters: When you prefer a newer optical design with more modern autofocus, coatings, or stabilization features.
Importance: LOW
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF was released earlier than the average camera lens.2005 vs 2016
1.4 T-stop higher transmission value
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a higher T-stop value than the average camera lens (4.5 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.
What it is: The measured light transmission of the lens, expressed as T-stop rather than nominal f-number.
When it matters: When real light loss matters for exposure consistency in studio, cinema, or mixed-lens shoots.
Importance: MEDIUM
Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF has a higher T-stop value than the average camera lens (4.5 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop). The average lens has a T-stop value of 3.1 T-stop.4.5 T-stop vs 3.1 T-stop

Optics & Aperture

Focus & Controls

Build & Handling

Graphic comparison of Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: July 2026)

What customers like about Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF?

Outstanding sharpness, especially in the center and when stopped down to f/8
Excellent color rendering and high contrast typical of Pentax SMC coatings
Solid build quality featuring a metal mount and robust construction
Quick-Shift Focus System allows for instant manual focus override during AF
Internal focusing ensures the lens length and filter ring remain stationary
Versatile ultra-wide zoom range equivalent to 18-36mm on full-frame
Effective control of distortion for an ultra-wide angle lens

What customers dislike about Pentax SMC DA 12 24mm F4 0 ED AL IF?

Lack of weather sealing (not 'tropicalized' or moisture resistant)
Significant chromatic aberration (purple fringing) towards the edges of the frame
No internal AF motor; relies on camera screw-drive, making it somewhat noisy
Prone to aggressive lens flare when shooting toward strong light sources
Noticeable vignetting and drop in edge sharpness at the 24mm focal length
Relatively large lens hood can be bulky to store or use

Expert reviews

ephotozine.com

24/02/2014

Summary of the review

Pentax SMC P-DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED/AL (IF)Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Lens Review

The ePHOTOzine review of the Pentax SMC P-DA 12-24mm f/4.0 ED/AL (IF) highlights a premium, well-built wide-angle zoom with exceptional sharpness at 12mm and 18mm, peaking around f/8. It offers fast autofocus, an internal focusing mechanism, and a specialized lens hood, balancing well on camera bodies like the Pentax K-5 IIs. Conversely, the review notes significant drawbacks, including a sharp drop in performance at 24mm, high chromatic aberration, and complex, wavy distortion. Additionally, the lens features a non-dampened, rotating focus ring, and faces strong competition at its £730 price point.

whatdigitalcamera.com

21/10/2009

Summary of the review

Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) Review

The What Digital Camera review rates the Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL (IF) highly, awarding it an overall score of 91% (with 95 for image quality and value, 90 for design and performance, and 85 for features). The pros highlight its reassuringly solid feel, smooth and positive zoom ring rotation, and competitively priced nature. Optically, real-world images are very sharp and do not suffer from any obvious colour fringes, with peak resolution hitting comfortably around f/8. It also benefits from a deeply ribbed grip and full-time manual intervention when autofocusing. On the downside, the cons include an AF mechanism that is not especially quiet and causes the manual-focusing ring to rotate while active, requiring users to keep their fingers clear. Despite the Internal Focusing (IF) label, the movement of the focusing ring during AF was a notable disappointment. Additionally, lab test charts revealed significant colour fringing, and the lens suffers from a slight performance anomaly where the 24mm curve drops below the others at the widest apertures. Lastly, the reviewer noted that the mixed red, green, blue, and...

photozone.de

[Date Not Listed]

Summary of the review

Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 AL ED [IF]Go to product viewer dialog for this item. - Review / Test Report

The OpticalLimits review by Klaus Schroiff analyzes the Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 AL ED [IF], an ultra-wide zoom lens designed for APS-C format cameras. Developed through a collaboration with Tokina, this lens features an 18-36mm full-frame equivalent focal range and incorporates Pentax's proprietary SMC lens coating. It is constructed from 15 elements in 12 groups, including one ED and two aspherical elements to optimize image reproduction. The physical build is highly praised, featuring a fine combination of metal and plastic parts assembled with tight tolerances, alongside a non-rotating front element that allows for hassle-free polarizer use. The primary advantages highlighted in the review include its excellent build quality, smooth zooming mechanism, and a highly responsive "Quick-Shift Focus System" that enables seamless manual focusing once autofocus is locked. Furthermore, its autofocus speed on compatible bodies like the K10D is noted as exceptionally fast. On the downside, the lens lacks an internal AF motor and relies on a camera-driven slotted screw mechanism, which results in a moderate amount of AF noise during operation. Additionally, the review notes a specific performance flaw, revealing...

pentaxforums.com

09/06/2025

Summary of the review

SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] Reviews

The SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] is highly regarded for delivering near-prime, high-sharpness performance with excellent color rendition and low distortion across the frame. Its robust design features internal focusing, a 77mm filter-friendly non-rotating front element, and the Quick-Shift Focus system for rapid manual override. Users frequently cite noticeable lateral chromatic aberration (purple fringing) in high-contrast scenes and a noisy, screw-driven autofocus system that struggles in low light as primary drawbacks. Additionally, the lens lacks weather sealing and features a bulky, cumbersome lens hood, though it remains a top choice for APS-C landscape photography.

whatsthebest.co.uk

12/01/2024

Summary of the review

Reviewed: Pentax DA 12-24mm F/4 ED (IF) - Whats The Best

The What's The Best Review concludes that the Pentax DA 12-24mm F/4 ED (IF) is a lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C format DSLRs, delivering a full-frame equivalent focal length of 18-34mm. A major pro is its constant maximum aperture of f/4 and impressive optical layout, which includes two aspherical elements and one Extra-low Dispersion (ED) element to minimize distortion. The lens offers high usability with an internal focusing system that keeps the 77mm front filter thread from rotating, allowing seamless use of polarizers. Additionally, it features a Quick Shift focusing system that grants immediate manual override right after autofocusing. However, the review highlights several distinct cons, noting that the lens is quite expensive compared to market rivals. Mechanically, it lacks an internal autofocus motor, meaning it relies on a screw-drive system that creates noisy operations, though it still manages to lock onto subjects at a satisfying speed. In terms of image quality, sharpness is excellent across the frame at the wide 12mm end, but the corners become fuzzy when zoomed into 24mm. Testers also observed visible vignetting...

moppedcafe.de

No specific date listed

Summary of the review

Pentax DA 12-24mm F4 – Andi's Moped Cafe

The smc Pentax DA 12-24mm F4 review describes it as a highly reliable, premium-tier zoom lens that excels both mechanically and optically. Built as a high-quality, all-metal construction with zero-play adjustments, it fully resolves the 6-megapixel sensor of an APS-C camera like the *istDS right from its wide-open constant f/4 aperture. The reviewer notes that stopping down further does not yield any major sharpness improvements, though the overall sweet spot for the lens sits around f/6.7 to f/8. Optically identical to the Tokina AT-X 124 PRO DX, this lens features remarkably low vignetting and barrel distortion at 12mm—greatly outperforming standard options like the DA 18-55mm kit lens—and becomes virtually distortion-free at 24mm. Additionally, it can even fully illuminate a 35mm full-frame format from roughly 16-17mm onwards, and its 77mm filter thread does not cause edge shadowing even when using regular, non-slim UV filters. On the downside, the review highlights minor flaws regarding autofocus accuracy and its physical footprints. The author observed mixed autofocus precision on their camera body, noting a consistent tendency toward slight back-focusing where manual focusing through the...

dslr-forum.de

13/02/2015

Summary of the review

Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 Limited vs. Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4: My Comparison

The Pentax smc DA 15mm f/4 Limited is a highly compact, metal-built prime lens celebrated for its outstanding build quality and built-in lens hood. Its greatest advantage is its incredible resistance to lens flare when shooting directly into the sun. Additionally, its 7-blade aperture creates beautiful 14-ray starburst effects from bright light sources, its autofocus feels precise and reliable, and it offers a superior close-up macro capability due to a short minimum focusing distance of 0.18 metres. However, the lens suffers from noticeable vignetting (corner shading) and low corner contrast at its maximum aperture of f/4, requiring users to stop down to f/5.6 for optimal corner sharpness. It is also prone to mild geometric distortion that shows barrel effects in the center and pincushioning at the corners, and its screw-on lens cap is somewhat impractical to use. In contrast, the Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 is a versatile wide-angle zoom lens constructed primarily of plastic and rubber, featuring a standard metal mount. Its primary advantages include flexible focal lengths that are highly practical for architecture and street photography, minimal vignetting even...

photoklub.com

25/04/2016

Summary of the review

[Review] Pentax DA 12-24 f4 ED AL [IF] - PhotoKlub

The Pentax DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] is an ultra-wide to wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C format cameras, providing a 35mm equivalent focal range of 18.5mm to 37mm. Tested on a Pentax K-3, this lightweight 430g lens features a solid polycarbonate construction, a 77mm filter thread, and an optical design consisting of 13 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and one ED glass element to maximize image quality. It delivers fast and precise autofocus driven by the camera body, excellent overall sharpness, and great image homogeneity from the center to the edges, while distortion and flare remain remarkably well-controlled across its entire focal range. However, the lens has several distinct drawbacks, most notably its highly visible chromatic aberrations at wider focal lengths (12mm to 18mm) and wide-open apertures, though these can be easily corrected during post-processing. Additionally, its body-driven autofocus mechanism is significantly louder than modern internal SDM or DC motors, and the housing lacks weather sealing (tropicalization), requiring extra caution during poor weather conditions. Finally, the lens carries a very high official retail price...

dxomark.fr

Mars 2005

Summary of the review

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) - DXOMARK Review

The Pentax smc DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED AL (IF) is an ultra-wide-angle zoom lens launched in March 2005 for APS-C format digital cameras, earning an overall DXOMARK score of 16 when tested on the Pentax K-50. The review highlights its primary strengths (pros) as having low geometric distortion (measured at a minimal 0.3%) and well-managed vignetting that drops to just -0.6 EV. Furthermore, its optical performance peaks at its widest focal length of 12mm while shooting wide open at an aperture of f/4.

lesnumeriques.com

08/05/2026

Summary of the review

Guide: What is the best Pentax DSLR camera?

The Pentax K-1 Mark II is an expert-level full-frame DSLR that delivers stellar image quality, featuring a mechanical sensor-shift stabilisation system and dual SD card slots. Testers praise its highly comfortable optical viewfinder and great physical handling, which earns a perfect 5 out of 5 ergonomic score. Loyal brand enthusiasts will also appreciate its unique build quality and dedicated Pentax feature sets. Additionally, its highly competitive market pricing makes it an affordable entry point for full-frame photography compared to rival brands. However, the camera falls short due to an aging design that shows a clear lack of innovation against modern competitors. Its biggest drawbacks include painfully sluggish autofocus responsiveness, a mediocre burst shooting rate, and a very limited video mode. It also completely lacks a modern touchscreen interface and suffers from a noticeably heavy body. Ultimately, while its high-sensitivity performance sees minor improvements, the device feels held back by slow operation speed.

rcefoto.com

27/07/2026

Summary of the review

Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL usato - RCE Foto

Based on the product listing page from RCE Foto, the Pentax SMC DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL is a high-quality, ultra-wide-angle zoom lens designed specifically for Pentax APS-C digital SLR cameras. It is highly versatile and well-suited for a variety of photography styles, including wide landscapes, architectural shots, and environmental portraits. Weighing 430 grams and measuring 88mm by 84mm, the lens features a solid optical construction of 13 elements in 11 groups (with AI notes alternative reading 15 elements in 12 groups) and utilizes a 77mm front filter thread. It provides an expansive 100.4-degree angle of view at its widest, has a minimum focusing distance of 0.30 meters, and relies on the camera body's internal AF motor to drive its autofocus system. The primary pros of this lens include its flexible focal range, high-quality optics, and specialized construction to enhance image quality. Specifically, it incorporates Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements to minimize chromatic aberrations, while Pentax's signature Super Multi-Coating (SMC) effectively reduces flare and ghosting to deliver crisp, high-contrast images. On the downside, a notable con is that the lens...

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