OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
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Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£180Lens mount:Pentax KMaximum focal length:55 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):5.6Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:76 °

Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR Review: Compare 54 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Camera lenses category and whether it is worth buying.

5.1

Overall score

Score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the camera lens's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best camera lenses on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

80%

5.0

Technical score

20%

5.7

User score

â–¼Worse than 96% of camera-lenses
5.0

Technical score

Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components

35%

2.0

Optics & Aperture

24%

9.6

Build & Handling

20%

5.1

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 92% of camera-lenses
5.7

User score

User score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

User ratings

30%

5.1

Number of reviews

Based on 51 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
â–¼Worse than 99% of camera-lenses
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Best prices

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Best rankings

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of camera lens Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR

Technical score
Technical score
5.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Camera lenses category across these key areas: Mount & Format, Optics & Aperture, Focus & Controls, Stabilization, Build & Handling, Lab Scores.
When it matters
When you want to compare camera lenses based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Score components:

35%

2.0

Optics & Aperture

24%

9.6

Build & Handling

20%

5.1

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

1.0

Mount & Format

5.0
User score
User score
5.7/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
When it matters
When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

User ratings

30%

5.1

Number of reviews

Based on 51 buyer reviews from online shops.
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →
How we calculate this
User ratings – average star rating across all shop listings, weighted by how many reviews each has, on a 1–10 scale.
Number of reviews – how many buyer reviews the product has, on a logarithmic scale; the 8% most-reviewed models in the category get 10.
5.7
Popularity
Popularity
5.1/ 10
✕
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.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Popularity:
Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR has a popularity score of 5.1 points, which is lower than 75.7% of camera lenses.
5.1
Value for money
Value for money
6.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the camera lens's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you want to know how much overall quality you get for the price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 73% of models
Score components:

60%

5.1

Overall score

40%

9.6

Price

6.4
Lens type
zoom
Lens mount
Pentax K
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
52 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
no
Teleconverter compatibility
no
â–¼ Worse than 15% of models
This camera lens does not support teleconverters. 15.3% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
18 mm
Maximum focal length
55 mm
Optical zoom
3.1xx
Maximum angle of view
76 °
Minimum angle of view
29 °
Show more
Focus motor
screw-drive
Minimum focus distance
0.25 m
Minimum focus distance
0.25 m
â–² Better than 66% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.25 m, which is closer than 65.6% of camera lenses and equal to 8.1% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.34xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.34x
â–² Better than 86% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.34x, which is higher than 86.1% of camera lenses and equal to 1.1% of camera lenses.
Full-time manual focus
yes
Full-time manual focus
yes
â–² Better than 32% of models
This camera lens supports full-time manual focus. 68.3% of camera lenses support full-time manual focus.
Internal focusing
no
Internal focusing
no
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
This camera lens does not support internal focusing. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
Show more
Optical image stabilization
no
Optical image stabilization
no
â–¼ Worse than 29% of models
This camera lens does not support optical image stabilization. 29.1% of camera lenses include optical image stabilization.
Stabilization effectiveness (CIPA stops)
N/A
Weight
235 g
Weight
235 g
â–² Better than 82% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 235 g, which is lighter than 81.7% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.3% of camera lenses.
Lens length
67.5 mm
Lens length
67.5 mm
â–² Better than 76% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 67.5 mm long, which is shorter than 76.4% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
68.5 mm
Lens diameter
68.5 mm
â–² Better than 76% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 68.5 mm, which is slimmer than 76% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.5% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
Weather sealing (splashproof)
yes
â–² Better than 50% of models
This camera lens supports weather sealing. 50.2% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
Metal mount
yes
Metal mount
yes
â–² Better than 6% of models
This camera lens uses a metal lens mount. 93.6% of camera lenses use a metal lens mount.
Show more
DxOMark overall score
?
DxOMark sharpness score
?
DxOMark transmission
?
DxOMark distortion
?
DxOMark vignetting
?
Show more

Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Has fluorine coating
    Fluorine coating
    yes
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • 275 g lighter
    Weight
    235 g
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (235 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    235 g vs 510 g
  • 0.15 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.34 x
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.34 x vs 0.192 x
  • 24.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    67.5 mm
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (67.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    67.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 8.5 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    68.5 mm
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (68.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    68.5 mm vs 77 mm
  • 0.05 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.25 m
    â–² Better than 66% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.3 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.25 m vs 0.3 m
  • 2.94x cheaper
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).
    £180 vs £530
  • 2.94x cheaper
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR is cheaper than the average camera lens (£180 vs £530).
    £180 vs £530
  • Has aperture ring
    Aperture ring
    yes
    â–² Better than 69% of models
    This camera lens has an aperture ring, the average camera lens does not. 31.3% of camera lenses include an aperture ring.
  • 0.15 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.34 x
    â–² Better than 86% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a higher maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.3 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.34 x vs 0.192 x
  • 0.05 m shorter minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.25 m
    â–² Better than 66% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a lower minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.3 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.25 m vs 0.3 m
  • Has fluorine coating
    Fluorine coating
    yes
    â–² Better than 67% of models
    This camera lens has a fluorine coating, the average camera lens does not. 32.6% of camera lenses use a fluorine coating.
  • 275 g lighter
    Weight
    235 g
    â–² Better than 82% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (235 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    235 g vs 510 g
  • 24.75 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    67.5 mm
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (67.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    67.5 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 8.5 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    68.5 mm
    â–² Better than 76% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (68.5 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    68.5 mm vs 77 mm
  • 2.8 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    5.6
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/5.6 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    5.6 vs 2.8
  • 3 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    6
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    6 vs 9
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    6 straight blades.
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2009
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    May 2009
    2009 vs 2016
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 46% lower user score
    User score
    5.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR
    the average camera lens
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR has a lower user score than the average camera lens (5.72 vs 8.360).
    5.72 vs 8.36
  • 46% lower user score
    User score
    5.7/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the camera lens.
    When it matters
    When real-world owner satisfaction and review volume matter to your decision.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR
    the average camera lens
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR has a lower user score than the average camera lens (5.72 vs 8.360).
    5.72 vs 8.36
  • 43.3% less popular
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR is less popular than the average camera lens (5.08 vs 7.3).
    5.08 vs 7.29
  • 6.8% worse value for money
    Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.45 vs 6.9).
    6.45 vs 6.89
  • 2.8 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    5.6
    â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/5.6 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    5.6 vs 2.8
  • 3 fewer aperture blades
    Aperture blades
    6
    â–¼ Worse than 93% of models
    Market range: <7 – >9
    This camera lens has fewer aperture blades than the average camera lens (6 vs 9). The average lens has 9 aperture blades.
    6 vs 9
  • No rounded blades
    Rounded aperture blades
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 88% of models
    This camera lens does not use rounded aperture blades, the average camera lens does. 87.8% of camera lenses use rounded aperture blades.
    6 straight blades.
  • 1 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 51% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    1 vs 2
  • 1 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    1
    â–¼ Worse than 55% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (1 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    1 vs 2
  • No internal focusing
    Internal focusing
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
    This camera lens does not support internal focusing, the average camera lens does. 83.7% of camera lenses support internal focusing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2009
    â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    May 2009
    2009 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Third-party reviews

Based on 51 buyer reviews from online shops.
Reviews last updated: July 2026 · How we calculate this
Read buyer reviews on Amazon →

What we like about Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR

  • Weather resistance (WR) allows for shooting in damp or dusty conditions
  • Excellent build quality featuring high-quality plastics and a metal mount
  • Lightweight and compact design makes it a versatile 'walkaround' lens
  • Quick-Shift Focus System allows for manual focus adjustments while in AF mode
  • Genuinely effective lens hood design that minimizes flare and includes a polarizer window
  • High value for the price, often praised as one of the better 'kit' lenses available

What we don't like about Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR

  • Softness at the edges and wide open at focal length extremes (18mm and 55mm)
  • Low contrast results in images that can appear less 'snappy' without post-processing
  • Noisy screw-drive autofocus mechanism compared to modern silent motors
  • Visible vignetting and barrel distortion at the wide (18mm) end
  • Small focus ring is not ideal for extensive manual focus use
  • Low resolution (7MP-8MP) compared to premium optics, though comparable to other kit lenses

Verdict

The Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR is a versatile APS-C standard zoom lens offering a 35mm equivalent focal range of 27.5-84.5mm. It features 11 elements in 8 groups, including one high-performance aspherical (AL) element and one extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element to minimise aberrations and maintain edge-to-edge sharpness. Key characteristics include its simplified weather-resistant (WR) construction for shooting in rain or fog, a Super Protect (SP) fluorine coating to repel water and oil, and the Quick-Shift Focus System for instant manual override. Main pros are its lightweight 230g build, durable metal mount, and a non-rotating front element that facilitates easy filter use. However, cons include a relatively slow and noisy screw-drive autofocus system and a noticeable drop in contrast and sharpness when used wide open at the 55mm telephoto end.

Compare Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR with other products in the Camera lenses category

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Graphic comparison of Pentax SMC DA 18 55mm F3 5 5 6 AL WR and other products in the Camera lenses category

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