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Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£230Lens mount:Pentax KMaximum focal length:300 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):5.8Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:29 °

Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED 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.

5.0

Overall score

Score
5.0/ 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 98% of models
Score components

80%

4.2

Technical score

20%

8.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 98% of camera-lenses
4.2

Technical score

Technical score
4.2/ 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 98% of models
Score components

35%

1.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.9

Build & Handling

20%

3.8

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 98% of camera-lenses
8.1

User score

User score
8.1/ 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 58% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

User ratings

30%

8.1

Number of reviews

Based on 564 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 58% of camera-lenses
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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 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED

Technical score
Technical score
4.2/ 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 98% of models
Score components:

35%

1.8

Optics & Aperture

24%

6.9

Build & Handling

20%

3.8

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

4.2
User score
User score
8.1/ 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 58% of models
Score components

70%

8.1

User ratings

30%

8.1

Number of reviews

Based on 564 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.
8.1
Popularity
Popularity
8.1/ 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–² Better than 62% of models
Popularity:
Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED has a popularity score of 8.1 points, which is higher than 62.2% of camera lenses.
8.1
Value for money
Value for money
6.3/ 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 75% of models
Score components:

60%

5.0

Overall score

40%

9.3

Price

6.3
Lens type
telephoto zoom
Lens mount
Pentax K
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
58 mm
Teleconverter compatibility
yes
Teleconverter compatibility
yes
â–² Better than 85% of models
This camera lens supports teleconverters. 15.2% of camera lenses support teleconverters.
Show more
Minimum focal length
55 mm
Maximum focal length
300 mm
Optical zoom
5.5xx
Maximum angle of view
29 °
Minimum angle of view
5.4 °
Show more
Focus motor
screw-drive
Minimum focus distance
1.4 m
Minimum focus distance
1.4 m
â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 1.4 m, which is farther than 91.8% of camera lenses and equal to 1.1% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.28xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.28x
â–² Better than 79% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.28x, which is higher than 78.8% of camera lenses and equal to 1.4% 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.
Barrel extends during 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
439 g
Weight
439 g
â–² Better than 59% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 439 g, which is lighter than 59.2% of camera lenses.
Lens length
111.5 mm
Lens length
111.5 mm
â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 111.5 mm long, which is longer than 67.7% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.5% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
71 mm
Lens diameter
71 mm
â–² Better than 68% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 71 mm, which is slimmer than 68.3% of camera lenses and equal to that of 0.8% of camera lenses.
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
Weather sealing (splashproof)
no
â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
This camera lens does not support weather sealing. 50.3% 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 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED vs the average camera lens

246810TotalMount & FormatOptics & ApertureFocus & ControlsStabilizationBuild & HandlingLab Scores
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
  • 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.
  • 0.09 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.28 x
    â–² Better than 79% 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.
    0.28 x vs 0.192 x
  • 6 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    71 mm
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (71 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    71 mm vs 77 mm
  • 71 g lighter
    Weight
    439 g
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (439 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    439 g vs 510 g
  • 2.3x cheaper
    Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED is cheaper than the average camera lens (£230 vs £530).
    £230 vs £530
  • 2.3x cheaper
    Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED is cheaper than the average camera lens (£230 vs £530).
    £230 vs £530
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
  • 0.09 x higher maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.28 x
    â–² Better than 79% 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.
    0.28 x vs 0.192 x
  • 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.
  • 6 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    71 mm
    â–² Better than 68% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (71 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    71 mm vs 77 mm
  • 71 g lighter
    Weight
    439 g
    â–² Better than 59% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (439 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    439 g vs 510 g
  • 3 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    5.8
    â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/5.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    5.8 vs 2.8
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • 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.
    Barrel extends during focusing.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 vs 2
  • 1.1 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    1.4 m
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (1.4 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    1.4 m vs 0.3 m
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2008
    â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2008 vs 2016
  • 9.9% worse value for money
    Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED has a worse value-for-money score than the average camera lens (6.27 vs 6.9).
    6.27 vs 6.89
  • 3 higher f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    5.8
    â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a dimmer maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/5.8 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    5.8 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.
  • 2 fewer aspherical elements
    Aspherical elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 70% of models
    Market range: <0 – >3
    This camera lens has fewer aspherical elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 aspherical elements.
    0 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.
    Barrel extends during focusing.
  • 1.1 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    1.4 m
    â–¼ Worse than 92% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (1.4 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    1.4 m vs 0.3 m
  • Not weather-sealed
    Weather sealing (splashproof)
    no
    â–¼ Worse than 50% of models
    This camera lens does not support weather sealing, the average camera lens does. 50.3% of camera lenses support weather sealing.
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2008
    â–¼ Worse than 85% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    2008 vs 2016
  • 19.25 mm longer lens
    Lens length
    111.5 mm
    â–¼ Worse than 68% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is longer than the average camera lens (111.5 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    111.5 mm vs 92.25 mm

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

P
photozone.de
01/01/2009
Summary of the review
[OpticalLimits] Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED - Review / Test Report
P
photoinfos.com
15/01/2010
Summary of the review
SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm f4.0-5.8 ED - A decent telephoto zoom lens
(Translated)Show original
P
photoexposition.fr
15/10/2013
Summary of the review
Pentax K-50 / K-500: Recommended lenses
(Translated)Show original
A
arnaud-dauphin.com
30/09/2024
Summary of the review
PENTAX-DA 55-300mm Review: Fast, Silent, and All-Terrain Zoom
(Translated)Show original
L
lenaick.wordpress.com
07/03/2018
Summary of the review
Pentax smc DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8 ED (almost full-frame)
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 564 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 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED

  • Excellent value for money and very competitively priced for a telephoto zoom
  • Good overall image quality with high contrast and accurate color rendition
  • Commendable center sharpness, especially when stopped down slightly
  • Versatile 5.5x zoom range equivalent to 82.5-450mm in 35mm format
  • Relatively compact and lightweight design, making it easy to carry for travel and wildlife
  • Solid build quality featuring a metal mount and high-quality plastics
  • High maximum magnification ratio (0.28x) for a non-macro lens, useful for close-up shots
  • Supports 'Quick-Shift' for full-time manual focus override

What we don't like about Pentax SMC DA 55 300mm F 4 5 8 ED

  • Slow and noisy autofocus performance as it relies on camera-driven screw-drive
  • Autofocus can struggle and 'hunt' in low light or for fast-moving subjects like birds in flight
  • Sharpness and contrast tend to drop off significantly at the 300mm end
  • Edges of the frame can be noticeably soft, particularly at longer focal lengths
  • Vulnerable to 'zoom creep' and harder to seal against dust due to the extending rotary zoom design
  • Manual focus ring may feel like it lacks sufficient resistance for some users

Verdict

The Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED is a versatile telephoto zoom lens designed for APS-C format DSLRs, offering a 35mm equivalent focal range of 84.5-460mm. Its optical construction features 12 elements in 8 groups, including two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements to minimize chromatic aberration, and a 6-blade diaphragm for natural bokeh. Key characteristics include a minimum focusing distance of 1.4 metres, a 0.28x maximum magnification, and the Quick-Shift Focus System for instant manual override. Main pros are its compact, lightweight 440g build, true-to-life colour rendition, and excellent value for money in wildlife and sports photography. Some cons include audible motor noise during screw-drive autofocus, potential 'hunting' in low-light conditions, and a noticeable drop in edge sharpness when fully extended to 300mm.

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