Pentax SMC DA 55mm F 1 4 SDM Review | 54 Data compared

The DPReview conclusion for the Pentax smc DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM identifies the lens as an excellent portrait option for APS-C, offering a flattering, soft-yet-detailed rendering at F1.4 that becomes very sharp at F2, alongside robust, weather-sealed build quality. It features effective, near-silent autofocus, though the 85mm-equivalent focal length shines due to its exceptional bokeh and subject separation capabilities. However, the review highlights significant drawbacks, including inconsistent, inaccurate autofocus that frequently requires calibration, alongside a relatively slow SDM focusing speed. Concerns regarding quality control, specifically concerning optical alignment, coupled with its high $650 price point compared to competitors, prevent a strong recommendation.

The Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA* is highly praised by Imaging Resource as an exceptionally sharp prime lens optimized for APS-C crop-sensor digital SLRs, where it behaves like an 80mm portrait lens. Key pros highlight its outstanding sharpness performance across all aperture settings, delivering very good results even wide-open at f/1.4 and reaching near-perfect clarity by f/2.8. The lens demonstrates excellent optical engineering with superb resistance to chromatic aberration, minimal barrel distortion (.25%), and practically unnoticeable corner shading except for a minor 1/3EV drop at f/1.4. Furthermore, its build quality is robust, offering solid construction with a non-rotating front element and comprehensive weather and dust sealing. Autofocus operation via the SDM ultrasonic motor is quiet and smooth, while the handy quick-shift mechanism allows for instant manual focus overrides. On the downside, key cons focus heavily on its steep price tag of around $700, making it one of the most expensive 50mm-style lenses across manufacturers during its release. Additionally, it has weak macro capabilities due to a low 1:5.9 reproduction ratio and a restrictive minimum close-focusing distance of 45 cm....

The ePHOTOzine review of the Pentax SMC DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM praises the lens as a superb, weather-sealed portrait prime for APS-C, offering excellent, contrast-rich imagery with very low distortion and controlled chromatic aberrations. While performance is slightly soft at f/1.4 for flattering portraits, it becomes incredibly sharp by f/2, reaching peak, uniform resolution at f/5.6. Key advantages include robust, weather-sealed build quality and a quiet Supersonic Drive Motor (SDM) autofocus system. Drawbacks, however, include a high price point relative to rivals and an autofocus speed that, despite being silent, is not as fast as other SDM lenses.

The Pentax DA★ 55mm F1.4 SDM is a premium prime lens specifically designed for Pentax’s APS-C DSLR cameras, offering a focal length equivalent to 84.5mm which makes it a highly effective portrait option. It features an integrated Supersonic Drive Motor (SDM) for in-lens autofocusing, delivering a smoother, more positive, and quieter performance compared to older body-driven Pentax lenses. While the lens lacks built-in optical stabilisation, it leverages the unique Shake Reduction (SR) systems embedded directly into Pentax DSLR bodies. At its maximum f/1.4 aperture, the lens produces a pleasant, "dreamy" background bokeh that heavily suits certain portrait styles, and it shows minimal barrel distortion and low lateral chromatic aberration when shot wide open. However, the review notes several drawbacks, particularly regarding its optical sharpness and price point. The lens is noticeably soft wide open at f/1.4, requiring users to stop down to f/2 or f/4 to achieve respectable central and mid-frame sharpness. Its corner and edge performance remains average and lackluster even when stopping down, and noticeable purple fringing appears around bright highlights toward the edges of the frame at...

The PentaxUser review highlights the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM as a robust, weather-sealed portrait lens for APS-C, boasting excellent build quality, effective flare control, and strong sharpness from f/2 to f/5.6. However, the lens is penalised for its soft performance at f/1.4, limited compatibility with older bodies, and a high price point that, according to the review, fails to offer good value compared to similar alternatives.

The Pentax smc DA Star 55mm f/1.4 SDM is a high-quality prime lens specifically suited for portrait photographers looking to create compelling images with a shallow depth of field. According to the DXOMARK review, its core optical strengths include exceptional control over chromatic aberration and color fringing throughout the entire image, minimal distortion, and limited vignetting at apertures of f/1.8 and above. Additionally, it features a quick autofocus motor for tracking moving subjects, a circular aperture that produces excellent bokeh, and a bright 1.7 T-stop transmission score that ensures strong performance in low-light environments. However, the lens is held back by notable performance and value weaknesses. Its resolution score is a mediocre 44 lp/mm on an APS-C body, with sharpness being particularly weak at the maximum f/1.4 aperture and struggling at the image edges even when optimized at f/2.8. When compared to rivals like the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G and Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM, the Pentax lens falls behind in resolution quality at both wide and small apertures. Furthermore, at $640 USD, it is criticized for its high cost, running significantly...

The Pentax SMC-DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM is a professional-grade portrait lens designed for APS-C image sensors, providing an 82.5mm full-frame focal length equivalent. The lens boasts exceptional, professional-grade build quality that features sealing against dust and humidity, alongside an inner focusing system that prevents the front lens element from rotating. It is equipped with an ultrasonic "supersonic drive motor" (SDM) for low-noise autofocus, a "Quick-Shift" manual focus system, and advanced optical coatings—including the new "Aero Bright Coating" for flare suppression and a "Super Protect" (SP) coating to repel moisture and grease. However, the review highlights several distinct drawbacks, most notably its steep price tag of around 650 EUR/US$, which is more than double the cost of older conventional standard lenses. Physically, the lens is comparatively large and heavy, weighing 375g and measuring 66 x 71 mm. Additionally, while the autofocus is quiet, it is not a "speed daemon" and can emit a high-frequency sound during operation. Finally, the real-world impact of the new Aero Bright flare coating was noted to be not overly significant to final image quality compared to...

The DPReview analysis of the Pentax smc DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM highlights the APS-C lens's exceptional build quality, robust weather sealing, and characterful, painterly bokeh, particularly when stopped down to f/2 or f/2.8. While serving as a capable 82.5mm equivalent portrait prime with minimal lateral chromatic aberration, the lens is noted for its premium, high-cost positioning. Conversely, the review identifies significant drawbacks, primarily regarding the Supersonic Drive Motor (SDM), which, while quiet, is slower and often produces inaccurate, capricious focusing at wider apertures. Additional concerns include longitudinal bokeh fringing, harsh rendering of highlights at f/1.4, and an overall inconsistency that limits its recommendation despite strong image quality.

The SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is a premium, weather-sealed portrait lens recognized for its exceptional optical quality, including beautiful bokeh, strong contrast, and a painterly rendering at f/1.4 that becomes very sharp upon stopping down. Its robust build and smooth focus ring make it a reliable choice for outdoor photography. Conversely, user reviews highlight the SDM autofocus mechanism as a significant drawback, citing issues with speed, reliability, and the lack of a mechanical backup, which can render autofocus inoperable if the motor fails. Additionally, the lens is noted for having high-contrast purple fringing and a high price point compared to other 50mm alternatives.