OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
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Pentax SMC DA 70mm F2 4 Limited Review | 54 Data compared

Avg. price:~£570Lens mount:Pentax KMaximum focal length:70 mmMaximum aperture (telephoto end):2.4Optical image stabilization:noMaximum angle of view:23 °

Pentax SMC DA 70mm F2 4 Limited 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.

6.3

Overall score

Score
6.3/ 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 70% of models
Score components

80%

6.1

Technical score

20%

7.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 70% of camera-lenses
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 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 65% of models
Score components

35%

6.6

Optics & Aperture

24%

7.5

Build & Handling

20%

4.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

â–¼Worse than 65% of camera-lenses
7.3

User score

User score
7.3/ 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 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

5.2

Number of reviews

Based on 56 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 91% 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 70mm F2 4 Limited

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 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 65% of models
Score components:

35%

6.6

Optics & Aperture

24%

7.5

Build & Handling

20%

4.4

Focus & Controls

10%

?

Lab Scores

8%

1.0

Stabilization

3%

8.2

Mount & Format

6.1
User score
User score
7.3/ 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 91% of models
Score components

70%

8.2

User ratings

30%

5.2

Number of reviews

Based on 56 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.
7.3
Popularity
Popularity
5.2/ 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 70mm F2 4 Limited has a popularity score of 5.2 points, which is lower than 74.1% of camera lenses.
5.2
Value for money
Value for money
6.7/ 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 61% of models
Score components:

60%

6.3

Overall score

40%

7.5

Price

6.7
Lens type
prime
Lens mount
Pentax K
Sensor format coverage
APS-C
Filter thread size
49 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
70 mm
Maximum focal length
70 mm
Optical zoom
N/A
Maximum angle of view
23 °
Minimum angle of view
23 °
Show more
Focus motor
screw-drive
Minimum focus distance
0.7 m
Minimum focus distance
0.7 m
â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
This camera lens focuses as close as 0.7 m, which is farther than 76.4% of camera lenses and equal to 1.9% of camera lenses.
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.12xx
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.12x
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
This camera lens reaches a reproduction ratio of 0.12x, which is lower than 81.3% of camera lenses and equal to 5.3% 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
147 g
Weight
147 g
★ Better than 93% of models
Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
This camera lens weighs 147 g, which is lighter than 92.7% of camera lenses and equal to the weight of 0.1% of camera lenses.
Lens length
26 mm
Lens length
26 mm
★ Better than 97% of models
Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
This camera lens is 26 mm long, which is shorter than 96.9% of camera lenses and equal to the length of 0.2% of camera lenses.
Lens diameter
63 mm
Lens diameter
63 mm
â–² Better than 87% of models
Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
This camera lens has a diameter of 63 mm, which is slimmer than 87.3% of camera lenses and equal to that of 2.1% 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 70mm F2 4 Limited 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.
  • 363 g lighter
    Weight
    147 g
    ★ Better than 93% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (147 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    147 g vs 510 g
  • 66.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    26 mm
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (26 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    26 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 0.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    2.4
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    2.4 vs 2.8
  • 14 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    63 mm
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (63 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    63 mm vs 77 mm
  • Teleconverter compatible
    Teleconverter compatibility
    yes
    â–² Better than 85% of models
    This camera lens supports teleconverters, while the average camera lens does not.
  • 0.4 lower f-number at telephoto end
    Maximum aperture (telephoto end)
    2.4
    â–² Better than 65% of models
    Market range: <1.4 – >5.6
    This camera lens has a brighter maximum telephoto aperture than the average camera lens (f/2.4 vs f/2.8). The average lens has a maximum telephoto aperture of f/2.8.
    2.4 vs 2.8
  • Has focus distance scale
    Focus distance scale
    yes
    â–² Better than 51% of models
    This camera lens has a focus distance scale, the average camera lens does not. 48.6% of camera lenses include a focus distance scale.
  • 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.
  • 363 g lighter
    Weight
    147 g
    ★ Better than 93% of models
    Market range: <171 g – >1.3k g
    This camera lens is lighter than the average camera lens (147 g vs 510 g). The average lens weighs 510 g.
    147 g vs 510 g
  • 66.25 mm shorter lens
    Lens length
    26 mm
    ★ Better than 97% of models
    Market range: <46 mm – >189 mm
    This camera lens is shorter than the average camera lens (26 mm vs 92.25 mm). The average lens has a length of 92.25 mm.
    26 mm vs 92.25 mm
  • 14 mm narrower lens barrel
    Lens diameter
    63 mm
    â–² Better than 87% of models
    Market range: <62.4 mm – >94.7 mm
    This camera lens is slimmer than the average camera lens (63 mm vs 77 mm). The average lens has a diameter of 77 mm.
    63 mm vs 77 mm
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion elements.
    0 vs 2
  • Older release date
    Release date
    2006
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    September 2006
    2006 vs 2016
  • 0.4 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.7 m
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.7 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.7 m vs 0.3 m
  • 0.07 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.12 x
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.12 x vs 0.192 x
  • 14.5% lower user score
    User score
    7.3/ 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Pentax SMC DA 70mm F2 4 Limited
    the average camera lens
    Pentax SMC DA 70mm F2 4 Limited has a lower user score than the average camera lens (7.30 vs 8.360).
    7.3 vs 8.36
  • 39.9% less popular
    Pentax SMC DA 70mm F2 4 Limited is less popular than the average camera lens (5.21 vs 7.3).
    5.21 vs 7.29
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 2 fewer low-dispersion elements
    Low-dispersion elements
    0
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0 – >4
    This camera lens has fewer low-dispersion elements than the average camera lens (0 vs 2). The average lens has 2 low-dispersion 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.
  • 0.4 m longer minimum focus distance
    Minimum focus distance
    0.7 m
    â–¼ Worse than 76% of models
    Market range: <0.18 m – >1.1 m
    This camera lens has a higher minimum focus distance than the average camera lens (0.7 m vs 0.3 m). The average lens has a minimum focus distance of 0.3 m.
    0.7 m vs 0.3 m
  • 0.07 x lower maximum reproduction ratio
    Maximum reproduction ratio
    0.12 x
    â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
    Market range: <0.11 x – >0.39 x
    This camera lens has a lower maximum reproduction ratio than the average camera lens (0.1 x vs 0.2 x). The average lens has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.192 x.
    0.12 x vs 0.192 x
  • 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
    2006
    â–¼ Worse than 90% of models
    Market range: <2k – >2k
    This camera lens was released earlier than the average camera lens.
    September 2006
    2006 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

L
lenstip.com
20/11/2009
Summary of the review
Pentax smc DA 70 mm f/2.4 LimitedGo to product viewer dialogue for this item. review - LensTip.com
E
ephotozine.com
29/06/2011
Summary of the review
SMC Pentax-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Lens Review | ePHOTOzine
P
photozone.de
01/01/2011
Summary of the review
Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited - Review / Lab Test | Photozone (OpticalLimits)
P
pentaxuser.com
02/07/2011
Summary of the review
SMC Pentax-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Lens Review | Pentax User
C
cameralabs.com
06/10/2011
Summary of the review
Pentax DA 40mm and 70mm Limited lens review | Camera Labs
D
dxomark.com
13/03/2012
Summary of the review
Pentax smc DA 70mm F2.4 Limited - DXOMARK
P
pentaxforums.com
27/05/2024
Summary of the review
SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited Reviews Would you like to compare the performance of this SMC version against the newer HD version to see if the coati...
P
photozone.de
Unknown
Summary of the review
Pentax SMC-DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited - Review / Test Report
A
arnoldstark.de
01/09/2007
Summary of the review
Comparison of Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited and FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited Lenses
(Translated)Show original
F
fotografiastore.it
Unknown
Summary of the review
Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited - FotografiaStore.it
(Translated)Show original
T
tweakers.net
15/11/2007
Summary of the review
Pentax smc DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited Review - Tweakers
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on 56 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 70mm F2 4 Limited

  • Extremely compact and lightweight 'pancake' design, ideal for travel and street photography
  • Superb all-metal build quality consistent with the 'Limited' series standards
  • Excellent center sharpness even when wide open at f/2.4
  • Beautiful color rendering and bokeh quality, particularly for portraiture
  • Quick-Shift focus system allows for instant manual override
  • Functions surprisingly well on full-frame bodies (like the Pentax K-1) with minimal vignetting

What we don't like about Pentax SMC DA 70mm F2 4 Limited

  • Noisy autofocus due to the older screw-drive mechanism
  • Noticeable softness at the corners and edges when shot at maximum aperture
  • Prone to longitudinal chromatic aberration and purple fringing in high-contrast scenes
  • Relatively long minimum focus distance (0.7m) makes it unsuitable for macro or close-up work
  • The manual focus ring rotates during autofocus, which can be awkward for handling

Verdict

The Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited is an ultra-compact, high-grade aluminum prime lens specifically designed for APS-C DSLRs, offering a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 105mm ideal for portraiture. It features a sophisticated optical construction of 6 elements in 5 groups, a 9-blade diaphragm for smooth bokeh, and the Quick-Shift Focus System for seamless switching between autofocus and manual control. Main pros include its exceptional pocketable build weighing only 130g, outstanding center sharpness, and effective Super Multi-Coating (SMC) that minimizes flare. However, notable cons include a moderate level of autofocus noise due to the lack of an internal motor, visible corner softness when shot wide open at f/2.4, and a relatively long minimum focusing distance of 0.7m that limits close-up photography capabilities.

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