Pentax SMC
55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
 vs
Pentax SMC
FA 31mm f/1.8

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Has a silent focus motor Pentax SDM vs None
Help
 Focuses quickly and silently
Wider aperture f/1.4 vs f/1.8
Help
 At its widest, the 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM captures much more light, 0.7 f-stops
Slightly cheaper $796.95 vs $1,296.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $500 cheaper (around 40% less)
Slightly better telephoto 55 mm vs 31 mm
Help
 Around 80% more reach, less perspective distortion
Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Learn more about
the Pentax 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
Slightly better wide angle 31 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 More than 40% better wide angle
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Learn more about
the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Aperture Wide aperture Help
55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM:f/1.4
FA 31mm f/1.8:f/1.8
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM:55 mm
FA 31mm f/1.8:31 mm

Compared to low light lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Auto focus Auto focus Help
Easier to use

LensHero is not aware of any interesting weaknesses shared by these two products.

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Low light lens

$447
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Low light lens

$439
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Compare the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL

Pentax SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL

Wide angle lens

$647
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Compare the SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Low light lens

$747
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM

Low light lens

$1,439
Aperture Slightly wider aperture
Lowest price Slightly more expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.2L USM vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG DF Macro Pentax-k

Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG DF Macro Pentax-k

Low light lens

$349
Magnification More magnification
Min focal length Slightly better wide angle
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the 28mm f/1.8 EX DG DF Macro Pentax-k vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Pentax SMC D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

Pentax SMC D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro

Macro lens

$597
Magnification Much more magnification
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k

Low light lens

$499
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM
Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Macro lens

$847
Magnification Much more magnification
Max focal length Better telephoto
Focus motor Doesn't have a silent focus motor
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro vs the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM

Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k

Low light lens

$899
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC 35mm f/2 FA AL

Pentax SMC 35mm f/2 FA AL

Low light lens

$600
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Length Slightly shorter
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC 35mm f/2 FA AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Lens

$647
Length Shorter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k

Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k

Low light lens

$1,228
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Auto focus Auto focus
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Sony 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar

Sony 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar

Low light lens

$1,098
Magnification More magnification
Compare the 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

discussion Which do you think is better?

Speech is free, but discussion at LensHero is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of these lenses here, and discuss feedback for LensHero at our support community.

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