vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

Better telephoto 300 mm vs 135 mm
Help
More than 2x more reach, less perspective distortion
Slightly more magnification 1:3.5 (0.3x) vs 1:4.2 (0.2x)
Help
Take macro shots with subjects around 20% larger in your photo
Pentax SMC  DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Learn more about
the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR

Much narrower aperture f/38 vs f/22
Help
At its narrowest, the DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR goes 1.6 f-stops narrower
More zoom 7.5x vs 5.5x
Help
Around 40% more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Wider aperture f/3.5 vs f/4
Help
At its widest, the DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR captures marginally more light, 0.4 f-stops
Shorter 76 mm vs 111 mm
Help
More than 30% shorter
Better wide angle 18 mm vs 55 mm
Help
3.1x better wide angle
Pentax SMC  DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR Learn more about
the Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Zoom range Great zoom Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:5.5x
DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR:7.5x
Prime lens Both are zoom lenses Help
Typically not as sharp as prime lenses
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Fixed aperture Both are variable aperture lenses Help
Narrower aperture at longer focal lengths

Compared to telephoto lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weight Light weight Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:440 g
DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR:405 g
Length Short Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:111 mm
DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR:76 mm
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:55 mm
DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR:18 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:$396.95
DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR:$496.95
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR

Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL WR

Wide angle lens

$197

Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Zoom range Has slightly smaller zoom range
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k

Wildlife lens

$399

Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Min focal length Has a slightly narrower wide angle lens
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Pentax-k

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Pentax-k

Travel lens

$479

Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

Wildlife lens

$399

Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor

Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Pentax SMC  DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

Pentax SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

Wildlife lens

$247

Weight Slightly lighter
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Zoom range Less zoom
Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Wildlife lens

$397

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Narrower aperture
Length Slightly longer
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Canon-ef

Wildlife lens

$259

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Zoom range Less zoom
Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Pentax-k

Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Pentax-k

Wildlife lens

$159

Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Pentax-k

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Pentax-k

Macro lens

$209

Magnification More magnification
Zoom range Less zoom
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle

Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Travel lens

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Zoom range Less zoom
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Pentax SMC  DA 17-70mm f/4 AL SDM

Pentax SMC DA 17-70mm f/4 AL SDM

Wide angle lens

$597

Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Zoom range Less zoom
Pentax SMC  DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Wide angle lens

$1,297

Fixed aperture Has a consant aperture
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Zoom range Significantly less zoom
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

Travel lens

$499 - $549

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Length Slightly longer
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Pentax-k

Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM Pentax-k

Travel lens

$339

Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Wide maximum Much wider aperture
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture

discussion Which do you think is better?

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