Pentax SMC
FA 31mm f/1.8
 vs
Leica Summicron
50mm f/2 M

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
Auto focus Yes vs No
Help
Narrower aperture f/22 vs f/16
Help
 At its narrowest, the FA 31mm f/1.8 goes 0.9 f-stops narrower
Cheaper $1,296.95 vs $2,295.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $998 cheaper (more than 40% less)
Slightly more magnification 1:6.2 (0.2x) vs 1:11.5 (0.1x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 80% larger in your photo
Slightly wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/2
Help
 At its widest, the FA 31mm f/1.8 captures marginally more light, 0.3 f-stops
Slightly better wide angle 31 mm vs 50 mm
Help
 Around 40% better wide angle
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Learn more about
the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8

Reasons to consider the Leica 50mm f/2 M
Slightly shorter 43 mm vs 69 mm
Help
 Around 40% shorter
Slightly better telephoto 50 mm vs 31 mm
Help
 More than 60% more reach, less perspective distortion
Slightly smaller diameter 53 mm vs 66 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller lens at the end
Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 M Learn more about
the Leica 50mm f/2 M

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Aperture Wide aperture Help
FA 31mm f/1.8:f/1.8
50mm f/2 M:f/2
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Length Short Help
FA 31mm f/1.8:69 mm
50mm f/2 M:43 mm
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
FA 31mm f/1.8:31 mm
50mm f/2 M:50 mm
Magnification Poor magnification Help
FA 31mm f/1.8:1:6.2 (0.2x)
50mm f/2 M:1:11.5 (0.1x)

Compared to low light lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

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

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

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Compare the 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M
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 FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M

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
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Low light lens

$439
Aperture Wider aperture
Lowest price Cheaper
Wide maximum Wider aperture
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Low light lens

$447
Aperture Wider aperture
Lowest price Cheaper
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,283
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Auto focus Auto focus
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Nikon Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D

Nikon Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D

Wide angle lens

$529
Lowest price Cheaper
Length Slightly shorter
Aperture Narrower aperture
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 M Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Leica Summarit 50mm f/2.5

Leica Summarit 50mm f/2.5

Low light lens

$1,650
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Length Slightly shorter
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the Summarit 50mm f/2.5 vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M
Panasonic Summilux Leica DG 25mm f/1.4

Panasonic Summilux Leica DG 25mm f/1.4

Low light lens

$628
Auto focus Auto focus
Lowest price Cheaper
Max focal length Slightly worse telephoto
Compare the Summilux Leica DG 25mm f/1.4 vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M
Leica Summarit 75mm f/2.5

Leica Summarit 75mm f/2.5

Low light lens

$1,895
Max focal length Slightly better telephoto
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Aperture Narrower aperture
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the Summarit 75mm f/2.5 vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M
Leica 18mm f/3.8 Elmar-M

Leica 18mm f/3.8 Elmar-M

Wide angle lens

$3,195
Min focal length Better wide angle
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the 18mm f/3.8 Elmar-M vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M
Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/2 Macro ED

Olympus Zuiko 50mm f/2 Macro ED

Macro lens

$499
Auto focus Auto focus
Magnification Significantly more magnification
Length Slightly longer
Diameter Slightly larger diameter
Compare the Zuiko 50mm f/2 Macro ED vs the Summicron 50mm f/2 M

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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