Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 vs DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8

Is a prime lens

Yes

Prime lenses have a single focal length, they are typically sharper and have wider apertures

Wider aperture

f/1.8

f/2.8

At its widest, the FA 77mm f/1.8 captures much more light, 1.3 f-stops

Shorter

64 mm

136 mm

2.1x shorter

Lighter

272 g

0.7 kg

2.5x lighter

Slightly smaller diameter

48 mm

76 mm

Around 40% smaller lens at the end

Slightly cheaper

$1,046.95

$1,396.95

The best price we've seen is $350 cheaper (around 30% less)

Learn more about
the Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Has a silent focus motor

Pentax SDM

None

Focuses quickly and silently

More zoom

2.7x

More than 2.5x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos

Better telephoto

135 mm

77 mm

Around 80% more reach, less perspective distortion

Slightly better wide angle

50 mm

77 mm

Around 40% better wide angle

Slightly more magnification

1:5.8 (0.2x)

1:7 (0.1x)

Take macro shots with subjects more than 20% larger in your photo

Learn more about
the Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

similarities

Compared to 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.

Compared to portrait lenses

Common Strengths

Common Weaknesses

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

	No image stabilization
	Risk of blur

Poor magnification

FA 77mm f/1.8:	1:7 (0.1x)
DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM:	1:5.8 (0.2x)

competitors

Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4

Low light lens

$697

Has a narrower aperture

Compare the SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Compare the SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Pentax SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA SDM*

Low light lens

$797

Compare the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Compare the SMC 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 Pentax-k

Sports lens

$299

Lacks autofocus

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 Pentax-k vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

Sports lens

$894

Has a lower max f/stop

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Low light lens

$1,297

Compare the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Compare the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k

Sports lens

$899

Has a silent focus motor

Wider aperture

Slightly less magnification

Compare the 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Low light lens

$747

Shorter

Better wide angle

Slightly worse telephoto

Slightly larger diameter

Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Sigma 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular

Fisheye lens

$899

Fisheye lens

Better wide angle

Significantly narrower aperture

Worse telephoto

Compare the 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Macro lens

$847

Much more magnification

Significantly narrower aperture

Narrower aperture

Slightly worse wide angle

Compare the SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro vs the SMC FA 77mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA SDM*

Wildlife lens

$1,397

Significantly narrower aperture

Better telephoto

Narrower aperture

Heavier

Compare the SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA* SDM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM

Sports lens

$749

Slightly cheaper

Slightly better telephoto

Compare the 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DC HSM vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

Olympus Zuiko 35-100mm f/2 ED

Sports lens

$2,499

Wider aperture

Slightly better wide angle

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Longer

Compare the Zuiko 35-100mm f/2 ED vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

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

Wildlife lens

$397

Better telephoto

More zoom

Has a variable aperture

Doesn't have a silent focus motor

Compare the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED vs the SMC DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM

discussion Which do you think is better?

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Pentax SMC
FA 77mm f/1.8
vs
Pentax SMC
DA 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM*

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED SDM