Tamron
28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
 vs
Pentax SMC
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Significantly more zoom 10.7x vs 5.5x
Help
 Around 2x more zoom, giving you more flexibility for photos
Wider aperture f/3.5 vs f/4
Help
 At its widest, the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k captures marginally more light, 0.4 f-stops
Slightly shorter 84 mm vs 111 mm
Help
 More than 20% shorter
Slightly better wide angle 28 mm vs 55 mm
Help
 Around 50% better wide angle
Slightly more magnification 1:2.9 (0.3x) vs 1:3.5 (0.3x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects more than 20% larger in your photo
Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k Learn more about
the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
LensHero is not aware of any important advantages of the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED vs the Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k.
Pentax SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Learn more about
the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Max focal length Good telephoto Help
300 mm
Zoom range Great zoom Help
28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k:10.7x
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:5.5x
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 wildlife lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Weight Light weight Help
28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k:420 g
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:440 g
Length Short Help
28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k:84 mm
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:111 mm
Min focal length Good wide-angle Help
28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k:28 mm
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:55 mm
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k:$389.95
DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED:$396.95
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Pentax SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

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

Wildlife lens

$197
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the SMC DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
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 Has better macro
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Pentax-k vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Pentax SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR

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

Travel lens

$497
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the SMC DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II Macro Pentax-k

Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II Macro Pentax-k

Travel lens

$290
Max focal length Has a slightly longer telephoto lens
Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II Macro Pentax-k vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II Macro Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k

Macro lens

$165
Magnification Has better macro
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD Macro Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Pentax SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA* SDM

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

Wildlife lens

$1,397
Wide maximum Has a higher max f/stop
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Magnification Has worse macro
Length Is longer
Compare the SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA* SDM vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Compare the SMC 60-250mm f/4 ED DA* SDM vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

Tamron 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Pentax-k

Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Pentax-k

Wildlife lens

$279
Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Pentax-k vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Olympus M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 ED LNS

Olympus M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 ED LNS

Wildlife lens

$549
Zoom range Much less zoom
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the M.Zuiko 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 ED LNS vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k
Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Nikon-f

Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Nikon-f

Travel lens

$279
Compare the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG Macro Nikon-f vs the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Pentax-k

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

Advantages

Disadvantages
Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef

Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef

Travel lens

$279
Zoom range Much more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Compare the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Canon-ef vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Pentax-k

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Pentax-k

Travel lens

$249
Zoom range Significantly more zoom
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Worse telephoto
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Compare the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED

discussion Which do you think is better?

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