SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (2025)

Pentax Lens Review Database » Digital Era Pentax K-Mount Lenses » DA Zoom Lenses


Sharpness

8.7

Aberrations

7.9

Bokeh

7.7

Autofocus

8.4

Handling

8.4

Value

9.2

Reviews Views Date of last review
120 474,683 Thu March 30, 2023
SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (2)
Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
94% of reviewers $265.20 8.72
SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (3)
supersize


Description:

This wide-angle to normal lens is among the earlier DA lenses. It has a fixed maximum aperture of F4 across the entire zoom range.

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 ED AL [IF]
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 8 blades
Optics
13 elements, 10 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F4
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
Yes
Min. Focus
28 cm
Max. Magnification
0.26x
Filter Size
67 mm
Internal Focus
Yes
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 83-35 ° / 74-30 °

Hood
PH-RBL 67 mm
Case
S90-140
Lens Cap
F 67 mm
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
71 x 91 mm (2.8 x 3.6 in.)
Weight
366 g (12.9 oz.)
Production Years
2003 to 2014
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-DA 1:4 16-45mm ED AL [IF]
Product Code
21507
Reviews
User reviews
Unofficial Full-Frame Compatibility Tests by Pentax Forums
★★☆Full coverage at some F-stop and focal length combinations
Show details
Notes
One of the earliest DA lenses.
Two aspherical elements, one ED element.
Features:
SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (4)SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (5)SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (6)SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (7)SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (8)
Purchase:
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:

Author:

Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Ascending) Showing Reviews 16-30 of 120

dmjjr

Senior Member


Registered:July,2008

Location:Arizona

Posts:212

Review Date: July 25, 2008 Not Recommended |Price:$309.00 |Rating:7

Pros: Constant F4, quick focus
Cons: Very soft lens-not very sharp-not worth 3x the kit lens

Had high hopes for this lens-was very disappointed with it's sharpness. I have a passion for the Ltd lenses so this might be a little unfair. Absolutely no contest when you compare one to the other. Also have the DA 50-200 & DA 55-300-both of these are much better than the 16-45

TomInJax

Veteran Member


Registered:December,2007

Location:Jacksonville, FL

Posts:531

Review Date: August 8, 2008 Recommended |Price:$360.00 |Rating:9

Pros: Lightweight, sharp, inexpensive, great IQ, constant F4
Cons: Lens and hood interfere with flash at wide end.

I purchased this lens about 8 months ago and eventually sold it. It didn't take more than a couple months before I missed it. So, I bought another one.

It is the lens that is on my camera most of the time. At 16mm it is wide enough to take care of most scenics and interiors (24mm is the old 35mm SLR equivalent). It would be nice if it was longer than 45mm at the long end, but that is a minor issue with me. It covers about 60% of my needs.

I liked it a lot on my K10D, but it is even better on the K20D. I have thought a lot about upgrading this lens to the 16-50mm/2.8, but I will wait. It seems like a lot of money for a 1 stop improvement. I wouldn't mind the dust and weatherproofing of the DA*16-50 though!

Someone wrote a review that they weren't happy with the lens. I haven't heard of anyone getting a bad copy of this lens, so I guess they probably have a typical K10D back focus issue and don't realize it. My old K10D showed the back focus problem the most at focal lengths under 50mm. After Pentax serviced it (the K10D body), all my lenses worked great.

I highly recommend this lens. There isn't much else in this price range with these features and quality!

Livewireshock

Senior Member


Registered:November,2008

Location:Lismore, NSW, Australia

Posts:144

Review Date: November 11, 2008 Recommended |Price:$350.00 |Rating:9

Pros: Great walk around lens
Cons: Forgetting to bring my other lens

I use this so much on my camera I often grab the camera and go. It has performed amazingly well. I know I can get something reasonable without thinking with this lens.

The camera will be on the front seat with my camera bag in the boot of the car and I know I can still take great shots almost P&S style should the need arise. As happened on my last 4,000km round trip to Eden, NSW.

spartan

Site Supporter


Registered:December,2008

Location:NJ, USA

Posts:436

Review Date: December 29, 2008 Recommended |Price:$300.00 |Rating:9

Pros: Great contrast and color, sharpness
Cons: Wish it were longer

Most of my good photographs are taken with this lens, partially because of the wide end at 16 is useful, but also the rendition and contrast are excellent. I receive many compliments on photos taken with it. The only two negatives are the limitation on the long end (max is 45mm) and the reverse zoom interferes with the built in flash. While this last point is moot when used with an external flash, it prevents me from using the lens as my walkabout. The new 17-70 should correct both issues.

Build Quality: 8 - good at the price
Utility: 7.5 - See above
Sharpness: 9- Good edge to edge for a zoom.
Color/Contrast: 9 - Very good
CA 7.5 - If you peep, you will see some at 16-18 but not that bad.

dan aron

Forum Member


Registered:December,2008

Location:Finland

Posts:55

Review Date: January 1, 2009 Not Recommended |Price:$350.00 |Rating:7

Pros: IQ very decent
Cons: AF makes terrible noise

I attached it to body and took couple shots. I have only one opinion. AF sounds like a circular saw. I'm selling it right away.

Big Dave

Veteran Member


Registered:January,2008

Location:San Antonio, Texas

Posts:547

Review Date: January 5, 2009 Recommended |Price:$193.09 |Rating:9

Pros: Excellent IQ
Cons: At 16mm it is some what long.
Sharpness: 10 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 8 Autofocus: 9 Handling: 9 Value: 10 New or Used: New

I won this lens in like new condition off Ebay last month. It has been on my camera ever since. The real world results are stunning. The current going price used is a real bargain. This is a very clever design, which by extending the length it provides a constant aperture though out the zoom range. This is especially helpful using manual flash at weddings. It is my most used lens on my Pentax bodies.

tigrebleu

Senior Member


Registered:February,2009

Location:Lévis, Canada (Québec)

Posts:144

Review Date: February 6, 2009 Recommended |Price:$300.00 |Rating:8

Pros: Relatively fast. Distortion and vignetting well under control.
Cons: Not very sharp at 16mm and CAs are a bit annoying.
Sharpness: 5 Aberrations: 7 Bokeh: 9 Autofocus: 8 Handling: 7 Value: 8 New or Used: New Camera Used: K-5, K-7, K10D

I picked this lens over the kit zoom or the Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 because of the wider FOV.

Back when I bought the lens, the latest version of the Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 (with better macro capabilities) wasn't available yet, neither was the Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 nor the Pentax 16-50mm F/2.8 SDM.

First of all, the sharpness is good (but not great) in the center, even wide open. The corners are very soft at 16mm (thanks to a very important wobbling of the lens at its longest length, which happens to be the shortest focal length), but get better as the focal length increases (good from 21mm). Stopping down increases the sharpness in the corners, but not much in the center. At F5.6, the sharpness is good. Optimal sharpness is around F8-F11, with good to very good results.

Keep in mind that this is by no means a Limited lens. Sharpness is okay for the price, but there's much better out there. Although quite fine on the K10D, this lens doesn't perform as well on the K-7, where it struggles with "resolution", as it seems it doesn't match that of a 14.6 Mpix APS-C sensor. Does a bit worse on K-5, too.

Contrast is very good at all focal lengths and all apertures until you hit diffraction limits.

Vignetting is excellent and above average, with only some slight loss in the corners at 16mm.

Distortion is visible, but still well controlled for a 16mm zoom lens, and most important, constant and easy to correct in post-production. Flare is sometimes a problem, especially when strong light sources in the frame, like the sun or streetlights at night, but there are worse lenses out there. The bokeh is quite fine in telephoto (much better than expected, actually) but very ugly in wide angle.

Lateral CAs are on the high side: the main bug. But it's pretty much all of the blue-yellow type, easily correctable in post-processing when shooting RAW. Purple fringing is not an issue.

Autofocus is very fast, but not always accurate, especially at wide-angle.

Light, relatively fast, not overly expensive... Recommended for those who want an affordable very wide-angle zoom with lots of qualities and few flaws (and who don't shoot wide open at wide angle).

mikeSF

Loyal Site Supporter


Registered:January,2009

Location:East Bay Area, CA

Posts:6,673

Review Date: February 17, 2009 Recommended |Price:$100.00 |Rating:9

Pros: 16mm wide angle, lightweight
Cons: blocks the pop-up flash, zoom ring action not totally smooth
New or Used: Used

I upgraded my DA 18-55 kit lens to this one and I must say I am very pleased with the purchase! I never thought the extra 2mm of wide FL would make any difference, but i love the 16mm FL for indoor room photos and object closeups.

I discovered the hard way that I cannot use the camera body pop-up flash for fill-in flash because the large diameter of the lens obstructs the path - i got a whole batch of wide shots with a black shadow at the bottom that i never saw thru the viewfinder, doh!- so if you need flash, you must use your hot shoe unit.

I am pleased with the IQ, as it is better than the kit lens but perhaps not quite as good as a few better primes i have used. Also, there is really decent bokeh on this lens at wide apertures.

I am happy.

Here is the 16mm focal length in action:

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (10)

here is one around 28mm:

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (11)

offertonhatter

Veteran Member


Registered:July,2007

Location:North West UK

Posts:390

Review Date: March 12, 2009 Recommended |Price:$250.00 |Rating:7

Pros: Sharp even at F4, nice colour rendition, weight, IQ, good control of CA useability, great landscape lens
Cons: a tad soft at 16mm, but once stepped down a bit, no problems at all. Apart from on the K-5 (see edit)
New or Used: New

I won't give this a 10, that is reserved for my DA* 50-135 and FA 50 F1.4. but don't let that put you off, this is one excellent lens.
Very accurate colour rendition, and with the K20D, which I was worried about due to the K20D demands on glass, its a perfect combo. It is an excellent upgrade from the kit lens, and get one whilst you can, as with the DA*16-50 and DA 17-70 already on sale, I can't see this lens being on sale for much longer.
Highly Recommend.

Edit.
I am dropping this lens to a 7 I am afraid. Why? Well the K-5 is the answer! On earlier bodies such as the *istD series, the K10D and even the K20D most of the time, it is fine. On the K-5? Well it is a not too happy a lens. Sure the bokeh is great, but the K-5 now out resolves it. The corners are soft, the CA is not great and the overall sharpness is not good. It is a shame as it is such a versatile lens. I will be keeping it as on earlier bodies it is great. But not on the K-5.
It is weird though, as my very old M42 Takumars relish being on the K-5.
Oh well, time to get the DA*16-50 then.

MysteryOnion

Giveaway winner!


Registered:December,2007

Location:beantown

Posts:944

Review Date: March 28, 2009 Recommended |Rating:9

Pros: sharpness, solid feel
Cons: odd wobble.
Sharpness: 9 Aberrations: 8 Bokeh: 8 Autofocus: 9 Handling: 9 Value: 9

My few months of use and two first real photographing assignments has increased my confidence that this is a very good lens. I've been shooting mainly in very bad lighting conditions, lens wide-open and tricky angles with most shots still being very usable. At 16mm it would obviously be a little soft, but at a glance most folks didn't notice right away. From about 20mm was fairly consistent and above that I've not had too much to complain about. So optically, it is quite the performer.

On another note... the front barrel that extends out to allow focusing... it is a little bit of a concern and on occasion when the barrel is fast twisted from 45mm to 16mm then soon after I press the shutter, it will sometimes dip down a bit due to the play that it has. This is only while the shot is in progress at 40th or slower. Out of 160 shots this might occur 4 or 5 times. I've not heard that this is a problem from other examples, so I think I might have a quirky copy. When I remember to brace it with a finger, I can avoid this on a critical shots (slow speed and with SR - on).

Just a good lens to have as my kit lens.

terminator

New Member


Registered:December,2008

Location:California

Posts:20

Review Date: May 18, 2009 Recommended |Price:$200.00 |Rating:N/A

Pros: Very sharp wide open, 16mm!
Cons: a bit bulky, build can be better, 45mm is a bit short, no sdm

I got my 16-45mm second hand and was immediately amazed at how sharp it is compared to my canon lens. My k-m has some front focus issue with 31 and 77 limited, but it has no issue with this lens. For the price I paid, this is a bargain - a canon 17-40L costs more than twice!

I hope the lens is a bit smaller and shorter such that it balance better on the k-m. The build quality isn't as good as canon L lens. But for the money, it is still reasonable. 45mm is a bit short even considering the 1.5x factor. So I end up upgrading to a 17-70mm.

TheGrandPrixKid

Junior Member


Registered:February,2008

Location:UK

Posts:34

Review Date: July 6, 2009 Recommended |Price:$300.00 |Rating:9

Pros: Sharpness, Colour, Contrast, Build, Price
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9 Aberrations: 8 Bokeh: 8 Autofocus: 8 Handling: 10 Value: 10 New or Used: New Camera Used: K5

I know there has been so many reveiws written about this lens but heres another anyway.

I've been using this lens for 3 months now and its no da* lens but then if it was you would be paying close to double! The closest lens i've used to this the famous Canon 17-40 f4L and i'm in no doubts that this lens is miles better than the canon offering after visting one of my favourite haunts and comparing images taken on similar spec cameras K10D vs Canon 40D this lens stands out head and shoulders above the canon.

My only minor gripe is the way the lens zooms out for wide angle.SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (12)

UPDATE: Have now sold this lens and replaced it with the 17-50 2.8 Tamron.

Nrelo

New Member


Registered:July,2009

Posts:2

Review Date: August 20, 2009 Recommended |Rating:9

Pros:
Cons:

A must-buy da zoom lens with reasonable prize. It is the best option for upgrading from da 18-55.

Very sharp image at all range and the IQ is unbeatable. SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (13)

cbaytan

Inactive Account


Registered:November,2008

Location:Trabzon/Turkey

Posts:1,010

Review Date: September 14, 2009 Recommended |Price:$250.00 |Rating:9

Pros: Sharpness, Pentax Colors and Other things
Cons: None in it's class, but still not a walk around lens

This lens is a gem even though it's a zoom lens. I purchased with DA 17-70mm and immediately I got rid of the 17-70 after comparing both, I didn't think buying 16-50mm because low QC measures resulting with some bad samples. I've compared with other two, for instance in resolution and CA.

I believe this lens is a pro quality lens even it's a zoom, I've been told only limited primes can match with this lens, which I don't own one.

The only drawback is 45mm is not enough to make this a walk around lens, you will need another lens when 45mm is not enough for you in the street or in the nature. So it will make you swap the lenses in the field.

In summary I would like to thank Pentax for introducing such a lens to Pentax community.

Unregistered


Review Date: September 29, 2009 Recommended |Price:$270.00 |Rating:9

Pros: Image quality
Cons: A bit short in the long end

I upgrade my kit lens to this lens, and it worth all the money. The images are sharp especially on and after f/5.6. The wide end is very useful for landscapes even though as not as good as the UWA lenses.

It's a bit short on the tele end, but that is why pentax have 50-200 or 55-300.

as a conclusion, this lens is a bargain and value for money.

SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses (2025)
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