Redesigned Pentax DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 Officially Launched

2021.07.14

Replacing an aging flagship lens for APS-C DSLRs, the new Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 ED PLM AW was just officially launched. This bright constant-aperture-zoom replaces the original DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 SDM that delivered image-quality required by APS-C DSLR cameras in 2007 yet was plagued with ultra-sonic focus-motor issues. Luckily the dual-focus drive lens provided a fallback to the first Pentax ultra-sonic AF motor.

Pentax complete redesigned this lens with a optical formulation and completely different internals. Instead of the problematic SDM focus-motor, this lens sports a Pulse-Linear-Motor (PLM) of greater precision and hopefully a lot more reliability. The base lens specifications remain the same, promising this to be one of the most versatile lens for Pentax K-mount. Given that no other weatherproof standard zoom exists in the lineup, we expect this to be an essential lens for Pentax K-3 III owners.

The new Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 ED PLM AW covers ultra-wide 24mm-equivalent focal-length to past normal at a 75mm-equivalent telephoto end. It maintains a bright F/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. As all DA* lenses, this one is built for professionals with a high-grade weatherproof and freezeproof construction. This lens accepts 77mm screw-on threads and offers Quick-Shift AF.

Even though the Pentax K-mount has been around for a really long time, there are 4 variants and the new 16-50mm F/2.8 lens features the latest KAF4 electronic mount which means it can only be used on moderately recent DSLRs since it does not offer a manual aperture-ring. There is no mechanical focus-coupling either. The image-quality requirements of the latest APS-C DSLRs made the new Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 PLM AW notably heavier than the lens it replaces. This latest release weighs 712g, compared to 565g.

With a 30cm minimum focus-distance, this lens achieves a

0.24X magnification which is fairly good for this type of lens. A 9-blade aperture inside allows it to blur backgrounds smoothly. A wide zoom ring provides great precision while framing and similarly for focusing manually.

Ricoh expects to ship the Pentax HD DA* 16-50mm F/2.8 PLM AW for $1400 USD next month. Canadian pricing was not revealed. Preorders are not open yet as these are uncertain times.

• Lens