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HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE Review RSS Feed

HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE

Sharpness 
 7.7
Aberrations 
 7.9
Bokeh 
 7.1
Autofocus 
 8.8
Handling 
 6.2
Value 
 7.9
Reviews Views Date of last review
18 93,775 Sun October 8, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
72% of reviewers $146.64 7.50
HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE

HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
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HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
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HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
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HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
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HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
supersize
HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
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Description:
The HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE launched in February 2015 was a welcome addition to the 18-50/55 mm range of zoom lenses for the APS-C format with its built-in autofocus motor for silent autofocusing. Focusing manually with the focusing ring engages the AF motor, which takes care of the focusing. This implies that this lens cannot be used on DSLRs without lens power contacts (K100D and older).

As a first for Pentax this standard zoom lens is retractable for easy storage and portability. When retracted it measures but 41 mm in length. The lens is weather resistant making it useable in dusty environments or in light rain when paired with a weather-resistant Pentax DSLR.

The lens features the Pentax HD coating and super-low dispersion glass elements and aspherical elements for improved image quality.

The lens has an smc coated DA L counterpart, which is is included as a kit lens with a camera body and cannot be purchased separately.

HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
APS-C
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
No
Diaphragm
Automatic, 7 blades (rounded)
Optics
11 elements, 8 groups
Mount Variant
KAF3
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F4-5.6
Min. Aperture
F22-32
Focusing
AF (in-lens motor)
DC
Quick-shift
Yes
Min. Focus
30 cm
Max. Magnification
0.23x
Filter Size
58 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 76-31.5 ° / 67-27 °
Hood
PH-RBJ58
Case
S80-80
Lens Cap
O-LC58
Coating
HD,SP
Weather Sealing
Yes (WR)
Other Features
Retractable,Focus by Wire
Diam x Length
71 x 41 mm (2.8 x 1.6 in.)
Weight
158 g (5.6 oz.)
Production Years
2015 to present (in production)
Pricing
$299 USD current price
Engraved Name
HD PENTAX-DA 1:4-5.6 18-50mm DC WR RE
Product Code
21357
Reviews
User reviews
In-depth review
Unofficial Full-Frame Compatibility Tests by Pentax Forums
★★☆ Full coverage at some F-stop and focal length combinations
Show details
Notes
Low profile lens hood.
Not compatible with K100D and older.
Plastic mount.
Retractable.
One aspherical element, one ED element.

Features:
Supersonic AutofocusQuick ShiftWeather SealedAutomatic ApertureAPS-C Digital Only
Purchase: Buy the HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE
In-Depth Review: Read our HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE in-depth review!
Price History:



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Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 18
Junior Member

Registered: January, 2022
Posts: 27
Review Date: October 8, 2023 Recommended | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: light, sharp, wr
Cons: small aperture, handling
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 6    Bokeh: 4    Autofocus: 7    Handling: 2    Value: 5    New or Used: New    Camera Used: k70   

My copy is sharp, but not entirely.
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2012
Posts: 7
Review Date: July 11, 2023 Not Recommended | Price: $80.00 | Rating: 3 

 
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Painful and awkward to use
Sharpness: 6    Bokeh: 4    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 1    Value: 5    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5   

i thought this lens would be the ideal holiday lens. how wrong was i

When retracted this small lens looked so cool when fitted to my k5 but it soon it became apparent all was not as i had imagined

yes it takes excellent photos but the effort and time it takes to remove the lens cap then press the small black retract button at the same time you have to twist and pull the lens out , then you can take a photo

This is painfully slow to do and just as awkward in reverse , i would hate to do this with gloves on in the winter , so you end up with it fully extended out most of the time

I missed some amazing shots of a 2nd world war bomber flying ultra low over head because i had this silly lens fitted , by the time i had the lens cap off and fully extended in focus all I got was the the rear end of the plane in the distance .

Sold this lens within days.
Bought a Pentax-DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL DC WR a far better holiday lens
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2022
Posts: 1
Review Date: July 1, 2023 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Good price-performance , weather sealing, light and compact., good quality
Cons: Takes some time to make it ready for shooting
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 6    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K-50   

I bought this lens new for my second body the K-50 to go outside in bad weather as my Sigma 17-50/ f2.8 is not weather sealed.
It is a good walk-around lens.
In my opinion it is unfair rating it at overall sharpness below 8 because it provides images of high quality (and i must admit i didn't except that) , rich in contrast, the sharpest at f8 - f11 and with an impressive autofocus (pretty fast and silent).
Have been outside in the rain with it and had no problems so far.
Removing the front cap makes you slow to start shooting but that's not as tragic as described in some review.
However when bought new the front cap stays to tight on the lens and also retracting the lens is hard and many time i had the feeling i was going to break it, but with time and by using it often things got better.

I love this lens for what it offers and i am giving it an overall 8.
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2022
Location: Gosford, NSW
Posts: 8
Review Date: February 10, 2023 Recommended | Price: $310.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: light weight, small, weather resist (supposedly)
Cons: feels weak. not easy to open quickly.
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 6    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-70   

In terms of Image Quality, on my K70 I find it a bit soft at the edges fully open. At f11 things are better but nowhere near prime quality in my opinion (but I am no expert).
As a walkaround lens, I find it quite ok, but I cannot go from fully closed to ready-to-use in any hurry. First the zoom ring has to be unlocked, which I find a little fiddly, then the lens cap has to be carefully removed. Prying off the lens cap is not easy, it feels quite air-tight, and if I try to pry off the cap in a hurry I fear that it may lead to breakage. I think this is why some report that the front of the lens is wobbly.
Underneath the lens cap is the hood, with its rectangular cut-out. The hood twists off. Others have reported success with putting a low profile filter under the hood, I have tried this but it feels tight, like I am going to break it.
In the interests of being able to operate the lens quickly without fear of breakage, I have ditched the lens hood and the cap, and use a UV filter with a clip-on lens cap. I think Pentax could have done better in this area, perhaps a flip-up/down cover for the rectangular hood cut-out instead of the tight cap?
Closing the lens again seems a bit of an issue too, I find it helps to push gently on the front of the lens as you rotate the zoom ring.
So after all that, what do I find this lens good for ? Its not the lens that I will keep on the camera most of the time, rather at this stage it will be my rainy day lightweight lens (but I have yet to test it on rainy days, and I see others have reported less than ideal results with water)
   
Forum Member

Registered: December, 2021
Location: Ancona
Posts: 83
Review Date: November 4, 2022 Not Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Small, light, tropicalized, autofocus, lens hood
Cons: vignetting
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: KP   

I bought it today for 90 euros as a replacement for my old one
SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL. The autofocus surprised me is fast and really quiet. Compared to the old one it is smaller and lighter and when it is closed on my KP it really fits very well. I only tried it in the evening and at 3200 ISO unfortunately it has vignetting on all sides but easily recoverable in post. I recommend not shooting at ISO 3200. I prefer fixed focal length lenses but I chose it for the price and the weather sealing. Travel zoom kit. I'm waiting for a chance of the HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR and I think I'll sell it. Anyway, for now it's fine with me. I will try it during the day and update the review.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: March, 2021
Posts: 1,452

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: July 17, 2022 Recommended | Price: $69.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Great colours and lovely contrast
Cons: Retract mechanism and ring a bit "underdeveloped"
Sharpness: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 4    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-7   

I bought this one cheap, had a few visible signs of use on the cap, but that is all. It was sold cheaper than the DA-L version at that time and the DA-L versions now have an asking price of € 119,00. It is a fun lens to use, works well in combination with my K-7. What surprised me was that colours look better than with any of the other simple lenses of Pentax, by which I mean non Ltd or Star. AF is fast with the OVF but in Live View it hunts a bit more. Having large pockets in my coat I can take the K-7 with 18-50 with me without the use of a bag or something.
   
Junior Member

Registered: May, 2015
Posts: 33

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 15, 2021 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: A good upgrade over the kit lens
Cons:
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K3   

This lens is pretty good for a travel lens.

The AF DC motor is very fast and silent, really does a great job.

The lens is very small, almost the same size as a 35mm/2.4 plastic fantastic or a 50mm/1.4

I like the locking system is very useful.

Definetly is a major improvement over the old 18-55 DA-L.


   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2008
Location: Detroit MI, USA
Posts: 508

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 23, 2021 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: small and light zoom, sharp with good IQ, fast quiet in lens autofocus, weather resistant
Cons: Slow f/stops, retractable button and action could for sure be smoother, limited zoom range
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 7    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K5 K20d   

Review of the HD DA 18-50mm f4-5.6 WR RE. Bought new on sale for $199.99. I am using it as a second kit lens on my K5. I want to leave my old kit the DA 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR on my K20D. It’s for a two person walk around all weather solution.

I have been testing and comparing it against my DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 WR, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 and DA 35mm f.2.4. Most reviews cover it well. Surprising for me in my testing was that it is better across the frame at all focal length even at 18mm versus the DA18-55mm WR. Surprisingly as it seems optically the same as the old kit lens. The evidence from all reviews and my own testing says kudos to Pentax for improving sharpness throughout its range. Against the Sigma 17-70mm it holds up remarkably well even wide open! At f/8 they are very close. The DA 35mm f2.4 is sharper, better, but its close depending on the aperture sometimes you can’t tell them apart. The one weak area of the lens is chromatic aberration and purple fringing at the wide end, especially under challenging conditions. This is what separates it from more expensive ones that are better corrected. It’s moderate and doesn’t ruin pictures, moreover correctable in Camera or Editing software. I’m a believer though the more corrections made the more unnatural the image. Overall however optically not much to complain about.

As for build and handling. You can use filters with the included hood! You may have to watch the thickness of the filter. I am using a 58mm Digital type slim protector under the lens hood. There is just a little wobble in the barrels when extended, about the same as the DA 18-55mm WR. Build quality is fine except as everyone says the retractable mechanism could be smoother. It’s the lens one let down. It’s not a deal breaker however. At full price of $300 it might be. The zoom and focus rings could be smoother.

I wanted a small, light weight, weather resistant zoom lens. For Pentax you have the kits DA 18-55mm WR, DA 18-50mm DC WR RE, DA 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 DC WR and a premium option in the DA 20-40mm f2.8-4 WR Limited. The DA 18-135mm being the biggest I would accept, and DA 20-40mm Limited a bit expensive for a ‘kit’ replacement. For $200 I am satisfied.
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2017
Posts: 1

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 9, 2019 Recommended | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Compact, good optical performance, light
Cons: Collapsing-expanding not always fast, need care
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 6    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-S2   

First of all, after reading the reviews in this section and the ones in the "DA-L" section, where the "kit" version of this lens is, I am almost sure that someone confused the two versions. First, because you cannot pay 140$ for the used "DA-L", and second because here morethan one reviewer says he tested the 18-50 kit lens, not HD, and without hood, reviews that should be in the DA-L section.
The fault is also in the differece between them, which is visible only in the "L" letter.
For what concerns my experience, I tested both, because the DA-L had a AF problem during the warranty time, and it was substituted with the HD (at no cost for me, very correct customer service!). I must admit that it is not easy to distinguish at first glance the performance between this lens and the 50 mm f/1,4. I am surprised, as I expected old cheap zooms soft performances.
Moreover, to say the truth, in general use also the difference with the DA-L is not so evident, except for the mechanical problems of my specimen.
UPDATE:
Also the new one have problems. First some difficulties in expanding, than stops focusing (and the camera does not fire). Needs some care but I am also looking for a 18-55WR, maybe more reliable.
   
New Member

Registered: August, 2019
Posts: 5

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 2, 2019 Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: No other lens gives that zoom reach in such small size
Cons: plastic build
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: KP   

I find using that lens much more often than I imagined I would. In fact, it became my go-to lens when just going for photo walks with the KP. Lately I take other lenses with me only if I plan some specific shooting scenario like portrait, night shoot etc.
the're is nothing else in PENTAX APS-C that gives such zoom in such small package. There is a reason why many people use micro 4/3 cameras with small collapsible zooms.

It generally starts giving nice results once you close down fo f7 or f8. Wide open- not so much, but really this can be said about most zooms on APS-C. I also have the 17-70 f4 and the 18-50 gives more contrasty and pleasing results in many situations. And really with the high ISO capability of the KP it doesn't bother me that much to raise ISO and close the aperture to f8 to get a sharp shot

Manual focusing is done "by wire" electroniacally. I use MF frequently and it is not as nice as having an actual focus ring, but also not as bad as you might think. Just takes some time to get used to.

I would actually like a more "premium" version of this lens, made of metal etc. But despite the plastic build it handles well, and I had no issues with it so far (I've used it for about a year). Defninitely one of my fav lenses, if it ever gets lost or damaged I'll surely get another one.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: June, 2013
Posts: 321

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 10, 2019 Recommended | Price: $149.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: size, weight, and image quality.
Cons: Have to press a button and extend to use.
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 7    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K5IIs   

Great small travel zoom and even weather-sealed!
   
Senior Member

Registered: September, 2008
Location: Tallinn
Posts: 146
Review Date: July 19, 2018 Recommended | Price: $120.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: price/perfomance, small & light, fast, reasonably sharp, WR
Cons: bigger battery drain on older cameras
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 8    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K200D, K-01   

Bought this lens for 120€ brand new with warranty. I compared it with SMC DA 18-55 II.
Construction is on par with regular kit lens. With HD coating photos are more contrasty and colours are cleaner than with SMC DA 18-55 II.
On K200D it's very fast and sharp, but not razorsharp like Sigma A 35
On K-01 with latest firmaware it's MEH, focusing speed is limited by old contrast detection algorithms and sharpness in on par with regular kit lens.
My best walkaround combo is now K200D + DA 18-50 RE, because of reasonable compactness and weather sealing.
For 120 money I recommend this lens, but for retail price of 250€ this lens isn't so good purchase.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2013
Posts: 389

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: September 6, 2017 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: very fast AUTOFOCUS drive!!!, sharp, compact, price-performance ratio, WR, dreamy bokeh
Cons: WR not as good as on other lenses
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K-3, Pentax K-70   

Really sharp for a Kit-Lens. (use the lens hood!)
Autofocus is really fast with this lens.
And if i say fast, i say fast and not "a bit faster then DA*55 SDM",
I am talking about fast, (and autofocusing with that thing really makes fun because it does what it should do.)
no AF hunting,
I like the bokeh... it has an incy-wincy bit of that "dreamy" touch.
Couldnt make out any abberations.

You will be in need of getting used to manual focusing, if you are more the MF guy.
Nonetheless, the Quickshift is really nice.



Bottomline:
Use the hood, then its all good.

(Even if you don't results aren't that bad. I shot the pic below without hood and harsh light from the left side.)
PENTAX K-3
1/15s - 30mm (135 equiv = 45mm) - ISO 3200 - F:4.5
I would go so far and say that details are really good for a shot with 1/15s @ ISO 3200 ...

If you are a pixelpeeper, pls have a look at ISO 100 photos at the german Pentax Forum at "Pentaxians.de"
https://www.pentaxians.de/40456504nx51499/lens-clubs-f46/pentax-da-l-18-50mm...ub-t12327.html

   
Veteran Member

Registered: July, 2007
Location: North West UK
Posts: 390

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 14, 2017 Recommended | Price: $120.00 | Rating: 8 

 
Pros: Small, lightweight, silent focus, Good performance, sealing
Cons: silly MF ring, no hood, could be faster? Retraction button.
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-70, K-3II   

This seems to be a lens that polorizes opinions. By which I mean is it worthy as the "new" kit lens on APS-C.

In absolute terms of a lens performance, it is probably lacking, but there is more to that, when it comes to lenses.

First of all, it is a kit lens, and actually it is not bad at all. Sure, if you pixel peep, the sharpness wide open may lack the DA* lenses of this world, but remember it is a lens that came with the body, and for that it beats certain other brand kit lenses in performance, if not the old 18-55.

Firstly, it is nice and small, and if you have the K-01 (sadly I no longer have) I would consider it a perfect little zoom combo. But I don't so lets not dwell on that.

Plusses
It is weather sealed
It is silent in its AF, and remarkably snappy too, something you cannot say with the old kit.
It is nice and small, and light too.
It is pretty good with sharpness, albeit micro-detail could be better
Colours and contrast are rather good.

Minuses
So small, that my girlfriend could not get around the retraction button, and her thumb touching the rest of the lens meaning it would not extend. I don't find it an issue though, but many probably will.
No lens hood is included. Not tried the old hood on the lens yet, but you never know.
Manual Focus ring seems more like "focus by wire" rather than physical, very frustrating. but then again, I only use it in AF anyway.

Overall, I give it an 8. It is not perfect, but far from being a "dog". Actually I rather like it on my K-70 when I want to walk light.

Worth a consideration if you have any small body from the K100D Super onwards, or if you just want a compact zoom on your K-5/K-3
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2017
Posts: 5

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 9, 2017 Not Recommended | Price: $55.00 | Rating: 5 

 
Pros: In the review
Cons: In the review
Sharpness: 4    Aberrations: 5    Bokeh: 6    Autofocus: 6    Handling: 4    Value: 4    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-S2   

This lens is not a good kit-lens. For sharp photos, aperture cannot be wider than f/8. This makes photos in darker environments impossible. The lens has noticeable chromatic aberration. The bokeh is good, considering that it is a kit-lens. The bokeh-balls are not round due to the aperture not being round. The aperture hole is deformed, and not placed in the center of the lens. But a good aperture is nothing I expect from a cheap kit-lens. The autofocus is ok, but the AF-motor is noisy. The build quality is bad, and it is hard to extend and retract the lens. The cheap plastic rings bend, making it hard to extend the lens from its compact position. The lens is too expensive, the performance is just too bad. For the same price you can buy old soviet lenses, which take much better pictures.
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