Compare lenses

Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR vs Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

The Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR and the Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR if you want coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too. Pick the Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW if you want a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter and a lighter lens (704 g against 1040 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR and the Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
Spec	Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR	Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW
Maker	Pentax	Pentax
Focal length	15-30mm (zoom)	11-18mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	15-30mm	16-27mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/2.8	f/2.8
Made for	Full frame	APS-C
Mounts	Pentax K	Pentax K
Stabilised	no	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.0×more range	1.6×
Weight	1040 g	704 glighter
Cameras it fits	20 in this guide	20 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: 15-30mm.

Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW: 11-18mm on APS-C, like 16-27mm.

Aperture

Pentax HD D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR: f/2.8 wide open.

Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW: f/2.8 wide open.

Each opening drawn to scale against f/1.4: a smaller f-number lets in more light and blurs the background more.

Field of view

How wide each sees, at each end, on the sensor it was made for.

Cameras they fit

20 cameras in this guide take both, so either works on the same body.