Compare lenses

Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW vs Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

The Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW and the Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW if you want coverage of full frame, so it suits the larger-sensor bodies too. Pick the Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE if you want a wider view (from 82mm equivalent); a design for APS-C, which usually means smaller and lighter; and a lighter lens (442 g against 2000 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW and the Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE

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 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW	Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE
Maker	Pentax	Pentax
Focal length	150-450mm (zoom)	55-300mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	150-450mm	82-450mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/4.5-5.6	f/4.5-6.3
Made for	Full frame	APS-C
Mounts	Pentax K	Pentax K
Stabilised	no	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	3.0×	5.5×more range
Weight	2000 g	442 glighter
Cameras it fits	20 in this guide	20 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW: 150-450mm.

Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE: 55-300mm on APS-C, like 82-450mm.

Aperture

Pentax HD D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 ED DC AW: f/4.5 wide open.

Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE: f/4.5 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.