Compare lenses

Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW vs Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]

The Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW and the Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW if you want a brighter f/2.8 (1.0 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds. Pick the Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] if you want more reach (to 36mm equivalent) and a lighter lens (430 g against 704 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax HD DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW and the Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]

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 DA* 11-18mm f/2.8 ED DC AW	Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]
Maker	Pentax	Pentax
Focal length	11-18mm (zoom)	12-24mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	16-27mm on APS-C	18-36mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/2.8brighter	f/4
Made for	APS-C	APS-C
Mounts	Pentax K	Pentax K
Stabilised	no	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	1.6×	2.0×more range
Weight	704 g	430 glighter
Cameras it fits	20 in this guide	20 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

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

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]: 12-24mm on APS-C, like 18-36mm.

Aperture

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

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]: f/4 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.