Compare lenses

Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] vs Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL

The Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] and the Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] if you want a wider view (from 18mm equivalent). Pick the Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL if you want more reach (to 68mm equivalent) and a lighter lens (356 g against 430 g).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF] and the Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL

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 smc DA 12-24mm f/4 ED AL [IF]	Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL
Maker	Pentax	Pentax
Focal length	12-24mm (zoom)	16-45mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	18-36mm on APS-C	24-68mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/4
Made for	APS-C	APS-C
Mounts	Pentax K	Pentax K
Stabilised	no	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	2.0×	2.8×more range
Weight	430 g	356 glighter
Cameras it fits	20 in this guide	20 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

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

Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL: 16-45mm on APS-C, like 24-68mm.

Aperture

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

Pentax smc DA 16-45mm f/4 ED AL: 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.