Compare lenses

Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] vs Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

The Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] and the Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] if you want a brighter f/3.5 (0.4 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds; more reach (to 375mm equivalent); and a wider view (from 27mm equivalent). On these specs the Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR has no clear advantage: choose it if the price, the handling or a lens you own decides it.

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] and the Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR

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 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]	Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR
Maker	Pentax	Pentax
Focal length	18-250mm (zoom)	50-200mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent	27-375mm on APS-C	75-300mm on APS-C
Maximum aperture	f/3.5-6.3brighter	f/4-5.6
Made for	APS-C	APS-C
Mounts	Pentax K	Pentax K
Stabilised	no	no
Autofocus	yes	yes
Zoom range	13.9×more range	4.0×
Cameras it fits	20 in this guide	20 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]: 18-250mm on APS-C, like 27-375mm.

Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR: 50-200mm on APS-C, like 75-300mm.

Aperture

Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF]: f/3.5 wide open.

Pentax smc DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR: 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.