Compare lenses

Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM vs Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM

The Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM and the Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM side by side, computed from this guide's catalogue.

Which to pick

Pick the Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM if you want a brighter f/2.8 (1.0 stops more light), for dim light and softer backgrounds and a wider view (from 75mm equivalent). Pick the Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM if you want more reach (to 375mm equivalent).

Still torn? Ask the guide about the Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM and the Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM

Specs side by side

Rows that differ are in full colour; the better value is marked where one is better by any measure.
SpecPentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDMPentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM
MakerPentaxPentax
Focal length50-135mm (zoom)60-250mm (zoom)
Full-frame equivalent75-202mm on APS-C90-375mm on APS-C
Maximum aperturef/2.8brighterf/4
Made forAPS-CAPS-C
MountsPentax KPentax K
Stabilisednono
Autofocusyesyes
Zoom range2.7×4.2×more range
Weight685 gnot listed
Cameras it fits20 in this guide20 in this guide

Focal range, in full-frame terms

142435508513520040080075-202mm equiv.smc DA* 50-135mm
Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM: 50-135mm on APS-C, like 75-202mm.
142435508513520040080090-375mm equiv.smc DA* 60-250mm
Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM: 60-250mm on APS-C, like 90-375mm.

Aperture

f/2.8
Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM: f/2.8 wide open.
f/4
Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM: 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

smc DA* 50-135mm at 50mm · 27°smc DA* 60-250mm at 60mm · 23°smc DA* 50-135mm at 135mm · 10°smc DA* 60-250mm at 250mm · 5°
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.

Pentax smc DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 ED [IF] SDM

and 10 more

Pentax smc DA* 60-250mm f/4 ED [IF] SDM

and 10 more

On their own pages