Pentax SMC-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Pentax
Article Index
Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

Page 3 of 3

Sample Images

Here're a few sample images taken with the K10D and RAW-converted via Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) v3.7. Images kindly provided by Sebastian Milczanowski.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window). Please note that the originals are FULL SIZE (=several megabytes) which requires quite some bandwidth for downloading so please don't waste the limited resources here.

Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/5.6 @ 1/60s
Size 3872x2592
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 18.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/180s
Size 3872x2592
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 18.0mm
Exposure Data: f/3.5 @ 1/500s
Size 2592x3872
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 55.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/250s
Size 2592x3872
Make PENTAX Corporation
Model PENTAX K10D
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 35.0mm
Exposure Data: f/8.0 @ 1/125s
Size 2592x3872

Verdict

The Pentax SMC DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL is a surprisingly good kit zoom although it has its weaknesses specifically at 18mm. The center and border performance is fine here but the extreme corners are somewhat soft. Pronounced vignetting and reduced contrast are also present at f/3.5. At 35mm and 55mm the situation is much better. CAs are very well controlled. The build quality is good for a kit zoom and a level up from the rest of the gang such as the Canon EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 or Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED. All-in-all a good offer from a price/value perspective but naturally there're better lenses out there ... with a much higher price tag.

Optical Quality:
Mechanical Quality:
Price/Performance:

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