Pentax D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR 30mm
The constant f/2.8 aperture across the 15-30mm zoom range pairs with ED glass and HD coatings to deliver corner-to-corner sharpness and contrast. Weather-resistant sealing and fast, near-silent SDM autofocus make it dependable for outdoor stills and video in rain or dust. Best for Pentax K-mount landscape and astrophotography shooters who need a durable, bright ultra-wide zoom with consistent low-light performance.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong optical (77th percentile) 77th
- Strong versatility (73th percentile) 73th
Cons
- Below average build (11th percentile)
- Below average aperture (25th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (28th percentile)
- Below average macro (33th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 17 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 15 |
| Focal Length Max | 30 |
| Elements | 18 |
| Groups | 13 |
| Coating | Super Protect & HD Multi-Layer Coatings |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | 22 |
| Min Aperture | 2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Pentax K |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 1.0 kg / 2.3 lbs |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | SDM |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
| Max Magnification | 0.2x |
vs Competition
| Spec | Pentax D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR 30mm | Nikon Nikkor 2166 | Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 | Sony E SELP1650 | Meike 35mm F1.7 Wide Angle APS-C Manual Focus Prime Fixed | Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 15-30mm | 55-200mm | 28-75mm | 16-50mm | 35mm | 18-55mm |
| Max Aperture | 22 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.7 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Pentax K | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Sony E | Canon EF-S |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 1040 | 255 | 550 | 116 | 363 | 200 |
| AF Type | SDM | Silent Wave Motor | VXD | Stepping motor | STM | Micro Motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | telephoto | zoom | zoom | Wide-Angle | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Af | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax D FA 15-30mm f/2.8 ED SDM WR 30mm | 54.9 | 28.4 | 10.9 | 32.7 | 77.1 | 24.5 | 63.6 | 72.9 | 59.9 | 35.9 |
| Nikon Nikkor 2166 Compare | 54.9 | 70.3 | 76.8 | 81.2 | 66.4 | 71.8 | 91.7 | 85.3 | 83.1 | 92.5 |
| Tamron Di III 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Compare | 54.9 | 86.4 | 63.2 | 84.8 | 91.2 | 84.1 | 80.8 | 78.5 | 91.7 | 35.9 |
| Sony E SELP1650 Compare | 86.6 | 75.5 | 93.6 | 35.1 | 64.4 | 77.5 | 63.6 | 83.5 | 74.1 | 92.5 |
| Meike 35mm F1.7 Wide Angle APS-C Manual Focus Prime Fixed Compare | 86.6 | 91.8 | 51.1 | 95.9 | 41.6 | 94.3 | 63.6 | 34.1 | 54.1 | 81.1 |
| Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Compare | 54.9 | 67.4 | 82.8 | 42.9 | 63 | 77.5 | 44.4 | 83 | 78 | 92.5 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon.ca 1 offers From CA$49
B&H Photo 1 offers From CA$2,004
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.