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 (80th percentile) 80th
- Strong versatility (72nd percentile) 72nd
- Strong social proof (66th percentile) 66th
Cons
- Below average build (14th percentile)
- Below average aperture (20th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (23rd 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 18 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 | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/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 | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD | Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 15-30mm | 18-50mm | 17-70mm | 17-28mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Pentax K | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon Z | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | false | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | true | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 1040 | 290 | 544 | 450 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | SDM | stepping motor | RXD | Stepping Motor | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | 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 | 53.7 | 22.5 | 13.8 | 41.9 | 79.9 | 19.8 | 63.7 | 72.3 | 65.6 | 36.7 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.8 | 81.1 | 86.4 | 91.4 | 82.4 | 83.3 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 90.2 | 36.7 |
| Tamron Di III 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Compare | 53.7 | 86.4 | 69 | 85.5 | 91.2 | 83.3 | 63.7 | 89.6 | 86 | 82.4 |
| Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 Compare | 86.8 | 86.4 | 75.6 | 85.5 | 88.3 | 83.3 | 91.2 | 68.1 | 70.8 | 36.7 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.7 | 81.1 | 85.7 | 50.7 | 86.6 | 83.3 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 86 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 74.6 | 72.9 | 40.3 | 78.7 | 76.6 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 90.2 | 82.4 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.