Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WR

Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WR

Pentax
61 Overall Score
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Nikon
97 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WR

85 out of 100 high confidence 34 reviews

The Pentax HD D FA 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR lens is widely praised as an exceptional value, delivering sharpness and clarity that rivals or exceeds more expensive zooms like the 24-70mm f/2.8. Users consistently highlight its compact size, light weight, weather resistance, and versatile focal range as ideal for travel and everyday photography on full-frame K-1 cameras. While a few note the variable aperture as a minor limitation, the consensus is that this lens punches far above its price point and is a no-brainer for Pentax shooters.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness for the price
  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Weather-resistant construction
  • Versatile 28-105mm focal range
  • Great value for money
Cons
  • Variable aperture (f/3.5-5.6)
  • Slightly narrow at wide end (28mm vs 24mm)
  • Zoom ring requires slight effort
  • No infinity focus indicator
👍 Value for money 12
👍 Image quality 14
👍 Build quality 8
👍 Size and weight 10
👍 Weather resistance 5
🤔 Aperture speed 6

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

85 out of 100 low confidence 9 reviews

This Nikon 18-55mm lens is widely praised for its sharpness, light weight, and excellent value for money, especially as a kit lens. Users highlight its vivid colors and quiet autofocus, though some note the plastic build feels fragile and the barrel can wobble at extended focal lengths. Overall, it's considered a fantastic starter lens that outperforms its modest price point.

Pros
  • Sharp image quality
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Excellent value for money
  • Vivid color reproduction
  • Quiet autofocus
Cons
  • Plastic build feels fragile
  • Barrel wobbles at extended focal lengths
  • No image stabilization
  • Loose tolerances can affect focus
👍 Image quality 6
🤔 Build quality 4
👍 Value for money 5
👍 Weight and portability 4
👍 Autofocus performance 3
👎 Image stabilization 2

Scores

Street
Pentax
51
Nikon
91
Budget
Pentax
60
Nikon
90
Macro
Pentax
52
Nikon
89
Travel
Pentax
67
Nikon
86
Portrait
Pentax
42
Nikon
83
Video Cinema
Pentax
43
Nikon
77
Wildlife Sports
Pentax
50
Nikon
71
Landscape
Pentax
63
Nikon
70
Professional
Pentax
50
Nikon
70

Specifications

Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WRNikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm
Optics
Typezoomzoom
Focal Length Min28 mm18 mm
Focal Length Max105 mm55 mm
Elements157
Groups115
Aspherical Elements—2★
ED Elements—1★
CoatingSuper Protect & HD Multi-Layer CoatingsSuper Integrated Coating
Aperture
Max Aperture22-32★f/3.5
Min Aperture3.5-5.63.5-5.6
Constant✗✗
Diaphragm Blades9★7
Build
MountPentax KNikon F
Formatfull-frame★APS-C
Weather Sealed✓★—
Weight0.44 kg0.20 kg★
Filter Thread62 mm55 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeSupersonic Direct-Drive AF Motorpulse stepping motor★
Stabilization✗✓★
Stabilization Stops—4 stops★
Focus
Min Focus Distance500 mm55 mm★
Max Magnification1:4.55★—

Pros & Cons

Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WR

  • Strong versatility (86th percentile)86th %ile
  • Strong social proof (77th percentile)
  • Strong build (75th percentile)
  • Strong optical (69th percentile)
  • Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
  • Below average bokeh (25th percentile)
  • Below average stabilization (34th percentile)

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

  • Strong macro (95th percentile)95th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
  • Strong social proof (86th percentile)86th %ile
  • Strong af (85th percentile)85th %ile

Pricing

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm is €531 cheaper (4.5x less).

Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WR0.088score per dollar
vs
Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm0.631score per dollar

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm offers 7.2x better value for money

Pentax D FA 28-105MM F3.5-5.6ED DC WR

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Verdict

★ Winner: Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm

Scores 97 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 7 of 22 specs.

Nikon NIKKOR 20059 18-55mm Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports

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