Pentax DA Limited SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited 35mm

Pentax DA Limited SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited 35mm

Pentax
54 Overall Score
vs
Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD

Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD

Tamron
100 Overall Score

What Buyers Say

Pentax DA Limited SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited 35mm

92 out of 100 medium confidence 12 reviews

The Pentax SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited Lens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from users. Reviewers praise its exceptional sharpness, beautiful bokeh, and versatile macro capabilities, making it a favorite for both close-up nature shots and general photography. Many highlight its solid build quality and compact design, with some noting it has become their go-to lens. A few mention the very close minimum focus distance requires good light for macro work, but overall satisfaction is very high.

Pros
  • Exceptional sharpness
  • Beautiful bokeh
  • Versatile macro capabilities
  • Solid build quality
  • Compact and lightweight design
Cons
  • Very close minimum focus distance requires good light for macro
  • Some users prefer manual focus for macro work
👍 Image quality 8
👍 Build quality 5
👍 Macro capability 7
👍 Versatility 4
👍 Autofocus performance 3
👍 Bokeh quality 3

Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD

92 out of 100 medium confidence 13 reviews

The Tamron 28-300mm super-zoom wins praise for its lightweight design, versatile focal range, and solid image quality. Users appreciate the compact build and smooth zoom mechanism, but note the slow aperture and trade-offs in sharpness compared to more expensive zooms. Verified reviewers find it an ideal travel lens that pairs well with Sony bodies.

Pros
  • Lightweight design
  • Versatile 28-300mm focal range
  • Smooth zoom ring operation
  • Compact build for travel
  • Good integration with Sony bodies
Cons
  • Small maximum aperture (f/4-7.1)
  • Reduced sharpness vs. premium zooms
  • Not an internal zoom lens
  • Slow autofocus at high fps on some bodies
👍 Build quality 3
🤔 Sharpness 3
👎 Aperture 2
👍 Weight and portability 3
👍 Zoom range 4
👎 Autofocus performance 1

Scores

Budget
Pentax
41
Tamron
97
Macro
Pentax
68
Tamron
92
Landscape
Pentax
35
Tamron
87
Wildlife Sports
Pentax
35
Tamron
85
Professional
Pentax
42
Tamron
85
Street
Pentax
46
Tamron
83
Portrait
Pentax
31
Tamron
82
Video Cinema
Pentax
39
Tamron
82
Travel
Pentax
41
Tamron
81

Specifications

Pentax DA Limited SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited 35mmTamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD
Optics
Typemacrozoom
Focal Length Min35 mm28 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm300 mm
Elements920
Groups813
Aspherical Elements03★
ED Elements—2★
CoatingHD coating, SP Protect coatingfluorine coating
Aperture
Max Aperturef/22f/4
Min Aperturef/2.84-7.1
Constant✓★✗
Diaphragm Blades99
Build
MountPentax KSony E
FormatAPS-Cfull-frame★
Weather Sealed✗✓★
Weight0.21 kg★0.59 kg
Filter Thread49 mm67 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusVXD linear motor★
Stabilization✗✓★
Focus
Min Focus Distance140 mm★190 mm
Max Magnification1:11:3.8

Pros & Cons

Pentax DA Limited SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited 35mm

  • Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile
  • Strong macro (90th percentile)90th %ile
  • Strong build (84th percentile)84th %ile
  • Below average aperture (20th percentile)20th %ile
  • Below average bokeh (23rd percentile)
  • Below average versatility (34th percentile)

Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD

  • Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
  • Strong versatility (98th percentile)98th %ile
  • Strong optical (97th percentile)97th %ile
  • Strong user sentiment (91st percentile)91st %ile

Verdict

★ Winner: Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD

Scores 100 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 6 of 21 specs.

Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Better at:

MacroBudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports