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
Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony
90 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

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

82 out of 100 high confidence 117 reviews

The Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is widely praised as an excellent all-in-one travel and walkaround lens for APS-C E-mount cameras. Users consistently highlight its sharpness, compact size, light weight, and versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range. While many note it is not ideal for low light and some report significant vignetting at the wide end, the overall sentiment is very positive, with most considering it a great value kit lens upgrade.

Pros
  • Sharp image quality
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Versatile 27-200mm equivalent zoom range
  • Effective optical image stabilization
  • Fast and accurate autofocus
Cons
  • Significant vignetting at 18mm wide end
  • Not ideal for low light photography
  • Variable aperture limits brightness at telephoto
  • Some copies may have quality control issues
  • Slight autofocus lag compared to premium lenses
👍 Image quality 35
👍 Build quality 12
👍 Value for money 18
👎 Vignetting 6
👎 Low light performance 10
👍 Zoom range 25

Scores

Budget
Pentax
41
Sony
100
Street
Pentax
46
Sony
89
Travel
Pentax
41
Sony
85
Wildlife Sports
Pentax
35
Sony
84
Portrait
Pentax
31
Sony
83
Video Cinema
Pentax
39
Sony
83
Professional
Pentax
42
Sony
73
Landscape
Pentax
35
Sony
73
Macro
Pentax
68
Sony
68

Specifications

Pentax DA Limited SMCP-DA 35mm f/2.8 HD Macro Limited 35mmSony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Optics
Typemacrozoom
Focal Length Min35 mm18 mm
Focal Length Max35 mm135 mm
Elements916
Groups812
Aspherical Elements01★
ED Elements—2★
CoatingHD coating, SP Protect coating—
Aperture
Max Aperturef/22f/3.5
Min Aperturef/2.83.5-5.6
Constant✓★✗
Diaphragm Blades9★7
Build
MountPentax KSony E
FormatAPS-CAPS-C
Weather Sealed✗—
Weight0.21 kg★0.33 kg
Filter Thread49 mm55 mm
AF & Stabilization
AF TypeAutofocusLinear motor★
Stabilization✗✓★
Focus
Min Focus Distance140 mm★450 mm
Max Magnification1:1★0.29x

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)

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

  • Strong af (98th percentile)98th %ile
  • Strong versatility (96th percentile)96th %ile
  • Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
  • Strong stabilization (82nd percentile)82nd %ile

Verdict

★ Winner: Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Scores 90 overall, wins 8 of 9 usage categories and 4 of 21 specs.

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Better at:

BudgetStreetTravelPortraitLandscapeProfessionalVideo CinemaWildlife Sports