Pentax 21750

With autofocus in the 94th percentile, this lens is a speed demon for Pentax cameras. It combines a versatile 60-250mm constant f/4 zoom range with bombproof weather sealing, all for a very reasonable $904. Just be ready for its 1kg+ weight and keep an eye on the zoom barrel, as it's known to creep.

This lens is built for getting the shot, and the AF system is the star of the show. Landing in the 94th percentile for autofocus, the SDM motor is both silent and quick, which is a huge plus for wildlife and sports, our database's top-rated use case for this lens at 73.7 out of 100. The stabilization system is also well above average, helping you keep things steady at the long end. Optically, it's a solid performer, not a chart-topper. The 45th percentile optical score suggests it's middle of the pack in our pure metrics, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Owners rave about the sharpness, noting it's great wide open at f/4 and becomes simply astonishing by f/5.6. The two ED elements and Pentax's coatings do their job, keeping contrast high and flare to a minimum. The constant f/4 aperture is a real asset for subject separation, with bokeh quality sitting right around average for its class.

Stacked against the competition, the DA* 60-250mm carves out a unique niche. The Sigma 16-300mm and Tamron 18-300mm are more versatile superzooms, but they have variable, slower apertures that can't match the Pentax's constant f/4 for low light or consistent exposure while zooming. The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II is in a different league optically and in build quality, but it also costs over twice as much. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.8 is a fantastic standard zoom, but it doesn't have the telephoto reach. This Pentax is for the photographer who prioritizes a constant aperture, weather sealing, and a useful telephoto range in a single, relatively compact package, and is willing to accept the trade-off of average absolute sharpness and a heavier build.

At around $904, this lens presents a compelling value proposition, especially when you consider the constant f/4 aperture and professional-grade weather sealing. You're getting a lens that owners feel is a superb deal for the performance it delivers. The wildlife and sports score of 73.7 shows it's a serious tool for action, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a new, weather-sealed telephoto zoom with this range and a constant aperture for less. It's a lot of lens for the money, making it a smart buy for the dedicated Pentax shooter.

The Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4 is a bit of a sleeper hit in the telephoto zoom world, and the numbers back that up. Its autofocus performance lands in the 94th percentile, making it one of the best on the market for snappy, silent acquisition thanks to the SDM motor. Versatility is another standout, sitting in the 90th percentile, which makes sense given that 60-250mm range on APS-C gives you a very useful 90-375mm equivalent field of view. You're getting a constant f/4 aperture, weather sealing that owners consistently praise, and solid stabilization, all for around $904. The optical score sits at a middling 45th percentile, so it's not going to dethrone the sharpest primes, but real-world feedback tells a story of excellent sharpness across the zoom range, especially when stopped down just a bit.

If you're primarily a landscape shooter, this probably isn't your lens. Our database scores it weakest for landscape at just 53.6 out of 100, and the 45th percentile optical score means it won't deliver the edge-to-edge critical sharpness some landscape photographers demand. You should also look elsewhere if you absolutely need a lightweight kit, as the 1kg+ weight is a constant source of complaints. And if you're a full-frame K-1 shooter who doesn't want to deal with heavy vignetting or crop mode, a dedicated full-frame telephoto is the better path.

The Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4 is a fantastic, no-nonsense telephoto zoom that nails the essentials for Pentax APS-C shooters. The autofocus is a standout, the weather sealing is battle-ready, and the constant f/4 aperture makes it a reliable partner for everything from wildlife to portraits. The build quality score in our database is a head-scratcher given how much owners praise its solid, sealed construction, but the weight and lack of a zoom lock are real-world annoyances. If you can live with the heft and the occasional barrel creep, this lens delivers where it counts and is a stellar value for the price.