Overview

The Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 is a well-built, weather-sealed standard zoom for APS-C DSLRs, offering a useful 24-75mm equivalent range. Optically, it delivers good sharpness when stopped down but shows color fringing and softness wide open. Distortion is well controlled. Build quality is solid with smooth control rings, though the zoom extends and can be stiff. Autofocus is quiet but slow. It suits Pentax users seeking a durable, fast-aperture walkabout lens, especially for the K-3 Mark III.