10 Best Pentax Lenses in 2024 (APS-C & Full Frame Lenses)

You need the best Pentax lens to get the most out of your Pentax camera. But which Pentax lens is best for you? Do you have an APS-C or full frame camera? Are you looking for the sharp image quality of a prime lens? Or do you need a versatile zoom lens?

You also need to think about the type of photography you shoot. But don’t worry if all sounds complicated. Our article has the best Pentax lenses for any photographer.

The DA 50-200mm f/4.5-5.6 tops our list as the best Pentax lens. It’s a versatile zoom lens with a wide focal length range. It’s lightweight, compact, and weatherproof for outdoor shooting. And it’s an absolute bargain!

What Is the Best Pentax Lens?

The best Pentax lens helps you get the best performance from your Pentax camera. It allows you to shoot the type and style of photography you want. And it delivers clean and sharp images every time.

The sensor size of your camera should be your first consideration. All modern Pentax cameras have the K-mount lens fixture. But Pentax has different lens ranges for their APS-C vs full frame cameras.

Their APS-C, or crop-sensor, cameras use “DA” lenses. And their “D FA” lenses fit their full frame cameras. So we’ve split our list into two sections that look at DA and D FA lenses separately.

It’s worth noting that you can use DA lenses with Pentax full frame cameras. You don’t need an adaptor. But you do have to switch your camera to crop-sensor mode.

Both sections of the article include prime and zoom lenses. Zoom lenses give you more shot variety. But prime lenses often have superior optical quality. And the latter are usually smaller and more lightweight.

The type of photography you enjoy also influences your choice of lens. Street photographers prefer standard or wide-angle lenses. Standard and wide-angle primes are also popular choices with landscape photographers.

We also have lenses for portrait photographers on our list. And we have telephoto lenses for wildlife and sports photographers. So there’s something for everyone.

Use the links below to find the section you need. And you can also check out our article on all the best Pentax cameras.

1. 1. The Best APS-C Pentax Lenses
   2. The Best Full Frame Pentax Lenses
   3. FAQs About the Best Pentax Lenses

The Best APS-C Pentax Lenses

This section looks at the best Pentax lenses for APS-C cameras. Compatible cameras include the Pentax K-70 and the flagship Pentax K-3 Mark III. But these lenses can also be used with full frame cameras when set to crop mode.

We have prime and zoom lenses in this section. And we have lenses for wildlife and portrait photography. You can see a brief introduction to all the lenses in the table. Then we’ll look at all the Pentax DA lenses in more detail.

The DA 50-200mm f/4.5-5.6 is the best Pentax lens for APS-C cameras. The wide zoom range gives you incredible versatility. That’s why it’s one of the best all-around Pentax lenses. It’s weather-sealed for outdoor shooting. And it’s a fantastic deal!

With a focal length range of 50 to 200mm, you can shoot many genres of photography. Its versatility makes it one of the best travel lenses for Pentax users.

It’s a great option for street photos. You can shoot environmental and tightly framed portraits. And you can shoot landscapes and cityscapes.

The optical quality is excellent. It has one ED element and two aspherical elements. These reduce chromatic aberration and distortion, giving you improved image quality.

The lens uses Pentax’s unique Quick Shift focus system. It allows you to easily switch between auto and manual focus modes. You don’t need to trawl through menus in the camera. You can switch instantly on the lens itself.

The Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.5-5.6 is compact and lightweight for a telephoto zoom. It easily fits in your travel camera bag. And it’s thoroughly weather-sealed for taking photos in all conditions. Its design lives up to the rugged reputation of Pentax cameras.

The Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 is a fabulous lens for street and travel photographers. It has an ultra-slim pancake design. It takes up no space in your camera backpack. And it delivers excellent images.

The 40mm focal length is perfect for street photography. It’s wide enough to capture shots down narrow streets and alleys. But you can still capture more detailed shots. You can also use it to take photos of epic landscapes.

The max f/2.8 aperture is fast enough, giving you good exposure control. And the 9-blade aperture diaphragm helps you achieve a smooth bokeh when you use a shallow depth of field.

It has the Quick Shift focus system that lets you switch between auto and manual focusing instantly. So you don’t need to change it in the camera menu.

The DA 40mm f/2.8 is a must-have for Pentax users. It’s a compact lens with a high level of versatility. It fits in your pocket. And it’s reasonably priced.

Check out our full article on the best pancakes lenses. 

The Pentax DA 16-50mm f/2.8 is a fantastic wide-angle zoom lens. It’s one of Pentax’s Star Series lenses. And that means superior quality. It has a wide range of creative applications. And it delivers breathtaking results.

The wide-angle focal length makes it the best lens for real estate photography. You can shoot stunning interiors and exteriors without changing lenses. And the fast max f/2.8 aperture helps you get bright and airy images indoors.

It’s also a great lens for landscape photography. And street photographers will also appreciate its versatility.

As a Star Series lens, it delivers fantastic optical quality. It has one ED lens. There’s one “anomalous” optical element. And it has two ED aspherical lenses. These work together to minimize aberration and distortion.

And the outer element also has an HD coating. This reduces flare and ghosting.

The autofocus system is one of Pentax’s best. It uses a Pulse Motor (PLM) to drive the focus. And it gives you fast, smooth, and quiet autofocusing. It even works well with distant or fast-moving subjects.

The DA 16-50mm f/2.8 has a robust build quality. It’s dustproof and weather-resistant. And it can operate in temperatures down to -10 degrees C. It gives you fantastic image production results. And you can use it in any weather.

The Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 is a specialist portrait and product photography lens. It’s a super-compact lens you can slip into your camera messenger bag. And the build quality ensures outstanding results.

The 70mm focal length is perfect for portrait photographers. This is equivalent to 105mm when used on a full frame camera. It gives you a tight composition, which is ideal for intimate portraiture.

You can also use it for sharp and detailed product photography. And it’s the best Pentax lens to make “edible images” in food photography.

It has a fast f/2.4 maximum aperture. This is excellent if you want a shallow depth of field. And the 9-blade aperture diaphragm gives you an even smoother bokeh effect.

The glass elements have an HD lens coating. This reduces flare and maintains image quality in all conditions. And the outer lens element uses an SP coating. This prevents dirt and smudges from affecting the optical quality.

The DA 70mm f/2.4 gives you professional results. It’s compact and lightweight. But there’s no compromise on quality. Whether you shoot portraits, products, or food photography, you’ll get professional results.

The DA 300mm f/4 is an outstanding super-telephoto lens for Pentax cameras. The 300mm focal length gives you incredible magnification. And you get 450mm when you team it with a full frame camera.

It’s the best lens for wildlife photography if you’re a Pentax user. The 300mm focal length is exactly what you need. It gives you close to your subject, allowing you to get detailed shots. But you won’t startle the animal or put yourself in danger.

It’s also a great choice for sports photographers. You can get close to the players without having to step too close to the sidelines. Plus, it has a smooth and quiet AF system. 

The optical quality is breathtaking. It gives you corner-to-corner sharpness. And the ED elements prevent distortion and aberration. It also has an SP coating that protects against scratches and smudges.

Shooting wildlife photography is an outdoor pursuit, meaning you’re at mother nature’s mercy. Thankfully, the Pentax DA 300mm f/4 is fully weather-resistant. You can take it out and shoot come rain or shine. It’s a top-quality telephoto prime lens!

The Best Full Frame Pentax Lenses

Now we dive deep into the best Pentax lenses for full frame cameras. Again, we have fantastic prime and zoom lenses. And we have a wide range of focal lengths for different types of photography.

Here’s an overview of the best Pentax lenses. We’ll look at each full frame lens in more detail below. The FAQ section follows. So keep reading to find that.

The Pentax D FA 50mm f/1.4 is a high-quality lens with fantastic optics. It’s from the Pentax Star Series. So you can expect top-quality build and performance. And it’s a brilliant all-rounder that many photographers can use.

The 50mm focal length is one of the most versatile in photography. It’s popular with street and travel photography. You can use it for close-ups and environmental portraits.

It’s also a great choice for fashion photography or creative portraits. And you can capture breathtaking landscapes.

This prime lens gives you edge-to-edge clarity. You don’t get any chromatic aberration. And the quality of the glass elements keeps distortion to a minimum.

The glass is also treated with Aero Bright and HD coatings. So you get next to no refraction, glare, or ghosting. It also has one of Pentax’s best AF systems (SDM). So it gives you fast and smooth focusing.

The fast f/1.4 aperture is a major highlight of this prime lens. That gives you incredible exposure control. And that means you get better handheld low-light performance. It also allows you to use a shallow depth of field for portraits and product shots.

Like many Pentax cameras, the D FA 50mm f/1.4 is rugged and durable. It’s dustproof and weather-resistant. And this allows you to shoot in tough conditions.

The Pentax D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 is one of the best wide-to-standard zoom lenses on the market. It has an excellent level of versatility. And it’s another example of Pentax’s outstanding build quality.

The lens gives you standard and wide-angle shot options. The wider end of the range is perfect for landscapes. And it allows you to shoot real estate interiors with professional results.

The standard end gives you options for portraits of different kinds. And you can shoot product and food photography.

The large shot variety also makes it a top travel lens. It’s the only lens you need in your camera bag when traveling with your Pentax camera.

Zoom lenses can be prone to distortion, especially at the edges. But this lens uses three ED elements to bring distortion down to zero. The outer elements also have an HD coating. This reduces lens flare and ghosting. And it increases sharpness and clarity.

It has a new-generation SDM autofocus system. This gives you even faster response and focus times. And it remains smooth and quiet in operation.

You also get a fast maximum aperture. So it gives you good control over your exposure settings. And it’s constant throughout the zoom range.

The D FA 24-70mm f/2.8 is a beautiful lens. You can use it in all . And it’s a reliable piece of equipment. It’s worth every penny. And it’s definitely a lens Pentax users should consider.

The 70-200mm lens is one of the most versatile lenses for photographers. And that’s why the D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 is one of the best Pentax lenses. It gives you plenty of shot options and good magnification. And it delivers quality imaging.

The wide focal length range makes it a must-have for Pentax users. You can use the 70mm end for artistic portraits and product images. And the magnification makes it one of the best lenses for sports photography.

The f/2.8 max aperture helps you achieve professional results. It’s constant throughout the zoom range. And that means you get excellent low-light performance from 70-200mm. It also gives you a beautiful bokeh effect.

The glass quality is superb. The elements have an HD coating for better clarity and sharpness. It also eliminates lens flare. And the outer elements have the Pentax SP coating. This prevents scratches and stains from affecting the image quality.

As you might expect from a Pentax lens, the Pentax D FA 70-200mm f/2.8 is a rugged piece of equipment. It’s dustproof and weather-sealed. It’s one of the toughest 70-200mm lenses you can buy.

Check out our list of the best 70-200mm lenses.

The Pentax D FA 85mm f/1.4 is a professional-grade portrait lens. It gives you edge-to-edge clarity. The glass quality couldn’t be better. And you can use it in all conditions.

The 85mm focal length is perfect for intimate childhood portraits. It’s also great for detailed product photos and delicious food photography. You can get powerful close-ups. And you don’t need to smother your subject by getting too close.

The f/1.4 aperture is fantastic. It gives you fantastic performance in low-light situations. And it helps you achieve an ultra-shallow depth of field. And the bokeh effect is helped by the 9-blade aperture diaphragm.

As a prime lens, it gives you pristine optical quality. This is aided by the three ED and aspherical elements within. Chromatic aberration isn’t something to fear with this lens. And the HD coating reduces flare when shooting in bright light.

Portrait photographers need the D FA 85mm f/1.4. It’s a well-construct lens with excellent weather sealing. It’s one of the pricier lenses. But it’s worth the investment if you have a passion for portraits or product photography.

The Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 is a superb super-telephoto lens. With outstanding magnification and image quality, it’s the best option for sports and wildlife photography.

You might need a photography tripod or monopod for the best results. But it’s a worthy investment for wildlife fans.

The lens performs well throughout the focal length range. You get stunning sharpness and clarity thanks to the ED elements. And these are helped by the super-low dispersion element. The glass also has HD coating for reduced flare and ghosting.

The autofocus DC motor is excellent for such a large lens. It gives you quiet and smooth focus. And it’s quick to cover large areas.

The lens also has Pentax’s Quick Shift focus system. It lets you quickly shift from auto to manual focus on the lens. So you don’t need to make the change in the camera menu.

Sports and wildlife photographers need a tough and rugged lens. And that’s exactly what you get with the D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6. It’s weather-sealed for outdoor photography. And you can capture those critters in all conditions.

It has all the elements to make it one of the best lenses for wildlife photography.

FAQs About the Best Pentax Lenses

Finding the best Pentax lens isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about them. With this information, you can find the best lens for your Pentax camera.

Which Pentax Lens Is Best for Portrait Photography?

The Pentax D FA 85mm f/1.4 is the top lens for portraits. It’s a specialist portrait lens with an 85mm focal length. This gives you the perfect framing for tight and intimate portraits.

It also has a fast maximum aperture for a smooth bokeh effect. And the optical quality is perfect. It’s the best Pentax lens if you want to profit from portraits.

But we have a few other lenses that are a great choice for portrait photography.

The Pentax DA 50-200mm f/4.5-5.6 gives you fabulous portrait options. The wide zoom range means you can shoot everything from tightly cropped to environmental portraits.

And the Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 is a specialist portrait lens for APS-C cameras. The 70mm focal length is tailor-made for portrait photography. And it gives you pristine image quality every time.

Which Pentax Lens Is Best for Landscape Photography?

The Pentax D FA 50mm f/1.4 is a great all-around lens. And it can deliver stunning landscapes. As a prime lens, it gives you a high level of sharpness.

The Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 is a great choice if you have an APS-C camera. It’s a sharp prime lens with a good focal length for broad landscape images. But the Pentax DA 16-50mm f/2.8 is another great choice for a zoom lens.

Then there’s the Pentax D FA 24-70mm f/2.8. The 24mm end of the range is ideal for broad landscapes. The optical quality is more than good enough for high-level landscape photography.

And the zoom range makes it a good option for travel photographers. You can snap some incredible landscapes on your next photo adventure.

Do Pentax Lenses Have Weather Sealing?

Pentax has built a reputation for producing durable and rugged cameras. And that ethos runs into their lens manufacturing too.

The majority of lenses in this article are weather-sealed and dustproof. So you can use them in very wet and very dry conditions.

Some of the lenses are even strong enough to operate in freezing conditions. You can use them in temperatures down to -10 degrees C. They are tough lenses you can use in trying conditions. This gives you peace of mind if you work outdoors.

This level of durability is why Pentax remains so popular with certain photographers. Their cameras’ ability to work in all weather conditions is ideal for wildlife and nature photographers. And it’s a bonus for sports photographers.

Do Professional Photographers Use Pentax Cameras?

The simple answer is yes. Pentax doesn’t have a wide range of cameras like Canon and Nikon. But the cameras they do have are reliable and well respected.

The Pentax K-1 Mark II is the perfect example. It’s a rugged full frame DSLR camera. It has a powerful 36 MP sensor. And it’s completely weather-sealed for outdoor use.

Landscape, travel, and wildlife photographers still rave about this camera. And that’s no surprise when you see the results.

But Pentax doesn’t only make pro cameras. The Pentax K-70 is one of the best cameras for beginners. It’s an APS-C DSLR camera with a 24.2 MP sensor. It has excellent low-light performance with a wide ISO range.

Plus, it even has a shake reduction system for sharper images. And, of course, it’s a weather-sealed camera.

And you may have noticed that none of the lenses on our list have image stabilization. But they all benefit from shake reduction (SR) in any compatible K Series camera. Check out our full list of the best Pentax cameras.

Conclusion: The Best Pentax Lenses

Every Pentax photographer needs the best Pentax lens to optimize results. Thankfully, Pentax produces lenses of the highest quality. They have lenses for all photographers. And we’ve shown you the cream of the crop in this article.

The DA 50-200mm f/4.5-5.6 is the best Pentax lens for APS-C camera users. It’s an affordable zoom lens that gives you excellent versatility. It’s also a great option for travel photographers.

The Pentax D FA 50mm f/1.4 tops the list for full frame lenses. It’s a prime lens with beautiful optics and a fast maximum aperture. The glass quality is excellent. And this is backed up by a solid AF motor and a durable build.