HD PENTAX-DA16-50mmF2.8ED PLM AW - Zoomlens

Exceptional resolving power assured by uncompromising optical design

The 10-group, 16-element optical system (including four aspherical optical elements) assures superb resolving power and delivers super-clear, high-contrast images from the middle of the image field to the edges. By incorporating one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical element, one anomalous dispersion glass optical element and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) aspherical glass optical elements, it reduces chromatic aberration to a minimum over the entire zoom range.

Multi-layer HD Coating
Coupled with high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating*, which reduces the average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% that of conventional multi-layer coatings, it effectively minimizes flare and ghost images even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.

* HD stands for High Definition.

High-performance PLM for quiet, high-speed autofocus operation

The focus-lens elements are directly driven by a PLM (Pulse Motor), providing much-improved focusing speed (approx. 2.2 times faster in the wide-angle range, or approx. 1.5 times faster in the telephoto range, compared to the smc PENTAX-DA★ 16-50mm F2.8ED AL[IF] SDM),* while effectively minimizing noise for quieter operation.
Manual-focus operation of the power-assisted focus mechanism has also been upgraded to optimize the precision and response of detecting the focus ring. As the result, the focus-lens elements shift more efficiently and flawlessly in synchronization with focus-ring operation.

* When using AF.S mode for viewfinder shooting of still images, at a distance of 0.3 meters to infinity.


PLM unit diagram
1)Lead Screw 2)PLM (Pulse Motor) 3)Focus Lens

Electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism for flawless, high-precision exposure control during video recording

When mounted on a compatible KAF4-mount camera body,* this zoom lens assures flawless, high-precision exposure control, not only in still-image shooting, but also in video recording. Even when there are considerable differences in brightness during video shooting, its electromagnetic diaphragm control mechanism allows the user to capture video clips using automatic exposure control. In combination with some compatible cameras,** the PLM (Pulse Motor) assures smooth focus tracking operation and flawless exposure control, while considerably reducing annoying noise generated by focus and diaphragm control operations during video recording. This means smooth, worry-free video shooting in locations prone to considerable brightness changes — such as a stage with rapidly changing lighting conditions, or a forest with filtering sunrays — or with active, fast-moving subjects such as athletes or animals.

* Compatible KAF4-mount models are: PENTAX K-3 Mark III, PENTAX K-3 II, PENTAX K-3, PENTAX KP, PENTAX K-70, PENTAX K-50, PENTAX K-S2, PENTAX K-S1, PENTAX K-1 Mark II, and PENTAX K-1. We advise that users upgrade the camera’s firmware to the latest version to properly use electromagnetic diaphragm control. When mounted on the PENTAX K-1 Mark II or PENTAX K-1 camera body, images can be captured only in Crop mode, because the camera’s image circle is exclusively designed for the APS-C format.
** Models compatible with video recording in AF.C mode are: PENTAX K-3 Mark III, PENTAX K-70 and PENTAX KP. We advise that users upgrade the camera’s firmware to the latest version for optimum video recording performance.