Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited vs Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
Both are Pentax K lenses. Here is what actually differs.
Pick the Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited if
- You need ⅓ stop more light for low light or background blur (f/4 vs f/4.5)
- You want autofocus (screw-drive): the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift is manual focus only
- You shoot close-ups: it focuses down to 0.18 m vs 0.2 m
- You care about the shape of out-of-focus highlights: 7 aperture blades vs 5
- Our notes say it suits: Landscapes, street, travel
Pick the Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift if
- You shoot full frame: the Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited is made for APS-C
Spec differences
14 differences| Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited | Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand |
Pentax
|
Laowa
|
| Type |
Prime
|
Tilt-Shift
|
| Format |
APS-C
|
Full frame
|
| Max aperture |
f/4
⅓ stop faster
|
f/4.5
|
| Weight |
212 g
|
not listed
|
| Length |
40 mm
|
not listed
|
| Diameter |
63 mm
|
not listed
|
| Filter thread |
49 mm
|
not listed
|
| Min focus distance |
0.18 m
closer
|
0.2 m
|
| Max magnification |
0.15×
|
not listed
|
| Aperture blades |
7
more blades
|
5
|
| Optical design |
8 elements / 6 groups
|
17 elements / 11 groups
|
| Autofocus motor |
screw-drive
|
Manual focus
|
| Released |
2009
|
not listed
|
3 identical specs hidden: mount, focal length, image stabilization. Show all
- Mount
- Pentax K both
- Focal length
- 15mm both
- Image stabilization
- No both
Our notes
Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited
A compact wide-angle prime for Pentax APS-C bodies, weighing about 212 g. It takes 49mm filters and focuses as close as 0.18 m.
Pros
- Compact
- Close focus 0.18 m
- 49mm filters
- Metal build
Cons
- f/4 is slow
- APS-C only
- Screw-drive autofocus
Our notes
Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
More comparisons
Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited vs Laowa 15mm f/4 Wide Angle Macro
landscapes vs focuses closer
Pentax smc Pentax-A 15mm f/3.5 vs Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
⅔ stop faster vs focuses closer
Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited vs Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye
158 g lighter vs 1 stop faster
Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye vs Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye: 1⅓ stops faster, focuses closer
Pentax smc Pentax-DA 15mm f/4 ED AL Limited vs Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE
landscapes vs 1 stop faster
Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE vs Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift
Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE: 1⅓ stops faster