What’s the difference between the Pentax DA 50-200mm ED and DA 50-200mm ED WR lenses?
Asked 3/19/2011
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Pentax lists two 50-200mm DA zooms: the smc PENTAX DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED and the smc PENTAX DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED WR. Aside from weather resistance, are there any meaningful differences in optics or build? If they’re listed at the same price, is there any reason to choose the non-WR version?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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They appear to me to be the same optical design. Both have 11 elements in 10 groups, with one extra-low-dispersion glass element and two aspherical elements.
I have no idea why you'd buy the non-WR version when buying it separately — but, I think most people don't get it that way. I just looked, and both B&H Photo and Adorama don't carry it individually. You only get it as part of a kit with a new camera body. So, the question really is: why does Pentax USA bother listing in their web store?
I can only guess, but my guess is: they have some in stock, so sure, why not list 'em, but they don't want to undercut the already-quite-low price of the WR version, so they just put it at the same price.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The main difference is weather resistance: the DA 50-200mm ED WR is the later weather-resistant version, while the DA 50-200mm ED is the older non-WR model.
From the information shared, they use the same optical design: 11 elements in 10 groups, including one ED element and two aspherical elements. So image quality should be essentially the same.
Users also report that the WR version feels a bit more solid and smoother in handling, though the non-WR isn’t considered bad.
In practice, the non-WR version was largely sold in kits and has been superseded by the WR model, which helps explain why it’s uncommon as a standalone new lens. If both are offered at the same price, there’s generally no good reason to choose the non-WR version unless it’s part of a bundle or availability is the deciding factor.
So: same optics, WR adds sealing and possibly a nicer feel; if priced equally, the WR is the better buy.
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