DA 40 Ltd (pancake) to replace compact..

The lens I use most with my Kx is the DA 18-250. My shots are family. holidays etc and it is a great all purpose lens which suits my needs but .. it is quite heavy. I chose the Kx (apart from a Pentax loyalty) for its' small size. I have used a variety of point and shoot and bridge cameras as "daily use", or when to tired to lug the zoom around, and have always been disappointed with the results (even from the newer ones with larger sensors). So I took the jump to DA 40 ltd in the hope I can use the camera more and get good results.

Good news is that it is beautifully built and the camera is now so much lighter and smaller. It will fit in a jacket (an outer jacket not a suit) pocket and I am sure I will carry it more. It is also interesting in that I have now have to think about composition more ( I expect to be doing some cropping..). Too early to discuss IQ etc but from the reviews I am sure it will meet my very modest needs.

Not sure how I will get on with the focal length. might be a little long. Did look at 35's but they are still quite bulky on the camera. I love the pancake idea - a DA 30 pancake would be great. Interested to know of others experience with the lens.

I use it a lot with my K-01 and it is certainly a fantastic lens. I do sometimes think that the 21mm ltd might be even more flexible however.

Yes, a wider lens would be good but I don't think they do that in a pancake? I love the portability. If they do then more doubts (and possible costs!)

Yes it is a pancake but retails at over £400.

I should have researched more! Pro's and cons with both. I'll see how it goes.

If you are doing family shots, the DA40 will give you a nice natural perspective, the 21 widens faces and enlarges noses slightly
Try using your zoom set on 21 and see how you like it.
This is a big DA21 crop, not too out of shape

I use my DA40 as a walk around lens, the sweet spot seems to be around f5.6, giving a reasonable DOF.

Over all if the subject is too big just step back a pace or two, but watch out for drops behind you!

This image was taken straight from the camera, just resized and no further PP. K5 and DA40.

Thanks for the pictures. The biggest limitation will be my severe lack of ability but always good to try and blame the equipment.... Off to Italy in the summer and looking forward to using it in the med light.

I see you have the Tammy 18-250 HG. How do you find the IQ compares with the DA40?

Other than compact size and good sharpness, the DA40 excels when it comes to colours and has very nice 3D 'pop' with the right subject and distance.

I love my 40 and as said above f5.6 is the sweet spot, MTF Chart Here.

The 18-250 on the K5 in Med lighting is best between f8 and f16, but as for IQ, the DA40 wins hands down.

As it should being a prime.

Both lenses go to France with me, the 18-250 being the catch all and the 40 used for market and town walkabouts.

"Both lenses go to France with me, the 18-250 being the catch all and the 40 used for market and town walkabouts."

Exactly my plan - thanks.