HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WRvs A7C II

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Pentax HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR Pentax HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR (2013) Starting from £699 new Best for Travel, landscape & documentary photography View HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR
VS
Sony A7C II Sony A7C II (2023) Starting from £1499 new Best for Full-frame hybrid View A7C II

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Travel, Landscape & Documentary Photography — HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR (2013): The natural travel zoom for Pentax K-3 owners — weather-sealed, DA★ quality, and covers wide to short-telephoto in one versatile barrel.

Full-Frame Hybrid — A7C II (2023): Full-frame AI autofocus in the most compact body available — the best camera under £1,500 for hybrid shooters.

↓ Full specifications below

A7C II (2023)

  • Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact body
  • Hybrid shooters who need full-frame video and IBIS in a small package
  • A7C owners looking for a significant AF and video upgrade
  • Portrait and wedding photographers who want a discreet full-frame backup

Quick take: The hd da★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ed dc wr is the most affordable; only the hd da★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ed dc wr is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR (2013)A7C II (2023)
Price £699 £1,499
Sensor f/3.5-5.6 (variable max aperture) 33MP Full-frame Exmor R BSI CMOS
Resolution 33.0MP
Video 35cm minimum focus distance 4K/60p oversampled, S-Log3, 10-bit internal
Autofocus DC (Direct Clutch) motor — smooth and quiet 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition
Stabilisation None (relies on body SR/IBIS) 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops
Burst Rate N/A 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic
Battery Life N/A ~530 shots (CIPA)
Weight 488g 514g body only
Dimensions 74mm diameter × 93.5mm length 124.0 × 71.1 × 63.4mm
Weather Sealed Yes No
Viewfinder N/A EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.70× magnification
Screen N/A 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen
Mount Pentax KF-mount Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards N/A Dual slots: SD UHS-II + CFexpress Type A
Connectivity N/A USB-C (3.2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Genre HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WRA7C II
Travel
9.0
Landscape
9.0
9.0
Portrait
7.0
9.0
Street
9.0
Vlogging & Video
9.0
Wedding & Events
9.0
Sports & Action
7.0
⚡ Compare specs side by side HD DA★ 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 ED DC WR prices → A7C II prices →

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