The lens was on the roadmap since 2019,[1] has been announced in January 2020[2] and should be available from March 2020.

It is an additional full-frame lens to reboot Pentax' involvement in that format, the last previously introduced newly developed full-frame lens being the D FA* 50mm ED SDM AW in 2018.

On Pentax APS-C cameras, the D FA 70–210mm has an equivalent focal length range of 107–322mm.

[3] Image circle: FF lens APS-C lens covering FF APS-C lens Abbreviations: Focus motor: screw drive (in camera) - SDM (Silent Drive Motor)

- PLM (Pulse) Glass: AL (aspheric lens) - ED (extra low dispersion lens) Coating: smc (super multi coating) - HD (high definition coating) Sealing: WR (weather resistant) - DA* (lens is sealed) - AW (All Weather) Features: PZ (Power Zoom) - QS (Quick Shift, most DA & all D FA lenses) - RE (retractable lens barrel) - digital aperture control (with PLM lenses on KAF4)) - IF (Internal focusing) See also: Pentax K-mount lenses