Pentax *ist DL

Value (7.5)
It's great to see an inexpensive DSLR with a usable ISO 3200 setting. Buying this camera with an f/2.0 or f/1.4 lens would be an inexpensive option for users interested in low light shooting, and for such night owls, such a setup would be a good value. For users who don't plan to specialize in low light photography, competitive cameras with better autofocus mechanisms could be a better choice, though it's awfully hard to overlook that great LCD. With more than a couple LCDs beyond 200K pixels on compact cameras, it's pretty hard to justify the nasty little displays we see on DSLRs. It's also great to see another inexpensive DSLR with a metal chassis and other features that indicate durability. No one knows what the latest cameras will be like 10 years from now, but I'm willing to bet that the average *ist DL will take a decade of active use and still perform well.

Comparisons
Nikon D50 – The D50 is Nikon's entry level DSLR, and it has much in common with the *ist DL: they are both 6.1 megapixel cameras, both use SD cards, and both record RAW as well as JPEGs. The specs say that the *ist DL is about 10 percent faster in continuous shooting mode -- 2.8 fps versus 2.5 fps. The Nikon has a big advantage in autofocus, with its five sensors, versus the *ist DL's three. Nikon's autofocus performs very well in low light, as well – another significant advantage over the *ist DL. On the other hand, the *ist DL's 2.5-inch, 210,000 pixel LCD puts to shame the D50's 2-inch 130,000 display. The D50's ISO ratings top out at 1600, a stop lower than the *ist DL. The *ist DL is two ounces lighter and smaller in every dimension than the D50. The D50 uses a lithium-ion cell, which is included, for power. The battery should last longer than the *ist DL's AA NiMH batteries, which Pentax recommends, but does not include.

Canon Digital Rebel – The Rebel also has many basic specs in common with the *ist DL. With a 6.3 megapixel chip, the Rebel's resolution is functionally the same as the *ist DL's, and its continuous shooting mode is 2.5 fps, which is comparable to but still slower than the *ist DL. As Nikon does, Canon delivers superior autofocus performance with its seven-sensor arrangement, but lacks an ISO 3200 setting. Canon includes a lithium-ion battery, which should outperform the AAs that *ist DL takes. The *ist DL beats the Rebel in the LCD display race – the Rebel sports a meager 1.8-inch, 118,000 pixel display. At about $50 less than the *ist DL, the Rebel is a strong competitor.

Canon Rebel XT – In terms of specs, the Rebel XT looks very much like an 8 megapixel upgrade of the Rebel, but it is smaller and lighter than the Rebel, and just about the same size as the *ist DL. The Rebel XT has improved and faster electronics, so it matches the *ist DL's continuous shooting rate of 2.8 fps, but it does it with 8 megapixel files. Canon saddles the Rebel XT with a puny, 1.8-inch, 115,000 pixel LCD. The *ist DL offers more than twice the screen area and nearly twice the resolution. The *ist DL's solid build and sturdy feel is superior to the Rebel XT's flimsy, delicate impression.


Olympus EVOLT E-300 – The E-300 resembles the *ist DL in a number of ways – both are DSLRs with very robust builds, and they sell for very comparable prices – though the E-300 kit is advertised these days with both the kit lens and a telephoto zoom. The E-300 is an 8 megapixel camera, which is a significant advantage, but in our testing, the E-300's images show more noise and worse color accuracy than images from the *ist DL. Unlike the other comparison cameras listed above, the E-300 has only three autofocus sites, and by that measure does not beat the *ist DL. The E-300 is nearly an inch wider than the *ist DL, but since it lacks a viewfinder hump, it's 0.4 inches shorter as well. The E-300's 1.8-inch, 134,000 pixel LCD is slightly better than the Canon displays, but it’s much smaller and has a lower resolution than the *ist DL's.

Pentax *ist DS – The DS preceded the DL to market by just nine months. It lists for about $100 more and seems identical, with two key exceptions – it has an 11-sensor autofocus system and it does not write RAW files. The autofocus system is more flexible by virtue of the number of sensors, and if it follows the industry trend, it's probably more capable – most manufacturers build in better speed to their more sophisticated autofocus systems. DS owners may very well wish they could write RAW files. Especially in low light shooting, many photographers rely on RAW files to handle broad dynamic range. (Note: Pentax recently updated the DS to incorporate the same 2.5-inch LCD that the DL boasts. Not all spec sheets may reflect this, and consumers buying the DS should be sure they buy new cameras with the larger LCD, or get a significant discount on the old, 2-inch LCD model.)


Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – As friendly as the *ist DL is, it's too big for casual users. These folks should look at compact cameras that are designated with an "SLR-like" styling, where they might get image stabilization and a longer zoom for less money.

Budget Consumers - For the budget consumer who must have a DSLR, the *ist DL could be an option. It's capable, it’s inexpensive, and Pentax backs it up with a relatively inexpensive line of lenses. Its apparent durability might well be a factor for budget consumers as well – repairing cameras is always costly.

Gadget Freaks - Though the *ist DL is a pretty camera, its feature set is fairly middle-of-the-road. There is no unique technology to set the *istDL apart from the pack.

Manual Control Freaks - DSLRs always offer manual controls. Since the *ist DL's interface for adjusting the aperture requires two fingers, rather than one, it doesn't seem like an outstanding choice for this market, though the ISO 3200 setting is admittedly nice.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists - The *ist DL doesn't strike me as a Pro camera. Its autofocus holds it back, as does its reliance on power-hungry AA batteries.