Pentax *ist DL Digital Camera Review

Pentax *ist DL

Digital Camera Review

2.9 Pentax's *ist DL is the company's second entry into the consumer DSLR market. With a 6.1 megapixel APS-format sensor, a maximum ISO of 3200, a 2.5-inch, 210,000 pixel display, RAW file capability, and a street price of about $750 with lens included, it's very competitive. The camera’s autofocus system may fall short of the competition, and the kit lens is nothing to brag about, but in this price range, it remains a viable option.  Manufacturers are flocking to the sub-$1000 DSLR market, hoping to lure consumers much the way they lured consumers to 35mm SLRs in the 1970s and 1980s with the Olympus OM10, the Canon AE-1, and Nikon EM, among others. Pentax made one of the classics of the era, the K-1000, a very durable, very simple and very inexpensive camera. It sold by the carload. The *ist DL may well follow in its path.
Advertisement
Latest Camera Reviews
DSLR Point & Shoot
Samsung
NX10
Panasonic
DMC-TS2
Olympus
E-P1
Casio
EX-G1
Nikon
D300S
Panasonic
Lumix DMC-FZ35
Pentax
K-X
Sony
Cyber-shot DSC-TX5
Nikon
D3000
Samsung
TL500
Recently Viewed Products
$200
$300
Top Point & Shoot Cameras
Max Price: $2100
$0 $525 $1050 $1575 $2100
Filters
All
Canon
Casio
Fuji
Kodak
Nikon
Olympus
Panasonic
Pentax
Samsung
Sony
All
Compact
High-End
Pocket
Ultra-Zoom
1.Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Ultra-Zoom
$420
2.Canon SX1 IS
Ultra-Zoom
$520
3.Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Compact
$280
4.Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
Ultra-Zoom
$400
5.Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX7
Compact
$350
*ist DL Prices
External Reviews
Steve's Digicams
Pentax *ist DL
DigiCamReview
Pentax *ist DL


Specs Table

Pentax *ist DL Specs
Type Digital SLR  
Price 0.00  
Length 4.90  
Width 3.60  
Height 2.60  
Weight 16.60  
Mega Pixels 6.31  
Effective Pixels 6.10  
Sensor Type 1/2.0 CCD  
Image Size 3008 x 2008  
Aspect Ratio 3:2  
Color Filter System Primary Color Filter  
IR Cut Low Pass Filter No  
Image Format JPEG, RAW (stills)  
Compression JPEG (stills)  
Lens n/a  
Lens Mount 0.00  
Compatible Lenses PENTAX KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses (K-mount Lenses - usable with restrictions; S-mount Lenses - usable with adapter and restrictions; 67/645 Lenses - usable with adapter and restrictions)  
Viewfinder 6.00  
Diopter Adjustment -2.5 to +1.5  
Frame Coverage 95% coverage  
Magnification 0.85x wutg 50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity  
Mirror Quick return mirror, mirror lock up function  
Auto Focus Type TTL phase-matching autofocus system  
Focusing Modes AF single/continuous, manual  
Focusing Points 3 points  
Detecting Range EV -1 to 18 at ISO100 with f/1.4 lens  
AF Assist Illuminator yes  
Metering Modes TTL open-aperture metering; 16-segment, center-weighted, spot  
Metering Range EV1 to EV 21.5 at ISO200 with 50 mm f/1.4 lens  
Shutter Type electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter  
Shutter Speed 30.00  
Self Timer 2 or 12 sec  
Speed Yes  
Burst Yes  
Automatic Modes Auto Picture, Normal, portrait, landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Flash Off  
Exposure Compensation +/- 3.0 EV in 1/2 or 1/3 steps  
Bracketing yes (auto); +/- 1.5 EV in 1/2 steps, +/- 1.0 EV in 1/3 steps; 3 frames  
Built in Flash Auto, Flash-off, Flash-on, Auto + Red-eye reduction, Flash-on + Red-eye reduction  
Flash Range 0.7 to 4 meters optimum distance  
Sync Contact yes (1/180 sec) (with RTF and via hot shoe)  
Flash Exposure Compensation +1 to -2 in 1/2 steps  
ISO Sensitivity auto; manual: 200-3200  
White Balance 7.50  
Playback Options rotate, slide show, digital filter  
Direct Printing Unknown  
Video Output Yes  
Software 6.00  
Battery Power Source ur AA (lithium, alkaline, and rechargeable NiMH) batteries, or two CR-V3 lithium batteries  
Zoom Wide 0  
Zoom Tele 0  
Intro Date 2005-06-01  
fstop Max 0.00  
fstop Min 0.00  
Zoom Digital 0.00  
Movie Mode 6.00  
LCD Pixels 210000  
Resolution Minimum 1536 x 1024  
External Flash yes (hot shoe)  
Ratings Raw Weight 
Color 7.19  
Resolution 4.10  
Noise Auto ISO 9.37   1.15 
Noise Manual ISO 12.09  
Low Light 0.00   2.75 
Dynamic Range 0.00  
Size Portability 7.50  
Model Design Appearance 7.00   1.3 
Handling 6.50  
Control Button Positioning Size 6.50   1.85 
Front 6.50   0.65 
Back 7.50   0.75 
Left 7.00   0.5 
Right 7.00   0.5 
Top 7.50   0.75 
Bottom 0.00   0.5 
Menu 7.00   1.65 
Auto Mode 7.50   1.05 
Auto Focus 6.25  
Focus 8.00   1.5 
ISO 9.00  
White Balance 7.50  
Exposure 8.50   1.75 
Metering 7.00  
Shutter Speed 7.75   1.75 
Aperture 6.50  
Custom Image Presets 7.50   0.5 
Drive Mode 6.00   2.5 
Picture Quality Options 8.00   1.25 
Picture Effects Mode 8.50   2.15 
Playback Mode 7.50   1.5 
Movie Mode 6.00  
Viewfinder 6.00  
LCD Screen 8.00   1.75 
Flash 7.50   1.75 
Lens Mount 0.00   1.75 
Memory 3.00   0.5 
Battery 0.00   1.95 
Startup 1st Shot 9.26  
Shot Shot 9.20  
Shutter Shot 8.78  
Software 6.00   1.25 
Jacks / Ports / Plugs 8.00  
Direct Print Options 6.50   0.4 
Ease of Use 7.00   0.75 
Other Features 6.00   0.75 
Value 7.50   2.5 
Total (weighted)   497.85
Advertisement