Description: The Pentax *ist DL offers an array of advanced, user-friendly features including Auto Picture mode, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, a 6.1 megapixel CCD, convenient SD media card storage, high speed USB 2.0 data transfer, and a compact stainless-steel chassis.
I've use the *ist DL mostly for nature photography. I've used a mirror lens and an old screw mount lens with adapter, these are a bit cumbersome as far as needing to be used in the manual mode but they do work. I have a Promaster 70-300 zoom autofocus it works very well.
I find the controls very intuitive in the placement. Battery life is very good with minimal flash use, I've gotten over 500 shots from one charge. I did have to "clean" the sensor once, not difficult I used canned air and common sense.
I purchased the DL because I already had lens' and I've had good experience with Pentax film based products. Good for amateur and serious photographers, pros would want more than 6 megapixel. I think it would make a good backup camera for a pro.
Strengths: Works with most any lens in the Pentax mount family. Uses AA batteries very convenient and less expensive to replace. Well placed controls. Top panel readout always on easy to check settings. Focus is fast and accurate. A good sturdy camera for the price.
Weaknesses: Viewfinder readouts hard to see in bright light.
It would be nice to have a backlight for top panel readout.
Has some trouble focusing in dim light. (The camera can use the built in flash as an aid to focus, works for close range but quite annoying with all the flashing).
I understand digital SLRs use an anti-alias filter, I believe this makes the image appear less than tack sharp when viewed at the pixel level, I seem to see that in this camera. (like they say just don't do that, pictures look fine when viewed at higher resolutions.)
Similar Products Used: Have a Canon S1 IS closest in the digital realm. I have owned a film Pentax SLR (don't recall model). Other SLRs Yashica and Sears many years ago!
Summary: This camera is excellent! For whoever said there are not enough accesories, This camera is fully compatible with any lens that pentax has made!!! I use a vivitar series 1 zoom from the 70s and a 50mm f1.7 pentax-A lens, as well as one of their zooms for the AF-35mm cameras, and the kit AF lens built for digital specifically. all take great pictures. quality IS just as good as film, ADMIT IT!! over 6mp is impossible with that CCD...
Obviously, camera is small and limited compared to a medium format, but this camera beats the d50/d70 and the digital rebels out of the water in terms of price-quality relationship!!!
Strengths: lightweight
cheap
good quality, easy to use
Weaknesses: can't really see any. no more bracketing options?wish I could use canon and nikon lenses
Summary: I wanted a light, wellbuild D-SLR with normal MIGNON NiMH accus and Spot-Metering.
The only D-SLR with this features is the PENTAX *istDL on the market. Also it has a big 2.5" LCD monitor and you can use all (!) the older PENTAX lenses on the market with or without autofocus and also the very old ones with only manual operating. The Lens-Kit PENTAX SMC DA 18-55 is okay for the price, for more you should buy the DA 16-45 zoom. The implemented firmware is 100% errorfree and with a fresh accuset you can make 400 photos. You can´t find a better camera with 6MP for that price. I would buy it again.
Strengths: - Lightweight
- Easy to handle
- Good and great 2.5" LCD
- Normal NiMH accus
- Spot metering (!)
- ISO max. 3200
Weaknesses: - no ISO 100
- only P-TTL no normal external TTL-Flash support
Summary: Great little entry level DSLR that will keep surprising you as you grow with it.
Fit and finish on this camera blew me away. The camera feels well balanced in my hands, and my fears that this "compact bodied slr" would be too compact were pleasantly unsubstantiated. As a glasses wearer I was worried about trouble with the viewfinder. With the rubber eye piece that comes with the camera that fear too was put to rest.
If you have a nose, you will be putting it on the lcd screen...........that is a given. The glass on the lcd seems to be of very good quality and should be able to withstand all the cleanings you will end up giving it, using the correct tool for the job. If you feel the need, you could cut down one of the PDA screen protectors to fit over the lcd.
Picture quality stood out from the start. There has not been an instance where I could not get the camera to give me a wonderfull picture. As a convert from the older SLR frames, I have done most of my shooting with the *ist DL in Tv or manual, with some playing in full auto mode. The flexibility of this camera is nothing short of astonishing.
I would not hesitate in recommending it to anyone wanting to move over from a point and shoot digital or film SLR. In auto mode it is very forgiving, and in manual mode it can humble you in an instance... or make you look like a hero.
Note to self: Must take more photos!!!!!!!
Strengths: Other family members can pick it up in auto mode and take wonderful point and shoot pictures. Someone with a bit more experience will be able to push it to its limits, and those limits look to be out there a ways.
The use of standard AA batteries in the camera is a big plus in my book.
The ability to use all past Pentax K mount lenses increases the overall value of the camera.
I have used my Konica FT1 Dedicated Flash Unit on the *ist DL with outstanding results. This was a pleasant surprise, as information about flash units that will work with the *istDL seems hard to find.
I am very happy with the quality of the camera and the overall layout of the controls.
Raw image conversion software that comes with the camera is intuitive enough to use with minimual reference to the manual.
Weaknesses: As of yet, I have not found any weaknesses with the camera.
Similar Products Used: Have played with numerous digital point and shoot, EVF digital slr, and years of service from my Konica FT-1 film SLR.
Customer Service: Have not needed to contact Customer Service as of yet.
Summary: A great little camera with loaded big features. Use it as a point & shoot or use any of the builtin settings, Av/Tv priority, or fully manual mode. Kit has a decent lens but it has it limitations. Not bad for a beginner lens, quite capable. USB download is very fast. I was impressed compared to some other P&S digitals we have. Print up to 8X10 @ 300dpi or up to 16X20 @ 150dpi. The strengths outweight the weaknesses by a long shot! This is my first digital SLR and it was worth the wait. I give it 5 *s for value rating and 4 *s for overall. If you want a firewall 5 * camera you will have to pay for it.
Strengths: Light and decently built. I like the feel much better than some of the earlier Canon XT/Rebel plastic models. Nice big decent resolution LCD for viewing pictures. I have big hands and this fits better than the Canon digital Rebel. Shutter release placement falls right under my finger. Had to force my finger forward on the Canon. Price, you just can not beat the price. Period! Has continuous focus setting (automatic in sports mode) and also continuous shutter mode. 2.8fps up to 5 frames then it slows to about 1/5fps (1 frame per 5 seconds), but it will keep shooting continuously!
Weaknesses: Built in flash. You will want an external flash and a flash frame. Short lens has shadow at wide angle with lens hood left on. Just remove it (lens manual makes mention of it). Flash seems to wash out at close range (camera manual makes mention of it) but there is a flash EV reduction mode that helps with that problem so it's not too much of a problem if you remember to tame the flash down a bit. Nose prints on LCD screen. Can't be helped for me as I have a big head and nose. Buy some LCD protection sheets. The camera body could be just a tad taller for my big hands(3 1/2 fingers), but it is taller then the Canon digital (3 fingers). I don't feel however that it wants to fall out of my hands like some smaller P&S or cell phones do.
Link to this page
4 of 5
5 of 5
