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Pentax *ist DS

Reviewed January 2005

Image Quality

Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion
With the *ist DS Pentax has created an amateur digital SLR that combines elements from the *ist D, a pro digital SLR, with elements that originate in its line of compact cameras.

Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., aperture: f10, 200 ISO.
From the *ist D the DS model picks up all the critical shooting modes, and some high-end capabilities such as a no-time-limit Bulb mode, an advanced AF system, and compatibility with a number of accessories which were originally devised for the *ist D, but with one major exception: the vertical grip. From Pentax's line of compact cameras, the *ist DS inherits a group of Scene shooting modes, a remarkably simple operation that includes, for instance, a Playback menu and compatibility with PictBridge.

Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., aperture: f9, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV.

Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., aperture: f10, 200 ISO, +0.7EV.
Photos captured at the wide angle end of this lens reveal an almost distortion-free image — an image with no serious barrel distortion with a moderately distant subject — but one which exhibits a slightly soft focus in the corners of the frame, when inspected on a monitor at 100% scale. Prints of the same wide angle images however, are excellent up to a 5x7 size as the resizing that occurs to print an image tends to sharpen it.
Immediately past the widest angle, the soft focus disappears completely and the lens yields images that are crisp from corner to corner. Chromatic aberration is also well controlled, appearing only, and very minimally, on the extreme edges of wide angle shots that contain a strong contrast at the margins of the frame.

Much like the Nikon D70, the Pentax *ist DS has a CCD with a starting sensitivity of 200 ISO, a slightly higher sensitivity than most cameras and one which can often offer an advantage to the user.
At 200 ISO, the Pentax *ist DS is often able to provide a slightly faster shutter speed than a comparable camera with a lower sensitivity CCD would when equipped with a comparable lens. A case in point, the photos presented here are captured on a partially overcast and frigid day — conditions that quickly intensify camera-shake — and the 200 ISO sensitivity still allowed a shake-free shutter speed.
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., aperture: f10, 200 ISO.
Moreover, at 200 ISO, the photos are no noisier than would be the images from many cameras at half that sensitivity, while higher ISO settings such as 1600 ISO, although a bit noisier, are completely useable.

Shutter speed: 1/500 sec., aperture: f.5.6, 200 ISO.
The default Multi-metering is excellent, and is able to handle complex exposures very reliably. Furthermore, exposure compensation — usually needed with snow photos — is precise and can be set to have increments of 1/2 or 1/3 EV, a feature that is not commonly available.

Likewise, with this lens and left to its default settings, the *ist DS produces images with accurate and pleasant colours.
Flash exposures are also excellent, and the pop-up flash's coverage, particularly at the wide angle end, is well-suited to the 18 to 55mm lens included in the kit.
The *ist DS offers 3 JPEG image formats and a RAW format. On average the RAW format produces file sizes that are in the neighbourhood of 11MB and, while the RAW format ensures the highest image quality possible, it does require the use of the software to be converted to a more useable format, making it less expedient. The 3 JPEG formats, on the other hand, produce an immediately useable image. Somewhat regrettably, the format with the least compression is only available when re-saving RAW images using the software (Pentax Photo Laboratory), but not directly on the camera.
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., aperture: f9, 200 ISO, +0.7EV.

Shutter speed: 1/250 sec., aperture: f9.5, 1600 ISO.
The highest JPEG image quality available directly on the camera is the Best image quality, which is described as having a compression ratio of 3:1 in the manual. Yet, the format often applies a compression that is twice as strong, commonly running around 6:1. The very low compression format offered through the software however does stay in the 3:1 range, and generates image file sizes of 4 to 5 MB, a level which completely precludes the possibility of any undesirable side effects.
The *ist DS is a very enjoyable camera to use. Its compact size and light weight make it as practical as many of the larger compacts, but its excellent pentaprism viewfinder and instantaneous response to the shutter release underline the advantage the SLR design offers without the bulk.

In our opinion, Pentax's *ist DS is a clear alternative to either the Canon Rebel/EOS 300, or the Nikon D70 for those looking to purchase an amateur digital SLR, and that choice may well be based on comfort and ease of use, more than image quality.
Compare Prices for
Delkin Devices eFilm Digital SLR Standard PopUp Shade for Pentax *ist DS
StoreSeller RatingsDescriptionPrice
B&H Photo-Videoin stock$19.95
Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion



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