Here are a few images that accurately reflect the abilities
of any given camera model. The images are altered only in
terms of size and sharpness after reduction and by the JPEG
compression used. Unless otherwise mentioned, assume that
any marbling or artifacts visible in the images are due to
the compression required to display them here. We feel however,
that they still faithfully represent the results we experienced.
STILL LIFE PHOTO
This subject is photographed in a room that has a mix of fluorescent and
incandescent light, but which is not brightly lit. The camera's flash is
used to add fill light. The backdrop is 1.95 m (6.5 ft) from the camera.
Equipped with the kit lens (18 - 55mm) the Pentax *ist DS
is able to capture a very wide field of view. The pop-up flash
produces a clean and even illumination,
and no light falloff is noticeable in the corners.
The widest angle image however, also shows a slightly soft
focus, particularly in the extreme corners of the frame.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f3.5
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/30 sec.
Resolution:
3008
x 2008
Flash:
On
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
200
File Size:
10.3MB (RAW)
17.4MB (TIFF)
Focal Length:
27 mm (35mm Eq)
ZOOM PHOTO
Now we zoom in on a specific area. The intent is to test the sharpness
of the image at the zoom's maximum setting. The camera remains at the same
distance as with the preceding photo.
As with the wide angle shot presented above, the RAW mode
is used to capture this telephoto image of the still life.
The RAW format produces an image
size that is generally under 11MB, and which the *ist DS is able
to save in approximately 4 seconds.
Photo
Information
Format:
RAW
Aperture:
f5.6
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/60 sec.
Resolution:
3008
x 2008
Flash:
On
Quality:
RAW
ISO:
200
File Size:
10.5 MB (RAW)
17.4 MB (TIFF)
Focal Length:
84 mm (35mm Eq)
The RAW image is the unprocessed
image data from the sensor, and can be tweaked using the software
Pentax includes with the camera, and then resaved as an 8 or
16-bit TIFF, or at any one of 5 JPEG compression levels. Interestingly,
the highest quality JPEG uses a very low compression, a ratio
in the 3:1 range, that produces an image quality as good as TIFF.
Aperture: f38, shutter speed: 1/60,
ISO 200
MACRO PHOTO
The 18 to 55 zoom has a macro range that allows photography
of a subject approximately 12 cm (4.68 inch) from the front element
of the lens when the zoom is set to telephoto setting of 55mm.
The field of view captured, when measured horizontally, is only
6.6 cm (2.57 in.), making it possible to capture some excellent
shots.
BUILDING PHOTO
This image
is our "outdoor" test. The architecture of the building,
in particular the angled girders, immediately show the presence
of jaggies.
The shadowed entrance can also often reveal the quality of the exposure.
The field of view the 18 to 55 mm lens is able to capture
when set to the widest angle is excellent.
The soft focus noted previously though is apparent when the
image is seen at full scale (see below).
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/250
Resolution:
3008
x 2000
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Best
ISO:
200
File Size:
2.48 MB
Focal Length:
27mm (35mm Eq)
ZOOM PHOTO
At the 55mm end of the zoom included in the *ist DS kit, the camera captures
an image that still takes in a large section of the building's exterior,
highlighting the fact that an 84mm equivalent focal length has limited
magnifying power.
The image, captured using the Best JPEG image quality, is
well-exposed and reveals a high level of detail.
Photo
Information
Format:
JPEG
Aperture:
f7.1
Exposure:
Program
Shutter Speed:
1/125
Resolution:
3008 x 2000
Flash:
Off
Quality:
Best
ISO:
200
File Size:
2.84 MB
Focal Length:
84 mm (35 mm
eq)
NIGHT PHOTO
This camera is capable of long exposures, and a photo
taken at night is presented here to give an idea of its capabilities.
Aperture: f8; shutter
speed: 30 sec, 200 ISO.
The *ist DS is extremely flexible
when it comes to night photography. A maximum exposure time of
30 seconds is available with both the shutter priority (Tv) and
Manual modes, and the 2 second self-timer provides mirror-lock
at the beginning of the timer sequence to avoid any possible
camera shake. In addition, the Bulb mode has no time limitation,
although the wired shutter release should be used to avoid any
camera shake.
Noise reduction, selected in the Customs
Settings, can be enabled to lessen the electronic noise
gathered over the course of a long exposure, producing a near
noise-free image.
The photo presented here was captured using the RAW format. Once opened
using Pentax Photo Laboratory, the colour balance was reset to Tungsten
(incandescent) to produce more true to life colours, and then was resaved
using the highest JPEG image quality, resulting in an image file size of
4.81 MB.
Test Photos
