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Pentax *ist DS

Reviewed January 2005

Test Photos

Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion
PLEASE NOTE:

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.
Introduction
Ergonomics
Characteristics
Image Quality
Interface & Software
Camera Views
Test Photos
Specifications
Our Opinion





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