Commonly found around the net for under $600 (with a 18-55mm lens), the Pentax *ist DL dSLR is one of the least expensive entry-level dSLRs available. Yet it comes with nearly every basic feature a SLR newbie on a tight budget could ask for.


The Pentax *ist DL dSLR is a fairly small, lightweight camera; the body measures only 4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches. Users of this camera are generally very happy with its overall design and layout. The camera's various buttons and dials all seem to be in the right place, and are easy to read and use. The overall layout is not unlike the very similar Nikon D50.

The camera has a 6.1-megapixel CCD image sensor, large 2.5-inch LCD display (compared with the 2" D50 display), USB 2.0 for high-speed data transfer, and a variety of preset scene modes (in addition to an automatic picture mode).


Key Features:

• Simple, accessible operation, from the multi-function four-way controller to the large, easy-to-use mode dial, all switches and dials are efficiently and functionally positioned.
• Compact design with high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis Body measures just 4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches.
• Large 2.5-inch LCD monitor remains easy to view, even on sunny days. Power saving mode extends battery life.
• 6.1 megapixel CCD and sophisticated 16-segment multi-pattern metering delivers outstanding image reproduction.
• Convenient SD media Card storage and High Speed USB 2.0 data transfer.
• Versatile multi-source power supply operates on AA batteries, 2CR-V3 lithium batteries, or optional AC adapter.

Specifications:

Camera Type: Auto-exposure digital SLR still camera with TTL auto focus and built-in retractable P-TTL auto flash

Effective Pixels: 6.1 megapixels

Sensor: Interline interlace CCD with primary color filter. Size: 23.5mm x 15.7mm Total pixels: 6.31 megapixels

Recorded Pixels: JPEG: [6M]3008x2008 pixels, [4M]2400x1600 pixels, [1.5M]1536x1024 pixels RAW: 3008x2008 pixels

Sensitivity: ISO Auto Manual (200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200)

File Formats: Still: JPEG (Exif 2.21), RAW, DCF (Design rule for Camera File system), DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), PRINT Image Matching III

Quality Levels: Compressed: JPEG-baseline ***Best, **Better and *Good Non-compressed:RAW

Storage Media: SD memory card

Color Composition: Color Depth - 8 bit (JPEG) or 12 bit (RAW) x 3 colors

White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light ((W,D,N), Flash, Manual

Lcd Monitor: 2.5 inch, low temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD (low reflection) Approx. 210,000pixels

Lcd Function: Image rotation, slide show, digital filter

Delete Function: Single, all

Video Output: Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats

Interfaces: Type - USB 2.0 high speed; Video Output - Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats

Lens Mount: PENTAX KAF mount compatible with PENTAX KAF2, KAF and KA mount lenses; Power Zoom Function - Not available; K-mount Lenses - usable with restrictions; S-mount Lenses - usable with adapter and restrictions; 67/645 Lenses - usable with adapter and restrictions

Exposure Modes: Program AE, Auto Picture Mode, Picture Mode, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb;

Shutter: Type – Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter; Shutter Speed - 1/4000 - 30 seconds and Bulb

Viewfinder: Penta mirror with Natural-Bright-Matte II focusing screen; Viewfinder Coverage - 96%; Viewfinder Magnification - 0.85x (with 50mm f1.4 lens, -1-1); Diopter Adjustment - -2.5m-1 to +1.5m-1

Viewfinder Indication: (1) Flash information; (2) Picture mode (Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night scene portrait); (3) In-focus; (4) Shutter speed; (5) Aperture value; (6) Exposure compensation factor; (7) Manual white balance; (8) Manual focus; (9) Sensitivity warning;(10) Auto exposure lock signal; (11) AF.C (AF-continuous

External Lcd: (1) Shutter speed; (2) Aperture value; (3) Flash Information (Auto, Flash-On, Flash-Off, Red-eye reduction); (4) Single frame advance/Continuouse advance; (5) Self-timer; (6) Remote control; (7) Metering Information; (8) Focus point indicator; (9) Auto bracketing; (10) AUTO/ manual white balance information; (11) Battery information; (12) Exposure compensation factor;(13) Exposure frame number

Exposure Meter: TTL open-aperture metering with choice of: 16-segment, Center-weighted & Spot meter; Metering Range – EV1 - EV21.5 (At ISO 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens);

Exposure Compensation: Exposure Compensation - +/-2 EV (1/2 or 1/3 steps)

Auto Bracketing: Auto Bracketing - 3 frames +/-1.5EV (1/2 steps) or +/-1EV (1/3 steps)

Ae Lock: Push button type with approx. 20 sec. timer

Drive Modes: Single-shot, Continuous (2.8 fps), Self-timer (12sec, 2sec), Auto bracketing, Remote Control (0 sec, 3 sec)

Autofocus: TTL phase-matching 3-point autofocus system (SAFOX VIII); Autofocus Modes - AF-Single (with focus lock), AF-Continuous, Manual; Illumination Range - EV1 - EV19 (at ISO 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens)

Built In Flash Rtf: Built-in series-control retractable P-TTL pop-up flash; Operation Modes - Auto, Flash-off, Flash-on, Auto + Red-eye reduction, Flash-on + Red-eye reduction; Guide Number - 15.6 (at ISO 200/m); Angle of View Coverage - 28mm (equivalent to 35mm); Flash Exposure Compensation - +1 to -2 (1/2 steps);

Synchronization: Flash Synchronization - With RTF and via hot shoe; Synchronization Speed - 1/180 sec.

Self Timer: 12 sec., 2 sec.

Remote Control: 0 sec., 3 sec.

Preview: Depth of Field Preview - Via main switch

Power Source: Four AA (Lithium, Alkaline, and rechargeable NiMH) batteries, or two CR-V3 Lithium batteries (optional AC adapter also available)

Dimensions: (W x H x D) - 4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches (125 x 92.5 x 66mm)

Weight: 16.6 oz. (470g) without battery and SD memory card; 19.4 oz. (550g) loaded and ready

Computer System Reqs: Mac Requirements - OS: Mac OS 9.0 or later, standard equipped USB port; PC Requirements - OS: Windows Me, 2000, XP Home edition / Professional, standard equipped USB port

Operating Temperatures: 32 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees to 40 degrees Celsius)

Time: Modes - dd/mm/yy, mm/dd/yy, yy/mm/dd; World Time - Displays the time in 72 cities (28 time zones)