Pentax 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body Only

Good Riddance, 35mm!

Strengths: Huge choice in lenses. Good ergonomics. Great viewfinder.

Weakness: Flash a bit weak.

I had been waiting to purchase a replacement for my 35mm equipment (sold a number of years ago when I bought a point & shoot digital camera). The digital SLRs I had tried were either prohibitively expensive, way too heavy, poorly designed (from the standpoint of how well my hands fit the controls), or cut costs in the wrong area (pentamirror instead of pentaprism). The Pentax *istDS (hereafter...
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I had been waiting to purchase a replacement for my 35mm equipment (sold a number of years ago when I bought a point & shoot digital camera). The digital SLRs I had tried were either prohibitively expensive, way too heavy, poorly designed (from the standpoint of how well my hands fit the controls), or cut costs in the wrong area (pentamirror instead of pentaprism).

The Pentax *istDS (hereafter called the DS in this review) is, for those who will shoot RAW images, the functional equal of the newer K110D. However, the pentaprism in the DS is considerably brighter and larger (96% vs 85%); it's really more like what you might remember from your old Minolta or Pentax film SLR.

The viewfinder display tells you virtually everything about your upcoming shot (speed, aperture, focus range, exposure adjustment, etc.)

If you don't like automatic focusing, there's a small switch on the camera body which enables manual focusing. As well, should you decide to buy old M42 (Pentax-screw-mount) lenses (of which there are thousands), the addition of an inexpensive "M42-to-K" adapter will permit the DS (and the newer K1XXD series) to use them, as well. Of course, focusing and exposure are done manually but there's a button (AE-L) that automatically sets the exposure when you're ready to shoot with these old lenses. It's a reasonable accommodation considering you're trying to use a lens that may be 40 years old!

There are many "program" and "auto" modes (aperture- or shutter-priority, sports, portrait, etc., etc.). Do read your manual as you will be severely hamstrung if you do not.

I should note that the DS lacks the share reduction (SR) that is a new feature of the K100D. You may or may not need this depending on your shooting style. While I did want this, I found the pentamirror used on these new cameras to be dimmer and too small for my 50+ year old eyes.

Another thing about which you should be aware: Many of these newer "prosumer" digital cameras do not have a PC sync and rely, instead, on only a hot-shoe. In either case, the older flashguns may use a high trigger voltage that may damage the electronics of the camera. The Pentax is designed for about a 6 volt trigger. There is a device called a Wein SafeSync that will reduce the flash's trigger voltage down to a safe level. Do a PriceGrabber or Google search and you'll find it.

I might have more to add once I've really gotten familiar with this DS. I do know this, however: This is the first digital SLR that comes very close in user experience to my old 35mm film SLRs and does it without breaking the bank.

By rumplestiltskin - Oct 8, 2006

Manual controls fall readily to...

Strengths: Bright viewfinder, flexible auto options, quick sutter release, legacy Pentax support, good ergonomics (for small hands)

Weakness: RAW conversion utility lacking, a few functions hidden deep in menu, poor ergonomics (for larger hands)

Manual controls fall readily to hand but the grip and dials are small and some controls are close to body radii. This isn’t a problem for small hands, but anyone wearing a medium or larger glove should take a 'test grip' before buying. The autofocus map displays exactly where the camera is focusing before taking a shot and can be quickly set to one of 13 locations. Autofocusing is quick and...
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Manual controls fall readily to hand but the grip and dials are small and some controls are close to body radii. This isn’t a problem for small hands, but anyone wearing a medium or larger glove should take a 'test grip' before buying.

The autofocus map displays exactly where the camera is focusing before taking a shot and can be quickly set to one of 13 locations. Autofocusing is quick and precise with flash-assist in low light.

Hyper Program mode allows fast switching to aperture or shutter priority modes. Small thumbwheels on the grip set manual functions including ISO and shutter speed, aperture and white balance. A button push restores default settings.

Exposure accuracy is good - default settings work well in most lighting. Switching to spot mode is helpful in difficult conditions.

Most functions and settings are visible in the very bright 'best in class' finder as is .95x of the final image.

JPEG image quality is excellent with little, if any, noticeable compression artifacts at low compression and very low noise. Reviewers have commented on image softness, but I haven't seen it. RAW images are excellent, too, with one BIG caution. Pentax RAW files can only be processed with Photo Laboratory which doesn't allow image preview resizing, making it difficult to determine the effect of a change.

Note: Standard Compact Flash cards (and microdrives) don't have the speed to process a 3 to 6MB+ file. Best bet is a new 40X WA CF card.

By forethought - Dec 14, 2003

Non bulky Pro level

Strengths: Smaller size for smaller hands. Easy clear bright sight and consistency with the other Pentax models & 35mm AF lenses.

Weakness: The microdrive is a bit difficult to remove without gravity because the strap lug is in the way and it's set deep in the compartment.

First of all the one thing I love most about this camera that others criticize is the fact that it is small. Being one of the fewer female pro photographers out there with small hands, this is a perfect fit in size and weight, but it's no small potatoes. Secondly, the price range is within reach of the pro photographer trying to compete on a small budget. Many other well known pro digitals in...
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First of all the one thing I love most about this camera that others criticize is the fact that it is small. Being one of the fewer female pro photographers out there with small hands, this is a perfect fit in size and weight, but it's no small potatoes. Secondly, the price range is within reach of the pro photographer trying to compete on a small budget. Many other well known pro digitals in this class are out of reach in price range.

It maintains the consistent Pentax controls and placement fairly well for those of us using other Pentax systems. No need to buy special digital lenses if already have Pentax AF lenses. A wonderful way to build onto an already existing equipment base. I like that I can carry one set of lenses, flashes and accessories with my Pentax MZ-S and this Pentax istD. Now...can they make the pro level "mixed breed" that can shoot 35mm film AND digital media without switching backs or attachments.

By raysingboyz - Dec 1, 2005

Good product

This is a great camera, light-weight while solid build. It uses 4 AAs, so backup power is easy and cheap. Pictures are great. The camera is prosumer level, since it has many pro-level knobs and controls. There are a few minor weaknesses. First, the LCD is only 1.8". Second, the CF door needs to be carefully managed. Finally, the hand grip is a bit shallow. Most of these are fixed in the later...
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This is a great camera, light-weight while solid build. It uses 4 AAs, so backup power is easy and cheap. Pictures are great. The camera is prosumer level, since it has many pro-level knobs and controls.

There are a few minor weaknesses. First, the LCD is only 1.8". Second, the CF door needs to be carefully managed. Finally, the hand grip is a bit shallow. Most of these are fixed in the later models, DS and DL. However, the later models are more consumer-oriented, lacking some pro-level features of the original D.

By jinyu1 - Feb 14, 2006

After 30 days of use on Pentax istD

Strengths: Low price. Beautiful color on Pentax lens.

Weakness: Slow focusing. too less focusing mode. RAW file formate can only be opened by Pentax Photo Lab.

As a DSLR beginner, this camera fits all my use and give me a lot of fun. I bought this camera with 18-55 kit lens. Both the lens and the camera produce beautiful color. Another good thing about this camera is the size and its weight. It is relative small and light when compared with other DSLR. However, when I compare to the Nikon D70, the focusing speed of the Pentax istD is significaly slower...
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As a DSLR beginner, this camera fits all my use and give me a lot of fun. I bought this camera with 18-55 kit lens. Both the lens and the camera produce beautiful color. Another good thing about this camera is the size and its weight. It is relative small and light when compared with other DSLR.
However, when I compare to the Nikon D70, the focusing speed of the Pentax istD is significaly slower than D70. Also, I feel that D70 provides batter control.

By titishih - Sep 8, 2006