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Pentax *istDL review
With a compact, lightweight body, simplified operation and an affordable
price, the *istDL is designed to extend the advantages of high-quality
digital SLR photography to photographers of all levels, even those who are
new to digital and SLR photography. Despite its compact, lightweight
design, the *istDL features 6.1 effective megapixels, an extra-large
2.5-inch colour LCD monitor, and compatibility with most interchangeable
PENTAX lenses. Combining high-quality image reproduction with simple,
user-friendly operation, the *istDL is the ideal digital SLR for a variety
of users, including digital photography novices, families and those who
plan to step up from digital compact cameras to digital SLRs.
User-friendly automatic operations - The *istDL is equipped with the
innovative Auto Picture Mode, which automatically and instantly selects the
most appropriate Picture mode from Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro or
Action for a given subject or situation, to assure the optimum combination
of aperture, shutter speed, white balance, saturation, contrast, and
intensity of edges. In addition, the built-in auto flash automatically pops
up in dimly lit or backlit situations.
Extra-large 2.5-inch colour LCD monitor - The *istDL ’s high-precision
2.5-inch colour LCD monitor, with approximately 210,000 pixels, displays
recorded images clearly and beautifully, even when the original image is
magnified by 12 times using the digital zoom capability. It also
facilitates image confirmation after shooting and menu selection during
shooting and editing operations. The menu screen also provides an optimum
colour scheme between menu descriptions and background to assure easy
reading under all types of lighting conditions.
Compact, go-anywhere design - The *istDL features a compact, high-rigidity
stainless-steel chassis and a bright viewfinder combining the
PENTAX-original penta-mirror and a newly developed focusing screen.
Combining other advanced downsizing technologies, such as 10-layer
electronic circuit boards and high-density packaging technology, it offers
the outstanding portability.
High-definition, maximum-gradation images with 6.1 effective megapixels -
Thanks to its large, high-performance CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm),
the *istDL offers 6.1 effective megapixels. Coupled with PENTAX’s
original image processing technology using a high-performance engine, it
produces high-definition images rich in gradation and saturation. It also
offers a choice of finishing touches between “bright” and “natural”
to satisfy user preferences.
User-friendly guide screen - The *istDL features a user-friendly,
multi-data guide screen, which offers detailed description of shooting
modes, displays drive, flash and white balance settings using text and
sample photos, and presents a comprehensive list of all camera settings on
the large 2.5-inch monitor.
High-precision 16-segment multi-pattern metering - The *istDL incorporates
a sophisticated 16-segment metering system to assure high-precision light
measurement, even under complicated lighting conditions. It also offers
center-weighted metering and spot metering for specialized applications.
High-accuracy AF sensors - Featuring the advanced SAFOX VIII AF system
incorporating three cross-type wide-area AF sensors, the *istDL
automatically selects the most appropriate sensor for a given subject. It
also lets you fix the sensor point on the middle sensor for specific
applications. Using the menu screen, you can select the preferred focus
mode between Single AF, which locks the focus when the shutter release
button is half-depressed, and Continuous AF,* which adjusts the focus to
the subject’s movement. * When in one of the Picture modes, this focusing
mode is only available if Action mode is selected. This focusing mode can
be selected when using Program, Av, Tv or Manual exposure modes.
1/4000-second high-speed shutter - The *istDL incorporates a high-speed
shutter unit, with a top speed of 1/4000 second and a top synchronization
speed of 1/180 second, to assure greater visual creativity. The bulb
setting is also available to accommodate extended exposures at night.
High-speed 2.8-frame consecutive shooting - The *istDL records up to five
images (at “best” image quality in JPEG format) consecutively at a
speed of approximately 2.8 frames per second, allowing you to capture a
series of shots showing the subject’s motion.
Compatibility with PENTAX interchangeable lenses - The *istDL offers the
outstanding benefit of lens interchangeability, letting you take advantage
of the wide selection of PENTAX interchangeable lenses for use with
diversified subjects and applications.** ** PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and
KAF2-mount 35mm-format lenses can be used without an adapter or
modification. PENTAX screw-mount 35mm-format lenses and PENTAX 645- and
67-system lenses can be used with an adapter. Some functions may not be
available with certain lenses.
SD memory card compatibility - The *istDL uses the widely available SD
memory card as its storage media, not only assuring high-speed recording
and readout of image data, but also helping to reduce the camera body size.
Other features - Eighteen user-programmable custom functions to personalize
camera operations to user preferences Noise-reduction system to minimize
annoying digital noise during extended exposures Dual power source, with a
choice of two CR-V3 lithium batteries or four AA-size batteries Effortless
PC data upload via USB 2.0 (HIGH-SPEED) connection Functional playback
functions, including 12X zoom display and nine-image thumbnail display A
choice of image format between JPEG (good, better or best) or RAW Four
digital filters (black-and-white, sepia, slim, and soft-focus in three
patterns) for easy post-shooting image processing PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory
2.1 RAW-data processing software and PENTAX PHOTO Browser 2.1 browser
software included PictBridge compatibility
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