Editorial Review:Product Description:The IST-DS defies convention. Weighing less than 18 ounces, this super-light, ultra-compact marvel boasts one of the world's smallest camera bodies yet houses an impressive array of features for astonishing image clarity and performance. A 6.1 megapixel CCD with advanced processing technology for high-definition images rich in gradation and saturation. Interchangeability with a wide selection of existing PENTAX lenses for convenience and versatility. An 11-point autofocus with SAFOX VIII for quick and accurate focus. And a host of user-friendly features including a high-magnification viewfinder, a large two-inch LCD monitor and data panel, and an innovative Auto Picture mode for fast and effortless operation. All packed into an attractive, sturdy casing. The perfect blend of portability and performance, the IST DS is the ideal traveling companion for beginners and advanced photographers of every level. Enjoy an easy-to-use and accessible operation system. From the multi-function four-way controller to the responsive electronic select dial and the large, easy-to-use mode dial, all switches and dials are efficiently and functionally laid out around the camera's compact body to assure smooth, fingertip control Effortlessly upload data to a PC using the included USB cable (USB 2.0 compatible) Choose from 18 user-adjustable custom functions to preprogram important camera functions to suit individual preferences
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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A Best Buy if you are moving from a film SLR
My camera battery consists of a Pentax ZX-5 (film SLR), a Panasonic DMC-FZ4 (digital P&S0) and now the Pentax DS digital SLR. I got it because the handling was similar to what I was used to and, more important, all my SLR lenses fit the DS. So I now have a collection of four lenses (2 zoom, 2 prime) that fit both Pentaxes plus a digital-only zoom lens. The DS is noticeably larger and heavier than the ZX-5 but smaller and lighter than other digital SLRs that I tried.
Advantages: compatible lenses, handling, sturdiness, plus accurate focussing and auto exposure. And using manual controls and settings is as easy as if it was the ZX-5.
Disadvantages: slow focussing especially at the long end but you do have 11 focus points to select from (any or all), not the brightest incamera flash and unfortunately no way of using an offcamera flash (but the larger Pentax flashes that use the flash shoe are very good as long as you want an oncamera flash).
As someone said, the Pentax DS does everything well although you can always find another brand SLR that does one or two things better. "Everything well" beats "some things good and some not so good" in my opinion, so I'm more than just pleased with the DS.
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Worth the wait
The only thing which could make me happier would be having a 500mm telephoto lenses for my nature/birding photography!
I was waiting for Pentax to start producing digital-SLRs to compete with Nikon and Canon. Main reason: to be able to use the k-mount lenses in which I'd invested since the 1980s. Even my manual telephoto lens fits and functions with the *ist DS. I'm quite pleased with the shorter zoom lens which came with the *ist DS deal i found via Amazon.com.
Inspiring, creative, and good digital photography starts with the quality of your camera. It's not so much whether you get one with 6.1 or 8 or 10 or 36 Megapixels (which dictates how humungous you want to go with prints.) I think a camera's quality depends upon the lenses.
And don't underestimate the quality of your software -- your "darkroom" -- for improving, fixing, and playing with your photo images. NOTE WELL: The Pentax editing software -- at least, the version which came with my camera seven months ago -- is very disappointing. You'll probably want to find an alternative or two. If you use the Apple Mac version 10.xx operating system, the included iPhoto software offers helpful, basic edit tools (and the capacity to assist in sorting, cataloging, and making slideshows for viewing. For Apple and Windows, etc. there's the workhorse of the creative photography world (film and digital) -- Adobe's Photoshop (available as a standalone or within the multi-software Creative Suite that you can set up to be able to shot Camera Raw.) For a lighter version, try Adobe Photo Elements.
Pentax digital SLRs seem to hold their own with Nikons and Canons -- and usually for better prices. Go for it before you cheat yourself of any more lost months of enjoyable productivity. (Don't forget: When we're behind the camera, the irony is that we can miss the experience of the moment while trying to capture a memory.)
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Retro style.
The overal build, body operation and lense quality is superb. Unless you have some very specific needs from a dSLR when comparing features, this camera can win your heart easily.
It is backward compatible with virtually every lense Pentax and third party companies have made for Pentax cameras. The viewfinder is comparable to that of the Canon 20D, and the DS really supports manual focusing unlike most other digital SLR's. The DL follows closely. The focusing screen can be swapped easily with an available 3 or 4 options to chose from, including one by a third party named Katz Eye Optics. I have heard good results with that split center microprism focusing screen as it allows you to manually focus better like the good old SLR days.
The autofocus motor is a little slower than the competition, but it is highly accurate and offers eleven focus points to chose from. For most general purposes it is fast enough. The thing about Pentax is that it is not the best with one particular feature (except lense quality) but it can do everything very well. This makes it overal VERY good.
The optical quality of Pentax lenses is as good if not better than the competition and at a lower price, perhaps from the lower demand from consumers. Nonetheless, even the kit lense blows away the competition.
Noise level is not a factor, and in my opinion is controlled better than Canons and Nikons giving more of a resemblance to real film grain. Although, it is still much more usable at ISO 3200 than film cameras are.
If you love to take pictures then get into Pentax. If you would rather have the most advanced technology and have the camera take the pictures for you, then look elsewhere but consider that Pentax will be soon coming out with possibly image stabilization integrated in a new 10 megapixel pro spec body, and an 18 megapixel medium format sensor camera at the end of 2006.
The only downside at this point is that desirable Pentax lenses can be difficult to find, but they are coming out with some new models soon also.
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Great Digital SLR for Advance Amateurs
I am a long time Pentax user since the days of the Asahi body with screw mount lens and no light meter. I've been buying Pentax cameras almost every 10 years including Pentax-made HP point-and-shoot digital cameras . Been waiting a while for Pentax to come through with an affordable dSLR in my price range and with the right features. The time has finally come with the *istDS since Pentax is phasing them out and replacing it with *ist DS2 and *ist DL.
When I compared the DS with DS2 and DL, I just could not see my self spending more money on DS2 for very little feature changes. By the same token, I wasn't too crazy on the reduction of features on the DL especially the replacement of Pentaprism with mirrors. So the DS is the best choice for the money at this time.
After using my *ist DS for a few weeks, I really fell in love with the camera as it rekindle my joy for photography. But there are a couple of things I wanted to mention to potential buyers who are considering this camera.
1. The Pentax DA 18-55mm lens is almost useless for general situations. It goes from wide to normal view only. I would have preferred something like the Tamron 18-200 mm XR Di II lens that allows me to go from wide to normal to zoom.
2. The built-in flash is weak and the pictures look cold and blue. My point and shoot digital camera took better flash pictures then the *ist-DS. Using my old Pentax TTL flash on the camera was a real improvement esp. with bounce flash.
3. For the guys who want to use old Pentax lens and flash with this camera, that will only last for a short time until you consider how much lighter and smaller the new Auto-Focus lens that are available for the dSLRs. Also, the newer P-TTL flashes works in conjuction with zoom level of your lens and can control slave flashes wirelessly.
4. The Pentax *ist-DS camera case (O-CC28) is the perfect complement to the camera since it contains a pocket for the IR remote and lens cap. However, you can not find them anywhere in the U.S.. The *ist-D case (O-CC10) does not fit the *ist-DS body.
5. I was able to use the IR remote from my Pentax-made HP point and shoot. This leads me to believe that any Pentax IR remote should be compatible with the *ist-DS camera. There's a bunch of them out there on Ebay. Pentax should include this with the camera as a freebie like all the point-and-shoot cameras.
I gave 4 stars because some of the idiosynchrocies I mentioned above.
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Second Pentax - First Digital SLR
Pentax - name associated with quality photography. This lightweight, easy to use - great quaility build DSLR is a fantastic choice for anyone that is thinking about upgrading from 35mm or just starting out in digital photography- easy menu functions and backward compatable interchangeable lenses.. I reccommend a 1gig Ultra II SD card - for maximum storage and I highly advise rechargeable batteries.