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Pentax *ist-D

Pentax's first d-SLR is a winner, with good color, low noise, and excellent "hand feel," all in a compact body.

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Review First Posted: 03/30/2004

MSRP $1699 US

Pentax *ist-D Sample Photos

We just received our production sample of the Pentax *ist-D digital SLR a couple of days ago. I haven't had much chance to play with it personally, but Canadian reader/author Peter Burian sent in a few photos he shot with his sample, and my "resident pro" Gibbs Frazeur took it out to play with in the beautiful weather we had here yesterday. The results are below, Gibbs' material on top, Peter's below. Stay tuned, the *ist-D is in the review cycle, although it's likely going to take me a couple of weeks to put it through its paces thoroughly. I'll see if we can get some others shots snapped, that'll show some direct comparisons with ISO variation, sharpness/contrast variations, etc, will post a note on our News Page if I manage to get any up here prior to the full review itself.

Meanwhile, first impressions from both Gibbs and myself are that this is a very nice little camera, very pleasant to work with, and the color so far looks really great too. (Although both of us found ourselves actually wishing it were a bit larger, given our rather large hands. - Interesting to find a full-on D-SLR that's actually that compact!)

I'm going to refrain from making any direct comparisons on issues of image noise, sharpness, etc, until I can do a full test with all my standardized test targets, as these shots here (as with any "random" photos) don't really permit any direct comparisons to be made. - They still give some idea of the camera's capabilities though.

Stay tuned for a full review in another couple of weeks, possibly some more photos between now and then also.

- Dave Etchells

YIMGP0097.JPG 3,195.9 KB Size: 3008x2008 Shutter: 1/250 Aperture: F13 Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev ISO Speed: 200 (Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)	YIMGP0110.JPG 5,031.6 KB Size: 3008x2008 Shutter: 1/250 Aperture: F11 Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev ISO Speed: 200 (Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)	YIMGP0127.JPG 2,533.3 KB Size: 3008x2008 Shutter: 1/50 Aperture: F20 Exp. Comp: -0.70 ev ISO Speed: 200 (Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
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