Digital Camera Home > Digital Camera Reviews > Pentax Digital Cameras > Pentax *ist-D

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.

<<Reference: Datasheet :(Previous) | (Next): ISTD Sample Images>>

ISTD Photo Gallery!

Review First Posted: 03/30/2004

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

Click to see YIMGP0097.JPG
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)
Click to see YIMGP0110.JPG
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)
Click to see YIMGP0127.JPG
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)
Click to see YIMGP0138.JPG
YIMGP0138.JPG
2,153.2 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/125
Aperture: F16
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
Click to see YIMGP0159.JPG
YIMGP0159.JPG
2,180.2 KB
Size: 2008x3008
Shutter: 1/80
Aperture: F16
Exp. Comp: +0.70 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
Click to see YIMGP0192.JPG
YIMGP0192.JPG
4,279.5 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/125
Aperture: F16
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
Click to see YIMGP0205.JPG
YIMGP0205.JPG
1,949.0 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/100
Aperture: F16
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
Click to see YIMGP0225.JPG
YIMGP0225.JPG
1,632.6 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/100
Aperture: F16
Exp. Comp: +0.30 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
Click to see YIMGP0242.JPG
YIMGP0242.JPG
2,720.0 KB
Size: 2008x3008
Shutter: 1/ 2
Aperture: F8
Exp. Comp: +0.70 ev
ISO Speed: 800

(Photo by Gibbs Frazeur)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0075.JPG
YYburianIMGP0075.JPG
2,272.0 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/40
Aperture: F5.6
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 800

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0076.JPG
YYburianIMGP0076.JPG
2,825.9 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/80
Aperture: F5.6
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 1600

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0084.JPG
YYburianIMGP0084.JPG
3,190.3 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/60
Aperture: F5.6
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 1600

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0085.JPG
YYburianIMGP0085.JPG
2,594.3 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/25
Aperture: F5.6
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 800

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0092.JPG
YYburianIMGP0092.JPG
3,640.7 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/160
Aperture: F5.6
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 1600

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0093.JPG
YYburianIMGP0093.JPG
2,982.2 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/80
Aperture: F5.6
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 800

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0100.JPG
YYburianIMGP0100.JPG
3,321.5 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/20
Aperture: F22
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0105.JPG
YYburianIMGP0105.JPG
2,240.4 KB
Size: 3008x2008
Shutter: 1/200
Aperture: F11
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)
Click to see YYburianIMGP0113.JPG
YYburianIMGP0113.JPG
1,522.4 KB
Size: 2008x3008
Shutter: 1/1000
Aperture: F9
Exp. Comp: 0.00 ev
ISO Speed: 200

(Photo by Peter Burian,
all rights reserved)

Reader Comments! --> Visit our discussion forum for the Pentax *ist-D!



<<Reference: Datasheet | ISTD Sample Images>>

Follow Imaging Resource: