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Pentax *ist DL

Pentax *ist DL
Pentax *ist DLPentax *ist DLPentax *ist DLPentax *ist DLPentax *ist DLPentax *ist DL
alaScore 87

190 reviews

Nov, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 190 reviews of Pentax *ist DL. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Comments about the durability and portability are on the whole positive. The price and performance are also appreciated, whereas the image stabilizer and energy efficiency get critical views. There are some mixed views about the lens.

usability, performance, price, portability, durability

viewfinder, flash, software, energy, stabilizer

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax *ist DL is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 87/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 190 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (49% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (37% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
performance
  Show positive (88%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (89%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (97%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (95%)Show negative (5%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
size
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (73%)Show negative (27%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
color
  Show positive (56%)Show negative (44%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (40%)Show negative (60%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (75%)(Show all)
software
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
energy
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 71 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 41 of 71 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (119)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax *ist DL

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 17 user reviews of Pentax *ist DL from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. People really like the screen and durability. The portability and price are also mentioned favorably. There are some negative comments about the lens.

usability, price, portability, durability, screen

lens

76% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Pentax *ist DL

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 14 user reviews of Pentax *ist DL from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Evan Blass (engadget.com)

Pentax *ist DL 6.1 megapixel DSLR reviewed

 

If you're looking for a relatively cheap way to enter the world of digital SLR photography, the UK's DigiCam Review thinks you could do a lot worse than the Pentax *ist DL, which despite its unpronouncable name, came out a clear winner in their...

May, 2006
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Expert review by : Ben Long (pcworld.com)

Pentax [star]ist DL Camera

 

With a street price of $600 (as of March 21, 2006) and a basic feature set, the Pentax *ist DL represents a good entry-level option for aspiring digital SLR shooters on a budget. Though it isn't long on features, the *ist DL provides the automatic and...

Excellent overall construction Controls are easy to use one-handed

No external controls for ISO and flash Images didn't look very sharp

The *ist DL falls down in image quality. In JPEG mode, the camera's shots are soft and occasionally look underexposed. Increasing the default sharpening setting helps make images look crisper; and once you're used to the underexposure, you can...

Apr, 2006
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Expert review by : Ben Long (pcworld.com)

Pentax *ist DL, Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera (6.1MP, 2008x3008, SD)

 

Artwork: Rick Rizner, Chris Manners

Excellent overall construction ; Controls are easy to use one-handed

No external controls for ISO and flash ; Images didn't look very sharp

Compact camera offers simple controls and a good feature set, but some of our images looked a bit soft.

Apr, 2006
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Expert review by : Lisa Gidley (cnet.com)

Pentax *ist DL review

 

Pentax *ist DL

Svelte and affordable; logical interface; solid image quality.

Autofocus sometimes flustered by difficult scenes; auto white-balance setting mediocre for outdoor shadows or artificial light.

A great value per ounce, the Pentax *ist DL is a logical choice for budget-minded enthusiasts looking to upgrade to a digital SLR, but it's not ideal for shooting action or running on full auto.

Mar, 2006
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Expert review by : Terry Sullivan (pcmag.com)

Pentax *ist DL

 

Lighter and faster than its older sibling, the Pentax *ist DS, the affordable Pentax *ist DL is a strong entry-level D-SLR contender.

Incredibly portable and lightweight for a D-SLR. Provides lots of options and features. Inexpensive.

1.5X magnification factor. Burst rate could be quicker. Menu structure could be better.

Compare the Pentax *ist DL, the Nikon D50, and the Canon Rebel XT side by side in our comparison table and view their benchmark scores.

Sep, 2005
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Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Pentax *ist DL SLR

 

Physical Views The Pentax *ist DL and the *ist DS2 Continue on to Page Two *ist DL Specifications Type Interchangeable lens Single-Lens-Reflex type digital still camera with TTL auto exposure,autofocus and built-in TTL auto flash.

Mar, 2006
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Expert review by (letsgodigital.org)

Pentax *ist DL review

 

Pentax showed us a new digital compact SLR camera at the beginning of June 2005. It's not intended as a successor of the current Pentax *ist DS, but it surely is a digital reflex that looks rather similar to the *ist DS. At first glance you'd even...

Pentax is joining in with the digital reflex cameras for some time now, relatively quietly. The brand is aiming at the lower segment and Pentax is very strong here. Before it was with the analogue cameras, and now the same thing happens with the...

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Expert review by : Philip Ryan (popphoto.com)

Pentax *ist DL now $549.95

 

As of February 1, 2006, Pentax has reduced the price of its entry level DSLR kit by $200. The 6.1MP *ist DL with an 18-55mm DA lens will now cost $599.95 instead of $799.95. The body-only price for the *ist DL has dropped to $549.95. Prices of all...

Dec, 2008
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Expert review by : Peter K. Burian (shutterbug.com)

Pentax's *ist DL; An Affordable Entry-Level 6-Megapixel Digital SLR

 

The smallest and lightest digital SLR on the market at the time of this writing, the *ist DL is also among the most affordable in the 6-megapixel category. As the entry-level model in the Pentax line, it was designed for simplicity of operation, yet...

Fairly rugged, ultra compact/lightweight body ; Designed for simplicity but includes many advanced features ; also compatible (with some limitations) with manual focus lenses ; Quick start up ; fast response in most outdoor situations ; moderately high...

Like the other *ist D-series cameras, this one produces images with moderate contrast that usually hold detail in both highlight and shadow areas. Color saturation is slightly high, color fidelity is very good, and skin tones are attractive. Selecting...

Jan, 2006
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Expert review by : Patrick Singleton (reviewed.com)

Pentax *ist DL

 

The Pentax **ist DL packs an interline interlace 23.5 x 15.7 mm CCD with a primary color filter. This prosumer digital SLR can shoot 8 bit color in JPEG format and 12 bit in RAW. We tested how accurate those colors are by taking several exposures of...

The *ist DL is notably inferior to other sub-$1000 DSLRs in only two areas: its autofocus mechanism is less advanced than the Nikon and Canon offerings, and its handgrip is less comfortable than others. The autofocus issue is likely to be a substantial...

Sep, 2005
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