• 03-23-2006, 11:40 AM
    cyberlord
    Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    I'm contemplating a DSLR purchase soon (Canon A1 currently) as I am tired of scanning film!!

    I'm looking at either the Nikon D50 or one of the Pentax ist models.

    I've searched and compared the DS and DL on several sites and have not found a comparison where they differ to much. Of course the comparisons don't take about buffer size, frames per second, start up time, shutter lag etc.

    So I ask you all what are the major differences that warrant the price difference? If you know a good comparison site that goes a little more in depth I'd appreciate that info too.

    Thanks,

    Tim
    What!? No spellchecker?
  • 03-23-2006, 01:07 PM
    ken1953
    Re: Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    Hi Cyberlord...below is a cut and paste from the brochure on the Pentax site. On the left is the DS2 and on the right is the DL (which I recently purchased). Based on this...I see little or no difference except weight. I made the purchase based on my wifes having tried out all the models in these prices. She chose hers by the way it felt and the menu button placement for her. I chose so we could learn the same units at the same time. I love mine and there are things I wish were better on them, but for my needs, they are great. I also have a Nikon Coolpix 8400 point and shoot.
    Hope this helps...Ken




    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=675 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom width="13%" height=81>
    Type


    </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width="36%" colSpan=2 height=81>
    TTL autofocus, auto-exposure digital SLR digital-still camera with stainless steel chassis construction and built-in retractable P-TTL auto flash.


    </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width="17%" height=81>
    Type


    </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width="34%" colSpan=2 height=81>
    TTL autofocus, auto-exposure digital SLR camera with stainless steel chassis construction and built-in retractable P-TTL auto flash.


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" height=41>
    Sensor


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" colSpan=2 height=41>
    Interline interlace CCD with a primary color filter Size: 23.5mm x 15.7mm Total pixels: 6.31 megapixels Color Depth: 8 bit (JPEG) or 12 bit (RAW)


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" height=41>
    Sensor


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" colSpan=2 height=41>
    Interline interlace CCD with a primary color filter Size: 23.5mm x 15.7mm Total pixels: 6.31 megapixels Color Depth: 8 bit (JPEG) or 12 bit (RAW)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=22>
    Lens Conversion Factor


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" colSpan=2 height=22>
    1.5X


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" height=22>
    Lens Conversion Factor


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=22>
    1.5X


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="13%" height=24>
    Resolution (Recorded Pixels)


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" colSpan=2 height=24>
    JPEG: [6M] 3008 x 2008, [4M] 2400 x 1600, [1.5M] 1536 x 1024, RAW: [6M] 3008 x 2008


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" height=24>
    Resolution (Recorded Pixels)


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" colSpan=2 height=24>
    JPEG: [6M] 3008 x 2008, [4M] 2400 x 1600, [1.5M] 1536 x 1024, RAW: [6M] 3008 x 2008


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=15>
    ISO Sensitivity


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=15>
    Auto, Manual ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" height=15>
    ISO Sensitivity


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" colSpan=2 height=15>
    Auto, Manual ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" height=22>
    File Formats


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" colSpan=2 height=22>
    JPEG (Exif 2.21), RAW, DCF, DPOF, PRINT Image Matching III


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" height=22>
    File Formats


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" colSpan=2 height=22>
    JPEG (Exif 2.21), RAW, DCF, DPOF, PRINT Image Matching III


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=15>
    Storage Media


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" colSpan=2 height=15>
    SD memory card


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" height=15>
    Storage Media


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" colSpan=2 height=15>
    SD memory card


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" height=15>
    Color Space


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" colSpan=2 height=15>
    sRGB, Adobe RGB


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" height=15>
    Color Space


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" colSpan=2 height=15>
    sRGB, Adobe RGB


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=58>
    Lens Mount


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=58>
    PENTAX KAF bayonet mount Usable Lenses: PENTAX KAF2, KAF, and KA mount lenses, Power zoom function not available K-mount lenses usable with restrictions S-mount lenses usable with adapter 67/645 lenses usable with adapter and with restrictions


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" height=58>
    Lens Mount


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=58>
    PENTAX KAF bayonet mount Usable Lenses: PENTAX KAF2, KAF, and KA-mount lenses, Power zoom function not available K-mount lenses usable with restrictions S-mount lenses usable with adapter 67/645 lenses usable with adapter and with restrictions


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" height=58>
    Focusing System


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" colSpan=2 height=58>
    TTL phase-matching 11 point autofocus system (SAFOX VIII) with selectable spot AF, Applicable illumination range EV0 - EV19 (at Standard Output Sensitivity 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens), Mode: AF-single (with focus lock); Manual focus, AF-continuous 11 point, auto select or spot AF selectable


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" height=58>
    Focusing System


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="34%" colSpan=2 height=58>
    TTL phase-matching 3 point autofocus system (SAFOX VIII) with selectable spot AF, Applicable illumination range EV0 - EV19 (at Standard Output Sensitivity 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens), Mode: AF-single (with focus lock); Manual focus, AF-continuous available when you select Action mode, Wide or spot AF selectable


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=58>
    Exposure Control


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=58>
    Metering System: TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering (coupled with lens and AF information) Metering Mode: Multi-segment metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering Metering Range: EV 1 - 21.5 (at Standard Output Sensitivity 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens)


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" height=58>
    Exposure Control


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=58>
    Metering System: TTL open-aperture 16-segment metering (coupled with lens and AF information) Metering Mode: Multi-segment metering, Center-weighted metering, Spot metering Metering Range: EV 1 - 21.5 (at Standard Output Sensitivity 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="49%" colSpan=3 height=16>
    Exposure Compensation ±2 EV (1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps)


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="51%" colSpan=3 height=16>
    Exposure Compensation ±2 EV (1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=16>
    Auto Bracketing


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=16>
    3 frames ±1.5EV (0.5EV steps) or ±1.0EV (0.3EV steps)


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" colSpan=2 height=16>
    Auto Bracketing


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=16>
    3 frames ±1.5EV (0.5EV steps) or ±1.0EV (0.3EV steps)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=center width="13%" colSpan=2 height=24>
    Magnified Image Playback


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" height=24>
    12X


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="17%" colSpan=2 height=24>
    Magnified Image Playback


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="34%" height=24>
    12X


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=25>
    Digital Filter


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=25>
    B&W, Sepia, Soft (three-level amount adjustable), Slim, Wide


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=25>
    Digital Filter


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=25>
    B&W, Sepia, Soft (three-level amount adjustable), Slim, Wide


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" colSpan=2 height=25>
    White Balance


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" height=25>
    Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W, D, N), Flash, Manual setting


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=25>
    White Balance


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" height=25>
    Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W, D, N), Flash, Manual setting


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=25>
    Shutter


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=25>
    Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter, Speed: 1/4000 - 30 seconds and bulb


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=25>
    Shutter


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=25>
    Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter, Speed: 1/4000 - 30 seconds and bulb


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" colSpan=2 height=24>
    Drive Modes


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" height=24>
    Single-frame advance, continuous advance, self-timer, auto bracket and remote control


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=24>
    Drive Modes


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" height=24>
    Single-frame advance, continuous advance, self-timer, auto bracket and remote control


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=26>
    Continuous Shooting


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=26>
    Approx. 2.8fps, JPEG (up to 5 consecutive frames), RAW (up to 3 consecutive frames)


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=26>
    Continuous Shooting


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=26>
    Approx. 2.8fps, JPEG (up to 5 consecutive frames), RAW (up to 3 consecutive frames)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" colSpan=2 height=33>
    Optical Viewfinder


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" height=33>
    Glass Pentaprism. Focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte, Field of view: 95%. Magnification: 0.95X Diopter adjustment: -2.5 - +1.5m-1


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=33>
    Optical Viewfinder


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" height=33>
    Pentamirror. Focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte II, Field of view: 96%. Magnification: 0.85X (with 50m F1.4 at infinity), Diopter adjustment: -2.5 - +1.5m-1


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=25>
    LCD Monitor


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=25>
    2.5 inch, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD monitor with backlight (approx. 210,000 pixels)


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=25>
    LCD Monitor


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=25>
    2.5 inch, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD monitor with backlight (approx. 210,000 pixels)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" colSpan=2 height=41>
    Built-in Flash


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" height=41>
    Series-control retractable P-TTL pop-up flash Guide number: 15.6 (Standard Output Sensitivity 200/m), Angle of view coverage: 28mm wide-angle (equivalent to 35mm), Hot shoe, sync-speed: 1/180 sec


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=41>
    Built-in Flash


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" height=41>
    Series-control retractable P-TTL pop-up flash Guide number: 15.6 (Standard Output Sensitivity 200/m), Angle of view coverage: 28mm wide-angle (equivalent to 35mm), Hot shoe, sync-speed: 1/180 sec


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=33>
    Interfaces


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=33>
    USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED), Video out (Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats), SD Memory Card, PictBridge compatible


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=33>
    Interfaces


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=33>
    USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED), Video out (Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats), SD Memory Card, PictBridge compatible


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" colSpan=2 height=32>
    Power Sources


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" height=32>
    Four AA (Lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries, or two CR-V3 Lithium batteries Optional AC adapter also available


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=32>
    Power Sources


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" height=32>
    Four AA (Lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries, or two CR-V3 Lithium batteries Optional AC adapter also available


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 colSpan=2 height=15>
    Dimensions


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="36%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=15>
    4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches (125 x 92.5 x 67mm)


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=15>
    Dimensions


    </TD><TD vAlign=center width="34%" bgColor=#e6e6e6 height=15>
    4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches (125 x 92.5 x 66mm)


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width="13%" colSpan=2 height=30>
    Weight


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" height=30>
    17.8 oz. (505g) without battery and SD memory card


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=30>
    Weight


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="34%" height=30>
    16.6 oz. (470g) without battery and SD memory card


    </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom width="13%" colSpan=2 height=26>
    18


    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="36%" height=26>

    </TD><TD vAlign=top width="17%" colSpan=2 height=26>

    </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width="34%" height=26>
    19


    </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
  • 03-23-2006, 04:40 PM
    cyberlord
    Re: Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    From what I see here, the difference is in the viewfinder. A second generation focusing screen, a slightly wider field of view (less magnification) and implies a brighter overall image.

    Even if the viewfinder had a brigher image I'm not sure it's worth the price difference.

    Now to decide between the DL or a Nikon D50.

    That will take a trip to Best Buy (no photo stores around here) this weekend to see how each feels.

    Thanks for the info,

    Tim
  • 03-23-2006, 05:54 PM
    mjs1973
    Re: Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    There was a side by side comparison of the *ist, D50, Canon 350D, KM Maxxum 5D and the Olympus Evolt E-500 in the March issue of Popular Photography and imaging. They rated them in 4 categories. 1 image quality, 2 Control, 3 Ease of use, 4 system flexibility. The Pentax rated below the Nikon in every category except for easy of use. You should see if you can find the issue to read about the test in more detail.
  • 03-23-2006, 07:43 PM
    ken1953
    Re: Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by cyberlord
    From what I see here, the difference is in the viewfinder. A second generation focusing screen, a slightly wider field of view (less magnification) and implies a brighter overall image.

    Even if the viewfinder had a brigher image I'm not sure it's worth the price difference.

    Now to decide between the DL or a Nikon D50.

    That will take a trip to Best Buy (no photo stores around here) this weekend to see how each feels.

    Thanks for the info,

    Tim

    One other difference I found between the DS2 and DL...the DS2 has an 11 point focusing system and the DL only has a 3 point system.
    All of the cameras that Michael mentioned will be great buys...but it really is going to come down to what YOU like the best. Go play with them...then choose.
    Ken
  • 01-26-2015, 02:20 AM
    pinmikaa
    Re: Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    hows this for a question, how the hell do you pronounce *ist DL. is it, "asterick i-s-t-d-l" or what? lol, ive always wondered that. never heard it mentioned either. just "the pentax body"...
  • 01-26-2015, 02:21 AM
    pinmikaa
    Re: Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?
    I have a Pentax ist DL and I would like to know if someone would recommend an exterior flash that works well with a 100-300 Zoom.