Pentax *ist DL / DS Differences?

[cyberlord]

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?

[ken1953]

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

Type	TTL autofocus, auto-exposure digital SLR digital-still camera with stainless steel chassis construction and built-in retractable P-TTL auto flash.		Type	TTL autofocus, auto-exposure digital SLR camera with stainless steel chassis construction and built-in retractable P-TTL auto flash.
Sensor	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)		Sensor	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)
Lens Conversion Factor	1.5X		Lens Conversion Factor	1.5X
Resolution (Recorded Pixels)	JPEG: [6M] 3008 x 2008, [4M] 2400 x 1600, [1.5M] 1536 x 1024, RAW: [6M] 3008 x 2008		Resolution (Recorded Pixels)	JPEG: [6M] 3008 x 2008, [4M] 2400 x 1600, [1.5M] 1536 x 1024, RAW: [6M] 3008 x 2008
ISO Sensitivity	Auto, Manual ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200		ISO Sensitivity	Auto, Manual ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
File Formats	JPEG (Exif 2.21), RAW, DCF, DPOF, PRINT Image Matching III		File Formats	JPEG (Exif 2.21), RAW, DCF, DPOF, PRINT Image Matching III
Storage Media	SD memory card		Storage Media	SD memory card
Color Space	sRGB, Adobe RGB		Color Space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Lens Mount	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		Lens Mount	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
Focusing System	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		Focusing System	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
Exposure Control	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)		Exposure Control	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)
Exposure Compensation ±2 EV (1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps)			Exposure Compensation ±2 EV (1/2EV steps or 1/3EV steps)
Auto Bracketing		3 frames ±1.5EV (0.5EV steps) or ±1.0EV (0.3EV steps)	Auto Bracketing		3 frames ±1.5EV (0.5EV steps) or ±1.0EV (0.3EV steps)
Magnified Image Playback		12X	Magnified Image Playback		12X
Digital Filter		B&W, Sepia, Soft (three-level amount adjustable), Slim, Wide	Digital Filter		B&W, Sepia, Soft (three-level amount adjustable), Slim, Wide
White Balance		Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W, D, N), Flash, Manual setting	White Balance		Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten Light, Fluorescent Light (W, D, N), Flash, Manual setting
Shutter		Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter, Speed: 1/4000 - 30 seconds and bulb	Shutter		Electronically controlled vertical-run focal plane shutter, Speed: 1/4000 - 30 seconds and bulb
Drive Modes		Single-frame advance, continuous advance, self-timer, auto bracket and remote control	Drive Modes		Single-frame advance, continuous advance, self-timer, auto bracket and remote control
Continuous Shooting		Approx. 2.8fps, JPEG (up to 5 consecutive frames), RAW (up to 3 consecutive frames)	Continuous Shooting		Approx. 2.8fps, JPEG (up to 5 consecutive frames), RAW (up to 3 consecutive frames)
Optical Viewfinder		Glass Pentaprism. Focusing screen: Natural-Bright-Matte, Field of view: 95%. Magnification: 0.95X Diopter adjustment: -2.5 - +1.5m-1	Optical Viewfinder		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
LCD Monitor		2.5 inch, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD monitor with backlight (approx. 210,000 pixels)	LCD Monitor		2.5 inch, low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD monitor with backlight (approx. 210,000 pixels)
Built-in Flash		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	Built-in Flash		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
Interfaces		USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED), Video out (Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats), SD Memory Card, PictBridge compatible	Interfaces		USB 2.0 (HI-SPEED), Video out (Compatible with NTSC and PAL formats), SD Memory Card, PictBridge compatible
Power Sources		Four AA (Lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries, or two CR-V3 Lithium batteries Optional AC adapter also available	Power Sources		Four AA (Lithium, alkaline, or rechargeable Ni-MH) batteries, or two CR-V3 Lithium batteries Optional AC adapter also available
Dimensions		4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches (125 x 92.5 x 67mm)	Dimensions		4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 inches (125 x 92.5 x 66mm)
Weight		17.8 oz. (505g) without battery and SD memory card	Weight		16.6 oz. (470g) without battery and SD memory card
18					19

[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

[mjs1973]

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.

[ken1953]

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

[pinmikaa]

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"...

[pinmikaa]

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.