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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

Apr, 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. Opinions about the durability and portability are overall positive. The price and performance are also mentioned favorably, but comments are divided on the lens. Some have doubts about the image stabilizer and energy efficiency.

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)
Show 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 are impressed by the screen and durability. The portability and price also get good feedback, but some have doubts about the lens.

usability, price, portability, durability, screen

lens

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

Apr, 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.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Ian Hughes (pocket-lint.com)

Pentax ist*DL DSL digital camera

 

So you've probably owned a digital camera for a couple of years and when you bought it, 2 or 3 megapixels were something to be proud of. But these days, mobile phones are fast encroaching on the camera market and you might be thinking of upgrading.

Size, weight, price, ease of use

Auto settings are atrocious giving poor results, inaccurate metering, power consumption, fiddly menu

So, if you’re looking to upgrade from a compact or a first-time digital camera this is a good option. You will produce good images once you’ve set the camera up and you will have the flexibility of interchangeable lenses and external flashguns. If...

Dec, 2005
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Expert review by (stuff.tv)

Stuff magazine

 

The Pentax *ist DL is small and cheap with the photographic controls of a semi-pro camera

So why is this so different from the outgoing Pentax *ist DS? The fact is that it's just as good and yet also cheaper. Joy

Sep, 2006
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Expert review by : Gordon Laing (techadvisor.co.uk)

Pentax *istDL

 

The Pentax *istDL is the latest contender in the growing budget digital SLR (single lens reflex) market, offering 6.1Mp (megapixel) resolution and a 3x zoom lens for £649. In some respects it's a simplified version of the earlier *istDS, but there's...

The Pentax *istDL is a great budget SLR with a large, detailed colour screen. Build, handling and picture quality are all good, but its rivals, including Nikon's D50 and Canon's 350D, have the edge in terms of overall performance and features. Buyers...

Oct, 2005
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Expert review by (digicamreview.co.uk)

Pentax *ist DL Digital SLR

 

Announced on the 4th of January 06, the Pentax Optio E10 is a new, budget 6 megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.4" screen and a compact plastic body. The 3x optical zoom lens is equiv. 35-114mm on a 35mm camera. The Pentax Optio...

The Pentax *ist DL Digital SLR is a great digital camera.  It feels very comfortable in hand, and produces very natural pictures with little noise and rich pleasing colours. This camera is very easy to use (in auto mode), and would definitely suit a...

May, 2006
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Expert review by (dcmag.co.uk)

Pentax *ist DL

 

The Pentax *IST DL feels nice and solid, thanks to its strong, stainless steel chassis. Slight over-processing on the JPEG images produces less than perfect results, but RAW mode shows the camera at its best. Competitively priced and easy to use, it works

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Expert review by : What Digital Camera Magazine (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Review of the Pentax *ist DL - Digital SLR Reviews

 

The *ist DL, without getting too far ahead of myself, is a small, nippy, silver-coloured digital SLR that is easy to use, but still has a wealth of features for the more deliberate photographer

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Expert review by : Andrew Kliem (goodgearguide.com.au)

Pentax *ist DL

 

When the Pentax *ist DL came into the office, the first problem we encountered was exactly how we were going to talk about it. How does one pronounce ...

Great transition camera, nice images, robust functionality

Battery life is a bit of a problem, some minor layout irritations

A great budget SLR.

Sep, 2005
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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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