Overview
	The *ist D is the first digital SLR with interchangeable lenses put on sale by Pentax. It features 6 Megapixel, some K-bayonet compatibility (see update below) and a good overall appeal. Priced around € 2000.00, is it worth serious thinking? Is it time for Pentax fans to jump into digital SLR world? Read below, look at the pictures in next pages (original files can be downloaded) and then decide.

Hands on

The *ist D is compact, stylish, well conceived and well built. You'll feel at home with it very very quickly. It's definitely a Pentax SLR.

The build quality of the *ist D looks very good, despite being made by plastic (with inner steel chassis). Grip is very good, and it will improve further by using the optional battery grip D-BG-1.

The viewfinder is nice, wider and more than reasonably bright compared to other DSLR's on the market today. Such viewfinder, with glass pentaprism, has been designed for matching CCD sensor format, so you won't see "a small image at the end of the tunnel" like it happens with competitor cameras.

Getting accustomed to the *ist D is truly a matter of minutes. Operation is easy and intuitive. To be perfect, I believe this DLSR will only need a bigger joystick on the back and some extra space (lesser interference) between the card slot cover and the neck strap. Furthermore, I'd prefer the front dial (facing the lens) could operate the diaphragm, while the rear dial (close to the shutter) could adjust speeds. Isn't it more logical that the other way round as it is now?

(the color display looks blue due to different white balance for studio lights and LCD)

However, I'm rather convinced that the main concern among Pentax SLR users is about camera performance and image quality, hence go to the relevant sections listed below. To make things harder for the *ist D, I compared it to the two best competitors on the market today: the Fujifilm S2 Pro and the Canon EOS 300D (same image quality as the EOS 10D).

Update: Jan. 9th 2004: the new Firmware 1.1 allows good compatibility with older lenses, including K- and M-series.

Text & pictures by Dario Bonazza
Copyright © 2003 by Dario Bonazza