Pentax has added a third DSLR to its current line-up, with the announcement of the Pentax *istDL. The £500 camera is a small lightweight model, with a 6.1MP CCD and is aimed at the entry level DSLR market. The camera is compatible with the majority of Pentax lenses.
The *istDL has a 2.5inch LCD screen with 210,000 pixels and 12x zoom capability. Other features include easy to use program and subject based exposure modes, including Portrait, Action, Landscape and Macro. Furthermore, the new Auto Picture Mode will automatically select the most appropriate mode for the subject. To further help the newcomer to photography, the shooting modes and many other functions are clearly explained on a multi data guide screen available on the LCD.
On the photographic side the camera has a 16-segment multi pattern meter and uses the advanced SAFOX VIII AF system with three wide area AF sensors. The *istDL can automatically select the correct sensor based on the subjects position in the viewfinder frame.
The camera has a top shutter speed of 1/4000sec, and top flash synchronisation speed of 1/180sec;. There is also a Bulb mode for timed exposures.
Amongst the other features found the *istDL are 18 user programmable custom functions, noise reduction for long exposures and a choice of JPEG or RAW file formats. PictBridge is also built ion for direct printing to compatible printers.
The camera body is built on a stainless steel chassis and features a newly designed focusing screen in a compact pentaprism. The body will be available in black or silver, with stock expecting to arrive in July 05.
For more information visit www.pentax.co.uk