01.30.06
Pentax *ist DL2
Pentax has announced a minor upgrade to the *ist DL – but only for users in Asia and Canada. The *ist DL2 offers a couple of extra focus points, a few new scene modes and
a couple of bits of silver plastic (where the DL was all-black). Looking at the spec the DL2 appears to be the Pentax version of the Samsung GX-1S, announced earlier this month, and may be an indication of the intention to sell the future cameras as Pentax branded in some markets and Samsung cameras in others (namely Europe and the US).
PENTAX Introduces the Compact, Lightweight *istDL2 to Deliver Excellent
Cost Performance and Simple Operations to Digital SLR Beginners
January 26, 2006 PENTAX Corporation is pleased to announce the marketing
of the PENTAX *istDL2 lens-interchangeable digital SLR camera to offer the
fun and excitement of high-quality digital SLR photography to many levels
of photographers ” especially first-time digital SLR users.
Developed as a proud successor to the popular *istDL, this new digital SLR
inherits many of its predecessor™s popular features, including a compact,
lightweight and easy-to-hold body and a simple, accessible operation
system. At the same time, it provides several improvements and additions,
such as an increased number of AF sensor points and eight user-friendly
Scene Modes.
As a result, it delivers greatly enhanced overall cost performance to its
users.
PENTAX believes that the new *istDL2 is an ideal starter camera for many
different users around the globe, ranging from photographic novices and
family snapshot enthusiasts to current digital-compact and film-SLR users
who want to take up digital SLR photograph.
This camera is not available in Europe.
Major Features
1. User-friendly automatic operations
The *istDL2 is equipped with the innovative Auto Picture Mode, which
automatically and instantly selects the most appropriate Picture mode from
Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Macro or Action for a given subject or
situation to assure the optimum combination of aperture, shutter speed,
white balance, saturation, contrast, and sharpness. In addition, the
built-in auto flash automatically pops up in dimly lit or backlit
situations. As a result, even first-time digital SLR users can immediately
produce high-quality digital images with minimal effort.
2. Simple, accessible operation system
The *istDL2 features a functional, easy-to-access operation system to
simplify complicated camera operations. From the large, easy-to-use mode
dial and the responsive Av/Tv select dial to the multi-function four-way
controller, all switches and dials are designed and laid out for optimum
accessibility and maneuverability. Coupled with its ergonomically
designed, easy-to-hold grip, it assures smooth, flawless operation at
every stage of photography.
3. Auto sensitivity setting
Like many digital compact cameras, the *istDL2 features an œAUTO position
for sensitivity setting. In this position, the camera™s sensitivity is
automatically set by the camera, based on such factors as subject
brightness and lens focal length, while the user can randomly select the
upper limit of sensitivity between the standard output of 400 and 3200.
This position is extremely useful to avoid camera shake in poorly lit
locations and to prevent sensitivity resetting failures by the
photographer.
4. Large 2.5-inch color LCD monitor
The *istDL2 incorporates a large, high-precision 2.5-inch color LCD
monitor on its back panel. With approximately 210,000 pixels, this monitor
displays recorded images sharply and beautifully for effortless
confirmation of focus and composition, even when the original image is
enlarged by 12 times using the digital zoom capability. To maximize the
benefit of this large monitor, the menus are displayed on-screen with
large characters and digits for easy, quick confirmation. The menu screen
also provides an optimum color scheme between menu descriptions and
background to assure effortless menu reading under all types of lighting
conditions.
5. Compact, go-anywhere body
The *istDL2 offers a compact, lightweight body for outstanding portability
and maneuverability, thanks to such advanced downsizing technologies as a
high-rigidity stainless-steel chassis, 10-layer electronic circuit boards,
high-density packaging technology, and mirror-box and shutter units that
are designed in perfect proportion to the CCD size. By combining a
compact, lightweight penta-mirror with PENTAX-original optics and focusing
screen, it provides a large, bright viewfinder image for easy confirmation
of the subject™s expression and picture framing.
6. High-definition, maximum-gradation images with 6.1 effective megapixels
Thanks to its large, high-performance CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm),
the *istDL2 offers 6.1 effective megapixels. Coupled with PENTAX™s
original image processing technology using a high-performance engine, it
produces high-definition images rich in gradation and saturation. It also
offers a choice of finishing touches between œbright and œnatural to
satisfy user preferences.
7. User-friendly guide screen
The *istDL2 features a user-friendly, multi-data guide screen, which
offers detailed description of shooting modes, displays drive, flash and
white balance settings using text and sample photos, and presents a
comprehensive list of all camera settings on the large 2.5-inch monitor.
8. High-precision 5-point AF system
The *istDL2 incorporates a five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with
five cross-type sensors) to assure dependable, high-precision
autofocusing. Using the five sensors positioned in a cross pattern over
the image field (one in the middle, two at sides, and two at top and
bottom), this system automatically and unfailingly selects the optimum
sensor for a given subject. It also allows the user to fix the AF
detection point at the middle sensor. In addition, the *istDL2 offers a
choice of two AF modes: Single AF to lock the focus when the shutter
release button is half-depressed, and Continuous AF to adjust the focus
continuously to the subject™s movement.*
* The AF-mode switching function is available only when the Programmed AE,
Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Metered Manual or Bulb shooting
mode is selected. In the Auto Picture Mode, Picture Mode or Scene Mode,
either the Single AF or Continuous AF mode is automatically selected by
the camera according to the mode in use.
9. Eight Distinctive Scene Modes
The *istDL2 offers eight different Scene Modes (Kids, Pets, Candlelight,
Museum, Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Text and Sunset) to simplify camera
operations for particular subjects or certain situations. The user can
easily and quickly set the most appropriate Scene Mode for a given subject
or situation by selecting the corresponding icon on the mode palette
displayed on the LCD monitor.
10. Two preview functions
In addition to the conventional optical preview function, which allows the
photographer to confirm the depth of field in the viewfinder, the *istDL2
also comes equipped with a new digital preview function, which allows
confirmation of not only the depth of field, but also the exposure level,
image composition and flash lighting effect, on the LCD monitor.
11 . 1/4000-second high-speed shutter
The *istDL2 incorporates a high-speed shutter unit, with a top speed of
1/4000 second and a top synchronization speed of 1/180 second, to assure
greater visual creativity. The bulb setting is also available to
accommodate extended exposures at night.
12. High-speed 2.8-frame consecutive shooting
The *istDL2 records up to five images (at œbest image quality in JPEG
format) consecutively at a speed of approximately 2.8 frames per second,
allowing the user to capture a series of photos of the subject™s motion.
13. Compatibility with PENTAX interchangeable lenses
The *istDL2 offers the outstanding benefit of lens interchangeability,
letting the user take advantage of the wide selection of PENTAX
interchangeable lenses for use with diversified subjects and
applications.**
** PENTAX K-, KA-, KAF- and KAF2-mount 35mm-format lenses can be used
without an adapter or modification. PENTAX screw-mount 35mm-format lenses
and PENTAX 645- and 67-system lenses can be used with an adapter. Some
functions may not be available with certain lenses.
14. Sporty, fashionable design
The *istDL2 is designed to be sporty and fashionable, with eye-catching
silver-colored edges around the shutter release button and LCD data panel
on the upper panel, and the LCD monitor and four-way controller on the
back panel.
13. Others
Eighteen user-programmable custom functions to personalize camera
operations to user preferences
SD memory card compatibility
Storage of recorded images in separate day-by-day files on an SD memory
card
Versatile three-mode metering system, with a choice of 16-segment
multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering and spot metering.
Noise-reduction system to minimize annoying digital noise during
extended exposures
Dual power source, with a choice of two CR-V3 lithium batteries or four
AA-size batteries
Effortless PC data upload via USB 2.0 (HIGH-SPEED) connection
Functional playback functions, including 12X zoom display and nine-image
thumbnail display
A choice of image format between JPEG (good, better or best) or RAW
Five built-in digital filters (black-and-white, sepia, slim, soft and
brightness) for easy processing of recorded images.
PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 2.1 RAW-data processing software and PENTAX
PHOTO Browser 2.1 browser software included
PictBridge compatibility
Pentax *istDL2 specifications
Body materialPlastic coating, metal subframe
Sensor 23.5 x 15.7 mm CCD sensor
RGB Color Filter Array
Interline interlaced CCD
Built-in fixed low-pass filter
6.31 million total pixels
6.1 million effective pixels
Image sizes 3008 x 2000
2400 x 1600
1536 x 1024
3008 x 2008 (RAW)
File formats RAW (12-bit)
JPEG (EXIF 2.21) – 3 levels
Color space sRGB*
Adobe RGB*
Lenses Pentax KAF2, KAF, KA mount lenses
* Power zoom not available
* K mount lenses available with (function limited)
* S mount lenses available with adapter (function limited)
* 67/645 lenses available with adapter (function limited)
FOV crop1.5x
Focusing TTL Phase-matching 5-point wide AF system (SAFOX VIII)
EV 1 to 19 (ISO 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens) detection range
TTL Phase-matching AF system (3 area)
EV 1 to 19 (ISO 200 with 50mm F1.4 lens) detection range
Wide / spot AF
Focus modes AF-Single
AF-Continuous (Action mode)
Manual focus
AF assistYes, via flash
Shooting modes Auto picture mode
Programmed AE Mode
Shutter-Priority AE
Aperture-Priority AE
Metered Manual
Bulb
Picture modes
Picture modes Standard
Portrait
Landscape
Macro
Action
Night scene portrait
Standard flash-off
Night Scene
Surf & Snow
Text
Sunset
Kids
Pet
Candlelight
Museum
Standard
Portrait
Landscape
Macro
Action
Night scene portrait
Standard flash-off
Metering modes 16-segment
Center-Weighted Average
Spot
Metering range EV 1 to 21.5 (at ISO 200 with 50 mm / F1.4 lens)
AE Lock Button (20 sec timer)*
Half-press shutter release*
AE Bracketing 3 frames
0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 EV steps
Exposure compen. -/+2.0 EV in 0.5 EV or 0.3 EV steps
Sensitivity Auto
ISO 200
ISO 400
ISO 800
ISO 1600
ISO 3200
Shutter Electronically controlled vertical-run focal-plane shutter
Shutter Speed 30 to 1/4000 sec
Bulb
Flash X-sync1/180 sec
Aperture valuesDepends on lens
DOF previewDigital preview / Optical preview Yes (optical), on power switch
White balance Auto
Daylight
Cloudy
Shade
Tungsten
Fluorescent W
Fluorescent N
Fluorescent D
Manual
Flash Auto
Daylight
Cloudy
Shade
Tungsten
Fluorescent W
Fluorescent N
Fluorescent D
Manual
Image parameters Saturation (-2 to +2)*
Sharpness (-2 to +2)*
Contrast (-2 to +2)*
Viewfinder Eye-level type fixed penta-mirror finder
Natural bright-matte II focusing screen
Magnification approx. x0.85
96% frame coverage
Dioptric adjustment (-2.5 to +1.5)
Viewfinder info bar Eye-level type fixed penta-mirror finder
Natural bright-matte II focusing screen
Magnification approx. x0.85
95% frame coverage
Dioptric adjustment (-2.5 to +1.5)
Viewfinder info bar
Viewfinder info Built-in flash status
Picture mode
In-focus
Shutter speed
Aperture value
Exposure compensation factor
Manual WB
Manual focus
ISO sensitivity warning
AE lock
Focus point indication
AF frame with superimposed dislpay
Spot AF frame
Scene Mode
AF-C (AF-continuous)
Built-in flash status
Picture mode
In-focus
Shutter speed
Aperture value
Exposure compensation factor
Manual WB
Manual focus
ISO sensitivity warning
AE lock
Focus point indication
AF frame with superimposed display
Spot AF frame
LCD monitor 2.5″ TFT LCD
210,000 pixels
Custom function Default
Custom (18 functions)
Record review Off*
1 sec*
3 sec*
5 sec*
Flash Built-in P-TTL pop-up flash
Guide number 15.6 (ISO 200/m)
Angle of coverage 28 mm (35 mm equiv.)
Flash sync 1/180 sec
Electronic pop-up
Flash modes Auto
Flash on
Auto & Red-eye reduction
Flash on & Red-eye reduction
External flash Hot-shoe
Wireless sync*
P-TTL sync
Drive modes Single shot
Continuous (2.8 fps, up to 5 JPEG images, 3 RAW images)
Self-timer 12 sec
2 sec
Remote release Wired (optional)* InfraRed remote
Wired (optional)
Instant or with 3 sec delay
Playback mode One frame
Zooming in/out (up to 12x)
Nine-image
Slideshow
Image rotation
Delete: One-frame-delete, All-frames-delete, Card-format, Protect
Menu languages English
French
German
Spanish
Swedish
Dutch
Italian
Russian
Korean
Chinese
Japanese
Connectivity USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Video out
DC-IN
Remote terminal*
Video outSelectable NTSC or PAL
Storage SD card
Power 4 x AA batteries (NiMH rechargeable recommended)
or 2 x CR-V3
Optional AC adapter
FirmwareUser updatable
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 67 mm (4.9 x 3.6 x 2.6 in)
Weight (unloaded) 470 g (1 lb)
Weight (loaded) 565 g (1.3 lb) (reduced by approx. 15 g if using
CR-V3 batteries)
