Pentax DL 6.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body with Lens Kit - 18 mm - 55 mm

A great Digital SLR at this price level!

Strengths: Good size and weight to fit hands, excellent image quality as a Digital SLR at this price level (around $500), 2.5" LCD looks much better than 1.8" and smaller LCDs.

Weakness: Design of the LCD makes it is nicked more easily unless to use some protecting stuff. The LCD can be only used to review but not frame and shoot.

When I tried to find my first digital SLR, I just focused on Nikon D50 kit and Pentax *ist DL kit (both with a 18-55 lens) because of the price I can accept. After a long time waiting (hope the price down),I finally choose the Pentax *ist DL kit. This Pentax *ist DL SLR is perfect fit for my hands because of its size and weight. Although its using of 4 AA batteries makes its weight rising a...
Read Full Review

When I tried to find my first digital SLR, I just focused on Nikon D50 kit and Pentax *ist DL kit (both with a 18-55 lens) because of the price I can accept. After a long time waiting (hope the price down),I finally choose the Pentax *ist DL kit.
This Pentax *ist DL SLR is perfect fit for my hands because of its size and weight. Although its using of 4 AA batteries makes its weight rising a littel bit, it still acceptable.
The use of AA batteries, cheap and small SD card, most of old Pentax SLR lens make Pentax *ist DL have a high compatability with accessories.
When I first try to shoot, I find that it has an excellent image quality although its price is less than $600 with kit, so when I find the price of kit down to $500, I jumped in at once. And I am happy with my choice!

PS: There is an online course for the use of Pentax digital SLR, it may be helpful for the person who use Pentax digital SLR at the first time: www.digital.pentax.co....

By umnwym - Mar 15, 2006

Great camara

Strengths: Looks,Price and the pictures are great.

Weakness: None for me.I got a PDA screen protector from RadioShack $5 or so.Cut it to fit back and top screen and so far in 4Moths or so of use not one scratch.

I was looking for an SLR Digita camara for a long time (3 Years).I did look at the Canon Rebel and the Nikon D70 and D50 but the rebel was too big.Nikon D70 was also big,the D50 was OK but all of them felt too plastic and also I wanted AA batteries and the SD memory.My thinking is that if for some reason I need batteries. I can go any ware and get them to get me out of trouble.Well I'm glad I...
Read Full Review

I was looking for an SLR Digita camara for a long time (3 Years).I did look at the Canon Rebel and the Nikon D70 and D50 but the rebel was too big.Nikon D70 was also big,the D50 was OK but all of them felt too plastic and also I wanted AA batteries and the SD memory.My thinking is that if for some reason I need batteries. I can go any ware and get them to get me out of trouble.Well I'm glad I waited this camara is perfect for me the pictures are great,is easy to use, it fits in my hands perfectly and it feels solid.The batteries last long too.I got Energizer rechargeable batteries from walmart and sofar have taken 370pics, use the menu plenty for more than two days on and off of course and the camara remains at full bars.It was worth the wait.I recommend this camara to any one looking for a good camara for real recreational photography.

By letitroll - Mar 12, 2006

Best Value on the Market, Great Entry/Midlevel SLR

Strengths: Inexpensive but not cheap. Wide range of used lenses available, better viewfinder than most, easy to hold, easy to use.

Weakness: Flash seems to give more Red Eye than I expected, auto white balance under incandescent lights leaves orange cast - this is common with a lot of cameras however.

This is a great camera, even my wife thinks so! We love the speed over most of the pocket/point-n-shoots out there. The optical viewfinder is very nice. I looked at the Nikon and the Canon, and was not impressed with their viewfinders. I've already purchased an old Pentax manual 50mm lens, and its very easy to focus - takes some getting used to of course, but not bad. All the controls are very...
Read Full Review

This is a great camera, even my wife thinks so! We love the speed over most of the pocket/point-n-shoots out there. The optical viewfinder is very nice. I looked at the Nikon and the Canon, and was not impressed with their viewfinders.

I've already purchased an old Pentax manual 50mm lens, and its very easy to focus - takes some getting used to of course, but not bad.

All the controls are very straightforward, things make sense. My suggestion as a user, get off of Green/Auto mode - shoot in P mode at least, set the color to "Natural" instead of bright.

Like any purchase, I suggest you try this camera out - I don't think you will be disappointed. To me it felt the best, and does pretty much everything the competition does, just cheaper!

By ccallana - Mar 7, 2006

Z-10 to *IST DL

Strengths: I can use all of my old lens. Easy to use, light weight and affordable. Nice Pictures and no rolls of film.

Weakness: none so far that I can see

I had compared this model with the Nikon D50 and the Rebel xt both had higher price tags. I have a complete Pentax outfit of lens, adapters,and filters that wasn't compatible with those models. I have owned a Pentax Z-10 for several years and it never let me down so I decided to upgrade to a good digital Pentax. Very nice camera and you can't beat the price for professional pictures.

By anonymous; - Sep 26, 2005

The Pentax *ist-DL is a great camera

Strengths: Compatibility (with existing lenses, existing flash, existing SD cards, existing rechargeable AA NiMH batteries, etc.), compact size and excellent pictures at a reasonable price.

Weakness: The LCD on the *ist-DL is pretty exposed in the current design and it would be nice if it was slightly recessed to minimize the risk of damage.

I had been looking for a digital SLR for a couple of years (to replace either my Pentax Superprogram or Nikon 2020 film based SLRs), but I was unwilling to pay $800 to $1500 to upgrade. Recently Nikon and Pentax have released 6+ MP cameras at a reasonable price point and I decided to take the plunge. In addition to price, compatibility with my existing gear was a major concern: manual focus...
Read Full Review

I had been looking for a digital SLR for a couple of years (to replace either my Pentax Superprogram or Nikon 2020 film based SLRs), but I was unwilling to pay $800 to $1500 to upgrade. Recently Nikon and Pentax have released 6+ MP cameras at a reasonable price point and I decided to take the plunge. In addition to price, compatibility with my existing gear was a major concern: manual focus lenses (Kiron, Kalimar, Tamron, Sigma); flash attachments; lens filters; tripods; SD memory cards; rechargeable batteries; etc.

I was amazed that the Pentax *ist-DL was compatible with every piece of my existing "Pentax mount" equipment (saving me literally $1000+ dollars) while the Nikon D-50 merely locked up (even with Nikon brand lenses).

By pharos1 - Feb 12, 2006