Priced to compete with Canon’s Digital Rebel or EOS 300D, the Pentax *ist Ds was introduced in the run up to Photokina 2004. It is Pentax’s second digital SLR and it continues its position of having the smallest and lightest DSLR on the market today. The extremely compact *ist Ds features a 6.1 effective megapixel CCD sensor - the same as used in Nikon’s D70 - and a large 2.0″ LCD monitor which occupies a large part of the rear of the camera. Good news for Pentax users of the pre-digital era is that the *ist Ds is backwards compatible with most older Pentax K, KA, KAF and KAF2 mount lenses, albeit with some limitations in metering or functionality. Even older screw mount lenses like the 645 and 67 series can be used through an adapter.

Some distinguishing features are the 11-area auto focusing with selectable focus points, the possibility to record RAW images, ISO settings from 200 to 3200 as well as 18 user-programmable custom functions.

Using the camera
The camera is built around a stainless steel subframe with a plastic outer casing. When holding the camera you will notice how small and light the *ist Ds feels, with a well sculpted rubberised hand grip on the front and a thumb grip on the rear. Thanks to many downsizing technologies, multi-layered electronic circuit boards, and high-density packaging technology, Pentax has succeeded in producing an extremely compact, lightweight camera. Build quality appears to be very good with all controls and camera parts well put together and with a durable finish. There is a metal tripod socket and memory card slot and PC and video connectors - to the right and left of the camera - are well protected behind properly hinged doors that close with a positive click.

Operating the camera is very comfortable…

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