Differences between *ist DL2, *ist DS2 and K100D

Hi there,

I am looking to buy a Pentax digital SLR and think I have narrowed it down to one of the above three.

I have searched for ages reading reviews about each and they all seem quite good but I can't find anything that shows what the differences between the three are, nor which one is the best one?

Can anybody help me please?

*ist DL2, *ist DS2 and K100D
good better best
although they're all close.

Thank you, whilst waiting for a response I think I have pretty much ruled out the DL2!

The only differences I could find between the K100D and the DS2 is the shake reduction and the size, is there anything else about it that would greatly sway my decision that way?

I have an old P30 with lenses to fit and it would be nice if they would fit the new DSLR, as far as I can figure this will be the case with the DS2 but what about the K100D?

Lens compatibility is the same for all Pentax DSLRs - ie superb

*ist-DL/DL2 - use Pentamirror, smaller viewfinder.
*ist-DS/DS2 - Pentaprism, large clear viewfinder. Think the DS2 just has a 2.5" LCD vs 2.0" LCD of the *ist-DS
K100D - Pentamirror, smaller viewfinder, shakereduction, better in-camera processing than the DS.

Plus *ist-DS/DS2 supports the older TTL flash... whereas the others require an AF360-FGZ/AF540-FGZ that does P-TTL.
If you intend to shoot RAW, then there's almost zero difference in the output image quality.

Swings and roundabouts as they say! Best thing is to go and try the *ist-DS2 and K100D and see how they handle

Full K100D review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/
Full *ist-DS review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxistds/

Hope that helps!
Matt

That does help thank you Matt!

Interestingly I have just found the dpreview site too! I think maybe I've been staring at the monitor for too long and just confused myself with specifications!

Having read loads of reviews now I have thrown the new Canon EOS400D into the picture!!

Any comments on how this compares to the K100D??

Throw away the Canon!

Lol!

I know this is the Pentax site but is the Canon really that bad?
I'm sure if I went on a Canon site they'd say the same about the Pentax, brand loyalty and all that.

I do have more of a desire for the Pentax I have to say, I'm just trying to get the best I can for my budget!

SJ,

Pentax are generally believed (well around here anyway) to have better viewfinders and better lenses. Their support for older lenses means you can get good deals by clever bidding on evilbay, and when a new body is released all the lenses you have accumulated don't become suddenly redundant. Being smaller and lighter than C*n*n many people feel they handle better.

That is kinda what I thought TBH!

Unfortunately I have spent so many hours reading reviews and gone and confused myself stupidly!

I think my mind is set on the K100D, not only because I can use my old equipment still but also because it just looks so much better than any of the others I have found yet is still small enough for my little lady hands!

Thanks for all the advice!

There is one important thing to keep uppermost in your mind when choosing Pentax v Canon/Nikon . . . Pentax K100D and K10D have 'Shake Reduction' implemented in the camera body which means all the old and excellent lenses benefit from it.

Canon's 'Image Stabilisation' (same song, different singer) is in the lens which means that your lens collection, even if it is only two or three to cover most of your needs, is going to be very very expensive. If you plan on spending loadsa money on lenses, why not save your money and order a K10D, then buy some of the better Pentax lenses for less money than you would otherwise spend with Canon.

I know nothing about Nikon kit.

Good point, though I already have a couple of old Pentax lenses I will want to use I will require more at some point. I can't afford the K10D at the moment and I fear it is to high spec a camera, wasted on me, maybe one day when I am more skilled!

So just to expand a little

how would the original ist-D stack up to the later ist-whatever digital SLRs?

I can buy ist-D quite reasonably here albeit used.

Plenty of K-100D used, too

The *ist-D is a fine camera
Notable points:
* Uses Compact Flash
* A little slow on processing, especially RAW
* Lovely clear pentaprism viewfinder
* Thumb and finger wheels for Pentax's "Hyperprogram" (where you can instantly choose Av or Tv modes)
* Popup flash can control AF360 and AF540 wirelessly
* Has a PC flash sync socket
* Same CCD as all the other 6Mp Pentax cameras (superb results if you shoot RAW)
* Exposure can be a bit variable, especially with older lenses and often with flash. Improved by uploading the latest firmware, but if you shoot RAW it's not a problem as it errs on the underexposed which is easily corrected.
* Battery grip is available for it.

Personally I much prefer the *ist-D to the *ist-DS (which is also a fine camera!). It's more of a "pro" spec'd camera and is available at very attractive prices second hand!

Matt

Having used Canons on a course recently believe me I am so glad I have a Pentax (Ds). It is so much more intuitive to use, doesn't need a third hand to operate it which is somethiong I found I could have done with, I kept having to take my eye from the viewfinder to find the right button to press. And I wasn't the only one - even those who owned a Canon had trouble with it constantly for the same reason.

If you are considering the Canon 400, presumably for the megapixels, why not consider the Pentax K10D?

Nikon also has the Vibration Reduction on the lens, and has huge problems with producing enough of them. A friend of mine has been waiting a year for a lens!