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Like almost all compact AF SLRs, the *ist is powered by two CR2 lithium batteries rather than larger, more powerful CR123As. For more power, attach the BG-20 battery grip, whose four AA cells boost the number of rolls shot per set of batteries by about 50 percent.
The Pentax *ist passed all its field tests with flying colors. The viewfinder LCD information panel is easily visible even in bright daylight when you keep your eye close to the comfortable, soft-rubber eyepiece. But we were surprised that the Pentax tripod socket isn’t centrally located, which may be a difficulty for those lining up the camera on a copystand or doing precision tripod work (such as mechanically stitching panoramics).
In our field tests, both print and slide film yielded well-exposed daylight, low-light, fill-flash, and flash-only shots. Unfortunately, there is no flash-OK indication in the viewfinder.
The Pentax *ist is a fun-to-use camera. It’s ultracompact, handsome, easy-to-handle, and full of features, including a sophisticated AF you’d expect in a much more expensive camera. The beauty of this camera is far more than skin deep.
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LAB TEST RESULTS
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Viewfinder: Focusing screen is very bright and contrasty for a mirror prism, with an average magnification of 0.72X, about the same as the Canon EOS Rebel Ti. The screen image shows 82 percent of the picture area, a good performance with no parallax error, superior to other SLRs in this class. In our AF sensitivity diagram, below, shaded areas outside of the nine AF sensor points represent the sensors’ total area sensitivity. It’s unusual and unique. The center cross shows sensitivity horizontally and vertically, while the sensitivity areas of the eight outer semicrosses actually overlap and reinforce each other (as shown) into an admirably tight rectangle, which should prove very effective. There are two outer vertical sensors to catch subjects outside the central area.
Autofocus and time lag: AF speed was generally acceptable but slightly on the slow side in very low light. From EV 12 to EV 7, AF speed takes 0.4 to 0.6 sec. From EV 6 to EV 3, 0.8 to 1.2 sec. At EV 2 it requires about 1.3 sec. At EV 1, AF speed takes 1.4 sec. With a low-contrast target AF timing
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produced the same results as from EV 9 to EV 12, but needs 0.2 sec longer below EV 9. Time lag was 0.14 sec, acceptable for a camera of this class.
Shutter speeds: Extremely accurate with virtually no error detected from 2 to 1/2000 sec; at 1/4000 sec there was less than 1¼10-stop underexposure. Speeds slower than two sec were not tested.
Exposure accuracy: Very accurate in shutter- and aperture-priority, centerweighted, and spotmetering with 1¼5-stop over/underexposure from EV 1 to EV 9, extremely accurate with less than 1¼10-stop from EV 10 to EV 14, and average accuracy with overexposure by 1¼2-stop from EV 15 to EV 17. At manual, centerweighted and spotmetering, extremely accurate exposure with over/underexposure of less than 1¼10-stop from EV 10 to EV 14, average with overexposure by 1¼2-stop from EV 15 to EV 17.
Sound level: Extremely quiet at single frame, continuous advance, and rewind. At center, we measured 63.7 decibels single-frame advance, 63.9 continuous advance, 62.3 rewinding. |
The Pentax *ist vs. its competitors
Nikon N75 QD
 ($230 street, body only) Larger, heavier (with all-glass prism), almost as good-looking as Pentax, but not quite. Five AF sensors with one cross sensor. Controls not as convenient. LCD panel on top of camera. Lower top speed. Exposure and flash systems more comprehensive. Much greater lens choice, including Vibration Reduction lenses. No mirror lock-up.
Canon EOS Rebel Ti
 ($260 street, body only)
Forty bucks less, slightly larger and heavier (with mirror prism). Somewhat glitzy stainless-steel exterior. Puzzling multiple-lit AF sensor array. One cross sensor, six linear. Convenient controls with LCD panel on back. Lower top speed. Exposure and flash systems more comprehensive. More lenses, including Image Stabilization. No mirror lock-up. No flash-OK signal.
For more information: Go to www.pentaxusa.com or call 800-877-0155
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