Pentax's 10 megapixel *ist D SLR makes Seoul appearance
By Marc Perton 
posted May 19th 2006 9:50AM
posted May 19th 2006 9:50AM
It still doesn't have a name, price or launch date, and they're still not letting anyone touch it, but Pentax's forthcoming 10-megapixel *ist D SLR is making the rounds in Korea. AVing managed to get a few choice shots of it at the Seoul International Photo and Imaging Industry Show. The pics show a pretty standard collection of the controls you'd expect on an SLR, multiple autofocus modes and a popup flash. No surprises, really, but at least Pentax has stopped keeping it under glass, which we hope means this is getting just a little closer to launching.
Now thats nice.
nice indeed
oooooo, I love my *ist DL.
would be rad to have a 10megapix version . . .
couldn't care less about more autofocus modes.
May have to add this to the arsnel too!
How do you pronounce "*ist"?
Does anyone know about the sensor size on this thing? Any chance of a full-frame sensor? I've been dying to ditch my film camera but until I can use my lenses at the same focal length it's a no-go really.
Had a look around, and rumour has it that this will be using the same sensor as the Nikon D200. So to answer my own question, no, not full frame.
Yeah, that looks like one of the special DA series of Pentax lenses, specifically made for a smaller sensor (and they'll show massive vignetting if you use them on a full-frame sensor).
I've had my *ist for several years now and love it. Been looking forward to a higher-res version!
And I pronounce it "star-ist" :)
any more specs?
4. 'How do you pronounce "*ist"?'
Answer: you don't. Just call it a DS, DL or K10 (the rumoured name).
Is it me, or do I seem to remember this exact same camera being shown at PMA back in February: http://www.pma-show.com/2006/digital_camera/pentax_review/009_pentax_10mp_slr.html
Here is, what I know:
It's the same camera as the one at PMA.
It's not using a full-frame-sensor.
The lense is the Pentax 16-45mm.
And here is, what I hope for: that it will be affordable. I own a *istDs, and I'm very fond of it, but I would surely like to make the jump from 6 to 10 megapixels.
'How do you pronounce "*ist"?'
How about "Asterist"?
To those pro/semi-pro sports photographers with the *ist DLs; I heard that they have slow fps rates for "motor drive." (What do you call motor drive on a digital cam?) Have you found this true/inadequate?
The concern is that if these cameras use SD/xD cards and not CF cards, at greater resolutions we will have slower frame rates.
Thinking of going digital (for quite a while) and keeping my investments in Pentax SLR accessories. I also do other photography and high res becomes important.
Any suggestions?
the k10 uses DDR2 memory and can maintain a 3fps of jpeg till the card becomes full. it's got a 10 img buffer for raw
way more info here:
This is what I am waiting for. My photography begins with a heavy duty SPOTMATIC to a ME Super and finally a MX which I still use. Currently waiting to buy a K100D. I might as well wait for this 10megapixel SLR from Pentax.
Pentax K100D - Is anyone else disappointed with the shake reduction performance on this camera or does mine have a mechanical problem?