Pentax's 10 megapixel *ist D SLR makes Seoul appearance

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.

[Jeff @ May 19th 2006 9:59AM]

Now thats nice.

[Marc Mayor @ May 19th 2006 10:05AM]

nice indeed

[Matthew @ May 19th 2006 10:10AM]

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!

[macona @ May 19th 2006 11:18AM]

How do you pronounce "*ist"?

[quis @ May 19th 2006 11:24AM]

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.

[quis @ May 19th 2006 11:34AM]

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.

[Rob Cameron @ May 19th 2006 12:47PM]

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" :)

[bliss @ May 19th 2006 8:21PM]

any more specs?

[Yem @ May 19th 2006 10:55PM]

4. 'How do you pronounce "*ist"?'

Answer: you don't. Just call it a DS, DL or K10 (the rumoured name).

[terry chay @ May 20th 2006 1:05AM]

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

[Per Drud Nielsen @ May 22nd 2006 4:44AM]

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.

[Karim @ May 24th 2006 2:10PM]

'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?

[prasanth @ Oct 18th 2006 11:06AM]

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:

[Hiran Fernando @ May 30th 2006 12:24PM]

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.

[Ron @ Sep 26th 2006 9:12PM]

Pentax K100D - Is anyone else disappointed with the shake reduction performance on this camera or does mine have a mechanical problem?