Pentax *istDS2

*istDS2
Year introduced 2005	Mount Crippled KAF	Meter range 1 to 21.5 EV	Meter pattern m (16 segments) c s
ISO range (expanded) 200 - 3200	Expanded dynamic range No	Exposure modes AutoPict, P, Av, Tv, M, B	Exposure compensation +/-2 EV
Exposure lock Yes	Shutter speeds (auto) 30 - 1/4000s	Shutter speeds (manual) 30 - 1/4000s	Self timer Yes
Mirror lock-up Yes	Continuos shooting 2.8 fps up to 8 frames		Auto bracketing Yes
HDR mode No	Multiple exposures No	Built-in flash Yes, GN 15.6 (ISO 200)	TTL flash Yes
P-TTL flash Yes	Sync speed 1/180s	Flash exposure comp -2 to 1 EV	Autofocus Yes (11 points)
Autofocus sensitivity -1 to 18 EV	Autofocus with SDM No	AF Assist No	Front/Back focus corr No
Power zoom No	Lens correction No	Viewfinder 0.95x, 95%	Viewfinder type Pentaprism
Diopter adjustment -2.5 to +1.5	AF Points in viewfinder Yes	Exchangeable screen Yes	Depth of field preview Yes
Digital preview No	Live view No	Movie No	Sound No
Camera controls 1 control wheel. Most functions accessed though menus	Custom Functions 19	Shake reduction No	Dust removal / alert No
Pixel mapping No	Image size 16 x 24 mm	Sensor 6.1 MP CCD	File format PEF, JPG
Memory card type SD	Back LCD 2.5 in. 210,000 pix	Top LCD Yes	Weather resistant No
Battery 4 x AA	Battery grip No	Size (W x H x D) 125 x 92.5 x 67 mm	Weight 505 g
Comment Program modes: Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night-scene portrait, Flash off. Extra flash functions: Wireless, High-speed, Contrast control. The *istD and DS/DS2 are the only Pentax DSLR's with support for TTL flash. TTL flash works where P-TTL doesn't: With M and K lenses, bellows, manual extension tubes. Exposure modes with M and K lenses restricted to Av (with aperture always wide open) and M

[Andrew Faires]

Just some thoughts regarding the DS2, which I no longer have:

1) The ergonomics were excellent. It was a small camera with a good heft.
2) The auto-focus was slow - especially AF-C. However, it was accurate....more so than the k10 in my experience. If the focus locked, I knew what I was getting - more so than with the k10.
3) I found it very quirky with batteries. Sometimes it wouldn't pick up that the batteries were there at all. I suspect this was just my camera though. However, it was a pain in the butt when trying to shoot birds that weren't very keen on holding still for long.
4) In spite of the short-comings, I loved this camera. It had the right feel to it, being small and portable.

Overall, I'd have to rate this camera 6/10 for my uses at the time, which involved a lot of bird photography. It was slow, and with exception to the battery quirks, it was a steady performer. Compared to the k10???? Tough call. I really loved that DS2.