New Pentax DSLR

[jeisner]

Pentax *ist DL

Pretty much the same as the DS model but with only 3point AF instead of 11 point (DS) and Pentamirror instead of Pentaprism but with a bigger 2.5" LCD screen.... Will be introduced at a lower price point than the DS (Pentax answer to the D50). That will be interesting in Australia where the DS is already the cheapest DSLR available (cheaper than the 300D)..


http://81.92.66.63/upload/images/large/2300.jpg

http://81.92.66.63/index.asp?url=http://81.92.66.63/default.asp?cat_id=491


EDIT: This does seem to be suggestinng the rumour of three current DSLRs from Pentax may come true - Entry level (DL) - mid market (DS) - pro (DX?). Also the firmware rumour for the DS fr June/July to upgrade some features may also be true to seperate the DS and DL a bit more.. (includes MLU seperate to timer, better handling of old manual lenses and continuous autofocus in all modes not just sports mode)

[jamison55]

With the *istDS already so cheap, I wonder where the price point on this one will be...

[jeisner]

With the *istDS already so cheap, I wonder where the price point on this one will be...

Well in Australia the DS retails for around AUD$1199 (with 18-55 kit), I was told Pentax DSLR would be under AUD$1000 (with 18-55) by the end of the year, AUD$999 is definately possible for this camera by christmas!

Pentax doesn't have a prosumer digital camera, maybe this is their solution?

[Rhys]

Maybe we could be looking at the start of $500 dSLRs, Soon, maybe $200 dSLRs which should bring price parity with film SLRs. Digital compacts are already almost there.

[D70FAN]

Pentax *ist DL

Pretty much the same as the DS model but with only 3point AF instead of 11 point (DS) and Pentamirror instead of Pentaprism but with a bigger 2.5" LCD screen.... Will be introduced at a lower price point than the DS (Pentax answer to the D50). That will be interesting in Australia where the DS is already the cheapest DSLR available (cheaper than the 300D)..
[/CENTER]

http://81.92.66.63/index.asp?url=http://81.92.66.63/default.asp?cat_id=491


EDIT: This does seem to be suggestinng the rumour of three current DSLRs from Pentax may come true - Entry level (DL) - mid market (DS) - pro (DX?). Also the firmware rumour for the DS fr June/July to upgrade some features may also be true to seperate the DS and DL a bit more.. (includes MLU seperate to timer, better handling of old manual lenses and continuous autofocus in all modes not just sports mode)

Thanks. My brother in-law uses a Pentax film SLR and was looking at the *ist DS this weekend. At $799 for the kit with lens, it will be interesting to see how much lower they can go.

[jeisner]

Thanks. My brother in-law uses a Pentax film SLR and was looking at the *ist DS this weekend. At $799 for the kit with lens, it will be interesting to see how much lower they can go.

No problem, this should be in stores by July (not sure if that means by start of July or during July though)

[Rhys]

Interesting.... "http://81.92.66.63/default.asp?cat_id=491" seems to be very unforthcoming as to who owns the site or even hosts it when I followed my normal samspade route. Chasing through RIPE on a hunch, it's owned by Cypoint Hosting AB Network of Sweden. But that's a bit strange since big companies normally do their own hosting. Following through Pentax.com to Pentax.se found a broken link. Trying Pentax.se on its own didn't work either. I guess Pentax.se's nameserver is down.

[jeisner]

Interesting.... "http://81.92.66.63/default.asp?cat_id=491" seems to be very unforthcoming as to who owns the site or even hosts it when I followed my normal samspade route. Chasing through RIPE on a hunch, it's owned by Cypoint Hosting AB Network of Sweden. But that's a bit strange since big companies normally do their own hosting. Following through Pentax.com to Pentax.se found a broken link. Trying Pentax.se on its own didn't work either. I guess Pentax.se's nameserver is down.

It was through pentax.se at first and then it stopped working, so we have to use the IP... maybe too many people looking? they were not meant to release it yet? I would have thought Pentax Japan would post first! (as they usually do)

[jeisner]

IN ENGLISH

http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details/digital_camera--*ist_Dl/

[jamison55]

Interesting that on the latest link if you look at the price for both the *istDL and the *istDS they are bot listed for "Under $800". Does that mean that Pentax intends to raise the price on the DS when the DL is available?

[jeisner]

Interesting that on the latest link if you look at the price for both the *istDL and the *istDS they are bot listed for "Under $800". Does that mean that Pentax intends to raise the price on the DS when the DL is available?

LOL, who knows? I hope not... maybe they just don't want to give away the price point until it hits shelves?

[Rex914]

I'm guessing that it will sell for $700 with the kit lens and $600 without the kit lens, putting it right on par price-wise with the 300D.

[AllanMarcus]

Since the DL will list for $100 less than DS and buydig.com has the DS for $717 with lens, I would think the DL will sell for about $617 with lens and $528 without lens. Great price, but the body is just the first purchase. After a few lens, a flash, some filters, a nice tripod, a bag, the couple of hundred bucks saved starts to seems trivial. Still, a hundred bucks is a hundred bucks.

My hope is that this sparks a price war.

My further hope is that Konica Minolta gets into the game with a $750 Maxxum 5D with built in CCD stabilization.

I think Canon is still the leader to beat, especially with IS lens and 8MP, but once you hold the Pentax DS you feel what a small camera should feel like, and you wonder what Canon's body designers were smoking when they made the Rebel XT's body.

[D70FAN]

It is interesting that for a brief moment in time the Nikon D50, with lens, was available for $627. An aquantance ordered from this offer on Amazon, so now we'll see if they deliver. If so... it shows how low... the price can go. ;)

[Rex914]

Pentax isn't saying whether this is kit price or not, but they are now quoting "under $700" as the price for the DL. Whether really means "under $700" or in reality, $699 is a different story. :)

Amazon seems to be doing some odd price jumps with some unreleased products lately. They are trying to sell that Sigma 30mm for $390, well below the price announced ($450) and well below any other shop I've seen...

[Rhys]

Amazon seems to be doing some odd price jumps with some unreleased products lately. They are trying to sell that Sigma 30mm for $390, well below the price announced ($450) and well below any other shop I've seen...

Amazon is pretty disreputable anyway. I'd avoid them.

[Clyde]

Amazon is pretty disreputable anyway. I'd avoid them.

I will grant that an argument can be made that Amazon is the evil empire,
out to destroy all good local book stores. However, in terms of reliable
shipment of good quality product...

In what sense precisely do you mean disreputable? And where is this
poor reputation?

Clyde

www.clydesart.com (http://www.clydesart.com)

[jeisner]

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2077.html

[Rhys]

In what sense precisely do you mean disreputable? And where is this
poor reputation?

Clyde

www.clydesart.com (http://www.clydesart.com)

That's a pretty good indication of how awful they are. Personally, I'd advise not touching them at all. They're famous for advertising products they don't have, never have had and never will have then charging the consumer's credit card.

In terms of books - they might once have been good for books but their service in my experience and of those I have known has been awful. Some people I met a few months ago stated that they'd love to buy the books Amazon sells at the price Amozon charges but for the fact they want the books to arrive when they need them to. Instead of paying $50 with Amazon, they prefer, quite rightly, to order via their local bookshop and pay $100 and actually receive the book within days as opposed to months. As far as I can see, Amazon never has anything in stock. They merely collect orders and money until such a time as they can put together a big enough order to get a knockdown price from the wholesaler. It is, of course, fraud on a massive scale.

[D70FAN]

That's a pretty good indication of how awful they are. Personally, I'd advise not touching them at all. They're famous for advertising products they don't have, never have had and never will have then charging the consumer's credit card.

In terms of books - they might once have been good for books but their service in my experience and of those I have known has been awful. Some people I met a few months ago stated that they'd love to buy the books Amazon sells at the price Amozon charges but for the fact they want the books to arrive when they need them to. Instead of paying $50 with Amazon, they prefer, quite rightly, to order via their local bookshop and pay $100 and actually receive the book within days as opposed to months. As far as I can see, Amazon never has anything in stock. They merely collect orders and money until such a time as they can put together a big enough order to get a knockdown price from the wholesaler. It is, of course, fraud on a massive scale.

I've never had a problem with Amazon.com. My wife (and her sister) order from them regularly (Books, CD's, DVD's, and etc.) and it all arrives on-time and as advertised.

[Rex914]

I've never had any problems with them. But I do agree completely with your argument about buying from a local bookstore instead. If you need something urgently (one example that pops to mind is a school textbook), there's still only one way that you can guarantee getting it, and that's to actually drive to your local bookstore and buy it from there, even if you pay 50% more.