Labs

Pentax's digital SLR looks businesslike and robust, but a few parts of its design reveal that it is a budget DSLR. It's powered by four AA batteries and rechargeable cells aren't supplied. It refused to work with a fresh set of Duracell Plus batteries.

Its controls are basic, too, with few dedicated buttons for specific functions. Even the flash mode is accessible only via the menu. Fortunately, Pentax's tried-and-tested menu system

Startup isn't quite instantaneous, with a second between flicking the switch and taking a picture. Auto-focus could be quicker, and it tends to get confused when the focus area is set to Centre. Otherwise, performance is acceptable, and it managed a sustained one picture per second.

The *ist DL produced stunningly sharp images in tests, although the level of detail captured wasn't a match for the 8-megapixel Canon 350D. It also manages strong contrast without blowing out highlights or flattening shadows. Images were practically noise-free at ISO 800 and ISO 1,600 is usable. ISO 3,200 is available, too. Colour accuracy was often excellent, although it frequently needed help.

This is a decent camera, but both the Nikon D50 and Canon 350D produce better images and cost less.