The controls on the grip side of the camera: the Power switch / DOF preview and Shutter Release button, the +/- exposure compensation button which is used in Manual mode to change the aperture value. The data LCD is not illuminated but current settings can be seen on the color LCD using the Info button (see next page).

The data LCD display indicates: Shutter speed, Aperture value, Flash Information (Auto, Flash-On, Flash-Off, Red-eye reduction), Single frame/Continuous advance/Bracketing, Self-timer, Remote control, Metering Information, Focus point indicator, Auto bracketing, Preset/Manual white balance information, Battery information, Exposure compensation factor and Exposure frame number.

The Mode Dial has positions for: Flash Off, Night Portrait, Action, Macro, Landscape, Portrait, Standard, Auto Picture, Program AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Manual and Bulb.

On the back is the e-dial which is used to change shutter speed, aperture and other settings. In playback it functions as the Index-Zoom dial (see next page for digital controls). The AE-L is used to lock the Auto Exposure to allow you to reframe without changing the exposure value.

Below the Mode Dial is the Flash Release button to open the pop-up flash when in any mode other than No Flash or Auto Picture.

Images are stored on Secure Digital (SD) flash memory cards. The *ist DL can use any capacity SD card up to 2GB, shown here is the spacious and speedy Sandisk Ultra II 2GB SD card.

Approximate storage

Input/Output ports are on the left side, on top is for the CS-205 optional wired release button

Combination USB 2.0 (high speed) and Video Out (selectable NTSC or PAL format)

Bottom is jack for DC IN from optional D-AC10 power supply.

The Pentax *ist DL can powered by either four AA type (lithium, alkaline, nickel-metal hydride) or two CR-V3 lithium batteries. Lithium type provide the best performance for one-use batteries and offer the longest "shelf life" and low temperature usability. Rechargeable NiMH AA's are more economical and ecologically sound than one-use batteries that end up in the landfill.

Pentax recommends against the use of oxyride and rechargeable CR-V3 lithium batteries because some batteries deliver too high of a voltage (i.e. 3.7v versus the 3v delivered by one-use CR-V3 cells.)