Pentax *ist DS2 SLR Review

The 2.5-inch color LCD is used for accessing the menus and reviewing captured images - it cannot be used as a viewfinder. To the right of the eyelevel finder is the e-dial which in playback functions as the Index and Zoomed View dial. The AE Lock button in playback is the image Protect button. The 4-way controller/OK button lets you navigate menus and select images during playback. The Fn button call up the onscreen Function menu (see below). The MENU button enables the onscreen menu system. The DELETE (trashcan) button is for erasing images. The INFO button in record displays camera and exposure settings (see below), in playback it toggles display of exposure data or histogram. The PLAYBACK button puts the camera into review mode.

Pressing the INFO button while in capture mode displays a screen full of settings and parameters currently in use. Focus mode (AF Single), Multi-pattern metering, color Saturation at default, Sharpness at default, Contrast at default, lens focal length is 24mm, Program AE, Flash fired, Single frame advance, ISO 200, Image tone, Image Quality (RAW), Image size is 6M(egapixel), sRGB color space, and Auto white balance, date and time.

Turning the Mode Dial to select another exposure mode will cause the color LCD to briefly display the screens show above. It can be set to display just the basic mode info or the detailed info including a brief description of the exposure mode.

Pressing the Fn (Function) button in record mode brings up a shortcut menu that allows you to change the White Balance, ISO, Drive Mode or Flash Mode.

Record menu options:

• Image Tone - Bright (more contrast and sharpness) or Natural
• Recorded Pixels - 6M 3008x2000, 4M 2400x1600, 1.5M 1536x1024
• Quality Level - RAW, JPEG ( Best , Better, Good)
• Saturation - Adjust color saturation (+2, +1, Normal, -1, -2)
• Sharpness - Adjust sharpness (+2, +1, Normal, -1, -2)
• Contrast - Adjust contrast (+2, +1, Normal, -1, -2)
• Instant Review - Review time after capture (off, 1s, 3s, 5s)
• Auto Bracket - Set bracketing step 1/2EV (+/- 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0) or 1/3EV (+/- 0.3, 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0) and set the shooting order (0,-,+ or -,0,+ or +,0,-)
• AE Metering - Multi-segment, Center-weighted or Spot
• Swtch dst msr pt - Select the focusing point (Auto, Select one of the eleven AF points, Center only)
• AF Mode - AF Single or AF Continuous
• Flash Exp Comp - Flash output override +/- 2.0 in 0.5 steps

• Setting - Enable or disable use of Custom Settings
• Noise Reduction - Noise reduction feature, On or Off
• Exposure Setting Steps - 1/3 or 1/2 EV steps
• ISO Correction in AUTO - ISO 200-800, 200-400, 200-1600, 200-3200
• ISO Sensitivity Warn Display - Off, ISO 400, 800, 1600, 3200 warning is not displayed in viewfinder
• Link AF Point and AE - Metering follows AF point: On or Off
• Meter Operating Time - Data LCD and viewfinder display timeout value (3s, 10s, 30s)
• AE-L with AF Locked - AE is not locked when the focus is locked, Off or On
• Recordable Image No. - Always displays the # of recordable images
• OK button when shooting - Center of AF Point, Enable AF, Cancel AF
• AE-L button on M Exposure - Program Line, Tv Shift, Av Shift
• Superimpose AF Area - Illuminate AF points in viewfinder
• AF in remote control - Auto focus during remote: Off or On
• FI with S Lens used - When S mount lens is used, focus indication function is available or unavailable
• Using aperture ring - Pictures cannot be taken when the aperture ring is other than "A" - Prohibited or Permitted
• Release when Charging - Enable/disable capture during flash recharge
• Instant Review Display - Normal playback or playback with histogram
• Mag to start Zoom Playback - Magnification for starting zoom playback: 1.2x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 12x
• Manual WB Measurement - Entire frame or Spot metering area used for manual WB
• Color Space - sRGB or Adobe RGB
• Reset Custom Functions - Reset all custom settings to default values