Pentax *ist-DPentax's first d-SLR is a winner, with good color, low noise, and excellent "hand feel," all in a compact body.<<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & InterfaceReview First Posted: 03/30/2004 |
Image Storage and Interface
The
*ist D uses CompactFlash memory cards for image storage, accommodating Type I
and II sizes, as well as Microdrives. The *ist D does not come with a memory card,
so you’ll need to purchase one separately. Captured images can be individually write-protected via the Protect button on the rear panel. Write-protected files are only immune to accidental deletion, not card reformatting. Three main image resolution sizes are available: Large (3,008 x 2,008 pixels), Medium (2,400 x 1,600 pixels), and Small (1,536 x 1,024 pixels). Through the Custom Function menu, however, you can set the Small resolution to either 1,536 x 1,024; 1,152 x 768; or 960 x 640 pixels. File formats include several levels of compressed JPEG files as well as TIFF and RAW data modes. A Color Space option under the Custom Function menu offers sRGB (default) and Adobe RGB settings.
Below are the approximate number of images and their compression ratios for a 512MB CompactFlash card, with the three main resolution settings.
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| RAW data (Uncompressed) |
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| TIFF |
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| Best Quality |
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| Better Quality |
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| Good Quality |
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While the manual claims that the *ist D only supports the USB v1.1 interface standard, my own tests seemed to show that it's actually running at USB v2.0 speeds. I clocked its download speed at 1963 KB/second with a Lexar 24x memory card, connected to my Sony VAIO Windows XP workstation. (2.4 GHz Pentium IV processor, 512 MB of RAM.) This is quite fast: Cameras with USB v1.1 interfaces top out at a little over 600 KB/second. I've seen USB 2.0-equipped cameras move data as quickly as several MB/second, but the *ist D's download speed is faster than average, even among cameras with USB 2.0 interfaces.
Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a
good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers
who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when
it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories.
Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera
manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say.
A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with
an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount
of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all
my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue
SA. Read our review
of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll
have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's
only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue
for Windows or PhotoRescue
for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download
the PDF manual
and quickstart
guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when
you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but
when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering
digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission
from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even
if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...
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