Support Camera Labs by price checking using the flags below



Follow us!
Camera Labs RSS Feed
Camera Labs on Facebook
Camera Labs on Twitter




Latest camera reviews

Sony Cybershot DSC-W220
Canon PowerShot G11
Canon IXUS 95 / SD1200IS
Canon EOS 7D
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Olympus 'PEN' E-P1
Nikon D3000
Canon PowerShot SX120IS
Panasonic Lumix TS1 / FT1
Canon PowerShot D10
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
Nikon D300s
Panasonic Lumix FS25
Panasonic Lumix FZ38 / 35
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Sony Cyber-shot W270/290
Canon PowerShot A2100IS
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Canon IXUS 980 / SD990IS
Nikon D3x
Panasonic Lumix GH1
Sony Cyber-shot HX1
Olympus E-620
Nikon D5000
Canon EOS 500D / T1i
Canon PowerShot SX200IS
Nikon COOLPIX P90
Canon IXUS 100 / SD780IS
Panasonic Lumix TZ7 / ZS3
Panasonic Lumix G1
Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Canon EOS 50D
Nikon D90
Panasonic Lumix LX3
Canon EOS 1000D / XS
Nikon D700


All reviews ....
   
 
  Best Buys: our top models
     



Compacts / Super-zooms
Budget DSLRs / Mid-range DSLRs / Semi-pro DSLRs
   
 



   
 



Camera Labs Forum

Any questions, comments or a great tip to share? Join our Forum and let everyone know.
   
 
  DSLR Tips



 
Pentax *istDL review with 18-55mm f3.5~5.6 DA lens Gordon Laing, December 2005


 



 




Outdoor
/ Resolution / Noise / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting

Pentax *istDL wide-angle geometry comparison

Pentax *istDL wide-angle geometry test   To measure geometric distortion we photographed a custom test chart consisting of a grid pattern with perfectly straight lines. Here are the results for the bundled lenses at their widest focal length with an aperture of f8 in Aperture Priority mode. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

The image left was taken with the Pentax *istDL and the 18-55mm DA at 18mm f8. Barrel distortion was measured at 2.76% which superior to the group, although note vignetting is visible here even at f8.

Canon EOS-350D
Konica Minolta Dynax 5D
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 350D wide angle geometry test
Konica Minolta wide angle geometry test
Nikon D50 wide angle geometry test
18-55mm EF-S at 18mm f8
Distortion: 3.35% barrel
  18-70mm DT at 18mm f8
Distortion: 3.49% barrel
  18-55mm DX at 18mm f8
Distortion: 3.51% barrel


Pentax *istDL telephoto geometry comparison

Pentax *istDL telephoto geometry test   To measure geometric distortion we photographed a custom test chart consisting of a grid pattern with perfectly straight lines. Here are the results for the bundled lenses at their longest focal length with an aperture of f8 in Aperture Priority mode. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution.

The image left was taken with the Pentax *istDL and the 18-55mm DA at 55mm f8. Pincushion distortion was measured at 0.58% which while barely noticeable, remains the worst of the group.

Canon EOS-350D
Konica Minolta Dynax 5D
Nikon D50
Canon EOS 350D telephoto geometry test
Konica Minolta 5D telephoto geometry test
Nikon D50 telephoto geometry test
18-55mm EF-S at 55mm f8
Distortion: 0.389% pincushion
  18-70mm DT at 70mm f8
Distortion: 0.309% pincushion
  18-55mm DX at 55mm f8
Distortion: 0.169% barrel

Results continued...

Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Corner sharpness / Fringe and macro / Geometry / Vignetting


Support this site by checking prices US / UK

or shopping via our affiliate stores



All words, images, videos and layout, copyright 2005-2009 Gordon Laing. May not be used without permission.

About Us / How we test / Best Buys / Advertising / Home