Samsung clones the Pentax *ist DL
Samsung clones the Pentax *ist DL
Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
No, you're not seeing double. Samsung's budget dSLR bears a striking resemblance to the Pentax *ist DL, both inside and out. It uses the same 6-megapixel sensor and takes the same KAF/KA-mount lenses, though with a Schneider-branded version of the 18mm-to-55mm lens.
Though the companies bill it as the second result of a "joint development effort," one has to wonder why it took half a year to get the Samsung version out the door. And more importantly, why? I can almost understand the separated-at-birth idea when one model targets a high-tone audience and the other is directed at the mass market (read: Leica and Panasonic, respectively). So unless the Samsung name carries some astronomical mindshare somewhere, I don't see why they bother.
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