Compared to...

Studio scene comparison (vs. Pentax *ist DS)

This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from exactly the same tripod position within minutes of each other. Lighting: daylight simulation, >98% CRI. Crops are 100%. Ambient temperature was approximately 22°C (~72°F). Camera settings:

• Nikon D50: Nikkor 50 mm F1.8, Aperture Priority (F9),
  ISO 200, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters, Self-Timer
   
• Pentax *ist DS: Pentax 50 mm F1.4, Aperture Priority (F9),
  ISO 200, JPEG Large/Fine, Manual WB, Default Parameters, Self-Timer

Nikon D50	Pentax *ist DS
ISO 200, 1/40 sec, F9	ISO 200, 1/50 sec, F9
2,575 KB JPEG (3008 x 2000)	2,399 KB JPEG (3008 x 2000)

The D50 shows a clear resolution and detail advantage over the *ist DS, this wasn't unexpected as we have noted the weakness of the processor built into the *ist DS (see JPEG vs RAW in our *ist DS review). However as the majority of first time users will shoot JPEG it's a demonstration of what results you can expect straight out of the box. Otherwise tonal balance is similar however the *ist DS colors are more saturated with stronger colors throughout but especially reds.