Pentax drops price of digital SLR camera to just under $600

One of the first digital cameras of the new compact DSLR age is now selling for under $600. Pentax has dropped the price on their *ist DL digital single lens reflex camera to $599.95. The 6.1 megapixel camera is sold in a kit with a removable 18 to 55 mm lens. Pentax is also offering $100 rebate on select lenses for the next two months.

The Pentax *ist was released back in October 2003, just one month after the Canon Digital Rebel came to market. The end of 2003 and earlier 2004 had a flurry of compact DSLR releases including Nikon’s D70 in the spring of 2004. Despite the Pentax *ist being a very compact camera with a depth of field preview, Canon ended up taking the early sales lead. Canon has since released an upgraded version of the Rebel, called the Rebel XT.

The price drop takes effect today. The *ist camera was previously priced at $799.95.