Pentax *ist DL Memory Card Compatibility
The Pentax *ist DL can use SD memory cards. The largest capacity SD card that can be used in the *ist DL is 32GB.
SD memory cards labeled as SDUC or SDXC will not work properly in the *ist DL. These cards can simply be avoided as they are 64GB or larger in storage capacity.
Affiliate Advertising Disclosure
Outside the Shot is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. I also participate in affiliate advertising programs with KEH and Adorama. More can be found on the Affiliate Disclosure page.
Recommended *ist DL SD Cards
The examples below are SD cards that are compatible in the *ist DL. With all of the cards below, you won’t have to be worried about slow overall performance or memory card data corruption.
- Sequential read speed of up to 100MB/s
- Class 10, U1 rating delivers speed and performance for full HD photography and HD videography.
- V10 video speed rating to capture uninterrupted HD video at 1920x1080 format
- Compatible with point & shoot cameras, DSLR cameras, standard & advanced HD-enabled video cameras, and more
- Reliable & Durable: Magnet Proof, Shock Proof, Temperature Proof, Waterproof
- Quick transfer read speeds up to 90MB/s.
- Write speeds are not capable of recording 4k video.
- Class 10 rating for Full HD video (1080p).
- Waterproof, temperature proof, X-ray Proof, magnet-Proof, and shockproof.
- UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) supports Full HD video and burst shots. 130MB/s transfer speeds1 let you upload footage to your PC in an instant.
- Built to survive tough conditions and heavy usage, whether you’re at home, outside, or on the go. Backed by 10-year limited warranty.
- Highly durable with comprehensive 7-proof protection.
- Backed by a 10 year warranty.
Best SD Cards
Reliable memory cards are produced by both SanDisk and Lexar. Avoid picking cards from cut-rate generic brand names.
Memory card problems, for instance a loss of all your images as a result of file corruption, is much more likely to occur with cut-rate cards. A minuscule amount of decrease in cost is not worth the decline in level of quality.
The smart way to save a tiny bit of money is to find a card with a smaller capacity. They generally are a bit lower in price and you won’t have to worry about the SD card losing your shots.
Bear in mind, SD card failures are very infrequent. Through the years, I have only had a couple of cards become corrupted. Age could have added to the failure, as the SD cards were included with previously owned cameras.
Pentax *ist DL SD Card Compatibility
Currently, four different specifications of Secure Digital (SD) memory cards are currently available. The Pentax *ist DL uses SD memory cards. Each updated memory card spec raises the transfer speeds and max capacity when compared to the earlier spec.
Secure Digital memory card readers are backward compatible. A card reader built into a digital camera that can use SDXC cards will also be able to use SDHC and SD memory cards.
The Pentax *ist DL’s card reader is only compatible with the initial two SD card specs. SDXC or SDUC SD memory cards will not function correctly.
- Secure Digital (SD) - These memory cards have a maximum capacity of 2GB and are compatible with the *ist DL.
- Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 4GB to 32GB and are also compatible with the *ist DL.
- Secure Digital eXtended Capacity (SDXC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 64GB to 2TiB.
- Secure Digital Ultra Capacity (SDUC) - The capacity of these memory cards range from 4TiB to 128TiB.
Pentax *ist DL Memory Card Full Error
Attempting to use a card that is 64GB or larger in size in the *ist DL results in the point and shoot camera to show an error.
Use a memory card which has a storage capacity of 32GB or smaller to resolve the error.
If you attempting to use an SD memory card that is 32GB or smaller, and the card is not working correctly, format the SD card in the camera.
Speed, Class, & Capacity
SD Card Image Capacity
Here is a quick estimation of how many large JPEGs you will be able to keep on an SD memory card.
- 4GB - 1920 images
- 8GB - 3840 images
- 16GB - 7680 images
- 32GB - 15360 images
Memory Card Speed
Speed ratings for SD cards are established by the sequential read and write speeds. The speed of the SD memory card is important for when many shots need to be written to the SD card.
SD Card Speed Class Rating
The Class speed rating of an SD memory card is dependant on the sustained write speed of the card. A Class speed rating of 2 means that the SD memory card can sustain a write speed of more than 2MB per second.
- Class 2 - 2MB/s
- Class 4 - 4MB/s
- Class 6 - 6MB/s
- Class 8 - 8MB/s
- Class 10 - 10MB/s
The best rating an SD card can attain is Class 10. There are SD cards that are considerably faster than 10MB/s. Those cards use other technologies, such as UHS (Ultra Highspeed Bus), that have a different rating criteria.
Sustained write speeds of 2MB, 4MB, 6MB, or 8MB per second means the card has a speed class of 2, 4, 6, or 8. Cards that have write speeds of 10MB/s or faster are rated as Class 10.
Conclusion
Buy an SD memory card for the Pentax *ist DL based on price. An expensive card isn’t going to improve performance. As long as it is a speed class 10 card, you will be fine. My recommendation is the PNY Elite 32GB SD memory card.