Provided are engineered DNA polymerases exhibiting modified functionality, and polynucleotides encoding same. Modified features include: (1) reduced catalytic activity in the presence of magnesium ions and/or (2) reduced affinity for primed template nucleic acid molecules in the absence of cognate nucleotide, and an ability to discriminate between cognate and non-cognate nucleotides under low salt conditions. Sequencing By Binding™ procedures employing the engineered polymerases have certain advantages. The engineered polymerases can have other uses as well.