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Epson PhotoPC 3000Z Epson's first three-megapixel design boasts great image quality and loads of "enthusiast" features Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PhotoPC 3000Z Test Shots --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PhotoPC 3000Z Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 10/01/2000

Optics
A 3x, 7 to 21 mm lens (equivalent to a 34 to 102 mm lens on a 35 mm camera) is built into the 3000Z, with a focal range from 20 inches (50 cm) to infinity in normal mode. A macro mode adjusts the focal range to 2.36 to 20 inches (5.9 to 50 cm). Apertures can be manually or automatically adjusted from f/2.0-2.5 to f/8.0-9.9. With a maximum aperture of f/2.0-2.5, this is a very fast lens.(The range at each setting results from the variation in effective aperture as you zoom the lens.) There's also a manual focus option, with three distance settings to choose from: three feet (0.9 m), 10 feet (3 m) and infinity. The lens itself features a telescoping design. When the camera is powered on, the lens extends from the body and then retracts once the camera is turned off. A plastic lens cap protects the lens from accidental scratches, and attaches to the camera body with a small strap (so you don't have to worry about it). Metal filter threads around the lens accommodate a lens adapter, which ships with the camera. This lens adapter fits a variety of Epson accessory lens kits, including wide angle, telephoto and macro lenses.

A 2x digital telephoto function is controlled by a small button at the top right of the LCD screen, meaning that you can digitally enlarge the image to twice its size at any point in the optical zoom range (since the two are independent of each other). Remember, though, that image quality suffers in the form of lower resolution and increased noise, when using digital zoom.

During our testing, we found a moderate amount of barrel distortion at the furthest wide angle setting, measuring approximately 0.76 percent. The telephoto end produced much better results, with a minimal 0.13 percent pincushion distortion. We also found very little chromatic aberration, at only about three pixels of coloration on each side of the black target lines. (This distortion is visible as a very slight colored fringe around the objects at the edges of the field of view on the resolution target.)