Olympus C-3040 ZoomOlympus updates its top-of-the-line 3-megapixel model with a "faster" lens and increased movie capabilities.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 4/14/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
We liked the Camedia 3040 Zoom's user interface a great deal, as it hasn't changed much from the previous C-3030 and current C-2040 setups. (We generally prefer mode dial interfaces, as they simplify the menu structure and allow faster operation.) Although the Camedia's user interface relies heavily on the LCD monitor for menu selections and review of current settings, we were pleased to note that the top status readout also displays quite a few camera functions.
One of our favorite interface features is the display of current exposure information (also a feature of the C-2040). For film-based SLR camera users, the most annoying characteristic of digital cameras is their lack of exposure information during image capture. Most digicams (even some of the more sophisticated SLR designs) leave you completely in the dark about which shutter speed and aperture settings are being used. The C-3040 Zoom, however, displays the working aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation settings across the top of the LCD while it's in use. We also liked the Digital Zoom bar, which indicates when you're in optical or digital zoom, and the Manual focus bar that shows the focal distance in meters or feet (making it much easier to focus in low-light and other challenging shooting conditions).
One of the few quibbles we have with the C-3040 Zoom's interface design (which we also had with the C-2040 Zoom) is that some functions require a lot of button-pushing to access. To access all five resolutions, you have to go in and out of the Mode Setup submenu of the Record menu. Having the Flash, Macro, and Spot metering functions accessible from the camera's back panel is a great start, but we'd like to see even more of these button controls, or at least greater control via the top-panel LCD readout, rather than forcing you to use the larger LCD screen all the time.
Control Enumeration
Mode Dial: On top of the camera is the Mode Dial, which turns the camera On or Off, and selects the various camera operating modes: Playback, Off, Program, Aperture / Shutter Speed / Manual (A/S/M), and Movie modes. Program and A/S/M are the Still Shooting or Record modes.
Shutter Button: Located in the center of the Zoom Lever, the Shutter button sets focus and exposure settings when depressed halfway and triggers the shutter when fully depressed.
Zoom Lever: On top of the camera, in front of the Mode Dial, the Zoom Lever controls the optical zoom in all exposure modes, and the Digital Zoom when enabled through the Record menu. In Playback mode, the lever switches between Index view, normal image display, and playback zoom.
Flash / Erase Button: Located on the top, central portion of the camera's back panel, this button controls the Flash mode in all exposure modes. Pressing it cycles through Auto-Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced Flash, and Flash Off modes. In Playback mode, this button pulls up the Erase menu, which allows you to erase the currently displayed image.
Spot / Macro / Print Button: Directly beneath the Flash / Erase button on the back panel is the Spot / Macro / Print button. In all Record modes, this button cycles between normal metering (Digital ESP), Spot metering, Macro (Closeup) focus mode, and Macro with Spot Metering modes. In Playback mode, this button pulls up the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) print settings menu, which allows you to tag the current image, or all of the images on the card, for printing. Once the image is selected, you can set the number of copies, whether or not to print the date and time stamp on the photo, and print a cropped area of the image.
Four-Way Arrow Pad: The largest button on the back panel, the Arrow Pad controls many of the camera's operations. In all capture modes except Manual, the left and right Arrow buttons increase or decrease the exposure compensation setting (provided the LCD monitor is active). In Aperture or Shutter Priority exposure modes, the up and down Arrow buttons adjust the lens aperture or shutter speed settings, depending on which mode you've selected. In Manual mode, the up and down Arrows control shutter speed, while the left and right Arrows control aperture.
In Playback mode, the left and right Arrows move forward or backward through the pictures stored on the card, or scroll around portions of the expanded image in Zoom Playback mode.
In the LCD menu system, the Arrow buttons navigate through menu screens and select settings.
OK / AEL / Protect Button: Located on the camera's back panel, on the right side of the LCD monitor, this button confirms selected menu settings in the LCD menu screens. If pressed when the Single or Multi AEL function is activated through the Record menu, this button locks the exposure until you press the Shutter button. In Playback mode, it write-protects individual images against accidental erasure (except from card formatting).
Display Button: Just to the right of the LCD monitor, encircled by a raised plastic lip, this button turns the LCD monitor on or off. If pressed twice in quick succession, it displays the Quick View function, which calls up the previously captured image on the screen. A third press returns the LCD to its normal display.
Menu Button: Directly beneath the Display button, this button activates the menu system on the rear panel LCD monitor. If the LCD monitor is turned on when you press the Display button, it will call up the menu options and display them over the image. If the LCD monitor is off when you press Display, it brings up the camera's menu system with no viewfinder image.
Diopter Adjustment Dial: Located on the left side of the optical viewfinder eyepiece, this dial adjusts the optical viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
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