Olympus C-5050 ZoomTheir best camera yet? - Olympus introduces a top-of-the-line five-megapixel model with noise reduction technology, optimum image enlargement, an improved interface, and support for three memory formats.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 01/09/2003 |
Operation and User Interface
The C-5050 Zoom has a similar interface design to the previous C-4040, but Olympus
has added a number of significant refinements. Most obviously, there are now
many more external buttons, which are generally used in conjunction with the
newly-added Command dial to set many camera functions. The net effect is much
more efficient camera operation, as you don't have to burrow into the LCD menu
system nearly as often to change key camera settings. Also, in most cases, while
the LCD monitor still illuminates to show you the setting being changed, the
same information is also shown on the top-panel data readout. The large number
of external buttons also make the 5050's user interface easier to learn, since
there's a direct one-to-one correlation between most buttons and their functions.
While
the main LCD menu system remains about the same, the C-5050 Zoom's external
control buttons now bring up an animated "virtual dial" display
for most functions. For example, pressing the Flash button and turning the
Command dial scrolls through the available settings, which move as if turning
a virtual dial. The C-5050 Zoom features more external controls than previous
Camedia models, and the LCD monitor does not need to be active to make adjustments.
If the LCD is inactive, pressing the button calls up the display so that you
can make the setting, then disables the display when you've finished. As noted
above, the setting being controlled also appears on the top-panel data readout,
a convenience that's somewhat marred by the delay between Command dial operation
and changes in the display. A separate Custom Function button on top of the
camera lets you assign a specific adjustment to it through the Mode menu (Setup
sub-menu), creating a short cut to circumvent the menu system completely.
For example, if you use the Quality adjustment a fair amount, you can assign
it to the Custom Function button as a short cut.
Several of the C-5050 Zoom's external controls can be combined in pairs to
adjust a third camera setting. For example, holding down the Flash and +/-
buttons adjusts the flash exposure compensation. This is excellent in terms
of limiting LCD menu usage, but does make the camera's interface slightly
more complicated. I'd say it will probably take an hour or so for the average
user to get fully acquainted with the 5050's control layout. The full instruction
manual is included on the CD-ROM that accompanies the camera, but a smaller
Basic Manual will get you up and running quickly. (Though it may be somewhat
archaic, I'd much prefer to have a paper version of the full manual
as well, for reference when a computer isn't readily available. If you're
paying $800 for a camera, a hardcopy manual shouldn't be too much to ask.)
Control Enumeration
Mode Dial: On top of the camera, the Mode dial selects the camera's operating
mode. Choices are Playback, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority,
Manual, My Mode, Movie, Night, Landscape Scene, Landscape Portrait, Sports,
and Portrait modes.
Power Switch: Directly underneath the Mode dial is the
Power dial, which simply turns the camera on and off. The settings are marked
on the side of the dial, making it easy to read when holding the camera in
front of you. (I really liked this location for the power switch. It was very
convenient, yet I never had a problem with it being turned on inadvertently.
It's much easier to use than the typical rear- or top-panel pushbutton.)
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 Shooting menu. In Playback mode,
the lever switches between Index view, normal image display, and zoomed playback.
Self-Timer / Remote / Rotate Button: Behind the Shutter button and
Zoom lever on the camera's top panel, this button accesses the Self-Timer
and Remote Control modes when pressed while turning the Command dial. Pressing
this button in Playback mode rotates the captured image 90 degrees clockwise.
Pressing and holding this button in conjunction with the Custom / DPOF button
directly beside it resets all of the camera's settings to their defaults.
Custom / DPOF Button: Directly to the right of the Self-Timer / Remote
/ Rotate button, this button can be programmed to access a variety of camera
settings while in Shooting mode.
In Playback mode, this button calls up the DPOF settings menu, where you can select images for printing, the number of copies of each, etc.
When pressed and held down in conjunction with the Self-Timer / Remote / Rotate button, this button resets the camera's settings to their defaults.
Focus Button: Located on the left side of the camera's top panel,
this button controls the focus mode. Pressing the button displays a "virtual
dial" containing focus options on the LCD. Turning the Command dial cycles
between Macro, Manual Focus, Super Macro, Super Macro Manual Focus, and Auto
Focus modes.
Metering / Protect Button: Located behind the Focus button on the
top panel, this button sets the camera's metering mode to Spot, Multi, or
ESP when pressed while turning the Command dial. In Playback mode, this button
marks the current image for write-protection.
+/- Button: Positioned in the top left corner on the camera's left
side, this button adjusts the exposure compensation when pressed while turning
the Command dial. Exposure can be increased or decreased from -2 to +2 EV
in one-third-step increments. In Manual exposure mode, this button accesses
the lens aperture setting rather than exposure compensation. Pressing this
button and the Flash button adjacent to it accesses the flash exposure compensation
adjustment (likewise set by turning the Command dial).
Flash Button: Directly to the right of the +/- button,
this button controls the flash operating mode. Turning the Command dial cycles
between Auto, Forced, Suppressed, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow Synchro modes.
When held down in conjunction with the +/- button, this button accesses the
flash exposure compensation setting.
Diopter Adjustment Dial: Snuggled against the left side of the
optical viewfinder eyepiece, this dial adjusts the optical viewfinder to accommodate
eyeglass wearers.
AE Lock / Erase Button: To the right of the optical viewfinder
eyepiece on the rear panel, this button locks the exposure in any Shooting
mode (a second press cancels the exposure lock). In Playback mode, this button
pulls up the Single Erase menu, for deleting the currently-displayed image.
Command Dial: In the top right corner of the camera's rear panel,
just behind the Mode and Power dials, this dial adjusts a variety of camera
settings when turned while pressing one of the control buttons. In Aperture
and Shutter Priority modes, this dial adjusts the available exposure variable
(lens aperture or shutter speed, respectively). In Manual exposure mode, it
adjusts the shutter speed when no button is pressed, or aperture in conjunction
with the +/- button. In Playback mode, this dial scrolls back and forth between
captured images.
Monitor / Quick View Button: Just above the four-way Arrow pad,
this button turns the LCD monitor on or off. If pressed twice in quick succession,
it activates the Quick View function, which calls up the previously captured
image on the screen. A third press returns the LCD to its normal display.
Four-Way Arrow Pad: The largest control on the back panel, the
Arrow Pad features four arrow keys surrounding the central, OK / Menu button.
In any settings menu, the arrow buttons navigate through available options
and make selections. 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.
OK / Menu Button: Located in the center of the four-way
Arrow pad, this button activates the menu system on the rear panel LCD monitor
and confirms selected menu settings in the various LCD menu screens. 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 viewfinder image. If the LCD monitor
is off when you press Display, it brings up the camera's menu system with
no viewfinder image in the background.
CF / xD / SM Button: Below the four-way Arrow pad, this button switches
between the three different memory card formats (CompactFlash, xD-Picture
Card, and SmartMedia).
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