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Olympus C-7000 Wide Zoom Seven megapixels, 5x zoom, great pictures, a ton of features, and great build quality - A real winner! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C-7000 Sample Images C-7000 Imatest Results --------------------------------- 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 C-7000 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 11/26/04

Camera Modes & Menus

Playback Mode: This mode allows you to view previously captured images using the arrow pad to scroll through frames stored in memory. The Zoom Lever switches the image display to Index and Calendar Display modes when moved in the wide-angle direction, and enlarges a single image when moved in the telephoto direction, by zooming in to a maximum of 5x magnification. While zoomed in on an image, the arrow buttons can be used to move the enlarged view around the full image area, allowing you to inspect all parts of it.

Programmed Exposure (P): The camera selects both shutter speed and lens aperture, based on existing light conditions and certain camera functions. For example, it uses a faster shutter speed when the lens is in the telephoto position and a slower shutter speed when the lens is in the wide-angle position.

Aperture Priority (A): Lets you select the desired lens aperture (in 1/3-stop (EV) increments, from f/2.8 to f/8), while the camera adjusts the shutter speed to achieve the correct exposure. If the required shutter speed is beyond the camera's capabilities, the shutter speed / aperture status numbers in the LCD will flash red.

Shutter Priority (S): Lets you select the desired shutter speed (in 1/3 EV increments, from 1/2,000 to four seconds), while the camera adjusts the aperture to achieve the correct exposure. If the required aperture is beyond the camera's capabilities, the shutter speed / aperture status numbers in the LCD will flash red.

Manual Mode (M): Lets you select both the desired aperture (f/2.8 to f/8) and shutter speed (1/2,000 to 15 seconds) settings. The onscreen display that normally shows exposure compensation adjustments becomes an exposure meter, showing the amount of under- or overexposure the settings you've selected will result in. If the amount of over or underexposure exceeds +/- 3 EV units, the settings displayed on the LCD screen turn red instead of green, and the display remains at -3 or +3 EV.

My Mode: Sets up the camera according to a set of user-defined camera settings, specific to shooting conditions. A huge range of exposure variables such as aperture, shutter speed, white balance, etc. can all be saved. You can even save the lens zoom position. My Mode settings are made through the Setup menu.

Scene Mode: This mode lets you select from range of preset shooting modes, including:

• Portrait: This mode sets up the camera for capturing portraits. By using a larger aperture setting, the camera exposes the subject in sharp focus in front of a slightly blurred background.
• Sports Mode: This mode biases the exposure system toward fast shutter speeds to "freeze" action, perfect for sporting events or any fast-moving subject.
• Landscape Portrait Mode: This mode is intended for portraits in front of scenery, where you want both the foreground and background in focus. The camera uses a smaller aperture setting to increase the depth of field.
• Landscape Scene Mode: Just like Landscape Portrait mode, this mode also uses a small aperture to keep the foreground and background in focus. However, it also enhances blue and green tones for more vibrant nature shots.
• Night Mode: This mode is best for capturing night portraits or night scenery, such as cityscapes. A slower shutter speed lets more ambient light into the image, but the exposure compensation and image contrast are dialed down somewhat, preserving color in neon signs or sunsets.

Movie Mode: Accessed by turning the Mode dial to the movie camera symbol, Movie mode lets you capture movies with or without sound for as long as the memory card allows.

 

Camera Menus

Shooting Menus
When the Menu / OK button is pressed in any shooting mode, the menu screens shown below appear. Menu options vary depending on the actual shooting mode. Depending on the shooting mode you're in and whether you've chosen to reassign their functions or not, three of the top-level menu items are Short Cuts to menu options controlling by default (clockwise from the bottom) Monitor Off, Image Size/Quality, and Macro mode. The fourth option takes you to the main Mode Menu itself. Since the destinations of the short cut options are simply sub-levels inside the main mode menu, I'll only show the main Mode Menu screens here:

• Camera:
  
  • Macro: Activates Macro and Super Macro shooting modes, or returns to the normal AF setting.
  • Drive: Sets the camera's capture mode to Single, Sequence, HI Sequence, or Auto Bracketing capture modes.
  • ISO: Sets the camera's ISO sensitivity to Auto, 80, 100, 200, or 400.
  • Scene: (Scene mode only.) Selects from Portrait, Sports, Landscape Portrait, Landscape Scene, and Night Scene preset shooting modes.
  • Flash Intensity (+/-): Adjusts the flash intensity from -2 to +2 EV in one-third-step increments.
  
  
  
  
  
  • Slow Synchro: Selects between Slow Synchro 1, Slow Synchro with Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow Synchro 2. The Slow Synchro modes combine the flash with long shutter times, to allow more of the ambient light to influence the exposure. Slow synchro 1 and 2 differ in that 2 fires the flash at the end of the shutter period (second curtain sync), while 1 fires it at the beginning (first curtain sync).
  • Noise Reduction: When turned on, this function reduces the image noise in long exposures.
  • Digital Zoom: Turns the Digital Zoom function On or Off.
  • Fulltime AF: Turns Fulltime AF on or off. If on, the AF system is continuously adjusting focus, without a half-press of the Shutter button.
  • Panorama: Activates the Panorama shooting mode. (Available only with Olympus-branded xD-Picture Cards.)
  
  
  
  
  
  • Function: Lets you select between Black-and-White and Sepia color modes.
  • Info: Turns on an additional shooting information display on the LCD monitor, or disables it.
  • Histogram: Enables a small histogram overlay in any shooting mode. A "Direct" option eliminates the histogram and instead applies a color emphasis to the black and white areas of the image. Red indicates areas in danger of overexposure and blue indicates areas in danger of underexposure.
  • Sound Memo: Records a small voice caption to accompany an image.
  • Frame Assist: Activates a grid on the LCD monitor that helps you line up shots. The grid divides the image area into thirds, horizontally and vertically.
  • Time-lapse: Activates Time-lapse photography mode, which captures a series of images (as many as 99) at preset time intervals (from one to 59 minutes).
  
  
• Picture:
  • Quality: Sets the camera's image quality to one of the following:
    • RAW: 3,072 x 2,304 pixels, uncompressed.
    • TIFF: 3,072 x 2,304 pixels, uncompressed.
    • SHQ (Super High Quality JPEG): 3,072 x 2,304 or 3,072 x 2,048 (3:2 ratio) pixels for still images. Movie files: 640 x 480 pixels, 30 fps.
    • HQ (High Quality JPEG): 3,072 x 2,304 or 3,072 x 2,048 (3:2 ratio) pixels for still images. Movie files: 640 x 480 pixels, 15 fps.
    • SQ1 (Standard Quality JPEG): 2,592 x 1,944; 2,288 x 1,712; 2,048 x 1,536; or 1,600 x 1,200 pixels resolutions, High or Normal compression ratio for still images. Movie files: 320 x 240 pixels, 30 fps.
    • SQ2 (Standard Quality JPEG): 1,280 x 960; 1,024 x 768; or 640 x 480 pixels, High or Normal compression ratio. Movie files: 320 x 240 pixels, 15 fps.
  • White Balance (WB): Sets the camera's white balance to Auto, Preset (Daylight, Cloudy, Incandescent, Daylight Fluorescent, Neutral Fluorescent, or Cool Fluorescent), or Manual white balance options.
  • White Balance Adjustment: Enables you to adjust the Blue and Red levels from +7 (blue) to -7 (red, arbitrary units).
  • Sharpness: Sets the picture sharpness from +5 to -5 (arbitrary units).
  • Contrast: Sets the picture contrast from +5 to -5 (arbitrary units).
  • Saturation: Adjusts the color saturation from +5 to -5 (arbitrary units).
  
  
• Card:
  • Card setup: Formats the xD-Picture Card, erasing all images, even the write-protected or Locked images.
  
  
• Set Up:
  • All Reset: Resets the camera to its default settings whenever it's turned off and back on again.
  • Language: Changes the menu language to English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese.
  • PW On Setup: Determines what picture is displayed and sound plays at startup.
  • PW Off Setup: Determines what picture is displayed and sound plays at shutdown.
  • Rec View: Turns Rec View On or Off. Rec View displays the most recently recorded image while it is being written to the xD-Picture Card.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Volume: Sets the camera's beep sound to Off, Low, or High.
  • Beep: Designates the type of sound played with camera operations, and sets the volume to low or high. You can also disable the beep sound.
  • Shutter Sound: Selects the sound played when the shutter is releases, also with low and high volume settings, and an Off setting.
  • My Mode Setup: Customizes the specific user settings for the My Mode settings. Lets you either record the camera's current settings in one of the four My Mode memories, or step through a series of menu screens and configure up the My Mode settings manually.
  • File Name: Lets you choose between Auto or Name Reset for recording file names. Name Reset resets the file numbering whenever a new xD-Picture Card is inserted, while Auto continues the numbering scheme across cards.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Pixel Mapping: Initiates automatic pixel mapping, which checks for bad pixels in the CCD and maps them out. (Bad pixels shouldn't appear very often, and Olympus only recommends running this function once a year.)
  • LCD Brightness: Adjusts monitor brightness using an on-screen scale.
  • Date and Time: Sets the camera's internal calendar and clock.
  • Meters / Feet: Allows you to choose between feet and meters for distance measurement and reporting.
  • Video Out: Specifies NTSC or PAL as the video out signal.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • AF Illuminator: Turns the AF illuminator on the front of the camera on or off. If on, the light automatically comes on to help the camera focus in dark situations.
  • Short Cut: Enables you to set the three short cut menu items to whatever main menu options you want them to represent.
  • Custom Button: Enables you to set the Custom button to whatever menu item you want it to represent.
  
  

Playback Menu
Playback Mode is available by turning to the green Playback symbol onthe camera's Mode dial, or by depressing the Quick View button in anyShooting mode. The Playback Top Menu has three options, which differslightly between Shooting (Record) playback and Movie playback:

Still Playback:

• Info: Changes the amount of exposure information that is displayed with each recorded image. Full information includes battery power (shown only if the batteries are low), image quality, resolution, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, white balance, ISO, and file number. Minimum information includes only the frame number, battery power, and quality setting. Movie files display only the file number until you select the Movie Playback option.
• Slide Show: Starts an automatic slide show playback of all single-frame recorded images.
• Histogram: Activates a small histogram display below a thumbnail of the captured image. An information readout is on the right side of the display.
• Movie Play: This replaces the Slideshow option in the Playback mode's top menu when a movie is shown onscreen in playback mode:
  • Movie Playback:
    • Playback: Plays back the movie file.
    • Index: Brings up a nine-image index of individual frames from the movie, saved as a separate still-image file.

• Mode Menu: Brings up three Playback sub-menus:
  • Play:
    • Sound Memo: Lets you record a short sound caption to accompany a captured image.
    
    
  • Edit:
    • RAW Data Edit: Provides in-camera editing of RAW data files. You can adjust size/quality, white balance, sharpness, contrast, and saturation.
    • Reduce Size: Decreases the resolution of the current image. The resized image is saved as a separate file, leaving the original undisturbed. (A second screen gives you options for the size of the final file.)
    • Trimming: Lets you crop out a portion of an image and save it as a separate file.
    • Redeye Fix: Corrects "Red-Eye" in portraits, and saves the corrected file separately. (Although I didn't find this to be terribly effective.)
      
      
    
    
  • Card:
    • All Erase: Allows you to erase all images on the xD-Picture Card, except write-protected files.
    • Format: Formats the xD-Picture Card, erasing all images, even the write-protected images.
      
      
    
    
  • Setup:
    • All Reset: Resets the camera to its default settings or to set your own custom default settings.
    • Language: Changes the menu language to English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese.
    • PW On Setup: Determines what picture is displayed and sound plays at startup.
    • PW Off Setup: Determines what picture is displayed and sound plays at shutdown.
    • Screen Setup: Lets you designate a saved image as the one that appears at startup or shutdown.
    
    
    
    • Playback Volume: Sets the camera's sound volume for playback of recorded sounds to one of six levels.
    • Beep Volume: Sets volume of the camera's beep sounds. You can also disable the beep sounds.
    • Button Operation Beep: Selects the type of sound played with camera operations, and sets the volume to low or high. You can also disable the beep sound. (Much of this button's operation seems redundant with that of the Beep Volume control.)
    • LCD Brightness: Adjusts monitor brightness using an on-screen scale.
    • Date and Time: Sets the camera's internal calendar and clock.
    
    
    
    • Video Out: Designates the video signal as PAL or NTSC.
    • Index Display: Allows you to set the index display to four, nine, or 16 frames.
    • Slideshow Setup: Designates the type of slide show playback. You can select Normal, or Slide or Fader transition styles, or Zoom playback. - Pretty cool for pass-around photo sharing, haven't seen this on a digicam previously. I do miss the ability to set the interval between frames though.