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Olympus C-730 Ultra Zoom 3.2 megapixels, a sharp 10x zoom lens, tons of features, and an affordable price! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C-730 Photo Gallery! C-730 Sample Images --------------------------------- 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-730 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: 11/25/2002

Camera Modes and Menus

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 has available space. Shutter speed is set automatically, from 1/8,000 to 1/30 second, depending on light levels and the camera's ISO setting.

My Mode: Quickly configures the camera based on a (large) set of previously saved user-defined settings. 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, and the camera can accommodate four different sets..

A/S/M Mode: Accesses a range of manual and semi-manual exposure modes, including Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes. Aperture and Shutter Priority modes give the user control over one exposure variable and the camera control over the other. Manual mode offers full user control over both aperture and shutter speed. Apertures range from f/2.8 to f/8, depending on the zoom setting. Shutter speeds range from 1/1,000 to 1/30 second in Aperture Priority mode, extend to 1 second in Shutter Priority mode, and to 16 seconds in Manual mode.

Program Mode: Puts the camera in control of both aperture and shutter speed settings, while you control all other exposure variables, such as white balance, exposure compensation, etc.

Playback Mode: This mode lets you view previously captured images using the Arrow Pad to scroll through frames stored in memory. The Zoom Lever switches the image display to Index mode when moved in the wide angle direction, and when moved in the telephoto direction, enlarges a single image. While zoomed in on an image, the Arrow buttons can move the enlarged view around the full image area, allowing you to inspect all parts of it.

Auto Mode: This mode puts the camera in charge of all exposure variables, apart for zoom, flash mode, image size, and drive mode. This is a true "point & shoot" mode, requiring almost no input from the user apart from a press of the Shutter button.

Portrait Mode: Optimizes the camera for capturing portraits. A larger aperture is used, so that the subject will appear sharply focused in front of a slightly soft background.

Sports Mode: The camera's exposure system is biased toward faster shutter speeds to freeze action and moving subjects.

Landscape / Portrait Mode: This mode is best for capturing wide views of scenery or portraits in front of landscapes. The camera uses a smaller aperture setting, which increases the depth of field to capture both the foreground and background in sharp focus.

Landscape / Scene Mode: Like Landscape / Portrait mode, this mode is for capturing wide views of scenery, with both the foreground and background in focus. However, this mode also enhances any blue or green colors in the image, for more vibrant trees, water, and skies.

Night Scene 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, preserving color in neon signs or sunsets.

Self-Portrait Mode: The final mode on the Mode dial, this mode is for handheld self-portraits (where you hold the camera out in front of yourself and take a picture). Focus remains fixed on you.

Still Picture Shooting Menu: (Note that available menu options will change depending on capture mode.)

• Camera
  • Drive: Sets the camera's Drive mode to Single-Frame, Sequential Shooting, High-Speed Sequential Shooting, AF Sequence, or Bracket (autoexposure bracketing). The Bracket option includes +/-0.3, +/-0.7, or +/-1.0 step sizes, and x3 or x5 series lengths.
  • ISO: Adjusts the ISO sensitivity to Auto, 100, 200, or 400.
  • A/S/M: Sets the exposure mode to Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or Manual.
  • My 1/2/3/4: Selects one of four groups of My Mode user settings.
  • Flash +/-: Adjusts the intensity of the internal flash, from -2 to +2 EV in one-third-step increments.
  • Slow: Specifies whether the Slow Sync flash fires with the first or last curtain, or with a Red-Eye Reduction pre-flash.
  • Noise Reduction: Turns the camera's Noise Reduction function on or off. Noise reduction only affects longer exposure times.
  • Multi-Metering: Activates the Multi-Metering function, which lets you take up to eight individual spot exposure readings for the same image. (Note that Multi Metering mode is only accessible when the camera is in Spot Exposure mode.)
  • Digital Zoom: Turns the digital zoom function on or off.
  • Full time AF: Enables the camera's continuous AF mode, which adjusts focus continuously, rather than only when the Shutter button is half-pressed.
  • AF Mode: Sets the camera's AF mode to iESP or Spot.
  • Sound: Records a short sound clip to accompany a still image.
  • Super Macro: Enables the Super Macro mode, permitting focusing as close as 1.6 inches (4.0 centimeters).
  • Panorama: Activates Panorama mode, but only when an Olympus-brand SmartMedia or xD-Picture Card is in use.
  • 2-in-1: Activates 2-in-1 mode, which captures two images and records them side-by-side as one image.
  • Function: Offers four special shooting modes: Black and White, Sepia, Whiteboard, and Blackboard.
  • AF Area: When enabled, lets you adjust the AF area using the Four-Way Arrow pad.
  • Info: Controls the amount of information displayed on the LCD monitor while shooting.
  • Histogram: Turns on an active histogram display, showing any over- or underexposure while composing and setting up shots.
    
    
    
    
• Picture
  • Image Size and Quality: Sets the resolution and quality for still images. Choices are TIFF, SHQ, HQ, SQ1, or SQ2. A range of resolutions are available, with different selections at each quality settings. Image resolutions are 3,200 x 2,400 ("Enlarge" size, interpolated up from the sensor's 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution); 2,048 x 1,536; 2,048 x 1,360 (3:2); 1,600 x 1,200; 1,280 x 960; 1,024 x 768; and 640 x 480 pixels. In Movie mode, size options are HQ (320 x 240 pixels) and SQ (160 x 120 pixels).
  • White Balance: Sets white balance to Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, or Custom.
  • WB +/-: Adjusts the overall color balance in arbitrary units from -5 to +5.
  • Sharpness: Sets image sharpness in arbitrary units from -5 to +5.
  • Contrast: Adjusts the image contrast in arbitrary units from -5 to +5.
  • Saturation: Adjusts the image's color intensity, also in arbitrary units from -5 to +5.
    
    
• Card
  • Card Setup: Formats the SmartMedia card or xD-Picture Card.
    
    
    
• Setup
  • All Reset: Resets all options to their defaults.
  • Language: Sets the menu language to English, French, German, or Spanish.
  • PW On/Off Setup: Designates what picture is displayed at startup and shutdown, and whether or not the camera's startup sounds play.
  • Record View: Turns on the Quick Review function which displays the captured image on the LCD screen immediately after capture.
  • Volume: Controls the camera's beep sounds, with settings of Off, Low, or High. Also specifies one of two specific beep sounds.
  • Shutter: Turns the shutter sounds on or off, with choices for different sounds.
  • Sleep: Designates the amount of time before the camera puts itself to sleep. Choices are 30 seconds, or 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes.
  • My Mode Setup: Customizes settings for My mode, and allows you to reset settings to their defaults.
  • File Name: Resets file numbers with each new memory card or continues in sequential order.
  • Pixel Mapping: Checks the CCD and image processing circuit for errors.
  • LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD monitor.
  • Date/Time: Sets the camera's date and time.
  • m/ft: Sets the manual focus distance scale to meters or feet.
  • Video Output: Sets the camera's video-out signal to NTSC or PAL timing.
  • Battery Save: Turns off the LCD monitor regardless of other settings to save battery power.
  • Short Cut: Edits the Short Cut menu options to include any of the options from the Camera and Picture menus.
  • Custom Button: Assigns a function to the AE Lock button. Choices are AE Lock, ISO, A/S/M, Slow, Noise Reduction, Digital Zoom, Full time AF, AF Mode, Sound, Function, Info, Histogram, Image Size/Quality, and White Balance.

Playback Menu

• Slide Show Play (shortcut screen): Activates an automated slide show of images stored on the memory card.
• Movie Play (shortcut screen): Plays back captured movie files.
• INFO (shortcut screen): Changes the level of information displayed over a captured image. Two information modes are available, one that reports limited camera settings, and a second that reports detailed exposure information. The information display appears over the image for a few seconds after you scroll to an image, then disappears.

• Play
  • Sound: Records a short sound clip to accompany a captured image.
    
    
• Edit
  • Resizing: Resizes the current image to either 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 pixels. The resized version is saved as a separate image, leaving the original undisturbed. Handy for making smaller versions of photos for emailing.
  • Enlarge: Lets you crop and enlarge a portion of the image, and save it as a new image.
    
    
    
    
• Card
  • Card Setup: Formats the SmartMedia card or xD-Picture Card, or erases all images on the card.
    
    
• Setup
  • All Reset: Resets all options to their defaults.
  • Language: Sets the menu language to English, French, German, or Spanish.
  • PW On/Off Setup: Designates what picture is displayed at startup and shutdown, and whether or not the camera's startup sounds play.
  • Screen Setup: Registers a captured image for use as the startup screen.
  • Volume: Controls the camera's playback volume.
  • Beep Sound: Adjusts the camera's beep sound, letting you choose between two specific sounds.
  • Brightness: Adjusts the LCD monitor brightness.
  • Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal date and time setting.
  • Video Output: Specifies the camera's video-out signal as NTSC or PAL.
  • Index Display Adjustment: Sets the number of images to be viewed on screen in Index Display mode: 4, 9, or 16.