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Sony MVC-CD350 Sony updates its CD-based digicam line with a new 3 megapixel model. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CD-350 Photo Gallery! CD-350 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 CD-350 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 06/18/2003

Operation and User Interface
As I mentioned in the Design section of this review, the CD350 offers the same new and improved user interface that we've seen on other 2003-model Sony digicams. Additional external camera controls reduce the reliance on the LCD menu system and help simplify overall camera operation. The ready access to exposure controls and other camera functions, and the uncomplicated LCD menu system, mean that you spend less time scrolling through LCD menu screens and options. The Mode dial and the method by which some functions were assigned to the four-way Arrow key pad (very clearly marked I might add), also speed operation.


Control Enumeration


Shutter Button: Located on the right side of the top panel, this button sets focus and exposure when pressed halfway. Fully depressing the button fires the shutter. When the Quick Review (the shot just taken) is displayed on the screen, a half press of the shutter button returns the LCD to the normal image display. When the Self-timer is enabled, fully depressing the shutter button kicks off the 10-second countdown.

Mode Dial: This dial controls the camera's operating modes. Options include Scene (SCN), Program (black camera symbol with "P"), Auto (green camera symbol), Playback, Movie (film frame), and Setup modes.


Power Button: Just to the left of the Mode Dial, this button turns the camera on or off.


Zoom Lever: In the top right corner of the back of the camera, the Zoom lever control the optical and digital zoom (when enabled) in any capture mode. In Playback mode, the wide angle side activates the Index Display mode, while the telephoto side controls the Playback Zoom up to 5x (the wide angle button also zooms back out). Once in Index Display mode, pressing the wide-angle side again displays the image information for the highlighted thumbnail, including exposure information.


Four-Way Arrow Rocker Pad (also: Flash, Quick Review, Macro, and Self-Timer Buttons): Situated in the bottom left corner of the back of the camera, this button serves a variety of functions. On its surface, the pad features four arrows, one pointing in each direction. When any settings menu is engaged, these arrows navigate through the menu options. Once an option is selected, you confirm the selection by pressing on the center of the button. (You will hear a dual tone when you press the center, as opposed to the single tone you hear when you press an arrow.) In Playback mode, the right and left arrows scroll through captured images, while the up and down arrows control the playback volume. If a movie file is displayed, pressing the center of the button triggers the movie playback. When Playback zoom is enabled, pressing the center of the button returns the LCD to the normal 1x image display.

In addition to menu scroll functions, the Arrow Pad also controls certain exposure and camera settings. The Up Arrow button is marked with a flash symbol, and cycles between the Auto, Forced, Slow Synchro, and Suppressed Flash modes (in all capture modes except Movie). The Right Arrow button, marked with the macro flower symbol, enables and disables the camera's Macro mode. The Down Arrow controls the Self-timer mode, cycling between Normal and Self-timer capture modes. Finally, the Left Arrow activates and deactivates the Quick Review function, which displays the most recently captured image on the LCD screen.


Menu Button: Located to the right of the Arrow Rocker Pad and below the LCD, this button activates and deactivates the settings menus in any camera mode except Setup (which automatically displays the menu upon entering the mode).


Display Button: Just beneath the LCD monitor, the Display button controls the LCD display in all camera modes except Setup. Pressing the Display button sequentially cycles through two modes: image with information display or image display only.


Image Size / Trash Button: This is a new addition to Sony's 2003-model cameras, moving the image size selection off the LCD menu system and onto the camera's back panel for faster access. Directly to the right of the Exposure Compensation button, the Exposure Image Size / Trash button permits selection of available image resolutions in Record mode or deletes images in Playback mode.


Open CD-R Compartment Button: Resting on the side of the CD-R compartment, this sliding button opens the CD-R compartment door.