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Olympus Brio D-100 Olympus uses tricky optics to build a sleekly compact 1.3 megapixel digicam with excellent image quality! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Brio D-100 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 Brio D-100 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 5/6/2001

Video Out
The D-100 has a Video Out port which supports the NTSC timing format. (We assume that PAL systems are available for European customers.) The video output can be used for reviewing previously captured images, or running slide shows from the camera.


Power
The D-100 is powered by a single CR-V3 lithium battery pack, two AA batteries (alkaline, lithium, NiMH, or NiCd), or by an optional AC adapter that can significantly extend battery life if you're doing a lot of downloads on the computer, or working in a studio environment. An auto shutoff feature turns the camera off after a period of inactivity (the camera is reactivated with a press of the Shutter button).

Whenever the LCD monitor is activated, a small green battery icon in the top center of the monitor display flashes briefly to report the battery status. The battery icon turns red and is cut in half when the battery is partially drained, and when it is very low, both the orange and green LED lamps on the side of the optical viewfinder eyepiece flash in unison. The ability to turn off the LCD monitor should save on battery power, but we highly recommend carrying extra batteries as a backup. The table below shows the power consumption figures we obtained for the D-100 in our testing.

Operating Mode	Power Drain
Capture Mode, w/LCD	1220 mA
Capture Mode, no LCD	230 mA
Half-pressed shutter w/LCD	1230 mA
Half-pressed w/o LCD	590 mA
Memory Write (transient)	n/a
Flash Recharge (transient)	1660 mA
Image Playback	770 mA

Because it uses only two batteries, the D-100 has to draw a lot of current to get the power it needs to run on. Current levels with the LCD screen on in capture mode are some of the highest we've seen among the digicams we've tested: You might get 45-60 minutes of operation with the highest-power NiMH rechargeable cells you could find, but certainly not more than that. We therefore strongly recommend that you use only high-power NiMH cells, use a good charger, such as a Maha C-204, and carry at least one extra set of batteries with you at all times. (The CR-V3 lithium cells the camera also takes cost a pile of money, but make a great backup power source, since their shelf life is measured in years.) You'll definitely want to watch your LCD usage carefully when in the field!

About Batteries
We've gotten so many emails about power issues for digicams, that we're now inserting this standard notice in the reviews of all AA-powered cameras on our site: Don't even *think* about using alkaline AA batteries in a digicam! Despite their being packed in the box with many cameras, they simply don't have the juice to handle typical digicam demands. (Even the "high power" ones the battery manufacturers say are designed for devices like digital cameras.) Spend the $35-40 or so it takes to get a set (or two) of high-capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries and a good charger! The few dollars up front will save you literally hundreds of dollars in the long run, not to mention the hassle of wimpy batteries running out in the middle of the action. We suggest you buy two sets of batteries, so one can always be in the charger, ready to go, and so have two sets available for longer excursions. Good brands of batteries include Maha (our favorite), GP, Kodak, and Nexcell. Also, buy the highest capacity AAs the manufacturer makes, the few extra dollars for the extra capacity is usually well worth it. Getting a good charger is critical though, almost more so than buying good batteries. We recommend the Maha C-204F (see the photo at right), the charger we use the most in our own studio. - Read our review of it for all the details. Or, just click here to buy one, you won't regret it.


Included Software
A USB cable and software CD accompany the D-100, allowing you to quickly connect to a computer and download images. The CD contains Olympus' own software, Camedia Master 2.5, compatible with Windows 95/98/98SE/Me/2000/NT4.0 and Mac OS 8.6-9.0.4. USB drivers for both platforms are also included. Camedia Master allows you to download and organize images, as well as perform minor image correction and enhancement functions (such as adjusting contrast, sharpness, and color balance). A complete printing utility works with the DPOF settings, allowing you to print images directly to Olympus or other DPOF-compliant photo printers.


In the Box
Packaged with the D-100 are the following items:

• 8MB SmartMedia card
• USB cable
• Video Out cable
• CR-V3 lithium battery pack
• Wrist strap
• CD-ROM loaded with Camedia Master 2.5
• User guide, registration kit