Olympus Brio D-100Olympus uses tricky optics to build a sleekly compact 1.3 megapixel digicam with excellent image quality!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 5/6/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
The D-100's operation is very simple and straightforward thanks to a limited number of user controls. The majority of features are controlled through the settings menu, except for Digital Zoom, Flash mode, and Macro mode, which can all be accessed on the Arrow pad. The LCD menu itself is fairly uncomplicated, with only three pages of options to scroll through. The camera's point-and-shoot design maintains the automatic exposure control, with only exposure compensation and white balance adjustments available to override the camera's settings. While we normally like to see as many external controls as possible, the D-100's size obviously limits the number of buttons that can be included. The sliding lens cover makes activating the camera very quick and easy, and eliminates the worry of holding onto a lens cap. We think most users won't have any trouble learning to use the D-100, and the multi-lingual manual (though brief) should answer any questions.
Sliding Lens Cover: Sliding horizontally across the front of the camera, this clamshell design plastic lens cover powers on the camera when slid open, automatically placing the camera in Record mode. Likewise, closing the cover turns the camera off. The Playback mode is activated with the cover closed by pressing the Display button.
Shutter Button: Located on top of the camera, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway pressed. When fully pressed, the Shutter button triggers the shutter to open and close, making an exposure.
Menu/OK Button: Positioned on the back panel, in the top left corner, this button calls up the LCD menu display when pressed. (If the LCD monitor is switched off, pressing this button activates the display.) When making menu selections, this button serves as the "OK" button to confirm menu choices.
Display Button: Directly to the right of the Menu/OK button, the Display button controls the LCD monitor, turning it on or off. If pressed and held down when the lens cover is closed, this button powers on the camera and places it in Playback mode. Pressing it again turns the camera off. Pressing the button twice quickly while in Record mode allows you to scroll through captured images (a third press returns the camera to Record mode).
Arrow Pad (Zoom, Flash, and Macro Buttons): This series of four arrow buttons, positioned around a raised circular pad, is located on the left side of the LCD monitor. At the base level, these arrow buttons allow the user to navigate through menu options in either Record or Playback mode, or scroll through captured images in Playback mode. The up and down arrows are labeled "T" and "W" respectively, and control the 2x digital zoom ("T" for telephoto and "W" for wide angle). The left arrow button is marked with a lightning bolt, and controls the built-in flash's operating mode. The right arrow, labeled with the macro flower symbol, enables and disables the macro focus mode.
In Playback mode, the up arrow controls the playback zoom, which enlarges captured images by 2x for closer inspection of fine details or framing. The down arrow activates the four- or nine-image index display.
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