Olympus Camedia D-40 ZoomSuper-compact 4 megapixel model takes great pictures!<<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 10/8/2001 |
Video OutThe D-40 Zoom has a Video Out / USB Multiconnector port that 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 and movies, or running slide shows from the camera. It also shows all of the LCD menu screens, as well as the preview display from the LCD viewfinder. Combined with the supplied infrared remote control device, the D-40 Zoom's video capabilities make the camera a unique presentation device.
Power
Power is provided by one CR-V3 Lithium battery pack or two standard AA batteries (alkaline, lithium, and rechargeable NiMH or NiCd). An optional AC adapter is available as a separate accessory, which can significantly extend battery life if you're doing a lot of downloads on the computer or working in a studio environment.
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(@ 3.0 v) |
(Pair of 1600 AAs) |
| Capture Mode, w/LCD |
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| Capture Mode, no LCD |
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| Half-pressed shutter w/LCD |
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| Half-pressed w/o LCD |
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| Memory Write (transient) |
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| Flash Recharge (transient) |
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| Image Playback |
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Like most cameras operating from just two AA cells, the D-40Zoom has a very high current drain. With moderately high capacity NiMH AA cells (1600 mAh), you'll only get about an hour of operation with the LCD powered on in capture mode. The good (great?) news is that, like most Olympus cameras, the D-40Zoom's power consumption drops to near zero when the LCD is turned off. This means you could literally shoot all day on a set of batteries if you just leave the LCD off. Unfortunately though, the D-40Zoom's optical viewfinder is rather tight, showing only 80% of the final field of view, so you'll be forced to the LCD viewfinder to frame critical shots. A more accurate viewfinder would have been a significant help with power consumption.
About Batteries
Time for our standard battery tirade: 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. This is especially true for a high-drain camera like the D-40Zoom. 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. (Be sure to buy an extra set of batteries to accompany it though, you'll want them with the D-40Zoom.)
Included Software
The D-40 Zoom comes with Olympus' very capable Camedia Mater program on CD-ROM. Camedia Master provides direct camera control and image downloading for both Mac and Windows platforms (Macintosh OS 8.6 and higher, Windows 98/98v2/Me/2000/XP). USB drivers for both platforms and an Apple QuickTime reader are also included.
Camedia Master software 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). For panoramic images, Camedia Master supplies a "stitching" utility to piece together shots vertically or horizontally. A complete printing utility works with the DPOF settings and allows you to print images directly to Olympus or other DPOF-compliant photo printers.
In the Box
Packaged with the D-40 Zoom are the following items:
- 16MB SmartMedia Card
- USB cable
- AV cable
- One LB-01 Lithium battery
- RM-1 Remote Control
- Reference Manual and registration information
- Wrist strap
- Software CD
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