Olympus D-490 ZoomOlympus updates a popular 1.3 megapixel model to 2 megapixels, with improved features.<<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, SoftwareReview First Posted: 10/28/2000 |
Video Out
The D-490 Zoom comes with a
video output connector for viewing images on a television set in the NTSC
format. (European versions of the camera presumably use the PAL timing
standard.) Once the camera is connected to the TV, keep the lens cover closed
and turn on the camera via the LCD Monitor button. All Playback mode menus and
options are available. The LCD monitor will automatically turn off once the
camera is connected to the TV. Olympus warns that a black border may appear
around the image with certain televisions and that this border will print if you
print an image directly from the television setup.
Power
The D-490 Zoom runs on four rechargeable AA batteries
(either nickel metal hydride, lithium, alkaline, or NiCd), or a pair of the new
high-capacity CR-V3 non-rechargeable lithium cells. The CR-V3 cells are very
high capacity, but rather expensive: Since they don't lose their charge when not
being used, they make a great backup to bring along in case your rechargeables
run out of juice, but really aren't a practical option for routine operation:
Get yourself a couple of sets of high-capacity NiMH AA cells and a good charger,
and stow the included CR-V3 cells in your camera bag.
There's an auto-off
timer that shuts the camera down after a minute or so, if left unattended. In
Record mode, it will wake up again in just a few seconds when you press the
shutter button. Overall power consumption was pretty typical for digicams we've
tested, but (like other Olympus models), is exceptionally low in capture mode
with the LCD turned off. This means that you could comfortably leave the camera
in the "on" position all day without having to worry about draining your
batteries. The table below details power consumption in various operating
modes:
|
|
|
| Capture Mode, w/LCD |
|
| Capture Mode, no LCD |
|
| Half-pressed shutter w/LCD |
|
| Half-pressed, w/o LCD |
|
| Memory Write (transient, LCD/not) |
|
| Flash Recharge (transient) |
|
| Image Playback |
|
The D-490's power consumption is actually slightly lower than that of the
previous 1.3 megapixel D-460. Overall, it shows better than average power
efficiency and, like most Olympus digicams, uses very little power when
the LCD is turned off: With the LCD off, you can easily leave it on all day
without worrying about battery power, a handy feature.
Included Software
A software CD comes
packaged with the D-490, containing Olympus Camedia Master 2.0 and QuickTime 4.0
for Windows 95/98/2000/NT 4.0 and Macintosh OS 7.6.1 and later. Olympus notes
that the iMac is not compatible with this image transfer system because of the
lack of a USB connection on the camera. iMac users will need to purchase a
USB-based card reader to import their photos.
Camedia Master 2.0 allows
you to transfer images from the camera to the computer once connected. You can
also retouch and enhance images, take advantage of greeting card and calendar
templates, produce slide shows, visual presentations, and screen savers. The
software incorporates Olympus' Panorama Stitch program, which joins together the
images taken in Panorama mode, turning them into one complete
image.
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