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Olympus Camedia D-510 Zoom Olympus updates its popular 2.1 megapixel D-490 model with a new user interface and improved features. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Camedia D-510 Zoom 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 Camedia D-510 Zoom Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 6/18/2001

Viewfinder
The D-510 features both an optical viewfinder and an LCD color monitor for image composition. The optical viewfinder is on the top left of the back panel and features a diopter adjustment dial to fine-tune viewfinder focus. It has a relatively high eyepoint, so eyeglass wearers should be able to see the full frame without any problem. Centrally located crosshairs inside the viewfinder help lineup shots and set focus. Green and orange LEDs on the side of the viewfinder indicate flash and camera ready status when you depress the shutter button halfway. If both LED lights glow steadily, the camera is focused and the flash is ready to fire. A flashing orange light means that flash is needed to compensate for low light, and a flashing green light means the subject is out of focus. If the green light doesn't stop blinking while you hold the shutter button halfway, try pressing it halfway again or switch to Macro focus for closeup subjects. After you make an exposure, the orange light will flash briefly while the camera processes the image.

The 1.8-inch color LCD monitor is normally inactive when the camera switches on, but it is quickly enabled by pressing the Monitor power button beside it. In Record mode, the monitor has a fairly complete information display, depending on the shooting options that have been selected. Continuous display includes the image file number, and when engaged: Flash, Self-Timer, Digital Zoom, Focus, Spot Metering, Drive, and Exposure Compensation settings, plus White Balance. The remaining battery power is displayed briefly when the monitor is turned on. We found the LCD monitor very bright and easy to see in most situations. It was a little hard to read in very bright sunlight, but that is a common affliction among LCDs.

In our tests, the C-510's optical viewfinder was a little tight, showing approximately 90 percent of the image area at wide angle, and about 88 percent at telephoto. We also noticed that framing with the optical viewfinder resulted in a shifted image. Our framing test resulted in the test target being shifted toward the bottom of the image, with a slight slant toward the lower left corner. The LCD viewfinder was much more accurate, showing approximately 95 percent of the final image area at wide angle, and about 96 percent at telephoto. Since we generally like to see LCD monitors as close to 100 percent accuracy as possible, the C-510's LCD monitor does pretty well.