Olympus Camedia D-510 ZoomOlympus updates its popular 2.1 megapixel D-490 model with a new user interface and improved features.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 6/18/2001 |
Operation & User Interface
We found the user interface on the D-510 fairly simple to understand and easy to navigate, with most of the controls located on the back panel of the camera or within a very straightforward LCD menu system. The camera is quickly activated by sliding open the lens cover, which puts it into Record mode, and just as quickly deactivated by closing it. The Playback mode is accessed by closing the lens cover and depressing the Display button after the camera has shut off, or by pressing it twice in rapid succession when the camera is in Record mode. The LCD menus are navigated with the four-way Arrow Pad next to the monitor. You scroll to the appropriate sub-menu with the up and down arrow buttons, access that sub-menu with the right arrow button, and scroll through the menu options with the up and down buttons. Press the "OK" button to set a selection. Three of the arrow buttons also serve as separate function buttons for Focus / Lock (up arrow), Flash (right arrow), Drive / Delete (down arrow). Additional external controls include: the Menu / OK and Monitor On / Off buttons under the Arrow Pad, Shutter button, and the Zoom lever, located next to the Shutter button.
Shutter Button
Located on the top right side of the camera, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway depressed and completes the exposure when fully depressed. In Self-Timer mode, it activates the Self-Timer countdown.
Zoom Lever
Located directly to the right of the Shutter button, this lever rocks back and forth to control the Optical Zoom from wide angle to telephoto when in the Record mode. When the Digital Zoom is on, zooming past the maximum telephoto range activates the Digital Zoom.
In Playback mode, pressing the Zoom lever toward "W," or wide angle, activates the index display, showing previously captured images in groups of 4, 9, or 16 thumbnails. Pressing the lever toward the "T," or telephoto, enables the Playback zoom feature. (Captured images can be enlarged up to 3x on the LCD screen.)
Diopter Adjustment Dial
Located to the left of the viewfinder, this sprocketed dial can be adjusted to visually correct the viewfinder image for eyeglass wearers.
Focus / Lock Button (Up Arrow)
In Record mode, this button cycles between Normal, Macro, and Infinity Focus options. In Normal mode, focus is from 31 inches (80cm) to infinity; in Macro mode, from 8 to 31 inches (20 to 80cm); in Quick Focus mode, the focal range is 4.3 feet to infinity at wide angle and 22 feet to infinity at telephoto.
In Playback mode, this button can be used to "Write Protect" or Lock individual images from accidental erasure. The Lock feature can be engaged on a single image display, or on an index display with the image highlighted, by holding down the up arrow for at least one second. Once protected, the image will display a small key in the upper right corner and cannot be erased unless the card is reformatted with the Card Format function (or the Lock is disengaged).
When the Shooting or Playback menus are engaged, this button allows you to scroll through settings within menus.
Flash Button (Right Arrow)
In Record mode, the Flash button allows you to select from the following flash settings:
- Auto Flash: The camera automatically fires the flash in low-light and backlit conditions.
- Red-Eye Reduction: Reduces the Red-Eye effect by emitting a pre-flash before the full flash.
- Fill-In Flash: Sets the flash to always fire, regardless of light conditions.
- Night Scene (Slow Sync): Fires with slow shutter speeds for night scenes and backlit subjects.
- Night Scene with Red-Eye Reduction: Same as Night Scene, but with added pre-flash for Red-Eye Reduction.
In Playback mode, this button scrolls through captured images in single display and index display format. When the Record or Playback menus are engaged, this arrow button allows you to scroll through settings within menus.
Drive / Delete Button (Down Arrow)
In Record mode, the Drive button cycles between Single Frame, Sequence, Self-Timer, and Movie capture modes. Sequence mode captures a short series of continuous images at 1.5 frames per second. Self-Timer mode counts down 12 seconds before firing the shutter. A red LED glows steadily on the front of the camera to indicate that it's counting down the time, then blinks for the last few seconds before the shutter is tripped. Movie mode records QuickTime movies in one of two quality levels: High-Quality (HQ) resolution is 320 x 240-pixels and lasts approximately 15 seconds; Standard Quality (SQ) resolution is 160 x 120-pixels and lasts about 60 seconds.
In Playback mode, this button serves as the Delete function to erase single image files.
When the Shooting or Playback menus are engaged, this button allows you to scroll through settings within menus.
Left Arrow Button
In both Shooting and Playback modes, this button navigates through menu options. In Playback mode, this button scrolls through captured images in single display and index display format. All four arrow buttons allow you to scroll around within an enlarged image when using the Playback Zoom.
Menu Button
In Record mode, this button accesses the Shooting Menu and confirms menu selections and changes.
In Playback mode, the Menu button accesses the Playback Menu and confirms menu selections and changes.
Monitor Display Button
Located below the Menu / OK button, the Monitor Display button turns the LCD monitor on and off while in Record mode. If you quickly press the button twice when the monitor is turned off, it goes directly into Quick Display mode, which displays the last stored image on the memory card. From there, you can scroll through previous captures with the Left and Right arrow buttons.
When the LCD button is depressed in Playback mode, the camera displays the last picture taken. From there, you can access the Playback menu and scroll through captured images via the arrow buttons.
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