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Kodak DC3800 Select a topic Reference: Datasheet DC3800 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 DC3800 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 10/1/2000

Operation and User Interface
The Kodak DC3800 Digital Camera features a very straightforward and uncomplicated user interface. The LCD menus are very basic, with only the Flash, Digital Zoom, and LCD on/off options available in the two capture modes.

In Playback mode, you can scroll through your images using the Arrow buttons to the right of the monitor. Pressing the round OK button between the two arrows brings up the following menu items: Print Order, Delete, and Exit. Scroll to Print Order and press OK to bring up the printing options—Single Image or Index Print. These allow you to print images directly from the camera to the Kodak Personal Picture Maker, or other direct print enabled printers.

The largest LCD menu selection is in the camera's Setup mode, and even that offers only a handful of selections to scroll through: Quality, Burst, Quickview, Date/Time Stamp, Beep, Date/Time set, Language, About, and Format (see Setup descriptions below).

The control layout on the camera's back panel is logical and simple to figure out, and the small size lends itself to one-handed operation. Combine this with the DC3800's compact size and clean design, and you have a very handy digicam that's perfect for shooting on the go.


Control Enumeration


Shutter Button: Located on the far right of the camera's top panel, this silver, oblong button sets focus and exposure while halfway depressed in either capture mode. When fully pressed, the button triggers the shutter. In Self-Timer mode, fully depressing the shutter button triggers the 10-second countdown, and automatically fires the shutter when the 10 seconds are up.


Power Switch: Sitting diagonally from the shutter button, this sliding switch turns the camera on and off.


Mode Dial: Positioned in the top center of the back panel, this dial sets the camera's operating mode. Three raised grooves provide a finger grip, and the dial audibly clicks into place at each setting. The following modes are available on the dial:

• Setup: Displays a Setup menu for changing various camera settings.
• Playback: Allows you to scroll through captured images, delete them, or set them up for printing in Digital Print Order Feature (DPOF) or Index Print feature.
• Capture: Places the camera in normal capture mode, where the user can control flash and digital telephoto.
• Macro: Fixes the camera's focus for capturing close-up subjects. The user maintains control over flash and digital telephoto.

Self-Timer Button: Situated over the top left corner of the LCD display, this button places the camera in Self-Timer mode, which activates a 10 second countdown after the shutter button has been fully depressed. The mode can be canceled by depressing the Self-Timer button a second time.


Flash Button: Directly to the right of the Self-Timer button, this button controls the flash mode. With each press, the button cycles through the following modes:

• Automatic: The camera fires the flash based on existing light levels.
• Redeye: A pre-flash is fired before the full flash to reduce the occurrence of redeye effect.
• Fill: The flash fires with every exposure, regardless of the lighting conditions.
• Off: The flash is completely disabled, so that it does not fire at all.

Up Arrow Button: Just adjacent to the top right side of the LCD monitor, this oblong button serves as the up arrow indicator, even though it is not marked as such. When in capture mode, this button activates and deactivates the 2X digital telephoto. When in the Setup menu, it acts as the up arrow to scroll through menu selections. In Playback mode, it scrolls through captured images or Print Order options


OK Button: This round button is located just beneath the up arrow button, and activates the LCD display when the camera is in capture mode. It also serves as the "OK" button for confirming menu selections in the Setup menu. In Playback mode, this button pulls up the Playback menu and confirms menu selections.


Down Arrow Button: This bottom button, located adjacent to LCD monitor and below the OK button, serves as the down arrow indicator. When the LCD monitor is activated, and the camera is set in either capture mode, this button turns the information display on and off inside the monitor. In Setup mode, it scrolls down through the menu selections. In Playback mode, it scrolls through captured images, as well as menu options when the Playback menu is displayed.