Kyocera FineCam S3 ZoomKyocera packs 3 megapixels into the smallest zoom-equipped digicam yet. Too cool!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 7/1/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
Given its tiny size, Kyocera has done a nice job of fitting most of the basic external controls around the Finecam S3's stainless steel body. The top and back panels accommodate individual buttons for Macro / Landscape, Flash, Power, Zoom, Menu, and Display buttons, plus a Mode lever that sets the camera’s operating mode to Setup, Playback, or Record. The four-way Arrow Pad is very sensitive, with four individual Arrow buttons and an OK / Select button in the middle. Most exposure settings (such as White Balance, Exposure Compensation, and Exposure mode) are activated through the Record menu, which includes three pages of settings. The first page allows you to quickly activate the Self-Timer, Image Quality, Exposure Compensation, and Movie functions along the bottom of the LCD screen, while the next two pages appear in a more conventional menu layout. The Playback menu selections are spread across the bottom of the LCD screen in two pages, each icon pulling up its own set of options. The Setup menu includes two pages of standard camera operations such as Date / Time, Format card, and Power Save timings.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Located on the right side of the top panel, this large silver button sets exposure and focus when halfway depressed, and completes the exposure when fully depressed.
Power Button: Directly to the left of the Shutter button, this button turns the camera on or off.
Macro / Landscape Mode Button: Positioned at the top of the camera's back panel, just to the right of the viewfinder eyepiece, this button cycles between Normal focus mode, and the Macro and Landscape settings.
Flash Button: On the right side of the Macro / Landscape button, the Flash button cycles through the available Flash modes: Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Fill-In Flash, and Flash Off.
Mode Level: Located at the top center of the back panel, this dial selects the camera's operating mode. Choices are Setup, Record, and Playback.
Zoom Buttons: These two buttons are side by side in the top right corner of the back panel. Both control the camera's optical zoom, with the left button zooming to wide-angle and the right button zooming to the telephoto setting.
Four Way Arrow Pad: Directly to the right of the LCD monitor, these four buttons each have an arrow pointing in opposite directions (Up, Down, Right, Left). In any settings menu, all four buttons navigate through menu options when the Menu system is engaged. In Record and Playback modes, the Up and Down Arrow buttons switch between different information displays. In Playback mode, the Right and Left Arrows scroll through captured images.
OK / Select Button: Located in the very center of the Arrow pad, this button brings up the LCD Brightness adjustment in either Record or Playback modes. When any settings menu is engaged, pressing this button confirms menu selections.
Card Release Switch: This sliding switch is located on the right side of the back panel, and releases the door on the memory card compartment. Once opened, pushing down on the memory card pops it from its slot.
Menu Button: Positioned directly below the lower right corner of the LCD monitor, this button activates and deactivates the settings menus in Record and Playback modes.
Display Button: Positioned below the lower left corner of the LCD monitor, this button turns the LCD display on or off in Record mode.
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