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Toshiba PDR-M700 Toshiba introduces 10x optical zoom and an updated user interface. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet M700 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 M700 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 08/26/2003

Viewfinder
The PDR-M700 offers both an electronic optical viewfinder (EVF) and a generous, 2.5-inch color LCD monitor for composing images. The EVF shows the same view as the LCD monitor, when enabled via the Display button. All of the same menu and information display overlays are visible in the smaller viewfinder as well. A diopter adjustment dial adjusts the view for eyeglass wearers, and the viewfinder itself has a fairly high eyepoint. On the outside edge of the viewfinder, a small, red and green LED clues you in to the camera's status (i.e., if the focus is set, flash is ready, etc.). I've said many times in the past that I'm no fan of EVFs, and the M700 gives me little reason to change my mind about them. The biggest problem with them is that they're generally useless in dimly-lit conditions, as there just isn't enough light available to provide a bright (or even visible) display at the sort of refresh rate the LCD demands. While some recent digicams have managed to deliver viewable images under surprisingly dark conditions, the M700 unfortunately isn't one of them. - It can capture images at light levels a lot darker than those at which you can see what you're aiming at.

The 2.5-inch color LCD monitor is a welcome feature, as the larger screen is helpful when framing tight shots. The overlaid information display reports a variety of camera settings, including exposure compensation, aperture, and shutter speed. A small histogram is displayed on the right side of the display, graphing the tonal distribution of the image and giving you a chance to adjust exposure before snapping the picture. The information display is omnipresent, however, meaning you cannot disable it via the Display button without turning off the LCD. (I find this a little awkward, as the info overlay can obscure critical subject details at times.) The updated LCD menu system includes an on-screen tab menu that appears at the bottom of the LCD whenever the camera is powered on. The menu disappears after a few seconds, but can be recalled by pressing the OK button. This shortcut style menu provides quick access to common exposure options such as Exposure Mode, White Balance, Photometry (metering modes), etc., without requiring a full screen LCD menu. Toshiba also made the PDR-M700's user interface a bit more playful than on previous models, with animated menu and startup screens. When you press the Shutter button in Auto mode to capture an image, a digital representation of a lens diaphragm closing and then opening visually indicates that you've captured the image (it looks a lot like the opening animation to a James Bond movie).

In Playback mode, the LCD by default reports basic information such as image number, quality and resolution, folder number, and the date and time when the image was captured. Pressing the Info button once dismisses the information screen entirely. A second press brings up a more detailed display of exposure information, and a third press displays a large histogram of the image. The PDR-M700 also features a nine-image index display mode, and a playback zoom function for enlarging captured images to check framing and focus.