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Toshiba PDR-M81 Toshiba steps into the 4-megapixel arena with a value-priced, full-featured model. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PDR-M81 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 PDR-M81 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 08/24/2001

Optics
A Canon 2.8x, 7.25-20.3mm lens is built into the PDR-M81, the equivalent of a 35-98mm lens on a 35mm camera. Aperture can be manually or automatically adjusted from f/2.9 to f/8. The PDR-M81 employs a contrast-detection autofocus mechanism, with a focal range from 31 inches (80cm) to infinity in normal mode, and from four inches to 2.62 feet (10 to 80cm) in Macro mode. A Focus button on the back panel accesses the Macro mode, as well as three fixed-focus settings (one meter, three meters, and infinity). Though the PDR-M81 does not feature a focus lock button, you can manually lock the focus by pointing the center of the frame at a specific part of the subject and halfway pressing the Shutter button, then reframing the subject while keeping the Shutter button halfway pressed. This locks focus and exposure until the Shutter button is either fully depressed or released.

In addition to the PDR-M81's 2.8x optical zoom, the camera also features 2.2x digital zoom, which is enabled through the Record menu. Once activated, digital zoom is controlled with the Zoom rocker button on the back panel. Digital zoom is accessed by zooming past the normal telephoto range, which is indicated on the LCD monitor by a progress bar (the digital zoom portion shows up in red). We always remind our readers that digital zoom is merely enlarging the center portion of the CCD, which decreases the overall image quality with excess noise and / or lower resolution.

Optical distortion on the M81 is a bit better than average at the wide-angle end, where we measured an approximate 0.59 percent barrel distortion. The telephoto end fared much better, as we found only two pixels of barrel distortion (about 0.08 percent). Chromatic aberration is moderate, showing about three pixels of coloration along either side of the target lines. (This distortion is visible as a very slight colored fringe around the objects at the edges of the field of view on the resolution target.) We'd thus say that the PDR-M81's lens is overall of fairly high quality, although we did observe significant softness in the corners of the frame.