Toshiba PDR-M81Toshiba steps into the 4-megapixel arena with a value-priced, full-featured model.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 08/24/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
The PDR-M81 has a slightly different user interface than what we've become accustomed to in other Toshiba digicams. Overall, the user interface is fairly straightforward, though it took a quick read of the manual to understand how to activate the on-screen menu options. The camera is very dependent on its LCD menu system, especially when in any of the manual exposure modes. We generally like to see more external control on a digicam, and though the PDR-M81 allows you to activate the Self-Timer, change the flash mode, and set the file size and quality externally, you still require the LCD menu to alter exposure mode, Exposure Compensation, and White Balance settings. That said, we were pleased to see a very uncomplicated menu system, with the available options confined to one page. The small status display panel on top of the camera is also quite helpful, as it reports a fairly extensive amount of camera information, allowing you to operate the camera without the LCD monitor (although no exposure settings are reported).
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Positioned on the far right of the top panel, this silver button sets focus and exposure when pressed halfway, and fires the shutter when fully depressed.
Power Button: Just behind the Shutter button, this button turns the camera on or off.
Mode Dial: Located diagonally to the left of the Shutter button, this notched dial controls the camera's main operating mode. Options are Movie Record, Manual Record, Auto Record, Playback, PC, and Setup.
Self-Timer Button: The first button in a row lining the status display panel, this button cycles through the two- and 10-second Self-Timer modes, as well as the normal record mode, when pressed repeatedly.
Image Quality Button: Directly behind the Self-Timer button, this button cycles through three file size and quality combinations (which are established through the Setup menu).
Flash Button: The final button in the series lining the status display panel, this button controls the flash operating mode, cycling through Auto, Red-Eye Forced Flash, Forced Flash, and Supressed Flash.
Zoom Rocker Button: Positioned in the top right corner of the back panel, this rocker button controls the optical and digital zoom in any record mode. In Playback mode, the button controls the Playback Zoom.
Four Way Arrow Pad: Adjacent to the LCD monitor on the right side, this button has four arrows, one in each direction (up, down, left, right). The center of the button acts as the "Enter" key, which confirms menu selections. In any record mode, the Enter button activates the on-screen menu. The arrow keys navigate through settings menus in any camera mode. In Manual record mode, the left and right arrows control the Exposure Compensation (except in Manual exposure mode, where they control shutter speed). In Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, the up and down arrows control the designated exposure variable (in Manual exposure mode, they control the aperture setting).
In Playback mode, the right and left arrows scroll through captured images. When an image has been enlarged, all four arrows pan the view. The Enter button activates the nine-image Index Display mode.
Menu Button: Just below the Four Way Arrow pad, this button calls up the settings menu in any camera mode.
Focus Button: In any record mode, this button cycles through a variety of focus settings when pressed repeatedly. Choices are Autofocus (AF), Macro (flower symbol), One Meter (1m), Three Meters (3m), and Infinity (infinity symbol).
Folder Button: Directly below the Menu button, this button allows you to select a specific folder for image playback. In any record mode, pressing this button creates a new folder.
Erase Button: Located below the Focus button, this button pulls up the Erase menu in Playback mode or any record mode.
Display / Information Button: Situated just below the bottom left corner of the LCD menu, this button controls the LCD display in any record mode. In Playback mode, this button displays an information page about the current image, reporting exposure information and camera settings. Pressed a second time, this button displays a histogram for checking the exposure.
SmartMedia Compartment Release Switch: Protruding slightly from the compartment door on the right side of the camera (when looking from the back), this switch unlocks and releases the compartment door, revealing the SmartMedia slot.
Battery Lock Switch: Recessed in the battery compartment door, this sliding switch unlocks the door so that it can be slid open.
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