Sony CyberShot DSC-P50Sony develops an affordable, full-featured 2.1-megapixel compact digicam with great picture quality!<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 4/4/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
The P50's user interface is very straightforward, with an uncomplicated menu system and very few control buttons to decipher. Given the P50's carefree, point-and-shoot nature, the camera operates mainly under automatic control, with a handful of exposure options to twiddle with. The LCD menu system is short and sweet, in the form of subject tabs at the bottom of the LCD screen. The menu options display as you scroll over the tabs, making it quick to jump in and change a couple of settings. We liked that you can still see a large part of the view with the menu displayed, so you can see the effects of your menu selections when you change them. The multi-functionality of the Arrow rocker pad is a nice bonus too, giving you a fair amount of external control without too many buttons.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Located on the very right side of the camera's top panel, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway depressed. When fully depressed, the Shutter button signals the camera's shutter to open and close. In Self-timer mode, a full press of the Shutter button initiates the 10-second countdown.
Mode Dial: Also on top of the camera, diagonally to the left of the Shutter button, the Mode dial controls the camera's operating mode. The following options are available:
Twilight: Optimizes the camera for shooting in low-light situations, increasing the shutter speed range to include longer exposure times of up to two seconds.
Record (Automatic Exposure): Places the camera in normal Record mode, where the camera controls the aperture and shutter speed, and the user controls all other variables.
Playback: Allows the user to review captured images, delete them, write-protect them, set them up for printing on DPOF compatible devices, as well as rotate and resize images.
Movie: Sets the camera to record moving images (without sound).
Setup: Displays the camera's Setup menu, allowing you to make changes to camera settings.
Power Button: Directly to the left of the Mode dial is the Power switch, which controls the camera's power. A green LED next to the button indicates when the camera is on.
Display Button: Situated to the right of the optical viewfinder eyepiece, this button controls the LCD display, cycling between an image and information display, the image display only, and no display at all.
Zoom Toggle: Positioned in the top right corner of the back panel, this toggle button controls the optical and digital zoom (when enabled). In Playback mode, the telephoto side digitally enlarges the displayed image up to 5x, while the wide angle side returns the view to the normal 1x display. When playback zoom is not enabled, pressing the wide angle side of the button activates the index display mode. Pressing it twice activates a single-image index display, which shows exposure information for the selected image (aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation value).
Menu Button: Located near the top left corner of the LCD monitor, this button pulls up the LCD menu system in all camera modes (except for Setup, which automatically displays the Setup menu upon entering the mode). Pressing the button a second time eliminates the menu screen. If the LCD monitor has been disabled, pressing the Menu button also controls the LCD display (turning it off when you exit the menu).
Arrow Rocker Pad (Flash, Quick Review, Self-timer, and Macro Buttons): Just below the Menu button, this button performs a variety of functions. Marked with four arrows, one pointing in each direction, this button allows you to navigate through menu settings and captured images. Pressing the center of the button confirms menu selections, acting as the "OK" button. In Record mode, this button has a variety of functions assigned to the directional arrows. The up Arrow button controls the flash mode, cycling between Auto, Forced, and Suppressed modes. The left button controls the Quick Review, which displays the previously captured image on the LCD monitor while in Record mode. The down Arrow activates and deactivates the Self-timer mode, which offers a 10-second countdown before the shutter fires. Finally, the right Arrow places the camera into Macro mode, changing the focus range for close-up subjects (the button also cancels the mode).
Open Battery Button: Located in the center of the battery compartment door, this sliding button unlocks the door, allowing it to be slid outward and then opened.
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