Kodak EasyShare P880Kodak re-enters the enthusiast market with a great 8-megapixel offering<<Shutter Lag/ Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes and Menus>> Page 8:User InterfaceReview First Posted: 11/23/2005 |
Operation and User Interface
Kodak's EasyShare digital camera line is typically very user friendly, with straightforward LCD menus that are easy to navigate. The P880 breaks from the traditional menu interface found on so many of the EasyShare models, but is still quite simple to navigate. It took a little investigation to figure out how to switch from one menu to the next, as well as the full function of the Main dial and Multi-controller options, but overall camera operation was still quick to grasp. The full range of preset and manual exposure modes gives users a lot of flexibility in difficult yet common shooting conditions, plus the benefit of full manual control when desired. A Mode dial lets you change camera modes quickly, and plain-English descriptions flashed on the LCD screen make operation straightforward for even rank beginners. I also appreciated the Program button on the top panel, which provides a short-cut to several menu items. Though the P880's user interface is a little more involved than other EasyShare cameras, it shouldn't take users too long to get familiar with the camera's setup, using the manual mainly for quick reference.
Record-Mode Display
The P880's LCD and EVF displays show the center autofocus area along with currently-selected options for image size/quality, macro and flash mode, the number of images of the current size and quality that can be stored in the remaining space on the memory card, the exposure mode, and any other settings such as ISO, AF mode, etc. In the manual exposure modes, the exposure compensation, exposure values, and flash exposure compensation also appear, along the lower portion of the display. Pressing the Information button once in a record mode adds a small histogram, while a third press cancels the information and histogram displays, but leaves the AF area and battery status. A fourth press removes the battery icon, and a fifth returns to the main display mode.
Playback-Mode Display
In Playback mode, you can use the P880's Magnify button to zoom in or out on an image, with a maximum enlargement of 10x; you can also use the command dial on the back. A thumbnail display of the images on the card is also available, through the camera's Playback menu. The Information button offers a more detailed information display, reporting the set exposure variables for the current image, and you can press the button a second time for a small histogram. A third press enables the Highlight Clipping mode, which disables the information overlay and blinks any over- or underexposed areas. The normal Playback display reports the image number, and any shared settings information.
Control Enumeration
Lens Zoom Ring: The first, and widest, rubberized ring around the lens barrel, this ring adjusts the zoom position when turned right (wide) and left (tele).
Focus Ring: Behind the zoom ring on the lens barrel, this ring manually adjusts focus when turned.
Shutter Button: Located on the right of the camera's top panel, and surrounded by the Power dial, this button sets focus and exposure when pressed halfway. A full press fires the shutter.
Power Dial (see above): Surrounding the Shutter button on top of the camera, this dial turns the camera on. It also accesses the Favorites mode, which displays any images saved as Favorites on the camera.
Program Button: Behind the Shutter button, this button can be programmed to access a submenu item. By default, pressing this button in any record mode pulls up the Picture Size option, but you can program it to access a range of other settings. In Playback mode, the default setting is the View option of the Playback menu.
Drive Button: To the left of the Program button, this button controls the camera's Drive setting. Choices are Single, Self-Timer 10 sec., Shutter Delay 2 sec., First Burst, Last Burst, Exposure Bracketing 3, Exposure Bracketing 5, and Time Lapse.
Exposure Mode Dial: Just right of the pop-up flash compartment on the top panel, this notched dial controls the camera's operating modes. Choices are Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Custom, Movie, Scene, Flower, Landscape, and Portrait.
Magnify Button: Located on the far left of the camera's top panel, this button accesses the 1.4x and 2x digital zoom options in any record mode. In Playback mode, pressing this button repeatedly digitally enlarges captured images up to 10x before cycling back to the normal display.
Focus Button: Just behind the Magnify button on the top panel, this button displays the focus menu when pressed. Options are Normal AF, Macro AF, Infinity, and Manual.
EVF/LCD Button: In the top left corner of the rear panel, this button switches the viewfinder and menu display from the EVF to the LCD monitor, and vice versa.
Diopter Adjustment Dial: Tucked on the left side of the viewfinder, this dial adjusts the optical viewfinder display to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
Flash Button: Below the EVF/LCD button, and the first in a series lining the left side of the LCD monitor, this button displays the flash menu, which lets you set the flash mode. Choices depend on the exposure mode selected, but include Auto, Fill, Redeye, Slow Sync, and Off.
Metering Button: Beneath the Flash button, this button pulls up the metering menu. Options include Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Center-spot, and Selectable Zone (25 points).
ISO Button: Next in line below the Metering button, this button sets the ISO to Auto, or to 50, 100, 200, or 400 equivalents. A 1,600 option is available at the 0.8MP resolution setting.
White Balance (WB) Button: The final button in the series on the left of the LCD monitor, this button displays the White balance settings menu, which offers Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Open Shade, Sunset, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Click WB (manual option), and three preset Custom WB settings.
Information Button: Right of the EVF eyepiece, this button controls the EVF and LCD information displays, cycling through full information, full information with histogram, limited information, and no information displays. In Playback mode, the button cycles through a similar selection of display modes.
Main Dial: Crowning the top right side of the rear panel, this notched dial controls a variety of camera settings. It can navigate through menu options with a simple turn, and can be used to set exposure options in the manual exposure modes, when used with the Set button below it.
Set Button: Directly below the Main dial, this button works with the Main dial to adjust camera settings and make selections in menu screens as well as in the manual exposure modes.
AE/AF Lock Button: Beneath the Main dial and Set button combo, this button locks the exposure and focus when pressed. Through the Setup menu, you can set the button to lock either exposure or focus, or both. If the flash is enabled, this button can also lock the flash exposure.
Review Button: Next to the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button enters the camera's Playback mode when pressed. A second press returns to record mode.
Multi-controller: Standing out on the rear panel with its shiny silver highlights, this joystick-like multi-controller navigates through menu screens and options, as well as through captured images in Playback mode. Pressing down on the center of the controller makes selections.
Delete Button: Located next to the lower right corner of the LCD monitor, this button erases selected images or folders.
Menu Button: To the right of the Delete button, this button displays the LCD menu system.
Share Button: Right of the Menu button, this button pulls up the camera's Share menu:
- Print: Designates the number of copies of the current image to be printed. Also allows you to tag all images for printing.
- E-Mail: E-mails a low-resolution copy of the displayed image or all images on the card to a recipient, based on a saved address book.
- Favorite: Marks the current image, or all images, as a "favorite."
- Cancel Prints: Cancels a print order.
Battery Compartment Release Lever: Centered in the battery compartment door, this sliding lever unlocks and locks the compartment door.
Follow Imaging Resource: