HP PhotoSmart 912HP and Pentax team up to make a true SLR digicam with Pentax lens, HP color wizardry, and ample features.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 3/26/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
At the outset, the PhotoSmart 912's user interface may appear complicated, given the two mode dials and multiple external control buttons. However, we found the camera operations to be very straightforward, and the external controls are a nice bonus, as they are all well marked, and when combined with the LED status display panel, they provide access to most critical functions without having to go through the LCD menu system. Within the menu system itself, the Digita operating system used by the PhotoSmart 912 provides a very simple user interface, with functions made very clear by plain-English names and menu entries. As such, it is very approachable by novice photographers. More experienced users may be frustrated by the need to page through multiple menu screens to access fairly commonly-used functions, such as ISO adjustment, metering modes, etc.
The menu system follows the same format established in earlier PhotoSmart digicams. Menus are navigated using the four-way Arrow Rocker Pad, with multiple layers that can be somewhat time-consuming to navigate. However, we appreciated the rotating LCD panel, which lifts up off the camera back, and extends outward 90 degrees.
The User's Manual is included in PDF format on one of the camera's two software CDs. While the full manual is much too lengthy to print out, a handy Quick Start Guide also accompanies the camera. It's not nearly as detailed as the manual, but the Quick Start Guide does include a full listing of each camera control and its functions.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Located on top of the camera, on the right side, this large unmarked button sets focus and exposure when depressed halfway. When fully depressed, the button activates the shutter to record the exposure. When the Self-Timer mode is enabled, pressing the shutter button activates the 10-second countdown.
Command Wheel: Just below the Shutter button, on the front side of the camera, this horizontal notched dial adjusts the designated exposure variable in Aperture and Shutter Priority modes. In Manual mode, turning the wheel by itself sets the shutter speed, while holding down the AV button as you turn the dial sets the lens aperture. In Program, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority modes, turning the dial while holding down the Exposure Compensation (AV) button adjusts the exposure compensation. The Command Wheel can also be used to scroll through the Capture, Playback, and Review menus, and to scroll through captured images in the Playback and Review modes.
Zoom Ring: This large, rubberized ring encircles the lens barrel, controlling the optical and digital zoom. Turning to the left zooms to wide angle, and turning to the right zooms to telephoto. Turning beyond the optical telephoto automatically engages the digital zoom function.
Power Switch: Directly to the right of the Shutter button, this switch turns the camera power on and off.
Pop-Up Flash Button: Located on the left side of the pop-up flash compartment, this button releases the flash into its operating position. (Closing the flash disables it.)
Image Type Button: The first in a series of four buttons on top of the camera (just to the left of the status display panel), this button sets the photography mode, cycling between One-Shot (default), Continuous, and Time-Lapse modes.
Timer Mode Button: Located behind the Image Type control, the Timer mode button cycles through the Normal (no icon), Self-Timer (Clock), and Remote Control (Remote icon) capture modes. When the Remote Control mode is activated, the Remote LED lamp on the front of the camera begins flashing.
Auto Focus Area Button: Just below the Timer mode button, the Auto Focus Area button controls the autofocus area, setting it to Wide Area (full frame w/bracket icon), which focuses on a large center portion of the viewfinder, or Spot (full frame w/square icon), which focuses on the smaller center spot in the viewfinder. In Auto exposure mode, the Auto Focus area is fixed to the Wide Area setting.
Flash Mode Button: The last in a series of four buttons on top of the camera, this one controls the four Flash operating modes, cycling through the following: (corresponding icons include an Eye for Red-Eye Reduction, Lightening for Forced Flash, and Lightening/A for Auto Flash mode)
- Auto: The camera determines when to fire the flash, based on existing light levels. (Auto Flash)
- Auto with Red-Eye Reduction: The flash fires the same as in Auto mode, but fires a small pre-flash before firing the full flash, reducing the occurrence of red-eye. (Auto Flash and Eye)
- Forced On: The flash fires with every exposure, regardless of light levels. (Lightening)
- Forced On with Red-Eye Reduction: The flash fires with every exposure, but with the addition of the Red-Eye Reduction pre-flash. (Eye with Lightening)
Exposure Mode Dial: Positioned on the far left side of the top panel, this dial controls the camera's exposure mode:
- Manual: Allows the user to control the entire exposure, including aperture and shutter speed.
- Aperture Priority: Places the user in control of the lens aperture setting, while the camera selects the best corresponding shutter speed. All other exposure variables are available.
- Shutter Priority: Gives the user control over the shutter speed, while the camera chooses the best corresponding lens aperture setting. All other exposure variables are available.
- Program AE: The camera controls both aperture and shutter speed, while the user maintains control over all other exposure settings.
- Automatic: Places the camera under complete, automatic control, with the exception of Flash mode and image resolution and quality. (Fully automatic control means that all Photo Assist options are disabled.)
- Portrait: Camera chooses a large lens aperture to limit the depth of field, maintaining a sharp focus on the subject in the foreground, and slightly blurring the background. Exposure remains under fully automatic control.
- Landscape: Employs a smaller aperture and slower shutter speed to capture broad vistas of scenery, maintaining sharp focus on both the foreground and background. The camera remains under fully automatic exposure control.
- Close-up: Automatically changes the focus range to Macro mode, and optimizes the camera's exposure settings for close-up subjects. The camera remains under fully automatic exposure control.
- Action: Uses fast shutter speeds to freeze action, with the camera in charge of all exposure decisions.
- Night: Sets up the camera for night exposures, using slow shutter speeds. If the flash is enabled, the camera synchronizes it with the end of the exposure.
Diopter Adjustment Ring: Doubles as the bezel surrounding the viewfinder eyepiece. This ring not only cushions the eye when using the optical viewfinder, but it also rotates right or left to adjust the viewfinder focus for eyeglass wearers.
Menu Button: Positioned over the top left corner of the LCD monitor, this button activates and deactivates the LCD settings menus in Capture, Playback, and Review modes.
Display Button: Located over the top center of the LCD monitor, this button controls the LCD image display, turning it on or off.
Sound Button: Positioned over the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button activates the audio recording feature, which allows you to record up to 45 seconds of sound to accompany an image. In Record mode, the sound function only works when Instant Review is enabled. In Playback and Review modes, pressing the button pulls up the sound recording icon, and begins recording sound until the button is pressed a second time.
Exposure Compensation (AV) Button: Located in the top right corner of the camera's back panel, this button controls exposure compensation. When pressed in Program AE, Aperture Priority, and Shutter Priority mode, available settings are changed by turning the Command wheel. In Manual exposure mode, lens aperture is set by pressing this button and turning the Command wheel.
AE Lock Button: Directly to the right of the Exposure Compensation (AV) button, this button locks the exposure reading for 20 seconds, regardless of whether or not the image is captured. Pressing the button a second time (before the 20 second period ends) cancels the mode.
JetSend Button: Situated just below the viewfinder eyepiece, this button features a flying paper airplane symbol. In Playback or Review modes, pressing the JetSend button allows you to send the currently selected image to another JetSend device, via the infrared port on the front of the camera. In Record mode, pressing the JetSend button sends the last image captured.
Camera Mode Dial: Encircling the Four-Way Arrow Rocker Pad, this notched dial sets the camera's operating mode. The following options are available:
- Capture (Record): Sets up the camera to record digital images. The user has control over a variety of exposure modes and features.
- Playback: Allows the user to scroll through captured images on the memory card or play them back in an automated slide show.
- Review: Displays a horizontal index of all the captured images on the memory card, as well as individual thumbnails of selected images with text information listed on the right. Images can be deleted, organized by groups, write-protected, set up for printing on DPOF devices, transmitted to a JetSend device, and searched by date or category.
- PC: Sets up the camera for connection to a PC or Macintosh computer via the USB cable.
Four-way Arrow Rocker Pad: Located in the center of the Camera Mode dial, this large button features an arrow in each direction (up, down, right, left). In any settings menu, these arrow keys navigate through menu options. In Playback and Review modes, these arrows scroll through captured images.
Soft Keys: Along the bottom of the LCD monitor, these three buttons perform a variety of functions, depending on the camera mode and menu setting. In standard Capture mode, the far left button controls the Focus mode, alternating between Auto and Manual (AF and MF) focus. The central button deactivates and reactivates the information overlays, which provide a variety of notations, depending on the current camera mode. On the far right is the Status button, which pulls up a page of the camera exposure settings, including Resolution, Quality, White Balance, ISO Speed, AE Metering, and AF Range. When the Capture settings menus are displayed, the buttons' functions change, allowing you to edit menu options or exit the menu screen.
In Playback mode, the center soft key controls the 2x playback zoom, digitally zooming in and out of the captured image. In both Playback and Review Menu modes, the soft keys allow you to edit menu options or exit the menu screens. In Review mode, the far left key marks (selects) images, and the center key deletes the currently selected image. If a soft key does not have a label, the key is inactive.
CompactFlash Release Button: Hidden inside the CompactFlash compartment, this gray button releases the CompactFlash card and pops it up slightly so that it can be removed from the slot.
Open Battery Switch: Located in the center of the battery compartment door, this button locks and unlocks the battery compartment.
AA Battery Adapter Release Switch: Inside the battery compartment, this switch releases the AA battery adapter.
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