Casio QV-2300UX PlusA 2 megapixel swivel-lens design with lots of creative options and a 340-megabyte Microdrive included (US only)<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 1/29/2001 |
Operation and User Interface
The Casio QV-2300UX Plus interface takes some getting used to, as the controls are arranged very differently than other digicams we've tested. For example, the Menu button is located on top of the camera, and instead of four-way arrow buttons on the back panel, the Casio has +/- buttons that are used for scrolling. The camera lacks an optical viewfinder, so it relies heavily on its LCD monitor. The majority of the camera settings are chosen through the LCD menu system, though there are a few external controls and shortcuts that allow you to make basic exposure adjustments without going through the on-screen menu. We would have liked to have seen a mode dial of some sort on the camera, since the QV-2300UX Plus offers such a large variety of recording and exposure modes. Instead, a small switch on the back panel controls the camera's operating mode, placing it in either Record or Playback. Additional Recording modes must be changed through the Record menu, while exposure settings and other controls are handled by the Function menu. Once we were accustomed to the unique control layout though, we had relatively little trouble working with the camera. The LCD menus are similar to other Casio designs and feature a friendly user interface that's uncomplicated and easy to navigate. The camera's button controls are arranged in such a way as to allow one-handed operation, although many of the camera settings require two hands to adjust. Overall, we found the QV-2300UX Plus user interface to be relatively straightforward.
Control Enumeration
Shutter Button: Located on top of the camera, this large, silver button sets focus and exposure (in Program AE mode) when halfway pressed, and fires the shutter when fully pressed. If the Self-Timer mode is enabled, a full press of the shutter button triggers the timer countdown. Likewise, if Interval or Movie mode are enabled, a full press of the shutter button begins recording. When adjusting menu settings, the shutter button acts as the "OK" button to confirm menu selections.
+/- (Scroll) Buttons: Just behind the shutter button are the + and - buttons, which control a variety of settings.
- In Record mode, when Exposure is set to Program AE, Aperture Priority, or Shutter Priority, these buttons control the exposure compensation.
- In Manual exposure mode, these buttons control the shutter speed.
- In Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes (with the Shift/Info button held down) these buttons control the aperture or shutter speed settings.
- In Manual mode, pressing the Shift/Info button and the +/- buttons sets the aperture.
- In any settings menu, these buttons navigate through menu options.
- When the Manual focus option is enabled, these buttons adjust the focus manually.
- In Playback mode, they scroll through captured images on the memory card.
- Holding down either of the buttons scrolls through captured images at high speed.
- When a captured image is enlarged, these buttons (along with the Flash and Focus buttons) scroll around within the image.
- The "-" button scrolls to the left, and the "+" button scrolls to the right.
- When the nine-image index display mode is enabled, the +/- buttons navigate through the indexed images.
Menu Button: Also located on the top panel, the Menu button pulls up the settings menus in both Record and Playback modes. It also cancels the menu display.
Power Switch: On top of the back panel, this sliding switch turns the camera on and off.
Zoom Slider Switch: To the right of the power switch, the Zoom Slider switch controls Optical and Digital Zoom (when enabled) in Record mode. In Playback mode, it zooms in and out of captured images.
Mode Switch: Positioned below the Zoom Slider switch, the Mode switch places the camera in Record or Playback modes. The Record mode enables the camera to capture images with a variety of Recording, Exposure, and Function options available. Playback mode allows the user to scroll through the captured images on the memory card, as well as delete, protect, and set up images for printing.
Shift/Info Button: The first button from the left, under the LCD monitor, this button serves multiple functions.
- In Record mode, it serves as a "Shift" key, reversing other control button functions.
- When activated on its own, it displays a quick exposure menu on the LCD monitor, enabling the user to set the Exposure mode, Metering mode, and White
- Balance mode without accessing the Record menu.
- In Aperture Priority and Shutter Speed Priority modes, holding down the Shift/Info button and pressing the +/- buttons sets the aperture or shutter speed.
- In Manual exposure mode, holding down this button while pressing the +/- buttons sets the aperture.
- In Record mode, this button's Shortcut Functions can be reassigned, providing access to other exposure settings.
- In Playback mode, pressing this button displays the exposure information for the currently selected image on the LCD screen.
- When the nine-image index display is enabled, pressing this button activates a pointer on the LCD screen, allowing the user to select a particular image for full screen display.
Flash/Folder Button: To the right of the Shift/Info button, this button controls the Flash (in Record mode), cycling between Automatic, Off, On, and Red-Eye Reduction settings. When pressed with the Shift/Info button, it changes the Exposure mode setting (unless the Shortcut is reassigned through the Record menu). In Playback mode, it selects the image folder to be played back.
Focus/Index Display Button: Directly to the right of the Flash/Folder button, this button controls the camera's Focus function in Record mode. Pressing it cycles through Auto, Macro, Infinity, and Manual focus modes. If pressed while holding down the Shift/Info button, it acts as a Shortcut button, enabling you to select the camera's Metering mode -- Multi, Center, and Spot -- without going through the Function menu (unless the shortcut is reassigned through the Record menu). In Playback mode, this button brings up the nine-image index display.
Self-Timer/Erase Button: The far right button under the LCD monitor, this control activates the Self-Timer when the camera is in Record mode. Pressing the button once activates the 10-second timer, twice activates the two-second timer, and a third time turns the timer off. If you hold down the Shift/Info button while using it, this button also serves as a Shortcut to adjust White Balance settings (unless the shortcut is reassigned through the Record menu). The button cycles through Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, or Manual WB modes.
In Playback mode, pressing this button allows you to delete the currently displayed image. The Delete function can also be accessed through the Playback menu. When selected, the Delete function offers three options: Select (one image), Folder (a group of images), and All. Once the images or folders have been selected, the Self-Timer/Erase button initiates the deletion process (an option to cancel immediately follows).
Battery Compartment Release Button: Located on the battery compartment door on the bottom of the camera, this button unlocks the door so that it can slide out and open to access the compartment.
Memory Card Release Button: Hidden inside the memory card compartment, next to the card slot, this button releases the memory card so you can pull it out.
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