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Minolta Dimage RD3000 Unusual 2-CCD design produces a professional-level SLR digicam at an affordable price. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Dimage RD3000 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 5/23/2000

User Interface and Control Enumeration
We found the RD 3000's user interface very straightforward and quick to understand. With all the exposure settings controlled by various buttons and command dials, there is no reliance on an LCD menu system. All of the controls are spread out around the camera body, so one-handed operation isn't possible (not to mention the camera's larger size), but operation is exceptionally clear once you learn what the buttons do. Some of the buttons serve multiple purposes, but a quick read of the manual should clear up any questions. The only really obscure function is the process by which you change the ISO setting. This requires you to push both the Exposure Compensation and Spot buttons simultaneously, while rotating the command dial. Once learned, this isn't at all difficult, but remembering the combination was enough of a challenge to send us back to the manual several times. Playback is the only mode that requires the LCD and features a small menu of playback options.
Control Enumeration

Status Display Readout (above): As noted throughout this review, most of the user interaction with the RD 3000 is governed by the LCD status readout on the top of the camera. The image above (courtesy Minolta) shows all the data displayed on this readout. We won't bother repeating the information already shown in the callouts above, but the bottom line is it makes it very easy to set virtually any option on the camera, never requiring the power-hungry color LCD screen on the back of the camera for routine exposure control.

Shutter Button: Located on the top right of the camera, this button sets focus and exposure when halfway pressed and fires the shutter when fully pressed. Halfway pressing the shutter button while turning the manual focus ring on the lens allows you to manually focus the image without explicitly taking the camera out of autofocus mode.

Command Dial: Located just beneath the shutter button, this dial selects various camera settings when turned in combination with the exposure buttons. For example, when the Exposure Compensation button is pressed and the command dial turned, you can adjust the exposure compensation from +3 to -3 in 1/2 EV increments. In Aperture and Shutter Priority exposure modes, turning the command dial adjusts either exposure variable. In Manual exposure mode, turning the command dial alone adjusts the shutter speed and turning the command dial while pressing the Manual Fill Flash button adjusts the aperture setting.

Program Reset Button: Located on the top right side of the camera, this button returns the exposure mode to Program when set to Manual, Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority modes. Once pressed, this puts the camera in Program exposure mode, sets the focus and white balance to Auto, returns the drive to single shooting, deactivates the self-timer and sets the exposure and flash compensation at 0.0 EV.

Mode Dial: Located just beside the Program Reset button, this locking dial controls the camera's power and operating mode with the following positions:

• Play: puts the camera in Playback mode for reviewing captured images.
• Off: turns the camera off.
• Record 1: puts the camera in standard Record mode.
• Record 2: puts the camera in Record mode and activates a Quick View mode which automatically displays the captured image on the LCD monitor for eight seconds after writing to the CompactFlash card. This saves the separate option of hitting the Quick View button, but the twenty-plus seconds it takes to store the image to the memory card first diminishes its usefulness.
  

Spot Button: Located to the left of the mode dial, this button activates the spot metering mode, which bases the exposure on the very center of the image frame. When an external flash is connected in either Program or Aperture Priority modes, pressing the Spot button with the shutter button activates the Slow Sync flash mode which uses a slow shutter speed with the flash to capture more ambient light. Holding the Spot and Exposure Compensation buttons down together while turning the command dial adjusts the camera's ISO value to either 200 or 800.

Counter Button: Located on the top left of the camera, this button displays the amount of remaining CompactFlash space when pressed in Record mode.

White Balance Button: Located to the left of the Counter button, pressing this button while turning the command dial sets the camera's white balance to Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Flash or Custom.

Mode Button: Located beneath the White Balance button, pressing this button while turning the command dial lets you select from among the following exposure modes:

• Program: the camera selects both the aperture and shutter speed values based on existing light levels.
• Aperture Priority: you set the aperture value, the range of which varies with each lens, while the camera determines the correct shutter speed.
• Shutter Priority: you set the shutter speed, from two to 1/2000 seconds, while the camera determines the correct aperture (varies with each lens).
• Manual: you have control over both aperture and shutter speed values with an increased shutter speed range of 30 to 1/2000 seconds.
  

Drive Button: Located to the right of the Mode button, pressing this button while turning the command dial selects from among the following camera drive modes:

• Single Shot: the camera's default mode. Pressing the shutter button captures a single frame. You must wait 20-30 seconds until that photo has been saved to the memory card before you can shoot another.
• Continuous Drive: sets up the camera to shoot five images at approximately 1.5 frames per second, depending on available CompactFlash space and the amount of image information to process. As noted earlier, you can also shoot single frames in this mode by pressing and releasing the shutter button, about one shot every 0.92 seconds.
• Self-Timer: enables the camera's 10 second self-timer which is triggered by fully pressing the shutter button.
• Remote Control: sets up the camera to respond to the optional remote control, which can be used to trigger the shutter immediately or after a two second countdown.
  

Quality Button: Located on the top left of the camera beneath the Mode button, pressing this button while turning the mode dial sets the image quality to either Super (TIFF), Fine, Normal or Economy.

Diopter Adjustment Dial: Located on the left side of the optical viewfinder, this dial adjusts the viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers.

Manual Fill Flash Button: Located on the lower left side of the camera, pressing this button in record mode with an automatic flash unit attached to the accessory shoe forces the flash to fire ("fill flash"). Pressed in conjunction with the Exposure Compensation button while turning the command dial sets the flash compensation from +3 to -3 in 1/2 EV increments. In Manual exposure mode, pressing this button while turning the command dial sets the aperture value.

Exposure Compensation Button: Located just below the Manual Fill Flash button, pressing this button while turning the command dial sets the exposure compensation from +3 to -3 EV in 1/2 EV increments. When pressed with the Manual Fill Flash button while turning the mode dial, this button adjusts the flash compensation level from +3 to -3 EV in 1/2 EV increments. Pressing the Exposure Compensation and Spot buttons in conjunction while turning the command dial sets the camera's ISO values to 200 or 800.

Lens Release Button: Located on the front of the camera, on the side of the lens, this button releases the lens for quick removal.

Quick View Button: Located on the camera's back panel, to the left of the LCD monitor, this button provides an eight second review of the previously captured image on the LCD monitor.

Menu Button: Located on the right side of the LCD monitor, this button pulls up the Playback settings menu in Playback mode.

Set Button: Located just beneath the Menu button, this button confirms menu selections in the Playback menu. When the Playback menu is dismissed, pressing the Set button alternates between single image and index display mode.

Up and Down Arrow Buttons: Located on the right side of the Menu and Set buttons, these buttons navigate through captured images and through the Playback menu.