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Ricoh RDC-6000 Ricoh's inexpensive 2 megapixel digicam doubles as a USB webcam. (With optional software.) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet RDC-6000 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 on RDC-6000 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 1/9/2001

Viewfinder & LCD
The RDC-6000 features a Galilean type (also referred to as "real image"), eye-level optical viewfinder and an LCD monitor for composing images. The optical viewfinder represents approximately 0.5x magnification, but doesn't provide any autofocus or cropping target marks. We usually prefer some type of target in the center of the viewfinder to help line up shots and guide exposure and focus locking functions. An LED light on the left side of the viewfinder indicates the camera's operational status. When the LED is lit a steady green, the camera has set focus and exposure and is ready to fire the shutter. A flashing red LED indicates that the flash is charging, while a flashing green LED means that the image is out of focus. (In Movie record mode, a flashing red LED simply indicates that the camera is recording moving images.)

The 1.8-inch, D-TFD active matrix, color LCD monitor is comprised of approximately 71,760 pixels. It is automatically activated when the camera is turned on, but a Display button on the left side of the LCD monitor turns the image display on or off as you need it. A small dial on the bottom panel of the camera controls the LCD brightness, adjusting it for light or dark shooting situations. An information display reports the date, flash mode, image size and quality setting, recording mode, battery status, and the number of available images. Pressing the Enter button beneath the LCD monitor cycles through the full information display as described above, a reduced information display with only exposure and camera settings, and no information at all. (We admit to being somewhat puzzled that the Display button didn't also control the information overlay.) The RDC-6000 also features a Grid Template function to help you compose images, which is controlled through the settings menu. When activated, the grid divides the image area into thirds horizontally and vertically with a series of dotted lines displayed on the LCD monitor.

In Playback mode, a multi-image playback function displays up to six thumbnail images on the screen at one time, for a quick review of the images saved to the SmartMedia card. Pressing the Display button cycles between single image and six image displays. Through the Playback menu, a recorded image can be enlarged up to 2x on the LCD monitor, to check fine detail. Once an image is enlarged, the up and down arrow buttons, as well as the Enter and Menu buttons, allow you to scroll around within the image (the Enter and Menu buttons act as right and left arrow keys). An on-screen grid shows you what part of the image is on screen in relation to the complete image. Just like in Record mode, Playback mode features an information display controlled by the Enter button. Again, three levels of information are displayed: The first display reports the image date, file name, file number, battery status, quality setting, and protection status. The second display reports the same, with the exception of the date, time, and battery status. The third display features no information at all.