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Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n Digital SLR Kodak updates their Pro 14n with a new sensor, improved processing, and greatly reduced image noise. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet SLR/n Photo Gallery! SLR/n 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 SLR/n Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 02/12/2004

Video Out
The SLR/n is equipped with a Video Out terminal, and comes with a video cable for connection to a television set or VCR. This allows images to be played back on the TV screen and recorded to video tape, with all the menu options available on the video screen. A setting in the Setup menu sets the video timing to either NTSC or PAL.

 

Power
The SLR/n uses either a custom LiIon battery pack or the AC adapter for power. For some reason, Kodak doesn't show any capacity listing in mAh on the SLR/n battery packs, only a voltage (7.4v). Whatever their rated capacity though, they were quickly exhausted in the SLR/n's predecessor, the 14n. The good news is that the SLR/n's power management is greatly improved, with the result that packs in my test sample were good for literally hundreds of images before running out.

Here again, I didn't have time to complete my exhaustive tests of the SLR/n prior to the PMA show: I'll revisit this review after the show, and fill-in the power data along with other missing performance measurements.

 

Included Software
The SLR/n ships with Kodak Professional DSC Camera Manager software, which provides minor image editing and management capabilities. Also included is Kodak Professional DSC Photo Desk, for processing RAW files, and the Kodak Professional Extended Range Imaging File Format Module, for opening ERI JPEG files. An IEEE-1394 connector jack provides high-speed connection to a computer for downloading files.

The Photo Desk software is a pretty key component of the overall Pro SLR/n package, so I plan to come back to this review fairly soon, to add a complete description of its operation. The program has an excellent user interface (once you get used to it), making it very easy to quickly review and batch-process RAW image files, a key focus of Kodak's camera development. - Kodak's RAW files consistently capture more data in extreme highlight regions, that can be brought back by adjusting the tonal rendition after the fact in Photo Desk. Many camera makers offer RAW-format output files from their cameras, but few if any do as good a job at preserving dynamic range as do those from Kodak.

 

In the Box
Retail-boxed versions of the Pro SLR/n ship in the US with the following accessories included:

• Charger/AC Adapter
• Custom Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery
• DC Power Module
• 4-pin IEEE 1394 (FIREWIRE) Cable
• Hand and Neck Straps
• Body Cap
• User Guide (English)
• CD of Documentation
  (Localized in 8 Languages)
• CD of Host Software
  (DCS Photo Desk and DCS Camera Manager)
• Warranty Card
• Service Information