Kodak V570 Operation

Kodak V570 Operation

True to its EasyShare name, the Kodak V570 has a user-friendly interface with limited control options that keeps camera operation simple. The camera's automatic systems do an excellent job of capturing good-looking photos, with a well-rounded range of preset shooting modes to handle a wide range of scenes. The LCD menu system is short and simple to navigate, and the plain-English descriptions of menu items are a welcome change from the too-common cryptic icons on so many other cameras. The flat mode buttons across the top panel let you change camera modes quickly, and once again, plain-English descriptions flashed along the top of the LCD screen make operation straightforward for even rank beginners. Given the simple interface and limited controls, you should be able to snap images right away, with hardly a glance at the manual. Though for more advanced functions, it shouldn't take more than a half an hour or so to get the gist of things.

Record-Mode Display

Depending on the exposure mode, the Kodak V570's LCD display shows the currently-selected options for image size/quality, macro and flash mode, exposure compensation, the number of images of the current size and quality that can be stored in the remaining space on the memory card. Pressing the up arrow on the multi-controller once in a record mode cancels the information display, while a second press brings back the information display with framing guidelines. A third press adds a histogram display, and a fourth cancels the grid and histogram displays (leaving the information overlay).

Playback-Mode Display

In Playback mode, you can use the Kodak EasyShare V570's Zoom lever to zoom in or out on an image, with a maximum enlargement of 8x. A thumbnail display of the images on the card is also available, through the camera's Playback menu (or you can press the down arrow). Pressing the up arrow offers a more detailed information display, reporting the set exposure variables for the current image. The normal Playback display reports the image number, and any shared settings information. As in Record mode, the Kodak V570's Display button also enables a small histogram, for checking the overall exposure of the image.

Kodak V570 Modes and Menus

Auto Mode: Accessed by pushing the Auto/SCN button once, this mode enables the camera's photo capture and review functions.

Scene Mode: A second press of the Auto/SCN button enters Scene mode, and displays the menu of 22 available scene selections. Choices here include Panoramic L-R, Panoramic R-L, Sport, Landscape, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Manner/Museum, Party, Children, Backlight, Panning Shot, Candle light, Sunset, Close-up, Text, Flower, Self-portrait, and Custom.

Video Mode: This mode is accessed by pressing the Video button (movie camera icon) on top of the camera. In this mode, the Kodak V570 can record moving images with sound.

Favorites Mode: An album icon with a heart on its cover indicates this mode on the Favorites button on top of the camera. Here, any images that have been designated as "favorites" are displayed (though they have to be synced to the desktop, resized, and synced back before they appear in this mode). You can opt to view images in a slide show or index format, or view exposure information for individual images. You can also access the camera's Setup menu.

Record Menu: The following menu items appear whenever the Menu button is pressed in any Record mode. However, not all menu options are available in all modes.

• Self-Timer: Activates the 10-second Self-Timer, or disables it.
• Burst: Enables or disables the camera's Burst photography mode, for capturing a rapid series of images.
• Picture Size: Sets the resolution for still images. Choices are 5.0 MP (2,576 x 1,932 pixels), 4.4 MP 3:2 Ratio (2,576 x 1,716 pixels), 4.0 MP (2,304 x 1,728 pixels), 3.1 MP (2,048 x 1,536 pixels), or 1.8 MP (1,552 x 1,164 pixels).
• Video Size (Movie mode only): Sets the pixel resolution for Movie mode. Choices are 320 x 240, 640 x 480, or 640 x 480 (long) pixels.
• White Balance: Sets the color balance to Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent, or Open Shade settings.


• ISO Speed: Sets the sensitivity to Auto (ISOs 64 to 160), or to 64, 100, 200, 400, or 800 equivalent settings. (ISO 800 is only available at the 1.8 MP resolution.)
• Color Mode: Allows you to record images in High, Natural, or Low Color, or in Black and White, or Sepia tones.
• Sharpness: Controls the in-camera sharpening, with options of High, Normal, or Low.
• Exposure Metering: Designates the camera's metering mode as Multi-Pattern, Center-Weighted, or Center-Spot.


• AF Control: Sets the autofocus to Continuous or Single modes.
• Focus Zone: Controls where the camera's AF system determines focus from. Choices are Multi-Zone and Center-Zone.
• Long Time Exposure: Accesses longer exposure times, from 0.5 to eight seconds.
• Set Album (Still): The Kodak V570 lets you set up albums through its interface software on a computer. If albums have been set up and downloaded to the camera, you can associate images with an album as they are recorded.


• Image Storage: Dictates where images are stored, either in the 32MB internal memory or SD card. If Auto is selected, the camera automatically stores images to a memory card if one is present.
• Reset to Default: (Scene Custom mode only.) Resets all camera settings to their defaults.
• Video Length: (Movie mode only.) Sets the default video length to Continuous, or to 5, 15, or 30 seconds.
• Image Stabilizer: (Movie mode only.) Turns the image stabilization function on or off for movies.


• Setup Menu: Displays the following Setup options:
  
  • Return: Returns to the main menu display.
  • Camera Sounds: Selects among the Kodak V570's operating sounds. You can choose a theme of sounds, or set sounds individually for specific camera operations.
  • Sound Volume: Sets the volume to Low, Medium, or High, or turns sound off.
  • Digital Zoom: Turns digital zoom on or off.
  
  
  • LCD Dimmer: Sets the period of inactivity before the LCD dims. Choices are 10, 20, or 30 seconds, or Off.
  • Auto Power Off: Specifies the period of inactivity before the camera shuts itself off. Choices are 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes.
  • Date & Time: Sets the camera's internal clock and calendar.
  • Video Out: Specifies PAL or NTSC as the Video Out signal.
  
  
  • Photo Frame: Sets the Photo Frame Dock 2 settings for image display. Options are Interval (between slide show frames), Loop, Transition (between slide show frames), Image Source (Album, Internal or Favorites), and Run Time.
  • Distortion Compensation: If activated, this setting reduces the amount of barrel distortion visible in wide angle shots.
  • Orientation Sensor: Controls the camera's orientation sensor, which detects when the camera is held vertically. Vertical-format images captured when the Orientation Sensor is enabled are rotated to their correct orientation on-screen when they're played back.)
  • Red-Eye Pre-Flash: If activated, this function fires the Red-Eye pre-flash before the full flash. If off, no pre-flash occurs. In either mode, the camera automatically corrects Red-Eye.
  
  
  • Date Stamp: Turns the date stamp function on or off, which records the date over the image. You can choose from a selection of date formats as well.
  • Video Date Display: Like the Date Stamp option above, imprints the date and time on video files, with a choice of display formats.
  • Blur Warning: Turns on the camera's blur warning, or disables it. If on, the camera displays the shaking hand icon during quickview, with a range of colors to indicate the level of blur. For example, a green hand indicates that the picture is sharp enough for a good 4x6-inch print. Yellow shows that the image may be sharp enough for 4x6-inch prints, or that sharpness hasn't been determined. (In other words, check the image on a computer before printing.) A red icon means that the picture is not sharp enough for a 4x6-inch print. White indicates that the camera is still assessing the image file.
  • Language: Sets the menu language to one of 19 languages.
  • Format: Formats the SD memory card or internal memory.
  • About: Displays the camera's firmware information.
    

Playback Menu:

• View By: Lets you choose how images are viewed. Options are All, Date, or Album.
• Album: Adds images to an image album, created on a computer with the camera's interface software.
• Crop: Lets you crop an image and save it as a separate image file.
• Slide Show: Enables a slide show of captured images, with user-adjustable intervals between images.


• Multi-Up: Enables a index display of images on the memory card or stored in the internal memory.
• Copy: Copies files from the internal memory to the SD card, or the reverse.
• Protect: Write-protects the displayed image, preventing it from being accidentally erased or manipulated (except via memory or card formatting). Also removes protection.
• Image Storage: Selects between the internal memory or the SD card for image storage.
• Setup Menu: Displays the same settings as under the Record menu.