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Kodak DCS Pro 14n Digital SLR Kodak's latest digital SLR brings full-frame, 13.7 megapixel resolution to market for under 5,000. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Pro 14n Photo Gallery! Pro 14n 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 Pro 14n Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 03/23/2003

Image Storage and Interface

The 14n stores images on either CompactFlash (Type I or II) or SD/MMC cards, and is compatible with the IBM MicroDrive, and offers an unusual degree of flexibility in its use of the two card slots. Through the settings menu, you can choose to store either RAW or JPEG files, or both, to either the CF or SD/MMC cards, or both. For instance, you can save a RAW file plus a JPEG copy of the image, both to the CF card. Or, you can save only the RAW file to the CF card, and the JPEG copy to the SC/MMC slot. Or both RAW and JPEG to both CF and SD/MMC for complete redundancy between the cards.

For each memory card, the 14n gives you the ability to manage image folders and assign specific names. You can even track a series of images with the Job Tracker function, which lets you mark all images associated with a certain event, date, etc, writing IPTC-compatible data into the files' header blocks. Individual images can be write-protected through the Image Review menu, which prevents them from being accidentally erased (except by card formatting), and can also be "tagged" to mark them for subsequent processing in Kodak's Photo Desk Pro software. The camera's Card Format option offers a Quick and Full Format, as well as a Recovery option to get back accidentally deleted files.

Four image resolutions are available: 4,500 x 3,000; 3,000 x 2,000; 2,250 x 1,500; or 1,125 x 750 pixels, with JPEG compression levels of Good, Better, and Best. RAW images can be saved at 4,500 x 3,000; 3,000 x 2,000; or 2,250 x 1,500-pixel resolutions. To mimic common film sizes, the 14n features a Crop Aspect adjustment for 2 x 3, 4 x 5, or 2 x 2 aspect ratios.

The Pro 14n doesn't ship with a memory card, but you're going to want a *really* big card to use with it: Its RAW and JPEG files are both enormous. (The 14n's JPEG files carry the Extended Range Imaging (ERI) data, which makes them about 30% larger than ordinary JPEG files of the same resolution and compression ratio.) Personally, I'd recommend that you not consider cards any smaller than 512MB for use with the 14n, and even larger cards would definitely be welcome. The table below shows image sizes and compression ratios, as well as the number of images of each size/quality/format setting that can fit on a 512MB card.

 

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality 32MB Memory Card		RAW	Best	Better	Good
4,500 x 3,000	Images (Avg size)	14 18.6 MB	34 7.6 MB	46 6.7 MB	72 3.6 MB
	Approx. Compression	2:1	5:1	7:1	11:1
3,000 x 2,000	Images (Avg size)	25 10.4 MB	76 3.4 MB	89 2.9 MB	133 9.2 MB
	Approx. Compression	2:1	5:1	6:1	9:1
2,250 x 1,125	Images (Avg size)	50 5.2 MB	160 1.6 MB	491 533 K	577 454 K
	Approx. Compression	2:1	6:1	19:1	22:1
1,125 x 750	Images (Avg size)	N/A	286 915 K	383 683K	418 626K
	Approx. Compression	-	3:1	4:1	4:1

(The prototype unit I tested may not have had the JPEG parameters set properly for the smallest image size, given that the "better" and "good" settings for that resolution produced almost identical final file sizes.)

My prototype unit didn't ship with a FireWire cable, so I couldn't check its download speed. I'll try to make this measurement whenever Kodak can get me a production model to test.

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Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...