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Olympus C-3040 Zoom Olympus updates its top-of-the-line 3-megapixel model with a "faster" lens and increased movie capabilities. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C-3040 Zoom Test 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 C-3040 Zoom Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 4/14/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

Movie Mode: Accessed by turning the Mode dial to the movie camera symbol, Movie mode allows you to capture movies with or without sound for as long as the SmartMedia card allows. Shutter speed is automatically set from 1/10,000 to 1/30 second, depending on light levels.

Aperture Priority: Allows the user to select the desired lens aperture (in varying increments, from f/1.8 to f/10), while the camera adjusts the shutter speed to achieve the correct exposure. If the required shutter speed is beyond the camera's capabilities, the shutter speed / aperture status numbers in the LCD will flash red.

Shutter Priority: Allows the user to select the desired shutter speed (in varying increments, from 1/800 to four seconds), while the camera adjusts the aperture to achieve the correct exposure. If the required aperture is beyond the camera's capabilities, the shutter speed / aperture status numbers in the LCD will flash red.

Manual Mode: Allows the user to select both the desired aperture (f/1.8 to f/10) and shutter speed (1/800 to 16 seconds) settings. If the settings are beyond the camera's capabilities or would not produce the correct exposure, the settings displayed on the LCD screen turn red instead of green, and the amount of over- or underexposure is reported from -3 to +3 EV.

Programmed Exposure: The camera selects both shutter speed and lens aperture, based on existing light conditions and certain camera functions. For example, it uses a faster shutter speed when the lens is in the telephoto position and a slower shutter speed when the lens is in the wide-angle position.

Playback Mode: This mode allows the user to view previously captured images using the Arrow Pad to scroll through frames stored in memory. The Zoom Lever switches the image display to Index mode when moved in the wide angle direction, and enlarges a single image when moved in the telephoto direction, by zooming in to a maximum of 3x magnification. While zoomed in on an image, the Arrow button can be used to move the enlarged view around the full image area, allowing you to inspect all parts of it.

Still Picture Shooting Menu

• AF/MF: Chooses Automatic or Manual Focus control (a distance scale appears on the screen for Manual Focus).
• Drive: Selects between One-Shot, Sequence, AF Sequence (exposure metered and focus adjusted with each frame), Self-Timer/Remote, and Auto Bracketing.
• White Balance (WB): Sets White Balance to Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent, or Quick Reference (manual WB setting).
• ISO: Adjusts the ISO sensitivity to Auto, 100, 200, or 400.
• Flash Intensity: Controls the power of the internal flash, from -2 to +2 in one-third-step EV increments.
• Slow: Turns on the Slow Sync function, with first curtain (Slow 1) and second curtain (Slow 2) options.
• Digital Zoom: Allows you to digitally enlarge an image up to 5x (when combined with optical zoom).
• Function: Sets picture effects for Off, Black & White, Sepia, White Board, or Black Board.
• Sound: Turns on the Audio Record Mode, for recording short sound clips to accompany still images.
• Card Function: For taking panorama pictures or using special function cards (only available with Olympus SmartMedia cards).
• Card Setup: Formats the SmartMedia card.
• Mode Setup: Calls up a series of submenus (see below):
• Quality: Sets the recording quality as TIFF, SHQ, HQ, SQ1, or SQ2.
• A/S/M Mode: Assigns the exposure mode to either Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, or Manual exposure modes.
• AE Lock: Bases the exposure lock on a Single- or Multi-Metering reading of up to eight points in the image.

Mode Setup: Calls up the following submenus:

• All Reset: Resets all options to factory defaults.
• White Balance +/-: Adjusts the white balance by increasing or decreasing red or blue values.
• Sharpness: Sets image sharpness to Hard, Normal, or Soft.
• Contrast: Adjusts the amount of contrast in the image to High, Normal, or Low.
• TIFF: Sets the uncompressed TIFF mode to 2,048 x 1,536-, 1,600 x 1,200-, 1,280 x 960-, 1,024 x 768-, or 640 x 480-pixel resolution.
• SQ1: Specifies the JPEG compression quality and resolution size for SQ1: 1,600 x 1,200 or 1,280 x 960 pixels; High or Normal.
• SQ2: Specifies the JPEG compression quality and resolution size for SQ2: 1,024 x 768 or 640 x 480 pixels; High or Normal.
• Flash: Specifies whether an auxiliary external flash fires alone or with the internal flash.
• Volume: Controls the camera's beep sounds to be Off, Low, or High.
• AF Mode: Determines where the camera bases focus, with settings of Normal and Spot. (Normal uses the entire image and Spot reads from the very center.)
• Full-Time AF: Activates the Full-Time AF function which continually maintains focus without the shutter button being halfway pressed.
• Record View: Turns on the Quick Review function which displays the captured image on the LCD screen immediately after capture.
• File Name: Resets file numbers with each new memory card or continues in sequential order.
• LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD monitor.
• Date/Time: Sets the camera's date and time.
• M/Ft: Sets camera measurements to meters or feet.

Movie Menu

• AF/MF: Chooses Automatic or Manual Focus control (a distance scale is available for Manual Focus).
• Self-Timer/Remote: Sets the camera to operate with the self-timer and/or remote control.
• White Balance (WB): Sets white balance to Auto, Daylight, Overcast, Tungsten, Fluorescent, or Quick Reference (manual WB setting).
• ISO: Adjusts the ISO sensitivity to Auto, 100, 200, or 400.
• Function: Sets picture effects at Off, Black & White, Sepia, White Board, or Black Board.
• Sound: Turns the movie sound recording option On or Off.
• Card Setup: Formats the SmartMedia card.
• Mode Setup: Brings up the following submenus (not shown separately):
  • All Reset: Resets all options to factory defaults.
  • White Balance +/-: Adjusts the white balance by increasing or decreasing red or blue values.
  • Sharpness: Sets image sharpness to Hard, Normal, or Soft.
  • Contrast: Adjusts the amount of contrast in the image to High, Normal, or Low.
  • Volume: Controls the camera's beep sounds to be Off, Low, or High.
  • Record View: Turns on the Quick Review function which displays the captured image on the LCD screen immediately after capture.
  • File Name: Resets file numbers with each new memory card or continues in sequential order.
  • LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD monitor.
  • Date/Time: Sets the camera's date and time.
  • M/Ft: Sets camera measurements to meters or feet.
• Quality: Sets the recording quality as High Quality (HQ) or Standard Quality (SQ).

Still Image Playback Menu

• Play: Activates a slide show display for still images.
• Info: Temporarily displays capture details for each image.
• Sound: Turns on the Audio Record mode, for recording short sound clips to accompany captured images.
• Function: Not available.
• Card Setup: Formats the SmartMedia card.
• Mode Setup: pulls up the following submenu (not shown separately):
  • All Reset: Resets all options to factory defaults.
  • Volume: Controls the camera's beep sound.
  • Index Display Adjustment: Sets the number of images to be viewed on screen in Index Display mode: 4, 9, or 16.
  • Brightness: Adjusts the LCD monitor brightness.
  • Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal date and time setting.

Movie Playback Menu
(Not shown)

• Movie Play: Plays back displayed movie.
• Info: Displays capture details for each image.
• Function: This function allows you to edit movie files frame-by-frame or create an index of frames.
• Card Setup: Formats the SmartMedia card.
• Mode Setup: pulls up the following submenu:
  • All Reset: Resets all options to factory defaults.
  • Volume: Controls the camera's beep sound.
  • Brightness: Adjusts the LCD monitor brightness.
  • Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal date and time setting.
  • Index Display Adjustment: Sets the number of images to be viewed on screen in Index Display mode: 4, 9, or 16.