Kodak C875 Operation

Though its imaging chops might not be equal to some of its competitors, the one thing Kodak has consistently done right is to make its cameras simple to use. The Kodak C875 is certainly no exception, offering a clean menu interface with clear descriptions of its functions in plain English. While long-time digital camera users might take symbols like the playback and trash icons for granted, first time users will likely be unfamiliar with them and Kodak does a good job of simply spelling out all of this camera's main features. All of which makes it even more befuddling why accessing the camera's new Kodak Perfect Touch technology is more difficult than it should be. Since it's a new feature, I'm willing to chalk this one up to a case of first-time bugs.

Record-Mode Display
The Kodak C875's LCD display shows the center autofocus area along with currently-selected options for image size/quality, macro and flash mode, the number of images of the current size and quality that can be stored in the remaining space on the memory card. Half-pressing the Shutter button displays the chosen aperture and shutter speed settings. Pressing the Kodak C875's Information button once in a record mode cancels the information display, while a second press displays a grid screen overlay. A third press shows a live histogram and a fourth press brings you back to a normal display.

Playback-Mode Display
In Playback mode, you can use the Kodak C875'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 called Multi Up, available through the camera's Playback menu. The Display button 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. You can also disable the information overlay entirely.

 

Kodak C875 Modes and Menus

Favorites Mode: An album icon with a heart on its cover indicates this mode on the Power/Mode switch on top of the camera. In this mode, any images that have been designated as "favorites" are displayed. (Favorites are selected in the EasyShare software. Once selected, they are shrunk to a size suitable for making 4x6 prints, and downloaded back to the camera's internal memory. This lets you carry a larger number of your favorite photos on the camera, without using up a lot of memory card space.)

Custom Settings Mode: An icon of the letter "C" indicates this mode on the Mode dial. In this mode you can lock in your favorite settings and they will stay there.

PASM Mode: This mode contains the Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual shooting modes. Once this mode is selected you can use the joystick to select which of these modes you want to use. These modes allow more shooting options with control over shutter speeds, apertures and more. In Program mode you can set exposure compensation, ISO and focus settings. In Aperture Priority mode you can set the aperture, exposure compensation, ISO and the focus settings. In Shutter Priority mode you can set the shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO and focus settings. In Manual mode you can set aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focus settings.

OFF: Turns the camera off.

Smart Scene Mode: Marked with a green camera icon and the word "ON," this mode selects what it thinks to be the best of its scene modes to use. Exposure is automatically controlled, but a small selection of user options is available through the Record menu.

Scene Mode: The letters "SCN" indicate this mode on the Mode dial, which offers 21 preset shooting modes. Available "scenes" are Portrait, Panorama Left-Right, Panorama Right-Left, Sport, Landscape, Close-Up, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Snow, Beach, Text, Fireworks, Flower, Manner/Museum, Self -Portrait, Party, Children, Backlight, Panning Shot, Candle light and Sunset.

Movie Mode: The last mode on the Kodak C875's Mode dial, Movie mode is indicated by a movie camera icon. In this mode, you can record 640 x 480 or 320 x 240-pixel resolution movies with sound, at 30 frames per second.

Playback Mode: Accessed by pressing the Review button, this mode lets you review captured images and movies, as well as manage files.

 

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

• Exposure Bracketing: Enables the auto exposure bracketing mode, with EV step sizes of either +/- 0.3, 0.7, or 1.0 EV units.
• Picture Size: Sets the resolution for still images. Choices are 8.0 MP (3,264 x 2,448), 7.1MP 3:2 (3,264 x 2,176 pixels), 5 MP (2,560 x 1,920 pixels), 3.1 MP (2,048 x 1,536 pixels), or 1.1 MP (1,200x 900 pixels).
• White Balance: Sets the color balance to Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent or Open shade settings.
• Exposure Metering: Designates the camera's metering mode as Multi-Pattern, Center-Weighted, or Center-Spot.
  
• Focus Zone: Controls where the camera's AF system determines focus from. Choices are Multi-Zone and Center-Zone.
• AF Control: Sets the autofocus to Continuous or Single modes.
• Color Mode: Allows you to record images in High, Natural or Low Color, Black and White or Sepia tones.
• Sharpness: Controls the in-camera sharpening, with options of High, Normal, or Low.
  
• Reset to Default: Resets camera to all default settings.
  
• Set Album: The Kodak C875 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 both images and movies 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.
  
• Setup Menu: Displays the following Setup options:
  • Return: Returns to the previous menu display.
  • Camera Sounds: Lets you select a sound theme for basic camera operations, or set specific sounds for each type of camera noise.
  • Sound Volume: Sets the volume to Low, Medium, or High, or turns sound off.
  • LCD Brightness: Lets you choose High Power bright setting or Power Save darker setting.
    
  • Auto Power Off: Sets the period of inactivity that must pass 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.
  • 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 Preflash: If enabled, this option automatically corrects Red-eye, regardless of the flash mode setting.
    
  • 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: If activated, this feature indicates on the LCD display if the exposure will require the use of a tripod to prevent blurring.
  • Language: Sets the menu language to one of twenty one languages.
  • Format: Formats the SD memory card or internal memory.
  • About: Displays the camera's firmware information.
• Video Size: (Movie mode only.) Sets the video resolution to 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 pixels.
• Set Album (Video): (Movie mode only.) Sets the names of your video albums.
• AF Control (Video): (Movie mode only.) Sets autofocus to Continuous AF or Single AF.
• 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.
  

 

Playback Menu:

• Select All: Marks all pictures for a certain action, including printing.
• View By: Allows viewing by All, Date, or Album.
• Album: Adds images to an image album, created on a computer with the camera's interface software.
• Perfect Touch Tech.: The picture is copied then enhanced for brightness in shadow areas to bring out detail. The original picture is saved or you can choose to replace the original picture. Pictures can only be enhanced once. Kodak Perfect Touch technology can only be used with pictures, not video.
• Crop: This function lets you crop a portion of an image and save it as a separate 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.