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Minolta Dimage RD3000 Unusual 2-CCD design produces a professional-level SLR digicam at an affordable price. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Dimage RD3000 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 --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 5/23/2000

Viewfinder
The RD 3000's prism system provides an SLR optical viewfinder, which features a central autofocus target mark and a small LED display panel which reports exposure settings like shutter speed and aperture, among other information such as a focus indicator and flash signals. A dioptric adjustment dial on the left side of the viewfinder accommodates eyeglass wearers, as does its high eyepoint. Minolta estimates the optical viewfinder to be about 94 to 95 percent accurate in its frame coverage, although we found it to be more on the order of 85-87 percent with the 22-80mm lens furnished with our test sample. While not bad, we'd prefer to see a more accurate viewfinder on a professional camera.
The two inch, low temperature, polysilicon, color TFT LCD monitor is not available as a viewfinder, but does provide a Quick View feature that lets you review the previously captured image while remaining in Record mode. In fact, this is the only use we could find in Record mode for the LCD monitor. In Playback mode, the LCD lets you display either four or nine thumbnail images in an index display. As noted earlier, we always appreciate cameras that allow you to change exposure settings without resorting to an LCD based menu system. On the RD 3000, the only LCD menu is the Playback menu.