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Olympus C-7000 Wide Zoom Seven megapixels, 5x zoom, great pictures, a ton of features, and great build quality - A real winner! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet C-7000 Sample Images C-7000 Imatest Results --------------------------------- 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-7000 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User Interface Review First Posted: 11/26/04

Operation and User Interface

The C-7000 Zoom has a sensible user interface, with a lot of external control available to reduce time spent navigating the LCD menu system, although all controls are dependent on the LCD screen to report the current settings. A large Mode dial on the rear panel controls the camera's operating mode, and multi-functional buttons access a variety of frequently-used camera settings. Like previous Olympus digicams, the C-7000 Zoom's menu system has an initial menu screen with four shortcut buttons on it that lead to sub-menus for quick access of frequently-used menu items. These shortcuts are displayed on the screen as three or four buttons, each selected using the arrow key that corresponds to its position on the screen. Although it can take a little getting used to, this dual-level menu system does let you make adjustments to three of the most often used camera settings quite quickly, and imposes only a slight penalty for less-frequently accessed functions. The C-7000 Zoom's external control layout is similar to previous Olympus Camedia digicam setups, although some buttons have been moved around and functions combined. The AE Lock / Custom Function / Rotate button can have any one of eighteen different functions assigned to it through the Setup sub-menus. This lets you create a short cut to circumvent the menu system for a frequently-used adjustment. With its range of control buttons and menu options, it'll probably take a typical user an hour or so to get familiar with the camera's setup.

Control Enumeration

Power Button: Located on top of the camera, this button turns the camera on and off. If the Mode dial is set to a capture position, the lens extends or retracts as the camera is turned on or off.

Shutter Button: To the right of the Power button and nestled in the center of the Zoom Lever, the Shutter button sets focus and exposure settings when depressed halfway and triggers the shutter when fully pressed.

Zoom Lever: Surrounding the Shutter button on the top panel, the Zoom Lever controls the optical zoom in all exposure modes, and the digital zoom when enabled through the Shooting menu. In Playback mode, the lever switches between Index view, Calendar view (an unique mode that displays the first image taken on each day of the current month), normal image display, and playback zoom.

Flash Release Button: Tucked on the far left side of the camera's rear panel, this button releases the flash from its compartment.

AE / AF / Erase Button: The first button in a series to the right of the optical viewfinder, this button pulls up the following AE and AF shortcut menus, which are navigable via the arrow keys.

• AE Mode: Offers Spot, ESP, and Multi-Metering modes. (The Multi-Metering option is not available in Manual exposure mode.)
• AF Mode: Sets the autofocus area to Spot, iESP, or Area (manual AF area adjustment).

In Playback mode, pressing this button lets you delete the currently displayed image.

Self-Timer / Remote / DPOF Button: To the right of the AE / AF / Erase button, this button accesses the Self-Timer and Remote Control modes in any capture mode. In Playback mode, this button pulls up the DPOF print settings for captured images. You can designate whether to print the single image or all images, as well as determine the number of prints, a date and time overlay, or any cropping.

Flash / Protect Button: Following to the right of the Self-Timer / Remote / DPOF button, this button controls the flash mode, cycling through Auto-Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Flash Off, and Slow Sync modes. It is important to note that if the flash is not popped up, this button does not respond. In Playback mode, this button write-protects the displayed image. It can also remove protection.

Mode Dial: The most obvious control on the rear panel of the C-7000 Zoom is the Mode Dial, which selects the various camera operating modes: Playback, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, My Mode, Scene, and Movie modes.

AE Lock / Custom / Rotate Button: Adjacent to the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button locks the exposure when pressed in Record mode. It can also be programmed through the settings menu to handle one of a number of other functions as well. In Playback mode, this button rotates the displayed image 90 degrees clockwise each time it is pressed.

Quick View Button: Below the AE Lock, / Custom / Rotate button, this button pulls up the Quick View display of the most recently captured image. Pressing the button a second time returns to record mode.

Five-way navigation pad: The largest control on the back panel, the Five-way pad controls many of the C-7000 Zoom's operations. In all Shooting modes except Manual, the left and right arrow keys increase or decrease the exposure compensation setting (provided the LCD monitor is active). In Aperture or Shutter Priority exposure modes, the up and down arrow keys adjust the lens aperture or shutter speed settings, depending on which mode you've selected. In Manual mode, the up and down arrows control shutter speed, while the left and right arrows control aperture.

In Playback mode, the left and right arrows move forward or backward through the pictures stored on the card, or scroll around portions of the image in Zoom Playback mode.

In the LCD menu system, the arrow keys navigate through menu screens and select settings.

OK / Menu Button: Located in the center of the Five way navigation pad, this button activates the menu system on the rear panel LCD monitor and confirms selected menu settings in the LCD menu screens. If the LCD monitor is turned on when you press the OK / Menu button, it will call up the menu options and display them over the image. If the LCD monitor is off, it brings up the camera's menu system with no viewfinder image. Holding this button down for approximately two seconds brings up the Manual Focus distance display, along with the AF and MF icons. Highlighting the MF icon with the right arrow button engages the Manual Focus mode, after which the up and down arrow buttons adjust the focus.