Olympus C-8080 Wide ZoomOlympus enters the 8 megapixel arena with a feature-packed body and fast f/2.4-3.5 5x zoom lens.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 02/12/2004, Updated: 05/07/04 |
Operation and User Interface
The C-8080 Wide Zoom has a similar interface design to previous C-series cameras, but more functions seem to have been moved out of the menu system and are quickly accessible via external buttons. The C-8080's Mode dial quickly sets the exposure mode, and the Command dial lets you change a variety of settings without delving into the LCD menu. The LCD menu system itself is much the same as seen in recent C-series cameras, and the C-8080's external control buttons access the same virtual dial that proved so useful previously. Several of the C-8080 Wide Zoom's external controls can be combined in pairs to adjust a third camera setting. For example, holding down the Flash and +/- buttons adjusts the flash exposure compensation. This is excellent in terms of limiting LCD menu usage, but does make the camera's interface slightly more complicated. And even with the liberal use of external controls, the C-8080's menu system is deeper and more complex than most digicams on the market. I'd say it will probably take at least several of hours for the average user to get fully acquainted with the 8080's control layout.
Control Enumeration
Mode Dial: On top of the camera, the Mode dial selects the camera's operating mode. Choices are Set-Up, Playback, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual, My Mode, Movie, Night, Landscape, Sports, and Portrait modes.
Power Button: Next to the Mode dial is the Power button, which simply turns the camera on and off. I occasionally found that I had a problem with the camera being turned off inadvertently by bumping this button when turning the Mode dial.
Shutter Button: Located in front of the Zoom lever, the Shutter button sets focus and exposure settings when depressed halfway and triggers the shutter when fully depressed.
Zoom Lever: On top of the camera, in front and to the right of the Mode dial, 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, normal image display, and zoomed playback.
Custom Button: Directly to the right of the Mode dial, this button can be programmed to access a variety of camera settings while in Shooting mode.
Flash Pop-Up Button: At the top of the camera on the left-hand side, this button pops up the built-in flash strobe via a mechanical linkage.
Focus / Protect Button: Located on a beveled panel at the left-hand side of the camera's rear panel, this button controls the focus mode. Pressing the button displays a "virtual dial" containing focus options on the LCD. Turning the Command dial cycles between Macro, Manual Focus, Super Macro, Super Macro Manual Focus, and Auto Focus modes. In Playback mode, this button marks the current image for write-protection.
+/- / Info Button: Below and to the left of the Focus button, this button adjusts the exposure compensation when pressed while turning the Command dial. Exposure can be increased or decreased from -2 to +2 EV in half (or via a menu setting) one-third-step increments. In Manual exposure mode, this button accesses the lens aperture setting rather than exposure compensation. Pressing this button and the Flash button to the right of it accesses the flash exposure compensation adjustment (likewise set by turning the Command dial). In Playback mode, this button cycles through several screens of information on the currently displayed image.
Flash / Rotate Button: Directly to the right of the +/- button, this button controls the flash operating mode. Turning the Command dial cycles between Auto, Forced, Suppressed, Red-Eye Reduction, and Slow Synchro modes. When held down in conjunction with the +/- button, this button accesses the flash exposure compensation setting. Pressing this button in Playback mode rotates the captured image 90 degrees clockwise.
Metering / DPOF Button: Located below the Flash button, this button sets the camera's metering mode to Spot, Center-weighted, Multi, or ESP when pressed while turning the Command dial. In Playback mode, this button calls up the DPOF settings menu, where you can select images for printing, the number of copies of each, etc.
Self-Timer / Remote / Erase Button: Located to the left of the Electronic viewfinder, this button accesses the Self-Timer and Remote Control modes when pressed while turning the Command dial. In Playback mode, this button calls up the Single Erase menu, for deleting the currently-displayed image.
Diopter Adjustment Ring: Surrounding the Electronic Viewfinder eyepiece, this ring adjusts the Electronic Viewfinder to accommodate eyeglass wearers.
Command Dial: To the right of the Electronic Viewfinder, this dial adjusts a variety of camera settings when turned while pressing one of the control buttons. In Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, this dial adjusts the available exposure variable (lens aperture or shutter speed, respectively). In Manual exposure mode, it adjusts the shutter speed when no button is pressed, or aperture in conjunction with the +/- button. In Playback mode, this dial scrolls back and forth between captured images.
Quick View Button: Below the Command dial and to the right of the LCD display, this button activates the Quick View function, which calls up the previously captured image on the screen.
Four-Way Arrow Pad: The largest control on the back panel, the Arrow Pad features four arrow keys surrounding the central, OK / Menu button. In any settings menu, the arrow buttons navigate through available options and make selections. In Playback mode, the left and right Arrows move singly forward or backward through the pictures stored on the card, and the up and down Arrows jump ten at a time forward or backward through the pictures; all four Arrows scroll around portions of the expanded image in Zoom Playback mode.
OK / Menu Button: Located in the center of the four-way Arrow pad, this button activates the menu system on the rear panel LCD monitor or Electronic Viewfinder and confirms selected menu settings in the various LCD menu screens. When you press the Display button, it will call up the menu options and display them over the viewfinder image.
Monitor Button: Just below the four-way Arrow pad, this button switches between the LCD monitor and the Electronic Viewfinder. If the Dual Control Panel option has been enabled through the Setup menu, this button also accesses a more detailed information display on the LCD monitor, without the image display.
CF / xD Button: To the right of the Monitor button, this button switches between the two memory card slots (CompactFlash and xD-Picture Card), if you happen to have cards of both types loaded into the camera.
AE Lock Button: On the front of the camera to the right of the lens, this button locks the exposure in any Shooting mode (a second press cancels the exposure lock).
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