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Olympus Camedia D-40 Zoom Super-compact 4 megapixel model takes great pictures! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Camedia D-40 Zoom 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 on Camedia D-40 Zoom Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 10/8/2001

Design
The Olympus D-40Z's silver and gray toned body is very compact, measuring only 3.4 x 2.7 x 1.6 inches (87 x 68.5 x 43.5mm), and employs the familiar sliding lens cover design that has become a standard in Olympus's consumer-level digicams. The molded plastic body keeps the D-40Z's weight down to just 9 ounces (250 grams) with the batteries and SmartMedia card installed, adding to its highly portable design. As a result, it should fit easily into any shirt pocket, waist pack, or small purse, and the included wrist strap ensures a more secure grip.

 

 

On the front of the camera, you'll find the majority of features clustered near the center of the front panel, covered by the clamshell style sliding lens cover. These include a 2.8x optical zoom lens, an optical viewfinder window, a built-in flash window, remote control receiver, and a self-timer / remote control lamp to indicate when the self-timer countdown is in progress or when the camera is communicating with the infrared remote control. The clamshell sliding lens cover also serves as the power switch, activating the camera when opened, and placing it in Record mode. When opened, the cover provides a sculpted ridge near the right edge of the camera, which serves as a grip for your fingers as they wrap around the camera. In the top left corner is a built-in microphone for recording audio with still images or QuickTime movies.

 

 

On the bottom of the camera's right panel is a small covered compartment for the DC In jack and USB / AV Out connector, with a wrist strap attachment eyelet located directly above it. The hard plastic compartment door opens from the bottom, hinged to the camera body so that it swings upward. We found it rather difficult to open, requiring a very strong thumbnail or a hard flat instrument to pop it up.

 

 

The opposite side of the camera is blank except for the speaker used to play back recorded sound.

 

 

The top of the D-40 Zoom features a small black-and-white Control Panel on the left and Shutter button on the right. Surrounding the Shutter button is a telephoto / wide-angle Zoom lever that doubles as an Index Display / Close-up lever in Playback mode. The Control Panel displays a series of icons and camera readings to indicate the current image quality, flash, metering, and focus settings, as well as the image number, battery level, and any camera functions that have been activated through external or on-screen menu controls.

 

 

Most of the D-40Z's external controls are located on the camera's rear panel, along with the optical viewfinder eyepiece and 1.5-inch LCD monitor. Adjacent to the viewfinder eyepiece, on the right side, are two LED lamps that report camera status. Outside of the viewfinder window, on the right side, are the Flash / Erase button (on top) and the Macro / Spot metering button, which also write-protects images and rotates them in Playback mode. Located in the top center of the back panel, the Mode dial has 10 Shooting positions, including Auto, Program, Manual, My Image, Movie, and five Scene modes. Below the Mode dial is the Monitor button, which turns the monitor on or off and activates Playback mode, and the Card Access lamp at the bottom of the back panel. To the right is the Four Way Arrow pad, which is used to change exposure settings in Program and Manual modes and to navigate through menu options. Located in the center of the pad is the Menu / OK button. Along the bottom edge of the rear panel is a hinged door used to access the memory card compartment, and along the right side is an elongated thumb rest with raised nodules for added grip.

 

 

The D-40 Zoom has a flat bottom panel, which holds the battery compartment door and plastic threaded tripod mount. The tripod mount is near the middle of the panel, too close to the battery compartment door to allow for quick battery changes while mounted on a tripod (though we don't think the D-40Z is likely to be used for studio shooting). The battery compartment has a sliding plastic door with a release button in the middle.