Kyocera FineCam S3 ZoomKyocera packs 3 megapixels into the smallest zoom-equipped digicam yet. Too cool!<<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:DesignReview First Posted: 7/1/2001 |
Design
The Finecam S3's stainless steel body is attractive, tiny, and rugged -- so compact that it's easily covered by a standard credit card. The champagne-colored surface is accented by lots of silver and chrome, plus a very slick SD Memory card logo on the front panel that changes color with the light, and doubles as a clear plastic finger grip. The overall size is approximately 3.4 x 1.3 x 2.3 inches (87 x 55 x 30mm), with a telescoping zoom lens that measures just under an inch when fully extended. The body weight is less than 6 ounces (150 grams) with the battery and memory card installed(!). But don't let this little camera fool you. The S3 offers a whopping 3.3-megapixel CCD (for images as large as 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, unusual in this small a form factor) and a high-quality 2x zoom lens that provides an equivalent focal range of a 38-76mm lens on a 35mm camera.
The 2x, 7.8-15.6mm zoom lens dominates the S3's front panel, extending about an inch when the camera is powered on in Record mode. A retracting, shutter-like cover protects the lens when it's not in use, and quickly slides open and out of the way as the lens telescopes outward. Above the lens are the viewfinder window and two LED lamps, with the built-in flash unit set off slightly on the left side. One of the lamps is a power indicator that glows red when the camera is in Playback and Setup modes. This serves as a reminder that the camera is on, even though the lens is not in its extended position.
The right side of the camera holds the memory card slot, wrist strap attachment eyelet, DC In, and Video Out jacks. A hinged, plastic door protects the memory card slot, which accommodates either MMC (MultiMedia) or SD (Secure Digital) cards (which are much smaller than standard CompactFlash and SmartMedia memory cards). A flexible rubber flap covers the cable connections, with small rubber plugs to protect the DC In and Video Out jacks.
The opposite side of the camera holds the battery compartment door, which slides out from the camera body before opening outward to reveal the compartment. The proprietary lithium-ion battery pack is small and flat, and recharges inside the body with the accompanying AC adapter.
The Shutter and Power buttons are the only two features on the camera's top panel, which mirrors the streamlined appearance of the camera's front panel.
All of the remaining camera controls are on the back panel, along with the optical viewfinder eyepiece and 1.5-inch LCD monitor. A Mode lever in the center of the top of the panel controls the camera's operating mode, placing it in Setup, Record, or Playback modes. Four buttons across the top of the panel control the focus mode (Macro or Infinity), flash mode, and optical zoom (one button for zooming out to telephoto, and another for zooming back in to wide-angle). Also on the back panel is a Four Way Arrow pad, which navigates the settings menus. In the center of the pad is an OK button, which confirms menu selections when the camera is in menu mode, and controls the LCD brightness level when the menu is turned off. The Display and Menu buttons are located at the bottom of the back panel, under the LCD monitor, and a long gray Card Release switch runs vertically along the right side. The optical viewfinder eyepiece features two LED lamps, which indicate the camera's status (such as when the subject is in focus or the flash is charging). Below the Card Release switch, another small LED lamp lights red whenever the camera is accessing the memory card.
The S3's bottom panel houses only a metal threaded tripod mount on the far right side, and the wrist attachment eyelet mentioned above.
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