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Casio QV-2300UX Plus A 2 megapixel swivel-lens design with lots of creative options and a 340-megabyte Microdrive included (US only) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet QV-2300UX 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 QV-2300UX Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Viewfinder :(Previous) | (Next): Exposure & Flash>> Page 5:Optics Review First Posted: 1/29/2001

Optics
The built-in, 3x, 6.2-18.6mm zoom lens is equivalent to a 41-123mm lens on a 35mm camera. Much like the preceding QV-7000SX and QV-8000SX models, the QV-2300UX Plus' lens housing features a swivel design that rotates the lens approximately 270 degrees up and down. This greatly simplifies self-portraits, as the lens can turn completely around to face the back panel. It can also be pointed straight up or down, or at any angle within its rotating range. A small, plastic lens cap protects the lens, and a small, attachable lens cord prevents it from being separated from the camera. Focus ranges from 3.9 inches (10cm) to infinity in Infinity mode, and from 0.4 to 19.7 inches (1.0 to 50cm) in Macro mode. The aperture can be adjusted manually or automatically, with available settings of f/2.8 and f/5.6. A series of filter threads on the inside lip of the lens hood accommodate optional Casio lens conversion kits, which increase the camera's wide angle and telephoto capabilities. (Note that an optional adapter ring is needed to attach auxiliary lenses to the QV-2300, due to its telescoping lens design that extends out beyond the body threads.)

Four focus modes are available -- Auto, Macro, Infinity, and Manual -- all accessible by pressing the Macro/Infinity/Manual Focus button on the bottom of the back panel. The QV-2300UX Plus' Auto focus mode uses a contrast-detection method to determine focus, basing its readings on the very center of the image (which is marked on the LCD display by central focus brackets). When shooting in Auto focus mode, the small LED on the back panel lights green as soon as the subject is in focus. If the LED turns red, the camera cannot judge the focus distance of the subject. (Casio notes in the instruction manual that when the camera cannot judge focus on a subject, it automatically sets the focus to approximately 4.9 feet [1.5m] in well-lit situations, and to about 6.6 feet [2.0m] when the flash is enabled.) Macro Focus mode simply switches the focus range to the Macro setting, disabling the Optical Zoom. Infinity Focus mode sets the focus distance to infinity, which is a quick and easy way to photograph scenery and distant subjects. The Manual Focus mode allows you to adjust the focus by pressing the +/- buttons on top of the camera.

We would have preferred to see a distance scale in the Manual Focus mode, as it can be a little difficult to judge when a subject is in focus. However, we had the greatest success by zooming out to the furthest telephoto setting, setting the focus, then zooming back in to the desired focal length. (It is important to note that you can only adjust the focus when the "MF" is flashing in the LCD monitor. After the "MF" stops flashing, the +/- buttons reset to adjust exposure compensation. To reactivate the flashing "MF," press the Focus button once and it will come back on.) You can lock the focus on a subject by framing it within the autofocus brackets in the center of the LCD, pressing the shutter button halfway, then repositioning the camera to the original composition while keeping the shutter button halfway depressed. When you depress the shutter button completely, focus and exposure will be locked on the original object.

The Digital Zoom function is set through the Record > Functions menu. It has four options: Off, Auto, 2x, or 4x zoom. Once enabled, the digital zoom picks up after the optical zoom reaches the end of its telephoto range. At 4x zoom, a frame appears on the LCD display to show what part of the image will actually be recorded. As a general rule, digital zoom results in degraded image quality, because it works by enlarging the center portion of the CCD image, rather than increasing the magnification of the lens. The end result is increased noise levels and reduced resolution (images recorded at 4x zoom are 800 x 600 pixel resolution). Digital Zoom is completely disabled when the camera is set to Scene mode, and only 2x digital zoom is available in Panorama and Movie modes.