The interface of the D50 benefits
from a 2 inch LCD monitor with a good resolution, and the
use of comparatively large fonts that make it quite legible.
The four part menu is also enhanced by the use of help screens
that are available at a push of the
button for every single option of the menu. The result is
a very user-friendly environment that makes it easy to get
accustomed to the camera and to its functions.
As explained in the Characteristics section of the
review, the menu system of the D50 is composed of 4 distinct
sections each accessed using a small tab on the left side
of the screen. The fourth section, identified by a wrench
icon, contains the options for the basic configuration of
the D50:
Format: serves to format the memory card.
CSM/Set Up Menu: Simple or Detailed.
Serves to choose whether the Custom Settings menu shows
all 20 options or only the first 6; and whether the Setup
menu shows only the first 8 options or all 14
Date: sets the time and date on the D50.
LCD Brightness: allows adjusting the screen's brightness
using a grayscale display.
Video Mode: selects the video output signal, NTSC
or PAL.
Language selects the language to be used for the
menu: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch,
Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified
Chinese, Japanese, Korean.
Image Comment: allows adding a short text comment
with an on-screen keyboard to the data encoded with images.
USB: provides an option for Mass Storage, used
for connecting the D50 to a computer, or PTP (Picture Transfer
Protocol) when connecting to a PictBridge printer.
Folders: serves to create, rename or delete folders
into which images are stored. New folders can be named with
up to 5 characters using an on-screen keyboard.
File No. Seq.: controls the way images are numbered.
Three options are available Off, On, or
Reset. Off resets the file numbering when a new folder
is created, a new memory card inserted or formatted. One
continues sequential numbering regardless. Reset restarts
numbering from 1.
Mirror Lock-up: Yes or No. Serves
to lock up the mirror so the low-pass filter which protects
the CCD can be dusted clean with a blower.
Dust Ref Photo: used to acquire a reference image
that is used by Nikon Capture 4 version 4.3 or later, (available
as an option see the Software section below).
The reference image serves to identify any dust that may
be on the imager so it can be deleted from other images
by Nikon Capture.
Firmware Ver.: displays the camera's current firmware
version.
Image Rotation: Automatic or Off. By default the
D50 records the camera orientation for each photo so that
they can be displayed correctly in playback.
Nikon includes a professional manual that explains every
aspect of the camera clearly. Moreover, the manual is printed
in a format that allows it to be stored in a camera bag along
with the D50, making it easy to find when needed.
Software
(Note that the software supplied with the
D50 may not be the same from country to country).
Nikon supplies 2 discs with the D50.
One contains PictureProject 1.5, the basic software
for the camera, and a full 1-month Trial version of Nikon
Capture 4 (Ver. 4.3), a powerful image editing tool designed
specifically to handle Nikon RAW files.
The
disc also contains PTP drivers for Coolpix cameras, drivers
for the D1 series cameras, Apple QuickTime 6, and Microsoft
DirectX 9.
The second disc contains the PictureProject software manual
in PDF format (Adobe Acrobat) in a variety of languages.
PictureProject (at right) is a simple to use program
intended as a tool to view, organize and print photos captured
with the camera, and also as a means to view RAW images and
convert them to JPEG.
PictureProject provides tools
to do some basic editing, allowing the user to adjust brightness,
apply D-lighting (a process that brings out image detail from
shadow areas), boost the colour, sharpen the image or even straighten
it. Moreover, PictureProject offers automatic tools to remove
red-eye, or enhance an image. PictureProject can also be used
to burn CDs, create slide shows, or print photos.
As noted above, Nikon
Capture 4, Nikon's flagship program for its cameras, is
also included on the first disc as a 1-month Trial version.
Nikon Capture is, according to Nikon, intended for professional
use and the trial version is an excellent way to introduce
users to the powerful features of the program.
Nikon Capture Editor (at right) is the primary image
editing program and it offers a wide number of tools to edit
and work with RAW files.
Nikon Capture Camera Control
is the other part of the Nikon Capture 4, and serves to control
the D50 while it is connected to a computer. The program not
only triggering the shutter release remotely, it also allows
setting all camera parameters and is intended for studio-type
work.
At any point during the trial period, Nikon Capture 4 can
be purchased from Nikon at a cost of $99 US.
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Interface & Software
button for every single option of the menu. The result is
a very user-friendly environment that makes it easy to get
accustomed to the camera and to its functions.
