The
Olympus C-4000Z was intended as a lower priced alternative to the
C-4040Z, the C-Series 4 megapixel model with an f1.8 lens.
In designing the C-4000Z, Olympus left out a few of the features of the
C-4040Z, and added some others, for example, a 3:2 image format, and a
"Super Macro" mode that makes it possible to take photos 2 cm
(1 inch) from the subject.
The
look of all C-series cameras is broadly similar, but with minor variations.
This one is a combination of light and dark silver finish, with metallic
covers on the top, and front.
The
controls on top of the camera also follow the standard layout for the
C-series, with a shutter release surrounded by the zoom control —
also used to magnify a picture or display thumbnails in playback —
and the Mode Dial immediately behind it. On this model, the Mode Dial
provides positions for:
Program
Mode.
Aperture
Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, and My Modes.
Movie
Mode and Scene Modes.
Playback
Mode.
Power
Off.
All other
controls for the C-4000Z are on the back of the camera, and unlike the
C-4040Z, there is no display screen on the top of the camera to remind
of current settings.
Once again, the
upper controls are common to many other C-series cameras. Both
the buttons to the right of the viewfinder have dual functions, one in
the recording mode, the other in Playback. The recording functions are
indicated by a white symbol.
Auto,
Red-eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Flash Off, and Slow Synchronization
modes: slow 1 (first curtain), slow 2 (second curtain), slow 1 with
red-eye reduction.
Single
frame erase.
Cycles
through Spot metering, Macro mode, Macro with Spot metering, and
Off.
DPOF
settings. Allows selecting which photos will be printed and how
many prints of each will be ordered.
Also on the
upper back of the camera is the 4-direction control that provides a means
of navigating the menus. In addition, the control can be used to change
apertures and shutter speeds in the priority and manual shooting modes,
or to increase or decrease the exposure compensation.
Three more buttons are aligned on the right side of the 1.8 inch LCD screen:
OK/Menu
is used to call up the menu and confirm selections. As with other
recent Olympus cameras, the menu system starts with a "Shortcut"
screen that can be configured to access specific sections parts
of the menu.
The
Monitor button can be used to turn On or Off the LCD screen, and
its information overlay. As a secondary use the monitor button also
provides a quick way to review a just captured photo [Quick View]
by pressing it twice rapidly.
The lowest button on the back of the camera also has a dual role, depending
on whether the camera is in recording mode or playback:
In
the A/S/M/ and "My Mode" recording modes this button accesses
a new type of shortcut menu (image at right) that allows easy switching
from one mode to another.
Furthermore, the button can also be used to rotate an image when
the camera is connected to a television.
In
playback, pressing the button write-protects the photo on the screen.
The C
Series cameras have sustained slight modifications and improvements as
each new model was developed.
