The 4-megapixel C-4000Z may well be one of best values on the market
currently. It offers all of the most useful features of the C-4040Z,
adds a super macro mode, and a more recent interface, making the C-4000Z
as versatile as a number of other more costly 4-megapixel cameras.
With the inclusion of the Scene modes and an easy to use Program mode,
the C-4000Z is ideal for the novice.
Panorama
composed of 8 photos all captured with the same settings: f2.8,
8 seconds, white balance set to incandescent, and with noise reduction.
The angle of view is approximately 270°.
Aperture: f 2.8, shutter speed 1/25 sec.
But with a bit of experience, delving into the menus, the priority modes,
and the full and very effective Manual mode reveals a camera that can
also serve the needs of the advanced photographer.
The C-4000Z provides room for growth. It allows more complex — and
often more interesting — photography as the experience, and the
interest, of the user grows, but does not deter or intimidate the neophyte
by overwhelming them with technicalities.
The
program modes of the C-4000Z are not the only thing that makes it valuable.
It offers a broad range of image formats — including a very good
SHQ format — and an uncompressed TIFF format that saves an 11.5MB
4-megapixel image in approximately 18 seconds, something many others take
over a minute to do. While an 18 seconds save time is still not a format
that allows for fast photography, it is useable and yields an excellent
image quality.
Aperture: f2.8, shutter speed 1/30 sec.
Aperture: f4, shutter speed 1/650.
Added to
this is a good lens with a constant aperture — a particular aperture
remains the same whether the lens is in wide angle or at its maximum telephoto
— and a reliable metering system. The result is an image quality
that consistently ranges from very good to excellent.
Indeed, the drawbacks of the C-4000Z are few. An impractical lens cap
which, if inadvertently left on the lens will cause the camera to complain
when turned on.
A somewhat slow 8-second lag between the moment the camera is turned on
and the time at which it is ready to shoot.
A
menu system which, while helped by shortcuts, still demands a careful
reading of the 200-page manual to understand why some of options are available
at times, and not at others.
Aperture: f2.8, shutter speed 1/100.
The fact that the C-4000Z
can be both a simple to use point and shoot, and a sophisticated one that
requires a time investment to fully exploit, leads us to think that it
will likely turn out to be a better investment for the long term than
models with fewer features.
