The interface of the Stylus 780
depends entirely on the 2.5 inch monitor. Various levels of
information can be selected to display, include the most informative
which includes a real-time histogram, but the monitor is never
so cluttered as to make it difficult to frame a shot. Most
noticeable is that the image on the monitor remains visible
at all times, even when sunlight directly strikes it, when
although it loses some contrast, it remains sufficiently clear
to frame a shot. In this area, we only have one regret: the
camera's selection of shutter speed and aperture is never
shown, whatever the shooting mode.
With the menus, however, a certain amount of time is needed
to get somewhat familiar with them, and often, the way they
function made us feel they are too complex. For instance,
selecting the image size and quality requires pressing the
MENU button, then the up arrow to select
the appropriate option, then press the OK/FUNC. button to
confirm that selection. Moreover, with some image sizes it
is necessary to access further sub-options. It seems to us
that a more straightforward way to select for the image size/quality
would have been in the Function menu where there is plenty
of space for it, particularly since the compression level
is associated to the format SHQ, HQ, SQ1 and SQ2.
While the menu system of the Stylus 780 is graphically similar
to other Olympus cameras, it differs in its organization.
This one has no shortcuts and the options presented when the
MENU button is first pressed are independent sections. Still,
irrespective of the mode, there is always an access to the
Setup menu. The Setup menu controls the basic settings of
the camera, and extends over four screens:
Format: serves to format the memory card, or the
internal memory.
Backup: serves to copy all data located in the
internal memory to a memory card.
Language decides the interface language, which
on this North American version of the camera are: English,
French, Spanish or Portuguese. Other languages can be added
using Olympus Master (see further) while the camera
is connected to a computer via USB.
PW On Setup: decides if an image is shown on the
monitor when the camera starts (the Olympus logo, an image
captured with the camera, or nothing), and if a sound is
played simultaneously (two options or none).
Menu Theme: allows selecting the background
colour for menus (normal, blue, black, pink) or the use
of favourite image.
Beep: offers a choice of 2 sounds and two volume
settings or none for the sounds produced by the camera when
it is operated.
:
serves to adjust the volume of camera warning sounds (Low,
High or Off).
Shutter Sound: offers a choice of 2 sounds and
two volume settings or none for the sounds produced by the
camera when the shutter release is pressed.
Volume: serves to adjust the Playback volume over
5 steps.
Rec View: decides whether or not an image is displayed
briefly post-capture or not.
File Name: decides whether files are numbered consecutively,
or restart at 1 when a new memory card is used or the card/internal
memory is formatted.
Pixel Mapping: a function that verifies the operation
of the CCD and the image processor. This function should
be used once a year.
Monitor Brightness: serves to adjust the monitor
brightness over ±6 levels.
Date and Time: serves to set the internal clock
and calendar of the camera, and select the format of the
date.
Dual Time: serves to set home and destination time
zones when traveling.
Alarm Clock: controls the camera's built-in alarm
clock. Can be set to operate once or daily. The alarm time
can be set (up to 7 times every 5 minutes), as well as the
alarm sound and the volume.
Video Out: NTSC or PAL.
Power Save: when active this option turns off the
monitor after being idle for 10 seconds to conserve power.
The Stylus 780 is supplied with a very succinct manual printer
in English, French and Spanish. The manual only provides basic
information and goes not go into any detail.
Software
The Stylus 780 is supplied with a single CD containing Olympus
Master 2 (for Windows and Macintosh) and a trial version
of Olympus Muvee TheaterPack (only for Windows).
Olympus Master opens
on an image browser window that presents the computer's folders
on the left side of the screen, and thumbnails (whose size
can be adjusted) of the images contained in the currently
selected folder on the right.
The program allows displaying all the EXIF data (capture
parameters for an image) in a third column, as well as a histogram
for the image currently highlighted.
At the top of the program's window,
a tool bar provides tools to import images, see photos as
a slide show, e-mail images, print, and access the editing
window or the RAW development window.
When a JPEG image is opened
in the Editing window, editing tools are presented on the
right side of the window in a column. These tools make it
possible to resize, crop (trim), and insert text. In addition,
it is possible to adjust the image's brightness, contrast,
colour balance, or even to tweak its hue, and gamma, or automatically
correct tint, saturation, etc.
The original image can be displayed
on the left of the screen, while a copy of it on the right
of the screen shows the effect of the correction.
Muvee TheaterPack,
enclosed with the disc, is designed to create slide shows
that include a variety of transition effects and background
music, and then burn the creation onto a CD or DVD.
The version of Muvee TheaterPack enclosed is a trial version,
and only operates for fifteen days. After which, if desired,
the full version can be purchased online.
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Interface & Software
:
serves to adjust the volume of camera warning sounds (Low,
High or Off).
