2. The camera

2.1 Specifications

Detailed specifications

2.2 Camera controls

A simple, stylish stainless steel body provides both durability and quality. The weight is well-balanced, and the camera fits well in the hand. However, the plastic battery cover hinge looks like it's going to snap if you're not careful, but I've seen this in other digital cameras as well.

Top

On top you'll find the shutter release button, the power button and the zoom controller.I didn't confuse the power button with the shutter release button, I did sometimes press it accidentally in my pocket without knowing it, or reach for it instead of the other small buttons in the back.

The zoom controller can be shifted left and right for wide angle and telephoto..Apparently typical of similar cameras, the zoom controller is difficult to maneuver precisely when zooming out/wide angle, as it automatically adjusts itself.

Front

On the front of the camera are the Pentax zoom lens, flash, self-timer lamp, and Autofocus assist lamp. The lens has autofocus capability, and contains seven lenses in six groups, including an aspherical lens, to provide 3X optical zoom. Combined with 3.2X digital zoom, you get a maximum zoom factor of 9.6X. The zoom lens protrudes a maximum of about 25mm; since it is extended when you turn on the camera (except in Play mode), you must also take care to avoid turning it on when it is face down against a surface.

Shutter speed ranges from 2 sec to 1/2000 sec. The flash has an approximate effective range of 1.3´ to 9.2´. Whereas the focus range for Autofocus begins at 1.3', Macro Mode allows you to shoot close-ups as near as 5.5".

The raised ridge in front gives you a comfortable grip.

Back

The rear of the camera contains the monitor color screen and all the controls to make adjustments to your images and manipulate them. Modes are selected using a flat-profile dial. Positioning the mode dial on the back rather than on top (as in some cameras) makes it easier to use because I can see more easily what I'm doing,while the shutter release button on top remains easily within reach.There are seven Recording modes, and a Play mode:

The screen is nice and bright, easily visible during daylight. However, the color on this particular sample appears quite off from the actual colors or those in the digital file. It'd be nice if the LCD display could flip-out (as in Canon cameras and camcorders) to help protect it when not in use, but that might add bulk to the camera.

The optical viewfinder can be used in place of the screen to save power, although the monitor is often required in many circumstances, such as Macro Mode or Manual focus. The image in optical viewfinder is at 9.8 feet, so it's not necessarily the same as the one recorded or seen on the screen, if you use a zoom or make other adjustments. You can use the diopter slider to match your eyesight in the optical viewfinder, a great feature for nearsighted folks like myself.

Indicator lamps keep you informed of the current status of the camera - when it's turned on, when the flash is ready, when the autofocus is set.

The overall design provides and display a lot of functionality in a small space for easy, intuitive operation, without crowding the camera with too many controls, or rendering the image unviewable on the screen. The buttons are sized just right, well positioned, and don't protude too much while being accessible. They perform the most frequently used adjustments. All perform both Recording and Play mode funsctions, some with double labeling : black for Recording, green for Play.

Timer MF/DPOF
Flash/Delete
Focus (Macro/Infinity/Manual Focus)/Protect
Preview/Album

The MENU button displays the on-screen menus in both Recording and Play modes.
The DISP (Display) button turns the monitor on/off, and display image settings.

The selector can be rocked left and right, up and down to navigate menus, increase or decrease values; it can also be clicked (SET) to select a menu item or validate an operation.

Right Side (as seen from front)

Under a terminal panel cover (swung open in the photo), you will find the connections for the USB port, AC adapter (DC 4.5V, for any power source rated 100V-240V AC) ; there are no audio or external flash attachment.

Left Side view

On the left side are the strap ring and the memory card slot cover.

Bottom view

The bottom of the camera has the battery compartment cover and the tripod screw hole

2.3 Memory

The camera comes with 11 MB of built-in memory (flash) but you can easily expand this using SD memory cards.

2.4 File format and compression

Image files are in Exif 2.2 JPEG format. There is no RAW format. The Exif JPEG standard embeds certain data in the file such as : camera model, F-stop (aperture), focal length, exposure compensation, shutter speed, metering mode, recording mode. These can be viewed with PhotoLoader, or any other compatible software. For instance, on Windows XP, you can examine some of them in the Advanced summary tab of the file properties.

Images also include PRINT Image Matching II data (an Epson standard) with mode setting and other camera setup information. A compatible printer reads this data and adjusts the printed image accordingly, so your images come out just the way you intended when you recorded them.

2.5 Setting up the camera

• Attach the strap to the camera to protect from dropping it
• Charge the battery, which is not initially charged, and takes about 2 hours, and insert it into the camera.

Inserting the battery into the charger	Inserting the battery into the camera

• Insert a SD memory card - unless you wish to only use Flash memory. I used the 64MB SD card from the EX-M2. To remove it, push the card so it pops out.

Inserting the SD card

• Press the Menu button, then select the Setup menu tab to configure general settings such as language, date and time, home city using the on-screen menus. You also format the memory card using this menu. Make sure you use the camera to do this, not the computer. Also make sure there is enough power in the battery to avoid interrupting the process.

setup menu

The setup menu allows you can configure these general settings in any mode, or reset all camera settings:

• World time
• Date and time,display style
• choice of 6 languages
• sleep
• auto power off
• startup image
• beep tone when a key is pressed
• file numbering

• Install software on your WIndows or Apple OS machine. Note that if you are a Windows XP user or a OS X user, you will not need to install the USB drivers.
• After you've taken your pictures, connect the USB cable to your computer. Be sure not to connect the wrong end of the cable, or unfortunate things might happen.

Connecting the camera's USB port to the computer's

2.6 Setting up the computer

This is pretty easy. The QV-R4 works with both Windows and Apple OSes. The primary software application you will use is PhotoLoader on the Windows OS. On the Mac, you can use iPhoto for OSX; PhotoLoader currently works for versions 7.6.1 to 9 of the Apple OS (system requirements are Quicktime 4, 32MB, and IE 4.0 or above). Note that on the Mac you should first remove any previous versions; a Desktop Watcher control panel is also installed.

USB drivers are included on the CD; however, you don't need to install any on Windows XP, and Apple OS X.

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