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Olympus D-490 Zoom Olympus updates a popular 1.3 megapixel model to 2 megapixels, with improved features. Select a topic Reference: Datasheet D-490 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 10/28/2000

Viewfinder
The D-490 features both an optical viewfinder and an LCD color monitor for image composition. The optical viewfinder is on the top left of the back panel and features a diopter adjustment dial to accommodate eyeglass wearers. Centrally located crosshairs inside the viewfinder help you line up shots and set the focus. Green and orange LEDs on the side of the viewfinder let you know the camera ready status, such as when autofocus is set or when flash is necessary. The 1.8-inch color LCD monitor is normally inactive when the camera switches on, but is quickly enabled by pressing the Display button beside it. For the most part, the monitor has limited information display. It indicates the file number, flash setting, self-timer, digital zoom, and macro modes, but the remaining information (image quality, battery power, white balance, etc.) is reported on the camera's top status display panel. We found the LCD monitor very bright and easy to see in most situations. It was a little hard to read in very bright sunlight, but that is a common affliction among LCDs.

We found the D490's optical viewfinder a little tight, showing approximately 90 percent of the image area at wide angle, and about 91.5 percent at telephoto (for both image sizes). We also noticed that framing with the optical viewfinder resulted in a shifted image. Our framing test resulted in the target being shifted towards the bottom of the image, with a slight slant towards the lower left corner. The D490's LCD viewfinder was much more accurate (a significant improvement from that of the earlier D-400 series models), showing approximately 98 percent of the final image area at wide angle, and about 99 percent at telephoto (also at both image sizes). Since we generally like to see LCD monitors as close to 100 percent accuracy as possible, the D490's LCD monitor does an excellent job. We also shot a test with the digital telephoto enabled, but we were unable to measure the accuracy because of the soft resolution and difficulty in framing.