The Epson PhotoPC 3100Z is an exciting update to the 3000Z model that was introduced in 2000, and the price has been lowered. Last year, I proclaimed the 3000Z to be the easiest to operate, full-featured digital camera that I’ve used. I was also impressed with the top quality images that it produced. With the 3100Z, Epson has made incremental improvements that make the entire picture-taking event even better. Both the design and the technology of this camera are a tribute to Epson and their dedication to making their products easier to use.
A Three-Mega Pixel Camera
The PhotoPC 3100Z is a full-featured camera that professionals will appreciate as well as an easy-to-use camera that amateurs will applaud. The camera is well designed and well implemented. This is no pocket camera. It looks and feels more like a conventional camera than many digital cams. The chunky shape and handgrip make it difficult to store the 3100Z in a small purse or briefcase; yet, it is that same chunky shape that makes it easy to handle while taking pictures.
Most impressive to me are the clean and clear camera controls. The power button is located in the middle of the mode dial on top of the camera. This dial easily switches between the various camera modes for shooting and playback. Seven unlabelled buttons surround the clear LCD on the back of the camera. At first, this seems confusing, but it is soon obvious that the screen indicates the function of each button. As expected, the buttons have different functions in different modes, but the user can always see exactly what each button does. After dealing with many other cameras that use confusing nested menus, this is a welcome interface.
Three Modes of Operation
The small LCD on the top of the camera shows the current camera settings, including White Balance, Image Quality, and Sensitivity. The camera works in three modes - FullAuto, Program, and Manual. Your choice of mode will depend on your level of expertise and how much control is needed. The built-in flash is adequate for most normal situations, and a standard flash hot-shoe is included for additional studio or flash lighting. The lens, rated very high quality by several photographic Web sites, comes with a lens adapter, which allows additional 49 mm filters and lenses. A tripod mount positioned directly in the center of the lens is perfect for shooting panoramas. The camera also has a 3X zoom lens. Epson includes a soft case, as well as a lens adapter; both are often optional accessories. A 16MB Compact Flash card comes with the camera, and additional cards can be purchased.
The PhotoPC 3100Z has a time-lapse mode that takes pictures at set intervals between ten seconds and twenty-four hours. A continuous mode takes shots in a burst for as long as the shutter button is depressed, and a video mode records a video clip of up to twenty-five seconds with or without audio. The camera has a built-in microphone and speaker that handles audio admirably. Connectivity is achieved by either a serial or USB connection. The Sierra Imaging’s Image Expert program bundled with the camera is excellent.
New Features
The 3100Z can print directly to an Epson printer without needing a computer. Simply remove the card from the camera and insert it into the printer. If you want to print only a few images, the camera has a dedicated Print button that can be used to mark images for printing.
Print Image Matching
The camera also features an exciting new printer-camera enhancement called Print Image Matching technology. This new technology ensures optimum print reproduction by establishing critical image-specific printing parameters, such as gamma level, color space, contrast, sharpness, saturation, and highlight and shadow detail, right in the camera. These printing parameters are stored with the picture and when printed on a printer that supports Print Image Matching, a more exact representation of the image can be transferred to the printer. I tested this image matching with an Epson Stylus Photo 785EPX and found a definite improvement in flesh tones and overall photo coloration. Many other camera manufacturers are supporting this great new idea, including Casio, Nikon, Minolta, Sony, and others. Surf over to Epson’s Print Image Matching Web site for more details.
Quality Output
This camera produces outstanding quality output as well as a choice of file formats and compression modes. It is on the par with the Nikon 990, but I find it much easier to use.
At $599, the Epson PhotoPC 3100Z is perfect for the “prosumer” or quasi-professional. Its ease of use also makes it ideal for any ambitious amateur with a few extra bucks who wants to make a one-time investment in a quality camera.
