As an amateur photographer, I have no grasp of apertures and exposure compensations, but I can tell you that this camera was the easiest digital that I've used and that it produces top quality images.
The PhotoPC 3000Z is Epson's first foray into the three-mega pixel world. It 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. The chunky shape and handgrip make it difficult to store the 3000Z in a small purse or briefcase; yet, it is that same chunky shape that makes it easy to handle.
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.
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 6X zoom lens. Epson includes a set of rechargeable batteries and a charger. A 16MB Compact Flash card comes with the camera, and additional cards can be purchased.
The PhotoPC 3000Z has a time-lapse mode that takes pictures at set intervals between 10 seconds and 24 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 25 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. Check the software that comes with the camera, as it varies with the locale. The Sierra Imaging's Image Expert program often bundled with the camera is excellent.
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. For a complete professional review, see the Digital Photography Review Web site http://www.dpreview.com.
At $999, the Epson PhotoPC 3000Z 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 quality camera.
