Olympus D-425

Auto Mode
This camera is definitely a point-and-shoot, making the automatic mode its bread and butter. The Auto mode is clearly self-labeled on the mode dial. Once it is selected, the user only needs to zoom - if desired - and press the shutter release button. Everything else is, well, automatic. The auto mode is everything it needs to be: easy to find and easy to use.

Drive / Burst Mode
There is no burst mode on the Olympus D-425. This option usually is not found on cameras in this price range, so the lack of this feature comes as no surprise.

Playback Mode
This mode is easily accessed by pressing the Playback button beside the LCD. The Playback menu has the following options: Print Order, Protect, Card Setup, Time, Language, Sleep, and Index. The Index option lets the user choose a view of four or nine thumbnails at a time. On the tiny LCD screen, the four-index option is better. Single frames can be rotated in the camera. Movie clips can also be played back on the camera.

Movie Mode
The movie mode records at 320 x 240 resolution. This is good enough for e-mailing, but not enough to shoot feature films or capture fluid motion. Of course, not even the best digital cameras can shoot fabulous video clips; that's what camcorders are for.

Custom Image Presets
All of the scene modes are located around the perimeter of the mode dial. These include the following: Snow and Surf, Portrait, Sport, Night, Landscape, Indoor, and Self-Portrait. These seven scene modes are sufficient for the users who will own this point-and-shoot camera. The list is not extensive, but for $149, it is good.