Shooting info visible on F470 LCD

LCD Screen (7.0)
With a screen size of 2.5 inches and just 115,000 pixels of resolution, the F470’s LCD may fall a bit short when attempting to check sharpness or fine details. Major problems also result from the screen’s small size and the lack of places to handle the camera; constant smearing can easily occur, causing increased glare and solarization. The screen has a quick refresh rate, though, and reacted competently when shifted quickly between a variety of light sources and depth planes.

Users can overcome viewing problems, when shooting in minimal lighting, through the use of the low light/up button on the four-way controller. In addition to this quick fix, the F470 includes an LCD brightness option within the set-up menu. This control will display a horizontal scale along the upper edge of the LCD when opened, and will provide users with a live view when making adjustments using the +/-5 brightness scale. While this device will help with viewing, it may be deceiving to user’s using the LCD to gauge exposure. As with all digital cameras, particularly after adjusting LCD brightness levels, the image on the LCD and the final captured image may differ drastically. A higher resolution and a better, less reflective surface would make this LCD a far better viewing device.

Flash (7.0)
The in-camera horizontal flash is positioned along the top edge of the front face in a location that should prevent users from accidentally covering it when shooting. Unfortunately, it is also off the lens axis and will cast shadows to the left side of the subject.

Pressing the left arrow when outside menu structures accesses the F470’s flash settings. These settings are displayed in the upper right corner of the LCD and include auto, red-eye reduction, forced flash, suppressed flash, slow synchro, and red-eye reduction + slow synchro modes. When shooting in F470’s auto mode, the camera will not display the flash setting, and users will need to remember that it is engaged. Flash modes work in both auto and SP mode options and will work with macro and regular shooting modes. However, using the flash in macro mode is not generally recommended, since it will often blow-out the subject and yield inaccurate colors. Red-eye reduction modes worked successfully.