Front (7.5)
The front of the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom has the 3x optical zoom lens located on the far right of the camera body, when viewed from the front. Around the rim of the lens are the words, "Olympus Lens AF Zoom 5.8-17.4mm 1:2.9-5.0." Above and slightly to the left of the zoom lens ring, the user will find the real image optical viewfinder. Moving along the top of the front face of the camera, to the left of the viewfinder, is the in-camera flash. Alongside the flash is the self-timer lamp which alerts the user when the image will be captured. A slight lip on the left side of the camera body serves to enhance the grip and add flair. On the left side is the model name, "Camedia Digital Camera D-540 Zoom," and "3.2 Megapixel." Between the grip and the lens is the polished "Olympus" brand name.

 

Back (7.5)
The back of the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom features a slightly inset, 1.8-inch 85,000 pixel TFT color LCD monitor, framed by the surrounding camera body. Above the screen in the upper left corner is the viewfinder, which extends past the surface of the display. However, this isn’t nearly enough clearance to avoid pressing your face against the LCD to see into the viewing window. The small size of the viewfinder makes it difficult to use for long periods. It also lacks any sort of zoom rating, creating a drastic discrepancy between the perceived frame and the recorded image. To the right of the viewfinder is the horizontally aligned power switch. This allows the user to move the camera between Off, Playback, and Camera modes. To the right of the LCD monitor is the Quick View button, which permits immediate review of the previously captured image on the memory card. To return to regular shooting mode, either the shutter button must be depressed partially or the Quick View button depressed again. This feature is great when the user is uncertain of the quality of the last shot and fears that entering and scanning the full playback menu will consume too much time.

 

Beneath the Quick View button is the four-way controller with the OK button at the center. The cardinal buttons navigate the on-screen menus and enter sub-menus, and can be used to engage their secondary feature outside the menu when the camera is in shooting mode. The up arrow doubles as the Macro mode, allowing for focusing as close as .7 feet from the front of the lens. The right arrow acts as the manual flash control, the down arrow engages or disengages the Self Timer, and the left arrow allows the user to enter the “virtual dial,” a spinning on-screen menu that, though functional, misguidedly draws its aesthetics from futuristic action films like Minority Report. The OK button allows access to a second menu that works without animation. Sub-menus and control visuals for flash, macro, and other modes appear as transparent bars overlaying the live image feed.

 

Left Side (7.5)
The left side of the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom has only the DC in port, which is located in the lower back corner and covered by a sturdy, light gray port cover. The user must flip a tab at the back of the port cover to access the jack beneath.

 

Right Side (7.5)
The battery port for the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom is on the front half of the camera body, and is opened by pressing down on the cover slightly and sliding it downwards. Once revealed, the user can insert or replace the two AA batteries used to power this camera. Behind this port, and curving around to the back of the camera, is the memory card slot for the xD-Picture Card. It’s opened by pulling the slight tab located at the front of the door out from the camera. This is fairly simple, but the instructions for proper card insertion are unclear, and may be confusing. Above this is a third port cover - made out of the same light gray rubber used to cover the DC in port on the other side of the camera body - covering the USB port. In front of the USB port is an eyelet for the optional wrist strap. This feature is set into the camera body to minimize the potential for catching on clothing or cases. Having the USB and optional DC port on opposite sides of the camera ends up as an advantage. There’s less chance of tangled cords or of either feature becoming accidentally disconnected.

 

Top (5.5)
The top of the camera falls gently to the back of the camera face. On the top of the camera body, in the upper right corner, is the zoom toggle for wide angle and telephoto control. This oddly designed feature appears at first as though it should be spun, but on second examination, the user must press or pull this control. Though the user will eventually adapt to the button's strange configuration, it is still certainly not ideal. To the left of the zoom toggle is the shutter button for the Olympus Camedia D-540 Zoom. Nicely sized, and easily accessed for quicker shots, it is also unlabeled and relies on the intuition of the user to decipher its functions.

 

Testing / Performance	Page 3 of 12		Components
Olympus D-540 Zoom Digital Camera Review Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance	Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes	Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions	Conclusions	Specs