A Quick Introduction to the Olympus D-490 Zoom Digital Camera

Contents of the Olympus 490 Digital Camera Kit

Olympus 490 digital camera
AC adapter for the camera
Battery charger and its power cord
SmartMedia card reader
Serial cable
Documentation
CD
Four batteries in the camera Four extra batteries

Diagram of the Olympus 490 Zoom Digital Camera

How to Supply Power to the Camera

A] Battery power

Each camera kit includes eight AA rechargeable batteries. The batteries may be found in the battery charger and/or in the camera itself. There is no guarantee the batteries will be charged when the camera is checked out. You may also choose to use your own AA batteries instead of the rechargeable ones. Do not put non-rechargeable batteries in the battery charger. (For more information, see FAQ Concerning the Battery Chargers.)

• How to insert the batteries into the camera if they are not already there.
  • Make sure the camera's shutter is closed. This will turn the camera off.
  • To open the battery compartment:
  • First turn the camera upside down.
  • Slide the battery compartment lock on the battery compartment cover to unlock it (see Figure III).
  • Slide the long rectangular panel towards the end of the camera in the direction specified by the arrow and lift it up to open (see Figure III).
  • Insert four AA batteries according to the diagram outside the battery chamber, so the batteries' poles are pointing the correct way.
  • Gently push the cover down, and slide it back into place.

• How much battery life does the camera have?
  • Open the shutter. This will turn on the camera.
  • Check the small battery indicator on top of the camera (see Figure I, #10).
  • The number of black bars in the battery icon indicate the amount of charge the battery has.
    • Full black bars in the icon mean the batteries are fully charged.
    • Few black bars and a blinking icon mean the batteries need to be replaced or recharged, if possible.
    • If the icon is empty, the camera will turn off after about 12 seconds and the batteries need to be replaced or recharged, if possible.

B] AC adapter

You can also supply power to the camera with electricity instead of batteries, using the AC adapter.

• First, locate the AC-in plug on the camera (see Figure I, #12):
  • With the back of the camera is facing you, carefully open the gray and black flap on the left side of the camera.
  • Underneath are three slots for connections.
• Plug the connector end of AC adapter into the leftmost circular slot (the black one).
• Plug the other end of the AC adapter into a power outlet.
• AC adapter cords included in this kit are approximately 5 1/2 feet long.

How to Turn On the Camera

• Open the front sliding cover to reveal the lens. When you open the sliding cover, the lens will extend. If the camera does not turn on, you may have inserted the batteries incorrectly or the batteries may need to be recharged.
• After the camera is turned on, check the small LCD display screen on the top of the camera (see Figure I, #3).
• This is the control panel, which displays several important items, including:
  • The recording mode, which indicates the resolution of the picture (see How Many Pictures can be Taken for details).
  • The battery icon, which indicates the remaining amount of battery power (see Section [A]: Battery Power for details).
  • The number, which indicates how many pictures you can take.

How Many Pictures Can be Taken

A] How many pictures can be stored in the camera

The number of pictures the camera can store varies depending on two factors: the resolution quality selected and the storage media's capacity--the SmartMedia card, which holds up to 32 MB. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image, and the more space it will take up in the camera's storage space. For printing the pictures, a higher resolution is preferable. For posting the pictures on the web, a lower resolution is acceptable. If you are unsure, simply choose a higher resolution.

• The D490 zoom camera offers three resolutions:
  • SHQ (Super High Quality), HQ (High Quality), and SQ (Standard Quality)
• With the 32 MB SmartMedia card contained in this camera kit:
  • Up to 22 SHQ pictures can be taken
  • Up to 64 HQ pictures can be taken
  • Up to 331 SQ pictures can be taken
• Any mixture of HQ and SQ can be taken.

B] To set the resolution

• Turn on the camera (see How to Turn On the Camera above).
• On the back of the camera, press the the menu button . This should pull up a menu on the color LCD display.
• Use the arrow buttons on the back of the camera to navigate.
  • First, press the down arrow two times to reach the third menu option.
  • Then press the right arrow button once.
• You should be in a menu titled Quality.
  • If you have accidentally entered the wrong menu, press the arrow button pointing to the left to return to the main menu and reselect.
• Once you are in the Quality menu, use the up and down arrow buttons to highlight the resolution of your choice.
• Press the round black OK button to select the resolution.
• Press the menu button once to exit the menu.

You can change the resolution between pictures, but the pictures with higher resolution will take up more space on the card. In other words, the more pictures you take at a higher resolution, the fewer low resolution pictures you will be able to take. Usually, the number of remaining pictures for a higher resolution will not be affected by a lower resolution picture that was taken though it still takes up space on the card. The conversion between the resolution is about 1 SHQ picture = 3 HQ pictures = 11 SQ pictures.

• Turn on the camera (see How to Turn On the Camera above).
• The black and white display on top of the camera will show the number of remaining pictures that can be taken.
  • When the number is zero, no pictures can be taken.
  • When the number is zero, no pictures can be taken. You will need to download or delete pictures.
  • If the LCD displays the error message , you should follow instructions on Downloading Pictures from a Digital Camera to a PC or Downloading Pictures from a Digital Camera on a Mac if you are near a computer.Otherwise, you will need to follow the instructions on Reformatting the card (under IX. How to Erase a Picture) and all pictures currently on the camera will be lost.
• Look through the viewfinder on the back of the camera, and position the digital camera so the desired subject is within the viewfinder.
• If you prefer to use the color LCD monitor to compose the shot, press the display button .
  • Move the camera until the desired picture is displayed in the color LCD monitor.
  • This method is more likely to result in shaky pictures, and may also reduce battery life.
• To focus:
  • Hold the large silver shutter button on top of the camera halfway down and wait for the green light next to the view finder to become steady.
• Once your picture is set and focused, completely press down on the shutter button.
  • The green light will turn off and you will hear a click and a beep.
  • On the LCD control panel on the top of the camera, a writing pencil icon will appear, indicating that the camera has taken the picture and is writing it to memeory.
  • The camera is finished recording once the icon disappears.
  • While the camera is recording, no other operations can be performed. Do not turn off the camera during recording.

B] To zoom in or out

• Use the silver button with a raised ridge to the right of the shutter button and has the letter 'W' and 'T' on it.
  • To zoom in, push the lever towards T (tight).
  • To zoom out, push the lever towards W (wide).

C] To use the flash

• Locate the flash button on the back of the camera:
  • It is the leftmost of the three silver, rectangular buttons, marked with a lightening bolt arrow symbol.
• To change between flash modes, make sure the flash is open.
  • The flash is needed when the orange light next to the view finder blinks.
• To open the flash:
  • Flip open the flash in the upper right corner of the front of the camera. .
• The flash setting is displayed on the control panel.
• If no flash icon appears, the flash is set to automatically fire as needed.
  • A crossed-out lightning bolt icon signifies that the flash will not fire even if light is low.
  • An eye symbol signifies the red-eye reduction flash.
  • A lightning bolt icon signifies that the flash will fire regardless of lighting conditions.
  • A lightning bolt accompanied by the word SLOW indicates a slow sync flash. This is best used for taking pictures at night.
  • The lightening bolt accompanied by both the eye icon and the word SLOW adds the redeye reduction to the slow sync. This feature is helpful for taking pictures of people at night. Use of a tripod with slow sync flash is recommended.
    
• When you are done using the flash, close the flash:
  • Gently press the back of the flash until it clicks closed.
  • When the flash is closed, the flash setting will always show the lighting bolt with a circle around it to indicate that the flash will not fire.

How to Turn Off the Camera

When you are finished taking pictures, you should turn off the camera to conserve battery power.

Do not turn off the camera while the red light on the back of the camera is blinking or is on. Doing so may damage the card and cause you to loose any pictures you have previously taken.

• To turn the camera off, first close the flash if it is open.
• Close the lens cover halfway until it just touches the lens. Do not push the cover into the lens. The lens will retract into the camera.
• Once the lens retracts fully, close the cover the rest of the way.You will not lose any pictures you have taken when you turn off the camera. The pictures will be retained in the SmartMedia card even if the power is off, the AC adapter is not plugged in, or the batteries are taken out.

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How to View a Captured Picture

• Once you have taken a picture, close the front lens cover.
  • Press the small round monitor button on the back of the camera .
  • The most recent picture you have taken will be displayed in the color LCD monitor.
  • The number of the picture and the remaining battery power should also be displayed briefly.
• To scroll through the pictures you have captured:
  • Use the left and right arrow buttons to advance forward or backward a single picture.
  • The up and down arrow buttons can be used to jump to the 10th image ahead or back.
  • Make sure you wait until a picture is fully displayed before continuing.
• To protect your pictures from accidental deletion:
  • Select the picture you want to protect by scrolling through the pictures you have captured.
  • Once you select the picture, you can lock it by pressing the button with a green key icon on the back of the camera.
  • A green key icon should then be displayed on the LCD display panel where the picture is being viewed; this locks the image into the camera's memory.
  • To unlock a picture, press the button again.
• To view multiple images in a grid at once:
  • Make sure the lens cover is closed, then press the display button.
  • Push the zoom lever towards W. This will display nine thumbnail pictures on the screen at one time.
    • You can still use the arrow buttons to scroll through them.
  • To select only one picture from the several being displayed, scroll until you select the desired picture and then push the zoom lever towards T. This will display the currently selected picture at full size.
    
• To exit display mode and return to taking pictures:
  • Press the display button to turn off the display, open the lens cover, and resume taking pictures.
  • Your pictures will be saved in the camera's SmartMedia card until you erase them.
• The LCD display panel takes up a great amount of battery power. You might want to have extra batteries on hand in case they need to be replaced, or plug in the camera while viewing captured pictures to save battery power.

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  How to Erase a Picture

Do not attempt to erase while a picture is being written. Wait until the camera is done writing the picture, then erase.

• If you have locked a picture, that picture cannot be erased. A picture is locked if there is a lock symbol in the upper left corner.
  • To remove lock, view or select the picture on the color display and press the lock button, which has a key symbol on it.
    
• To erase one picture at a time:
  • Close the front lens cover and press the display button.
  • Scroll through the pictures and select the one you want to delete.
  • Press the Erase button which is the leftmost of the three silver buttons on the back of the camera with the red icon of a trash can.
  • You will be prompted for confirmation.
  • To erase the selected picture, press the up arrow button to select YES, then press the OK button.
    • This will permanently erase your picture. You will not be able to get it back later.
  • If you decide not to erase the image, or accidentally selected the wrong image, press the erase button again to cancel.
• To erase all pictures at once:
  • Close the front lens cover.
  • Press the menu button.
  • Press the down arrow button to scroll through the menu items until you have highlighted the trash can icon.
  • Press the right arrow button.
    • A screen will appear with a blue background, a red trash can on the top left hand corner, and two icons.
  • Select the small trash can icon and press the OK button.
  • At the new screen, press the up arrow button to select YES, and press the OK button.
    • This will permanently erase all your unlocked pictures. You will not be able to get them back later.
  • To cancel the action, press the menu button on the back of the camera.
• Reformatting the card:
  • Note: This option should only be used when you cannot erase any pictures and the card is full. It will permanently erase pictures and movies, including any that are locked. You will not be able to get them back later. If you do not want to lose any pictures stored on the camera, and you are near a computer, follow the steps on How to Download a Picure on a PC or How to Download a Picture on a Mac. If you do not have access to a computer, you must choose between being able to take new pictures (but losing the ones on the card), or keeping the pictures stored on the card (but not being able to take additional pictures).
  • Make sure the camera shutter is closed and the LCD monitor is on.
  • Press the menu button .
  • Press the down arrow button to select the the trash can (fourth item down). It is selected when it is highlighted green.
  • Press the right arrow button.You will see a screen with a blue background. Use the down arrow button to select the Hammer Icon (second item listed).
  • Press the OK button.
  • You will be prompted to confirm the reformatting of the card. Use the up arrow to select YES.
  • Give the camera a minute to reformat the SmartMedia card.
  • Press the OK button.
  • To cancel the action anytime before you confirm the reformatting of the card, press the monitor button on the back of the camera.

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How to Shoot a Short QuickTime Movie

• To set the camera to movie mode:
  • Open the lens and turn on the LCD screen by pressing the display button .
  • Press the menu button and scroll down with the arrow buttons to select the shooting function .
  • Use the right arrow to go to the movie camera icon .
  • Press the OK button.
    • The subject is displayed in the monitor, the movie camera icon is displayed at the top left of the monitor.
    • If you switch off the monitor, the camera returns to the still picture mode and you cannot shoot movie pictures. Do not press the monitor button.
• To shoot the movie:
  • Position the subject in the picture frame.
  • Fully press down the shutter button and release.
  • When you want to stop shooting, press the shutter release button once more.
    • The camera will stop movie shooting and the green light beside the viewfinder will blink.
    • Shooting can continue when the green lamp beside the viewfinder goes out.
  • You may repeat this multiple times.
• How much time do I have left to shoot the movie?
  • The memory gauge will appear in the lower left corner of the LCD screen when you start shooting.
    • The gauge level rises as you continue to shoot.
    • If the gauge level reaches the top, the memory is full and the camera will automatically stop shooting.
  • The remaining seconds count will appear to the right of the memory gauge. It indicates how many seconds of shooting you have left.
    • If the count drops to 0, the camera will automatically stop shooting.
• To play the movie back:
  • Close the lens and turn on the LCD screen.
  • Press the menu button and use the down arrow to select the item with the rectangular icon that looks like this .
  • Press the right arrow button and then use the up or down arrow to select FILE No.
  • Press the OK button.
    • Now you are back in the main menu.
  • Select the movie camera icon and press the right arrow button.
  • START appears on the screen; press the OK button to start playing the movie.
• To play an older movie:
  • If you took multiple movies, the display will show a frame of the most recent movie by default.
• Press the menu button twice.
• Select the movie camera option and press OK.
• You will see a frame of a movie with the filename of the movie at the bottom of the display.
• Use the left and right arrow buttons to browse through all of the movies.
• When you have found the one you want to play, press the menu button.
  • Make sure the movie camera option is selected and press the right arrow button.
• Press OK and the movie will start playing.
• To get the movie off the camera, follow the instructions on how to download a picture.
  

How to Download a Picture on a PC

How to Download a Picture on a Mac

• Rebecca Levine
• Knapp Media and Technology Center
• Date Created: January 29, 2001
• Last Modified: April 29, 2004