Olympus E420 - Evolt 10MP Digital SLR Camera User manual

http://www.olympus.com/
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Our Technical Customer Support is available from 9 am to 6 pm MET (Monday to Friday).
Authorized Distributors
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/ Eire Olympus Service Department P.O. Box 222
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Tel.: [phone]
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Tel.: [phone]
©2008
Printed in Germany · OIME · 20 · 3/2008 · Hab. · E0460758
z Before you start to use your new camera, please read the “Safety Precautions” section in this
manual.
z We recommend that you take test shots to get accustomed to your camera before taking important
photographs.
z The screen and camera illustrations shown in this manual were produced during the development
stages and may differ from the actual product.
z The contents in this manual are based on firmware version 1.0 for this camera. If there are addition
and/or modification of functions due to firmware update for the camera, the contents will differ. For
the latest information, please visit the Olympus website.
DIGITAL CAMERA
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
EN
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Basic guide P. 2
Review the camera part names and the
basic steps for shooting and playback.
Table of Contents P. 20

2
EN
4
Camera
Shutter button
g P. 16, 31
Mode dial
g P. 4
F (Exposure compensation)
button
g P. 51
Control dial
(
j ) g P. 19, 26
Strap eyelet
g P. 10
Self-timer / Remote control lamp /
Remote control receiver
g P. 59, 60
Lens attachment mark
g P. 12
Hot shoe
g P. 74
Mirror
g P. 38
Lens release button
g P. 12
Lens lock pin
Built-in flash
g P. 73
< / Y / j
(Remote control / Self-timer /
Sequential shooting) button
g P. 58 – 61, 90
COPY / < (Copy / Print)
button
g P. 84, 98
# (Flash) button
g P. 73
Mount
(Attach the lens after removing
the body cap from the camera
to prevent dust and dirt from
entering the camera body.)
Strap eyelet
g P. 10

Basic guide
3
EN
LCD monitor
g P. 8, 9, 37
Viewfinder
g P. 6
S (Erase) button
g P. 86
INFO (Information
display) button
g P. 28, 42, 78
MENU button
g P. 29
q (Playback) button
g P. 78
AEL / AFL button
g P. 39, 52, 89
0 (Protect)
button
g P. 85
i button g P. 29
Arrow pad
(
acbd )
g P. 29, 90
Card cover
g P. 13
CF card slot
g P. 13
Eject button
g P. 13
Multi-connector
g P. 82, 99, 103
Connector cover
xD-Picture Card slot
g P. 13
Diopter adjustment
dial
g P. 14
Eyecup
g P. 59
Power switch
g P. 14
Tripod socket
Battery compartment
lock
g P. 11
Battery compartment
cover
g P. 11
u (Live view)
button
g P. 37
Card access lamp
g P. 13, 16, 105
Names of parts and functions

4
EN
Mode dial
The mode dial allows you to change the
camera settings easily according to the
subject.
• Select according to the shooting scene. The camera sets the appropriate shooting conditions
automatically.
• When rotating the mode dial or turning off the power in the easy shooting modes, functions with
changes made to their settings are restored to the factory default settings.
AUTO AUTO Allows you to shoot using an optimum aperture and shutter
speed that the camera sets. The built-in flash pops up
automatically in low-light conditions.
i PORTRAIT Suitable for shooting a portrait-style image of a person.
l LANDSCAPE Suitable for shooting landscapes and other outdoor scenes.
& MACRO Suitable for taking close-up pictures.
j SPORT Suitable for capturing fast-moving action without blurring.
/ NIGHT+PORTRAIT Suitable for shooting both the main subject and background at
night.
g Scene mode
When you select a mode to suit the shooting situation, the
camera optimizes the settings for the shooting conditions.
Unlike the mode dial’s scene mode, most functions cannot be
changed.
1 Set the mode dial to g .
• The scene menu is displayed.
2 Use ac to select the scene
mode.
• The sample image followed by
a description of the selected
mode is displayed.
3 Press the i button.
• The camera enters the shooting stand-by mode.
• To change the setting, press the i button again. The
scene menu is displayed.
Easy shooting modes
PORTRAIT1
GO
For taking a
portrait-style
shot.
SELECT

Basic guide
5
EN
• For more advanced shooting and greater creative control, you can set the aperture value and
shutter speed.
• The settings made in the advanced shooting modes are retained even if the camera is turned off.
P Program shooting Allows you to shoot using an aperture and shutter speed that
the camera sets. ( g P. 45)
A Aperture priority shooting Allows you to set the aperture manually. The camera sets the
shutter speed automatically. ( g P. 46)
S Shutter priority shooting Allows you to set the shutter speed manually. The camera
sets the aperture automatically. (
g P. 47)
M Manual shooting Allows you to set the aperture and shutter speed manually.
(
g P. 48)
Types of scene modes
Icon Mode Icon Mode
I 1PORTRAIT q 10 DIS MODE
L 2LANDSCAPE J 11 MACRO
K 3LANDSCAPE+PORTRAIT r 12 NATURE MACRO
G 4NIGHT SCENE & 13 CANDLE
U 5NIGHT+PORTRAIT * 14 SUNSET
G 6CHILDREN ( 15 FIREWORKS
J 7SPORT @ 16 DOCUMENTS
H 8HIGH KEY s 17 PANORAMA
I 9LOW KEY g 18 BEACH & SNOW
Advanced shooting modes
Names of parts and functions

6
EN
Viewfinder
AF target g P. 56
Aperture value
g P. 45 – 49
Battery check
(ready for use)
(charging required)
Flash
g P. 70
(blinks: charging in progress,
lights up: charging completed)
AE lock
g P. 52
Shutter speed
g P. 45 – 49
Metering mode
g P. 50
AF confirmation mark
g P. 16, 39, 45, 57
White balance
(Displayed when set to a
setting other than auto white
balance.)
g P. 64
Exposure compensation
value
g P. 51
Shooting mode
g P. 4

Basic guide
7
EN
Super control panel
The following screen allows the display and setting of shooting settings at the same time
and is called the super control panel. Press the
INFO button to display the super control
panel on the LCD monitor.
g “Using the super control panel” (P. 28)
Battery check g P. 6
Flash charging
g P. 73 Shutter speed
g P. 45 – 49
Exposure compensation indicator
g P. 51
Exposure level indicator
g P. 48
Flash intensity control indicator
g P. 74
Aperture value
g P. 45 – 49
Exposure
compensation value
g P. 51
Exposure level
g P. 48
Sharpness
N g P. 67
Contrast
J g P. 67
Saturation
T g P. 67
Gradation
z g P. 68
B&W filter
x g P. 67
Picture tone
y g P. 67
Shooting mode
g P. 4
Super FP flash
1 g P. 75
Noise reduction
mO g P. 69
Auto bracket
0 g P. 52
RC mode
m g P. 76
AF illuminator
T g P. 87
Internal temperature warning
m
g P. 115
White balance
g P. 64
White balance compensation
g P. 65
ISO sensitivity
g P. 53 Metering mode
g P. 50
AF mode
g P. 54
AF target
g P. 56
Record mode
g P. 62
Flash intensity control
g P. 74
Number of storable still
pictures
g P. 125
Date
g P. 15
Remote control / Self-timer / Sequential shooting
g P. 58 – 61
Card
g P. 118
Picture mode
g P. 67
Color space
g P. 93
Flash mode
g P. 70
The functions within this area can be set on the
super control panel.
250 F5.6
+2.0
2008. 08.16
FP
arge
BKT
AF
Normal
OFF
RC
Face
detection
g P. 41
Names of parts and functions

8
EN
LCD monitor (Live view)
You can use the LCD monitor to view the subject while shooting. Press the u button to
use live view.
g “Using live view” (P. 37)
250
250
250
F5.6
F5.6
+2.0
+2.0
AEL H-AF BKTFPRC
WB
WB
AUTO
AUTO
ISO
ISO
AUTO
AUTO
L
N
N
3 8
38
Exposure
compensation value
g P. 51
Flash intensity control
g
P. 74
Internal temperature warning
g P. 115
Face detection
g
g
P. 41
Card
g P. 118
AF target
g P. 56
AF confirmation mark
g P. 16, 39, 45, 57
Histogram
g P. 113
Flash g P. 73
(blinks: charging in progress,
lights up: charging completed)
Flash mode
g P. 70
Metering mode
g P. 50
Sequential shooting g P. 58
Self-timer
g P. 59
Remote control
g P. 60
White balance
g P. 64
ISO sensitivity
g P. 53
Record mode
g P. 62
Number of storable still pictures
g P. 125
Battery check
g P. 6
Shooting mode
g P. 4
RC mode
q g P. 76
Super FP flash
s
g
P. 75
Auto bracket
t
g
P. 52
AE lock
u g P. 52
Live view AF mode
po g P. 39
Shutter speed
g P. 45 – 49
Aperture value
g P. 45 – 49

Basic guide
9
EN
LCD monitor (Playback)
You can switch the monitor display using the INFO button.
g “Information display” (P. 80)
1/250 F5.6
250 F5.6
+2.0 45mm
+2.0 45mm
ISO 100
ISO 100
0.0
0.0
A: 0
A: 0
WB : AUTO
WB : AUTO
G: 0
G: 0
NATURAL
NATURAL
sRGB
sRGB
L
N
N
[3648x2736,1/8]
[3648x2736,1/8]
x10
x10
’08.08.16
’08.08.16
21:56
21:56
100-0015
100-0015
15
15
L
N
N
Battery check g P. 6
Card
g P. 118
Print reservation
Number of prints
g P. 96
Protect
g P. 85
Record mode
g P. 62
Date and time
g P. 15
File number
g P. 80
Picture mode
g P. 67
Color space
g P. 93
Shooting
information
Single-frame playback information
Record mode
g P. 62
Frame number
g P. 80
ISO sensitivity g P. 53
Flash intensity control
g P. 74
White balance compensation
g P. 65
Aperture value
g P. 45 – 49
Shooting mode
g P. 4
Focal length
g P. 120
(The focal length is displayed in 1 mm units.)
Shutter speed
g P. 45 – 49
Exposure
compensation
g P. 51
Metering mode
g P. 50
AF target
g P. 56
White balance
g P. 64
Histogram
g P. 80
Names of parts and functions

10
EN
Unpack the box contents
The following items are included with the camera.
If anything is missing or damaged, contact the dealer from whom you purchased the
camera.
Camera Body cap Strap BLS-1 Lithium ion battery
BCS-1 Lithium ion
charger USB cable Video cable
Warranty cardInstruction manual
OLYMPUS Master 2
CD-ROM
Eyepiece cover
Thread the strap as indicated
by the arrows ( 1 , 2 ). Lastly, pull the strap tight
making sure that it is fastened
securely (
3 ).
Attaching the strap
Attach the other end of
the strap to the other
eyelet in the same way.

Basic guide
11
EN
Preparing the battery
BLS-1 Lithium ion battery
AC wall outlet
BCS-1 Lithium ion
charger
AC cable
Battery lock
It is recommended to set aside a backup battery for prolonged shooting in case the battery in
use drains.
1 Charging the battery
3 Close the battery compartment cover
• Close the battery compartment cover until you hear a click.
Press the battery lock to
unlock the battery.
Direction indicating
mark
W
Unloading the
battery
2 Loading the battery
Charging indicator
Red light: Charging in progress
Green light: Charging completed
(Charging time: Approx. 3 hours
30 minutes)
W
Battery compartment cover
Battery compartment lock
Preparations for shooting

12
EN
Attaching a lens to the camera
Rear cap Body cap
Lens cap
Lens attachment mark (Red)
Alignment mark (Red)
Lens release button
1 Remove the body cap from the camera
and the rear cap from the lens
2 Attach a lens to the camera
Do not press the lens release button.
3 Remove the lens cap
(
3 , 4 )
Removing the lens from the camera
While pressing the lens release button ( 1 ),
rotate the lens in the direction of the arrow (
2 ).
• Align the lens attachment mark (red) on
the camera with the alignment mark (red)
on the lens, then insert the lens into the
camera’s body (
1 ).
• Rotate the lens in the direction indicated
by the arrow until you hear it click (
2 ).

Basic guide
13
EN
Loading the card
xD-Picture Card
CompactFlash / Microdrive
Open the card cover.
Insert the card until it is locked into place.
Open the card cover.
Insert the card’s contact area into the slot as
far as it can go.
xD-Picture Card slot
Card cover
CF card slot
W mark
Eject button
Removing the card
Never open the card cover while the card
access lamp is blinking.
• Press the eject button all the way in to make
it pop out. Press the eject button again all
the way in to eject the card.
• Pull out the card.
• Press the inserted card lightly and it will be
ejected.
• Pull out the card.
xD-Picture Card
CompactFlash / Microdrive
Card access lamp
Card access lamp
Preparations for shooting

14
EN
Power on
Dust reduction function operation
The dust reduction function is automatically activated when the camera is turned on. Ultrasonic
vibrations are used to remove dust and dirt from the image pickup device’s filter surface. The SSWF
(Super Sonic Wave Filter) indicator blinks while dust reduction is working.
Adjust the viewfinder’s diopter in
accordance with your vision.
While looking through the viewfinder, rotate
the diopter adjustment dial little by little.
When you can see the AF target clearly,
adjustment is complete.
Adjusting the viewfinder’s
diopter
Viewfinder
Diopter adjustment dialAF target
SSWF indicator
When the camera is turned on, the
super control panel screen is
displayed on the monitor.
If the super control panel screen does
not appear, press the
INFO button.
Set the mode dial to
AUTO .
INFO button
Super control panel
1 Set the camera’s power switch to ON.
• To turn off the power, set the power switch to OFF .
Power switch Mode dial
LCD monitor
2008. 08.16
AF
arge
Normal
OFF
AUTO

Basic guide
15
EN
Setting the date / time
CF
5
SEC
CF/xD
REC VIEW
ENG.
NTSC
VIDEO OUT
CANCEL SELECT GO
’ -- . -- . --
--
: --
j ±0 k ±0
Date and time information is recorded on the card together with
the images. The file name is also included with the date and time
information. Be sure to set the correct date and time before
using the camera.
CARD SETUP
NORM
AUTO
CUSTOM RESET
PICTURE MODE
GRADATION
WB
CANCEL SELECT GO
N
Y
Y/M/D
CANCEL
MD TIME
2008
Y
Y/M/D
CANCEL
MD TIME
2008 08 01 14 00
Y
Y/M/D
MD TIME
GO
CANCEL
2008 08 01 14 00
Y
Y/M/D
MD TIME
GO
CANCEL
CF
5
SEC
CF/xD
REC VIEW
ENG.
NTSC
VIDEO OUT
CANCEL SELECT GO
j ±0 k ±0
’08.08.01
14:01
1 Press the MENU button
2 Use ac to select [ Z ],
then press
d
3 Use ac to select [ X ],
then press
d
4 Use ac to select [Y],
then press
d
5 Repeat this procedure until the
date and time are completely
set
6 Use ac to select the date
format
7 Press the i button
8 Press the MENU button to exit
MENU
button
• The time is displayed in the 24-hour format.
Arrow pad acbd
• The menu screen is displayed on the LCD
monitor.
Preparations for shooting

16
EN
Shooting
250 F5.6
2008. 08.16
AF
arge
Normal
OFF
AUTO
Shutter button
Card access
lamp
• The shutter sounds and the picture is taken.
• The card access lamp blinks and the camera starts recording the picture.
AF confirmation
mark
Aperture value
Shutter speed
1 Place the AF target on the
subject while viewing through
the viewfinder
2 Adjust the focus
3 Release the shutter
Viewfinder
Press the shutter button all
the way (fully).
Never remove the battery or card while the card access lamp is blinking. Doing so could
destroy stored pictures and prevent storage of pictures you have just taken.
• The focus is locked when a beep tone is output. The AF confirmation mark and the AF
target in focus light up in the viewfinder.
• The shutter speed and aperture value that have been set automatically by the camera are
displayed.
• The super control panel is not displayed while the shutter button is pressed.
Viewfinder
AF target
Super control panel
Press the shutter button
halfway.

Basic guide
17
EN
u button
Horizontal grip Vertical grip
Keep your fingers and the
strap away from the lens
and flash.
Taking a picture
while viewing the
monitor
It is possible to use the LCD monitor as a
viewfinder and check the subject’s composition, or
shoot while viewing an enlarged display on the
LCD monitor.
g “Using live view” (P. 37)
1 Press the u (live view)
button to switch to live view
If no operations are performed for approximately 8 seconds while the camera is on,
the monitor backlight turns off to save battery power (when the super control panel is
lit). If no operations are performed for approximately one minute thereafter, the
camera enters the sleep mode (stand-by) and stops operating. The camera activates
again when you touch any button (the shutter button,
q button, etc.).
g “BACKLIT LCD (Backlight timer)” (P. 91), “SLEEP” (P. 90)
• The subject is displayed on the LCD
monitor.
2 Press the shutter button to take
the picture
• The picture is taken with the focus adjusted.
Shutter button
Holding the camera
When the camera stops operating
250250 F5.6F5.6250 PP F5.6
3 838
L
NN
Preparations for shooting

18
EN
Playback / Erasing
Displays the previous
frame Displays the next frame
q button
Displays the frame that is stored
10 frames ahead
Displays the frame that is stored
10 frames back
Each time you turn the control dial towards U , the
image is incrementally enlarged from 2x to 14x.
Control dial
S button
Playing back
images
Pressing the q button displays the last picture taken.
Close-up
playback
Erasing images
Play back the image you want to erase and press the
S button.
Use
ac to select [YES] and press the i button
to erase.
Arrow pad
ERASE
YES
NO
CANCEL SELECT GO

Basic guide
19
EN
Indications used in this manual
The operation button icons on the body of the camera are used to indicate the operation
buttons in this manual. See “Names of parts and functions” (
g P. 2).
In this manual, j indicates the control dial.
The following symbols are used throughout this manual.
To make the most of this manual
You can use the “Table of Contents” (P. 20) or “Index” (P. 145) as well as the following
reference to search for information on camera functions and operations. Use this manual
according to shooting conditions and to find the desired information.
For information on the possible shooting functions:
g “Shooting guides” (P. 31)
For information on how to operate the camera:
g “Using the direct buttons” (P. 27)
“Using the super control panel” (P. 28)
“Using the menu” (P. 29)
Functions available during live view:
g “Using live view” (P. 37)
To search for a function from a list:
g “Menu directory” (P. 127)
“Index” (P. 145)
x Notes
Important information on factors which may lead to a
malfunction or operational problems. Also warns of operations
that should be absolutely avoided.
Useful information and hints that will help you get the most out
of your camera.
g Reference pages describing details or related information.
 TIPS
Preparations for shooting

20
EN
Table of Contents
Names of parts and functions.......................................................................................... 2
Camera ........................................................................................................... 2
Mode dial......................................................................................................... 4
Viewfinder........................................................................................................ 6
Super control panel......................................................................................... 7
LCD monitor (Live view).................................................................................. 8
LCD monitor (Playback).................................................................................. 9
Unpack the box contents............................................................................... 10
Preparations for shooting................................................................................................11
Preparing the battery......................................................................................11
Attaching a lens to the camera...................................................................... 12
Loading the card ........................................................................................... 13
Power on....................................................................................................... 14
Setting the date / time ................................................................................... 15
Shooting........................................................................................................ 16
Playback / Erasing ........................................................................................ 18
Indications used in this manual..................................................................... 19
Using the direct buttons................................................................................................. 27
Using the super control panel........................................................................................ 28
Using the menu.............................................................................................................. 29
Resetting to the factory default settings......................................................................... 30
Basic function guides..................................................................................................... 31
Focus – Operating the shutter button............................................................ 31
Brightness – Exposure compensation........................................................... 32
Color – White balance................................................................................... 32
A guide to functions for different subjects...................................................................... 33
Taking landscape pictures............................................................................. 33
Taking flower pictures.................................................................................... 34
Taking night scene pictures........................................................................... 35
Basic guide 2
Identifies the camera part names and describes the basic steps for shooting and playback.
1Basic camera operations 26
Describes the basic operations of the camera.
2Shooting guides – Improving your shooting skills 31
Describes shooting methods for various shooting situations.