Digicam Roundup: $150

Recording Features

In all recording modes, the A330 records images as JPEG files. Only the highest resolution setting has a quality option (Fine/Normal). The resolution options are below:

Resolution (pixels)

2016x1512

1600x1200

1280x960

The A330 offers 6 still recording modes and a movie option. The still modes are Auto, Portrait, Scene, Sport, Night, and Manual. To select a recording mode, you must press the Menu/OK button and move over to the Shooting Mode menu. In all shooting modes, the camera sets the shutter speed and aperture values automatically. Auto mode is a general-purpose shooting mode that is recommended for most shots. In Portrait mode, the camera attempts to use a large aperture to create an image where the subject is in focus and the background is blurry. In Scene mode, the camera uses a small aperture to keep as much as possible in focus. With Sports mode, the camera will use the fastest possible shutter speed in order to freeze action. With Night mode, the camera uses slow shutter speeds to capture poorly-lit environments. If the flash is enabled, it will fire using a slow-sync method. Slow-sync means that the camera first fires a flash to illuminate the subject. Then, the shutter stays open to capture ambient light. The result is a well-balanced and natural-looking picture. A tripod is highly recommended due to the slow shutter speed.

There are several flash options available on the A330. Although the available flash modes are different for each shooting mode, they are all available in Manual mode. They are Auto, Red-eye, Force, Off, Slow-sync, and Red-eye slow-sync. If it is set to Auto, the camera will decide automatically if the flash is necessary to produce a well-lit exposure. The Red-eye setting fires a pre-flash right before the real flash to help reduce red-eye. The Force flash mode allows you to use the flash even if the camera doesn't deem it necessary. This can be very helpful in outdoor shots where a subject's face is covered in shadows or when there is a strong backlight behind your subject. The Macro option is only available in Auto and Manual mode. With Macro enabled, the camera can focus as close as 3.9 inches.

As this is a true point-and-shoot camera, the Manual recording mode does not have the same meaning that "Manual" would have on a more advanced camera. In fact, setting the camera to Manual simply offers two additional recording controls: exposure compensation and white balance. Exposure compensation is available from -2.1 EV to +1.5 EV in 1/3 stop increments. The white balance options are Auto, Sun, Shade, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, and Incandescent. The A330 does not offer any metering options. Instead, it measures the light from 64 zones of the frame to determine the appropriate exposure. In all modes other than Movie, a 10-second self-timer is available via the main menu.

Typical record display

Locked focus

In all still recording modes, the camera displays a box with an auto-focus crosshair in the middle. To focus on an object, you can half-press the shutter button. If focus is achieved, the camera will emit two short beeps. If focus fails, the camera will not beep and "!AF" will appear in red on the screen. Since the camera always focuses at the center point, you must use AF/AE lock to frame an off-center subject. To do this, simply half-press the shutter button with the center point over your subject. Then recompose the picture while continuing to half-press the button. When you have the image framed the way you want it, press the shutter button down fully.

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The Disp/Back button can be used to change the amount of information that is displayed on the LCD monitor. The default display shows the current shooting mode, resolution and quality setting, number of pictures remaining, camera shake warning icon (if there is not enough light for a sharp handheld picture), and AF box. When the Display button is pressed, a 3x3 grid is superimposed over the image to aid in composition. Another press of the Display button clears all information from the screen except the camera shake warning icon. Finally, a last press of the Display button turns off the LCD monitor.

The final recording option is Movie mode. The A330 is capable of recording silent video clips at either 320x240 or 160x120 at 10 fps as AVI files. When recording at 320x240, the clips are limited to 60 seconds. At 160x120, the maximum recording time is 240 seconds. During recording, the optical zoom is unavailable. However, the digital zoom can be used.