The Optura 60 feels well solid in your hand , with most control logically coif within gentle ambit . The exceptions are the Set telephone dial and Function button used to voyage computer menu , which are rank in front of the LCD , making them a bit ill at ease to falsify . A musical mode dial , similar to those found on still television camera , cater straightaway approach to modes without having to research menu . you may light up the 2.5 - inch LCD display by turning on an LCD backlight , which improves visibleness on cheery days .
The 14x optical zoom lens adjust smoothly and restfully ( an optional tele - converter and wide - converter are also available ) , and the optical image stabilisation feature does an excellent job of smoothing the jitters without put down your image ( it works when you ’re taking still shots , too ) . The 16:9 widescreen modality record to the full breadth of the sensor , rather than press the range of a function , for optimal mental image tone . you’re able to trade to manual focus at the mite of a release ( unless you ’re shooting in Auto modality ) , and the genus Lens - bestride focus ring comfort all right - tuning .
You have raft of creative restraint with the Optura 60 . The style dial allows you to quickly trade between Auto and Program , Shutter Priority , and Aperture Priority modes , as well as six aspect manner ( including Portrait , Landscape , Sports , and Night mode ) and six special scene modality ( including Foliage and Fireworks ) .
Some camera noise is inevitable with a built - in microphone , and I heard a moderate amount of distracting motor randomness . The hot - shoe can admit a light or mike , and mike and phone tar lease you show audio aside from the camera ( you may also place audio layer manually ) . you could use the wireless restrainer with a tripod to further belittle shake and dissonance , and it ’s ready to hand for insure the camera during playback .
The Optura 60 ’s video quality is excellent for shooting alfresco on a sunny good afternoon , with colors that are accurate and vibrant , but indoors the video appeared slightly darker than it should be . And while the Night modality do a respectable problem of capturing images in the dark while preserving some color , with a build - in mini television light provide illumination for shooting in extreme grim - light situations , boosting CCD sensitivity and lowering the shutter focal ratio results in ghostly , noisy video .
The Optura 60 does a expert task of require still pictures , with very good color and restrained noise , though at only 2.2 megapixels , it wo n’t substitute a good digital camera . It has full manual control , built - in flash , and a continuous shooting manner that can take three frames per second . It can also capture video to the card , but only at 320 by 240 and 15 framing per second .
Macworld’s Buying Advice
The Optura 60 shoot splendid video ( supply you have enough light ) , snaps decent still image , and propose a full ambit of originative flexibility , making it a self-coloured selection .
Jury Tests
Scale = Excellent , Very serious , Good , Flawed , unsufferable
