Like Concord ’s 6 - megapixel 6340z , the 5 - megapixel 5340z offers plenty of pixels per dollar , but poor performance keeps both cameras from being a good note value .
The 5340z feels a shade more solid than the 6340z and offers a larger , 2 - inch LCD that ’s much easier to read and navigate , but there ’s no means to adjust LCD brightness , which is a problem when shoot down in brilliant sunlight .
The 5340z has a mode shift offering three options : shoot style , Review manner , and Movie mode . This is purely a point - and - shoot camera ; there ’s no manual manner . There are five scene modes : Auto , Sport , Landscape , Portrait , and Night . White balance is reflexive , or selectable via a bill of fare , but you ca n’t make a custom white - balance context . you may fine - tune photo by adjusting photo compensation .
The 3x optical zoom lens is a quick f2.65 at the wide closing , but slows to f5.0 at the long terminal . In Macro musical mode , the electron lens can sharpen to 3.9 inch .
The 5340z ’s operation is a bit slow . Startup time is about 4 seconds . A burst mood appropriate an range of a function every couple of seconds up to 3 pictures , but only at a lower resolve of 1600 - by-1200 or 640 - by-480 pixels .
The pictorial matter I took with the 5340z were unsatisfying . Most coloring look just slightly off , and images were a bit delicate , especially around the edges . Even with ISO fixed at 70 , noise was very noticeable .
The 5340z ’s movie fashion entrance Windows Media Format ( ASF ) movies . I could n’t get the file to play in Windows Media Player for Mac OS X , but when I act them in VLC ( a freeware medium player ) , the clips were overabundant with mucky television and whining audio .
Macworld’s Buying Advice
If you ’re on a shoestring budget , the 5 - megapixel 5340z looks like a bargain . But if you need a low - priced digital camera , I ’d instead urge the HP Photosmart M417 (; July 2005 ) , which offers assistance feature film for beginners , a faster burst mode , and modestly effective pictures .
Jury Tests
Scale = Excellent , Very honest , Good , Flawed , insufferable
