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Steve's Digicams

Epson PhotoPC 3100Z


Review posted 6/16/01




Click to take a QuickTime tour of the Epson PhotoPC 3100Z
Click to take a QuickTime tour of the 3100Z


The Epson PhotoPC 3100Z has a 3.34-megapixel imager and is loaded with "real camera" exposure modes like aperture and shutter speed priority , full manual, programmed AE (normal, landscape, portrait, sports) as well as timed interval exposures.   It captures still images up to 2544 x 1904 pixels using the HyPict (interpolated) mode as well as JPEG compressed or TIFF Uncompressed 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200 or 640 x 480 images.  Equipped with a fast F2, 3x (34-102mm) optical zoom lens, a speedy USB port for downloading and has adjustable ISO sensitivity of 100, 200 or 400.

Want more?   In addition to still images it can record up to 25 seconds of 320 x 240 (QVGA) motion JPEG at 15fps with audio.  There's a standard hot shoe flash mount that allows the use of more powerful clip-on strobes.   Auto or Manual focus with macro closeup capability as close as 2.5 inches. The builtin microphone lets you attach 3-, 5- or 10-sec audio notes to your images.   The included lens adapter allows the use of 49mm filters and add-on lenses.   Matrix or spot metering options, powered by standard AA type batteries and it uses industry-standard CompactFlash memory cards for image storage.


PhotoPC 3100Z Features at a glance:

  • Up to 2544 x 1904 resolution with HyPict™ technology
  • 3x optical zoom (34-102mm) with 2x digital zoom
  • 1.8-inch color LCD monitor
  • Aperture Priority (F/2.0 to F/8.0)
  • Shutter Speed Priority (1/30 - 1/1000 sec)
  • Full Manual Exposure (8 sec - 1/500 sec)
  • Auto and Programmed AE (sports, landscape, portrait)
  • Single, Continuous or Interval shooting modes
  • Matrix or Spot metering modes
  • 10-second audio notes can be added to pictures
  • QuickTime 320x240 video @ 15fps with audio
  • Adjustable ISO sensitivity of 100, 200 or 400
  • Auto or Manual focus with Macro to 2.5 inches
  • JPEG compressed or uncompressed TIFF file formats
  • Flash Hot Shoe for external flash units
  • 49mm Adapter for add-on lenses or filters
  • PRINT Image Matching™ to optimize prints
  • Print Button to easily mark images for printing
  • High-speed USB port for image downloading
  • Powered by standard AA type batteries
  • CompactFlash Type I memory cards




Epson PhotoPC 3100Z

Epson PhotoPC 3100Z

Epson PhotoPC 3100Z

Epson PhotoPC 3100Z Epson PhotoPC 3100Z





Epson PhotoPC 3100Z

Epson PhotoPC 3100Z and the Nikon Coolpix 995 for size comparison.







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Epson PhotoPC 3100Z Specifications

CCD Sensor 1/1.8" color CCD (3.34 million pixels)
Resolution Modes
HyPict 2544 x 1904 pixels (interpolated)
Uncompressed TIFF 2048 x 1536 pixels
Super Fine 2048 x 1536 pixels
Fine 1600 x 1200 pixels
Standard 640 x 480 pixels
Picture Modes Full Auto, program (sports, landscape, portrait, normal), manual, macro, continuous shoot, interval shooting, stitching, and 2x digital zoom.
Color Modes 24 -bit color and monochrome
File Format JPEG (EXIF), TIFF uncompressed, DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) and DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compliant
Audio File Format WAV (PC), AIFF (MAC)
Built-in Microphone and Speaker Capable of recording up to 10 second voice message. Listen to the voice message on the camera, through a computer or television
Audio and Video Clip QuickTime Motion JPEG (15 frames/sec). Max recording time 25 seconds (35 seconds when sound is off).
LCD Monitor 1.8" color LCD monitor. Supports instant preview, playback, delete, and slide show.
Memory Card Storage Capacity 16MB CompactFlash card. Average number of images (standard compression) stored on 16MB: HyPict 12 images, Super Fine 29 images, Fine 56 images, Standard 199 images, Uncompressed TIFF 1 image (9MB).
Accessory removeable Storage Cards Additional CompactFlash cards available through manufacturers like Lexar Media and SanDisk. Camera supports up to 256MB Type I CompactFlash card.
Lens Focal length: 7-21mm, (equivalent to 34mm - 102mm lens on a 35mm film camera), 7 elements in 8 group construction (2 aspherical lenses), Lens adapter included for optional add on lenses.
Auto-Focus Range Normal mode: 20" to infinity (0.5m - infinity), Macro mode: 8" to 20" (0.2m - 0.5m), Macro mode wide angle: 2.36" to 20" (0.06m - 0.5m), User adjustable, 3', 10', 50'
Optical Viewfinder Real-image optical viewfinder and diopter
Aperture F2.0, 2.3, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8.0 ( Automatic and Aperture Priority)
Shutter speed Mechanical shutter and electronic control shutter: Flash on: 1/30 seconds - 1/1000 seconds, Slow synch and Flash OFF: 1/2 seconds - 1/1000 seconds, Manual exposure: 8 seconds - 1/500 seconds. (Automatic and Shutter Priority)
Exposure Control Program auto exposure with manual +/- 2.0 exposure value adjustment (0.5/0.2 EV increments); spot and matrix metering
White Balance Auto/Fixed 5200° K/Custom
Built-in Flash Range: 20" - 13.8" (normal), 8" - 20" (macro). Modes: Auto Flash, Flash On, Flash Off, Red-eye reduction and Slow Synchronized. Hot Shoe for adding optional external flash units
Sensitivity Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400
Status Display User selectable controls and LCD status display
Self Timer 10 seconds
Tripod Mount Built-In
Data Communication Interface USB
Video Interface Provides NTSC and PAL video output signal
Power Includes four AA Alkaline batteries. Accepts four AA sized batteries (alkaline, lithium, Ni-Cd and NiMH). Optional AC adapter, rechargeable batteries and charger.
Print Tools Print Button: Mark images for printing. Utilizes Digital Print Order Format (DPOF). PRINT Image Matching: Automatically optimizes images for printing. User adjustable brightness and sharpness settings.
Software on CD-ROM Sierra Imaging Image Expert, USB Storage Driver, EPSON File Converter and Panorama Stitcher.
Environmental Requirements Temperature: 41° to 95° F (5° to 35° C), Humidity: 30% to 80% (non-condensing)
Camera Dimensions and Weight Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.25" x 3.50" x 2.56", Weight without batteries: 12.9 oz.
Minimum System Requirements CD-ROM drive, 32MB RAM, 30MB of available hard disk space, VGA monitor minimum resolution of 640 X 480 with 256 colors (24-bit recommended), 16 bit sound card and speakers (for audio playback only), USB connection. Windows: Pentium 166 MHz or higher processor, Windows 98/Me/2000. Macintosh: System 8.5.1 to 9.1, Power Macintosh G3, G4 or iMac
Warranty 1 year limited - camera



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