Kyocera Finecam L3v Review

The Finecam L3v is equipped with an all-glass 3x optical zoom lens, f=5.8 mm - 17.4 mm (35mm equivalent 38mm - 115mm), F2.8-4.7. The focusing range in normal mode is about 64.5 cm to infinity and in Macro mode from about 24.5 cm - 64.5 cm (fixed at wide angle setting).

As you can see from the pictures, no lens cap is required as the lens retracts back into the body when powered down and is protected by a built in shield.

A unique feature of the L3v (and L4v) is the illuminated cue light on the front. This lights up for a few seconds whenever you press the shutter button to let your subject know they're about to be photographed. It can't be turned off so don't buy this camera if you're into surveillance work or you'll be glowing in the dark.

The optical viewfinder provides approx. 82% coverage, it does not have dioptric adjustment. The two LEDs indicate flash and focus status. The color LCD should be used when in Macro mode to insure accurate framing.

The built-in flash has a recycle time of about 8 seconds (on full battery charge), and a working range from about 64.5 cm to 2.5 meters. User selectable modes are auto flash, red-eye reduction, forced flash, no flash, red-eye reduction forced flash in long exposure modes.

The back of the L3v (and L4v) is dominated by this huge 2.5-inch Dayfine color LCD. If you're tired of squinting at those little 1.5-inch screens then you'll like this one. Kyocera has designed the menus with larger lettering and on this big LCD they're highly visible. No other medium size or compact digicam uses an LCD this large.

Controls on the back:

Zoom lens control buttons.

The DISPlay button turns the LCD on or off and controls the amount of data shown on it.

The MENU button enables the menu screens.

The 4-way selector is used to navigate menus, select images for playback, choose flash modes and macro or landscape focus settings. The center button accepts selections.

On top is the Microphone, Power button, speaker and the combination Mode Dial and shutter release. The Mode Dial has positions for Setup, Playback, Record and Movie.

On the side are the USB and DC IN ports.

There is no audio-video output.

Images and movies are stored on tiny SD (Secure Digital) or MMC (MultiMedia) cards. These cards are barely larger than a postage stamp!  Kyocera supplies a 16MB card with the camera and we tested it with a 256MB card.

The camera is powered by either one CR-V3 lithium battery or two AA type NiMH rechargeable batteries. There is no proprietary battery pack available and alkaline type batteries are not recommended for use in this camera

A fresh CR-V3 battery will yield approx. 160 pictures with the LCD monitor ON and approx. 170 pictures with the LCD monitor OFF. The continuous playback time is about 200 minutes

The batteries are held in place by this latching flap which prevents them from dropping out when you remove or insert a memory card - nice touch !