Kyocera Finecam SL300R Review

(The SL300R does not have a video out feature so we are going to use the screen displays from the Kyocera S5R - they are very similar except the SL300R has a maximum resolution of 2048 x 1536)

The AUTO record mode screen, icons for Auto flash, image size, Fine quality, 98 pictures remaining, SAF (single auto focus) and a 2/3 full battery. Press the menu button to display the options across the bottom of the screen (see next frame.)

Activate the selftimer by using the first icon on the left. Next select the image resolutions (2048x1536, 1600x1200,1280x960, 640x480). You change the image quality mode by selecting the third icon on the left: Fine or Normal . The "+/-" icon lets you adjust the exposure compensation. The "WB" icon lets you select from Preset, Auto, Sunny, Incandescent, Cloudy, Fluorescent or Manual. The "M" icon gives you access to the manual exposure options:

COLOR MODE - Color, B&W, Sepia
CHROMA   +/-, Standard
SHARPNESS - Standard, +1, +2, +3 and -1
WB PRESET - Set the custom white balance
AE MODE - Program AE or Aperture priority (F2.8 or F9.6 only)
FOCUSING - Wide Area AF, Spot AF or Manual Focus
LONG EXP - Shutter time 2, 4 or 8 sec. or OFF
ISO - Auto, 100, 200, 400
METERING - Evaluative, Center-weighted or Spot
DIGITAL ZOOM - On or off

This screen shows the Record Mode plus manual adjustments made from the previous menu: ISO is 100, White Balance is Fluorescent, Aperture priority for f/2.8, Chroma is +1 and Sharpness is +1.

Pressing the SCENE button gives you easy access to camera's pre-programmed scene modes for Standard, Sports, Night, Night Portrait, Macro and Landscape.

Focusing can be done manually using the live image on the LCD and a distance gauge.

The Movie Mode screen shows that audio is enabled (Microphone Icon), movie record time and movie record resolution is 640 x 480. The maximum length for each movie is limited only by available SD card memory, we have room for 1:41 of movie recording at this resolution. The "30f" means we have selected a 30fps framerate. SAF indicates Single-AF focus mode.

Activate the selftimer by using the first icon on the left. Next select the image resolutions (640x480, 320x240, 160x120). The desired framerate (15fps or 30fps). The "+/-" icon lets you adjust the exposure compensation. The "WB" icon lets you select from Preset, Auto, Sunny, Incandescent, Cloudy, Fluorescent or Manual.

Movie Recording options:

SOUND - Record audio On or Off
COLOR MODE - Color, B&W, Sepia
WB PRESET - Set the custom white balance
FOCUSING - Wide Area AF, Spot AF or Manual Focus
DIGITAL ZOOM - Digital zoom on/off.