EI-200

The data LCD display lets you change the flash mode, remote or self-timer mode, macro or infinity focus mode without using the color LCD.  Icons shown on the data display include flash mode (auto, redeye, slow-sync, slow sync w/redeye, forced or disabled), number of pictures remaining, battery status, self-timer or remote mode.

The large Mode Dial has positions for Record, Presentation, Review and Connect to PC.

On the back we find the Power ON/OFF switch along the top edge. Below that is the power zoom rocker switch. The DISPLAY button turns the color LCD on and off. The MENU button brings up the onscreen menu and on the bottom are three "soft" buttons whose functions change depending on the menu screen.

See the next two pages for the camera's recording and playback menu features.

On the back is the Sound Recording button, up to 45 seconds of audio may be recorded for each picture in Record, Presentation or Review mode.

Speaker for playback of audio and camera sounds

JetSend button transmits data via infrared to an HP printer or another camera

The 4-way jog switch is used to navigate onscreen menus and select images for playback.

The EI-200's interfaces include:

Audio and Video output (selectable NTSC or PAL format.)

DC input jack for optional AC power adapter.

High-speed USB data I/O port.

Infrared data I/O port (IrDA1.1 with HP JetSend and Digita protocols.)

The EI-200 stores the images on CompactFlash cards, it has a CF Type II card slot.   Pentax supplies an 16MB card.

It is not Microdrive compatible -- and yes, I tried it.

An eyelevel optical viewfinder shows approximately 82% of the captured image and has a diopter adjustment control. The green LED indicates focus status and the red LED indicates that the flash is charged and ready to fire.

The builtin speedlight has a zoom head that follows the focal length of the lens.

It fires when needed under low lighting conditions in auto mode and has user options for: Always-On, Red-Eye reduction, Slow-sync and Disabled.

The flash range is 0.98 to 18 ft. in wideangle and 0.98 ft. to 12 ft. in telephoto.

Power is supplied by four AA size batteries; lithium, alkaline or rechargeable NiMH types may be used.

The Pentax EI-200 and Nikon Coolpix 880 for size comparison.