(Different views of the camera—you can click on these images, to see a
larger version of them.)
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Front view
The ring around the lens switches between macro and normal
focus. Above the lens, is the (not very accurate) optical
viewfinder. To the right, of the viewfinder, is a small
indicator light, that shows when a photo is being taken (looking
like just a black dot, here). Then, to the right of that, is
the flash. And on the side panel, is a rubber-like flap, that
covers up the USB, video out, and DC power supply connectors.
The (selectable PAL or NTSC) video out gives a low resolution view
of the pictures. It looks quite gross, but allows you to show
the pictures to a group of people easily.
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Rear view
At the top, is the optical, over-the-lens-view,
viewfinder. Just left of that are two indicator lights,
showing when the internal memory, or plug in memory cards, are
being used. The large black area is a colour LCD screen, that
can (optionally) show a preview (before you take a shot); as well
as show the shots that you've already taken, and display the camera
set-up menus. Along the top-right of the screen are three
menu navigational buttons, with the top button doubling up as the
activator for the count-down timer for taking shots. And
below them, is an orange button used to turn on the display for
modes where the LCD display is optional.
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Top panel view
At the left is a turn-wheel switch, to change between different
operating modes (PC connection, delete images, camera setting, view
stored images, taking photos). Next to that are buttons for
the flash mode (auto, red-eye reduction, flash on, flash off), and
the image size and quality. Then the display, showing the
settings controlled by the buttons around it, the battery status,
and the shot counter (while you're taking photos, it shows how many
more photos you can store, for the current image size and quality
settings; however, when you're viewing previously taken pictures,
it shows the current shot number and image settings). Then,
to the right of the display, buttons to bring up option menus, and
the orange power button. And, finally, the shutter release
(which, unfortunately, is so clunky that you all-too easily jiggle
the camera when you press it; blurring the shot).
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And underneath (unshown)
I haven't bothered showing the underside of the camera, but there's a
standard tripod thread mounting hole. Thankfully, it's positioned
near to the centre. But the thread is plastic, so be careful
tightening the screw. And the bottom of the camera, is slippery
plastic. Not an overly brilliant design, but I don't think that
this camera is aimed at people who'd use a tripod.
The lid of the battery hatch is also uninspiring. It's held
closed by a few unsubstantial looking plastic bits. The lid that
covers the optional CompactFlash memory expansion card only has the
slightest of catches to keep the lid shut, though the actual memory card
isn't held in place by the lid, but some other catch inside the
compartment.
By the way, these pictures aren't taken using a PDC-1320 camera. They're from a F250 3-CCD professional video camera, digitised through a
cheap computer TV capture card. And, apart from the fact that I
don't have a second PDC-1320, to take photos
of this camera, it doesn't handle scenes that need manual exposure, very
well; nor close-up flash photography.