Academic Technology Center
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Using ATC Digital Cameras - Casio EX-ZR100

Casio EX-ZR100 Camera, Case, and USB Cable

These cameras can be borrowed by members of the WPI community. Visit the ATC in Fuller Labs 117, call x5220, or send e-mail to atc@wpi.edu for information on borrowing a digital camera.

What this camera can do

Preparing the Casio EX-ZR100

  1. Insert the battery into the battery compartment on the camera. The battery compartment is located on the bottom of the camera. If you did not receive a battery, or if the battery seems to be dead, contact the ATC.
  2. Insert the SD memory card into the camera. The memory card slot is located in the same compartment as the battery.
    Battery Compartment
  3. Turn the dial mode on the top of the camera to "Auto." The auto setting is a red square icon, shown below.
  4. Power the camera on by pressing the button on the top center of the camera body. The LCD display will turn on.

Taking Photographs

  1. Now that the camera is on, you can use the LCD screen to see through the camera's eyes.
  2. To zoom in and out, twist the zoom switch around the camera's shutter release button to the left and right.
  3. To take the photograph, press down on the shutter button on the top of the camera. (Pictured above)
  4. After the photo has taken, you see the picture momentarily on the camera monitor. If you did not get a chance to review your picture before it disappeared, you can press the Play button (green triangle icon) on the back of the camera to review your photos.
  5. To change flash settings, press the "down" button on the camera's directional pad, indicated by a lightning bolt symbol, seen above.
    Note that the down button serves a different purpose in Play mode--it serves as the Delete button when reviewing photos.
  6. Power off the camera when you are finished taking pictures.

HDR Mode

High Dynamic Range, or HDR, is a photographic strategy to solve the problems encountered when trying to photograph a subject that has a wide range of lighting. Cameras are only able to capture a fixed range of light, which can be adjusted to bias towards lighter or darker subjects. This typically leads to some areas of a photo being over-exposed or under-exposed.

The basic idea in HDR is that the camera takes a series of pictures (typically 5-7) very rapidly, changing the exposure settings each time. The series of photos are then analyzed, and the best portions of each photo are combined to create one final image that is properly exposed.

The Casio EX-ZR100 has 2 modes devoted to capturing HDR images. The HDR setting will capture a conventional blended high dynamic range image, and the HRD-Art setting will capture an image with emphasis on strongly saturated colors.

Both modes can be selected from the dial on top of the camera. Simply press the shutter release and do not move the camera until the LCD screen says "Busy" and the clicking noises cease.

You should use a tripod, or set the camera down on a stable surface when using HDR modes. These modes take multiple photos, and then attempt to align the results. Any small movement in the camera during the capture will lead to a longer processing delay after the capture, or may even cause the capture to fail.

High-Speed and High Definition Video

The Casio EX-ZR100 is capable of taking video in a variety of modes. To set the mode:

  1. Choose the menu button on the back of the camera.
  2. Choose the Quality tab by pressing Right on the directional pad and then press Set.
  3. Select the Video Quality option and press Set.
  4. Change the video quality to the desired setting and press Set.
    The video menu
  5. Press the Record button on the back of the camera to begin capturing video

Summary of video options:

Please note that some of these resolutions are very, very small in order to accomplish high frame rates. Come by our ATC main office to ask about this feature or try it out before deciding if high-speed imaging is right for your project.

Downloading from the Camera to Your PC

  1. Connect the supplied USB cable to your computer, and plug the small end of the cable to the port on the right side of the camera.
  2. Power On the camera
  3. Copy data from the camera to your computer
  4. You can now power off the camera and unplug it

If you happen to misplace the USB cable, please notify the ATC. You may still be able to retrieve your photos from the memory card in the camera by using a memory card reader.

Related Resources

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Last modified: Oct 13, 2011, 11:36 EDT
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Academic Technology Center - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Phone: +1-508-831-5220 - Fax: +1-508-831-5881 - atc-ttc@wpi.edu