Apex Digital DSC-1300 Operation & User’s Manual

This unit allows you to easily create an electronic album. Please read this manual carefully so as to enjoy all its features. Read thoroughly the Safety Precautions. They contain extremely important information regarding the safe use of this product. For information on installing and operating the included application soft- ware, please read the software instructions.Do not hesitate to contact our service facility for upgraded information for your future use. Introduction

Optional fittings Introduction Camera case Digital Camera Driver disc USB cable Video cable Battery CF card Adapter

excessive moisture. WARNING:To prevent electrical shock, do not attempt to modify this unit in any way. No user serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified personnel. When using the flash, do not use this unit too close to your subject, as this can cause damage to the eyes. FCC NOTICE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rule. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: A. This device may not cause harmful interference. B. This device must accept any interference received, including interfer- ence that may cause undesired operation. Safety Precautions

Do not use the camera if any water has entered the camera. Switch the camera off,and then disconnect the power source (batteries or AC Power Adapter).If you are using the AC Power Adapter,unplug the adapter from the AC Power wall socket after you have disconnected the camera. Then contact your dealer. Do not continue to use it, as this may cause a fire or electric shock. • Do not leave the unit where it may be extremely hot or humid, such as the glove compartment of a car, direct sunlight ,a humid basement. CARRYING YOUR CAMERA: • When carrying, be sure to always attach and use the hand strap provid- ed. Hold the camera firmly in your hand ,with the strap securely around your wrist. • Do not use a tripod on unsteady or uneven surfaces. It could tip over, causing serious damage to the unit . • Never point the lens at direct sunlight, CMOS damage may occur. Safety Precautions

Quick Start Guide........................6 Identification of Controls...........11 Image Quality.............................14 Flash...........................................15 Indicator Light...........................17 Getting Started..........................18 Taking Pictures..........................23 Basic Recording Operation.........23 Self-Timer....................................25 Sequence Image Capture...........27 Video Clip Capture......................29 Digital Zoom................................31 Record Mode Menu...................32 Record Mode Setup....................32 How to Display Record Menu............................................33 Selecting Capture Mode..............34 Digital Zoom x 2..........................35 Flash Mode..................................36 Advanced Options.......................37 Adjusting Screen Brightness.......42 Playback Mode..........................43 Table of Contents Single-frame Playback................43 Playback a Video Clip ................44 Thumbnail Playback ................. 45 Playback Mode Setup.................46 Playback Mode Menu................47 Display Format............................47 Delete Images.............................48 Digital Zoom X 2.........................50 Screen Brightness......................52 Information..................................53 TV Display..................................54 System Requirements..............55 Image Downloading..................56 Troubleshooting........................57 Appendix....................................59

Connect to a printer or PC using USB cable Use DC adapter to power the unit Connect to a TV HOOKUP

1. Insert the batteries or use the DC adapter (optional) to power the camera. 2. Insert the Compact Flash card (optional). 1. Turn the function dial to . • The camera will turn on and be set to record mode. 2. Open the lens cover. • The live view will appear on the LCD monitor. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to turn on/off the LCD monitor. PREPARATION (refer to page 18-20) RECORDING (refer to page 23-41)

4. Frame your subject on the LCD monitor or viewfinder. • Compose the image and make sure it is clear. 5. Press the shutter-release button to take the pictures. • The red lamp blinks slowly while the image being stored into the memory. IMAGE PLAYBACK (refer to page 42-53) 1. Turn the function dial to . 2. Use the LT/RT or UP/DN buttons to scroll through the images.

DELETING IMAGES (refer to page 47-48) 1. Turn the Function dial to . 2. Press LT/RT or UP/DN to highlight the image you want to delete. 3. Press MENU to access to the menu. 4. Highlight the delete icon and press UP/DN button and enter it. • Select CURRENT or ALL to delete the current photo or all photoes. • Select REFORMAT to delete the all. DELETE CURRENT ALL REFORMAT Exit

5. Press the DISP/ENTER button again. • A confirmation screen will appear. 6. Press the UP/DN to select "YES", and enter it. • The LCD monitor returns to the next image after deleting it. DELETE? YES NO Exit NOTICE: When opening the menu or pressing the direction buttons, you will highlight some item, meanwhile the corresponding description will appear on the down-left corner of TFT LCD.

1. Function dial 2. Shutter 3. NQ (Normal Quality) 4. Flash 5. Mode 6. Flash lamp 7. Self-timer lamp (Red) 8. Viewfinder window 9. Lens 10. Lens cover slide 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 CAMERA BODY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1. Orange LED indicator 2. Green LED indicator 3. Viewfinder 4. MENU 5. DISP/ENTER 6. Strap eyelet 7. LT/RT 8. Up/DN 9. LCD monitor 10. USB interface CAMERA BODY

1 2 1. TV OUTPUT 2. DC IN 6V 1 2 3 4 5 1. Power off 2. Record 3. Playback 4. Software/Download 5. TV output (Next dial is invalid) CAMERA BODY Indications of Function Dial & Status Display 0012 A 1 2 3 4 5 1. Record mode 2. Power remains 3. Flash lamp 4. Image quality 5. Recordable image no. NQ

(NQ). The number of images stored depends on the image quality level used: High Quality (HQ), Normal Quality (NQ) or Super Quality (SQ). MODE COMPRESSION RATE Super Quality 1:4 High Quality 1:8 Normal Quality 1:16 In the Capture mode, each time you press the NQ button, the quality mode changes, which is shown on the LCD monitor: • This function is not available in Video Clip. NQ HQ SQ

other flash modes can be set by using the Flash button. Press this button to toggle between the three flash modes. AUTOFLASH NO FLASH FORCED-FLASH In autoflash ,the flash will fire automati- cally when the light level is low or your subject is backlit. Use flash cancel when photographing subjects that are beyond the flash range or when flash photography is prohibited. The flash will fire every time a picture is taken, regardless of lighting. Use forced- flash to reduce harsh shadows on your subject's face. BUILT-IN FLASH LAMP A

Under the capture mode of the sequence or video clip, the flash cannot be set up. CHANGING THE FLASH MODE 1. In Record mode, press the Flash button. • The currently set flash mode appears on the LCD monitor. 2. Repeatedly press the button. • The flash mode on the LCD monitor changes in cycle. • Select the mode you desired. A

1. Green light • When it blinks, this indicates the camera is being charged. • When it glows, this indicates the next operation can be done. 2. Orange light • When the system is “busy”, it will blink, it is sug- gested that the next operation should not be done. 3. Red light • When Self-timer is selected, it will flash. 1 2 3 INDICATOR LIGHT

• Slide the cover in the direction of the arrow and fold it up to open it. 2. Insert the batteries • Match the batteries to the polarity indicated on the back of the cover. 3. Close the cassette cover. • While pulling up the cover slightly, fold it down and slide it back until it clicks. NOTICE: • Make sure the unit is turned off before removing the batteries . INSERTING THE BATTERIES

1. Open the cassette cover. • Slide the cover in the direction of the arrow and fold it up to open it. 2. Insert the compact flash card into the card slot, pushing it until the card- release lever pops out. • Push the card in straight ,not at an angle. • If the card stops mid-way, confirm the direction of the card, never apply force. • The back side of the card is facing the batteries. INSERTING THE COMPACT FLASH CARD (OPTIONAL)

• While pulling up the cover slightly, fold it down and slide it back until it clicks. NOTICE: • Make sure the unit is turned off before removing the compact flash card.

• Slide the cover in the direction of the arrow and fold it up to open it. 2.Press the card-release lever to eject the card. • When the card is ejected, pull it straight out. 3.Close the cassette cover. • While pulling up the cover slightly, fold it down and slide it back until it clicks. REMOVING THE COMPACT FLASH CARD

• Align the screw on the tripod with the camera's mounting socket, then tighten the screw. NOTICE: • When using a tripod ,be sure to open and extend its legs fully to stabilize the camera . TRIPOD MOUNTING

• The default capture mode is (snapshot). 2. Move the lens cover slide to open the lens cover. • The live view will appear on the LCD monitor. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to turn on the LCD monitor. • Press it again to switch on. • If connected to TV, both preview and capture can be operated by TV. • The LCD monitor will switch off automatically for no- operation status lasting for 30 seconds. NOTICE: • Before recording you may reset each parameter such as flash light (page 15,16), digital zoom (page 31), image quality (page 14, 40), from the Record Mode Menu. BASIC RECORDING OPERATION (SNAPSHOT)

the viewfinder's focus frame on the subject. • When holding the camera, make sure your fingers do not cover the lens. • Adjust the distance between camera and the subject. Make sure the image in the LCD monitor is clear. 5. Press the shutter-release button to take the pictures. • In snapshot mode, no flash, auto exposure and auto white balance are default settings. • The number of remaining images to be taken decreases 1 automatically. If the lens cover isn’t open, “PLEASE REMOVE THE LENS COVER” will appear on the LCD monitor. 6. Move the lens cover slide to close the lens. 7. Turn the function dial to to power off the camera. BASIC RECORDING OPERATION (SNAPSHOT)

shutter-release button. 1. Turn the function dial to . • Capture mode is set. 2. Move the lens cover slide to open the lens. • The live view will appear on the LCD monitor. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to turn on the LCD monitor. • Press it again to switch off. 4. You can use a tripod to support the camera. SELF-TIMER

icon is displayed on the up-left corner of the LCD monitor. 6. Arrange the camera and subject posi- tion, and compose your picture. 7. Press the shutter-release button down to start timer. • The camera will take pictures automatically in about 10 seconds.

is pressed once. There is no flash. 1. Turn the function dial to • Capture mode is set. 2. Move the lens cover slide to open the lens. • The live view will appear on the LCD monitor. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to turn on the LCD monitor. • Press it again to switch off. 4. Press the Mode button till the sequence icon is displayed on the up-left corner of the LCD monitor. SEQUENCE IMAGE CAPTURE

tion, and compose your picture. 6. Press the shutter-release button. • The unit starts sequence image capture with the orange light flashing. • When the flashing light is switched to the green light, the LCD will return to the pre view status, the capture is over. SEQUENCE IMAGE CAPTURE

• Capture mode is set. 2. Move the lens cover slide to open the lens. • The live view will appear on the LCD monitor. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to turn on the LCD monitor. • Press it again to switch off. 4. Press the Mode button till the Video Clip icon is displayed on the up-left corner of the LCD monitor. VIDEO CLIP CAPTURE

and compose your picture. 6. Press the shutter-release button to take a continuous video clip and press it again to stop recording. • The length of the video clip is determined by the memory space.

tor. In order to record a far object more vividly, use the digital zoom to preview before capturing image or recording a clip.The digital zoom has 2x (12 levels). When you press the direction buttons, the live view will move glossily on the LCD monitor. Press the UP button, the zoom is in, and press the DN, the zoom is out. • The zoom magnification change is visible on the LCD but invisible in the viewfinder. You should use the LCD monitor to compose your picture. DIGITAL ZOOM

The Record Mode Menu allows you to change the default settings for image captur- ing such as digital zoom, white balance and so on. RECORD MENU SETUP QUICK REVIEW EXPOSURE WHITE BALANCE IMAGE QUALITY TV OUTPUT EXIT

1. Turn the function dial to • Capture mode is set. 2. Move the lens cover slide to open the lens. • The live view will appear on the LCD monitor. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to turn on the TFT LCD. • Press it again to switch off. • If TFT LCD is off, when connected to TV, it can be displayed by TV. 4. Press the MENU button. • Press it again to switch off. • The menu can be displayed on TV or TFT LCD. HOW TO DISPLAY RECORD MENU

On the menu, there are three capture modes available: snapshot, video clip and sequence. 1. In Record Mode, press the MENU button. • The menu will appear. • The default setting is Snapshot. 2. Press the UP/DN button to select the other modes. 3. Press the DISP/ENTER button to confirm it and return to the live view. • The capture mode selected displays on the LCD monitor. SELECTING CAPTURE MODE

Zoomx2 selected makes the subject closer. 1.In Record Mode, press the MENU button. • The menu will appear. 2. Press the LT/RT button to select . 3. Press the UP/DN button to display the sub- menu and select the item. 4. Press the DISP/ENTER button to confirm it. • The LCD monitor returns to the live view with digital zoom selected. DIGITAL ZOOM X 2

You can select flash mode according to the environment and requirement, the default setting is No Flash. 1. In Record Mode, press the MENU button. • The menu will appear. 2. Press the LT/RT button to select . 3. Press the UP/DN button to display the sub- menu and select the item. 4. Press the DISP/ENTER button to confirm. • The flash mode selected displays on the LCD monitor. FLASH MODE

edge. Record Mode Menu 1. In Record Mode, press the MENU button. • The menu will appear. 2. Press the LT/RT button to select . 3. Press the UP/DN button for access to the sub- menu and also use it to make a selection. 1.In the advanced menu, select QUICK REVIEW. • A sub-menu appears. QUICK VIEW ON OFF Exit ADVANCED OPTIONS QUICK VIEW ADVANCED QUICK REVIEW EXPOSURE WHITE BALANCE IMAGE QUALITY TV OUTPUT EXIT

the item desired. • A sub-menu appears. On: It will ask you: Continue or delete? If Continue is selected, it will return to viewfinder mode with the captured image saved. If Delete is selected, it will return to viewfinder mode with the captured image deleted. Record Mode Menu Besides auto exposure, the level also can be adjusted manually by Exposure Compensation Function. 1. In the advanced menu, select EXPOSURE. 2. Press the DISP/ENTER button to display the sub-menu. 3. Press UP/DN to adjust the level. EXPOSURE EXIT + - EXPOSURE 0

and return to the upper menu. Record Mode Menu White balance function is to make different types of lighting more neutral, that is like selecting daylight film or tungsten film. The default setting is automatic. 1. In the advanced menu, select WHITE BALANCE. 2. Press the DISP/ENTER button to display the sub-menu. 3. Press UP/DN to select the item desired. 4. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm, and return to the upper menu. WHITE BALANCE WHITE BALANCE AUTOMATIC DAYLIGHT CLOUDY FLUORESCENT TUNGSTEN EXIT

2. Press the DISP/ENTER button to display the sub-menu. 3. Press UP/DN to select the item desired. 4. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm it, and return to the upper menu. • LCD monitor displays the corresponding image quality, and recordable image no. under it. Record Mode Menu IMAGE QUALITY SUPER HIGH HIGH NORMAL Exit IMAGE QUALITY

1. In the advanced menu, select TV OUTPUT. • The set item is determined by your selection last time. 2. Press the DISP/ENTER/REP button to display the sub-menu. 3. Press UP/DN to select the item desired. 4. Press DISP/ENTER/REP to confirm it, and return to the upper menu. TV OUTPUT NTSC PAL EXIT TV OUTPUT

2. Press LT/RT to select . 3. Press UP/DN to select the item desired. 4. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm it, and return to the live view. Reset the screen brightness before recording to moderate the too dark or too bright light. Record Mode Menu Normal Brightness Dark ADJUSTING SCREEN BRIGHTNESS

in memory or CF card. You can view the stored images one by one just as reading the album. Playback Mode capture mode series/total no. 0005/0012 1. Turn the Function dial to . The last image shows on TFT LCD. 2. Press LT/RT or UP/DN to scroll up or down the images stored. SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK

the icon on top left corner of the LCD monitor, that indicates it is a video clip. Playback Mode 1. Press the Shutter button. • The video clip starts to play. 2. Press the Shutter button again. The clip will pause, and resume to continue by pressing it again. 3. During the video clip playback, use the direction buttons to switch to the previous or next photo, while the clip playback is stopped. 0005/0012 VIDEO PLAYBACK A VIDEO CLIP

2. Press MENU to access the display menu. 3. Use the UP/DN button to highlight the icon . 4. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm your selection. THUMBNAIL PLAYBACK

The Playback Mode Menu allows you to easily access to each setting menu such as display format, delete images, digital zoom and so on. Display format Delete images Digital zoom Screen brightness Information Single Thumbnail Current All Reformat Exit Zoom X 1 Zoom X 2 (Normal) (Brightness) (Dark) PLAYBACK MODE SETUP

access to the menu. • Press it again to exit. 2. Press UP/DN to access to the sub-menu, and select the item desired. • The default setting is Single. • To switch to other items, press UP/Dn. 3. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm your selection. Playback Mode Menu DISPLAY FORMAT

age room. Playback Mode Menu 1. Turn the Function dial to . 2. Press LT/RT or UP/DN to highlight the image you want to delete. • It is available in both playback modes (single & thumbnail). 3. Press MENU to access the delete menu. 4.Highlight the delete icon . • Select CURRENT/ALL to delete the current photo or all photoes and select REFORMAT to delete the all photoes. DELETE CURRENT ALL REFORMAT EXIT DELETE IMAGES

• A confirmation screen will appear. 6. Press the UP/DN to select "YES", and enter it. • The LCD monitor returns to the next image after deleting it. Playback Mode Menu DELETE? YES NO EXIT

on full screen. 2. Press MENU to access to the menu. 3. Press LT/RT to select . 4. Press UP/DN to select the item desired. • To switch to other items, press LT/RT. 5. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm your selection. Playback Mode Menu DIGITAL ZOOM X 2

selected portion of the image. You can use UP/DN or LT/RT to scroll around the zoomed in image. 6. If is selected, press DISP/ENTER, the portion will zoom into full screen. • Press it again to return. Playback Mode Menu

Playback Mode Menu 1. Press MENU to access to the menu. 2. Press LT/RT to select . 3. Press UP/DN to select the item desired. 4. Press DISP/ENTER to confirm it, and return to the preview status. Normal Brightness Dark SCREEN BRIGHTNESS

MENU button to access to the menu. 2. Press the Lt/Rt button to highlight the Information icon. 3. Press the Up/Dn button to select the item desired. 4. Press the Display/Enter button to confirm your selection Playback Mode Menu INFORMATION

TV Display 1. Connect video cable to video output of your camera. 2. Connect the other end to video input of TV. 3. Turn on TV, and set it to AV mode. 4. Turn the function dial to . • The last image captured shows on TV. • You can process it the same as in play back mode. TV DISPLAY

CD-ROM. • 48MB mininum RAM(windows 98,98SE,Me), 64MB mininum RAM(windows 2000,XP). • 200MB hard drive disk space monitor. • CD-ROM drive. • Available USB port. •16-bit or higher color monitor. System Requirements 1. APEX Digital/Video Camera This is an image-downloading drive program to download still images such as that of Microsoft windows, Adobe photoshop series as well as other image processing software. 2. APEX DSC USB Mass Storage Class Adapter Connect this camera to PC by USB cable. With this drive program and the external CF card, images can be transmitted to PC. 3. photo studio 1.3 This is a software for image processing, which is suitable for windows98/2000/ME/XP operation system. BASIC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS CD-ROM SOFTWARE ATTACHED APPLICATION SOFTWARE 1. Insert the CD-ROM disc supplied. 2. Double-click CD-ROM driver. 3. Click on "photo studio", double-click "setup" to start installation. 4. After the installation is finished, photo studio 1.3 (including Album & Play Album) icon appears on the start menu.

• Drive Type menu appears. 2. Make USB connection. 3. Press UP/DN to select drive type "Mass Storage". 4. Open "My Computer", select the removable driver icon. • Transfer Images window appears and images captured by the unit as well. 5. Double-click the removable driver icon to access to the recorded images. 6. To open an image, click on "Import"and select your desired image. Image Downloading "MASS STORAGE" FORMAT Before downloading, make sure "photo studio 1.3" ,"APEX Digital/Video Camera" and "APEX DSC USB Mass Storage Class Adapter" have been installed.

below: Troubleshooting INDICATION SOLUTION PLEASE REMOVE THE LENS COVER Move the lens cover slide to open the lens. NO PICTURE Take pictures and save them, then playback them. CARD NOT PROPERLY INSERTED Power off the unit, and re-insert the card. If it is the first time to use, format it firstly. INDICATION MEMORY FULL Replace the Compact Flash card.

•Restart the unit. •Replace the batteries. •Connect to DC power The power is turned off during the use. The unit doesn’t response to any operation. •Replace the batteries. •Do not remove the CF card when power on. •Connect the adapter properly when use it. The unit doesn't take pictures after the shuttle button is pressed. •Set it to record mode. •Initialize the memory media. •Replace the batteries. •Power on the unit. Flash light does not work. •Change to the correct flash mode. Camera is unable to work by any button or switch. •Remove the batteries and insert them again. Something wrong with the color or OSD on LCD. •For misoperation correction, power it off and then reset it. Images can't be displayed by TV. •Make sure the connection is right. Images can't be downloaded by USB. •Check the connections. •Make sure it is turned on. •Replace the batteries or use the adapter properly. •Install the right driver software. SYMPTOMS CORRECTION

flash light. Image sensor 1/2 inch-type progressive-scan color CMOS total number of pixels: approx. 1,360,000 pixels number of effective pixels: approx. 1,310,000 pixels Lens Focal length: 9.98mm (50.7mm in the 35mm film equivalent scales) F number: 2.8 The depth of field: 0.4m to infinity Field of view: 53° File format EXIF 2.0 image file format (*.jpg), and compliance with the EXIF 2.1 Standard EXIF 2.0 audio file format (*.wav) Video format JPEG:*.avi Image Image file size: 1280X1024; 1280x960; 320x240 (CIF) Image quality mode: super high, high, normal Image compression ratio: super high (1:4); high (1:8); normal (1:16) Memory media Built-in storage media (7MB) Number of images can be stored: Approx. 10 for Super High Quality. Approx. 20 for High Quality. Approx. 41 for Normal Quality Compact flash type I (optional) Appendix SPECIFICATION

Preview mode: the LCD monitor, TV, the optics viewfinder Playback mode: the LCD monitor, TV The way of playback: single-frame image, thumbnails Delete function: single, all, format Number Shuttle speed: 1/10 --- 1/1000 Time of self-timer: 10 sec. The length of sequence: 5 images The length of video clip: infinity (enough memory) Auto close the LCD monitor: 30 seconds White balance Automatic, manual setting available (daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, tungsten) Exposure control Programmed AE Exposure compensation: up to +/-1.5 EV in 1/2 EV increments. ISO sensitivity: approx. 100 equivalent Built-in flash Guide number: 4.8 The effective distance: 1m-2m Restore time: 7sec. Flash mode: auto/no/forced Viewfinder Ratio of view: 80% Magnification: X0.5 Eye-relief: 10mm Appendix

Pixels: approx. 80,000 Digital zoom Record mode: X2 Playback mode: X2 Interface USB (universal serial bus) for windows 98/2000/Me/XP Video/audio output: composite video signal Power source Power: AA-sized alkaline battery X4 (AA-sized Ni-Cd or AA-sized Ni-MH Battery are also available) External power (optional): 6V-1.5A DC adapter DC terminal (provided on the camera body): 3.5-4.0mm Operating ambient temperature and humidity ranges 0°C to 40°C (32 to 104F), 85 maximum (noncondensing) Dimension (W X H X D) 114X65X40mm (4.48X2.56X1.57inches) Weight (without batteries or recording media) Approx. 210g Specifications are based on the latest information available at the time of print and are subject to change without notice. Appendix