Top/Front Controls

On the top of the camera we have the main operating mode switch which changes between OFF, Auto REC, Manual REC and PLAY modes. It feels like it's straight off an F5 with a stiff, solid feel and a resounding notch for each mode.

One of the first things you notice about the CP950 is how fast it starts up, switching from OFF to REC (either M or A) it takes only THREE (3) seconds for the LCD display to activate and the camera be ready to take the first shot.

The two buttons below the main operating mode switch serve multiple purposes depending on whether they're just pressed or held and used in conjunction with the front command wheel (shown left). (I personnally would have preferred the command wheel on the back OR less recessed than it is). The various functions of the top controls (in RECORD mode) are described below:

Just pressing the button:
	Flash modes: Auto anti-red eye, Forced on, Slow sync, Auto, Forced off
	Picture modes: Landscape, Macro, Self-timer, Normal.
Holding button and rotating the command wheel:
+
	Change CCD (ISO) sensitivity: DEF (ISO 80), 100 (ISO 100), +1.0 (ISO 160), +2.0 (ISO 360)
	Manual focus (tap again to reset to autofocus): 0.1m, 0.2m, 0.3m, 0.5m, 0.7m, 1.0m, 1.5m, 3m, 10m, Infinity. (Distance can also be displayed as feet ft.)

(An alternative view of the top/front controls)

Back-of-camera controls

On the rear of the camera we have (across the top) the Monitor (which cycles through LCD on, LCD with details and LCD off), and Menu button (initiates the menu, see later) and the Zoom controls.

Gone is the flimsy and prone to failure zoom button replaced with two separate but much more solid buttons which have a satisfying and slightly stiff operation.

The various functions (in RECORD mode) of the three control buttons below the LCD are described below:

Holding button and rotating the command wheel:
+
	Exposure compensation: (+/-2EV in 0.3 EV steps) -2.0, -1.7, -1.3, -1.0, -0.7, -0.3, 0, +0.3, +0.7, +1.0, +1.3, +1.7, +2.0
	Shooting mode (only in MANUAL RECORD mode): Programmed, Shutter priority (not available unless CCD sensitivty is set to DEF; ISO 80), Aperture priority.
	Image Quality / Resolution (total 10 combinations): 1600 x 1200: HI (TIFF uncompressed - only in MANUAL RECORD mode), FINE, NORMAL, BASIC. 1024 x 758 (XGA): FINE, NORMAL, BASIC. 640 x 480 (VGA): FINE, NORMAL, BASIC.
Pressed directly after taking a shot (while preview image is displayed):
	Discard Image.
	Pause (hold the image on the screen) / Record (default).

Note: If no buttons are pressed the image is automatically stored after a short delay, if you half-press the shutter release button the still image is removed and you're back to setup the next shot. Through the manual record menu you have the option to turn off image preview.