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Minolta Introduces the DiMAGE S414
4.0 Megapixel Compact Digital Camera
The DiMAGE S414 takes all the strengths of its predecessor, a 4.1 megapixel CCD, a high-quality Minolta GT 4X optical zoom, CxProcess™, and adds versatile features. The new DiMAGE S414 is a responsive, easy-to-use digital camera that provides the tools necessary for great images.
The S414's high-precision electro-optical system is built around a 4.1 megapixel 1/1.8-type interline primary-color CCD with 4.0 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images. This pixel resolution will produce B4 size 150dpi prints or A5 size photo-quality prints.
Minolta's GT Apochromatic 4X Zoom Lens
The DiMAGE S414's Minolta GT lens is a versatile apochromatic 4X zoom. The fast f/3.0 – f/3.6, eleven-element, nine-group design is equivalent to a 35 – 140mm lens on a 35mm camera. The lens' resolution far exceeds the requirements for a 4.0 megapixel CCD. The 4X optical zoom employs two double-sided aspheric elements and AD (anomalous dispersion) glass to ensure sharp images at all focal lengths.
CxProcess™ and 12-bit A/D Conversion
Minolta's image-processing technology, CxProcess™, guaranties the image from the CCD will faithfully reproduce the scene. CxProcess™ controls sharpness by balancing resolution with acutance. This allows fine detail to be preserved while adding depth to the image. Color is critically controlled to prevent objects from appearing over-saturated while remaining vibrant; the warmth of the human complexion or the rich subtleties of green foliage will be rendered as clearly as they were perceived. Contrast is regulated to bring out a luminous quality in the mid-tones and highlights, as well as to strengthen and enrich the shadows.
The secret to photography is in the details; smooth gradations and fine details bring a photograph to life. The 12bit A/D conversion preserves all the subtleties of the original scene. With billions of colors and 4,096 levels in each color channel, images possess almost lifelike color and detail. This is especially evident in portraiture: smooth complexion, fine hair detail, and vivid eye color.
2.2X Digital Zoom
With a focal range of 7.15mm to 28.6mm, the DiMAGE S414's versatile optical zoom is equivalent to a 35 - 140mm 35mm zoom lens. This lens encompasses the most used focal lengths in photography today. It can range from wide angle for landscapes to telephoto for intimate portraits. DiMAGE S414's digital zoom extends the optical zoom's performance by 2.2 times giving an equivalent a 308mm lens on a 35mm camera. The lens can focus down to 10cm (4in) for close-up photography.
Advanced Functions
Employing the same LSI technology from Minolta's top-of-the-line DiMAGE 7Hi and a 32MB buffer, the S414 is a responsive photographic tool. Whether recording, viewing, or editing images, camera operation is smooth and fluid.
The DiMAGE S414 has been given an array of advanced functions and creative tools to realize your inspiration. The autofocus system incorporates flexible dynamic functions that allow the DiMAGE S414 to perform flawlessly in any situation.
Wide AF makes accurate focusing simple. Within the large focus area are three sensitive AF sensors including a central crosshair sensor; the crosshair sensor guaranties accurate focusing regardless of subject contrast orientation. The camera automatically locates the subject within the wide frames and confirms the point of focus by briefly displaying the active AF sensor. Focus area selection allows photographers to select a spot focus area from a 5-point array; this is an attractive option for specific compositions with off-center subjects. The S414 can also be manually focused.
The controls over exposure are amazing. The DiMAGE S414 has multi-segment and spot metering. Multi-segment metering uses 270 segments to determine exposure. Three exposure modes are available: program, aperture priority, and manual. 15-second bulb exposures can be made in manual exposure. Camera sensitivity can be set to auto or to one of four ISO equivalent levels: 64, 100, 200, or 400. And to ensure the best exposure possible, an automatic three-frame bracket can be made with 0.3, 0.5, of 1.0Ev steps.
The sharpness, contrast, and filter digital effects controls are image-processing tools built into the camera. These functions allow image data to be maximized at the scene. Sharpness accentuates or softens details. Contrast controls the difference between brightness levels; increasing the contrast makes the highlights brighter and the shadows darker. And the new Filter effects make a color image warmer or cooler.
Unique to digital imaging, the DiMAGE S414's real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured. Displayed with the live image, the histogram allows the subject brightness and contrast to be evaluated to optimize the camera's exposure and contrast controls.
White balance controls how the camera interprets the color of the ambient lighting. Auto white balance compensates for changes in lighting automatically. Four preset white-balance settings, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent, can be selected for specific light sources. And for critical control over color, the custom setting allows the camera to be calibrated to the lighting conditions at the scene.
The color mode has five options: Natural Color, Vivid Color, black and white, Sepia, and solarization. Natural Color preserves the actual colors of the scene and Vivid Color accentuates them. Black and white creates a neutral monochrome image whereas the new Sepia mode gives the classic appearance of toning in old photographs. Solarization creates a partial reversal of tones and colors in the highlights for creative effects.
The LCD monitor displays active camera settings, exposure information, and warnings. This information can be turned off so that the entire image can be viewed. The DiMAGE S414 has two additional displays for critical composition: grid and scale. Usually found in large-format view cameras, the grid makes aligning the camera with vertical or horizontal elements within the image simple; confirming that the horizon or buildings are straight in landscape or architectural photography is easy. The scale can be used in close-up photography to judge the relative proportions of the subject.
Digital Subject Program Selection
In the past, photographers always had to make time-consuming manual adjustments as the subject and shooting environment changed. Digital Subject Programs allows the camera's exposure, white-balance, and image-processing controls to be optimized for specific scenes and subjects at the press of a button. The six subject programs are available:
· Macro: for close-up photography.
· Portrait: optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background.
· Landscape: optimized to take sharp images of expansive scenes.
· Night portrait: the flash and ambient exposures are balanced to reveal the night scene behind the subject. This can also be used for night scenery.
· Text: for crisp reproductions of black text or line art on a white background.
· Text & Marco: to reproduce small text or line art.
Continuous Recording, Movie Clips and Voice Memos
The DiMAGE S414 can continuously record still images at a rate of approximately 1.6 frames per second. A ten-second self-timer is available for self-portraits. The optional remote control RC-3 can used to record still images and movie clips from up to 5m (16ft) away.
The DiMAGE S414 is not limited to recording still images. Sixty seconds of digital video with audio can be captured. Voice memo allows up to 15 seconds of audio to be attached to an image when it is captured. The movie clips and audio tracks can be played back in the camera.
The controls and dials are laid out for clear, intuitive operation. The five-way controller array is located next to the LCD monitor and is used for setting camera functions. The LCD monitor is large and bright.
Audio signals are used to make positive confirmation of button settings. A shutter sound effect accompanies the release of the shutter. The audio signals and shutter effects can be set independently to one of two tones or turned off.
The DiMAGE S414's contoured body incorporates a large grip for secure, comfortable hold. This gives the S414 a solid, well-balanced handling of a larger camera while retaining the size of a compact .
The new DiMAGE S414 is a responsive, versatile, easy-to-use camera. With a 4.0 megapixel CCD, a high-quality 4X optical zoom, CxProcess™, and an incredible array of features, the S414 is ready to deliver great pictures.
Minolta DiMAGE S414 - Technical Specifications
Number of Effective Pixels 4.0 million
CCD
Total Pixels 1/1.8-type interline primary-color CCD
4.1 million
A/D Conversion 12 bit
Camera Sensitivity Auto and 64, 100, 200 and 400 ISO equivalents
Focal Length 7.15 – 28.6mm (35mm equivalent: 35 – 140mm)
Lens Construction 11 elements in 9 groups (includes one AD glass element and two double-sided aspheric elements
Maximum Aperture f/3.0 – f/3.6
Minimum Focus Distance
Wide
Telephoto 0.5m / 1.6ft from CCD
0.9m / 3ft. from CCD
Macro Focus Range 10 – 54cm / 3.9 – 21.3in. from front of lens
16 – 60cm / 6.3 – 23.6in. from CCD
Maximum Magnification
Area Covered 0.1x (1: 10) (Equivalent to 0.465x (1:2.15) in 35mm format
74.3 x 55.7mm / 2,93 x 2.19in.
Filter Diameter 35.5mm
Viewfinder Type Optical real-image zoom viewfinder
Monitor LCD
Total Number of Pixels 4.6cm (1.8in.) TFT color
122,000
Shutter CCD electronic shutter and mechanical shutter
Shutter Speed Range 4 – 1/1000sec., Bulb (max. 15sec.)
Autofocus System Video AF
Autofocus Areas Wide focus area; Sport focus areas with Focus Area Selection
Focus Modes Autofocus, Full-time AF is available in the autofocus mode; Manual focus
Metering Multi-segment, Spot
Multi-Segment Metering 270 segments
Exposure Modes Programmed AE, Aperture-priority, Manual
Digital Subject Programs Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait, Text, Macro & Text
Exposure Compensation ±2 Ev in 1/3 increments
Flash Metering ADI
Flash Range
Wide
Telephoto
Camera Sensitivity 0.5 – 3.5m / 1.6 – 11.5ft. (approx.)
0.9 – 3.0m / 3 – 9.8ft. (approx.)
Auto
Flash Modes Autoflash, Autoflash with Red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Fill-flash with Red-eye reduction, Flash cancel
Continuous Advance Available
Exposure Bracketing Three frame bracket in 1.0, 0.5, 0.3 Ev increments
Self-Timer 10 sec. (approx.)
Remote Control IR Remote Control RC-3 (sold separately)
Movie Recording
Recording Time
Frame Rate 60 sec. (max.) with monaural audio
15 fps.
Audio Voice memo: 5 sec. or 15 sec. monaural audio with still image
Color Modes Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black & White, Sepia, Solarization
White Balance Control Automatic, Preset (Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Cloudy), Custom
Digital Effects Controls
Contrast Compensation
Sharpness Settings
Filter Contrast compensation, Sharpness, Filter
Three levels (High, Normal, Low)
Three levels (Soft, Normal, Hard)
Three levels (Cool, Normal, Warm(
Digital Zoom 2.2X
Date Imprinting Month/day/year (format can be changed); Imprinting can be disabled
Image-Quality Modes TIFF, Fine, Standard, Economy
Number of Recorded Pixels
Still Images
Movie Clips 2272 x 1704, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480
320 x 240
Storage Capacity Approximate storage capacity of a 16MB CompactFlash card
2272x1704 1600x1200 1280x960 640x480
TIFF 1 frame 2 frames 3 frames 13 frames
Fine 6 frames 12 frames 17 frames 34 frames
Standard 11 frames 19 frames 26 frames 42 frames
Economy 17 frames 27 frames 33 frames 48 frames
Movie 51 seconds (320 x 240) (Total number of seconds that can be stored)
* Actual number of images may vary depending upon the subject and memory card used; Still images are recorded without voice memo
File Formats JPEG, TIFF, Motion JPEG (MOV), WAVE
DCF 1.0-compliant; DPOF-compliant (supported by printing functions in ver. 1.1)
Folder Name Formats Standard, Date
Printing Output Control PRINT Image Matching II, Exif Print
Recording Media Type 1 CompactFlash Card
Computer Interface USB 1.1
AV Output NTSC, PAL (selected on the camera)
Batteries Four NiMH or AA alkaline batteries; Use of NiMH batteries is recommended
Battery Performance
Playback
Recording Approximate continuous playback time: 120 minutes
Based on Minolta's standard test method with 1,850 mAh NiMH batteries
Approximate number of recorded images: 160 frames
Based on Minolta's standard test method: 1,850 mAh NiMH batteries, LCD monitor on, Full-size images (2272 x 1702), Standard image quality, No instant playback, No voice memo, Flash used with 50% of the frames
External Power Source 6V DC with specified AC adapter (sold separately)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 113.5 x 64.5 x 58.5mm / 4.47 x 2.54 x 2.3 in.
Weight 335g / 11.8oz. (approx.) without batteries or recording media
Operating Temperature 0 – 40°C / 32 – 104°F
Standard Accessories Four AA Alkaline Batteries, NS-DG403 Neck Strap, LF-236 Lens Strap, AVC-100 AV Cable, USB-600 USB Cable, CompactFlash Card, DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM
Optional Accessories CS-DG304 Camera Case, RC-3 IR Remote Control, EBP-100 External High Power Battery Pack Kit, AC Adapter, NS-DG1000 Leather Neck Strap
Specifications and accessories are based on the information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.
System Requirements
IBM PC/AT compatible computers with Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 98*, or Windows 98 Second Edition* and with a USB port as standard interface.
Apple Macintosh computers with preinstalled Mac OS 9.0 – 9.2.2, Mac OS X v10.1. 3– 10.1.5, v10.2.1, and v10.2.2 and with a USB port as standard interface.
The computer and operating system must be guaranteed by their manufacturers to support USB interface.
Problems may be encountered depending on what other USB devices are being used in parallel with this product.
Only a built-in USB port is supported. Problems may be encountered when the camera is connected to a USB hub.
Normal operation may not be possible even when all the system requirements are met.
* Users with Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition operating systems must install dedicated driver software included in the DiMAGE S414 package.
System requirements are based on the latest information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice.
* Windows is either registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
* Macintosh is a trademark or registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
* Other corporate names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.Number of Effective Pixels
Specifications and accessories are based on the information available at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice. |
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