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 The
new Minolta Dimage S414 combines high-quality images with automatic features
that are ideal for novice users as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts.
The stylish Dimage S414 offers a 4-megapixel resolution for prints beyond 11
by 14 inches, a 4x optical zoom, built-in flash, video recording capability,
and Compact Flash card compatibility.
Optics and Resolution
The Minolta Dimage S414's high-precision electro-optical system is built
around a 4.1-megapixel interline primary-color CCD with 4 million effective
pixels. The built-in Minolta GT lens is a versatile apochromatic 4x zoom
with anomalous dispersion (AD) glass for color accuracy and dual aspherical
elements which, combined with a 2.2x digital zoom, provides an 8.8x total
zoom. The optical zoom lens range is from 7.15-28.6mm, equivalent to
35-140mm in 35mm photography; with the addition of digital zoom, range is
equivalent to 35-308mm in 35mm.
With Minolta's Focus Area Selection feature, photographers can move the
focusing point to single out a specific subject from a number of objects at
varying distances. The Dimage S414 can also be manually focused for more
creative control and features multisegment and spot metering. Multisegment
metering uses 270 segments to determine exposure. Three exposure modes are
available: program, aperture priority, and manual.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash memory cards. The included 16 MB card can
store approximately 11 images at the highest standard setting (2,272 x
1,704). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class
connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based
Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any
software.
Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Dimage S414 is capable of recording
up to 60 seconds of video with sound at 15 frames per second and at 320 x
240 pixels.
More Features
The 1.8-inch LCD monitor displays active camera settings, exposure
information, and warnings. The Dimage S414 also offers the addition of grid
and scale displays for improved composition. The Digital Subject Programs
feature optimizes camera's exposure, white balance, and image-processing
controls for specific scenes and subject, and includes six settings: macro,
portrait, landscape, night portrait, text, and text and macro (for small
text and line art).
Other features include:
- Continuous recording of still images at a rate of approximately 1.6
frames per second
- Five color mode options: natural color, vivid color, black and white,
sepia, and solarization
- Four preset white-balance settings: daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and
fluorescent
- Real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image
before it is captured
- 10-second self-timer
Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable
NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.5 by 2.5 by 2.3 inches and weighs
11.8 ounces. This package includes the Dimage S414 digital camera, four AA
alkaline batteries, 16 MB CompactFlash card, USB and AV cables, neck strap,
lens cap, and Dimage Software and Viewer CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows
and Mac.
From the Manufacturer
Right out of the box, you’ll know the DiMAGE S414 is a
high-quality digital camera. From the elegant design and rich metal body to
the sophisticated features including a 4.1 megapixel CCD, an ultra-compact
4X Minolta GT APO zoom lens, 12-bit A/D conversion, and Minolta’s advanced
CxProcess, the DiMAGE S414 ensures that you’ll capture all the beauty and
details of the original scene, and you’ll capture it quickly and easily.
The S414 can take over control for point & shoot simplicity, or give you
control over exposure, color, contrast, saturation, white balance, camera
sensitivity, and focus. A complete multimedia tool, the DiMAGE S414 also
records movie clips and audio.
Features:
High-Quality 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. The CCD’s pixel resolution will
produce 14 x 10-inch (B4) size 150-dpi prints or 8 x 5-inch (A5) size
photo-quality prints.
High-Performance 8.8X Zoom (4X Optical, 2.2X Digital)
The DiMAGE S414 is equipped with a built-in Minolta GT apochromatic zoom
lens. This sophisticated 4X lens provides focal range of 7.15mm to 28.6mm --
equivalent to a 35 - 140mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera. The lens encompasses
the most used focal lengths in photography, ranging from wide angle for
landscapes to telephoto for intimate portraits, and focuses down to 4 inches
for extreme close-ups. Two double-sided aspheric lens elements and AD
(anomalous dispersion) glass ensure sharp images at all focal lengths.
Digital zoom seamlessly takes over from the maximum focal length of the
optical zoom without interrupting the monitor image. The digital zoom
extends the optical zoom performance up to 2.2 times in 0.25X increments,
giving the S414 the equivalent of a 308mm telephoto lens on a 35mm camera.
Wide-Area Autofocusing with Focus Area Selection
Wide-area AF makes accurate focusing simple. Within the large focus area are
three AF sensors including a central crosshair sensor; the crosshair sensor
ensures precise focusing regardless of subject contrast orientation. The
camera automatically locates the subject within the wide focus frames and
confirms the point of focus by briefly displaying the active AF sensor.
Focus Area Selection allows the user to select a spot focus area from a
5-point array – a versatile option for creative compositions with
off-center subjects.
High Response Digital Imaging
With an ultra-fast digital drive, an internal memory capacity of 32MB, and
the same high-speed engine (LSI) as Minolta’s top-of-the-line DiMAGE 7Hi,
the DiMAGE S414 is an extremely responsive photographic tool. Whether
recording, viewing, or editing images, camera operation is smooth, quick,
and intuitive.
Manual Focus
In addition to the autofocus system, the camera can be focused manually
while monitoring image sharpness on the monitor.
270-Segment Metering
The S414’s advanced autoexposure system with multi-segment metering
evaluates subject and scene brightness and continuously monitors the
situation for even the slightest changes.
Information about subject location from the wide-area AF is used along
with multi-segment metering to calculate perfect exposures. The system uses
270 metering segments to calculate the exposure based on subject and
background brightness. With the DiMAGE S414, there’s no need to worry that
the subject will be lost in deep shadows or washed out in front of dark
backgrounds. For additional subject illumination, the built-in flash fires
automatically in low-light or backlit conditions.
Spot Metering
For basing the exposure on a small area of the subject or scene, spot
metering mode concentrates the exposure reading to the center segment of the
multi-segment array.
Digital Subject Programs
In addition to a fully automatic point & shoot Program mode, Digital
Subject Programs can be selected, which optimizes the camera’s exposure,
white-balance, and image-processing controls for specific scenes and
subjects. Six subject programs are available:
Macro: Ensures maximum depth-of-field for sharp details in close-up
pictures. Portrait: Reproduces warm, soft skin tones and creates slightly
defocused backgrounds. Landscape: Ensures sharp images of expansive scenes.
Night Portrait: Balances the flash illumination on the subject with the
background ambient light. This setting can also be used to capture the
romantic ambience of illuminated night scenes such as city skylines. Text:
For crisp reproductions of black text or line art on a white background.
Text & Macro: Accurately reproduces small text or line art.
Creative Exposure Control
The DiMAGE S414 is a true creative imaging tool, offering user-controlled
aperture priority and manual exposure modes. Plus, camera sensitivity can be
set to auto or to one of four ISO equivalent levels: 64, 100, 200, or 400.
To ensure the best exposure possible, an automatic three-frame bracket can
be made in 0.3, 0.5, or 1.0Ev steps. Additionally, 15-second
"bulb" exposures can be made in manual exposure mode (the camera
can be mounted on a tripod and the shutter released with the self-timer or
the optional remote control RC-3).
CxProcess Image-Processing Technology
Minolta’s CxProcess ensures that the image from the CCD will faithfully
reproduce the original scene. CxProcess controls image sharpness, color, and
contrast while minimizing noise to produce vivid, natural pictures.
12-Bit A/D Conversion
12-bit A/D conversion preserves the subtleties of the original image. With
billions of colors and 4,096 levels in each color channel, images possess
near-lifelike color and detail. This is especially evident in portraiture:
smooth complexion, fine hair detail, and vivid eye color.
Real-Time Histogram
Unique to digital imaging, the DiMAGE S414’s real-time histogram shows the
luminance distribution of the image before the image is captured. Displayed
with the live image, the histogram allows subject brightness and contrast to
be evaluated for optimizing camera controls.
Grid and Scale Displays
The DiMAGE S414’s LCD monitor features two new displays for critical
composition: grid and scale. Usually found in large-format view cameras, the
grid makes it easy to alignin the camera with vertical or horizontal
elements within the image. The scale can be used in close-up photography to
judge the relative proportions of the subject.
Image-Processing Tools
The sharpness, contrast, and filter controls are image-processing tools
built into the camera, allowing 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.
Color Mode
The color mode has five options: Natural Color, Vivid Color, Black &
White, Sepia, and Solarization. Natural Color preserves the actual colors of
the scene; Vivid Color accentuates them. Black & White creates a neutral
monochrome image. 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.
White Balance Control
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.
Quick View Mode
Captured images can be easily accessed in the recording mode. Simply press
the Quick View button to display the recorded images. The images can be
enlarged to confirm sharpness and the histogram can be displayed to judge
exposure. Index playback, voice memo playback, and movie playback are all
available in Quick View mode.
Continuous Advance
For capturing the action as it unfolds, the S414 can continuously record
still images at a rate of approximately 8 frames in 5 seconds (1.6 fps).
Movie and Audio Functions
To catch extended action as it unfolds, 60-seconds of digital video with
audio can be recorded. Additionally, thoughts and comments can be recorded
alone or with a still image. Voice Memo allows an audio track up to 15
seconds to be attached to an image when the image is captured. Movie clips
and audio tracks can be played back in the camera.
Audible Signals
Audible signals are used to make positive confirmation of button settings. A
shutter sound effect accompanies the release of the shutter. The audible
signals and
Product Description
Right out of the box, you'll know the Dimage S414 is a
high-quality digital camera. From the elegant design and rich metal body to
the sophisticated features including a 4.1 megapixel CCD, an ultra-compact
4X Minolta GT APO zoom lens, 12-bit A/D conversion, and Minolta's advanced
CxProcess, the Dimage S414 ensures that you'll capture all the beauty and
details of the original scene, and you'll capture it quickly and easily. The
S414 can take over control for point & shoot simplicity, or give you
control over exposure, color, contrast, saturation, white balance, camera
sensitivity, and focus. A complete multimedia tool, the Dimage S414 also
records movie clips and audio.
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