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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 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 employs two double-sided aspheric
elements and AD (anomalous dispersion) glass to ensure sharp images at all focal
lengths. the 2.2x digital zoom extends the optical zoom's performance - giving
an equivalent a 308mm lens on a 35mm camera. The lens can focus down to 4"
(10cm) for close-up photography.
Minolta's CxProcess, image-processing technology, guaranties the image from
the CCD will faithfully reproduce the scene, and 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, and
contrast is regulated to bring out a luminous quality in the mid-tones and
highlights, as well as to strengthen and enrich the shadows. Furthermore, 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.
The DiMAGE S414 has been given an array of advanced functions and creative
tools to realize your inspiration. The auto focus system incorporates flexible
dynamic functions that allow the DiMAGE S414 to perform flawlessly in any
situation. 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.
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Key
Features
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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. |
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Amazing
Exposure Control
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. |
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Sharpness,
Contrast and Filter Effects
The sharpness, contrast, and filter digital effects controls are
image-processing tools built into the camera. Sharpness accentuates or
softens details, Contrast controls the difference between brightness
levels, and the Filter effects make a color image warmer or cooler. |
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Real-Time
Histogram
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. |
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Five
Color Mode Options
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 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. |
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LCD
Display Options
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. |
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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:
- 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.
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Continuous
Record Feature
Continuously record still images at a rate of approximately 1.6
frames per second. |
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Video
and Audio Record Features
Sixty seconds of digital video with audio can be captured, and the
voice memo allows up to 15 seconds of audio to be attached to an image
when it is captured. |
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Easy
To Use and Ergonomically Designed
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, and the LCD monitor is large and
bright. Audio signals are used to make positive confirmation of button
settings, and a shutter sound effect accompanies the release of the
shutter. The audio signals and shutter sounds can be set independently
to one of two tones or turned off. The 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 it's compact
size. |
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