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Minolta Dimage S304 Minolta packs Dimage technology & optics into a compact 3.3 megapixel prosumer camera! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Dimage S304 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on Dimage S304 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 9/13/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

Drive Modes: Accessed by pressing the middle button under the Data Status Display panel, Drive modes determine the rate and method by which images are recorded. All Still image capture modes offer the following Drive mode options:

• Single Frame Advance: Records a single image each time the shutter button is pressed.
• Self-Timer / Remote Control: Pressing the shutter button activates a 10-second countdown before the shutter is released. This function can also be used with the optional IR Remote Control.
• Continuous Advance: Like a motor drive on a film camera, Continuous Advance records a series of single image exposures with one press of the Shutter button. The number of images that can be captured and the rate of capture depend on the image quality and image size settings. (Maximum capture rate is 1 frame per second.)
• Bracketing: Records three images with a single press of the shutter button: one at the metered exposure, one overexposed, and one underexposed.
  

Auto-Recording Mode: Accessed by turning the Mode dial to the red camera symbol marked "Auto," the Auto capture mode automatically sets all exposure settings, with minimum exposure adjustment options, such as Flash, Exposure Compensation, and Image Size and Quality. While in Auto mode, you can select one of five Digital Subject Program modes by pressing the Drive button to the right of the Data Status Display panel:

• Macro: Used for taking close-up images between 6 inches and 2 feet (16-60cm), the Macro mode automatically sets the zoom to the full telephoto position. This is the only Subject Program that can be used in Multi-Function mode.
• Portrait: Employs a large aperture setting to reduce the camera's depth of field, maintaining focus on the subject and slightly blurring the background. Image sharpness and color are optimized to reproduce skin tones.
• Landscape: Employs a small aperture setting to maximize depth of field, maintaining focus on foreground and background objects.
• Night Portrait: Slows the shutter speed to allow more light into the scene. When used with Fill Flash, the longer exposure balances the background with the flash-illuminated subject.
• Text: Exposure and image processing are optimized for maximum contrast, delivering sharp black text on a white background.
  

Multi-Function Recording Mode: Accessed by turning the Mode dial to the red camera symbol marked with an "M," Multi-Function offers three Exposure modes, each selected through the Multi-Function Basic menu:

• Program: Program is similar to Auto, in that the camera makes all of the exposure decisions. However, it eliminates access to all Digital Subject Program modes except Macro, and it adds several exposure options not available in Auto mode, including ISO, White Balance, and a choice of Metering modes.
• Aperture-Priority: The user selects the aperture setting, while the camera chooses the best corresponding shutter speed.
• Manual: The user selects both aperture and shutter speed.

All three modes have expanded menu options listed below.

Playback Mode: Indicated by the standard "Playback arrow" symbol, this mode enables playback of previously captured images and movies.

Movie-Recording Mode: Marked by a movie camera icon, this mode sets up the camera to capture QuickTime movie sequences with sound.

Setup Mode: Displays an LCD menu system allowing configuration of deeper camera operating modes, such as memory card formatting, menu language choice, and date and time settings.

Data-Transfer Mode: Indicated by the standard "double arrow" symbol, this mode activates the USB port for downloading images to a host computer.

Auto Recording Mode Menu

• Image Size: Sets the pixel resolution of the images. Options include 2,048 x 1,536, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,280 x 960, and 640 x 480 pixels.
• Quality: Sets the compression ratio of image files. Options include Super Fine (uncompressed TIFF), Fine, Standard, and Economy.
• Voice Memo: When engaged, automatically records a short audio clip after each exposure to accompany still images. Options include: No (Off), 5 seconds, and 10 seconds.
• Date Imprint: When engaged, the camera automatically imprints the current date on each image.
• Digital Zoom: When engaged, Digital Zoom increases image magnification by up to 2x, once you zoom past the maximum optical telephoto range.
• Instant Playback: When engaged, automatically displays the most recently recorded image after each exposure, for either 2 or 10 seconds
  

Multi-Function Recording Menus

Basic Menu

• Exposure Mode: Sets the Exposure mode to Program, Aperture Priority, or Manual.
• Image Size: Sets the pixel resolution of the images to 2,048 x 1,536, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,280 x 960, or 640 x 480 pixels.
• Quality: Sets the compression ratio of image files to Super Fine, Fine, Standard, and Economy.
• White Balance: Sets the White Balance setting to Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Tungsten, Fluorescent, or Custom.
• Focus Mode: Sets focus mode to Autofocus or Manual.
• Sensitivity: Sets the light sensitivity to Auto or 100, 200, 400, or 800 ISO equivalents.
  

Custom 1 Menu

• Full-Time AF: Only available in Autofocus mode, this option sets the AF to continuous focus, which maintains focus at all times, instead of focusing only when the Shutter button is halfway depressed.
• Metering Mode: Sets the camera's Metering mode to Multi-Segment or Spot.
• Exposure Bracket: Determines the exposure variance between images in the Bracketing Drive mode. Options include: 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 exposure values (EV).
• Digital Zoom: When engaged, Digital Zoom increases image magnification by up to 2x, once you zoom past the maximum optical telephoto range.
• Instant Playback: When engaged, automatically displays the most recently recorded image after each exposure, for either 2 or 10 seconds
  

Custom 2 Menu

• Color Mode: Allows you to choose between Color and Black-and-White image capture.
• Sharpness: Allows you to choose degree of in-camera sharpening. Options include Soft, Normal, or Hard.
• Contrast: Allows you to choose image contrast level. Options include Low, Normal, or High.
• Col. Saturation: Allows you to choose the degree of color saturation. Options include Low, Normal, or High.
• Voice Memo: When engaged, automatically records a short audio clip after each exposure to accompany still images. Options include: No (Off), 5 seconds, and 10 seconds.
• Date Imprint: When engaged, the camera automatically imprints the current date on each image.
  

Playback Menus

Basic Menu

• Delete: Lets you delete the current photo, all photos, or marked photos.
• Lock: "Locks" a captured image to prevent its accidental erasure. Options include This frame, All Frames, Marked Frames, or Unlock Frames. (NOTE: Protects against "delete" operations, but not against card formatting.)
• Index Format: Lets you choose between 4- or 9-frame thumbnail image displays.
  

Custom 1 Menu

• Slide Show: Initiates a slide show of photos on the memory card.
• Playback: Chooses whether to play all photos or only marked ones in the slide show.
• Duration: Set the duration for each "slide" in the slide show, from 1 to 60 seconds.
• Repeat: Chooses whether or not to repeat the slide show after all photos have been displayed.
  

Custom 2 Menu

• Print: Sets up photos for DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) printing. This selection lets you choose whether to print: This Frame, All Frames, or Marked Frames.
• Index Print: Chooses whether or not to order an index print of all photos.
• Cancel Print: Deletes all print orders on the card.
• Copy: Makes a duplicate copy of either the current photo or all marked photos for recording to another memory card.
  

Setup Menus

Basic Menu

• LCD brightness: Adjusts LCD backlight intensity in 5 steps (arbitrary units).
• Format: Formats the memory card, erasing all images, including "locked" files.
• Power Save: Sets idle delay before the camera enters low-power mode. Options are 1, 2, 5, and 10 minutes.
• Beep: Sets annunciator beep volume to Off, On, or On w / Sound FX (simulates camera shutter).
• Language: Sets language for menus. Options are Japanese, English, French, German, or Spanish.
  

Custom 1 Menu

• File # Memory: Chooses whether or not to number images sequentially across memory cards. If set to "Yes," the camera remembers the last number used, even if a different card is inserted. (Very handy to prevent accidentally overwriting images when they are copied to your computer.)
• Select Folder: Allows you to choose which folder you want to use to save your photos.
  

Custom 2 Menu

• Reset default: Resets all menu choices to their factory default values.
• Date/Time Set: Used to set current date and time.
• Date Format: Chooses between YYYY/MM/DD, MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY date formats.
• Video Output: Selects either NTSC or PAL video timing for the video output signal.
  

Data-Transfer Menu

• Sets up the camera to interface directly to computer for transfer of image files from the memory card to the computer hard drive.