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Minolta Dimage S404 Dimage technology and optics in a compact, stylish four megapixel design Select a topic Reference: Datasheet Dimage S404 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 S404 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Camera Modes & Menus :(Previous) | (Next): Video, Power, Software>> Page 10:Image Storage & Interface Review First Posted: 1/30/2002

Image Storage and Interface
The S404 stores images to CompactFlash Type I memory cards, and a 16 megabyte card ships with the unit. Accessory CompactFlash cards are available from a variety of third parties with capacities as large as 640 MB, and will doubtless continue their upward climb to even larger sizes as time goes on. While CompactFlash cards cannot themselves be write-protected, the S404 offers a "Lock" function through the Playback menu. Locked images cannot be erased or manipulated, but formatting a CompactFlash card erases all files, even locked ones.

Four image sizes are available on the S404, including 2,272 x 1,704, 1,600 x 1,200, 1,280 x 960, or 640 x 480-pixel sizes. (Movies are captured at the 320 x 240-pixel resolution.) Images can be saved as uncompressed TIFF files, via the Superfine quality setting, or as compressed JPEG files (Fine, Normal, or Economy compression levels).

The table below shows the approximate number of images that can be stored to a 16 MB CompactFlash card at various size and quality levels, as well as their approximate compression levels.

Image Capacity vs Resolution/Quality 16MB Memory Card		Hi	Fine	Normal	Basic
Full Resolution 2270x1704	Images (Avg size)	1 (11.6 MB)	7 (2.13 MB)	12 (1.26 MB)	20 (780 KB)
	Approx. Compression	1:1	5:1	9:1	15:1
High Resolution 1600x1200	Images (Avg size)	2 (5.8 MB)	14 (1.1 MB)	23 (681 KB)	36 (448 KB)
	Approx. Compression	1:1	5:1	8:1	13:1
Standard Resolution 1280x960	Images (Avg size)	4 (3.7 MB)	21 (753 KB)	33 (481 KB)	46 (352 KB)
	Approx. Compression	1:1	5:1	8:1	11:1
Low Resolution 640x480	Images (Avg size)	15 (922 KB)	48 (332 KB)	65 (248 KB)	79 (202 KB)
	Approx. Compression	1:1	3:1	4:1	5:1

 

The S404 comes with a USB cable and interface software for downloading images to a computer. The camera is a storage-class USB device, automatically appearing on the computer's desktop under Mac OS 8.6 and later, and Windows Me, 2000, and XP. There's a lot of variation between USB devices in their transfer rates, and I was surprised to find the S404 at the lower end of the range. Connected to my G4 PowerMac, I clocked it at 53.0 seconds to transfer a 11,650K TIFF image, a transfer rate of only 220 KBytes/second. Given that some cameras can download files as fast as 600 KBytes/second, the S404 is rather slow by comparison. (Surprising, given how fast is image processing circuitry seems to be.) If you end up buying a really large memory card for your S404, you may want to consider also getting a fast external card reader for transferring images.(At 220 KB/second, it would take a bit over 19 minutes to download a full 256 MB memory card.)

Lost Images? - Download this image-recovery program so you'll have it when you need it...
Since we're talking about memory and image storage, this would be a good time to mention the following: I get a ton of email from readers who've lost photos due to a corrupted memory card. It's tragic when it happens, there are few things more precious than photo memories. Corrupted memory cards can happen with any card type and any camera manufacturer, nobody's immune. "Stuff happens," as they say. A surprising number of "lost" images can be recovered with an inexpensive, easy to use piece of software though. Given the amount of email I've gotten on the topic, I now include this paragraph in all my digicam reviews. The program you need is called PhotoRescue, by DataRescue SA. Read our review of it if you'd like, but download the program now, so you'll have it. It doesn't cost a penny until you need it, and even then it's only $29, with a money back guarantee. So download PhotoRescue for Windows or PhotoRescue for Mac while you're thinking of it. (While you're at it, download the PDF manual and quickstart guide as well.) Stash the file in a safe place and it'll be there when you need it. Trust me, needing this is not a matter of if, but when... PhotoRescue is about the best and easiest tool for recovering digital photos I've seen. (Disclosure: IR gets a small commission from sales of the product, but I'd highly recommend the program even if we didn't.) OK, now back to our regularly scheduled review...