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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 <<Executive Overview :(Previous) | (Next): Viewfinder>> Page 3:Design Review First Posted: 1/30/2002

Design
With its all-silver, slightly bulky body design, the Minolta Dimage S404 looks very similar to the preceding Dimage S304. The camera is reasonably compact despite its thick body, and similar in size to many point-and-shoot film cameras (though quite a bit too large to fit into a shirt pocket). Still, the S404 can be carried in a large coat pocket or purse, though I'd recommend picking up a small camera bag for better protection. A neck strap comes with the camera, allowing you more freedom when carrying it outside of a bag. Size-wise, the S404 measures 4.5 x 2.5 x 2.3 inches (113.5 x 64.5 x 58.5 millimeters), and weighs approximately 15.0 ounces (430 grams - with batteries and CompactFlash card).

The S404 features a larger CCD than the preceding S304 model, offering a full four megapixels for capturing higher resolution images. Apart from the 4-megapixel CCD, the S404 offers the same 4x optical zoom and a high-quality Minolta GT lens I liked on the S304. Control layout remains similar to the S304, with a large Mode dial on top of the camera and a very informative status display panel that reports most camera settings. Now for our virtual "walk" around the camera:

 

 

The front of the S404 features the lens barrel, flash, optical viewfinder window, remote-control receiver window (diagonally down to the left from the optical viewfinder window), and self-timer LED lamp. A small finger grip runs vertically along the inside edge of the hefty handgrip (which also houses the battery compartment), with a textured pad for your fingers to cling to as they wrap around the camera. The lens barrel protrudes from the camera body just slightly beyond the hand grip. When the camera is powered on, the lens telescopes out from the body about another three-quarters of an inch, into its operating position. Just below the flash window, a small series of raised bumps provide a grip surface for your left forefinger when holding the camera two-handed, but be careful not to block the flash window with your finger.

 

 

The CompactFlash slot takes up a large portion of the camera's right side (when looking from the back), leaving just enough room for the DC In slot and one of the neck strap attachment eyelets. The memory card slot door is released by a sliding latch on the back panel. Once released, the door pops open and reveals the card slot. Also inside the card slot are the A/V Out and USB connector jacks. One minor design gripe here is that the neck strap eyelet constantly dropped down in the way of either closing the compartment door or connecting the A/V cable. While not a a major concern, it was enough of a nuisance that I thought to briefly mention it. Just below the compartment is the DC In connector jack, protected by a flexible, rubbery flap that folds out of the way when the AC adapter cable is attached.

 

 

The opposite side of the S404 is fairly plain, featuring only the small speaker and the other neck strap eyelet.

 

 

On top of the camera is a large status display panel, as well as the camera's microphone, Subject Program button, Shutter button, Mode dial, and a series of function buttons (angled down slightly, toward the back panel). The inclusion of the status display panel is very welcome, as it reports enough of the camera's basic settings to allow you to shoot without the LCD monitor active much of the time (and thus save on battery power).

 

 

The remaining camera controls share the back panel with the 1.8-inch LCD monitor and optical viewfinder eyepiece. Just beside the viewfinder eyepiece are two LEDs which report a variety of camera information, such as when focus is set or the flash is charging. A series of raised bumps in the top right corner provides a grip for your right thumb as you hold the camera. Just below this small grip pad is a red LED that lights whenever the camera is accessing the memory card, warning you not to eject the card.

 

 

The S404's bottom panel is relatively smooth and flat, with just a few small protrusions. The battery compartment opens from beneath the camera, with a door that must be slid forward before opening. A small latch keeps the battery compartment from opening accidentally. The metal, threaded tripod mount is opposite the battery compartment, in almost the extreme right hand corner of the camera's bottom panel. This placement of the tripod mount makes the camera rather lopsided when it's mounted on a tripod, and horizontal alignment can sometimes be awkward as a result. The off-center tripod mount is also less than ideal for shooting images to be stitched into panoramas. Depending on the design of your particular tripod's mounting plate though, the off-center position of the tripod socket could provide enough room between it and the battery compartment hatch for you to change batteries without removing the camera from the tripod. (A handy feature I'm partial to, but that I'll admit is probably of little consequence to the average user.)