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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 <<Design :(Previous) | (Next): Optics>> Page 4:Viewfinder Review First Posted: 1/30/2002

Viewfinder
The S404 offers both a real-image optical viewfinder and a 1.8-inch TFT color LCD monitor for composing images. The real-image optical viewfinder zooms along with the lens, but doesn't show any digital enlargement when the digital zoom function is engaged. (This requires the LCD monitor to be active.) A pair of focus brackets appears in the center of the optical viewfinder display, delineating the autofocus area. Two LED lamps on the right side of the viewfinder eyepiece report the camera's current status. For example, the top LED glows orange when the flash is charged and ready to fire, or blinks when the flash is still charging. The bottom LED glows green when focus is set, or flashes to indicate a focusing problem.

Occupying the majority of the left side of the camera's back panel is the 1.8-inch LCD monitor. The LCD monitor automatically turns on whenever the camera is powered on, but can be disabled via the Display button just to the right of the panel itself. One press of the Display button disables the on-screen information overlay display, while a second press deactivates the LCD entirely (a third press reactivates the LCD with the information display). Included in the information overlay display is the current camera mode, flash mode, file size and quality settings, the number of available images, and a set of focus brackets in the center of the display. When shooting in Auto mode, the current shutter speed and aperture settings appear in the lower portion of the LCD monitor whenever the Shutter button is halfway pressed. (This information is present at all times in any of the Manual modes.)

In Playback mode, the Display button also controls the information display, turning it on or off. In addition, the Display button allows you to access the nine-image index display mode, as well as a histogram for checking the overall exposure of the image. (A histogram graphs the tonal distribution of the image, showing the complete tonal range captured and making it easy to see any over- or underexposure.) Also in Playback mode, you can digitally enlarge the image as much as 3.5x, by repeatedly pressing the Flash/Playback Zoom button.

The S404's optical viewfinder is a bit tighter than average, showing between 81 and 83% of the final image area (the average among cameras I've tested is about 85%). The LCD viewfinder is quite accurate though, showing fully 98% of the final image area.