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Thank you for purchasing this Minolta digital camera. Please take the time to read
through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all the features of your new camera.

This manual contains information regarding products introduced before February, 2002.
To obtain compatibility information for products released after this date, contact a
Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual.

Check the packing list before using this product. If any items are missing, immediately
contact your camera dealer.

Minolta DiMAGE S404 digital camera
AA alkaline batteries (set of four)
Neck strap NS-DG304
Lens cap LF-236
16MB CompactFlash card
AV cable AVC-100
USB cable USB-600
DiMAGE software CD-ROM
ArcSoft PhotoImpression CD-ROM
DiMAGE Image Viewer Utility instruction manual
Camera manual
Warranty card

B

EFORE YOU BEGIN

Because the performance of alkaline batteries with digital cameras is low,
the use of Ni-MH batteries is recommended. Although alkaline batteries
are supplied with this product, its performance will be limited; only use
alkaline batteries for test photographs or when Ni-MH batteries, the
Minolta external battery pack, or the AC adapter are not available. Fully
recharge the Ni-MH batteries just before using the camera. 

Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product.

Using batteries improperly can cause them to leak harmful solutions, overheat, or explode
which may damage property or cause personal injury. Do not ignore the following
warnings.
• Only use the batteries specified in this instruction manual.
• Do not install the batteries with the polarity (+/–) reversed.
• Do not use batteries which show wear or damage.
• Do not expose batteries to fire, high temperatures, water, or moisture.
• Do not attempt to short or disassemble batteries.
• Do not store batteries near or in metallic products.
• Do not mix batteries of different types, brands, ages, or charge levels.
• Do not charge alkaline batteries.
• When recharging rechargeable batteries, only use the recommended charger.
• Do not use leaking batteries. If fluid from the batteries enters your eye, immediately

rinse the eye with plenty of fresh water and contact a doctor. If fluid from the batteries
makes contact with your skin or clothing, wash the area thoroughly with water.

WARNING

F

OR PROPER AND SAFE USE

• Use only the specified AC adapter within the voltage range indicated on the adapter

unit. An inappropriate adapter or current may cause damage or injury through fire or
electric shock.

• Do not disassemble this product. Electric shock may cause injury if a high voltage circuit

inside the product is touched. 

• Immediately remove the batteries or unplug the AC adapter and discontinue use if the

camera is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior, especially the flash
unit, is exposed. The flash has a high voltage circuit which may cause an electric shock
resulting in injury. The continued use of a damaged product or part may cause injuries
or fire.

Summary of Contents for DiMAGE S404

Page 1: ...INSTRUCTION MANUAL E...

Page 2: ...ul solutions overheat or explode which may damage property or cause personal injury Do not ignore the following warnings Only use the batteries specified in this instruction manual Do not install the...

Page 3: ...smoke discontinue use Immediately remove the batteries taking care not to burn yourself as the batteries become hot with use The continued use of a damaged product or part may cause injuries or fire T...

Page 4: ...ing situations 25 Quick view 26 Quick view display 27 Deleting images in quick view 27 Digital subject program button 28 Flash modes 30 Flash range auto recording mode 31 Flash signals 31 Camera shake...

Page 5: ...Copying images 80 Frame selection screen 81 Viewing images on a television 82 Setup mode controlling the camera s operation 83 Navigating the setup menu 84 Setup menu basic 86 LCD monitor brightness...

Page 6: ...card slot door Self timer Remote control lamp p 32 Flash p 30 Digital subject program button p 28 Strap eyelet p 15 Viewfinder p 12 LCD monitor p 14 Menu button Battery chamber lock p 16 Flash mode M...

Page 7: ...te balance indicator p 54 Flash mode indicators p 30 Manual focus indicator p 56 Image size display p 40 Image quality display p 41 Drive mode indicators p 32 Microphone indicator p 43 Exposure mode i...

Page 8: ...ND LENS CAP GETTING UP AND RUNNING 4 3 LCD MONITOR DISPLAY b Flash mode indicator p 30 d Contrast compensation display p 60 e Color saturation compensation display p 60 f Exposure compensation display...

Page 9: ...placing exhausted batteries wait thirty seconds between removing the old batteries and inserting the new ones Low battery warning battery power is very low The batteries should be replaced as soon as...

Page 10: ...loss A type I CompactFlash card must be inserted for the camera to operate If a card has not been inserted a no card warning will automatically be displayed on the monitor and three dashes will be dis...

Page 11: ...he mode dial is turned to another position Adjustments made with exposure compensation will be reset to 0 0 when the camera is turned off or changed to another mode While using the viewfinder or LCD m...

Page 12: ...of the optical zoom is visible in both the viewfinder and LCD monitor Assisting the optical zoom is a 2 2X digital zoom The effect of the digital zoom doubles the power of the telephoto position of th...

Page 13: ...function is controlled with the shutter release button Place the subject within the focus frame Press and hold the shutter release button partway down The focus signals will indicate that the focus is...

Page 14: ...ime of capture Mode indicator Delete this frame No Yes Press the up key to see the histogram of the displayed image When the histogram is displayed the left right keys cannot scroll to the next image...

Page 15: ...rograms The flash mode p 30 can be changed and the exposure can be altered using the exposure compensation function p 46 In extreme lighting conditions changes in exposure compensation may not produce...

Page 16: ...w light and backlit conditions Red eye reduction the flash fires twice before the main flash burst to reduce red eye an effect caused by light reflected from the retina Use in low light con ditions wh...

Page 17: ...the basic section of the setup menu p 84 AUTO RECORDING MODE The drive modes control the rate and method images are captured Icons indicating the selected drive mode appear on the data panel and LCD m...

Page 18: ...ts the maximum number of images that can be captured with different image quality and image size combinations Economy Standard Fine 2272 X 1704 Image Quality Image Size 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 640 X 48...

Page 19: ...completed the camera will reset and the entire bracket must be made again When using flash there will be a delay between frames as the flash charges The remaining number of frames in the bracket serie...

Page 20: ...settings are made The four way keys of the controller are used to move the cursor in the menu Pressing the center of the controller will enter a setting Use the up down keys of the controller 2 to scr...

Page 21: ...quality settings super fine fine standard and economy Always select the desired setting before taking the picture See navigating the auto recording mode menu section on page 38 In multi function reco...

Page 22: ...r will continue to count down when the number of recordable images falls below one thousand Camera Notes AUTO RECORDING MODE Voice memo allows a five or fifteen second audio track to be recorded with...

Page 23: ...before being saved delete store Auto Every time a still image is recorded it is stored with an exif tag that contains the date and time of recording as well as shooting information This information ca...

Page 24: ...e shutter speed or aperture value displayed may not change When set to any value other than 0 0 the exposure compensation icon will remain on the data panel and LCD monitor as a warning 46 47 AUTO REC...

Page 25: ...unction recording mode the controller selects the focus area used The wide focus area and focus area selection allow flexibility in a variety of situations The wide focus area is an array of local foc...

Page 26: ...etting has been selected the cursor will return to the menu options and the new setting will be displayed Changes can continue to be made To return to the recording mode press the menu button Changes...

Page 27: ...e modes are set in the basic section of the multi function recording mode menu p 50 APERTURE PRIORITY A 1 52 53 MULTI FUNCTION RECORDING MANUAL EXPOSURE M To set the shutter speed Use the left right k...

Page 28: ...alanced and will produce acceptable results with the daylight and cloudy settings MULTI FUNCTION RECORDING CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE White balance is the camera s ability to make different types of lightin...

Page 29: ...ISO setting of 64 will have the least noise and 400 will have the most noise An ISO setting of 400 will allow the camera to be hand held in low light conditions without the need of a flash FOCUS MODE...

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