2770-301 Minolta Cameras

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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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 August, 2001.

To obtain compatibility information for products released after this date, contact a

Minolta Service Facility listed on the back cover of this manual.

16MB CompactFlash card

AV cable for DiMAGE S304 AVC-100

USB cable for DiMAGE S304 USB-200

DiMAGE software CD-ROM for DiMAGE S304

ArcSoft PhotoImpression CD-ROM

DiMAGE Image Viewer Utility instruction manual

Camera manual

Warranty card

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

• 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

FOR PROPER AND SAFE USEBEFORE YOU BEGIN

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

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.

Because the performance of alkaline batteries

with digital cameras is low, the use of

Ni-MH batteries is recommended.

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FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE

• Do not use or store the product in a hot or humid environment such as the glove

compartment or trunk of a car. It may damage the product and batteries which may

result in burns or injuries caused by heat, fire, explosion, or leaking battery fluid.

• If batteries are leaking, discontinue use of the product.

• Do not apply pressure to the LCD monitor. A damaged monitor may cause injury, and

the liquid from the monitor may cause inflammation. If liquid from the monitor makes

contact with skin wash the area with fresh water. If liquid from the monitor comes in

contact with the eyes, immediately rinse the eyes with plenty of water and contact a

doctor.

• When using the AC adapter, insert the plug securely into the electrical outlet.

• Do not use if the AC adapter cord is damaged.

• Do not cover the AC adapter. A fire may result.

• Do not obstruct access to the AC adapter; this can hinder the unplugging of the unit in

emergencies.

• Do not fire the flash directly into the eyes. It may damage eyesight.

• Do not fire the flash at vehicle operators. It may cause a distraction or temporary

• Do not use the monitor while operating a vehicle or walking. It may result in injury or an

• Do not use this product in a humid environment, or operate this product with wet hands.

• Do not use the product near inflammable gases or liquids such as gasoline, benzine, or

• If the product emits a strange odor, heat, or smoke, discontinue use. Immediately

• Take the product to a Minolta Service Facility when repairs are required

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Names of parts

Auto-recording mode - basic operation................................................................................................20

Multi-function recording mode - advanced operation...........................................................................48

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Custom white balance...........................................................................................55

Focus modes..............................................................................................................56

Camera sensitivity - ISO.............................................................................................57

Flash range and camera sensitivity............................................................................57

A short guide to photography...............................................................................................................62

Movie recording....................................................................................................................................64

Playback mode - viewing and editing images......................................................................................66

About DPOF ...............................................................................................................78

Creating a DPOF print order.......................................................................................78

Ordering an index print...............................................................................................79

Canceling a DPOF print order....................................................................................79

Copying images..........................................................................................................80

Setup mode - controlling the camera’s operation ................................................................................83

Data-transfer mode - connecting to a computer ..................................................................................92

Appendix ..................................................................................................................................105

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NAMES OF PARTS

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NAMES OF PARTS

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NAMES OF PARTS

t. Image-quality indicator (p. 41)

a. Mode indicator (p. 12)

1. Focus frame (p. 48)

2. Spot metering area (p. 58)

3. AF sensors (p. 23)

Attach the camera strap to the strap eye-

lets as shown.

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equipment. Please consult your vendor about an appropriate charger.

To conserve battery power, the camera will turn off displays and unnecessary functions

if an operation is not made within a certain period. The LCD monitor will turn off after

thirty seconds. The data panel turns off after one minute. To restore the displays, press

panel and monitor are blank, the batteries may be dead or installed incorrectly.

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GETTING UP AND RUNNING

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

If the shutter speed falls below the point where the camera can be safely hand held,

the camera-shake warning will appear on the LCD monitor and the orange focus lamp

will blink slowly. Camera shake is slight blurring caused by subtle hand motion and is

more pronounced at the telephoto setting of the lens than at the wide-angle setting.

Although the warning appears, the shutter can still be released. If the warning appears,

the following steps can be taken:

• Place the camera on a tripod.

• Use the built-in flash.

• Zoom the lens towards the wide-angle position until the warning

The orange flash lamp next to the viewfinder indi-

cates the status of the flash. When the lamp

glows steadily, the flash is charged and ready to

fire. When the lamps blinks quickly, the flash is

charging and the shutter will not release. The

flash lamp is also used as a camera-shake warn-

ing, see below.

button all the way down to begin the countdown (2). Because focus and

by an audio signal. A few seconds before the exposure,

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

advance

Continuous

advance

Self-timer/

LCD monitor

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

capture depend on the image-quality and image-size setting. The maximum rate of

begin recording images until the maximum number has been taken or

focus for the series. Press and hold the shutter-release

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with the drive-mode button (p. 32). Brackets cannot be made with

overexposure. The exposure bracket in auto-recording mode is set to

consecutive images will be captured. If the CompactFlash is filled or

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

Settings made with the auto-recording menu will

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Once a setting has been

selected, the cursor will return to

the menu options and the new

affect the multi-function recording

mode.

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

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produce higher quality prints.

recording mode, image size is controlled in the basic section of the multi-function

AUTO-RECORDING MODE

quality is controlled in the basic section of the multi-function recording menu (p. 50).

important, use the economy mode. Standard image quality is sufficient for normal

fine, standard, and economy files can be recorded as color or monochrome images (p.

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1 2 4 16

9 15 23 57

The frame counter indicates the approximate number of images that can be stored on the

AUTO-RECORDING MODE

Voice memo allows a five or fifteen second audio track to be recorded with a still

image. The function is activated and the length of the recording time is set on the auto-

recording mode menu (p. 38). In multi-function recording mode, voice memo is

controlled in the custom 2 section of the multi-function recording menu (p. 50). When

the function is active, the microphone icon is displayed on the data panel and LCD

monitor. The voice memo must be set before taking a picture. It will remain in effect

until reset.

After an image is captured, a screen

will appear indicating the audio

down key of the controller (2) or the

shutter-release button (3) before the

recording has finished.

Voice memo can be used with all

drive modes. When using continuous

advance or bracketing, the audio file

is attached to the last image in the series. The voice memo cannot be played back in

quick view; it can only be heard in the playback mode (p. 68). Images with voice-memo

audio tracks have a note icon displayed with them.

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The date of recording can be printed directly on the image.

The imprinting function must be activated before the image is

taken. Once activated, the date will continue to be imprinted

until the function is reset; a yellow bar is displayed behind the

frame counter on the monitor to indicate the imprinting

function is active.

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

voice memo, the audio recording will begin after the image is played back.

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AUTO-RECORDING MODE

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reset when the mode dial is moved to another position.

speed and aperture displays will indicate the actual exposure. Because the exposure

Switching between the wide focus area and the spot focus areas is simple.

Press and hold the controller (1) until the wide-focus-area frame lines

to return to the wide-focus-area frame lines.

The focus area selection controls which spot focus area is active. This function can be

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MULTI-FUNCTION RECORDING

recording mode gives more control over autofocus and composition. The menu controls

are extensive allowing critical adjustments to image qualities such as sharpness, con-

trast, and color saturation. Unlike the auto-recording mode, all settings made in multi-

function recording are not reset when the position of the mode dial is changed.

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In the multi-function 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 focus areas that

work together to control focus. This system is especially

Once a spot focus area is selected, it will remain active even after the picture has been

taken. Only when one focus area is displayed, can the controller be used to zoom (p.

22) or adjust the exposure (p. 52).

To select another focus area, press the center of the controller; all five areas should be

displayed. The controller can now be used to change the spot focus area. Focus area

selection will remain in effect when the LCD monitor is turned off.

The lens aperture controls not only exposure, but also depth of field; the area between

the closest object in focus and the furthest object in focus. The larger the aperture

value, the greater the depth of field and the longer the shutter speed needed to make

of field (small aperture value) to

separate the subject from the

background.

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A SHORT GUIDE TO PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography can be a rewarding pursuit. It is a broad and disciplined field that can take

tographic principles.

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The shutter controls not only exposure,

mended with slow shutter speeds.

The change in aperture and shutter speed is not apparent in the live image. Unlike film

cameras, test photographs can be taken and immediately viewed. For critical work,

take a test photograph at the set aperture or shutter speed and view the result in quick

view (p. 26). The image can be deleted if not acceptable and another test image can

be taken at a different setting.

The RC-3 remote control (sold separately) can be used to

record movie clips up to 5m (16ft) away. Simply point the

remote control toward the camera and use the release or

instantly when pressed. The remote control may not

operate with backlit subjects or under fluorescent light.

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This camera can record up to sixty seconds of digital video with sound. The motion

JPEG image is 320 X 240 pixels (QVGA). The effective image area is 304 X 240 pixels;

two thin lines will appear to the left and right of the image when played back. Under

certain conditions less than sixty seconds of digital video may be recorded.

Total recording time with an 16MB CompactFlash card is approximately 70 seconds.

The digital video recording rate is approximately 0.23MB per second. Actual

CompactFlash card capacity depends on the subject and the number of still images

captured.

MOVIE RECORDING

Total recording time for the

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PLAYBACK MODE

This section contains detailed information on the camera’s playback functions and

operation. Read the sections pertaining to your interest and need. The viewing pictures,

viewing movies, deleting images (p. 68 - 69), the navigating the playback-mode menu

(p. 72), and frame-selection screen (p. 81) sections cover the use of most of the fea-

tures for viewing and editing images. The navigating the playback-mode menu section

is followed by detailed descriptions of the settings.

setting (p. 57)

image file number

shown; a movie clip is indicated by the movie icon displayed with a thumbnail of the

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PLAYBACK MODE

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PLAYBACK MODE

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PLAYBACK MODE

following sections

for descriptions of

the menu options

and their settings.

Controller

setting.

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PLAYBACK MODE

the folder must first be selected in the custom 1 section of the setup menu (p. 84). The

delete option has three settings:

This frame - The image displayed or highlighted in playback mode will be deleted.

All frames - All unlocked images in the selected folder will be deleted.

Marked frames - To delete multiple images. When this setting is chosen, the frame-

selection screen will be displayed. Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight

the first image to be deleted. Pressing the up key will mark the image with the garbage-

can icon. To deselect an image for deletion, highlight it with the yellow border and

press the down key; the garbage-can icon will disappear. Continue until all the images

to be deleted are marked. Press the controller to continue (the confirmation screen will

selected in the custom 1 section of the setup menu (p. 84). The lock option has four

All frames - All images in the folder will be locked.

operation and return to the playback menu.

allows the index playback to

be displayed with four or

nine images. This affects all

index displays.

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PLAYBACK MODE

Frame counter

/ total number

down key of the controller.

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PLAYBACK MODE

The print menu option is used to set an order for standard prints from images in a

specific folder. Single, multiple, or all images can be printed. If a CompactFlash card

has multiple folders, a printing file must be created for each folder. Folders are selected

in the custom 1 section of the setup menu (p. 84).

This-frame - To create a DPOF file for the image displayed or highlighted in playback

mode.

All-frames - To create a DPOF file for all images in the folder specified in the custom 1

section of the setup menu (p. 84).

Marked frames - To chose a group of images to be printed or when the number of

When the this-frame or all-frames setting is chosen, a screen will appear requesting the

number of copies of each image; a maximum of nine copies can be ordered. Use the

setting was used to create a print order, any additional images saved afterwards in the

folder will not be included in the order.

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PLAYBACK MODE

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DATA-TRANSFER MODE

puter. Repeat the connection procedure above.

Start up the computer.

Insert the CompactFlash card into the camera.

Attach the other end of the USB cable to the com-

puter’s USB port.

Set the mode dial to the data-transfer position to initi-

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Open the card-slot door. Attach the smaller plug of

the USB cable to the camera.

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DATA-TRANSFER MODE

ver. The browse window can be used to

indicate the driver location. When the

location is shown in the window, click

“Next.”

Before connecting the camera to the

computer, place the DiMAGE soft-

ware CD-ROM in the CD-ROM

drive. The DiMAGE installer menu

click “Yes” to continue.

When the driver has been success-

fully installed, a

window will

appear. Click

“OK.” The cam-

era can now be

attached to the

computer (p. 94).

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DATA-TRANSFER MODE

To download and install this software, follow the instruction on the Apple web site.

Always read the attached terms and conditions before installing any new software.

The add new hardware wizard will confirm

the location of the driver. Click “Next” to

install the driver in the system.

be displayed. Double click on the icon to

access the camera’s CompactFlash card;

see page 100.

1.3.5.smi must be installed first. This software is supplied by Apple Computer, Inc. free

of charge. It can be downloaded from the Apple Software Updates web site at

http://www.apple.com/support.

If the camera does not receive a read or write command within ten minutes, it will shut

down to save power. When the camera shuts down, an unsafe-removal-of-device warn-

ing may appear on the computer monitor. Click “OK.” Neither the camera or computer

DATA-TRANSFER MODE

Once the camera is connected to the computer, image files can be accessed by simply

card can be deleted using the computer. Never format the CompactFlash card from the

index number in the folder. File numbers can be controlled with the file-number-memory

card: e.g. from 100MLT05 to 101MLT05. When a DPOF file is created for a print order

Drive Icon

100MLT05

101MLTCP

cate the camera that

was used to capture

the images; “05” indi-

cates a DiMAGE S304.

Images copied from one CompactFlash to

another (p. 80) are placed in a folder with a

name ending in “CP.” When a new folder is

created, the first three digits in the folder

name will be one greater than the largest

folder number on the card.

Image files contain exif tag data. This data includes the time and date the image was recorded

as well as the camera settings used. This data can be viewed with the camera or the DiMAGE

Image Viewer utility software.

If a camera image is opened in a photo-retouching application like Arcsoft PhotoImpression,

and then the image is saved overwriting the original data, the exif tag information will be

erased. When using software other than the DiMAGE Image Viewer Utility, always rename the

image file to protect the exif tag data.

DATA-TRANSFER MODE

be stopped.

The hardware devices to be

stopped will be displayed.

Highlight the device by click-

ing on it then click “Stop.”

Confirm that the access lamp is not lit and then drag the mass-storage device icon and

drop it into the trash.

When more than one external device are connected to the computer, the

unplug-or-eject-hardware window can be used. To disconnect the camera,

DATA-TRANSFER MODE

TROUBLESHOOTING

Problem Symptom Cause Solution

TROUBLESHOOTING

If the camera does not function normally, turn it off, remove and reinsert the batteries,

or unplug and reconnect the AC adapter. Always turn the camera off using the mode

dial otherwise the CompactFlash card may be damaged and camera settings reset.

The camera temperature rises with extended periods of use. Care should be taken to

avoid burns when handling the camera, batteries, or CompactFlash card.

53).

CLEANING

• If the camera or the outside of the lens is dirty, gently wipe it with a soft, clean, dry

cloth. If the camera or lens comes in contact with sand, gently blow away loose

CAMERA CARE

• Turn off the camera when transporting.

• This camera is neither waterproof nor splashproof. Inserting or removing batteries or

the CompactFlash card, or operating the camera with wet hands may damage the

camera.

• When at the beach or near water, take care not to expose the camera to water or

sand. Water, sand, dust, or salt can damage the camera.

• Do not leave the camera under direct sunlight. Do not point the lens directly at the

sun; the CCD may be damaged.

• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from dust and chemicals. For long

camera out of storage, check that the camera is functioning properly before using.

OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND CONDITIONS

• Never leave the camera exposed to extreme high temperatures, such as in a car

• When taking the camera from a cold to a warm environment, place it in a sealed

COMPACTFLASH CARD CARE AND HANDLING

• The following may cause data loss or damage.

1 Improper use of the card.

2 Static electrical discharge or electromagnetic fields near the card.

3 Removing the card or interrupting the power supply while the camera or

computer is accessing the card (reading, writing, formatting, etc.).

4 The disuse of a card for an extended period.

5 Using the card beyond its life

• Keep away from static electricity and electromagnetic fields.

• Do not bend, drop, or subject the card to impact.

• Strong static electrical discharges or physical shock may prevent the card from being

• Do not touch the electrical contacts of the card with your fingers or metal objects.

• Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.

• Keep away from small children.

BATTERIES

recommend keeping spare batteries in a warm place, such as the inside of a coat.

Batteries can recover their power when they warm up. As the performance of Ni-MH

batteries are less affected by temperature, their use is recommended when shooting

in cold environments.

•Remove the batteries when the camera is not in use for an extended period. Leaking

battery fluid may damage the battery-chamber.

• Occasionally, when using alkaline batteries, the battery-condition indicator will give a

false low-battery-power warning, even though there is enough power capacity.

Continue to use the camera; the low-battery indicator will disappear.

• If batteries have been exhausted when used in the camera, do not reload them even

if their charge seems to recover over time. These batteries will interfere with normal

• In a cold environment, the LCD monitor may become temporarily dark. When the

camera warms up, the display will function normally.

• The LCD monitor may be slow to react in low temperatures or may turn dark in a hot

environment. When the camera reaches normal operating temperature, the display

will function normally.

• If fingerprints are on the LCD monitor surface, gently wipe with a soft, clean, dry

cloth.

COPYRIGHT

• TV program, films, video tapes, photographs, and other materials may be

copyrighted. Unauthorized recording or duplication of such material may be contrary

BEFORE IMPORTANT EVENTS OR JOURNEYS

• Minolta has no responsibility for any damage or loss incurred by equipment

• Before shipping your camera for repair, please contact a Minolta Service Facility.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, Mac OS, and the Mac OS logo are registered

trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of the

Microsoft Corporation. The official name of Windows® is Microsoft Windows Operating System.

Pentium is a registered trademark of the Intel Corporation. PhotoImpression is a trademark of

ArcSoft, Inc. Power PC is a trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation.

QuickTime is a trademark used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respec-

tive owners.

The following marks may be found on the product: