Konica Minolta Digital Camera MM A208 User Manual
E INSTRUCTION MANUAL  
9222-2778-11 MM-A208  
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BEFORE YOU BEGIN  
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 September, 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 digital camera  
Ni-MH batteries (set of four)  
Ni-MH battery charger set  
Neck strap NS-DG1000  
Lens shade DLS-7Hi  
16MB CompactFlash card  
AV cable AVC-300  
USB cable USB-100  
DiMAGE software CD-ROM  
DiMAGE Instruction Manuals CD-ROM  
Quick Reference Guide  
Warranty card  
Lens cap L -1249  
Accessory shoe cap SC-9  
This product is designed to work with accessories manufactured and distributed by Minolta. Using  
accessories or equipment not endorsed by Minolta may result in unsatisfactory performance or dam-  
age to the product and its accessories.  
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. Microdrive is a trademark of the International Business Machines Corporation. QuickTime is a  
trademark used under license. Adobe is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other  
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.  
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FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE  
Read and understand all warnings and cautions before using this product.  
WARNING  
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.  
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FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE  
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• 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.  
• Keep batteries or small parts that could be swallowed away from infants. Contact a doctor immediately if  
an object is swallowed.  
• Store this product out of reach of children. Be careful when around children, not to harm them with the  
product or parts.  
• 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 blindness which may  
lead to an accident.  
• Do not use the monitor while operating a vehicle or walking. It may result in injury or an accident.  
• Do not use this product in a humid environment, or operate this product with wet hands. If liquid enters  
the product, immediately remove the batteries or unplug the AC adapter and discontinue use. The  
continued use of a product exposed to liquids may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock.  
• Do not use the product near inflammable gases or liquids such as gasoline, benzine, or paint thinner. Do  
not use inflammable products such as alcohol, benzine, or paint thinner to clean the product. The use of  
inflammable cleaners and solvents may cause an explosion or fire.  
• When unplugging the AC adapter, do not pull on the power cord. Hold the adapter unit when removing it  
from an outlet.  
• Do not damage, twist, modify, heat, or place heavy objects on the AC adapter cord. A damaged cord may  
cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock.  
• If the product emits a strange odor, heat, or 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.  
• Take the product to a Minolta Service Facility when repairs are required.  
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CAUTION  
• 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.  
• The camera temperature rises with extended periods of use. Care should be taken to avoid burns.  
• Burns may result if the CompactFlash card or batteries are removed immediately after extended periods  
of use. Turn the camera off and wait for it to cool.  
• Do not fire the flash while it is in contact with people or objects. The flash unit discharges a large amount  
of energy which may cause burns.  
• 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.  
• The rim of the lens hood can cause injury. Take care not to accidentally strike anyone with the camera  
when the lens hood is attached.  
• 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.  
• Unplug the AC adapter when cleaning or when the product is not in use.  
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FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE  
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Names of parts ....................................................................................................................................12  
Camera body...........................................................................................................................12  
Data panel ...............................................................................................................................15  
Monitor display – recording mode ...........................................................................................16  
Monitor display – Quick View & playback mode......................................................................17  
Getting up and running.........................................................................................................................18  
Attaching the camera strap .....................................................................................................18  
Removing the lens cap............................................................................................................18  
Attaching the lens hood...........................................................................................................19  
Installing and changing batteries.............................................................................................20  
Battery condition indicator.......................................................................................................21  
Auto power save......................................................................................................................21  
External power supplies (sold separately)...............................................................................22  
Inserting and changing a memory card...................................................................................22  
Setting the date and time ........................................................................................................24  
Basic recording ....................................................................................................................................26  
Setting the camera to record images automatically ................................................................26  
EVF and LCD monitor display.................................................................................................26  
Basic recording operation........................................................................................................27  
Focus lock................................................................................................................................28  
Automatic monitor amplification...............................................................................................28  
Focus signals...........................................................................................................................29  
Special focusing situations ......................................................................................................29  
Using the built-in flash.............................................................................................................30  
Flash range – automatic operation..........................................................................................30  
Handling the camera ...............................................................................................................31  
Diopter adjustment ..................................................................................................................31  
Camera-shake warning ...........................................................................................................31  
Digital-subject-program button.................................................................................................32  
Basic playback ....................................................................................................................................34  
Single-frame playback and histogram display .........................................................................34  
Viewing images .......................................................................................................................35  
Deleting single images ............................................................................................................35  
Changing the Quick View & playback display..........................................................................36  
Enlarged playback ...................................................................................................................37  
Viewing movies........................................................................................................................38  
Playing back voice memos......................................................................................................38  
Viewing images on a television ...............................................................................................39  
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Advanced recording .............................................................................................................................40  
Display controls – recording mode..........................................................................................40  
Pro-auto button........................................................................................................................42  
Spot-AE lock button.................................................................................................................43  
Manual focus ...........................................................................................................................43  
Autofocus areas and control....................................................................................................44  
Flex Focus Point ......................................................................................................................45  
Digital zoom.............................................................................................................................46  
Macro mode.............................................................................................................................47  
Setting the function dial...........................................................................................................48  
Memory – storing camera settings..........................................................................................50  
Metering modes.......................................................................................................................51  
Exposure modes......................................................................................................................52  
Program – P................................................................................................................53  
Program shift....................................................................................................53  
Aperture priority – A ...................................................................................................54  
Shutter priority – S......................................................................................................55  
Manual exposure – M .................................................................................................56  
Bulb exposures........................................................................................................................57  
Attaching a remote cord (sold separately) ..............................................................................57  
Drive modes ............................................................................................................................58  
Continuous advance ...................................................................................................59  
High-speed continuous advance ................................................................................60  
UHS continuous advance ...........................................................................................61  
UHS continuous-advance movies...............................................................................61  
Bracketing ...................................................................................................................62  
Notes on bracketing.........................................................................................63  
Interval ........................................................................................................................64  
Self-timer.....................................................................................................................66  
White balance..........................................................................................................................67  
Automatic white balance.............................................................................................68  
Preset white balance ..................................................................................................68  
Custom white balance ................................................................................................68  
Camera sensitivity – ISO.........................................................................................................70  
Flash range and camera sensitivity............................................................................71  
Shutter-speed range and camerasensitivity............................................................................71  
Attaching a Minolta accessory flash unit.................................................................................72  
Using the flash sync terminal ..................................................................................................72  
Digital Effects Control..............................................................................................................73  
Exposure and flash compensation .............................................................................74  
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
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Contrast compensation...............................................................................................76  
Color-saturation compensation...................................................................................77  
Filter............................................................................................................................77  
A short guide to photography...............................................................................................................78  
What is an Ev? What is a stop? ..............................................................................................79  
Recording mode menu.........................................................................................................................80  
Navigating the recording-mode menu .....................................................................................80  
Electronic keyboard .................................................................................................................82  
Autofocus modes.....................................................................................................................83  
Image size ...............................................................................................................................84  
About the frame counter..........................................................................................................84  
Image quality ...........................................................................................................................85  
About super-fine and RAW image quality ...............................................................................86  
Image-file size and memory card capacity..............................................................................87  
Flash modes............................................................................................................................88  
Wireless/Remote flash.............................................................................................................90  
Wireless/Remote camera and flash ranges................................................................92  
Notes on wireless/remote flash ..................................................................................93  
Flash control............................................................................................................................94  
Magnification button and electronic magnification...................................................................95  
Spot AF/AEL............................................................................................................................96  
Data imprinting ........................................................................................................................97  
Color mode..............................................................................................................................98  
About Adobe RGB ......................................................................................................99  
Sharpness ...............................................................................................................................99  
Instant playback.....................................................................................................................100  
Voice memo...........................................................................................................................101  
Movie recording..................................................................................................................................102  
Navigating the movie menu...................................................................................................104  
Pro-auto button......................................................................................................................105  
Playback mode menu.........................................................................................................................106  
Navigating the playback-mode menu ....................................................................................106  
Frame selection screen .........................................................................................................108  
Deleting images.....................................................................................................................109  
Formatting memory cards .....................................................................................................110  
Locking images......................................................................................................................111  
Changing the index playback format .....................................................................................111  
Slide Show.............................................................................................................................112  
About DPOF ..........................................................................................................................114  
Creating a DPOF print order .................................................................................................114  
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Ordering an index print..........................................................................................................115  
Canceling a DPOF print order...............................................................................................115  
Copying images.....................................................................................................................116  
Setup mode  
..................................................................................................................................118  
Navigating the setup menu....................................................................................................118  
EVF and LCD monitor brightness .........................................................................................120  
Audio signals .........................................................................................................................120  
Shutter FX .............................................................................................................................120  
Volume ..................................................................................................................................121  
Language...............................................................................................................................121  
File number memory .............................................................................................................121  
Folder name...........................................................................................................................122  
Select folder...........................................................................................................................123  
New folder..............................................................................................................................123  
Display mode.........................................................................................................................124  
Direct manual focus...............................................................................................................125  
Reset default..........................................................................................................................126  
EVF auto switch – Controlling the auto-display function.......................................................128  
Setting the date and time ......................................................................................................128  
Setting the date format..........................................................................................................128  
Video output ..........................................................................................................................129  
Auto power save....................................................................................................................129  
Memory recall........................................................................................................................129  
Control dial (M)......................................................................................................................130  
Manual shift ...........................................................................................................................130  
Bracketing..............................................................................................................................131  
Color profile ...........................................................................................................................131  
Delete confirmation................................................................................................................131  
Data-transfer mode.............................................................................................................................132  
System requirements.............................................................................................................132  
Connecting the camera to a computer..................................................................................133  
Changing the memory card (data-transfer mode).................................................................135  
Connecting to Windows 98 / 98 second edition ....................................................................136  
Automatic installation................................................................................................136  
Manual installation....................................................................................................137  
Connecting to Mac OS 8.6 ....................................................................................................139  
QuickTime system requirements...........................................................................................139  
Auto power save (Data-transfer mode)..................................................................................139  
Memory card folder organization...........................................................................................140  
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
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Disconnecting the camera from the computer ......................................................................142  
Windows 98 / 98 second edition..............................................................................142  
Windows ME, 2000 Professional, and XP................................................................142  
Macintosh..................................................................................................................143  
Troubleshooting144  
When using filters..................................................................................................................146  
Removing the driver software – Windows .............................................................................147  
Care and storage ...............................................................................................................................148  
Camera care..........................................................................................................................148  
Cleaning.................................................................................................................................148  
Storage ..................................................................................................................................148  
Operating temperatures and conditions ................................................................................149  
Memory card care and handling............................................................................................149  
Batteries ................................................................................................................................150  
About Ni-MH batteries...........................................................................................................150  
LCD monitor care ..................................................................................................................151  
Copyright ...............................................................................................................................151  
Before important events or journeys .....................................................................................151  
Questions and service...........................................................................................................151  
Technical specifications......................................................................................................................152  
System accessories ...........................................................................................................................154  
The following marks may be found on the product:  
This mark on your camera certifies that this camera meets the requirements of the EU  
(European Union) concerning interference causing equipment regulations. CE stands  
for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity).  
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject  
Digital Camera:  
to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful  
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,  
Tested To Comply  
With FCC Standards  
including interference that may cause undesired operation.  
Tested by the Minolta Corporation  
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE  
101 Williams Drive, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446, U.S.A.  
Do not remove the ferrite cores from the cables.  
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.  
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.  
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NAMES OF PARTS  
CAMERA BODY  
* This camera is a sophisticated optical instrument. Care should be taken to keep these surfaces  
clean. Please read the care and storage instructions in the back of this manual (p. 148).  
Data panel (p. 15)  
Digital-subject-program button (p. 32)  
Built-in flash (p. 30)  
Focal-length index  
1
Pro-auto button (p. 42)  
Strap eyelet (p. 18)  
Zooming ring  
Control dial  
Lens*  
Shutter-release button  
Focusing ring (p. 43)  
Microphone  
Self-timer lamp (p. 66)  
Card-slot door (p. 22)  
The USB port is located behind  
the card-slot door.  
1 The focal-length scale on the zooming ring is given in 35mm focal-length equivalents. The DiMAGE  
Viewer software supplied with the camera can display the actual focal length used to capture the recorded  
image as well as the equivalent focal length in 35mm photography.  
12  
NAMES OF PARTS  
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Recording mode (p. 26)  
Playback mode (p. 34)  
Movie mode (p. 102)  
Setup mode (p. 118)  
Data-transfer mode (p. 132)  
Display mode switch  
Display information button  
(p. 40, 36)  
Dial release  
Accessory shoe  
Eyepiece sensors*  
(p. 40)  
Main switch/Mode dial  
Electronic viewfinder*  
(EVF) (p. 31)  
Spot-AE lock but-  
ton (p. 43)  
Menu button  
Access lamp  
Controller  
LCD monitor*  
(p. 16)  
Magnification button  
Remote-control  
terminal cover (p. 57)  
Battery-chamber lock (p. 20)  
QV/ Delete button (p. 34)  
DC/AV-out terminal cover  
Speaker  
13  
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Exposure modes (p. 52)  
Metering modes (p. 51)  
Drive modes (p. 58)  
White balance (p. 67)  
Memory (p. 50)  
Camera sensitivity (p. 70)  
Function button  
Macro release (p. 47)  
Function dial (p. 48)  
Diopter-adjustment dial (p. 31)  
Flash sync terminal (p. 72)  
Focus-mode (AF/MF) button (p. 43)  
Tripod socket  
Digital-effects Controller (p. 73)  
Digital-effects button  
Digital-effects switch  
14  
NAMES OF PARTS  
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DATA PANEL  
Located on the top of the camera body, the  
data panel shows the status of the camera.  
All icons have been shown for clarity.  
Frame counter  
(p. 84)  
Digital-subject-program icons (p. 32)  
Digital-subject-program indicators (p. 32)  
Battery-condition indicator (p. 21)  
Exposure-mode indicators (p. 52)  
White-balance indicators (p. 67)  
Camera-sensitivity indicator (p. 70)  
Flash-compensation indicator (p. 74)  
Red-eye reduction indicator (p. 88)  
Wireless/Remote flash indicator (p. 90)  
Manual-focus indicator (p. 43)  
The frame counter cannot exceed  
999. When the number of record-  
able images exceeds this, 999 will  
be displayed. The frame counter  
will continue to count down when  
the number of recordable images  
falls below one thousand.  
Drive-mode indicators (p. 58)  
Image-quality display (p. 85)  
Image-size display (p. 84)  
Shutter-speed and aperture display/exposure/flash compensation display  
15  
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MONITOR DISPLAY – RECORDING MODE  
10. Exposure-compensation display (p. 74)  
11. White-balance indicator (p. 67)  
12. Exposure-mode/Digital-subject-program  
indicator (p. 52, 32)  
13. Metering-mode indicator (p. 51)  
14. Shutter-speed display  
15. Aperture display  
16. Camera-shake warning (p. 31)  
17. Camera-sensitivity (ISO) display (p. 70)  
18. Macro-mode indicator (p. 47)  
19. Focus signal (p. 29)  
1. Microphone indicator  
2. Flash-mode indicator (p. 88)  
3. Flash signal (p. 30)  
20. Data-imprinting indicator (p. 97)  
21. Frame counter (p. 84)  
4. Mode indicator  
22. Drive-mode indicator (p. 58)  
23. Manual-focus indicator (p. 43)  
24. Battery-condition indicator (p. 21)  
25. Image-quality indicator (p. 85)  
26. Image-size display (p. 84)  
27. Digital-zoom display (p. 46)  
28. Color-mode indicator (p. 98)  
5. Flash-compensation display (p. 74)  
6. Filter display (p. 77)  
7. Color-saturation-compensation display (p. 77)  
8. Contrast-compensation display (p. 76)  
9. Sharpness display (p. 99)  
A. Focus frame  
B. Spot metering area (p. 51)  
C. AF sensors  
D. Flex Focus Point (p. 45)  
16  
NAMES OF PARTS  
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MONITOR DISPLAY – QUICK VIEW & PLAYBACK MODE  
Image size (p. 84)  
Image quality (p. 85)  
Mode indicator  
Time of capture  
Date of capture  
Frame number/  
total number of images  
Print indicator (p. 114)  
Lock indicator (p. 111)  
Voice-memo indicator (p. 101)  
Mode indicator  
Image size (p. 84)  
Image quality (p.85)  
Shutter speed  
Aperture value  
White-balance setting  
(p. 67)  
Histogram  
Sensitivity setting (p. 70)  
Degree of exposure  
compensation (p. 74)  
Folder name (p. 140)  
Date of capture  
Folder number – image file number  
The black area of the histogram shows the luminance distribution of the recorded image from black  
(left) to white (right). Each one of the 256 vertical lines indicates the relative proportion of that light  
value in the image. The histogram can be used to evaluate exposure and contrast, but displays no  
color information.  
17  
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GETTING UP AND RUNNING  
This section covers the preparation of the camera. This includes the changing of batteries and mem-  
ory card as well as the use of external power supplies.  
ATTACHING THE CAMERA STRAP  
1
Attach the camera strap to the strap eyelets  
as shown. Always keep the camera strap  
around your neck in the event that you drop  
the camera.  
2
The neck strap is made with leather. Water  
may stain the strap. When the strap is wet  
or in contact with light colored material, the  
strap may stain the wearers clothing.  
REMOVING THE LENS CAP  
Using your thumb and index finger,  
pinch the inside or outside tabs of  
the lens cap to remove. When the  
camera is not in use, always replace  
the lens cap.  
18  
GETTING UP AND RUNNING  
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ATTACHING THE LENS HOOD  
The lens hood is used to control stray light from entering the lens and causing flare. When using the  
camera under bright light, the use of the lens hood is recommended. The lens hood should not be  
used with the built-in flash as it can cause a shadow.  
To mount the lens hood, align the rectangular dimple  
on the rim of the hood with the focal-length index on  
the top of the lens barrel (1).  
1
Slide the hood onto the end of the lens and turn it  
90° clockwise until it clicks and the circular dimple is  
aligned with the focal-length index (2). When mount-  
ed correctly, the large petals of the lens hood should  
be to the top and bottom. Never force the lens hood.  
If it does not fit, check its orientation. To detach the  
lens hood, turn it 90° counterclockwise and remove.  
2
The lens hood can be reverse mounted when the camera is  
not is use.  
With one of the large petals to the top, slide the hood onto the  
end of the lens. Turn it 90° clockwise until it it clicks into place.  
The lens hood can be attached or removed with the lens cap  
on the camera. To detach the lens hood, turn it 90° counter-  
clockwise and remove.  
19  
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INSTALLING AND CHANGING BATTERIES  
This digital camera uses four AA-size nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. When using new Ni-MH  
batteries, fully charge them before their initial use.  
When replacing batteries, check that the mode dial is in the off posi-  
tion.  
Open the battery-chamber door by moving the battery-chamber lock  
to the open position.  
Insert the batteries. Make sure the positive and negative battery  
terminals are orientated as illustrated on the diagram in the bat-  
tery chamber.  
Close the battery-chamber door and slide the lock lever to the close  
position.  
Although alkaline batteries can be used with this product, their performance will be limited. Only use  
alkaline batteries for test photographs or when Ni-MH batteries, the Minolta External High-power  
Battery Pack, or AC adapter are not available.  
20  
GETTING UP AND RUNNING  
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BATTERY CONDITION INDICATOR  
This camera is equipped with an automatic battery-condition indicator. When the camera is on, the  
battery-condition indicator appears on the data panel and monitors. The monitor icon will change  
from white to red when battery power is low. If the data panel and monitors are blank, the batteries  
may be dead or installed incorrectly.  
Full-battery – the batteries are fully charged. This icon is displayed for  
five seconds on the monitors when the camera is turned on. The icon  
remains on the data panel.  
Low battery warning – battery power is very low, but all functions are  
operational. The batteries should be replaced as soon as possible. This  
warning automatically appears and remains on the display until the bat-  
teries are changed.  
Blinking low battery warning – displayed on the data panel with no other  
icons. Power is insufficient for camera operation. The shutter will not  
release. Replace or recharge the batteries immediately.  
AUTO POWER SAVE  
To conserve battery power, the camera will turn off displays and unnecessary functions if an opera-  
tion is not made within a certain period. The LCD monitor will turn off after thirty seconds, and the  
EVF and data panel turn off after one minute. To restore the displays, press the shutter-release but-  
ton partway down or press the display-information button. The length of the auto-power-save period  
for the EVF and data panel can be changed in the advanced 2 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
21  
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EXTERNAL POWER SUPPLIES (SOLD SEPARATELY)  
The AC Adapter allows the camera to be powered from an electrical household outlet. The AC  
Adapter is recommended when the camera is interfaced with a computer or during periods of heavy  
use. AC Adapter model AC-1L is for use in North America, Japan, and Taiwan, and AC-2L is for use  
in all other areas.  
The External High-power Battery Pack Kit EBP-100 is a portable power source and significantly  
extends the operating time of the camera. The kit contains a high-power lithium-ion battery, holder,  
and charger. The battery, holder, and charger are also available separately.  
Always turn off the camera and confirm the access  
lamp is not lit before changing between power sup-  
plies.  
1
Remove the DC terminal cover from the left (1). The cover is  
attached to the body to prevent loss.  
Insert the mini plug of the AC adapter or battery pack into the  
DC terminal (2).  
Insert the AC adapter plug into an electrical outlet.  
2
INSERTING AND CHANGING A MEMORY CARD  
Always turn off the camera and confirm the access lamp is not lit before inserting or  
removing a memory card, otherwise the card may be damaged, and data lost.  
A memory card must be inserted for the camera to operate. If a card has not been inserted, a no-  
card warning will be displayed on the monitors. Type I and II CompactFlash cards and IBM  
Microdrives are compatible with this camera. For memory card care and handling, see page 149.  
22  
GETTING UP AND RUNNING  
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1
2
3
4
5
Open the card-slot door in the direction indicated (1).  
To eject a memory card, lift (2) then press (3) the card-eject lever. The card can now be pulled out.  
Take care when removing the card as it becomes hot with use.  
Insert a memory card into the card slot until the card-eject lever pops out (4). Insert the card so the  
face is toward the front of the camera. Always push the card in straight. Never force the card. If the  
card does not fit, check that it is orientated correctly.  
Fold the card-eject lever down as shown (5) and close the card-slot door.  
If the card-not-recognized message appears, the inserted card in the camera may need to be format-  
ted. A memory card used in another camera may have to be formatted before being used. If the  
unable-to-use-card message appears, the card is not compatible with the camera and should not be  
formatted. A card can be formatted in the basic section of the playback menu (p. 106). When a card  
is formatted, all the data on the card is permanently erased. If the card-error message appears,  
press the central button of the controller to close the window; check the Minolta web site for the latest  
compatibility information: North America: http://www.minoltausa.com, Europe: http://www.minoltaeu-  
rope.com/pe/digital/languages_stage.html.  
23  
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SETTING THE DATE AND TIME  
After initially inserting a memory card and battery, the camera’s clock and calendar must be set.  
When images are recorded, the image data is saved with the date and time of recording. Depending  
on the region, the menu language may also have to be set. To change the language, see the camera  
notes on the following page.  
Turn the mode dial on the top of the camera to the setup position. The camera will  
turn on and the setup menu will be displayed.  
Navigating the menu is simple. The up/down and left/right keys of the con-  
troller (1) move the cursor and change settings on the menu.  
The central button of the con-  
troller selects menu options  
and sets adjustments.  
Setup  
Basic  
Adv.1 Adv.2  
Cust.  
3
LCDbrightness  
EVFbrightness  
Audio signals  
Shutter FX  
Volume  
3
1
1
2
Controller  
Language  
English  
24  
GETTING UP AND RUNNING  
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Use the right controller key to highlight the advanced  
2 tab at the top of the menu.  
Setup  
Basic  
Adv.1  
Adv.2  
–
Cust.  
Reset default  
EVF autoSwtch  
Date/Time set  
Date format  
Auto EVF/LCD  
–
Use the down key to highlight the date/time-set menu  
option.  
MM/DD/YYYY  
NTSC  
Video output  
Power save  
1 min.  
Press the right key. “Enter” will appear on the right  
side of the menu.  
Advanced 2 section  
Press the central button to display the date/time setting screen.  
Use the left and right keys to select the item to be  
changed.  
Setup  
2001  
Date/Time set  
.
7
.
20  
16 : 33  
Use the up and down keys to adjust the item.  
Enter  
Press the central button to set the clock and calen-  
dar. The setup menu will be displayed.  
Date/Time setting screen  
Camera notes  
For customers in certain areas, the menu language must also be set. Highlight the language  
option in the basic section of the setup menu. Press the right key to display the language set-  
tings. Using the up/down keys, highlight the desired language. Press the central button to set  
the highlighted language; the setup menu will be displayed in the selected language.  
25  
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BASIC RECORDING  
SETTING THE CAMERA TO RECORD IMAGES AUTOMATICALLY  
While holding in the dial release (1), turn the mode dial to still-  
image recording; the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor  
will activate. Press the pro-auto button (2) to reset the programmed  
and automatic functions.  
2
All camera operations are now fully automatic. The autofocus, expo-  
sure, and imaging systems will work together to bring professional  
results effortlessly.  
1
EVF AND LCD MONITOR DISPLAY  
Focus frame  
Mode indicator  
Image-size display (p. 84)  
Image-quality indicator (p. 85)  
Metering-mode  
indicator (p. 51)  
Drive-mode indicator (p. 58)  
Frame counter (p. 15, 84)  
Focus signal (p. 29)  
Aperture display  
Shutter-speed display  
Exposure-mode/Digital-subject-program indicator (p. 52, 32)  
26  
BASIC RECORDING  
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BASIC RECORDING OPERATION  
1
Turn the mode dial to the recording position (1). Use the zoom-  
ing ring to frame the subject (2). The effect of the zoom is imme-  
diately displayed in the viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor.  
2
Place the subject within the focus frame.  
• For off-center subjects use the focus-lock function (p. 28).  
• Make sure the subject is within the focus range of the lens: 0.5m  
(1.6ft) – ∞. For subjects closer than 0.5m, use the macro function  
(p. 47).  
Press the shutter-release button partway down (3) to lock the  
focus and exposure.  
• The focus signals (p. 29) on the monitors will confirm that the  
image is in focus. If the focus signal is red, the camera was unable  
to focus on the subject. Repeat the previous steps until the signal  
is white.  
3
• When the focus is set, an AF sensor will briefly appear in the live  
image to indicate the point of focus.  
4
• The shutter speed and aperture value will change from white to  
black indicating the exposure is locked.  
• The live image may freeze for an instant as the AF system  
determines focus.  
Press the shutter-release button all the way down (4) to take the  
picture.  
The access lamp will glow indicating the image data is being  
written to the memory card. Never remove a card while data is  
being transferred.  
27  
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FOCUS LOCK  
The focus-lock function is used when the subject is off-center and outside the focus frame. Focus  
lock may also be used when a special focusing situation prevents the camera from focusing on the  
subject.  
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 locked. The  
shutter speed and aperture value will change from white to  
black indicating the exposure is locked.  
• When the focus is set, an AF sensor will briefly appear on the  
live image to indicate the point of focus.  
Without lifting your finger from the shutter-release button,  
recompose the subject within the image area. Press the shut-  
ter-release button all the way down to take the picture.  
AUTOMATIC MONITOR AMPLIFICATION  
In extremely low-light conditions when the camera-sensitivity gain has reached its limit, the automatic  
monitor-amplification function will intensify the EVF and LCD monitor image. The live image will be  
brighter, however, the display will be black and white. This will have no effect on the final color image.  
When the automatic monitor amplification activates, the electronic-magnification function (p. 95) can-  
not be used. If the real-time histogram (p. 40) is used, the display will reflect the amplified image and  
not the final values of the exposure.  
28  
BASIC RECORDING  
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FOCUS SIGNALS  
This digital camera has a quick, accurate autofocusing system. The focus signals in the lower right  
corner of the EVF and LCD monitor indicate the focus status. For more information on autofocus  
modes see p. 83.  
White focus indicator – focus confirmed.  
Red focus indicator – the subject is too close or a special situation is preventing the  
AF system from focusing. The shutter can be released.  
When the AF system cannot focus, the focus is set between 5 m and infinity (16.4 ft and ∞). When  
the flash is in use, the focus is set between 3.0 m and 3.8 m (9.8 ft and 12.5 ft). In this case, focus  
lock can be used with an object at the same distance as the main subject or the camera can be  
focused manually (p. 43).  
SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS  
The camera may not be able to focus in certain situations. If the autofocus system cannot focus on a  
subject, the focus icon will turn red. In this situation the focus-lock function can be used to focus on  
another object at the same distance as your main subject, and then the image can be recomposed to  
take the picture.  
The subject is too dark. The subject in the  
focus frame is low in  
Two subjects at differ-  
ent distances overlap  
in the focus frame.  
The subject is near a  
very bright object or  
area.  
contrast.  
29  
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USING THE BUILT-IN FLASH  
In low-light conditions or indoors, the flash is needed to illuminate the subject and reduce blurring  
through camera shake. The flash can also be used as a fill light in direct sunlight to soften harsh  
shadows. Always remove the lens hood when using the built-in flash; the hood may cast a shadow if  
mounted.  
To use the flash, simply pull up the unit by the tabs on each side.  
The flash position must be set manually, and once up, the flash unit  
will always fire regardless of the amount of ambient light. The follow-  
ing indicators will appear in the upper left corner of the EVF and  
LCD monitors to show the flash status  
When pressing the shutter-release button partway down, the red flash icon indicates the  
flash is charging.  
When pressing the shutter-release button partway down, the white flash icon indicates  
the flash is ready to fire.  
After taking a picture, a blue flash icon appears if the flash properly exposed the sub-  
ject.  
Flash warning. In backlit situations, the icon appears to recommend the use of the flash.  
FLASH RANGE – AUTOMATIC OPERATION  
The camera will automatically control the flash output. For well-exposed images, the subject must be  
within the flash range. Because of the optical system, the flash range is not the same at the lens’  
wide-angle position as it is at the telephoto position.  
0.5m ~ 3.8m (1.6 ft. ~ 12.5 ft.)  
0.5m ~ 3.0m (1.6 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)  
Wide-angle position  
Telephoto position  
30  
BASIC RECORDING  
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HANDLING THE CAMERA  
While using the electronic viewfinder (EVF) or LCD monitor, grip the  
camera firmly with your right hand while supporting the body with the  
palm of your left hand. Keep your elbows at your side and your feet  
shoulder-width apart to hold the camera steadily.  
The electronic viewfinder can be tilted between 0° to 90°.  
Simply grip the finder between your fingers and move it to the  
position desired. Always store the camera with finder down  
against the body.  
DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT  
The EVF has a built-in diopter that can be adjusted between  
–5.0 to +0.5. While looking through the EVF, turn the diopter-  
adjustment dial until the viewfinder image is sharp.  
CAMERA-SHAKE WARNING  
If the shutter speed falls below the point where the camera can be hand held safely, the camera-  
shake warning will appear on the monitors; the shutter can still be released. 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. The warning appears at approximately the reciprocal of the focal length used;  
if the lens is set at 100mm, the camera shake warning will appear at 1/100 second. If the warning  
appears, the following steps can be taken:  
• Place the camera on a tripod.  
• Use the built-in flash.  
• Increase the camera sensitivity (ISO) (p. 70).  
• Zoom the lens towards the wide-angle position.  
31  
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DIGITAL-SUBJECT-PROGRAM BUTTON  
The digital-subject-program button (1) optimizes the camera’s  
performance for various conditions and subjects. Exposure,  
white-balance, and image-processing systems work in unison  
for beautiful results.  
1
Pressing the digital-subject-program button cycles through  
the modes: portrait, sport action, sunset, night portrait, text,  
and the original exposure mode. A pointer will indicate the  
active subject program. The subject program will remain in  
effect until it is changed.  
Portrait – optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the  
background.  
Sports action – used to capture fast action by maximizing shutter speeds and tracking  
subjects with continuous AF.  
Sunset – optimized to reproduce rich, warm sunsets.  
Night portrait – for deep, subtle night scenes. When used with flash, the subject and  
background are balanced.  
Text – for the crisp reproduction of black text on white backgrounds.  
32  
BASIC RECORDING  
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While camera performance is optimized for each shooting condition, some changes can be made to  
camera settings with subject programs. The autofocus mode can be changed (p. 83). The sports  
action mode uses continuous AF, the other modes use single AF. The Digital Effects Controller can  
be used to adjust image brightness, contrast, and color (p. 73). White balance can be changed in all  
modes except sunset and night portrait (p. 67). Sharpness can be changed in the sport action, sun-  
set, and text modes (p. 99). The metering mode cannot be changed.  
Shooting tips  
Portrait – Most portraits look best at a telephoto setting; the longer focal length does not exag-  
gerate facial features and the shallower depth of field softens the background. Use the built-in  
flash with strong direct sunlight or backlight to reduce harsh shadows.  
Sports action – When using a flash, make sure the subject is within the flash range (p. 30).  
The flash range can be extended by changing the camera sensitivity (p. 71). A monopod is  
more flexible and compact than a tripod when shooting events.  
Sunset – When the sun is above the horizon, do not point the camera toward the sun for pro-  
longed periods of time. The intensity of the sun could damage the CCD. Between exposures,  
turn off the camera or cover the lens.  
Night portrait – When taking pictures of a landscape at night, use a tripod to eliminate blurring  
from camera shake. The flash can only be used with close subjects such as with a portrait of a  
person. When using the flash, ask your subjects not to move after the burst; the shutter will still  
be open for the background exposure.  
Text – When taking pictures of small text on a sheet of paper, the macro mode (p. 47) can be  
used. Use a tripod to eliminate camera shake and ensure the sharpest images.  
33  
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BASIC PLAYBACK  
Images can be viewed in the Quick View or playback modes. This section covers the basic functions  
in both modes. The playback mode has additional menu functions, see page 106.  
To view images from the playback mode, turn the mode  
dial to the playback position.  
To view images from the recording or movie recording  
modes, press the Quick View / delete button.  
SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK AND HISTOGRAM DISPLAY  
Mode indicator  
Image size (p. 84)  
Image quality (p. 85)  
To view the histogram,  
press the up key.  
Aperture value  
Shutter speed  
Time of  
capture  
White-balance  
setting (p. 67)  
Date of capture  
Voice-memo  
indicator (p. 101)  
Lock indicator (p. 111)  
Print indicator (p. 114)  
Frame number/ total number of images  
Sensitivity  
setting (p. 70)  
Degree of exposure  
compensation (p. 74)  
Folder name (p. 140)  
Folder number – image file number  
Histogram (p. 17)  
34  
BASIC PLAYBACK  
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When in the Quick view or playback mode, use the  
left/right keys of the controller to scroll through the  
images on the memory card.  
VIEWING IMAGES  
To view the histogram of a still image,  
press the up key. Press the down key to  
return to single-frame playback.  
To return to a recording mode from Quick  
View, press the menu button.  
Controller  
QV/Delete button  
DELETING SINGLE IMAGES  
The displayed image can be deleted. Once deleted, an image cannot be recovered.  
To delete a displayed image, press the QV/delete button; a  
confirmation screen will appear.  
Delete this frame?  
Yes No  
Use the left/right keys to highlight “Yes.” “No” will cancel the  
operation.  
Press the controller to execute the command on the confirma-  
tion screen. The camera will return to playback mode.  
Confirmation screen  
35  
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CHANGING THE QUICK VIEW & PLAYBACK DISPLAY  
In the center of the display switch, the display-information button controls the display format. Each  
time the button is pressed, the display cycles through to the next format: full display, image only,  
index playback.  
Full display  
Image only  
Index playback  
In index playback, the left/right keys of the controller will move the yellow border to the next or the  
previous image. When the image is highlighted with the border, the date of recording, voice-memo  
icon, the lock and printing status, and the frame number of the image are displayed at the bottom of  
the screen. The highlighted image can be deleted using the QV/delete button (p. 35) or an accompa-  
nying audio track can be played by pressing the central button of the controller. When the display  
information button is pressed again, the highlighted image will be displayed in the single-frame play-  
back mode. A nine or four image index can be displayed. The index-playback format can be changed  
in the basic section of the playback-mode menu (p. 106).  
36  
BASIC PLAYBACK  
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ENLARGED PLAYBACK  
In single-frame playback, a still image can be  
enlarged for closer examination. Images can be mag-  
nified between 1.2X and 4.0X in 0.2X increments. 640  
X 480 size images can only be magnified between  
1.2X and 2.0X. RAW and super fine images cannot  
be enlarged.  
With the image to be enlarged displayed, press the  
magnification button (1). The degree of magnification  
is displayed on the monitors.  
1
Use the up/down keys of the controller to adjust the magnifica-  
tion.  
Scroll  
Press the central button of the controller to switch between the  
zoom and scroll functions. The scroll arrows or magnification dis-  
play will turn blue to indicate the active function.  
Scroll  
When the scroll arrows are blue, use the four-way key to scroll  
the image. Press and hold the four-way key to scroll continuous-  
ly. Press the magnification button to exit the enlarged playback  
mode.  
The guidance bar and display icons can be hidden or shown by  
pressing the display information button (i+).  
Zoom  
37  
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VIEWING MOVIES  
Standard, Night, time-lapse, and UHS continuous-advance movies can be played back on the cam-  
era. Movie files are indicated by a icon at the bottom of the display. Standard and Night Movies are  
also indicated by a thumbnail of the first frame.  
: play  
Press the center of the controller to play back the file.  
: pause  
: stop  
23s  
Press the controller to pause the movie; pressing the  
controller again will resume the playback.  
To cancel the playback, press the down key of the con-  
troller.  
PLAYING BACK VOICE MEMOS  
Voice memos (p. 101) are indicated by the  
voice-memo indicator displayed at the bottom of  
the monitor image.  
Press the central button of the controller  
to start the audio playback. To cancel the  
playback, press the down key.  
Controller  
38  
BASIC PLAYBACK  
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VIEWING IMAGES ON A TELEVISION  
It is possible to view camera images on your television. The camera has a video-out terminal which  
can be used to connect the camera to a television using the supplied AV cable. The camera is com-  
patible with the NTSC and PAL standards. The video-output setting can be checked and set in the  
advanced 2 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
1. Turn off the television and the camera.  
2. Insert the mini-plug end of the AV cable into the camera’s  
AV-out terminal.  
3. Plug the other end of the AV cable into the video and  
audio input terminal on the television. The yellow plug is  
for the video output, and the white plug is for the monaur-  
al audio output.  
2
4. Turn the television on.  
3
5. Change the television to the video channel.  
6. Turn the camera’s mode dial to the playback position. The  
camera’s monitors will not activate when the camera is  
attached to a television. The playback-mode display will  
be visible on the television screen.  
7. View images as described in the playback section. Use the television controls to adjust the vol-  
ume of the audio playback. Because of the broadcast standard used to display television images,  
image quality and resolution will appear lower than when displayed on a computer monitor.  
39  
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ADVANCED RECORDING  
This section contains detailed information on the camera’s recording functions and operation. Read  
the sections pertaining to your interest and need.  
DISPLAY CONTROLS – RECORDING MODE  
Located on the back of the camera, the display-mode switch and the display-information button con-  
trol on which monitor the image is displayed and what information is included in the display. The three  
position switch allows the choice between automatic display and setting the display to the EVF or  
LCD monitor.  
Auto display – the camera will automatically change between displaying the  
live image in the EVF or on the LCD monitor. The EVF’s eye sensors monitor  
if the EVF is being used and switches the display location accordingly.  
EVF display – the live image will only be displayed in the electronic viewfind-  
er. Under bright light, the image is easier to see in the EVF than on the LCD  
monitor.  
LCD monitor display – the live image will only be displayed on the LCD moni-  
tor.  
If battery power is a concern, have the eye sensor activate the EVF when in use, but not the LCD  
monitor. The auto-display function can be changed in the advanced 2 section of the setup menu (p.  
118).  
40  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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In the center of the display switch, the display-information button controls what  
information is displayed with the live image. Each time the button is pressed,  
the display cycles to the next format: standard display, focus frame, real-time  
histogram, and live image only. The number of screens and their formats can  
be changed in the advanced 1 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
Standard display  
Focus frame  
Live image only  
Real-time histogram  
The real-time histogram shows the approximate luminance distribution of the live image. This his-  
togram will not be accurate when the monitor image is amplified (p. 28, 56), or the built-in or a com-  
patible Minolta flash unit is used. The histogram of a recorded image may not have the same distribu-  
tion as the real-time histogram.  
41  
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PRO-AUTO BUTTON  
Simply pressing the pro-auto button (1) resets the camera to pro-  
grammed and automatic functions in the still-image recording mode.  
The camera’s systems work together to bring professional results leav-  
ing the operator free to concentrate on aesthetic decisions. The pro-  
auto button affects functions in either the recording or movie modes (p.  
105) only when the mode is in use.  
1
Digital subject program  
Exposure mode  
Drive mode  
Canceled (p. 32)  
Program (p. 53)  
Single-frame advance (p. 58)  
Single AF (p. 83)  
Wide (p. 44)  
Focus mode  
Autofocus area  
White balance  
Auto white balance (p. 67)  
Multi-segment metering (p. 51)  
0.0 (p. 74)  
Metering mode  
Exposure compensation  
Contrast compensation  
0 (p. 76)  
Color-saturation compensation  
Filter  
0 (p. 77)  
0 (p. 77)  
Flash control  
ADI metering (p. 94)  
0.0 (p. 74)  
Flash compensation  
Flash mode  
Fill or red-eye reduction* (p. 88)  
Normal (p. 99)  
Sharpness  
*The flash mode is reset to whichever of the two modes was set last.  
The last camera settings before the pro-auto  
button is pressed can be reset; press and hold  
the function button and press the pro-auto but-  
ton.  
42  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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SPOT-AE LOCK BUTTON  
The spot-AE lock button below the main dial on the back of the body locks the auto-  
matic exposure system. This function allows the exposure to be set by a specific ele-  
ment within the scene or a gray card outside the scene.  
When the spot-AE lock button is pressed and held, the spot metering circle is dis-  
played indicating the area used for the exposure calculation; the shutter speed and  
aperture of the exposure will be displayed in black on the monitor. The setting will  
remain in effect until the button is released. Focus is locked by pressing the shutter-  
release button partway down.  
The operation of the spot button can be customized in the advanced 1  
section of the recording-mode menu (p. 96).  
Spot metering display  
MANUAL FOCUS  
Manual control over focus is simple. The focus mode button  
(AF/MF) (1) switches between automatic and manual focus.  
The MF icon is displayed on the data panel and monitors  
when the camera is in the manual-focus mode.  
Use the focus ring (2) at the rear of the lens barrel to make a  
sharp image on monitors. The approximate distance from the  
CCD to the subject is displayed near the frame counter.  
Manual focus can be used with movie recording and in macro  
mode.  
1
2
Approximate loca-  
tion of the CCD  
plane.  
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AUTOFOCUS AREAS AND CONTROL  
In still-image recording mode, the controller selects the focus area used and moves the spot-focus  
area within the image. The two focus areas, wide focus area and spot focus point, allow flexibility over  
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 effective with moving subjects or quick shooting during fast-moving events. When the  
focus is locked in single AF mode, one of the AF sensors within the wide focus area will briefly indi-  
cate the point of focus. The spot focus point gives critical control over focus. It can be used to single  
out an individual subject from a group.  
Wide focus area  
1
AF sensor  
Spot focus point  
Switching between the wide focus area to the spot focus point is simple. Press and hold the central  
button of the controller (1) until the wide-focus-area frame lines change to the spot-focus-point cross.  
Press and hold the controller again to return to the wide-focus-area frame lines.  
44  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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FLEX FOCUS POINT  
Once displayed, the spot focus area can be moved to any point in the image area. This Flex Focus  
Point is a powerful tool for off-center subjects. The Flex Focus Point cannot be used with the digital  
zoom (p. 46).  
With the spot-focus-area cross displayed, use the controller’s four-way keys (1) to  
move the focus point anywhere within the live image. Press the shutter-release but-  
ton partway down to focus; the cross will turn red to confirm focus.  
1
1
2
Pressing the central button of the controller (2) returns the focus point to the center  
of the image area. To return to the wide-focus-area mode press and hold the button  
until the wide-focus-area frame lines appear.  
2
45  
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DIGITAL ZOOM  
The digital zoom doubles the lens magnification. The digital zoom cannot be used with RAW image  
quality or in movie recording.  
Press the magnification button (1) on the back of the camera. The effect  
is immediately displayed. Pressing the magnification button a second  
time cancels the digital zoom.  
The live image is enlarged on the LCD monitor and is cropped with a  
shaded border in the EVF. X2.0 is displayed in the monitors when the  
digital zoom is in effect. When using the wide focus area (p. 44), the AF  
sensor will not appear to indicate the point of focus.  
1
EVF  
LCD monitor  
When an image is taken with the digital zoom, the final image size depends on the image-size setting  
on the camera. The image is trimmed and then the total number of pixels are interpolated to produce  
an image with a pixel resolution shown in the chart.  
Image size setting  
2560 X 1920  
1600 X 1200  
1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
Recorded  
image size  
1280 X 960  
1280 X 960  
1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
1280 X 960 UHS continuous-advance images are resized to 640 X 480.  
46  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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MACRO MODE  
The macro mode is used for close-up photographs of small objects. The marco mode can be used  
with the digital zoom to increase the close-up effect. Subject programs and movie recording can be  
used with the macro setting. The built-in flash cannot be used with macro mode.  
Align one of the arrows on the zoom ring with the arrow next to the  
macro switch. The lens must be zoomed to the wide-angle or telephoto  
position for the macro switch to engage.  
Slide the macro switch on the lens barrel forward. The camera is now in  
macro mode. The macro icon is displayed in the lower right corner of the  
monitors. Make sure the subject is within the macro focusing range:  
Wide angle: 0.3 – 0.6m / 12 – 24 in from the CCD.  
Telephoto: 0.25 – 0.6m / 10 – 24 in from the CCD.  
The zoom ring will be locked at the wide-angle position in macro mode.  
At the telephoto position, the zoom ring can move slightly to make fine  
adjustments to image size.  
To return to normal recording mode, slide the macro switch towards the  
rear of the lens.  
Approximate location of the  
CCD plane.  
Shooting tips  
Because of the high image magnification, hand holding cameras during  
close-up photography is very difficult. When possible, use a tripod.  
Use the Flex Focus Point (p. 45) to specify the area to be within focus.  
Because depth of field (the area in focus) is narrow in close-up photogra-  
phy, using focus lock with off-center subjects can cause minor errors  
which are exaggerated at high magnifications.  
The variable position EVF makes working in tight spaces and at low levels  
easy. The EVF can be tilted between 0° and 90°.  
47  
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SETTING THE FUNCTION DIAL  
The memory function, metering mode, exposure mode, drive mode, white balance, and camera sen-  
sitivity are controlled by the function dial. Making changes with the function dial is simple. The func-  
tion dial can only be used for still photography.  
1
Turn the function dial to the mode to be changed (1).  
While pressing the button in the center of the  
function dial, turn the control dial near the  
shutter-release button to change the mode  
(2). Release the function button to set the  
2
mode. Changes are displayed on the monitors  
and data panel.  
Memory – to store and recall camera settings (p. 50).  
MEM  
Metering modes – changes the metering pattern (p. 51).  
Exposure modes – changes the method of exposure control (p. 52).  
PASM  
Drive modes – changes the method of image capture (p. 58).  
DRIVE  
White balance – changes between automatic, preset, and custom white balance  
(p. 67).  
WB  
ISO – changes camera sensitivity (p. 70).  
ISO  
48  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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EVF & Monitor Display  
Dial  
Display  
Setting  
Page  
Memory registers or the setting  
function are selected with a spe-  
cial menu displayed on the moni-  
tors.  
Menu  
50  
MEM  
Multi-segment  
Center weighted  
Spot  
No data panel dis-  
play.  
51  
Program  
53  
54  
55  
56  
58  
62  
59  
60  
61  
64  
66  
68  
P
A
S
M
Aperture priority  
Shutter priority  
Manual  
Display for the  
data panel, EVF  
and LCD monitor  
are the same  
PASM  
Single-frame advance  
Bracketing  
unless indicated.  
Continuous advance  
High-speed continuous advance  
UHS continuous advance  
Interval  
DRIVE  
Self-timer  
(No display when set)  
Automatic white balance  
Daylight  
Tungsten  
68  
68  
Fluorescent 1 and 2  
Cloudy  
WB  
ISO  
Custom setting 1 through 3  
Custom calibration  
Automatic gain  
(No display when set)  
100, 200,  
400, 800.  
Preset camera sensitivity in ISO  
equivalents.  
ISO value  
is displayed  
70  
49  
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MEMORY – STORING CAMERA SETTINGS  
Five sets of camera settings can be saved. This saves time under frequently  
repeating conditions by eliminating the need to set the camera. Except for the  
spot AEL button, subject programs, data imprinting, voice memo, and instant  
playback settings, all recording-mode camera settings will be saved including the  
position of the Flex Focus Point, the display mode, the custom white balance set-  
ting, and changes made with the function dial and digital effects control. Although  
the bracketing drive mode setting can be saved, the type of bracket, exposure,  
contrast, color saturation, or filter must be reset.  
Camera settings are saved with the function dial (p. 48).  
Initially, each memory location contains the camera’s original  
settings.  
Memory  
Memory  
Memory  
Memory  
Memory  
1
2
3
4
5
To save the current camera settings, turn the function dial to  
the memory position, and press the function button (1) to dis-  
play the memory settings on the monitor. Turn the control dial  
(2) to highlight the store-memory option. Release the function  
button to open the store-memory screen.  
Store memory  
2
3
1
On the store-in-memory screen, use the up/down keys of the  
controller (3) to select the memory register in which the cam-  
era settings are to be saved. Press the central button of the  
controller (4) to save the settings; the previous settings will be  
erased and replaced by the new ones. A confirmation screen  
will open; press the central button of the controller to close.  
Rec. Store memory  
1
Store in  
1
2
3
4
5
select  
enter  
4
50  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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To recall a setting, press the function button and highlight the memory register using the control dial.  
Release the function button to apply the memory settings. Memory settings can also be recalled  
using the digital subject program button, see page 129.  
Camera settings cannot be deleted from memory by turning the camera off or using the pro-auto but-  
ton. They will be erased with the default function on the setup menu.  
METERING MODES  
The icons indicating the metering mode are displayed on the monitors only. Do  
not confuse these icons with the focus signals (p. 29). The metering mode is  
changed with the function dial (p. 48). When center-weighted or spot metering is  
selected, pressing the shutter-release button partway down will activate the  
exposure system, but will not lock the exposure; the spot AE lock button (p. 43)  
can be used to lock the exposure, but uses the spot metering area only.  
Multi-segment – uses 300 segments to measure luminance and color. This data is com-  
bined with distance information to calculate the camera exposure. This advanced metering  
system will give accurate worry-free exposures in almost all situations.  
Center weighted – a traditional metering method in silver-halide cameras. The system mea-  
sures light values over the entire image area with emphasis given the central region.  
Spot – uses a small area within the image to calculate the expo-  
sure. When this mode is selected, a small circle will appear in  
the middle of the live image indicating the measuring area. The  
spot allows precise exposure measurements of a particular  
object without being influenced by extremely bright or dark  
areas within the scene.  
Spot metering display  
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EXPOSURE MODES  
The four exposure modes allow extensive control over image making.  
Programmed AE gives carefree operation, aperture and shutter priority allow  
photographers to maximize exposures in different situations, and manual expo-  
sure provides complete freedom in controlling the final image. See setting the  
function dial section on page 48.  
Program – the camera controls both the shutter speeds and aperture.  
P
A
S
Aperture priority – the photographer selects the aperture and the camera sets the appro-  
priate shutter speed.  
Shutter priority – the photographer selects the shutter speed and the camera sets the  
appropriate aperture.  
Manual exposure – the photographer selects both the shutter speed and aperture.  
Data panel  
M
LCD monitor  
Exposure modes  
Shutter speed  
Aperture  
All exposure mode icons on the data  
panel have been shown for clarity.  
52  
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PROGRAM – P  
The programmed AE exposure control uses luminance and focal-length information to ensure perfect  
exposures. The sophisticated exposure system allows the photographer the freedom to shoot without  
having to worry about the technical details of exposure settings. The shutter speed and aperture val-  
ues of the exposure are displayed on the monitors and data panel. The shutter speed range in pro-  
gram exposure mode is 8 to 1/4000 second when camera sensitivity is set to auto (p. 71). If the  
brightness level of the scene is outside the exposure control range of the camera, the shutter-speed  
and aperture displays will turn red on the monitors and blink on the data panel.  
The program line adjusts with the changes in focal length of the zoom lens. The camera is pro-  
grammed to maximize depth of field in the wide-angle range to provide sharp landscape pictures,  
and to maximize shutter speed in the telephoto range to minimize camera shake and blurred images.  
When the shutter speed falls below an acceptable limit for the camera to be hand held, the camera-  
shake warning appears in the lower left corner of the monitors (p. 31).  
PROGRAM SHIFT  
Although exposure calculations can be left to the camera, photographers can still have control over  
the final exposure with the program-shift function. As described in the basic recording operation (p.  
31), press the shutter-release button partway down (1) until the shutter speed and aperture value are  
displayed. The control dial (2) can then be used to shift the shutter speed and  
aperture combination; each combination will give the opti-  
1
mum exposure.  
2
The built-in flash cannot be used with program shift. The  
camera gives priority to the flash exposure; once the flash is  
raised, any changes made with the program shift will be can-  
celed.  
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APERTURE PRIORITY – A  
The photographer selects the aperture and the camera sets the  
appropriate shutter speed to ensure correct exposure. When A mode  
is selected, the aperture value on the monitors turns blue.  
2
1
Turn the control dial (1) to set the desired aperture. Press the shut-  
ter-release button partway down to activate the exposure system (2);  
the corresponding shutter speed will be displayed.  
The aperture values can be changed by half stop increments between f/2.8 and f/8 at the lens’ wide-  
angle position and f/3.5 to f/9.5 at the lens’ telephoto position. If the aperture value is beyond the  
shutter-speed range, the shutter-speed display will blink on the data panel and turn red on the moni-  
tors. The shutter speed range in aperture-priority exposure mode is 15 to 1/4000 second when cam-  
era sensitivity is set to auto (p. 71).  
When the shutter speed falls below an acceptable limit for the camera to be hand held, the camera-  
shake warning (p. 31) appears in the lower left corner of the EVF and LCD monitor. When the warn-  
ing appears, decrease the aperture value until the warning disappears or place the camera on a tri-  
pod.  
Because the shutter speeds can be adjusted in fine steps, the same shutter speed maybe displayed  
when the aperture is changed. With the camera sensitivity (ISO) set to auto, the shutter speed may  
not change when the aperture is adjusted.  
54  
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SHUTTER PRIORITY – S  
The photographer selects the shutter speed and the camera sets the  
appropriate aperture to ensure correct exposure. When S mode is  
selected, the shutter speed on the monitors turns blue.  
2
1
Turn the control dial (1) to set the desired shutter speed. Press the  
shutter-release button partway down to activate the exposure system  
(2); the corresponding aperture will be displayed.  
The shutter speeds can be changed by half stop  
increments from 15 to 1/2000 second when camera  
sensitivity is set to auto (p. 71). If the shutter speed is  
beyond the aperture range, the aperture display will  
blink on the data panel and turn red on the monitors.  
Camera Notes  
For 35mm photographers, an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/8 does not seem impressive. However,  
because of the CCD size and the actual focal length of the lens, the apertures on this digital  
camera give significantly more depth of field at any given angle of view with any given aperture  
than a 35mm camera. So even with the minimum aperture of f/8, the depth of field will give the  
coverage needed to create beautiful, sharp images.  
55  
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MANUAL EXPOSURE – M  
Manual exposure mode allows individual selection of shutter speeds  
and apertures. This mode overrides the exposure system giving the  
photographer total control over the final exposure. The shutter  
speeds and aperture values can be changed in half stop increments.  
The shutter speed range in manual exposure mode is 15 to 1/2000  
second including bulb when camera sensitivity is set to auto (p. 71).  
The camera sensitivity is set to ISO 100, but can be changed with  
the function dial (p. 48).  
As changes are made to the exposure, the effect will be visible on  
the monitors. The shutter-speed and aperture display will blink on  
the data panel and turn red on the monitors if the image is extremely under or overexposed. If the  
monitors are black, increase the exposure until the image is visible; decrease the exposure if the  
monitors are white. If the monitor image is too dark because of the exposure setting, press the func-  
tion button and display-information button (i+) at the same time to amplify the image; the M on the  
monitor will turn red. The AE system will maintain a bright image on the monitors, however, the image  
nor the real-time histogram will reflect the final exposure. Repeat the procedure to cancel the ampli-  
fied display. When using the built-in flash, the monitor image is also amplified and does not reflect the  
ambient light exposure.  
To set the shutter speed:  
• Turn the control dial (1) to set the shutter speed.  
1
To set the aperture:  
• Set the digital effects switch (2) to the exposure-  
compensation position.  
• While pressing the digital effects button (3), turn the the  
control dial (1) to set the aperture. Flash compensation (p. 74)  
can also be set with the up/down key of the controller.  
3
The operation of the manual exposure mode can be cus-  
tomized with the setup menu (p. 130).  
2
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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56  
BULB EXPOSURES  
Bulb photographs can be taken in the manual-exposure mode (M). Exposures up to thirty seconds  
can be made by pressing and holding the shutter-release button. The use of a tripod and a remote  
cord is recommended for bulb exposures. The camera’s exposure system cannot be used to calcu-  
late bulb exposures. The use of a separate light meter is recommended.  
Use the control dial (1) to decrease the shutter-speed until “bulb” is  
displayed.  
1
2
To set the aperture value, turn the digital effects switch to expo-  
sure compensation (2) position. While pressing the digital  
effects button (3), turn the control dial (1) until the correct aper-  
ture is displayed.  
To take the picture, press and hold the shutter-release button  
for the duration of the exposure. Releasing the shutter button  
3
will end the exposure.  
The monitors will be blank during the exposure. If on, the shutter  
sound effect will signal the end of the exposure. The monitors will  
remain blank for a period equal to the exposure time while noise-  
reduction processing is applied to the image.  
ATTACHING A REMOTE CORD (SOLD SEPARATELY)  
The optional remote cords (RC-1000S or RC-1000L) can be  
used to reduce vibrations from touching the camera during long  
exposures.  
Remove the remote-control terminal cover using the notch on  
the right side of the cover. The cover is attached to the body to  
prevent loss.  
Insert the plug of the cord into the terminal.  
57  
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DRIVE MODES  
The drive modes control the rate and method images are captured. Icons indi-  
cating the selected drive mode appear on the data panel and LCD monitor and  
in the EVF. See setting the function dial section on page 48.  
Single-frame advance – to take a single image each time the shutter-release button is  
pressed.  
Bracketing – to take a series of images with differing exposure, contrast, saturation, and  
color.  
Continuous advance – to take multiple images when the shutter-release button is  
pressed and held.  
High-speed continuous advance – to take multiple images at size and quality setting  
approximately 3 frames per second.  
UHS continuous advance – to take multiple 1280 X 960 images at approximately 7  
frames per second.  
Self-timer – to delay the release of the shutter. Used for self-portraits.  
Interval – to take a series of images over a period of time.  
All icons have been shown for clarity. The single-frame advance  
and continuous advance indicators occupy the same area of the  
data panel. All the drive-mode icons appear at the same location  
in the monitors.  
When a large amount of image data is captured in a short span  
of time, the camera’s internal buffer memory becomes full. Time  
must be given for this data to be written to the memory card.  
Depending on the battery power level, the frame counter or  
drive-mode indicator turns yellow on the monitors (see chart).  
Wait for the indicator to turn white before capturing more  
Drive-  
images.  
Buffer full Frame  
warning counter  
mode  
indicator  
58  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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CONTINUOUS ADVANCE  
Continuous-advance mode allows a series of images to be captured while holding down the shutter-  
release button. Continuous advance acts like a motor drive on a film camera. The number of images  
that can be captured at one time depends on the image-quality and image-size setting. The maxi-  
mum rate of capture is 2 fps with full-size images with manual focus in manual-exposure mode. The  
continuous-advance mode is set with the function dial (p. 48).  
When the shutter-release button is pressed and held, the camera will begin recording images until  
the maximum number has been taken or the shutter button is released. The built-in flash can be  
used, but the rate of capture is reduced because the flash must recharge between frames. The fol-  
lowing chart lists the maximum number of images that can be captured with different image-quality  
and image-size combinations.  
Size  
Quality  
2560 X 1920 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
RAW  
5
3
7
10  
17  
–
3
12  
19  
29  
–
3
15  
27  
42  
–
3
33  
61  
84  
Super fine  
Extra fine  
Fine  
1
2
Standard  
Compose the picture as described in the basic recording section  
(p. 27). Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock  
the exposure and focus for the series; if the autofocus mode is  
set to continuous AF, the lens will continually focus during the  
series (p. 83). Press and hold the shutter-release button all the  
way down (2) to begin taking pictures.  
59  
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HIGH-SPEED CONTINUOUS ADVANCE  
High-speed continuous-advance allows a series of images to be captured rapidly. The rate of capture  
is approximately 3 fps with full-size images with manual focus in manual-exposure mode. The rate of  
capture decreases with images smaller than 2560 X 1920. The continuous-advance mode is set with  
the function dial (p. 48).  
When the shutter-release button is pressed and held, the camera will begin recording images until  
the maximum number has been taken or the shutter button is released. The built-in flash can be  
used, but the rate of capture is reduced because the flash must recharge between frames. The fol-  
lowing chart lists the maximum number of images that can be captured with different image-quality  
and image-size combinations.  
Size  
Quality  
2560 X 1920 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
RAW  
5
3
7
10  
17  
–
3
12  
19  
29  
–
3
15  
27  
42  
–
3
33  
61  
84  
Super fine  
Extra fine  
Fine  
1
2
Standard  
Compose the picture as described in the basic recording section  
(p. 27). Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock  
the exposure and focus for the series. Press and hold the shut-  
ter-release button all the way down (2) to begin taking pictures.  
The monitor will be blank when recording full size images.  
If the low battery warning (p. 21) appears, the maximum number  
of images that can be captured will be reduced. Low power will  
also prevent RAW or super fine images to be captured in series;  
the shutter-release button must be pressed to capture each  
image.  
60  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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UHS CONTINUOUS ADVANCE  
UHS continuous-advance mode allows a series of 1280 X 960 images to be captured at a rate of  
approximately 7 frames per second; image size is changed to 640 X 480 when the digital zoom is  
used. The number of images that can be captured at one time depends on the image-quality setting:  
extra fine – 32 frames, fine – 62 frames, and standard – 100 frames. This mode cannot be used with  
super-fine or RAW image quality, flash illumination, or Digital Subject Programs. If image quality is  
set to RAW or super fine before selecting the drive mode, it is reset to fine. Shutter speeds slower  
than 1/8th of a second cannot be used. If the low battery power indicator (p. 21) appears, the shutter  
cannot be released. The UHS continuous-advance mode is set with the function dial (p. 48).  
When the shutter-release button is pressed and held, the camera will begin recording images until  
the maximum number has been taken or the shutter button is released.  
Compose the picture as described in the basic recording section (p. 27). Press the shut-  
ter-release button partway down (1) to lock the exposure and focus for the series. Press  
1
and hold the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to begin taking pictures. Very  
bright light sources in the image may cause streaking. A recorded image may show  
black areas caused by a loss of data. After the series is captured, the monitor will remain  
blank while the images are saved.  
2
UHS CONTINUOUS-ADVANCE MOVIES  
By turning on the UHS movie function in the advanced 1 section of the recording-mode menu, a sep-  
arate VGA (640 X 480) movie file with audio will be created automatically from the captured still  
images. When the function is active, the movie camera icon is displayed next to the  
UHS continuous-advance indicator on the monitors. The time required to make the  
movie file is approximately equal to the recording time, the monitor will be blank and  
the access lamp will glow during that period. The shutter sound effect is disabled.  
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BRACKETING  
This mode makes a three image bracket of a scene. Bracketing is a method of taking a series of  
images of a static subject in which each image has a slight variation in exposure. The camera is not  
limited to exposure brackets, but can also make contrast, saturation, and filter brackets. Only one  
image characteristic can be bracketed at a time. The bracketing mode is set with the function dial (p.  
48).  
3
1
Turn the function dial to the drive-mode position (1). While  
pressing the function button (2), turn the control dial (3) to set  
the bracketing mode.  
2
Turn the digital-effect switch to the image characteristic to be bracketed. For  
more on the Digital Effects Control, see page 73.  
Exposure bracket  
Contrast bracket  
Filter bracket  
Color-saturation bracket  
The order of the exposure bracket series is normal exposure (as indicated by the shutter-speed and  
aperture displays), underexposure, and overexposure. The exposure bracket is set to 0.3Ev incre-  
ments, but can be adjusted to 0.5Ev or 1.0Ev increments in the advanced 2 section of the recording-  
mode menu (p. 80).  
Set the contrast, color saturation or filter to the desired level; the bracket series is from the Digital  
Effects Control setting to one unit under to one unit over. See the Digital Effects Control section on  
page 73 to set the contrast, color saturation, and filter. Except for a RAW image, if the contrast or  
color saturation is set to the maximum or minimum level ( 3), one bracket will be made at 4: +3,  
+2, +4. A RAW image cannot exceed the maximum and minimum levels and will contain two identi-  
cal brackets: +3, +2, +3. A black and white Filter bracket is made to the Filter settings before and  
after the set Filter (p. 155). If filter 10 is selected, the bracket series will be 10, 9, 0.  
62  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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Compose the picture as described in the basic recording section (p. 27). Press the  
shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock the exposure and focus for the series;  
the camera will continue to focus during the series if set to continuous AF (p. 83).  
Press and hold the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to make the bracket  
series; three consecutive images will be captured.  
1
2
Exposure bracket  
Normal  
Under  
Over  
Number of frames in brack-  
eting series  
Frame counter  
NOTES ON BRACKETING  
If the memory card is filled or the shutter button is released before the series has completed, the  
camera will reset and the entire bracket must be made again.  
To make a flash bracket, set the digital-effects switch to the exposure position and raise the camera  
flash. When using flash, the bracket will not advance automatically; the shutter-release button must  
be pressed for each frame of the series. Once the serie begins, the focus and exposure are fixed.  
The remaining number of frames in the bracket series is displayed on the monitors next to the brack-  
eting icon.  
When exposure brackets are made in S exposure mode, the aperture controls the bracket. In A and  
M modes, the shutter speed controls the bracket. The aperure can be used to control the bracket in  
M mode by setting the digital-effects switch to the exposure position and holding the digital-effects  
button during the exposures. Both the aperture and shutter speed can control the bracket in P mode.  
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INTERVAL  
The interval mode makes a series of still or moving images over a period of time. Similar to time-  
lapse photography, a series of images of a slow moving event can be taken: the blossoming of a  
flower, the construction of a building. The built-in flash can be used. Instant playback (p. 100) is dis-  
abled.  
The parameters of the interval series is set up in the advanced 1 section of the recording-mode  
menu. Refer to the navigation section on page 80 on how to use the menu. The length of the interval  
between frames can be set at 1 – 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. The number of images in the  
series is set with the frames menu option: 2 – 99 frames. To capture a series of still images or to  
make a movie file is selected with the interval-mode option.  
Still image – to create a series of still images specified within the parameters set on the  
recording-mode menu. Image size and quality can be changed.  
Time-lapse movie – to create a movie specified within the parameters set on the recording-  
mode menu. The movie file is played back at four frames per second. Image size can be  
changed. If image quality is set to RAW or super fine before selecting the time-lapse movie  
mode, the quality setting is reset to fine.  
Set the drive mode to interval with the function dial (p. 48). After mounting the camera on a tripod,  
compose the image so that the subject area falls within the focus frames; the camera sets the focus,  
exposure, and white balance, and charges the flash just before each exposure. Continuous AF can  
be used. Settings locked with the spot AE lock button are canceled after the first frame. To override  
the automatic systems, use manual focus (p. 43), manual exposure (p. 56), and preset or custom  
white balance (p. 67).  
Number of frames in the interval series  
Frame counter  
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Confirm the memory card has enough storage capacity for the series by comparing the number of  
frames in the interval series with the number of recordable images displayed on the frame counter.  
When taking still-images, image size and quality settings can be changed to increase the number of  
pictures that can be saved on the memory card.  
Press the shutter-release button to begin the series. During the interval series, the monitors will be  
turned off to conserve power. “Int” will be displayed on the data panel and the data-panel frame  
counter will countdown the remaining frames in the interval series. The access lamp will glow when  
an image is being recorded.  
The setting sun: 10 minute intervals  
The camera will stop recording images and reset to the first frame when the number of frames set  
has been taken, or when the memory card is full. To cancel the interval series, turn off the camera.  
When viewing time-lapse movies on a computer, the computer performance is important. On slower  
computers, frames may be dropped during the playback of movies recorded at 2560 X 1920 or 1600  
X 1200.  
65  
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SELF-TIMER  
Used for self-portraits, the self-timer will delay the release of the shutter for approximately ten sec-  
onds after the shutter is released. The self-timer is set with the function dial (p. 48).  
With the camera on a tripod, compose the picture as described in the basic record-  
ing section (p. 27). Focus lock (p. 28) or the Flex Focus Point (p. 45) can be used  
1
with off-center subjects. Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock  
the exposure and focus. Press the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to  
begin the countdown. Because focus and exposure are determined when the shutter-  
release button is pressed, do not stand in front of the camera when taking a self-  
timer image. Always confirm the focus with the focus signals  
before beginning the countdown (p. 29).  
2
During the countdown, the self-timer lamp on the front of the  
camera will start to blink and is accompanied by an audio signal.  
A few seconds before the exposure, the self-timer lamp will blink  
rapidly. The lamp will glow steadily just before the shutter fires. To  
stop the countdown, press the pro-auto button or change the  
position of the flash (lift it or push it down). The audio signal can  
be turned off in the basic section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
Shooting tips  
The self-timer can be used to minimize camera shake with long exposures. When using the  
camera on a tripod, photographs of static subjects (landscapes, still-lifes, or close-up pho-  
tographs) can be made with the self-timer. Because no contact is made with the camera during  
exposure, there is no risk of camera shake caused by the operator.  
66  
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WHITE BALANCE  
White balance is the camera’s ability to make different types of lighting appear  
neutral. The effect is similar to selecting daylight or tungsten film, or using color  
compensating filters in conventional photography.  
When setting the white balance, “Auto” (data panel)  
and “AWB” (monitors) will be displayed to indicate  
the auto white-balance setting. An icon will be dis-  
played on the data panel and monitors if a setting  
other than auto white-balance was chosen. See  
setting the function dial section on page 48.  
No  
display  
AUTO / AWB – to automatically detect the type of light and adjust the white balance  
accordingly.  
Daylight – for outdoor and sunlit subjects.  
Tungsten – for incandescent lighting: household filament light bulbs.  
Fluorescent – for fluorescent lighting: office ceiling lights.  
Cloudy – for overcast outdoor scenes.  
Custom setting – for using the custom white-balance setting.  
Custom calibration – for manual white-balance calibration.  
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AUTOMATIC WHITE BALANCE  
The automatic white balance compensates for the color temperature of a scene. In most cases, the  
AUTO setting will balance the ambient light and create beautiful images, even under mixed-lighting  
conditions. When the built-in flash is used, the white balance is set for the color temperature of the  
flash.  
PRESET WHITE BALANCE  
Preset white-balance settings must be set before the image is taken. Once set, the effect is immedi-  
ately visible on the monitors. Five settings are available: daylight, tungsten, fluorescent 1, fluorescent  
2, and cloudy. Fluorescent 1 is for standard fluorescent lighting, and fluorescent 2 is for fluorescent  
lighting with a higher color temperature close to natural daylight.  
The built-in flash can be used with preset white-balance settings, but will create a pinkish or blueish  
cast with the fluorescent and tungsten settings. The flash is daylight balanced and will produce good  
results with the daylight setting.  
Shooting tips  
White balance cannot correct high-energy vapor lighting: sodium-vapor (yellow highway lights),  
or mercury vapor. For portraits under these lighting conditions, the flash can be used to over-  
power the ambient light. With landscapes containing these types of lights, set the white balance  
to the preset daylight setting. Auto, preset, and custom white balance will not change the color  
of neon signs.  
CUSTOM WHITE BALANCE  
Custom-white-balance function allows a photographer to calibrate the camera to a specific lighting  
condition. Three setting can be stored in the camera and used repeatedly. Custom white balance is  
especially useful with mixed-lighting conditions or when critical control over color is needed.  
68  
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To calibrate the camera, press the function button and turn the con-  
trol dial until the custom white-balance icon and “SET” appear on  
the data panel and red on the monitors. While holding the function  
button (1), use the up/down keys of the controller (2) to select one  
of the three memory registers. Select a white object and fill the  
image area with it; the object does not need to be in focus. Press  
the shutter-release button to calibrate the camera.  
1
If an error occurs during calibration, an error message will appear  
on the monitors. Press the controller to cancel the message; the  
custom white balance icon will turn yellow to indicate the error.  
Recalibrate using a suitable reference target and the shutter-  
release button. This sequence can be repeated as many times as  
necessary.  
2
The setting will remain in the selected register until it is replaced with another calibration. If the cus-  
tom white-balance setting needs to be used again, while pressing the function button, turn the control  
dial until the custom white-balance icon is displayed without the “SET” on the data panel and white  
on the monitors. While holding the function button (1), use the up/down keys of the controller (2) to  
select one of the three memory registers.  
The built-in flash can be used with the custom setting. However, since the flash is daylight balanced,  
it will give an unusual color cast to an image if the camera is calibrated to any other light source.  
Shooting tips  
When making the calibration, the color of the object used is critical. The object should be white.  
A colored object will cause the calibration to compensate for the object color rather than the  
color temperature of the ambient light. A blank piece of white paper is an ideal surface and can  
easily be carried in a camera bag.  
A calibration error may occur under extremely bright light sources, especially with high-power  
flash units. Use a gray card as the calibration target to reduce the intensity of the illumination.  
The aperture can also be stopped down in the manual exposure mode to control the light.  
69  
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CAMERA SENSITIVITY – ISO  
Five settings can be selected for camera sensitivity: Auto, 100, 200, 400, and  
800; the numerical values are based on an ISO equivalent. ISO is the standard  
used to indicate film sensitivity: the higher the number, the more sensitive the  
film. See setting the function dial section on page 48 to change the ISO setting.  
The auto setting automatically adjusts the camera sensitivity to the light condi-  
tions between ISO 100 and 200. When any other setting than auto is used,  
“ISO” will appear on the data panel, and “ISO” and the set value will be displayed on the monitors.  
Photographers can select a specific sensitivity setting. Like grain in silver-halide film that increases  
with speed, noise increases with sensitivity in digital imaging; an ISO setting of 100 will have the  
least noise and 800 will have the most noise. A change in ISO also affects the flash range; the higher  
the ISO, the greater the range.  
As the ISO value doubles, the camera sensitivity doubles; changing the ISO between 100 and 200,  
200 and 400, or 400 and 800 changes the camera sensitivity by one stop or 1 Ev (p. 79). A change  
between 100 and 800 changes the camera sensitivity by a factor of 8 or three stops. High ISO set-  
tings (400, 800) will allow the photographer to hand hold the camera in low-light conditions without  
the need of a flash.  
Camera Notes  
When making bulb exposures (p. 57), noise can be more pronounced because of the unusually  
long exposure times, especially at 400 and 800 ISO. Longer bulb exposures at lower ISO set-  
tings will be less affected by noise than the equivalent exposure at a high ISO. For example, a  
fifteen second exposure at ISO 200 will have less noise than a four second exposure at ISO  
800. With long exposures at high ISO settings, noise from interference may be noticeable.  
70  
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FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY  
For correct flash exposures, the subject must be within the flash range. The flash range can be  
extended by changing the camera sensitivity. When the camera sensitivity is set to auto, the ISO is  
set between ISO 100 and 200. The flash range is measured from the CCD. Because of the optical  
system, the flash range is not the same at the lens’ wide-angle position as it is at the telephoto posi-  
tion.  
ISO setting Flash range (wide angle)  
Flash range (telephoto)  
0.5m ~ 3.8m / 1.6 ft. ~ 12.5 ft.  
0.5m ~ 2.7m / 1.6 ft. ~ 8.8 ft.  
0.5m ~ 3.8m / 1.6 ft. ~ 12.5 ft.  
0.5m ~ 5.4m / 1.6 ft. ~ 17.6 ft.  
0.5m ~ 7.6m / 1.6 ft. ~ 25 ft.  
0.5m ~ 3.0m / 1.6 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.  
0.5m ~ 2.1m / 1.6 ft. ~ 6.9 ft.  
0.5m ~ 3.0m / 1.6 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.  
0.5m ~ 4.2m / 1.6 ft. ~ 13.8 ft.  
0.5m ~ 6.0m / 1.6 ft. ~ 19.6 ft.  
AUTO  
100  
200  
400  
800  
SHUTTER-SPEED RANGE AND CAMERASENSITIVITY  
The shutter speed range changes with the camera sensitivity. A change in ISO only affects the slow-  
est shutter speed, it does not change the length of bulb exposures.  
800  
400  
AUTO  
8 (10) s.  
15 s.  
100  
200  
Exposure mode  
Program  
15 s.  
15 s.  
15 s.  
15 s.  
8 (10) s. 2 (6) s. 2 (3) s.  
Aperture priority  
Shutter priority  
Manual  
15 s.  
15 s.  
15 s.  
8 (10) s. 4 (6) s.  
8 (10) s. 4 (6) s.  
8 (10) s. 4 (6) s.  
15 s.  
15 s.  
Numbers in parentheses indicate shutter speed at the 200mm zoom position.  
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ATTACHING A MINOLTA ACCESSORY FLASH UNIT  
To extend the versatility of the camera, an accessory flash unit (sold separately) can be mounted on  
the camera. See page 154 for a list of compatible flash units. Always remove the accessory flash  
when the camera is not in use, and replace the accessory-shoe cap to protect the contacts.  
Slide the accessory-shoe cap off as shown. Mount the flash  
unit on the accessory shoe by sliding it forward until it stops.  
USING THE FLASH SYNC TERMINAL  
The flash sync terminal allows a studio or location flash system to be connected to the camera with a  
standard PC cord. The terminal is compatible with both center positive (normal polarity) and center  
negative (positive polarity) flash units with a voltage of 400V or lower.  
Unscrew the terminal cover. Securely connect the flash’s PC  
cord to the flash sync terminal. Always replace the cover when  
the terminal is not in use.  
To ensure correct exposures, use the manual exposure mode  
(p. 56). Set the shutter speed equal to or slower than the flash  
duration; refer to the flash unit’s instruction manual. If the built-  
in flash is raised when another flash unit is connected to the flash sync terminal, both flash units will  
fire. However, the camera’s automatic flash control systems will not provide correct exposures. To use  
the built-in flash as a fill light, use manual flash control (p. 94).  
The use of custom white balance is recommended (p. 68). When calibrating the camera, use the  
shutter speed and aperture settings require for the final exposure. A gray card may have to be used  
as the reference target with powerful flash units to reduce the intensity of the illumination. If custom  
white balance is not practical, use the preset daylight setting; auto white balance is not recommend-  
ed.  
72  
ADVANCED RECORDING  
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DIGITAL EFFECTS CONTROL  
The Digital Effects Controller is a powerful tool. As well as being able to make adjustments to expo-  
sure, the controller can also change image contrast, color, and saturation. The effect of any change is  
instantly visible on the monitors before the image is captured. Since compensation is applied to the  
image before it is compressed and saved, image information can be maximized before leaving the  
scene. The digital effects controller can be used with movie recording. Operating the controller is very  
simple:  
Turn the digital-effect switch to the image characteristic to be adjusted.  
Exposure  
Contrast  
Filter  
Color-saturation  
Press and hold the digital-effects button (1) in the center of the switch and adjust the setting by turn-  
ing the control dial (2) next to the shutter-release button. Release the digital-effects button to set the  
adjustment.  
Adjustments can be made repeatedly and in combina-  
2
tion. Adjustments remain in effect until manually reset.  
When set to any value other than zero, an icon will be  
displayed on the monitors as a warning.  
To adjust flash compensation, the up/down keys of the  
controller are used instead of the control dial. See page  
74.  
1
To reset all changes made with the Digital Effects Controller,  
press the Pro-auto button while holding in the digital-effects  
button.  
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EXPOSURE AND FLASH COMPENSATION  
The ambient light and flash exposure can be adjusted before the image is  
captured to make the final picture lighter or darker. Exposure can be adjust-  
ed by as much as 2Ev in 1/3 increments (p. 79). The exposure and flash  
compensation will remain in effect until it has been reset.  
Adjustments to exposure must be set before the image is captured. When  
setting exposure or flash compensation, the change in Ev is shown on the  
data-panel aperture display and on the monitors. After the setting is made,  
the shutter-speed and aperture displays will indicate the actual exposure. Because the shutter  
speeds can be adjusted in fine steps, the same shutter speed or aperture value may be displayed  
after the exposure is compensated.  
Set the digital effects switch to the exposure-  
compensation position.  
2
Press and hold the digital-effects button (1)  
in the center of the switch and adjust the  
exposure compensation by turning the con-  
trol dial (2), or the flash compensation by  
using the up/down key of the controller (3).  
3
1
Release the digital-effects button (1) to set  
Flash compen-  
the adjustment.  
sation  
Exposure com-  
pensation  
74  
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Shooting tips  
Sometimes the camera’s exposure meter is deceived by certain  
conditions. Changing the exposure value can compensate for these  
situations. For example, a very bright scene, such as a snowy land-  
scape or a white sandy beach, can appear too dark in the captured  
image. Before taking the picture, adjusting the exposure by +1 or +2  
EV will result in an image with normal tonal values.  
In this example, the dark scene appears bright and washed-out on  
the LCD monitor. By decreasing the exposure by –1.5 EV, the rich-  
ness of the sunset is preserved.  
When using the fill-flash to reduce harsh shadows on the subject’s face caused by bright illumina-  
tion or direct sunlight, flash compensation can be used to change the ratio between the highlights  
and shadows. The fill-flash will affect the darkness of the shadows without affecting the area illumi-  
nated by the main light source. By decreasing the flash output with a negative Ev setting, the shad-  
ows will receive less light than with normal fill-flash and be harder, but will bring out subtle details  
in the shadows that would not appear without the flash. Increasing the flash output by using a posi-  
tive Ev setting will soften and can even nearly eliminate shadows.  
Positive compensation  
No compensation  
Negative compensation  
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CONTRAST COMPENSATION  
The contrast of a scene can be adjusted within seven levels ( 3) with the  
digital effects controller. If a scene is too contrasty, information will be lost; if  
a scene is flat, the image information is not optimized for the recording ability  
of the camera. Control over the contrast gives photographers the ability to  
maximize the image information at the scene.  
The contrast must be set before the image is captured. When changing the  
contrast setting, an icon will appear in the live image. The monitors will indi-  
cate if an increase (+) or decrease (–) in contrast has been made. If contrast is set to any other value  
than zero, the icon will remain on the displays as a warning.  
Flat scene  
High contrast  
scene  
After compensation  
After compensation  
Shooting tips  
Unlike the display on a computer monitor, changes to contrast and color saturation can be diffi-  
cult to see in the EVF and LCD monitor. To ensure the optimum level of contrast or color satura-  
tion, make an automatic bracket (p. 62) or manual bracket of the scene.  
76  
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COLOR-SATURATION COMPENSATION  
The color saturation of a scene can be adjusted within seven levels ( 3) with  
the digital effects controller. Colors can be accented or subdued.  
The color saturation must be set before the image is captured. When chang-  
ing the color-saturation setting, an icon will appear in the live image. The  
monitors will indicate if an increase (+) or decrease (–) in saturation has  
been made. If color saturation is set to any other value than zero, the icon  
will remain on the displays as a warning.  
FILTER  
The overall color of a scene can be adjusted with the digital effects con-  
troller. The Filter effects differ between the color mode in use, see the color  
examples on page 155.  
The filter must be set before the image is captured. When changing the set-  
ting, an icon and numeral will indicate the filter controls in effect. Any  
changes are immediately applied to the monitor image. If the Filter is set to  
any other setting than zero, the icon will remain on the displays as a warn-  
ing.  
When used with Natural Color, Vivid Color or Adobe RGB, the Filter can be adjusted in seven levels  
from +3 to –3. A positive adjustment acts like a warming filter. A negative adjustment has the oppo-  
site effect and makes the image cooler.  
When used with the black-and-white color mode, the Filter can tone the neutral monochrome image  
in eleven steps. The Filter effect cycles from neutral to red, to green, to magenta, to blue, and return-  
ing to neutral. The zero position is neutral. Black and white filter settings have no effect on RAW  
images.  
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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 years to  
master. But the pleasure in making photographs and the joy of capturing a magical moment cannot  
be compared. The guide is an introduction to some basic photographic principles.  
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 the exposure. The smaller the aperture value,  
the shallower the depth of field and the faster the shutter speed needed to make the exposure.  
Usually landscape photographs use a large depth of field (large aperture value) to keep the fore-  
ground and background in focus, and portraits use a shallow depth of field (small aperture value) to  
separate the subject from the back-  
ground.  
Depth of field also changes with focal  
length. The smaller the focal length, the  
greater the depth of field; the longer the  
focal length, the shallower the depth of field.  
78  
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The shutter controls not only exposure, but also the  
ability to stop motion. Fast shutter speeds are used  
in sport photography to stop action. Slow shutter  
speeds can be used to show the flow of motion  
such as water cascading over a waterfall. The use  
of a tripod is recommended 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. 34). The image can be deleted if  
not acceptable and another test image can be taken at a different setting.  
WHAT IS AN EV? WHAT IS A STOP?  
Ev stands for exposure value. Stop refers to click stops in mechanical cameras. A change of one Ev  
or one stop will adjust the exposure calculated by the camera by a factor of two – +1.0 Ev is twice as  
much light, -1.0 Ev is one half as much light, +2.0 Ev is four times as much light, and -2.0 Ev is one  
quarter as much light.  
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NAVIGATING THE RECORDING-MODE MENU  
In recording mode, press the menu button (1) to activate the menu. The menu button also turns off  
the recording-mode menu after making settings. The four-way key of the controller (2) are used to  
move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller will enter a setting.  
Activate the recording-mode menu with the menu button (1). The “Basic” tab at the top of the menu will  
be highlighted. Use the left/right keys of the controller (2) to highlight the appropriate menu tab; the  
menus will change as the tabs are highlighted.  
When the desired menu section is displayed, use the up/down key (2) to scroll through the menu  
options. Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed.  
Press the right controller key to display the settings; the current setting is indicated by an arrow. To  
return to the menu options, press the left key.  
Use the up/down key to highlight the new  
setting.  
Press the central button of the controller  
to select the highlighted setting.  
Rec.  
Basic Adv.1  
AF mode  
Adv.2  
1
Single  
Once a setting 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.  
Image size  
Quality  
2560 X 1920  
Standard  
Fill-flash  
1
Flash mode  
Wireless Ch.  
Flash control  
2
ADI flash  
80  
RECORDING MODE MENU  
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Basic  
Advanced 1  
AF mode  
Single  
Spot AF/AEL  
AF/AE hold  
AF/AE toggle  
AE hold  
Continuous  
2560 X 1920  
1600 x 1200  
1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
RAW  
Image size  
AE toggle  
Mag. button  
Interval  
Digital zoom  
Elec. mag.  
Quality  
1 – 10, 15, 20,  
30, 45, 60 min.  
Super fine  
Extra fine  
Fine  
Frames  
2 – 99 frames  
Still image  
Movie  
Interval mode  
Standard  
Fill-flash  
Red-eye  
Rear sync.  
Wireless  
1 – 4  
Flash mode  
UHS movie  
On / Off  
Advanced 2  
Data imprint  
Off  
Wireless Ch.  
Flash control  
YYYY/MM/DD  
MM/DD/hr:min  
Text  
ADI flash  
Pre-flash TTL  
Manual  
Text + ID#  
Vivid (sRGB)  
Nat. (sRGB)  
Adobe RGB  
B&W  
Color mode  
Sharpness  
Please refer to the following sections for  
descriptions of the menu options and their  
settings.  
Solarization  
Hard (+)  
Normal  
Rec  
Text input  
See page 82 for infor-  
mation on the electron-  
ic keyboard.  
Soft (–)  
Exp. bracket  
0.3, 0.5, 1.0Ev  
10 sec/2 sec/Off  
15 sec/5 sec/Off  
Instant playback  
Voice memo  
select enter  
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ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD  
The electronic keyboard is used to enter text for imprinting data or for naming new folders. The key-  
board automatically appears when text needs to be entered.  
To enter text,  
Text block  
Delete key Case key  
simply use the  
four-way keys of  
Rec.  
Text input  
the controller to  
highlight the  
desired character  
and then press the cen-  
tral button of the controller  
to enter it. Entering the case key will  
switch between upper and lower  
case; the change is immediately  
displayed on the keyboard. When  
complete, highlight the enter key  
and press the controller to enter the  
text and complete the operation. To  
cancel the operation, press the  
menu button.  
select  
enter  
Enter key  
To delete text, move the cursor into the text block at the top of the screen. Use the cursor to highlight  
the character to be deleted. Press the down key; the delete key will be highlighted. Press the center  
of the controller to delete the character.  
To replace a character, repeat the previous procedure, but when the delete key is highlighted, use  
the four-way keys to highlight the character to replace the one highlighted in the text box; press the  
controller to replace the character.  
82  
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AUTOFOCUS MODES  
This digital camera has two autofocusing modes. The single and continuous AF are selected in the  
basic section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80).  
Single AF – for general purpose photography and static subjects. When the shutter-release button is  
pressed partway down, the autofocus system locks onto the subject in the focus area and will remain  
locked until the shutter button is released. Direct Manual focus (p. 125) can be used with single AF.  
Continuous AF – for moving subjects. When the shutter-release button is pressed partway down, the  
autofocus system will activate and continue to focus until the exposure is made. When using continu-  
ous AF with the wide focus area (p. 44), the AF sensors used to indicate the point of focus will not be  
displayed.  
The continuous AF mode may have difficulty focusing on extremely fast subjects. In this situation, use  
manual focus to focus on a point in the subject’s path and release the shutter just before the subject  
reaches that point; there is a slight delay between the time the shutter-release button is pressed and  
the shutter opens.  
Single AF indicator – focus confirmed and locked.  
Continuous AF indicator – focus confirmed.  
Red focus indicator – the subject is too close or a special situation is preventing the AF sys-  
tem from focusing. The shutter can be released.  
Do not confuse these icons with the metering-mode icons on page 51.  
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IMAGE SIZE  
Changing image size affects the number of pixels in each image. The greater the image size, the  
larger the file size. Choose image size based on the final use of the image – smaller images will be  
more suitable for web sites whereas larger sizes will produce higher quality prints.  
Image size must be set before the picture is taken. Changes made to image size are displayed on  
the data panel, EVF, and LCD monitor. Image size must be reset manually. See navigating the  
recording-mode menu on page 80.  
EVF and  
LCD monitor  
Number of pixels  
(hor. X vert.)  
Data panel  
Image size  
2560  
1600  
1280  
640  
2560 X 1920  
1600 X 1200  
1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
FULL  
UXGA  
SXGA  
VGA  
ABOUT THE FRAME COUNTER  
The frame counter indicates the approximate number of images that can be stored on the memory  
card at the camera’s image quality and size settings. If the settings are changed, the frame counter  
adjusts accordingly. Because the calculation is based on average file sizes, the actual image may not  
change the counter or may decrease it by more than one.  
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IMAGE QUALITY  
This camera has five image quality settings: raw, super fine, extra fine, fine, and standard. Always  
select the desired setting before taking the picture. See navigating the recording-mode menu on page  
80.  
Image quality controls the rate of compression, but has no effect on the number of pixels in the  
image. The higher the image quality, the lower the rate of compression and the larger the file sizes.  
The super-fine mode will produce the highest quality image and the largest image files. If the eco-  
nomical use of the memory card is important, use the standard mode; standard image quality is suffi-  
cient for normal usage.  
File formats vary with the image quality setting. Super fine images are saved as a TIFF file. The extra  
fine, fine, and standard settings are formatted as a JPEG file. Super fine, extra fine, fine, and stan-  
dard files are saved as 24-bit color or 8-bit monochrome images. RAW creates a high-quality file for-  
mat that can only be read with the DiMAGE Viewer software.  
If the image quality is changed, the data panel will display the approximate number of images that  
can be recorded at that setting on the installed memory card. One memory card can contain images  
with differing qualities.  
Data  
panel  
EVF and  
LCD monitor  
RAW data  
RAW  
S. FIN  
X.FIN  
FINE  
STD.  
Super fine  
Extra fine  
Fine – the default setting.  
Standard  
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ABOUT SUPER-FINE AND RAW IMAGE QUALITY  
Because super-fine and RAW data files are so large, the UHS continuous-advance drive mode can-  
not be used with these image-quality settings. After capturing five RAW or three super fine images  
successively, there will be a a few minutes delay while the images are being saved to the memory  
card. The access lamp will glow and the monitors will be blank during this period.  
In the RAW image-quality mode, the image size is set at full and cannot be changed. The image size  
will not be displayed on the monitors. The digital zoom, enlarged playback, data imprinting, and print  
functions cannot be used.  
Unlike the other image-quality modes, RAW image data is unprocessed and requires image process-  
ing before it can be used. To view the RAW data, the DiMAGE Viewer software is required. This soft-  
ware can reconstruct the image and apply the same image processing controls as the camera. RAW  
data is saved as a 12-bit file; the DiMAGE Viewer software can convert this data into 24-bit or 48-bit  
TIFF files.  
A RAW image is stored with a file header that contains white-balance information, changes made to  
contrast, saturation, and color with the Digital Effects Control, any image processing applied in a sub-  
ject-program setting, and changes to sharpness. The changes in camera sensitivity are applied to the  
RAW data; ISO values can be manually set to control noise (p. 48).  
The camera’s image-processing controls apply the affect of the color modes to the live image dis-  
played on the monitors, but the stored data may not be influenced by the setting. The black and white  
color mode has no effect on the final image; a raw image taken in the black-and-white color mode  
can be restored to a color picture. However, black and white filter effects (p. 77) are not applied to a  
RAW image. The saturation difference between the Natural Color and Vivid Color modes is preserved  
in the RAW data, but the solarization color mode does not alter the image data. For more on color  
modes, see page 98.  
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IMAGE-FILE SIZE AND MEMORY CARD CAPACITY  
The number of images that can be stored on a memory card is determined by the size of the card  
and the file size of the images. The actual file size is determined by the scene; some subjects can be  
compressed further than others. The tables below list approximate file sizes based on average file  
sizes.  
Approximate file sizes.  
Image size  
2560 X 1920  
1600 X 1200  
1280 X 960  
640 X 480  
Image quality  
RAW  
9.6MB  
14.2MB  
4.0MB  
2.1MB  
1.1MB  
–
–
–
Super fine  
Extra fine  
Fine  
5.6MB  
1.7MB  
1.0MB  
620KB  
3.6MB  
1.3MB  
680KB  
420KB  
1.0MB  
530KB  
280KB  
200KB  
Standard  
Approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16MB CompactFlash card.  
RAW  
1
1
2
5
10  
–
2
7
14  
23  
–
4
11  
21  
33  
–
Super fine  
Extra fine  
Fine  
15  
36  
48  
65  
Standard  
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FLASH MODES  
The flash mode can be changed in the basic section of  
the recording-mode menu (p. 80). For the flash to fire,  
the unit must be manually lifted. The flash will fire in the  
selected mode regardless of the amount of ambient  
light. When the flash is used, the camera sensitivity is  
automatically set between ISO 100 and 200. This set-  
ting can be changed using the function dial (p. 48). The  
auto-white-balance setting will give priority to the flash’s  
color temperature. If preset or custom white-balance  
settings are used, priority is given to the active setting’s  
color temperature.  
Data  
EVF & LCD  
panel monitor  
Fill-flash  
–
Red-eye reduc-  
tion  
Rear flash  
sync  
–
Wireless  
WL  
FILL FLASH  
Fill-flash can be used as the main or sup-  
plementary light. In low-light conditions, the  
flash will act as the main source of illumina-  
tion and overpower the ambient light. Under  
strong sunlight or in backlit situations, the  
fill-flash can reduce harsh shadows.  
RED-EYE REDUCTION  
Red-eye reduction is used when taking photographs of people or animals in low-light conditions. The  
red-eye effect is caused by light reflected from the retina of the eye. The camera will fire a pre-flash  
before the main flash to contract the pupils of the subject’s eyes.  
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REAR FLASH SYNC  
Rear flash sync is used with long exposures to make trailing  
lights or blurring appear to follow rather than proceed the  
subject. The effect is not apparent if the shutter speed is too  
fast and stops the subject’s motion.  
When the shutter is released, a pre-flash will fire. This pre-  
flash does not exposure the subject, but is used in the calcu-  
lation of the flash exposure. The flash will fire again just  
before the shutter closes.  
Camera Notes  
Slow shutter sync can be set in P and A exposure modes. This flash mode controls the shutter  
and aperture to balance the ambient and flash illumination. When photographing a subject out-  
side at night, the ambient-light exposure will be balanced to bring out the details in the back-  
ground with the flash exposure for the subject. Because shutter speeds can be longer than  
usual, the use of a tripod is recommended.  
1. Set the camera to the P or A exposure mode (p. 48).  
2. Set “AE hold” or “AE toggle” in the Spot AF/AEL option of the advanced 1 section of the  
recording-mode menu (p. 80).  
3. Frame the subject on the monitors.  
4. Press the spot AF lock button to lock the exposure.  
5. Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the focus. Compose the image on the  
monitors.  
6. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture.  
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WIRELESS/REMOTE FLASH  
On-camera  
flash.  
Wireless/Remote flash allows the camera to control an off-  
camera Minolta 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D) flash unit with-  
out the need of a cable. Single or multiple flash units can be  
placed around the subject to create different lighting effects.  
The camera’s built-in flash fires to control the off-camera  
flash units rather than to illuminate the subject. See your  
local camera dealer about Minolta lighting accessories.  
Wireless/  
Remote  
flash.  
Slide the cap off the accessory shoe (p. 72).  
Slide the Minolta 5600HS(D) or 3600HS(D) flash on the  
accessory shoe until the safety lock engages (1).  
1
Turn on the camera and flash unit.  
Set the camera to the wireless flash mode in the basic sec-  
tion of the recording-mode menu (p. 80). This will simultane-  
ously set the flash to the wireless mode and set the camera  
to the flash’s wireless channel.  
Rec.  
Basic  
Adv. 1  
Adv. 2  
AF mode  
Image size  
Quality  
Fill-flash  
Red-eye  
Rear sync.  
Wireless  
Flash mode  
Wireless Ch.  
Flash control  
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2
Press and hold the mounting-foot-release button (2) to dis-  
engage the safety catch to remove the flash unit from the  
camera.  
Position the camera and flash around the subject. See the  
following page for the camera-to-subject and flash-to-subject  
ranges. Make sure no objects come between the camera  
and flash unit.  
Raise the built-in flash on the camera. The wireless flash indicator (WL) will be dis-  
played in the top left corner of the live image. The number next to it indicates the  
channel in use. Press the shutter-release button partway down to charge the built-  
in flash; the flash signal will turn white when charged.  
When the 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D) flash is charged, the AF illuminator on the  
front of the unit will blink (3). Take a picture as described in the basic recording  
section on page 27.  
The flash units can be test fired by pressing the spot AE lock button on the cam-  
era. If the flash does not fire, change the camera, flash, or subject position. The  
spot AF/AEL option in the basic section of the recording-mode menu must be set  
to AE hold or AE toggle. If AF/AE hold or AF/AE toggle is active, the flash will not  
fire. The slow-shutter-sync function will be active in P and A exposure modes (p.  
89).  
3
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WIRELESS/REMOTE CAMERA AND FLASH RANGES  
Flash-to-subject  
distance  
Camera-to-subject  
distance  
The camera and flash must  
be within 5m or 16.4 ft of  
the subject.  
Minimum camera-to-subject distance  
Camera sensitivity setting  
Aperture  
ISO 100  
ISO 200/AUTO  
2.0 m / 6.6 ft  
ISO 400  
ISO 800  
3.9 m / 12.8 ft  
ƒ/2.8  
ƒ/4  
ƒ/5.6  
ƒ/8  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
2.8 m / 9.2 ft  
2.0 m / 6.6 ft  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
0.7 m / 2.3 ft  
0.5 m / 1.6 ft  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
0.7 m / 2.3 ft  
2.8 m / 9.2 ft  
2.0 m / 6.6 ft  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
Minimum flash-to-subject distance  
ƒ/2.8  
ƒ/4  
ƒ/5.6  
ƒ/8  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
0.7 m / 2.3 ft  
0.5 m / 1.6 ft1  
0.4 m / 1.3 ft2  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
0.7 m / 2.3 ft  
0.5 m / 1.6 ft1  
2.0 m / 6.6 ft  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
0.7 m / 2.3 ft  
2.8 m / 9.2 ft  
2.0 m / 6.6 ft  
1.4 m / 4.6 ft  
1.0 m / 3.2 ft  
1 Maximum flash-to-subject distance for the 3600HS(D) for these conditions is 3.5 m / 11.5 ft.  
2 Maximum flash-to-subject distance for the 3600HS(D) for these conditions is 2.5 m / 8.2 ft.  
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NOTES ON WIRELESS/REMOTE FLASH  
Wireless/Remote flash performs best under subdued light or interior lighting. Under bright light  
sources, the flash may not be able to detect the control signals from the camera’s built-in flash.  
The wireless/remote system has four channels so that multiple lighting systems can be used in the  
same area without affecting each other. Once the camera and flash are separated, the wireless chan-  
nel can be changed. On the camera, the channel can be selected in the basic section of the record-  
ing-mode menu (p. 80). Refer to the flash’s instruction manual on how the set the wireless channel.  
The flash and the camera must be set to the same channel.  
When not using off-camera flash units, always turn off the wireless flash mode in the basic section of  
the recording-mode menu, or inaccurate flash exposures will result. The 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D)  
flash units can be reset simultaneously with the camera. Simply mount the flash unit in the accessory  
shoe and change the wireless flash mode setting on the menu to another flash mode.  
This camera does not have a preset flash sync speed. In program (P) or aperture-priority (A) expo-  
sure mode, the shutter speed will not fall below the camera-shake limit unless the slow-sync function  
is activated (p. 89). When using shutter-priority (S) or manual (M) exposure mode, any shutter speed  
can be used in the exposure.  
The flash can synchronize with the camera at any shutter speed, the 5600HS(D) and 3600HS(D)  
high-speed sync function is unnecessary. The Wireless/Remote Flash Controller is not compatible  
with this camera.  
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FLASH CONTROL  
ADI, pre-flash TTL, and manual flash controls are available. Flash control is changed in the basic  
section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80).  
ADI flash metering – Advanced Distance Integration. This mode combines distance information from  
the autofocusing system with information from a pre-flash exposure. Unlike conventional TTL flash  
metering, ADI is not influenced by the reflectance of the subject or background ensuring optimum  
flash exposures.  
Pre-flash TTL – calculates flash exposure with a pre-flash only. This mode must be used when using  
close-up filters or filters that reduce the amount of light entering the camera such as neutral density  
filters. Pre-flash TTL must be used when a diffuser is attached to the built-in flash or an external flash  
unit.  
The camera will automatically switch from ADI metering to pre-flash TTL when a low-contrast subject  
is preventing the autofocus system from focusing. If the autofocus system cannot lock on the subject,  
press the AF/MF button and manually focus; the ADI metering will remain in effect.  
Manual flash control – fires the flash at full power, 1/4 power, or 1/16 power. Because no pre-flash is  
used, it can be used to fire slave flash units.  
Set the manual flash control on the menu and return to  
1
the recording mode. Set the digital effects switch to the  
exposure-compensation position (1).  
Press and hold the digital-effects button (2) and adjust the  
flash power by using the up/down key of the controller (3).  
3
2
Release the digital-effects button (2) to set the adjustment.  
Flash power  
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The chart lists approximate guide numbers for manual flash calculations. The following equations are  
useful in determining the guide number, aperture (ƒn), or flash-to-subject distance required for expo-  
sure.  
Guide no. (for distance in meters / feet)  
Guide no.  
= distance  
ƒn.  
Camera sensitivity (ISO)  
100 200 400  
8 / 26 11 / 36 16 / 52 22 / 72  
Manual  
flash  
800  
Guide no. = ƒn. X distance  
Full (1/1)  
1/4  
4 / 13  
5.6 / 18  
2.8 / 9.2  
8 / 26  
4 / 13  
11 / 36  
5.6 / 18  
Guide no.  
= ƒn.  
distance  
1/16  
2 / 6.6  
MAGNIFICATION BUTTON AND ELECTRONIC MAGNIFICATION  
The magnification button can be used to activate the digital zoom (p. 46) or enlarge the center of the  
image by 4X to aid manual focusing. The function of the magnification button is selected in the  
advanced 1 section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80).  
When electronic magnification is selected on the menu, the digital zoom is canceled. Electronic mag-  
nification can only be used during manual focus. The magnified display cannot be used to set the  
exposure.  
Press the magnification button on the back of the camera. The magnifi-  
er icon is displayed on the monitors when electronic magnification is in  
effect.  
Pressing the magnification button a second time cancels the function.  
When the shutter-release button is pressed partway down, the magni-  
fied display is canceled showing the entire image area.  
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SPOT AF/AEL  
When the spot-AE lock button is pressed and held, the exposure is locked. How the spot-AE lock but-  
ton operates and what functions it controls can be changed in the advanced 1 section of the record-  
ing-mode menu (p. 80). If one of the AF/AE settings are selected, the metering mode set with the  
function dial will be employed when the spot-AE lock button is used.  
Recording-mode  
menu setting  
While pressing and holding the spot-AE lock button, the focus and exposure are set and  
AF/AE hold  
locked. These settings will remain in effect until the spot button is released.  
Pressing and releasing the spot-AE lock button will set and lock the focus and exposure. The  
AF/AE toggle  
settings are canceled when the spot-AE lock button is pressed again.  
The camera’s default setting. While pressing and holding the spot-AE lock button, the expo-  
AE hold  
sure is set and locked based on the spot metering circle. This setting will remain in effect until  
the spot-AE lock button is released.  
Pressing and releasing the spot-AE lock button will set and lock the exposure based on the  
spot metering circle. The setting is canceled when the spot button is pressed again.  
AE toggle  
The autofocus and auto-exposure settings will not reset after an image has been captured until the  
spot-AE lock button has been released (hold setting) or pressed again (toggle setting).  
The AE hold or AE toggle setting can be used to active the slow-shutter-sync flash mode in P or A  
exposure modes (p. 89).  
When the camera is set to continuous AF, focus can locked when the spot-AE lock button is set to  
AF/AE hold or toggle. If activated in the advanced 1 section of the setup menu, Direct Manual Focus  
(p. 125) can be used with continuous AF when the focus is locked.  
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DATA IMPRINTING  
Data can be printed directly on the image. The imprinting function must be activated before the image  
is taken. Once activated, data will continue to be imprinted until the function is reset; a yellow bar is  
displayed behind the distance indicator and frame counter on the monitors to indicate the imprinting  
function is active. Data imprinting is controlled in the advanced 2 section of the recording-mode menu  
(p. 80). Data imprinting cannot be used with super fine or RAW images or with UHS continuous-  
advance drive mode.  
Recording-mode  
menu setting  
Data imprinting function disabled.  
No  
Prints the year, month, and day the image was taken. The date format can be changed in the  
advanced 2 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
YYYY/MM/DD  
Prints the date and time the image was taken. The date and time can be set in the  
advanced 2 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
MM/DD/hr:min  
Up to 16 characters can be printed on the image. When this setting is selected, the electronic  
keyboard will appear (p. 82).  
Text  
Up to ten characters and a serial number can be printed on the image. As each successive  
image is captured, the ID number will increase by one. When this setting is selected, the elec-  
Text + ID#  
tronic keyboard will appear (p. 82). The serial number is reset every time the setting is made.  
The data is imprinted in the lower right corner of the image when viewed horizontally. Only one  
imprinting format can be employed at one time. The data is printed directly on the photograph writing  
over the image information.  
Camera Notes  
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 can be viewed with the camera in  
the playback or quick-view mode, or on a computer with the DiMAGE Viewer software.  
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COLOR MODE  
The color mode controls whether a still image is color or black and white. This must be set before the  
image is recorded. The color mode is set in the advanced 2 section of the recording-mode menu (p.  
80). The live image on the monitors will reflect the selected color mode. The color mode has no effect  
on image file size.  
Natural Color – reproduces the colors in the scene faithfully. This  
mode uses no monitor indicator when active. Employs the sRGB  
color space.  
Vivid Color – increases the saturation of the colors in the scene.  
The increased saturation affects the RAW image data. Employs  
the sRGB color space.  
Adobe RGB – like Natural Color, this color mode reproduces  
the colors in the scene faithfully, but uses the extended gamut  
of the Adobe RGB color space.  
Black & White – produces monochrome images. Images can  
be toned using the Filter setting on the Digital Effects Control  
(p. 73).  
Solarization – produces a partial reversal of tones in the  
image. The Digital Effects Control’s exposure compensation  
function can be used to accentuate the solarization effect  
(p. 73). Contrast, saturation, and filter adjustments cannot  
be made. This color mode does not affect RAW images.  
For more on RAW image quality and color mode, see page  
86.  
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ABOUT ADOBE RGB  
Adobe RGB has a larger color gamut than the more common sRGB. The size of the gamut limits the  
colors that can be reproduced; the larger the gamut, the more colors. If the image will be printed out  
with a high-quality printer, the use of the Adobe RGB color mode is recommended over the sRGB  
color modes of Natural and Vivid Color.  
Color matching must be used when opening Adobe-RGB image files. When using the DiMAGE  
Viewer, the color matching function must be active and the color space set to Original Color Space  
(Adobe RGB) in the color preferences window, see color matching in the advanced setup section in  
the DiMAGE Viewer manual. DiMAGE Viewer version 2.1 or later is required to open Adobe RGB  
images.  
When recording Adobe RGB images, it is recommended to embed the color space into the image  
file. Color profiles are embedded in the custom section of the setup menu (p. 118). For more on  
embedding color profiles, see page 131.  
SHARPNESS  
The sharpness of the image can be altered. This must be set before the image is recorded.  
Sharpness is set in the advanced 2 section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80). If any setting other  
than normal is selected, the sharpness icon will be displayed on the monitors with the degree of  
sharpness.  
Recording-mode EVF and LCD  
menu settings  
monitor display  
Increases the sharpness of the image, accentuating  
details.  
Hard (+)  
No filter applied.  
Normal  
Soft (–)  
–
Softens the details of the image.  
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INSTANT PLAYBACK  
After an image is captured, it can be displayed on the monitors for two or ten seconds before being  
saved. When using the continuous-advance, HS continuous advance, or bracketing mode, an index  
display is used. With UHS continuous advance, only the last frame of the series is displayed. Instant-  
playback is activated and the length of the playback period is set in the advanced 2 section of the  
recording-mode menu (80).  
If the central button of the controller is pressed during the instant playback, the displayed  
image(s) will immediately be saved and the playback canceled.  
Delete this frame?  
To delete an image during the instant playback, press the QV/delete  
button. A confirmation screen will appear.  
Yes  
No  
Use the left/right keys of the controller to high-  
light “YES.” “NO” will cancel the operation.  
Press the central button of the con-  
troller to delete the image. When a  
continuous or bracketed series of  
images is captured, the entire series  
will be erased.  
Pressing the display-information  
button switches between dis-  
playing the image with and with-  
out the guidance bar.  
: delete  
: store  
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VOICE MEMO  
3
Voice memo allows a five or fifteen second audio track to be record-  
ed with a still image. The function is activated and the length of the  
recording time is set in the advanced 2 section of the recording-  
mode menu (p. 80). When the function is active, the microphone icon  
is displayed on the data panel and LCD monitor. 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  
recording has started. A bar graph (1) will display the amount of  
recorded time. The recording will automatically stop when the set  
time has elapsed. To cancel the recording and erase the audio track,  
press the down key of the controller (2) or the shutter-release button  
(3) before the recording has finished.  
2
Voice memo is attached to the last image of a continuous-advance  
or bracketing series (p. 58). Voice memo is disabled with the interval  
drive mode. The voice memo can be played back in Quick View and  
the playback mode (p. 34). Images with voice-memo audio tracks  
have a note icon displayed with them.  
Auto  
Recording audio  
: cancel  
1
Recording Tips  
When making audio recordings, be careful not to touch or  
cover the microphone. The quality of the recording is propor-  
tional to the subject to microphone distance. For best results,  
hold the camera approximately 20cm (8in) from your mouth.  
Microphone  
101  
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MOVIE RECORDING  
Up to sixty seconds of digital video with or without audio can be recorded. The motion JPEG image is  
320 X 240 pixels (QVGA). The effective image area is 308 X 240 pixels; two thin lines will appear to  
the left and right of the image when played back.  
Set the main dial to movie recording (1) position. Before  
recording, the data-panel and monitor frame counters will  
show the maximum time in seconds that can be recorded with  
the next movie clip. 60 seconds will be displayed until the  
remaining number of seconds that can be recorded falls below  
one minute.  
2
Total recording time for the next movie clip.  
1
Shooting digital video is simple. Place the spot focus cross-  
hair sensor on the subject. Press the shutter-release button all  
the way down and release to start recording (2). The camera  
will continue to record until the recording time is used or the  
shutter-release button is pressed again. When recording, the  
monitor frame counter will countdown the remaining time.  
Countdown in seconds  
Recording indicator  
102  
MOVIE RECORDING  
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Movie files are recorded at approximately 297KB per second. A 16MB Compactflash card can store  
about 50 seconds of digital video. Actual time depends on the subject and the amount of image and  
audio data stored on the card.  
Manual focus can be used before or during movie recording. The zooming ring can be used during  
recording, but the microphone may pick up the noise of the mechanism. The audio can be turned off  
with the movie menu. Digital Effects Controller (p. 73) can be used to adjust exposure, contrast, color  
saturation, and filter settings; the filter effect is disabled with Night Movies. The list below indicates  
which functions can be used, which are fixed, and which are disabled in movie mode.  
Movie menu To set movie mode and audio (p. 104)  
Display information button All displays available (p. 41)  
Macro mode Available (p. 47)  
Continuous AF (without audio)  
Focus mode (p. 81)  
Single AF (with audio)  
Autofocus area Spot (fixed)  
Exposure mode Program (fixed) (p. 53)  
Metering mode Center-weighted (fixed) (p. 51)  
Camera Sensitivity (ISO) Auto (fixed) (p. 70)  
White balance Auto white balance (fixed) (p. 68)  
Flash Disabled  
Digital zoom (Electronic magnification) Disabled  
Digital-subject-program button Disabled  
Function Dial Disabled  
Spot AE lock button Disabled  
103  
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NAVIGATING THE MOVIE MENU  
Movie  
Basic  
Press the menu button to active the menu.  
Audio  
On  
Movie mode  
Auto select  
Use the up/down key to highlight the option whose setting needs  
to be changed.  
Press the right controller key to display the settings; the current  
setting is indicated by an arrow. To return to the menu options,  
press the left key.  
Use the up/down keys to highlight the new setting.  
Press the central button of the controller to select the highlighted setting.  
Once a setting is made, the cursor returns to the menu options and the new setting is displayed. To  
return to the movie mode, press the menu button.  
The audio option allows a movie to be recorded with or  
Basic  
without an audio track. The focus mode changes with  
the audio setting. If audio is on, the focus is fixed when  
recording begins. If audio is off, focus will continuously  
adjust during recording.  
Audio  
On / Off  
Movie mode  
Auto select  
Night movie  
STD. movie  
The movie mode option selects the type of movie recorded. Standard movie produces a color image.  
Night Movie can record under low light levels and produces a black and white movie file. Auto select  
automatically switch between the two movie modes depending on the lighting conditions. When  
recording, the mode is fixed. While Night Movies can be recorded under normal conditions, however  
bright outdoor lighting may be beyond the exposure control range.  
104  
MOVIE RECORDING  
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PRO-AUTO BUTTON  
Simply pressing the pro-auto button (1) resets the camera to pro-  
grammed and automatic functions in the movie recording mode. The  
camera’s systems work together to bring professional results leaving  
the operator free to concentrate on aesthetic decisions. The pro-auto  
button affects functions in either the recording (p. 42) or movie modes  
only when the mode is in use.  
1
Exposure compensation  
Contrast compensation  
Color-saturation compensation  
Filter  
0.0 (p. 74)  
0 (p. 76)  
0 (p. 77)  
Normal (p. 77)  
Auto select (p. 104)  
Movie mode  
The last camera settings before the pro-auto but-  
ton is pressed can be reset; press and hold the  
function button and press the pro-auto button.  
105  
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NAVIGATING THE PLAYBACK-MODE MENU  
In playback mode, press the menu button (1) to activate the menu. The menu button also turns off  
the playback-mode menu when the settings have been completed. The four-way key of the controller  
(2) are used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the controller will enter a setting.  
Activate the playback-mode menu with the menu button (1). The “Basic” tab will be highlighted. Use the  
left/right keys of the controller (2) to highlight the appropriate menu tab; the menus will change as the  
tabs are highlighted.  
When the desired menu is displayed, use the up/down key (2) to scroll through the menu options.  
Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed.  
Press the right controller key to display the settings; the current setting is indicated by an arrow. To  
return to the menu options, press the left key.  
Use the up/down key to highlight the new  
setting.  
Press the controller to select the  
highlighted setting.  
Play  
Basic  
Delete  
Format  
Lock  
Index format  
Adv.1  
Adv.2  
1
–
Once a setting has been selected,  
the cursor will return to the menu  
options and the new setting will be  
displayed. Settings can continue to  
be made. To return to the playback  
mode, press the menu button.  
–
–
9 frames  
2
106 PLAYBACK MODE MENU  
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Basic  
Delete  
This frame  
All frames  
Marked frames  
Enter  
Yes No  
Choosing “Yes” will execute the  
operation, “No” will cancel it.  
Format  
Lock  
This frame  
All frames  
Marked frames  
Unlock frames  
9 frames  
For information on frame-selection  
screens, see page 108.  
Index format  
4 frames  
Advanced 1  
Slide show  
Playback  
Enter  
All frames  
Marked frames  
1 – 60 sec.  
Yes / No  
Pressing the down key of the controller will  
cancel the slide show playback and return to  
the playback-mode menu.  
Duration  
Repeat  
Advanced 2  
Print  
This frame  
Number of  
copies  
All frames  
Marked frames  
Yes / No  
Index print  
1 Copying to camera memory.  
Cancel print  
All frames – F  
All frames – C  
This frame  
Yes No  
2 Change CF card.  
Copy  
3 Copying to CF card.  
4 Copying completed.  
Marked frames  
Refer to the following sections for  
descriptions of the menu options  
and their settings.  
New folder  
name  
107  
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FRAME-SELECTION SCREEN  
When a marked-frames setting is chosen on a menu, the frame selection screen will appear. This  
screen allows multiple files to be selected. The index format of the screen can be changed in the  
basic section of the playback-mode menu (p. 106).  
Play  
The left/right keys of  
the controller move the  
yellow border to select  
the image.  
The up key of the  
controller selects the  
frame; when selected,  
an icon will appear  
next to the  
thumbnail. The down  
key will deselect the  
image removing the  
icon.  
The menu button  
cancels the screen and  
any operation made.  
: select  
: confirm  
: enter  
The garbage-can icon indicates the file is selected for deletion.  
The key icon indicates the file is locked or selected to be locked.  
The check icon indicates the file is selected for the slide show or to be copied to  
another memory card.  
The printer icon indicates the image is selected for printing. The number next to the  
icon shows the number of copies requested.  
108  
PLAYBACK MODE MENU  
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DELETING IMAGES  
Deleting permanently erases the image. Once deleted, an image cannot be recovered. Care  
should be taken when using the delete function.  
Single, multiple, or all images in a folder can be deleted with the playback-mode menu. Before an  
image is deleted, a confirmation screen will appear; choosing “Yes” will execute the operation, “No”  
will cancel the operation. To delete images in other folders, the folder must first be selected in the  
advanced 1 section of the setup menu (p. 118). 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 thumbnail 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 disap-  
pear. Continue until all the images to be deleted are marked. Press the controller to continue (the  
confirmation screen will appear), or press the menu button to cancel the operation and return to the  
playback menu. On the confirmation screen, highlighting and entering “Yes” will delete the marked  
images.  
The delete function will only erase unlocked images. If an image is locked, it must be unlocked before  
it can be deleted.  
109  
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FORMATTING MEMORY CARDS  
When a memory card is formatted, all data on the card is erased.  
The formatting function is used to erase all data on a memory card. Before formatting a card, copy  
the data to a computer or storage device. Locking files will not protect them from being deleted when  
the card is formatted. Always format the memory card using the camera; never use a computer to for-  
mat a card.  
When the format option is selected and entered, a confirmation screen will appear. Choosing “Yes”  
will format the card, choosing “No” will cancel the formatting operation. never remove the card while it  
is being formatted. A screen will appear to indicate the card has been formatted; press the central  
button of the controller to return to the playback menu.  
If the card-not-recognized message appears, the inserted card in the camera may need to be format-  
ted. A memory card used in another camera may need to be formatted before being used. If the  
unable-to-use-card message appears, the card is not compatible with the camera and should not be  
formatted.  
Minolta History  
Innovation and creativity has always been a driving  
force behind Minolta products. The Electro-zoom X  
was purely an exercise in camera design. It was  
unveiled at Photokina in Germany in 1966.  
The Electro-zoom X was an electronically controlled  
aperture-priority mechanical SLR with a built-in 30 –  
120mm f/3.5 zoom lens giving twenty 12 X 17mm  
images on a roll of 16mm film. The shutter-release  
button and battery chamber are located in the grip.  
Only a few prototypes were built making it one of  
Minolta’s rarest cameras.  
110  
PLAYBACK MODE MENU  
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LOCKING IMAGES  
Single, multiple, or all images in a folder can be locked. A locked image cannot be deleted by either  
the playback-mode menu functions or the QV/delete button. Important images should be locked. To  
lock images in other folders, the folder must first be selected in the advanced 1 section of the setup  
menu (p. 118). The lock option has four settings:  
This frame – The image displayed or highlighted in playback mode will be locked.  
All frames – All images in the folder will be locked.  
Marked frames – To lock or unlock multiple images. When this setting is chosen, the frame-selection  
screen (p. 108) will be displayed. Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight the image to be  
locked. Pressing the up key will mark the thumbnail with the key icon. To unlock an image, highlight it  
with the yellow border and press the down key; the key icon will disappear. Continue until all the  
images are marked. Press the controller to lock the marked frames, or press the menu button to can-  
cel the operation and return to the playback menu.  
Unlock frames – All images in the folder will be unlocked.  
Locking an image will protect it from a delete function. However, the formatting function will erase all  
files on a memory card whether locked or not.  
CHANGING THE INDEX PLAYBACK FORMAT  
The index format option allows  
the index playback to be dis-  
played with four or nine images.  
This affects all index displays.  
111  
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SLIDE SHOW  
The advanced 1 section of the playback-mode menu controls the slide-show function. This function  
automatically displays all still images in a folder in order.  
Image count-  
down / total num-  
ber of images in  
the presentation.  
Press the central button of the controller to  
pause and restart the presentation.  
To cancel the presentation, press the down  
key of the controller.  
112  
PLAYBACK MODE MENU  
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Menu options Settings  
To start the slide-show presentation. Pressing the central button of the con-  
troller will pause the presentation. During the slide show, press the down  
key of the controller to stop the presentation and return to the playback-  
mode menu.  
Slide show  
Enter  
To select all the images in the folder to be displayed in the slide-show pre-  
sentation.  
All frames  
To select specific images in the folder to be displayed in the slide-show pre-  
sentation. When this setting is chosen, the frame-selection screen (p. 108)  
will be displayed. Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight the  
image to be included in the presentation. Pressing the up key will mark the  
image with a check icon. To deselect a marked image, highlight it with the  
yellow border and press the down key; the check icon will disappear.  
Continue until all the images have been edited. Press the controller to set  
the marked frames, or press the menu button to cancel the operation and  
return to the playback menu.  
Playback  
Marked  
Frames  
To select the period each image will be displayed during the slide show.  
Duration  
Repeat  
1 – 60s.  
Yes/No  
Selecting “Yes” will cause the slide show to repeat until it is canceled using  
the down key of the controller. “No” will end the slide show presentation and  
return to the playback-mode menu when all the images have been dis-  
played once.  
113  
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ABOUT DPOF  
This camera is supported by DPOF™ version 1.1. The DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) allows  
direct printing of still images from digital cameras. After the DPOF file is created, the memory card is  
simply taken to a photofinishing service or inserted into the memory -card slot of DPOF compatible  
printers. When a DPOF file is created, a misc. folder is automatically made on the memory card to  
store it (p. 140). DPOF print files cannot be made for RAW images or images with embedded color  
profiles (p. 131).  
CREATING A DPOF PRINT ORDER  
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 memory card has multiple folders, a printing file  
must be created for each folder. Folders are selected in the advanced 1 section of the setup menu (p.  
118).  
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 advanced 1 section of  
the setup menu.  
Marked frames – To chose a group of images to be printed or when the number of copies for each  
image varies. When selected, the frame selection screen will appear (p. 108). Use the left/right keys  
of the controller to highlight an image to be printed. Pressing the up key will mark the image with the  
printer icon. The number next to the icon indicates the number of copies of that image will be printed.  
Pressing the up key will increase the number of copies, pressing the down key will decrease the  
number. A maximum of nine copies can be ordered. To deselect an image for printing, press the  
down key until the the number of copies reaches zero and the printer icon disappears. Continue until  
all the images to be printed are marked. Press the controller to create the DPOF file, or press the  
menu button to cancel the operation and return to the playback menu.  
114  
PLAYBACK MODE MENU  
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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 up/down keys of the con-  
troller to set the number of copies desired. If the all-frames setting was used to create a print order,  
any additional images saved afterwards in the folder will not be included in the order.  
DPOF files cannot be created for images captured with another camera. DPOF data created on other  
cameras will not be recognized.  
ORDERING AN INDEX PRINT  
To create an index print of all the images in the folder, select the Yes  
option. To cancel an index print, simply change the setting to “No.” If  
an index-print order is created, any additional images saved after-  
wards in the folder will not be included in the index print. The num-  
ber of images printed per sheet differs between printers. The infor-  
mation printed with the thumbnails can vary.  
CANCELING A DPOF PRINT ORDER  
The cancel-print option deletes the DPOF files. When the setting is selected, a confirmation screen  
will appear; choosing and entering “Yes” will execute the operation and cancel the print and index-  
print order. After the pictures have been printed, the DPOF file will still remain on the memory card  
and must be canceled manually.  
All frames C – To cancel all printing files on the memory card.  
All frames F – To cancel the printing file in the folder.  
115  
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COPYING IMAGES  
Image files can be copied from one memory card to another. Up to 15MB of data can be transferred.  
Every time the copy function is used, a new folder is automatically created for the image(s).  
This frame – To copy the image currently displayed.  
Marked frames – To copy single or multiple images. When selected, the frame-selection screen (p.  
108) will appear; highlight the images to be copied with the yellow border and then press the up key  
of the controller to mark it with the check icon. To deselect an image, highlight the selected thumbnail  
and press the down key; the check icon will disappear. Continue until all the images are marked.  
Press the central button of the controller to continue, or press the menu button to cancel the opera-  
tion and return to the playback menu.  
If too many images have been selected, a warning will appear and the copy routine will be canceled.  
Divide the number of images into two or three batches.  
Play  
Copy  
Copying to camera memory.  
Please change CF card.  
Copying to CF card.  
1
2
3
4
When the controller is pressed, a screen with four messages will  
be displayed; the messages are highlighted as the copying pro-  
cedure is executed.  
Copying completed.  
Enter  
When the change-CF-card message is highlighted,  
remove the camera’s memory card and insert the  
card to which the image should be copied. Press the  
central button of the controller to continue.  
116  
PLAYBACK MODE MENU  
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Copied to  
101MLTCP.  
Wait until the copy-completed message is highlighted. A new screen  
will appear to indicate the name of the new folder containing the copied  
images; press the central button of the controller to return to the play-  
back menu.  
OK  
The copy-unsuccessful message will appear when one or all of the files could not be copied. Check  
the second memory card to see which files were copied and then repeat the procedure for the files  
that could not be transferred.  
If the images were copied to a new card, the no-images message will be displayed when viewed on  
the camera. Select the copy folder in the advanced 1 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
Minolta History  
On February 20th, 1962, John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth. On board his  
Friendship 7 spacecraft was a Minolta Hi-matic camera to record that historic event. The 4 hour,  
55 minute, and 23 second flight orbited the Earth three times at an average speed of 28,000  
kph (17,500 mph).  
Mr. Glenn visited our Sakai camera factory in Japan on May 24th,  
1963 to plant a palm tree to celebrate the occasion. The palm tree  
is still in the courtyard of the factory and stands over eight meters  
tall (26ft).  
The camera? It was not lost. It is on display at the Smithsonian  
Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in  
Washington D.C. This and other objects from John  
Glenn’s Friendship 7 Mercury flight can be found in  
galley 210, “Apollo to the Moon.”  
117  
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NAVIGATING THE SETUP MENU  
To access the menu, simply turn the main dial to the setup position. The four-way keys of the con-  
troller (1) are used to move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the controller will enter a setting.  
The “Basic” tab will be highlighted. Use the left/right key of the controller to highlight the appropriate  
menu tab; the menus will change as the tabs are highlighted.  
When the desired menu is displayed, use the up/down key to scroll through the menu options. Highlight  
the option whose setting needs to be changed.  
Press the right controller key to display the settings; the current setting is indicated by an arrow.  
• To return to the menu options, press the left key.  
Use the up/down key to highlight the new  
setting.  
Press the central button of the controller to  
select the highlighted setting.  
Setup  
Once a setting has been selected,  
Basic  
Adv.1  
Adv.2  
3
Cust.  
the cursor will return to the menu  
options and the new setting will be  
displayed. Setting can continue to  
be made.  
LCDbrightness  
EVFbrightness  
Audio signals  
Shutter FX  
Volume  
3
1
1
1
2
Language  
English  
118  
SETUP MODE  
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Basic  
Advanced 2  
LCD brightness  
EVF brightness  
Audio signals  
1 – 5  
1 – 5  
Off  
Reset default  
Enter  
EVF autoSwtch  
Auto EVF/LCD  
EVF auto on  
Enter  
1
2
Date/Time set  
Date format  
YYYY/MM/DD  
MM/DD/YYYY  
DD/MM/YYYY  
NTSC / PAL  
1, 3, 5, 10 min.  
Shutter FX  
Volume  
Off  
1
2
Video output  
Power save  
3 (High)  
2
Choosing “Yes” will execute the  
operation, “No” will cancel it.  
Yes No  
1 (Low)  
English  
Deutsch  
Français  
Español  
Language  
Setup  
Date/Time set  
To set the clock and  
calendar, see page  
128.  
2002  
.
7
.
4
16  
:
33  
Enter  
Advanced 1  
Custom  
File # memory  
Folder name  
On / Off  
Std. form  
Date form  
(folder names)  
Enter  
Memory recall  
Function Dial  
DSP button  
Shutter speed  
Aperture  
Ctrl dial (M)  
Select folder  
New folder  
Manual shift  
Bracketing  
On / Off  
Display mode  
Std. display  
Focus frame  
Histogram  
Grid  
DEC control  
Exposure  
Use the right  
key to select the  
display  
modes  
(p. 124).  
Color profile  
Not embedded  
Embed  
Scale  
Delete conf.  
“Yes” / “No”  
Image only  
On  
Text input  
For more information about  
the electronic keyboard, see  
page 82.  
Direct MF  
Off  
select  
enter  
119  
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EVF AND LCD MONITOR BRIGHTNESS  
The brightness of the EVF and LCD monitor is set independently of each other. Brightness is con-  
trolled in five levels from 1 (low) to 5 (high). As each setting is highlighted, the monitor will adjust  
accordingly; the central button of the controller must be pressed to set the highlighted level. When the  
LCD brightness or EVF brightness setting is selected, the corresponding monitor will activate auto-  
matically.  
AUDIO SIGNALS  
Every time a button is pressed, an audio signal will give a positive confirmation of the operation. The  
audio signals can be turned off in the basic section of the setup menu (p. 118). The tone of the signal  
can also be changed; signal 1 is electrical and signal 2 is mechanical.  
SHUTTER FX  
An AF confirmation signal and shutter sound effect gives pos-  
itive audio confirmation when pictures are being captured.  
The sound effects can be turned off in the basic section of  
the setup menu (p. 118). Two shutter effects are available.  
Signal 1 uses the AF signal from the Dynax/Maxxum 7, and  
shutter sound from the Dynax/Maxxum 9 SLR. Signal 2 uses  
an electronic AF signal with a mechanical shutter sound  
taken from the legendary Minolta CLE.  
120  
SETUP MODE  
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VOLUME  
The volume of the audio signals and sound effects can be increased or decreased in the basic sec-  
tion of the setup menu (p. 118). This affects the camera’s audio signals as well as the playback levels  
of an audio track.  
LANGUAGE  
The language used in the menus can be changed.  
FILE NUMBER (#) MEMORY  
When file number memory is selected, if a new folder is created, the first file stored in the folder will  
have a number one greater than the last file saved. This allows multiple folders to be created to store  
images by category, place, or date, but the image file numbers will be in the order in which they were  
shot. If the file number memory is disabled, the image file name will have a number one greater than  
the last image saved in the folder.  
If file number memory is active and the memory card is changed, the first file saved to the new card  
will have a number one greater than the last file saved on the previous card if the new card does not  
contain an image with a greater file number. If it does, the file number of the new image will be one  
greater than the greatest on the card.  
121  
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FOLDER NAME  
All recorded images are stored in folders on the memory card. Folder names come  
in two formats: standard and date.  
Standard folders have an eight character name. The initial folder is named  
100MLT10. The first three digits are the folder’s serial number, which will increase  
by one each time a new folder is created. The next three letters refer to Minolta,  
and the last two numbers indicate the camera used; 10 indicates a DiMAGE 7Hi.  
100MLT10  
(Standard)  
A date folder name also starts with the three digit serial number and is followed by  
one register for the year, two register for the month, and two registers for the day:  
100YMMDD. The folder 10120412 was created in 2002 on April 12th.  
With the date folder format selected, when an image is recorded a new folder with  
the day’s date will be created. All images recorded that day will be placed in that  
folder. Images recorded on a different day will placed in a new folder with the cor-  
responding date. When a new folder is created, the serial number in the image-file  
name is reset to 0001 unless file number memory is active. For more information  
on folder organization and file names, see page 140.  
10120412  
(Date)  
122  
SETUP MODE  
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SELECT FOLDER  
This option allows the selection of existing folders. In quick view or playback mode, only the images  
in the selected folder can be viewed or edited. In recording mode, the folder-name option on in the  
advanced 1 section of the setup menu must be set to standard form in order to select the folder in  
which to place the subsequent recorded images.  
Except for the all-frames-C setting in the advanced 2 section of the playback-mode menu, changes  
made with menus only affect the images in the selected folder. To make changes to all images in  
multiple folders, each folder must be selected and the menu operation repeated for each folder.  
Formatting a memory card in the basic section of the playback menu, erases all folders regardless if  
they are selected or not.  
NEW FOLDER  
This allows the creation of new folders. The folder-name option on in the advanced 1 section of the  
setup menu must be set to standard form in order to use the new-folder function. When selected, the  
electronic keyboard (p. 82) automatically appears so the folder name can be entered. Once the name  
is typed in and the enter button on the keyboard is highlighted and entered, the folder will be created  
and the name will be listed in the select-folder option.  
Every folder name begins with a three digit index number. When the electronic keyboard activates,  
three digits will be displayed in the register. This number cannot be changed. Every time a new folder  
is created, the folder number will increase automatically by one greater than the highest folder num-  
ber on the memory card. A five-character folder name must be entered after the number; only capital  
letters, numbers, and the underbar can be used. To cancel the electronic-keyboard display without  
creating a new folder, press the menu button.  
123  
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DISPLAY MODE  
Standard display  
Grid  
The recording mode dis-  
plays activated by the dis-  
play-information button (p.  
41) can be selected in the  
advanced 1 section of the  
setup menu. The display  
cycle is the same as the  
order shown on the menu.  
Focus frame only  
Real-time histogram  
Scale  
Live image only  
Setup  
Basic  
Adv.2  
Display-mode settings with a check mark are included in the dis-  
play cycle. To change displays used, highlight the setting using  
the controller, and then press the right key (1) to check or  
uncheck the box.  
Adv.1  
Cust.  
Std. display  
File # memory  
Folder name  
Select folder  
New folder  
Focus frame  
Histogram  
Grid  
Display mode  
Direct MF  
Scale  
Image only  
1
124  
SETUP MODE  
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DIRECT MANUAL FOCUS  
Direct manual focus allows manual adjustments to be made after the AF system has locked onto the  
subjects. Direct manual focus is activated in the advanced 1 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
Direct manual focus is canceled when continuous AF (p. 83) or manual focus (p. 43) is in use.  
1
As described in the basic recording operation section (p.  
27), press the shutter-release button partway down to  
lock the focus and exposure (1); the shutter speed and  
aperture display will turn black and the focus signal will  
turn white. “DMF” will be displayed next to the drive-mode  
indicator.  
The camera can be manually focused until the shutter  
button is released. The approximate focusing distance is  
displayed next to the frame counter.  
Electronic magnification (p. 95) can be used by pressing  
the focus mode button (2) or the display-information but-  
ton (3) while direct manual focus is active. The magnifica-  
2
tion button can be used if electronic magnification is  
selected in the magnification-button option in the  
advanced 1 section of the recording-mode menu.  
3
125  
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RESET DEFAULT  
Unlike the pro-auto button (p. 42, 105), this function affects not only the recording mode, but also the  
movie, playback, and setup modes. When selected, a confirmation screen will appear; choosing “Yes”  
resets the following functions and settings, “No” cancels the operation.  
Default Setting  
Page  
52  
83  
44  
46  
67  
74  
74  
76  
77  
77  
85  
84  
70  
58  
51  
68  
50  
88  
Exposure mode  
Focus mode  
Program  
Single AF  
Focus area  
Wide focus area  
Digital zoom  
Canceled  
White balance  
Auto white balance  
Exposure compensation  
Flash compensation  
Contrast compensation  
Color-saturation compensation  
Filter  
0.0  
0.0  
0
0
0
Image quality  
Standard  
Image size  
2560 X 1920  
Auto  
Camera sensitivity (ISO)  
Drive mode  
Single-frame advance  
Multi-segment  
Daylight  
Metering mode  
Custom white balance  
Memory  
All five registers are reset  
Fill flash  
Flash mode  
Wireless channel  
Flash control  
1
90  
94  
94  
62  
ADI metering  
Manual flash control  
Exposure bracket  
Interval capture  
Number of frames (interval)  
Interval mode  
1/4 power  
0.3 Ev  
1 minute  
2 frames  
Still image  
64  
64  
64  
126  
SETUP MODE  
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Default Setting  
Page  
61  
UHS continuous-advance movie  
Voice memo  
Off  
Off  
101  
96  
46  
Spot-AE lock button  
Magnification button  
Sharpness  
AE hold  
2X digital zoom  
Normal  
99  
Color mode  
Natural Color  
98  
Data imprinting  
Off  
97  
Instant playback  
Movie mode  
Off  
100  
104  
104  
111  
112  
112  
120  
120  
120  
120  
121  
122  
Auto select  
Audio (movie mode)  
Index playback format  
Duration (Slide Show)  
Repeat (Slide Show)  
LCD monitor brightness  
EVF brightness  
Audio signals  
On  
9 frames  
5 seconds  
No  
3
3
1
Shutter FX  
1
2
Volume  
Folder name  
Standard  
Standard display, focus frame only,  
real-time histogram, image only  
Display mode  
124  
Direct manual focus  
Off  
1 minute  
125  
129  
121  
128  
129  
130  
131  
130  
131  
131  
Auto-power-save period  
File number memory  
EVF auto switch  
Off  
Auto EVF/LCD  
Function dial  
Shutter speed  
DEC control  
Off  
Memory recall  
Control dial (M)  
Bracketing  
Manual shift  
Color profile  
Not embedded  
“No”  
Delete confirmation  
127  
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EVF AUTO SWITCH –  
CONTROLLING THE AUTO-DISPLAY FUNCTION  
This option controls the auto-display function in the recording and movie mode  
(p. 40). The auto-EVF/LCD setting allows the display to switch between the  
EVF and LCD monitor automatically. The EVF-auto-on setting turns off the  
LCD monitor and uses the eye sensors to activate only the EVF when in use.  
This setting will help conserve battery power.  
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME  
It is important to accurately set the clock. When a still image or a movie clip is recorded, the date and  
time of the recording are saved with the image and are displayed during playback or can be read with  
the DiMAGE Viewer software included on the CD-ROM. The camera’s clock is also used with data  
imprinting.  
When the Date/Time-set option is selected and entered, the  
Setup  
Date/Time set  
date/time screen will be displayed. The left/right keys of the con-  
troller are used to select the item to be changed and the  
up/down keys are used to change the value. From left to right,  
the screen shows the year, month, day, hour, and minute. When  
the date and time have been adjusted, set the clock by pressing  
the central button of the controller.  
2001  
.
7
.
20  
16 : 33  
Enter  
SETTING THE DATE FORMAT  
The date format that is displayed or imprinted can be changed:YYYY/MM/DD (year, month, day),  
MM/DD/YYYY (month, day, year), DD/MM/YYYY (day, month, year). Simply select the format and  
enter it by pressing the central button of the controller; the new format will be displayed on the menu.  
This has no affect on the date folder name (p. 122).  
128  
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VIDEO OUTPUT  
Camera images can be displayed on a television (p. 39). The video output can be changed between  
NTSC and PAL. North America uses the NTSC standard and Europe uses the PAL standard. Check  
which standard is used in your region to play back images on your television set.  
AUTO POWER SAVE  
The camera will turn off the EVF and data panel to conserve battery power if no operation is made  
within a certain period. The length of this period can be changed to 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes. The auto-  
power-save option will not affect the display period of LCD monitor; it will shut down after 30 sec-  
onds. To restore the displays when they shut down, simply press the shutter-release button or the  
display-information button. When the camera is connected to the computer, the auto-power-save peri-  
od is set to ten minutes. This period cannot be changed.  
MEMORY RECALL  
The control used to recall saved camera settings stored in memory (p. 50) can be changed. Two set-  
tings are available:  
Function Dial – saved settings are recalled using the function dial only,  
see page 50 for description.  
DSP button – settings can be recalled using the digital-subject-program  
button (1). Each time the button is pressed, the memory registers are  
cycled in order. The digital-subject-program indicator shows the select-  
1
ed register. The memory registers can still be selected with the function  
dial, but the digital subject programs cannot be used. The function dial  
must be used to store a new set of camera settings (p. 50).  
129  
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CONTROL DIAL (M)  
In manual exposure mode (p. 56), the operation to change the aperture and shutter speed can be  
reversed. Two settings are available:  
Shutter speed – the camera’s initial setting as  
described on page 56. The control dial changes the  
1
shutter speed (1). To change the aperture, set the digi-  
tal effects switch to the exposure compensation posi-  
tion (2), and turn the control dial while pressing the  
digital effects button (3).  
Aperture – the control dial changes the aperture (1).  
To change the shutter speed, set the digital effects  
switch to the exposure compensation position (2), and  
turn the control dial while pressing the digital effects  
button (3).  
3
2
MANUAL SHIFT  
In manual exposure mode (p. 56), the shutter speed and aperture  
value can be changed relative to each other without affecting the total  
exposure. When this function is active, simply press and hold the  
spot-AE lock button and turn the control dial to change the shutter  
speed and aperture combination.  
130  
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BRACKETING  
In the bracketing drive mode (p. 62), the bracket can be changed between the type indicated by the  
digital-effects switch and exposure brackets only. Two settings are available:  
DEC control – the camera’s initial setting as described on page 62. The type of bracket depends on  
the position of the digital-effects switch.  
Exposure – only exposure brackets will be made regardless of the position of the digital-effects  
switch.  
COLOR PROFILE  
Both the camera’s sRGB and Adobe RGB color profile can be automatically embedded into the  
image file as the picture is captured. To ensure accurate color reproduction when using the Adobe  
RGB color mode, it is recommended to embed the color profile.  
DiMAGE Viewer version 2.1 or later must be used to open images from this camera. When using the  
Viewer’s color-matching function with images with embedded color profiles, the default color space,  
Original Color Space (sRGB), in the color preference window will automatically distinguish between  
the camera’s sRGB and Adobe-RGB color spaces (p. 99). If the profile is not embedded, the color  
space must be specified manually between Original Color Space (sRGB) or Original Color Space  
(Adobe RGB). For more on color matching, refer to the DiMAGE Viewer manual.  
DELETE CONFIRMATION  
Each time a delete command is used a confirmation screen appears  
confirming the action to erase the image data. When this screen  
opens, the no button is highlighted. This function allows the yes button  
Delete this frame?  
to be initially highlighted to make deleting images easier. Care should  
be taken when deleting images as the data cannot be retrieved once  
erased.  
Yes  
No  
131  
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DATA-TRANSFER MODE  
Read this section carefully before connecting the camera to a computer. Details on using and  
installing the DiMAGE Viewer software are found in the supplied software manual. The DiMAGE man-  
uals do not cover the basic operation of computers or their operating systems; please refer to the  
manual supplied with your computer.  
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS  
For the camera to be connected directly to the computer and used as a mass-storage device, the  
computer must be equipped with a USB port as a standard interface. The computer and the operat-  
ing system must be guaranteed by their manufacturers to support USB interface. The following oper-  
ating systems are compatible with the camera:  
IBM PC / AT Compatible  
Macintosh  
Windows 98, 98SE, Me, 2000  
Professional, and XP.  
Mac OS 8.6 ~ 9.2.2 and  
Mac OS X 10.1 – 10.1.5  
Check the Minolta web site for the latest compatibility information:  
North America: http://www.minoltausa.com  
Europe: http://www.minoltaeurope.com/pe/digital/languages_stage.html.  
Users with Windows 98 or 98 second edition will need to install the driver software on the included  
DiMAGE software CD-ROM (p. 136). Users with Mac OS 8.6 will need to download and install a USB  
mass-storage device from the Apple web site (p. 139). No special driver software is required for other  
Windows or Macintosh operating systems.  
Customers who have bought a DiMAGE 7, 5, S304, S404, X, or 2330 digital camera and have  
installed the Windows 98 driver software must repeat the installation procedure. The updated version  
of the driver software included on the supplied DiMAGE software CD-ROM is required for the opera-  
tion of the DiMAGE 7Hi with a computer. The new software will have no affect on the performance of  
the DiMAGE 7, 5, S304, S404, X, or 2330.  
132  
DATA-TRANSFER MODE  
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CONNECTING THE CAMERA TO A COMPUTER  
A fresh set of batteries should be used when the camera is connected to a computer. The use of the  
AC adapter (sold separately) is recommended over the use of batteries. For users with Windows 98  
and Mac OS 8.6, read the respective sections on how to connect to the operating system before con-  
necting the camera to a computer.  
Start up the computer. The computer must be turned on before connecting the  
camera.  
1
Open the card-slot door. Attach the smaller plug of the USB cable to the cam-  
era. Make sure the plug is firmly attached.  
2
Attach the other end of the USB cable to the computer’s  
USB port. Make sure the plug is firmly attached. The  
3
camera should be connected directly to the computer’s  
USB port. Attaching the camera to a USB hub may  
prevent the camera from operating properly.  
3
2
With a memory card in the camera, set the mode dial to the data-transfer position;  
the data-transfer menu will be displayed. To change the card while the camera is con-  
nected to a computer, see page 135.  
4
After using the four-way key of the controller to highlight the  
Trans  
5
USB option in the USB section of the data-transfer menu, press  
USB  
the the right key of the controller; “Enter” should appear on the  
right side of the screen.  
USB  
Enter  
Press the center of the controller to send a signal to the comput-  
er to initiate the USB connection. A screen will appear to indi-  
cate the beginning of the connection process. When the signal  
has been received by the computer, the camera’s monitors will  
turn off.  
6
Initializing USB  
connection  
133  
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When the camera is properly connected to the computer, a  
drive icon, or volume, will appear. When using Windows XP or  
Mac OS X, a window will open requesting instructions on  
what to do with the image data; follow the directions in the  
window. If the computer does not recognize the camera, dis-  
connect the camera and restart the computer. Repeat the  
connection procedure above.  
Windows XP  
Mac OSX  
Windows  
Mac OS  
Mac OSX  
The volume name varies between memory cards.  
134  
DATA-TRANSFER MODE  
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CHANGING THE MEMORY CARD (DATA-TRANSFER MODE)  
Care should be taken when changing memory cards while the camera is attached to the  
computer. Data could be lost or damaged if the camera is not properly disconnected.  
Always confirm the access lamp is out before removing the memory card.  
WINDOWS 98 / 98 SECOND EDITION  
1. Turn off the camera.  
2. Change the memory card.  
3. Turn on the camera.  
4. Use the data-transfer menu to remake the USB connection.  
WINDOWS ME, 2000 PROFESSIONAL, AND XP  
1. Stop the USB connection using the unplug-or-eject-hardware routine (p. 142).  
2. Turn off the camera.  
3. Change the memory card.  
4. Turn on the camera.  
5. Use the data-transfer menu to remake the USB connection.  
MACINTOSH  
1. Stop the USB connection by dragging the drive icon into the trash (p. 143).  
2. Turn off the camera.  
3. Change the memory card.  
4. Turn on the camera.  
5. Use the data-transfer menu to remake the USB connection.  
135  
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CONNECTING TO WINDOWS 98 / 98 SECOND EDITION  
The driver needs only to be installed once. If the driver cannot be installed automatically, it can be  
installed manually with the operating system’s add-new-hardware wizard; see the instructions on the  
following page. During installation, if the operating system requests the Windows 98 CD-ROM, inset it  
into the CD-ROM drive and follow the accompanying instructions on the screen. No special driver  
software is required for other Windows operating systems.  
AUTOMATIC INSTALLATION  
Before connecting the camera to the com-  
puter, place the DiMAGE software CD-  
ROM in the CD-ROM drive. The DiMAGE  
installer menu should automatically acti-  
vate. To automatically install the Windows  
98 USB driver, click on the starting-up-  
the-USB-device-driver-installer button. A  
window will appear to confirm that the dri-  
ver should be installed; click “Yes” to con-  
tinue.  
When the driver has been successfully  
installed, a window will appear. Click “OK.”  
The camera can now be attached to the  
computer (p. 133).  
136  
DATA-TRANSFER MODE  
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MANUAL INSTALLATION  
To install the Windows 98 driver manually, follow  
the instruction in the connecting-the-camera-to-a-  
computer section on page 133.  
When the camera is plugged into the computer,  
the operating system will detect the new device  
and the add-new-hardware-wizard window will  
open. Place the DiMAGE software CD-ROM in the  
CD-ROM drive. Click “Next.”  
Choose the recommended search for a suitable  
driver. Click “Next.”  
Choose to specify the location of the driver. The  
browse window can be used to indicate the dri-  
ver location. When the location is shown in the  
window, click “Next.” The driver should be locat-  
ed in the CD-ROM drive at :\Win98\USB.  
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The add new hardware wizard will confirm the  
location of the driver. One of three drivers may be  
located: MNLVENUM.inf, USBPDR.inf, or USB-  
STRG.inf. The letter designating the CD-ROM  
drive will vary between computers. Click “Next” to  
install the driver in the system.  
The last window will confirm the driver has been  
installed. Click “Finish” to close the add new  
hardware wizard.  
When the my-computer window is opened, a  
new removable-disk icon will be displayed.  
Double click on the icon to access the camera’s  
memory card, see page 140.  
138  
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CONNECTING TO MAC OS 8.6  
To access this camera with a computer with Mac OS 8.6, the USB storage support software must be  
installed first. This software is supplied by Apple Computer, Inc. free of charge. The latest version can  
be downloaded from the Apple Software Updates web site at http://www.apple.com/support.  
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.  
QUICKTIME SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS  
To install QuickTime, follow the instructions  
IBM PC / AT compatible  
in the installer. Macintosh users can down-  
Pentium-based computer  
load the latest version of QuickTime free of  
charge from the Apple Computer web site  
Windows 95, 98, 98SE, NT, Me,  
at http://www.apple.com.  
2000 Professional, or XP.  
32MB or more of RAM  
Sound Blaster or compatible sound card  
DirectX 3.0 or later recommended  
AUTO POWER SAVE (DATA-TRANSFER MODE)  
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 warning may appear on the com-  
puter monitor. Click “OK.” Neither the camera or computer will be damaged in this operation.  
Pressing the shutter-release button will reactivate the camera. Remake the USB connection with the  
data-transfer menu (steps 5 and 6 on page 133).  
139  
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MEMORY CARD FOLDER ORGANIZATION  
Once the camera is connected to the computer, image and audio files can  
be accessed by double clicking on icons. Image folders are located in the  
DCIM folder. To copying images and audio recordings, simply drag and drop  
the file icon into a location in the computer. Files and folders on the memory  
card can be deleted using the computer. Changing file names or adding  
other types of data to the card with a computer may cause the camera to  
malfunction. Never format the memory card from  
Drive Icon  
Dcim  
the computer; always use the camera to format  
the card.  
The misc. folder con-  
tains DPOF print  
files (p. 114).  
Misc  
From left to right: standard folder, date folder  
(p. 122), and copy folder (p. 116).  
100MLT10  
10120801  
102MLTCP  
PICT0001.TIF  
PICT0002.MRW  
PICT0003.JPG  
PICT0004.JPG  
PICT0004.THM  
PICT0005.MOV  
Extra fine, fine, or  
standard image  
PICT0001.THM  
Super-fine image  
PICT0002.THM  
RAW image  
PICT0004.THM  
Movie clip  
Extra fine, fine, or stan-  
dard image with an  
embedded color profile.  
PICT0003.WAV  
PICT0003’s voice-  
memo file  
140  
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Image and audio file names begin with “PICT” followed by a four-digit file number and a tif, mrw, jpg,  
jpe, mov, or thm extension. Voice-memo files have a wav extension and the file name corresponds to  
its image file. The thumbnail images (thm) are used in camera and DiMAGE Viewer software opera-  
tion.  
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. When the file number in the image file name exceeds 9,999, a  
new folder will be created with a number one greater than the greatest folder number on the memory  
card: e.g. from 100MLT10 to 101MLT10.  
The file number on the image file may not correspond to its frame number on the camera. As images  
are deleted in the camera, the frame counter will adjust itself to show the number of images on the  
card and reassign the frame numbers accordingly. The file numbers on the image files will not  
change when an image is deleted. When a new image is recorded, it will be assigned a number one  
greater than the largest file number in the folder. File numbers can be controlled with the file-number-  
memory function in the advanced 1 section of the setup menu (p. 118).  
Camera Notes  
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  
Viewer software.  
If a camera image is opened in a photo-retouching application that does not support Exif tags,  
and then the image is saved overwriting the original data, the exif tag information is erased.  
When using software other than the DiMAGE Viewer, always rename the image file to protect  
the exif tag data.  
Camera Notes  
To view images correctly on your computer, the monitor’s color space may need to be adjusted.  
Refer to your computer manual on how to calibrate the display to the following requirements:  
sRGB, with a color temperature of 6500K, and a gamma of 2.2.  
141  
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DISCONNECTING THE CAMERA FROM THE COMPUTER  
Never disconnect the camera when the access lamp is lit – the data or memory card may  
permanently be damaged.  
WINDOWS 98 / 98 SECOND EDITION  
Confirm that the access lamp is not lit. Turn the mode dial to another position and then disconnect  
the USB cable.  
WINDOWS ME, 2000 PROFESSIONAL, AND XP  
To disconnect the camera, click once on the unplug-or-eject-hardware icon located on  
the task bar. A small window will open indicating the device to be stopped.  
Click on the small window to stop the  
device. The safe-to-remove-hardware  
window will open. Turn the mode dial to  
another position and then disconnect  
the USB cable.  
When more than one external device are connected to the computer, repeat the procedure above  
except right click on the unplug-or-eject-hardware icon. This will open the unplug-or-eject-hardware  
window after clicking on the small window indicating the unplug-or-eject-hardware routine.  
142  
DATA-TRANSFER MODE  
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The hardware devices to be stopped will be dis-  
played. Highlight the device by clicking on it then click  
“Stop.”  
A confirmation screen will appear to indi-  
cate the devices to be stopped. Clicking  
“OK” will stop the device.  
A third and final screen will appear to  
indicate the camera can be safely discon-  
nected from the computer; click OK. Turn  
the mode dial to another position and  
then disconnect the USB cable.  
MACINTOSH  
Confirm that the access lamp is not lit and then drag the  
mass-storage device icon and drop it into the trash.  
Disconnect the USB cable.  
143  
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TROUBLESHOOTING  
The section covers minor problems with basic camera operation. For major problems or damage to  
the camera or charger, or if a problem continues to reoccur frequently, contact a Minolta service facil-  
ity listed on the back cover of this manual.  
Problem  
Symptom  
Cause  
Solution  
The batteries are dead.  
Replace batteries (p. 20).  
Reinsert the batteries taking care that  
the negative and positive terminals are  
orientated as indicated on the inside of  
the battery chamber door (p. 20).  
The batteries are inserted incor-  
rectly.  
Nothing displayed  
on the data panel  
or the monitors.  
The camera will  
not work.  
Check that the adapter is connected to  
the camera and a live electrical outlet  
(p. 22).  
The AC adapter is not connected  
properly.  
Turn off the camera and allow it to cool.  
“Err” displayed on  
the data panel  
The camera is hot or it has been If “Err” is still displayed on the camera  
left in a very hot environment.  
after it cools, remove and replace the  
batteries or power cord.  
Memory card is full and unable  
to store an image at the image-  
quality or image-size setting on  
the camera.  
Insert a new memory card (p. 22),  
delete some images (p. 106), or change  
the image-quality or image-size setting  
(p. 80).  
“000” is displayed  
on the frame  
counter.  
Shutter will not  
release.  
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TROUBLESHOOTING  
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Problem  
Symptom  
Cause  
Solution  
No-card warning  
appears on the  
monitors.  
Shutter will not  
release.  
No memory card in the camera. Insert a memory card (p. 22).  
Make sure the subject is within the aut-  
Subject is too close.  
ofocus range (0.5m – ∞ / 1.6 ft – ∞) or  
use the macro mode (p. 47).  
The camera is in macro mode.  
Cancel the macro mode setting (p. 47).  
Focus signal is red.  
Pictures are not  
sharp.  
Use the focus-lock function to focus on  
an object at the same distance as the  
subject (p. 28) or use manual focus (p.  
43).  
A special situation is preventing  
the autofocus system from  
focusing (p. 29)  
Pictures are taken  
indoors or in low-  
light situations  
Slow shutter speeds result in  
blurred images when the cam-  
era is hand-held.  
Use a tripod, change the camera sensi-  
tivity to a higher setting (p. 70), or use  
the flash (p. 30).  
without flash.  
While using flash,  
the pictures are  
too dark.  
Move closer to the subject or change  
the camera sensitivity to a higher setting  
(p. 70).  
The subject is beyond the flash  
range (p. 71).  
A shadow  
Lens hood mount-  
ed when using  
flash.  
appears on the  
bottom of the  
image.  
The lens hood blocks the light  
from the built-in flash.  
Always remove the lens hood when  
using the built-in flash.  
145  
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Problem  
Symptom  
Cause  
Solution  
Shooting data is  
displayed, but live manual-  
image is entirely  
black or white.  
Camera set to  
Shutter speed and  
Change the shutter speed or aperture  
value until an image appears on the  
monitor (p. 56).  
aperture combination is  
extremely under or overexposing  
the live image.  
exposure mode  
(M).  
With still images, automatic monitor amplification activates under low-light  
conditions (p. 28). Although the live image is black and white, the recorded  
still image will be color. In movie recording, the Night Movie mode will  
record black and white images.  
Camera used  
under low-light  
conditions.  
Live image turns  
black and white.  
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 memory  
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 memory card.  
WHEN USING FILTERS  
Polarizing filters and close-up lenses may cause vignetting at the wide-angle range of the lens (below  
the 50mm mark on the zooming ring). With very powerful close-up lenses, such as a +3 or Minolta  
No. 2, vignetting may be noticeable below 100mm. Most step-up rings will cause vignetting. The  
Minolta Step-up Adapter 49mm to 62mm can be used.  
146  
TROUBLESHOOTING  
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REMOVING THE DRIVER SOFTWARE – WINDOWS  
1.Insert a memory card in the camera and connect it to the computer with the USB cable. Other devices  
must not be connected to the computer during this procedure.  
2.Right click on the My-computer icon. Select “properties” from the drop-down menu.  
Windows XP: from the start menu go to the control panel. Click on the performance and maintenance  
category. Click “System” to open the system properties window.  
3.Windows 2000 and XP: select the hardware tab in the properties window and click the device-manager  
button.  
Windows 98 and Me: click the device-manager tab in the properties window.  
4.The driver file will be located in the universal-serial-bus-controller or other-devices location of the device  
manager. Click on the locations to display the files. The driver should be indicated with the camera name.  
Under certain conditions, the driver name may not contain the camera name. However, the driver will be  
indicated by either a question mark or exclamation point.  
5.Click on the driver to select it.  
6.Windows 2000 and XP: click on the action button to display the drop-down menu. Select “uninstall.” A  
confirmation screen will appear. Clicking “Yes” will remove the driver from the system.  
Windows 98 and Me: click the remove button. A confirmation screen will appear. Clicking “Yes” will remove  
the driver from the system.  
7.Disconnect the USB cable and turn off the camera. Restart the computer.  
147  
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CARE AND STORAGE  
CAMERA CARE  
• Do not subject the camera to shock or impact.  
• Turn off the camera when transporting.  
• This camera is neither waterproof nor splashproof. Inserting or removing batteries or the memory 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.  
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 particles. Wiping may scratch the surface.  
• To clean the lens surface, first blow away any dust or sand, then, if necessary, moisten a lens tissue or  
soft cloth with lens cleaning fluid and gently wipe the lens.  
• Never use organic solvents to clean the camera.  
• Never touch the lens surface with your fingers.  
STORAGE  
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from dust and chemicals. For long periods of disuse, store  
the camera in an airtight container with a silica-gel drying agent.  
• Remove the batteries and memory card from the camera when not in use for extended periods.  
• Do not store the camera in an area with naphthalene or mothballs.  
• During long periods of storage, operate the camera occasionally. When taking the camera out of storage,  
check that the camera is functioning properly before using.  
148  
CARE AND STORAGE  
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OPERATING TEMPERATURES AND CONDITIONS  
• This camera has been designed for use in temperatures from 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).  
• Never leave the camera exposed to extreme high temperatures, such as in a car parked in the sun, or to  
extreme humidity.  
• When taking the camera from a cold to a warm environment, place it in a sealed plastic bag to prevent  
condensation from forming. Allow the camera to come to room temperature before removing it from the  
bag.  
MEMORY 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.  
The storage capability of the CompactFlash card will diminish with extended use. It may be necessary to purchase  
a new card periodically.  
Minolta has no responsibility for any loss or damage to data.  
It is recommend that a copy of the card data be made on another media such as a computer hard disk or CD-ROM.  
• Do not bend, drop, or subject the card to impact.  
• 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.  
• When using an IBM Microdrive, do not subject the camera to vibrations.  
149  
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BATTERIES  
• Battery performance decreases with temperature. In cold environments, we 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 camera operation.  
• A special built-in battery supplies power to the camera clock. If the clock resets when the camera is on,  
the battery is exhausted. The battery must be replaced at a Minolta service facility. The battery life is  
approximately five years.  
ABOUT NI-MH BATTERIES  
• When using Ni-MH batteries, clean both battery terminals with dry cloth to wipe off any dirt or residue.  
Because of the sophisticated computer system, the camera critically monitors power levels. If the battery  
terminals are dirty, the camera may give a false low-battery warning. If battery performance is unusually  
low, wipe the battery terminals with a clean, dry cloth.  
• Ni-MH battery performance will decrease if the batteries are often recharged before they have been fully  
discharged. Completely exhaust the Ni-MH batteries using the camera before charging.  
• Recharge the batteries in a battery set simultaneously. It is recommended that the batteries used with the  
camera are not used with any other device. Always follow the directions and safety instructions in the  
charger manual.  
• When initially using new Ni-MH batteries or Ni-MH batteries that have been stored for a long period,  
battery performance is not optimal. The performance increases with use; repeat the cycle of fully charging  
the batteries and then completely discharging them by using the camera several times to increase  
performance.  
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CARE AND STORAGE  
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LCD MONITOR CARE  
• Although the LCD monitor is manufactured using high precision technology, there may occasionally be a  
lack of color or bright points on the LCD monitor.  
• Do not apply pressure to the surface of the LCD monitor; it may be permanently damaged.  
• 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 to copyright laws. Taking pictures or images of  
performances, exhibitions, etc. is prohibited without approval and can infringe on copyright. Images  
protected by copyright can only be used under the provisions within the copyright laws.  
BEFORE IMPORTANT EVENTS OR JOURNEYS  
• Check the camera’s operation; take test pictures and purchase spare batteries.  
• Minolta has no responsibility for any damage or loss incurred by equipment malfunction.  
QUESTIONS AND SERVICE  
• If you have questions about your camera or charger, contact your local camera dealer or write to the  
Minolta distributor in your area.  
• Before shipping your camera or charger for repair, please contact a Minolta Service Facility.  
151  
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS  
Number of effective pixels:  
CCD:  
5.0 million  
2/3-type interline primary-color CCD with a total of  
5.2 million pixels.  
Camera sensitivity (ISO):  
Aspect ratio:  
Auto and 100, 200, 400, and 800 ISO equivalents.  
4:3  
Lens construction:  
Maximum aperture:  
Focal length:  
16 elements in 13 groups.  
f/2.8 (wide-angle position), f/3.5 (telephoto position)  
7.2 – 50.8 mm (35mm equivalent: 28 – 200mm)  
Focusing range (from the CCD): 0.5 m – infinity (1.6 ft – infinity)  
0.25 – 0.6 m (11.8 – 23.6 in) macro mode: telephoto  
0.3 – 0.6 m (9.8 – 23.6 in) macro mode: wide-angle  
49 mm  
Filter diameter:  
Autofocusing system:  
Shutter:  
Built-in flash recycling time:  
Viewfinder LCD:  
Video AF  
CCD electronic shutter plus mechanical shutter  
7s (approx)  
Ferroelectric 4.8 mm reflective liquid crystal  
microdisplay.  
Monitor LCD:  
46 mm (1.8 inch) TFT low-temperature polysilicon  
display  
Field of view:  
Approximately 100%  
A/D conversion:  
Recording media:  
12 bits  
Type I and II CompactFlash cards, 170MB, 340MB,  
512MB, and 1GB IBM Microdrives.  
JPEG, TIFF, Motion JPEG (mov), WAV, and RAW.  
DCF 1.0 and DPOF compliant.  
Exif print, PRINT Image Matching II  
English, German, French, and Spanish  
NTSC and PAL  
File formats:  
Printing output control:  
Menu languages:  
Video output:  
152  
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS  
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Batteries:  
4 AA Ni-MH or alkaline batteries  
Battery performance (recording): Approx. number of recorded images: 220 frames  
Based on Minolta’s standard test method: 1850mAh  
Ni-MH batteries, full-size images (2560 X 1920),  
standard image quality, EVF on, LCD monitor off,  
flash used with 50% of the frames, no instant play-  
back, no voice memo.  
Battery performance (playback): Approx. continuous playback time: 120 min.  
Based on Minolta’s standard test method: 1850mAh  
Ni-MH batteries, LCD monitor on, EVF off.  
External power source:  
AC adapter (AC-1L or AC-2L)  
High-power battery pack (EBP-100)  
117.0 (W) X 90.5 (H) X 112.5 (D) mm  
4.61 (W) X 3.56 (H) X 4.43 (D) in  
Approximately 530g (18.7 oz)  
(without batteries or memory card)  
0° – 40°C (32° – 104°F)  
Dimensions:  
Weight:  
Operating temperature:  
Operating humidity:  
5 – 85% (noncondensing)  
Specifications are based on the latest information available at the time of printing and are subject to  
change without notice.  
153  
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SYSTEM ACCESSORIES  
A variety of Minolta accessories can be used with this camera to extend its performance. For more  
details on the items listed below and in other sections of this manual, contact your local Minolta deal-  
er.  
Close-up Diffuser CD-1000  
Used directly on the camera with the built-in flash to provide soft lighting for close-up photography.  
Several high-quality Minolta flash units can be used with this camera:  
Program Flash 3600HS(D)  
Program Flash 5600HS(D)  
Macro Ring Flash 1200 with Macro Flash Controller  
Macro Twin Flash 2400 with Macro Flash Controller  
Camera Notes  
Minolta Program Flash 3600HS(D), Program Flash 5600HS(D), Macro Ring Flash 1200, and  
Macro Twin Flash 2400 are compatible with this camera. ADI flash metering (p. 94) will work  
with both program flashes attached to the accessory shoe. The use of other flash units is not  
recommended.  
With the Program Flash units, the flash-metering mode will automatically switch to pre-flash TTL  
when the bounce-flash or wireless/remote function is used, or the flashes are connected to the  
camera with an off-camera cable. Pre-flash TTL (p. 94) automatically activates when using the  
macro flash units.  
When using the Program Flashes, if the flash illumination is uneven at the camera’s wide-angle  
setting, attach the wide-angle adapter to the flash units. With the 3600HS(D), also change the  
flash metering mode to pre-flash TTL. When the auto-zoom function is used with the Program  
Flashes, the flash’s zoom setting will be wider than the lens setting.  
When using the Macro Ring Flash 1200 or Macro Twin Flash 2400 in macro mode (p. 47), light  
fall off toward the edges of the frame may be noticeable at the wide-angle macro lens position.  
154  
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FILTER  
Filter levels  
For more on Filter effects,  
see page 77.  
with color images  
Warm  
Filter settings with  
black and white  
images  
Blue  
Red  
Magenta  
Green  
Cool  
155  
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© 2002 Minolta Co., Ltd. under the Berne Convention  
and the Universal Copyright Convention.  
0-43325-53120-0  
Printed in Germany  
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