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Editors' Rating:
8.0 of 10
| • Value for money |
9 |
| • Ease of Use |
8 |
| • Performance |
7 |
| • Image Quality |
8 |
|
Average User Rating:
10.0 of 10
(52 votes)
| • Value for money |
10 |
| • Ease of Use |
9 |
| • Performance
|
9 |
| • Image Quality
|
9 |
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Where to Buy ?
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PROS
•
Solid construction
• Sharp 4X zoom lens
•
Very competitive price
•
Easy operation
•
Broad feature set
CONS
•
No rechargeable batteries included
•
Slow autofocus
•
Slightly awkward zoom control
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Includes: Minolta Dimage
S404 Digital Camera, 16MB CompactFlash Card, USB Cable, Video Cable,
Neck Strap, Lens Cap, 4x AA (non-rechargable) batteries, DiMAGE S404
Image Viewer Utility CD-ROM, CD-ROM for ArcSoft PhotoImpression,
1-Yr. Minolta USA limited warranty. |
The S404's four megapixel CCD extends the S304's technology and features to parity with other high-end "prosumer" digicams. Full manual exposure control, 4x optical zoom, and flexible, creative image adjustment features give the S404 the flexibility demanded by many enthusiasts, while its full auto mode and several scene presets make it accessible for novices. From novices who want to start out with full automatic control and gradually step into more manual control, to more advanced consumers looking for high quality in a portable digicam, the S404 is a viable option for a wide range of users. (About the only true "enthusiast" feature it lacks is provision for an external flash unit.)
Dimage
S404 Major Features:
| • |
4-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 2,270 x 1,704 pixels. |
| • |
4x, 7.15-28.6mm lens, equivalent to a 35-140mm lens on a 35mm camera. |
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Maximum aperture of f/3.0 at full wide-angle and f/3.6 at full telephoto. |
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Automatic and manual focus control, adjustable focus area. |
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2.2x digital enlargement. |
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Real-image optical viewfinder and 1.8-inch color LCD monitor. |
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Auto and Manual exposure control. |
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Shutter speeds from 1/1,000 to 4 seconds, with maximum 15-second Bulb setting. |
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Program AE, Aperture Priority, and Manual exposure modes. |
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Built-in flash with five operating modes. |
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Adjustable White Balance with six settings, including a Custom setting. |
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Multi-Segment and Spot metering modes. |
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Sensitivity equivalents of 64, 100, 200, and 400 ISO. |
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Auto-Exposure Bracketing, Continuous Shooting, Voice Memo, Self-Timer, and Movie modes. |
| • |
Special "Scene" exposure modes (Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Night, Text, and Text with Macro). |
| • |
Optional remote control. |
| • |
Image color, sharpness, saturation, and contrast adjustments. |
| • |
Histogram display for checking exposure. |
| • |
JPEG and uncompressed TIFF file formats. |
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Images saved to
CompactFlash Type I memory cards. |
| • |
Power from four AA
NiMH or alkaline batteries, or optional AC adapter. |
| • |
NTSC video cable for viewing images on a television
(PAL for European models). |
| • |
DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) compatibility. |
| • |
USB cable for quick connection to a computer, and software CD with drivers and ArcSoft PhotoImpression (PC or Mac). |
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Full Specs |
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Customer Reviews
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Dianne,
from ,OK, US, Mar 18, 2002
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This camera takes wonderful pictures! I took it to the zoo on an overcast day. The auto controls did a great job of bringing out the color. I was able to shoot through glass, with the flash on, with no glare showing up in the photo. I got some great aquarium shots this way. The macro mode is amazing! The 4 megapixels allow for a lot of cropping to get terrific close-ups, especially when combined with the 4X optical zoom. I am still learning how to use the manual focus controls, but can see that this camera has a lot to offer for both the experienced and novice photographer. I will warn you to use NiMh batteries and take a couple of extra sets with you if you plan to do a lot of shooting. This is true of any digital camera though.
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Installation |
10 |
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•
Image Quality |
10 |
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•
Ease of Use |
10 |
|
•
Compatibility |
10 |
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•
Overall Value |
10 |
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Jim Bianco, from
Berkeley, CA, US, Apr 1, 2002
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I am completely sold on this Minolta. It takes fantastic photos, is simple to use and a pleasure to work with. I have been taking photos seriously for over 15 years and have owned over 30 camera, from Canon 35mm to large format cameras. I have not been impressed with digital cameras, though I have used them, until now. This camera delivers crisp, clean images, comperable to a 35mm film camera, and features all the benefits of a digital camera. If you are thinking of a new camera give this one a shot. You can preview your shots, delete them, tweak them on your home PC, it offers it all. I have compared this camera to the Canon G2 (at almost 2x the price) and remain impressed with the Minolta. A few shortcomings - battery drain and a hard-to-see backpanel (in FULL daylight that is - otherwise it is fine) moderate my review from raving to complely impressed. Definately buy the rechargable batteries, Monster, the company that makes Monster Cable, makes some which are very good. I have seen people in these reviews complain that the digital cameras are not 'up to film' in the images they create, but that is a bit of a non-sequitar to me, if you want a film camera, get one. If you want a digital camera you cant do better than this one - literally - for the price.
Enjoy it....
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•
Installation |
8 |
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Image Quality |
9 |
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•
Ease of Use |
10 |
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•
Compatibility |
8 |
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•
Overall Value |
9 |
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The Lowest Price is not always best !
 When you buy a digital camera, the basic package almost always includes
extras such as a battery charger, lens cap, batteries, flash memory card, and software.
One of the more disreputable practices a dealer can engage in is called unbundling. These
dealers remove items from the package that are normally included in the price and
price them separately.
When purchasing
a camera you have three components of the price to consider - the camera price, postage and
handling, and taxes. Many dealers lower the price to make the camera more attractive, then
increase the postage and handling to boost their profits.
Hesitate before
accepting extended warranties. Every knowledgeable consumer expert says it's better to
gamble. Most of a company's profit is in the sale of these warranties so they press, and
press hard. Your job is to resist, and resist hard. The only thing to keep in mind is that
digital cameras can be horribly expensive to repair. If you want peace of mind, you may
want the warranty, even though it's probably overpriced. The cost of a repair can
approach, or even exceed, the original purchase price.
When you buy a
camera from a reputable dealer, you expect to be able to return it if you aren't
satisfied. Some dealers try to discourage this by requiring a restocking fee for returned
merchandise. This is always explained as a way to recover their costs of checking the
merchandise and restoring the packaging you may have opened.
Many dealers is
truly a false, deceptive and a total crook. Bait and switch tactics used. Does not sell
new merchandise and will ship used or refurbished goods without notifying customer. They then
try to charge a restock fee on top of their exobitant shipping fees to make a profit where
they could not on their goods. A try case of buyer beware.
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Where To Buy
Minolta Dimage S404 Digital Camera ?:
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