The DiMAGE S414 maximizes all the strengths of its predecessor and then adds further versatile features. Offering a 4.1 megapixel CCD, a high-quality Minolta GT 4X optical zoom, and CxProcess, the new DiMAGE S414 is a responsive, easy-to-use digital camera that provides the necessary tools for great images.

The S414's high-precision electro-optical system is built around a 4.1 megapixel 1/1.8-type interline primary-color CCD with 4.0 million effective pixels for fine high-resolution images. This exceptionally high pixel resolution will produce B4 size 150dpi prints or A5 size photo-quality prints.

The DiMAGE S414's Minolta GT lens is a versatile apochromatic 4X zoom. The fast f/3.0 - f/3.6, eleven-element, nine-group design is equivalent to a 35 - 140mm lens on a 35mm camera, and the lens' resolution far exceeds the requirements for a 4.0 megapixel CCD. The 4X optical zoom employs two double-sided aspheric elements and AD (anomalous dispersion) glass to ensure sharp images at all focal lengths.

With a focal range of 7.15mm to 28.6mm, the DiMAGE S414's versatile optical zoom is equivalent to a 35 - 140mm 35mm zoom lens, encompassing the most used focal lengths in photography today. Completely flexible, it can range from wide angle to telephoto, capturing a spectrum of images from landscapes to intimate portraits. DiMAGE S414's digital zoom extends the optical zoom's performance by 2.2 times giving an equivalent a 308mm lens on a 35mm camera. The lens can also focus down to 10cm (4in) for close-up photography.

Minolta's image-processing technology, CxProcess, guarantees the image from the CCD will faithfully reproduce the scene. CxProcess assures sharpness by balancing resolution with acutance, preserving fine detail while adding depth to the image. Color is critically controlled to prevent objects from appearing over-saturated while remaining vibrant; the warmth of the human complexion or the rich subtleties of green foliage will be rendered as clearly as they were perceived. Contrast is regulated to bring out a luminous quality in the mid-tones and highlights, as well as to strengthen and enrich the shadows.

The secret to photography is in the details; smooth gradations and finer points bring a photograph to life. The 12bit A/D conversion preserves all the subtleties of the original scene. With billions of colours and 4,096 levels in each colour channel, images reflect nearly lifelike colour and detail. This is especially evident in portraiture: smooth complexion, fine hair detail, and vivid eye color.

Employing the same LSI technology from Minolta's top-of-the-line DiMAGE 7Hi and a 32MB buffer, the S414 is a responsive, full-featured photographic tool. Whether recording, viewing, or editing images, camera operation is continually smooth and fluid.

The DiMAGE S414 has been given an array of advanced functions and creative tools to further inspire photographic pursuits. The autofocus system incorporates flexible dynamic functions that ensure the DiMAGE S414 a flawless performance in any situation.

Wide AF makes accurate focusing simple. Within the large focus area are three sensitive AF sensors, including a central crosshair sensor that guarantees accurate focusing regardless of subject contrast orientation. The camera automatically locates the subject within the wide frames and confirms the point of focus by briefly displaying the active AF sensor. Focus area selection allows photographers to select a spot focus area from a 5-point array; this is an attractive option for specific compositions with off-center subjects. The S414 can also be manually focused.

The DiMAGE S414 offers the most incredible exposure control features, including multi-segment and spot metering. Multi-segment metering uses 270 segments to determine exposure for one of the three available exposure modes: program, aperture priority, and manual. Fifteen-second bulb exposures can be made manually, while camera sensitivity can also be set to auto or to one of four ISO equivalent levels: 64, 100, 200, or 400. Ensuring the optimum exposure, an automatic three-frame bracket can be made with 0.3, 0.5, of 1.0Ev steps.

The sharpness, contrast, and filter digital effects controls are image-processing tools conveniently integrated into the camera. These functions allow image data to be maximized at the scene. Sharpness can either accentuate or soften details, contrast controls the difference between brightness levels, and the new Filter effects make a color image warmer or cooler.

Unique to digital imaging, the DiMAGE S414's real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured. Displayed with the live image, the histogram allows the subject brightness and contrast to be evaluated to optimize the camera's exposure and contrast controls.

White balance determines how the camera interprets the color of the ambient lighting. Auto white balance compensates for changes in lighting automatically with four preset white-balance settings, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent from which to choose. For critical control over color, the custom setting allows the camera to be calibrated to the lighting conditions at the scene.

The color mode has five options: Natural Color, Vivid Color, black and white, Sepia, and solarization. Natural Color preserves the actual colors of the scene and Vivid Color accentuates them. Black and white creates a neutral monochromatic image whereas the new Sepia mode gives the classic appearance of toning as found in old photographs. Solarization creates a partial reversal of tones and colors in the highlights for creative effects.

The LCD monitor displays active camera settings, exposure information, and warnings that may also be turned off in order to view the image in its entirety. The DiMAGE S414 has two additional displays for critical composition: grid and scale. Usually found in large-format view cameras, the grid makes aligning the camera with vertical or horizontal elements within the image simple; confirming that the horizon or buildings are straight in landscape or architectural photography is easy. The scale can also be used in close-up photography to judge the relative proportions of the subject.

In the past, photographers always had to make time-consuming manual adjustments as the subject and shooting environment changed. Digital Subject Programs allows the camera's exposure, white-balance, and image-processing controls to be optimized for specific scenes and subjects at the press of a button. There are six subject programs available.

The DiMAGE S414 can continuously capture still images at a rate of approximately 1.6 frames per second. A ten-second self-timer is also available for self-portraits, and the optional remote control RC-3 can used to record still images and movie clips from up to 5m (16ft) away. The DiMAGE S414 is not limited to recording only still images; sixty seconds of digital video with audio can also be captured. Voice memory allows up to 15 seconds of audio to be attached to an image, and the movie clips and audio tracks can be played back in the camera.

The controls and dials are laid out for clear, intuitive operation and the LCD monitor is large and bright. The five-way controller array is located next to the LCD monitor and is used for setting camera functions.

Audio signals are used to make positive confirmation of button settings. For example, a shutter sound effect accompanies the release of the shutter. The audio signals and shutter effects can be set independently to one of two tones or turned off.