INSTRUCTION MANUAL
BEFORE YOU BEGIN Thank you for purchasing this digital camera. Please take the time to read through this instruction manual so you can enjoy all the features of your new camera. Check the packing list before using this product. If any items are missing, immediately contact your camera dealer.
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.
• 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.
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 lens retracts when the camera is turned off. Touching the lens barrel while it is retracting may cause injury. • The camera temperature rises with extended periods of use.
ABOUT THIS MANUAL The basic operation of this camera is covered between pages 12 and 33. This section of the manual covers the camera parts, preparation of the camera for use, and the basic camera operation for recording, viewing, and deleting images. Many of the features of this camera are controlled with menus. The menu navigation sections concisely describe how to change menu settings. Descriptions of the settings immediately follow the navigation sections. Names of parts ................................
Deleting single images ............................................................................................................31 i+ button....................................................................................................................................32 Enlarged playback ...................................................................................................................33 Advanced recording ...............................................................................
Sharpness................................................................................................................................64 Custom key function ................................................................................................................65 Image size (Movie) ..................................................................................................................66 Frame rate ..........................................................................................
System requirements...............................................................................................................93 Connecting the camera to a computer ....................................................................................94 Connecting to Windows 98 and 98SE.....................................................................................95 Automatic installation ..................................................................................................
NAMES OF PARTS * 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. 109). Shutter-release button Flash (p. 26) Diopter-adjustment dial (p. 17) Speaker Strap eyelet (p. 12) Card-slot door (p. 16) AF window* Lens* Microphone Self-timer lamp (p. 47) The USB port and AV-out terminal are located behind the card-slot door. The batterychamber door (p.
Accessory shoe (p. 43) Flash-mode button (p. 26) Macro button (p. 35) Exposure-mode dial (p. 21, 29, 36 - 40) Viewfinder* (p. 17) LCD monitor* Zoom lever (p. 20) Controller Access lamp Main switch Mode switch DC terminal Menu button Quick View / Delete button (p. 30, 31) Information button (p.
GETTING UP AND RUNNING ATTACHING THE STRAP AND LENS CAP Always keep the strap around your wrist in the event that the camera is accidentally dropped. An optional leather neck strap, NS-DG1000, is also available from your Minolta dealer. Availability varies with region. 2 Pass one of the small loops of the lens-cap strap through the eyelet on the lens cap (1). Pass the other loop through the first loop and tighten (2).
INSERTING BATTERIES This digital camera uses four AA-size alkaline or Ni-MH batteries. Do not use other types of AA batteries. The camera should be off when replacing batteries. 3 To open the battery-chamber door, slide the lock to the open position (1). Slide the door the the side of the camera (2) to release the safety catch. Lift the door to open (3). 1 2 Insert the batteries as indicated on the diagram on the inside of the battery-chamber door.
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 monitor. If the monitor is blank, the batteries may be exhausted or installed incorrectly. Full-battery indicator - the battery is fully charged. This indicator is displayed for three seconds on the monitor when the camera is turned on. Low-battery indicator - battery power is low. The battery should be replaced as soon as possible.
CONNECTING THE OPTIONAL AC ADAPTER Always turn off the camera before changing between power supplies. 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-11 is for use in all other areas. Insert the mini plug of the AC adapter into the DC terminal (1).
CHANGING THE MEMORY CARD An SD Memory Card or MultiMediaCard must be inserted for the camera to operate. If a card has not been inserted, a no-card warning is displayed on the monitor. For more about memory cards see page 111. Always turn off the camera and confirm the access lamp is not lit before removing a memory card; damage and data loss may result. 1 2 3 4 1.Open the card-slot door by sliding the door toward the front of the camera. 2.
TURNING ON THE CAMERA AND DISPLAYS Press the main switch to turn the camera on. Pressing the switch again turns the camera off. Around the main switch is the mode switch. This switch is used to change between the recording and playback modes as well as the selecting the between the monitor and viewfinder display. Recording mode (Viewfinder display) - the camera can record images and the monitor is viewed through the viewfinder. The viewfinder has a built-in diopter.
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME After initially inserting a memory card and batteries, 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. 3 Press the main switch (1) to turn the camera on.
Reset default Noise reductn Date/Time set Date imprint Reset default Noise reductn Date/Time set Data imprint – On – Off Use the right key to highlight the third tab at the top of the menu. Use the down key to highlight the date/time-set menu option. Press the right key. “Enter” will appear on the right side of the menu. Enter Date/Time set 2003 . 01 . 01 00 : 00 MM / DD / YYYY :enter Date/Time setup screen Press the central button to display the date/time setting screen.
BASIC RECORDING This section covers the basic operation of this camera. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the operations in this section before moving on to the other sections in the manual. Turn on the camera. Set the mode switch to a recording position. HANDLING THE CAMERA While using the viewfinder or LCD monitor, grip the camera firmly with your right hand while supporting the body with your left. Keep your elbows at your side and your feet shoulder-width apart to hold the camera steadily.
RECORDING IMAGES AUTOMATICALLY Turn the exposure-mode dial to the auto-recording position (1); all camera operations are now fully automatic. The autofocus, exposure, and imaging systems will work together to bring beautiful results effortlessly. 1 While many of the camera’s systems in this mode are automatic. The flash mode (p. 26) and drive mode (p. 46) can also be changed. Image size and quality can be set on the auto-recording menu (p. 44).
BASIC RECORDING OPERATION The example uses auto recording. Except for movie recording, the operation for other exposure modes is the same. Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection is only active in the auto recording mode. Place the subject anywhere within the focus frame. Make sure the subject is within the focus range of the lens (p. 24). For very close subjects, use the macro function (p. 35). Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the focus and exposure.
AUTOMATIC DIGITAL SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION Automatic Digital Program Selection chooses between program AE and one of five digital subject programs. The digital subject programs optimize camera setting for various conditions and subjects. Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection is only available in auto recording and can be disabled in the auto-recording menu. For information on individual subject programs, see page 29.
FOCUS LOCK Focus lock prevents the AF system from focusing. This can be used with off-center subjects or when a special focusing situation prevents the camera from focusing (p. 25). Place the subject within the focus frame. Press and hold the shutter-release button partway down. • The focus signal indicates the focus is locked. The shutter speed and aperture value change from white to black indicating the exposure is locked.
FOCUS SIGNALS The focus signal in the lower right corner of the LCD monitor indicates the focus status. The shutter can be released even if the camera cannot focus on the subject. Focus locked. Focus confirmed (sports action digital subject program only). AF continuously adjusts as the subject moves. Cannot focus. The subject is too close or a special situation is preventing the AF system from focusing.
FLASH MODES To use the built-in flash, simply raise it (1). Lower the flash unit to prevent it from firing. 1 To change the flash mode, simply press the flash mode button (2) until the appropriate mode is indicated. 2 Autoflash - the flash fires automatically in lowlight and backlit conditions. Red-eye reduction - multiple flashes are used before the main flash burst to reduce red-eye; an effect caused by light reflected from the retina.
FLASH RANGE - AUTO-RECORDING MODE The camera controls the flash output automatically. For well-exposed images, the subject must be within the flash range. Distance is given from the CCD plane. 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. Wide-angle position 0.23 - 6.1m (0.75 - 20ft.) Telephoto position 1.2 - 4.8m (3.9 - 15.7ft.
i+ BUTTON The information (i+) button controls the monitor display. The display changes between full display and live image only. Full display Live image only Information button ADJUSTING MONITOR BRIGHTNESS The monitor image can be made lighter or darker. The brightness level can be set individually for viewfinder and direct viewing. Turn the mode switch to the appropriate position. Press and hold the information (i+) button to open the LCD brightness screen.
DIGITAL SUBJECT PROGRAMS Digital subject programs optimize the camera’s exposure, white-balance, and image-processing systems for specific conditions and subjects. Simply turn the exposure mode dial to select the appropriate subject program; the active subject program is displayed in the bottom left corner of the monitor Exposure-mode indicator Portrait - optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background.
BASIC PLAYBACK Images can be viewed in the Quick View or playback modes. This section covers the basic operations in both modes. The playback mode has additional functions, see page 68. To view images from the playback mode, turn the mode switch to the playback position (1). 1 To view images from the recording mode, press the Quick View / delete button (2). 2 SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK AND HISTOGRAM DISPLAY Image size (p. 54) Image quality (p.
The histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image from black (left) to white (right). The 256 vertical lines indicates the relative proportion of that light value in the image. The histogram can be used to evaluate exposure, but displays no color information. VIEWING AND ROTATING IMAGES In Quick View or the playback mode, use the left/right keys of the controller to scroll through the images.
i+ BUTTON The information (i+) 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 Information button In index playback, the four-way keys of the controller will move the yellow border. When the image is highlighted with the border, the date of recording, the lock and printing status, and the frame number of the image are displayed at the bottom of the screen.
ENLARGED PLAYBACK In single-frame playback in Quick View or the playback mode, a still image can be enlarged up to 6X in 0.2 increments for closer examination. With the image to be magnified displayed, slide the zoom lever to the right (T) to activate the enlarged playback mode. The degree of magnification is displayed on the LCD monitor. Slide the zoom lever to the right (T) to increase the image magnification. Slide the lever to the left (W) to decrease the magnification.
ADVANCED RECORDING This section cover the advanced recording features of this camera. Read the basic recording section before moving on to this section. RECORDING MODE DISPLAY A. Focus frame B. Spot metering area (p. 61) 34 ADVANCED RECORDING 1. Wide-angle converter indicator (p. 87) 2. Mode indicator 3. Flash-mode indicator (p. 26) 4. Flash-compensation display (p. 60) 5. Sharpness display (p. 64) 6. Contrast display (p. 63) 7. White-balance indicator (p. 58) 8. Camera-sensitivity (ISO) display (p.
SUPER MACRO Super Macro allows the camera to focus as close as 4 cm (1.7 in.) from the front of the lens or 9 cm (3.5 in.) from the CCD. Press the macro button (1) to activate the function; the lens automatically zooms to the SuperMacro position of 9.7mm. The zoom can be used, but the macro range changes with focal length. The standard macro indicator is displayed when the focal length is changed. Super-macro indicator The following chart lists the Super Macro and standard macro ranges.
PROGRAM (P) EXPOSURE MODE The program exposure mode controls both the shutter speed and aperture to ensure correct exposures. This exposure mode allows photographers to shoot without worry about exposure settings. The shutter speed and aperture values of the exposure are displayed on the monitor when the shutter-release button is pressed partway down. If shutter speed and aperture displays turn red, the scene is beyond the exposure control range of the camera.
SHUTTER PRIORITY (S) EXPOSURE MODE The photographer selects the shutter speed and the camera sets the appropriate aperture to ensure correct exposure. When shutter priority is selected, the shutter speed on the monitor turns blue and a double arrow indicator appears next to it. The shutter speed can be set between 1/1000 and 15 seconds. If the shutter speed is beyond the aperture range, the aperture display will turn red.
MANUAL (M) EXPOSURE MODE 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. Use the up/down keys of the controller to change the shutter speed. Use the left/right keys of the controller to change the aperture. The changes made to the exposure will be visible in the live image on the monitor.
TIME EXPOSURES Time photographs can be taken in the manual-exposure mode. Exposures up to thirty seconds can be made. The use of a tripod is recommended. The camera’s exposure system cannot be used to calculate time exposures. A separate light meter can be used to determine the exposure. 1 Use the down key of the controller to decrease the shutter speed below 15 seconds until “T” is displayed. Set the aperture using the left/right keys of the controller.
MOVIE RECORDING This camera can record digital video with sound. Total recording time varies with the image size and frame rate, see page 66. Exposure compensation and the macro modes can be used. Other changes can be made with the movie recording menu (p. 44). Image size Frame rate Before recording, the frame counter shows the maximum time in seconds that can be recorded on the next movie clip. Recording time Frame the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 22).
EXPOSURE COMPENSATION The camera exposure can be adjusted to make the final picture lighter or darker by as much as ±2Ev in 1/3 increments. Exposure compensation can only be used with Digital Subject Programs, the P, A, and S exposure modes. With Digital Subject Programs, exposure compensation is reset when the exposure-mode dial is moved to another position or the camera is turned off. In P, A, and S exposure modes, exposure compensation remains in effect until reset.
FOCUS AREA SELECTION Individual focus areas can be selected when recording still images. With auto recording and Digital Subject Programs, focus area selection is reset when the exposure-mode dial is moved to another position or the camera is turned off. In P, A, S, and M exposure modes, the selected focus area remains active until reset. Press and hold the central button of the controller until the three spot focus areas are displayed.
ATTACHING A MINOLTA ACCESSORY FLASH To extend the versatility of the camera, an accessory flash unit (sold separately) can be used. 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.
NAVIGATING THE RECORDING MENUS The recording menu displayed varies with the position of the exposure-mode dial. There are four menus depending on if auto recording, movie recording, Digital Subject Programs, or the P,A,S, and M exposure modes are selected. Pressing the menu button (1) turns the menu on and off. The four-way keys of the controller (2) move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller enters a setting. Activate the menu with the menu button.
Drive mode Image size Quality Auto DSP Digital zoom Single 2048x1536 Standard On Off Drive mode Image size Quality Focus mode Digital zoom Auto-recording menu Drive mode Image size Quality White balance Key func. Single 2048x1536 Standard Auto focus Off Image size Frame rate Audio White balance Movie mode Digital Subject Program menu Single 2048x1536 Standard Auto Flash mode Focus mode Full-time AF Flash mode Flash comp.
DRIVE MODES The drive modes control the rate and method images are captured. The drive mode is set on all menus except the movie menu. With auto recording and Digital Subject Programs, the drive mode is reset to single-frame advance when the exposure-mode dial is moved to another position or the camera is turned off. In P, A, S, and M exposure modes, the drive mode remains in effect until changed. Refer to the following sections for descriptions of the drive modes.
SELF-TIMER Used for self-portraits, the self-timer will delay the release of the shutter for approximately ten seconds after the shutter-release button is pressed. The self-timer is set on section 1 of the recording menus (p. 44). With the camera on a tripod, compose the picture so the subject is within the focus frames. Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the exposure and focus (1). Press the shutter-release button all the way down to begin the countdown (2).
USING THE CONTINUOUS-ADVANCE MODES The continuous-advance drive modes allow a series of images to be captured while holding down the shutter-release button. These drive modes are set in section 1 of the recording menus. Immediately after selecting the continuous option on the menu, a selection screen is displayed to select between standard and UHS continuous advance. Use the left/right keys of the controller to select the continuos advance mode.
CONTINUOUS-ADVANCE NOTES CONTINUOUS ADVANCE The number of images that can be captured at one time depend on the image-quality and image-size setting. The maximum rate of capture is approximately 1.5 fps. The built-in flash can be used, but the rate of capture is reduced because the flash must recharge between frames. Date imprinting (p. 92) also reduces the rate of capture. The following chart lists the maximum number of images that can be captured with different image-quality and image-size combinations.
USING THE PROGRESSIVE-CAPTURE MODES The Progressive-Capture drive modes continuously record images while holding down the shutter-release button. When the shutter button is released, the images stored in the camera’s buffer memory are saved. These drive modes are set in section 1 of the recording menus. Drive mode Image size Quality White balance Key func. Immediately after selecting the progressive option on the menu, a selection screen is displayed to select between standard and UHS Progressive Capture.
PROGRESSIVE-CAPTURE NOTES The advantage of Progressive Capture over the continuous-advance drive mode is that it allows you to record events without the need to predict when the event will start. Simply hold the shutter-release button down to start saving images, and when the action happens, release the shutter button to save the recorded series. When the red lowbattery warning is displayed, these drive modes cannot be used.
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 bracketing mode is set in section 1 of the recording menus. Immediately after selecting the bracketing option on the menu, a selection screen is displayed to select the bracketing increment. Drive mode Image size Quality White balance Key func.
Number of frames in bracketing series Frame counter The remaining number of frames in the bracket series is displayed on the monitor next to the bracketing indicator. If the memory 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. If the red low-battery indicator appears, the bracketing drive mode is disabled. The flash cannot be used with the bracketing drive mode.
IMAGE SIZE AND IMAGE QUALITY 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. FINE STD. ECON. LCD monitor Number of pixels (hor. X vert.) 2048 1600 1280 640 2048 X 1536 1600 X 1200 1280 X 960 640 X 480 Fine - high-quality JPEG image. Standard - the default setting.
Approximate file sizes. Size 2048 X 1764 1600 X 1200 Quality Fine Standard Economy 1.1MB 720KB 430KB 770KB 450KB 280KB 1280 X 960 640 X 480 550KB 310KB 200KB 160KB 130KB 90KB Approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16MB memory card. Fine Standard Economy 9 17 32 14 27 47 22 39 69 69 100 150 Camera Notes 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.
AUTO DSP Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection can be temporarily disabled in the auto-recording menu. When disabled, the program exposure mode is active. If the position of the exposure mode dial is changed or the camera is turned off, Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection is activated.
FOCUS MODES This camera has autofocus and manual focus control. The focus mode must be activated separately in the Digital Subject Program and P, A, S, and M exposure-mode menus. The focus mode is activated in section 2 of the P, A, S, and M exposure-mode menu (p. 44).
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. An indicator will be displayed on the monitor if a setting other than auto white-balance is chosen. White balance is set independently in section 1 of the movie, and P, A, S, and M exposure-mode menus (p. 44).
