The new Minolta Dimage S414 combines high-quality images with automatic features that are ideal for novice users as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. The stylish Dimage S414 offers a 4-megapixel resolution for prints beyond 11 by 14 inches, a 4x optical zoom, built-in flash, video recording capability, and Compact Flash card compatibility.

Optics and Resolution
The Minolta Dimage S414's high-precision electro-optical system is built around a 4.1-megapixel interline primary-color CCD with 4 million effective pixels. The built-in Minolta GT lens is a versatile apochromatic 4x zoom with anomalous dispersion (AD) glass for color accuracy and dual aspherical elements which, combined with a 2.2x digital zoom, provides an 8.8x total zoom. The optical zoom lens range is from 7.15-28.6mm, equivalent to 35-140mm in 35mm photography; with the addition of digital zoom, range is equivalent to 35-308mm in 35mm.

With Minolta's Focus Area Selection feature, photographers can move the focusing point to single out a specific subject from a number of objects at varying distances. The Dimage S414 can also be manually focused for more creative control and features multisegment and spot metering. Multisegment metering uses 270 segments to determine exposure. Three exposure modes are available: program, aperture priority, and manual.

Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on CompactFlash memory cards. The included 16 MB card can store approximately 11 images at the highest standard setting (2,272 x 1,704). Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB storage-class connectivity, which means the camera can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the Dimage S414 is capable of recording up to 60 seconds of video with sound at 15 frames per second and at 320 x 240 pixels.

More Features
The 1.8-inch LCD monitor displays active camera settings, exposure information, and warnings. The Dimage S414 also offers the addition of grid and scale displays for improved composition. The Digital Subject Programs feature optimizes camera's exposure, white balance, and image-processing controls for specific scenes and subject, and includes six settings: macro, portrait, landscape, night portrait, text, and text and macro (for small text and line art).

Other features include:

• Continuous recording ofstill images at a rate of approximately 1.6 frames per second
• Five color mode options: natural color, vivid color, black and white, sepia, and solarization
• Four preset white-balance settings: daylight, cloudy, tungsten, and fluorescent
• Real-time histogram shows the luminance distribution of the image before it is captured
• 10-second self-timer

Power, Size, and Contents
The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines included; rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 4.5 by 2.5 by 2.3 inches and weighs 11.8 ounces. This package includes the Dimage S414 digital camera, four AA alkaline batteries, 16 MB CompactFlash card, USB and AV cables, neck strap, lens cap, and Dimage Software and Viewer CD-ROM and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.