E
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
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 August, 2001.
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 S304 digital camera
AA alkaline batteries (set of four)
Neck strap for DiMAGE S304 NS-DG304
Lens cap for DiMAGE S304 LF-236
16MB CompactFlash card
AV cable for DiMAGE S304 AVC-100
USB cable for DiMAGE S304 USB-200
DiMAGE software CD-ROM for DiMAGE S304
ArcSoft PhotoImpression CD-ROM
DiMAGE Image Viewer Utility instruction manual
Camera manual
Warranty card
Because the performance of alkaline batteries
with digital cameras is low, the use of
Ni-MH batteries is recommended.
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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.
• 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.
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FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
• 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
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.
• 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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5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
The basic operation of this camera is covered between pages 10 and 27. 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.
The auto-recording mode section covers all the basic functions of the camera in this
mode and the multi-function recording mode. Take time to read this section before
moving on to the multi-function recording mode. The other sections, movie recording
mode, playback mode, setup mode, and data transfer mode, can be read as needed.
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.
Throughout the text are shooting tips and camera notes. Shooting tips give advice and
information on photography and how to use the camera to achieve the best results.
Camera notes cover details on camera operation.
Names of parts
Camera body ...........................................................................................................................10
Viewfinder ................................................................................................................................12
Mode dial .................................................................................................................................12
Data panel ...............................................................................................................................13
LCD monitor display ................................................................................................................14
Getting up and running.........................................................................................................................15
Attaching the neck strap and lens cap ....................................................................................15
Changing batteries ..................................................................................................................16
Battery condition indicator .......................................................................................................17
Auto power save......................................................................................................................17
External power supplies (sold separately)...............................................................................18
Changing the CompactFlash card...........................................................................................18
Auto-recording mode - basic operation................................................................................................20
Handling the camera ...............................................................................................................20
Setting the camera to record images automatically ................................................................21
Zoom lens and digital zoom ....................................................................................................22
6
Basic recording operation........................................................................................................23
Focus lock ...............................................................................................................................24
Focus range.............................................................................................................................24
Focus signals...........................................................................................................................25
Special focusing situations ......................................................................................................25
Quick view ...............................................................................................................................26
Quick-view display ......................................................................................................27
Deleting images in quick view ....................................................................................27
Digital-subject-program button ................................................................................................28
Flash modes ............................................................................................................................30
Flash range - auto-recording mode .........................................................................................31
Flash signals............................................................................................................................31
Camera-shake warning ...........................................................................................................31
Drive modes ............................................................................................................................32
Self-timer.....................................................................................................................33
Remote control (sold separately)................................................................................34
Continuous advance ...................................................................................................35
Bracketing ...................................................................................................................36
Display button - recording mode .............................................................................................37
Navigating the auto-recording mode menu .............................................................................38
Image size ..................................................................................................................40
Image quality ..............................................................................................................41
Image-file size and CompactFlash card capacity.......................................................42
Voice memo ................................................................................................................43
Date imprinting............................................................................................................44
Instant playback..........................................................................................................45
Exposure compensation ..........................................................................................................46
What is an Ev? What is a stop? ..............................................................................................47
Multi-function recording mode - advanced operation...........................................................................48
Autofocus areas and control....................................................................................................48
Navigating the multi-function recording mode menu...............................................................50
Exposure modes.........................................................................................................52
Program.................................................................................................................52
Aperture priority - A ...............................................................................................52
Manual exposure - M ............................................................................................53
White balance .............................................................................................................54
Automatic white balance .......................................................................................54
Preset white balance.............................................................................................54
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Custom white balance...........................................................................................55
Focus modes ..............................................................................................................56
Camera sensitivity - ISO.............................................................................................57
Flash range and camera sensitivity ............................................................................57
Full-time AF.................................................................................................................58
Metering modes ..........................................................................................................58
Exposure bracketing ...................................................................................................59
Digital zoom and image size.......................................................................................59
Image control - color, sharpness, contrast, & saturation ............................................60
Bulb exposures........................................................................................................................61
A short guide to photography ...............................................................................................................62
Movie recording....................................................................................................................................64
Recording movies with the RC-3 remote control (sold separately).........................................65
Playback mode - viewing and editing images......................................................................................66
Single-frame playback display.................................................................................................67
Movie playback display............................................................................................................67
Viewing pictures ......................................................................................................................68
Viewing movies........................................................................................................................69
Deleting images.......................................................................................................................69
Display button - playback mode ..............................................................................................70
Enlarged playback ...................................................................................................................71
Navigating the playback-mode menu ......................................................................................72
Playback-mode menu - basic ..................................................................................................74
Deleting images ..........................................................................................................74
Locking images...........................................................................................................75
Changing the index playback format ..........................................................................75
Playback-mode menu - custom 1 (Slide Show) ......................................................................76
Playback-mode menu - custom 2............................................................................................78
About DPOF ...............................................................................................................78
Creating a DPOF print order.......................................................................................78
Ordering an index print ...............................................................................................79
Canceling a DPOF print order ....................................................................................79
Copying images ..........................................................................................................80
Frame-selection screen ...........................................................................................................81
Viewing images on a television ...............................................................................................82
Setup mode - controlling the camera’s operation ................................................................................83
Navigating the setup menu......................................................................................................84
Setup menu - basic .................................................................................................................86
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LCD monitor brightness ..............................................................................................86
Formatting CompactFlash cards.................................................................................86
Auto power save .........................................................................................................87
Beep............................................................................................................................87
Language ....................................................................................................................87
Setup menu - custom 1 ...........................................................................................................88
File number memory...................................................................................................88
Select folder................................................................................................................88
Setup menu - Custom 2 ..........................................................................................................89
Reset default...............................................................................................................89
Setting the date and time............................................................................................90
Setting the date format ...............................................................................................91
Video output................................................................................................................91
Data-transfer mode - connecting to a computer ..................................................................................92
Arcsoft PhotoImpression 3.0 system requirements.................................................................93
QuickTime 5.0 system requirements .......................................................................................93
Connecting the camera to a computer ....................................................................................94
Connecting to Windows 98 and 98SE.....................................................................................96
Automatic installation..................................................................................................96
Manual installation ......................................................................................................97
Connecting to Mac OS 8.6 ......................................................................................................99
Auto power save (data-transfer mode)....................................................................................99
CompactFlash card folder organization .............................................................................................100
Disconnecting the camera from the computer ......................................................................102
Windows 98 and 98SE .............................................................................................102
Windows Me and Windows 2000 Professional ........................................................102
Macintosh..................................................................................................................103
Changing the CompactFlash card (data-transfer mode).......................................................104
..................................................................................................................................105
Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................................106
Care and storage...................................................................................................................109
Technical specifications .........................................................................................................114
Appendix
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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. 109).
Shutter-release button
Mode dial (main switch)
Digital-subject-program button (p. 28)
Data panel (p. 13)
Viewfinder window*
Microphone
Speaker
Flash (p. 30)
Strap eyelet (p. 15)
Remote-control
receiver
Self-timer/
Remote-control
lamp (p. 32)
Lens*
Battery-chamber door (p. 16)
Battery-chamber lock (p. 16)
Flash mode/Magnification button (p. 30, 71)
CCD plane
Drive-mode button (p. 32)
Exposure-compensation button (p. 46)
Viewfinder* (p. 12)
LCD monitor*
(p. 14)
Controller
Menu button
QV/ Delete button (p. 26)
Display button (p. 37, 70)
Access lamp
DC terminal cover (p. 18)
Card-slot door release
Tripod socket
Card-slot door (p. 18)
The USB port and AV-out
terminal are located behind
the card-slot door.
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NAMES OF PARTS
VIEWFINDER
Focus frame
MODE DIAL
This dial gives direct
and easy access to
the camera’s major
modes. It also acts
as the main switch
Focus lamp
(green)
Flash lamp
(orange)
Auto-recording mode (p. 20)
Multi-function recording mode (p. 48)
Playback mode (p. 66)
Movie-recording mode (p. 64)
Setup mode (p. 83)
Data-transfer mode (p. 92)
DATA PANEL
Digital-subject-program indicators (p. 28)
White-balance indicator (p. 54)
Manual-focus indicator (p. 56)
Camera-sensitivity indicator (p. 57)
Spot-metering indicator (p. 58)
Flash-mode indicators (p. 30)
Image-size display (p. 40)
Image-quality display (p. 41)
Drive-mode indicators (p. 32)
Microphone indicator (p. 43)
Battery-condition indicator (p. 17)
Exposure-compensation indicator (p. 46)
Exposure-mode indicators (p. 52)
Digital-subject-program icons (p. 28)
Frame counter
(p. 42)
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NAMES OF PARTS
LCD MONITOR DISPLAY
a. Mode indicator (p. 12)
b. Flash-mode indicators (p. 30)
c. Sharpness display (p. 60)
d. Contrast-compensation display (p. 60)
e. Color-saturation-compensation
display (p. 60)
f. Exposure-compensation display (p. 46)
g. White-balance indicators (p. 54)
h. Exposure-mode (p. 52)/
Digital-subject-program indicators (p. 28)
i. Shutter-speed display
j. Metering-mode indicators (p. 58)
k. Aperture display
l. Camera-shake warning (p. 31)
m. Camera-sensitivity (ISO) display (p. 57)
n. Manual-focus indicator (p. 56)
o. Focus signals (p. 25)
p. Frame counter (p. 42)
q. Drive-mode indicators (p. 32)
r. Macro indicator (p. 28)
s. Battery-condition indicator (p. 17)
t. Image-quality indicator (p. 41)
u. Image-size display (p. 40)
v. Digital-zoom display (p. 22)
1. Focus frame (p. 48)
2. Spot metering area (p. 58)
3. AF sensors (p. 23)
GETTING UP
AND RUNNING
ATTACHING THE NECK STRAP AND LENS CAP
Attach the small strap to the lens cap by passing one of the
small loops through the eyelet on the cap (1) and then pass-
ing the other loop through the first loop (2) and tightening.
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1
Attach the camera strap to the strap eye-
lets as shown.
• Make sure the neck strap passes through
the loop of the lens-cap strap.
• Always keep the camera strap around your
neck in the event that you drop the camera.
3
4
Using your thumb and index
finger, pinch the outside tabs
of the lens cap to remove or
attach.
• When the camera is not in use,
always replace the lens cap.
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