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.
Check the packing list before using this product. If any items are missing, immediately
contact your camera dealer.
Minolta DiMAGE F200 digital camera
Hand strap HS-DG100
SD Memory Card
AV cable AVC-200
USB cable USB-500
DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM
DiMAGE F200 instruction manual
DiMAGE Viewer instruction manual
Warranty card
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, Power Macintosh, Mac OS, and the Mac OS logo are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of the Microsoft
Corporation. The official name of Windows is Microsoft Windows Operating System. Pentium is a
registered trademark of the Intel Corporation. Power PC is a trademark of the International Business
Machines Corporation. QuickTime is a trademark used under license. USB DIRECT-PRINT is a
trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
2
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
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 lithium 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.
• Tape over battery contacts to avoid short-circuiting during disposal; always follow local
regulations for battery disposal.
• 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.
3
• 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 look directly at the sun or strong light sources through the viewfinder. It may
damage your eyesight or cause blindness.
• 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 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. Care should be taken to
avoid burns.
• Burns may result if the memory 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.
4
FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE
5
About this manual
The basic operation of this camera is covered between pages 14 and 37. 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 basic and advanced auto-recording mode sections cover all the basic functions of
the camera in this mode and in the multi-function recording mode. Take time to read
these sections before moving on to the multi-function recording mode section. The basic
playback section describes how to view images. The other sections 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.
Names of parts ....................................................................................................................................10
Camera body ...........................................................................................................................10
Viewfinder ................................................................................................................................12
Mode dial .................................................................................................................................12
Data panel ...............................................................................................................................13
Getting up and running.........................................................................................................................14
Inserting batteries ....................................................................................................................14
Attaching the hand strap .........................................................................................................15
Battery condition indicator .......................................................................................................16
Auto power save......................................................................................................................16
Connecting the AC adapter (sold separately) .........................................................................17
Changing the memory card .....................................................................................................18
About memory cards...................................................................................................19
Setting the date and time ........................................................................................................20
Auto-recording mode - basic operation................................................................................................22
Handling the camera ...............................................................................................................22
Power / Access lamp ...............................................................................................................22
Setting the camera to record images automatically ................................................................23
Using the zoom lens................................................................................................................24
Focus range.............................................................................................................................24
About camera operation ..........................................................................................................25
Basic recording operation........................................................................................................26
Focus signals...........................................................................................................................27
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Special focusing situations ......................................................................................................27
Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection..........................................................................28
Digital-subject-program button ................................................................................................29
Display button - recording mode .............................................................................................31
Flash modes ............................................................................................................................32
Flash range - auto-recording mode .........................................................................................33
Flash signals............................................................................................................................33
Camera-shake warning ...........................................................................................................33
Playback - basic operation ...................................................................................................................34
Single-frame playback and histogram display.........................................................................34
Viewing and deleting images...................................................................................................35
Display button - playback mode ..............................................................................................36
Display button - Quick View ....................................................................................................36
Enlarged playback ...................................................................................................................37
Auto-recording mode - advanced operation.........................................................................................38
Drive modes ............................................................................................................................38
Self-timer .................................................................................................................................39
Remote control (sold separately) ............................................................................................40
Continuous advance................................................................................................................41
Bracketing................................................................................................................................42
Navigating the auto-recording mode menu .............................................................................44
Image size and image quality..................................................................................................46
Digital zoom.............................................................................................................................48
Date imprinting ........................................................................................................................49
Instant playback.......................................................................................................................50
Exposure compensation ..........................................................................................................51
Focus area selection ...............................................................................................................52
Focus lock ...............................................................................................................................53
Multi-function recording mode - advanced operation...........................................................................54
Multi-function recording mode display.....................................................................................55
Navigating the multi-function recording mode menu...............................................................56
Exposure modes......................................................................................................................58
Programmed AE - P....................................................................................................58
Aperture priority - A.....................................................................................................58
Shutter priority - S.......................................................................................................59
Manual exposure - M..................................................................................................60
Bulb exposures........................................................................................................................61
White balance..........................................................................................................................62
Automatic white balance.............................................................................................62
Preset white balance ..................................................................................................62
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Custom white balance ................................................................................................63
Camera sensitivity - ISO..........................................................................................................64
Flash range and camera sensitivity ............................................................................64
Focus modes ...........................................................................................................................65
Single-shot AF ............................................................................................................65
Subject Tracking AF....................................................................................................65
Subject Tracking AF with Focus Area Selection .........................................................66
Manual focus ..............................................................................................................67
Full-time AF .............................................................................................................................67
Flash compensation ................................................................................................................68
Metering modes.......................................................................................................................68
Voice memo.............................................................................................................................69
Color mode ..............................................................................................................................70
Digital Effects Control ..............................................................................................................70
A short guide to photography ...............................................................................................................72
What is an Ev? ........................................................................................................................73
Using exposure and flash compensation ................................................................................74
Movie and audio recording...................................................................................................................75
Recording audio ......................................................................................................................75
Recording movies....................................................................................................................76
Notes on movie recording .......................................................................................................77
Recording movies and audio with the RC-3 remote control (sold separately)........................77
Navigating the movie menu.....................................................................................................78
Direct Video .............................................................................................................................80
Playback mode - advanced operation..................................................................................................82
Playing back voice memos and audio captions ......................................................................82
Playing back movies and audio recordings.............................................................................83
Navigating the playback-mode menu ......................................................................................84
Frame-selection screen ...........................................................................................................86
Deleting files ............................................................................................................................87
Auto rotate ...............................................................................................................................88
Locking files.............................................................................................................................88
Audio captioning ......................................................................................................................89
Slide Show...............................................................................................................................90
About DPOF ............................................................................................................................92
Creating a DPOF print order ...................................................................................................92
Ordering an index print............................................................................................................93
Copy and E-mail Copy ............................................................................................................94
Viewing images on a television ...............................................................................................96
Setup mode - controlling the camera’s operation ................................................................................97
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Navigating the setup menu......................................................................................................98
LCD monitor brightness.........................................................................................................100
Formatting memory cards......................................................................................................100
Auto power save....................................................................................................................101
Language...............................................................................................................................101
File number (#) memory ........................................................................................................101
Folder name ..........................................................................................................................102
Audio signals .........................................................................................................................102
Shutter FX .............................................................................................................................103
Volume ..................................................................................................................................104
Reset default .........................................................................................................................104
Noise reduction......................................................................................................................106
Setting the date and time ......................................................................................................106
Setting the date format ..........................................................................................................106
Video output ..........................................................................................................................106
Data-transfer mode - connecting to a computer ................................................................................107
System requirements.............................................................................................................107
Connecting the camera to a computer ..................................................................................108
Connecting to Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition ..............................................................110
Automatic installation ................................................................................................110
Manual installation.....................................................................................................111
QuickTime system requirements ...........................................................................................113
Auto power save (data-transfer mode) ..................................................................................113
Memory card folder organization ...........................................................................................114
Disconnecting the camera from the computer.......................................................................116
Windows 98 and 98 Second Edition.........................................................................116
Windows Me, 2000 Professional, and XP.................................................................116
Macintosh..................................................................................................................117
Changing the memory card (data-transfer mode) .................................................................118
Using USB DIRECT-PRINT ...................................................................................................118
Notes on printing errors.........................................................................................................120
Navigating the USB DIRECT-PRINT menu...........................................................................120
Printing DPOF files ................................................................................................................121
..................................................................................................................................122
Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................................122
About Ni-MH batteries ...........................................................................................................124
Uninstalling the driver software - Windows ...........................................................................125
Care and storage...................................................................................................................126
Technical specifications .........................................................................................................130
Appendix
9
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. 126).
Data panel (p. 13)
Viewfinder window*
Microphone
Speaker
Shutter-release button
Mode dial (main switch)
Strap eyelet (p. 15)
Battery-chamber door (p. 14)
Card-slot door (p. 18)
Lens*
Flash (p. 32)
Remote-control receiver
Self-timer/Remote-control lamp (p. 39, 40)
The tripod socket is located on the
bottom of the body.
Flash mode/Information button (p. 32, 34)
Drive-mode button (p. 38)
Viewfinder* (p. 12)
LCD monitor*
Zoom lever (p. 24)
Power/Access
lamp (p. 22)
Controller
Digital-subject-program
button (p. 29)
The USB port, AV-out termi-
nal, and DC terminal are
located behind the terminal
cover.
Menu button
Display button (p. 31, 36)
QV/ Delete button (p. 34, 35)
10
NAMES OF PARTS
11
Viewfinder
Data panel
Located on the top of the camera body, the data panel shows the status of the camera.
All icons have been shown for clarity.
Drive-mode indicators (p. 38)
Exposure-mode indicators (p. 58)
Focus lamp (green)
Flash lamp (orange)
Because the optical viewfinder and the lens are slightly separated, the image seen
through one is not exactly the same as the other; this is called parallax. Parallax can
cause errors in framing at close distances and is more pronounced at longer focal
lengths. When the subject is closer than 1m (3ft) at the wide-angle lens position or 3m
(9.8ft) at the telephoto position, use the LCD monitor to compose the image; because the
lens creates the monitor image, it does not suffer from parallax.
Mode dial
This dial gives
direct and easy
access
the
camera’s major
modes.
It also
acts as the main
switch.
to
Auto-recording mode (p. 22, 38)
Multi-function recording mode (p. 54)
Playback mode (p. 34, 82)
Movie-recording mode (p. 76)
Audio recording mode (p. 75)
Setup mode (p. 97)
Exposure compensation indicator (p. 51, 68)
Flash-mode indicators (p. 32)
Frame counter (p. 47)
Battery-condition indicator (p. 16)
Camera Notes
The frame counter cannot exceed 999. When the number of recordable images exceeds this,
999 will be displayed. The frame counter will continue to count down when the number of record-
able images falls below one thousand.
12
NAMES OF PARTS
13
GETTING UP AND RUNNING
Inserting batteries
This digital camera uses one CR-V3 lithium battery. Two AA-size Ni-
MH batteries can also be used. Do not use other types of AA batteries.
When replacing the batteries, the mode dial should be in the off
position.
Close the battery-chamber door (3) and slide it toward
the top of the body (4) to engage the safety catch.
After installing the battery, the set-time/date message
may appear on the monitor. The clock and calendar are
set in the custom 2 section of the setup menu (p. 20).
4
3
2
1
Open the battery-chamber door by sliding the door
toward the bottom of the camera (1) to release the safety
catch; the door can then be opened (2).
Attaching the hand strap
Always keep the strap around your wrist in the event that the camera is accidentally
dropped. An optional metal chain neck strap, NS-DG100, and leather neck strap, NS-
DG200, are also available from your Minolta dealer. Availability varies with region.
Insert the battery.
CR-V3 - the battery must be inserted
with the battery terminals first. The
flat side of the battery should face the
front of the camera. If the battery
does not fit, check its orientation.
Never force the battery.
1 Pass the small loop of the hand strap through the strap eyelet
on the camera body (1).
2
Pass the other end of the strap through the small
loop and tighten (2).
AA batteries - install as shown in the diagram; make sure the positive and negative
battery terminals are oriented correctly.
14
GETTING UP AND RUNNING
15