Camera Sensitivity - Iso; Flash Range And Camera Sensitivity; Full-Time Af; Metering Modes - Minolta DiMAGE S414 Instruction Manual

CAMERA SENSITIVITY - ISO

Five camera sensitivity settings can be selected: Auto, 64, 100, 200, and 400; the
numerical values are based on an ISO equivalent. ISO is the standard used to indicate
film sensitivity: the higher the number, the more sensitive the film. Camera sensitivity is
set in the basic section of the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 54).
The auto setting automatically adjusts the camera sensitivity to the light conditions
between ISO 64 and 320. When the flash is activated and camera sensitivity is set to
auto, the ISO value is set between ISO 64 and 200. When any other setting than auto is
used, "ISO" will appear on the data panel, and "ISO" and the set value will be displayed
on the monitor.
Photographers can select a specific sensitivity setting. As the ISO value doubles, the
camera sensitivity doubles. Like grain in silver-halide film that increases with speed,
noise increases with sensitivity in digital imaging; an ISO setting of 64 will have the least
noise and 400 will have the most noise. An ISO setting of 400 may allow the camera to
be hand-held in low-light conditions without the need of a flash.

FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY

The flash range is measured from the CCD. 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.
ISO setting Flash range (wide angle)
AUTO 0.5m ~ 3.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 11.5 ft.)
64
0.5m ~ 2.0m (1.6 ft. ~ 6.6 ft.)
100 0.5m ~ 2.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 8.2 ft.)
200 0.5m ~ 3.5m (1.6 ft. ~ 11.5 ft.)
400
0.5m ~ 5.0m (1.6 ft. ~ 16.4 ft.)
At the wide-angle lens position, when using the flash with subjects closer than 1m (3ft),
vignetting can occur. A slight shadow or shading may be apparent at the bottom of a
horizontal image.
62 M -
ULTI FUNCTION RECORDING MODE
Flash range (telephoto)
0.9m ~ 3.0m (3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)
0.9m ~ 1.7m (3.0 ft. ~ 5.6 ft.)
0.9m ~ 2.1m (3.0 ft. ~ 6.9 ft.)
0.9m ~ 3.0m (3.0 ft. ~ 9.8 ft.)
0.9m ~ 4.2m (3.0 ft. ~ 13.8 ft.)

FULL-TIME AF

With full-time AF active, the autofocus systems continually focuses to keep the monitor
image sharp. This also reduces the autofocusing time when taking pictures. Full-time AF
can be activated in the custom 1 section of the multi-function recording mode menu (p.
54).
When the monitor is turned off or when the camera is set to manual focus, full-time AF is
disabled. Turning the full-time AF function off can help conserve battery power.

METERING MODES

The icons indicating the metering modes are displayed on the monitor. The metering
mode is set in the custom 1 section of the multi-function recording mode menu (p. 54).
Multi-segment metering uses 270 segments to measure luminance and color.
This data is combined with distance information to calculate the camera
exposure. This advanced metering system will give accurate worry-free
exposures in almost all situations.
Spot metering uses a small area within the
image to calculate the exposure. When this
mode is selected, the LCD monitor will
automatically activate if off and a small circle will appear in
the middle of the live image indicating the measuring area.
The spot allows precise exposure measurements of a
particular object without being influenced by extremely
bright or dark areas within the scene. If the LCD monitor
is turned off, the spot-metering mode will remain active.
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