Minolta Dimage G400 4.0 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical

Other products by Minolta

Product Details

Product Manual [3.37mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000UYTOS
• Item model number: 2732-131
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,558 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 6, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
With an amazingly fast start-up time of just 0.7 seconds, the Minolta Dimage G400 is ready when you are to capture life's most precious memories. The compact and stylish G400 also features an all-metal case, a 4.2-megapixel resolution, 3x optical zoom lens, movie mode with audio, and compatibility with both SD memory cards and Memory Sticks.

Optics and Resolution
With the Dimage G400's 4 megapixel resolution, you can capture 2272 x 1704 pixel images for photo-quality 11 x 17-inch enlargements. It also offers 1600 x 1200 (2 MP) and 640 x 480 (VGA) resolution modes.

The 3X optical GT Hexanon zoom lens is comprised of seven elements in six groups to provide sharp, high-contrast images. With a focal range of 5.6–16.8mm, the lens is equivalent to a 34–101mm zoom on a 35mm camera and it covers everything from scenic landscapes to interiors and group shots to portraits and detailed close-ups. It also has a 2x digital zoom.

More Features
The Dimage G400 has a newly designed signal-processing engine with a 0.7 second startup time. You can turn the camera on, focus, set the exposure, capture an image, and turn the camera off in 1.5 seconds. The camera can also focus and determine the exposure in approximately 0.2 second, and the shutter-release time lag is approximately 0.03 second. The Dimage G400 employs Rapid AF to ensure sharp images with minimum delay. Rapid AF uses a passive AF sensor to instantly estimate the distance to the subject and the camera's CCD to determine the precise focus point.

The e-mail copy function creates a 640 x 480 or 160 x 120 JPEG copy of an image on the memory card so that it can be easily transferred over the Internet.

The Dimage G400's versatile flash modes let you shoot in a variety of lighting situations with confidence. In automatic mode, the flash fires whenever it's needed. If the main subject is backlit, you can select fill-flash for additional subject illumination.

Other features include:

• 1.5-inch LCD with optical real-image viewfinder
• Continuous mode of 2.5 frames per second for up to 3 frames
• Six scene modes: Portrait, Scenery, Night, Snapshot, Sports, and Angel
• White balance controls: Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, and Fluorescent
• Color modes: Standard, Cold, Warm, Black and White, Sepia

Storage and Transfer
The Dimage G400 features a dual card slot system for expanded image storage; Memory Sticks and Secure Digital (SD) memory cards can be used alone or in combination. A 16 MB SD card is included with the Dimage G400, and it can store approximately 16 images shot in Normal, 4-megapixel mode. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, 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.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (BP-600). It measures 3.7 by 2.2 by 1.2 inches and weighs 5.1 ounces excluding the batteries or 6.3 ounces when loaded with the battery.

What's In The Box
This package contains the Dimage G400 digital camera, 16 MB SD memory card, lithium-ion battery (BP-600), battery charger (BP-600U), USB cable (USB-810), neck strap (NS-DG130), Dimage Viewer CD-ROM, instruction manual CD-ROM, and quick-start guide.

From the Manufacturer
The new DiMAGE G400 is an easy-to-use digital camera housed in a slim, elegantly-styled body. This 4.0 megapixel camera creates beautiful images at the touch of a button. In spite of its size, the DiMAGE G400 is well-equipped with powerful imaging tools plus a dual memory-card slot for expanded storage capability. Konica Minolta's DiMAGE G400 brings the fun of digital photography to a broad range of consumers, especially beginners who'd prefer a higher class digital camera and those who want to carry a high-quality digital camera with them wherever they do.

4.2 Megapixel CCD
The DiMAGE G400 features a 4.2 megapixel, 1/2.5-type interline CCD that enables virtually anyone to create beautiful digital images. In addition, a new signal-processing engine ensures that the captured images are reproduced as accurately as possible.

Rapid Autofocusing
The super-quick DiMAGE G400 uses Rapid Autofocus to ensure sharp images with minimum delay. Rapid AF uses a passive AF sensor to instantly estimate the distance to the subject and the camera's CCD to determine the precise focus point.

Dual Memory Card Slot System -- Memory Stick and SD Card Compatibility
The DiMAGE G400 has a dual card-slot system for flexible image storage. Both Memory Sticks and SD Memory Cards can be used alone or in combination. When both memory card types are used in the camera at the same time, up to 640MB of data can be saved depending on card capacity – eliminating the worries of running out of memory during important events.

6X (3X Optical, 2X Digital) GT Hexanon Zoom Lens
The 3X optical GT Hexanon zoom lens is comprised of seven elements in six groups to provide sharp, high-contrast images. The high-performance lens is designed to minimize flare and off-axis aberrations so that the tonal range and detail in the original scene can be seen in the final image. With a focal range of 5.6 – 16.8mm, the lens is equivalent to a 34 – 101mm zoom on a 35mm camera. This range covers everything from scenic landscapes to interiors and group shots to portraits and detailed close-ups. Konica Minolta's GT Hexanon lens design ensures optimum results from the camera's 4.2 megapixel CCD. Plus, the maximum aperture of f/2.8 – 4.9 allows the camera to be used in less than ideal lighting conditions without flash. The DiMAGE G400's digital zoom can extend the optical zoom performance two times, giving the camera a maximum equivalent of a 202mm telephoto lens on a 35mm camera. The combined optical and digital zooms give this compact camera a powerful and versatile 6X zoom range.

0.7 Second Startup Time
The DiMAGE G400 has an exceptionally fast 0.7 second startup time. A newly designed signal-processing engine makes this compact camera twice as fast as the DiMAGE G500. The user can turn the camera on, focus, set the exposure, capture an image, and turn the camera off in just 1.5 seconds.

0.2 Second Response Time
Whether photographing events or spontaneous facial expressions, the DiMAGE G400 has the technology to capture the moment. The camera can focus and set the exposure in approximately 0.2 second and the shutter-release time lag is approximately 0.03 second.

0.2 Second Playback Startup
The DiMAGE G400 has an impressive playback performance. Playback mode starts up in approximately 0.2 second. A still image can be seamlessly enlarged from 1X to 12X in just 1.5 seconds.

Super Continuous Advance
For capturing the action as it unfolds, the DiMAGE G400 is equipped with a Super Continuous advance mode that takes a series of three images at 2.5 fps.

Noise Reduction
Dark noise, an ever-present problem in electronic systems, manifests itself by giving a grainy or sandy appearance to images taken with long exposures. The DiMAGE G400 combats this with a noise-reduction function, which automatically activates for exposures of 1/2 second or longer.

Elegant Appearance
Dressed in a slim and elegant metal case, the DiMAGE G400 is a stylish companion for any occasion. The G400 can be easily slipped into a pocket or bag and taken with you for business or pleasure.

Image Adjustment Controls
Advanced amateurs will appreciate the image-making features included in the DiMAGE G400. Color, sharpness, and contrast can be controlled to create the image you want. Plus, the color-balance function allows you to change the relative proportions of red, green, and blue to shift the overall color of an image.

Simple Operation
The DiMAGE G400 is very easy to use. The built-in lens cover not only protects the optical zoom, but also turns the camera on and off in one smooth movement. Buttons and controls are ergonomically placed to facilitate operation. And the familiar "click" sound of a film-camera's shutter confirms that an image has been captured.

Macro Focusing
The DiMAGE G400 allows small objects and intricate details to be captured clearly. The camera can focus down to 2 inches from the lens for beautifully crisp close-ups. At the maximum magnification, an area of 3.1 x 2.4 inches is covered.

Scene-Select Modes
In addition to the fully automatic "point & shoot" program mode (Auto), six scene-select modes allow you to quickly optimize camera operation for specific subjects. Portrait, Scenery, Night, Snapshot, Sports, and Angel modes can be selected.

Automatic Bracketing
Auto bracketing makes a three-frame exposure bracket or focus bracket of a scene to ensure you'll get the best result. Exposures can be set manually.

Creative Exposure Modes
The DiMAGE G400 gives you creative control over the image-making process with aperture-priority and manual exposure modes, allowing the lens aperture and the shutter speed to be adjusted together or independently as desired.

Versatile Flash Control
The DiMAGE G400's versatile flash modes let you shoot in a variety of lighting situations with confidence. In automatic mode, the flash fires whenever it's needed. If the main subject is backlit, you can select fill-flash for additional subject illumination. And if you're somewhere where flash use is not permitted or desirable, the flash can be turned off.

Movie Recording
The DiMAGE G400 does not just take beautiful digital photographs. 320 x 240 XR (Extended Recording) Movies with audio can also be made. The length of the movie clip is only limited by the storage capacity of the memory cards in use. Audio can be recorded alone or attached to a recorded still image.

Automatic Monitor Amplification
When working in less than ideal lighting conditions, precisely framing an image on the monitor can be difficult. The DiMAGE G400's automatic monitor amplification brightens the monitor under low light so the live image is always visible.

Image Resizing for E-Mail
Still images can easily be shared electronically. Favorite images can be resized to 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 in the camera. Simply connect the camera to a computer with the supplied USB cable to transfer the data so that it can be attached to an e-mail or posted on the web.

Bundled with DiMAGE Viewer
DiMAGE Viewer supports the latest generation of Konica Minolta digital cameras. The Viewer complements the camera by allowing still and movie images to be processed and edited on a computer. A wide range of image-processing controls is available, plus a new movie enhancer plug-in for editing and processing digital video. The DiMAGE Viewer is not limited to images captured with Konica Minolta cameras, and can edit and process numerous common image-file formats.

What comes in the box: Neck strap, USB cable, 16 MB SD (Secure Digital) memory card, lithium-ion battery BP-600, lithium-ion battery charger BC-600U, DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast, small & light, excellent images indoors & out, January 10, 2004

By A Customer

Photography has been a lifelong hobby of mine. I love to take candids both indoors & out and I have always wanted a camera that was small enough to take anywhere, fast enough for candids, with high image quality and manual features beyond a point & shoot. I have finally found it in this camera. I have already taken hundreds of pictures and the quality has been great. But I was perplexed why many reviews complained about the poor ability of the camera to focus indoors while others have said they get perfect results.

In fact the autofocus light does continue to blink annoyingly on most indoor shots, even in good lighting, indicating that the autofocus is not locked . But the camera allows you to take the shot anyway and the results always appear to be in focus.. I tried shots even in total darkness (using flash, of course) and the results are fine, despite the fact that the autofocus indicator says that focus in not locked.

How could this be? To see if the autofocus was really working in the dark I tried a simple test. I took a picture in a poorly lit room with the focus light indicating focus was not locked and another of the same subject with the lights turned up, allowing me to lock focus. Much to my surprise I found negligible difference in sharpness- This camera's autofocus in low light actually exceeded my expectation. But you need to get past the fact that the camera is indicating the focus cannot lock and simply look at the results.

Pros
Very small & light weight
Super fast response: opening, closing, and shot to shot
Well priced
Packed with manual features
High image quality: very good sharpness and excellent color accuracy
Easy to use - Menu is a bit complex but fine once you are used to it

Cons (All minor issues)
Poor Minolta customer service
No printed manual
Camera front is easily scratched

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive in size and features, June 14, 2004

By	Karl Becker (Fargo, ND USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am very, very pleased with my purchase of the Minolta G400; it slides into a pocket effortlessly, offers fairly powerful manual exposure control, good battery life and the fastest startup time I've seen in any digital camera.

I've used a Minolta S404 for all my previous digital photography, so I was looking for a small camera I could keep in my pocket. I confirmed its usability as a quick snap-shot camera at a wedding I attended yesterday; you really can turn it on, take a photo, and turn it off in under 2 seconds. The incredibly fast startup time makes the G400 an outstanding camera for capturing precious, unbelievable, fleeting moments.

Auto-focus in low light takes more time than in bright light, but the longest I've waited has been a little over a second. Overall, the G400 focuses much faster than my Minolta S404, which took one second in the best case.

Battery life is good; the included battery lasts as long as my S404 with 4 AA 1900 mAh rechargeable batteries. I'd encourage having a backup, though, just in case.

I agree with previous reviewers: Canon's panoramic assist mode is nice, but I can live without it. The on-screen menus are different than any camera I've seen, but I understood it pretty quickly. Being different is not always horrible.

Amount of manual control elevated the G400 above the Pentax Optio S4/S4i and Canon S400/410/500. The S4i's incredibly small size (hides behind a credit card!) certainly intrigued me, but its startup time was slightly longer (two seconds, from what I read) and it did not have manual shutter speed control. The S4i does have some manual control, but the G400 has pretty much the maximum manual shutter and exposure control available in a consumer camera. It does not have custom white balance, but I've never used it, so it wasn't an issue for me. I also wanted a tripod mount, a feature missing from some super-slim cameras, but available here, though it's unfortunately made of plastic.

Picture quality is wonderful. Skin tones look good and flora detail is really nice. I took a photo of a tree outside my house and literally did a double take when viewing it on the computer; the leaves looked amazingly crisp.

The Minolta G400 disappears in your pocket and frees your mind from thinking about your camera. Highly recommended for all photographers, beginner to advanced. The only worthwhile camera is the one you have with you, and the G400's size makes it ridiculously easy to carry.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great camera! Buy it., December 31, 2003

By A Customer

Several camera forums and users speak of difficulty focusing in low light. Mine focuses perfectly in near total blackness and in all shades of darkness to bright light-- It focuses in all modes equally well. It focuses perfectly every time. I can't get it to not focus perfectly. Are we talking about the same camera? Is there a quality control issue with this camera?
This camera has nearly every manual feature you can ask for. The blue light that someone complained about can be turned off (but yes--it does nothing). Someone else complained about not being able to date stamp the pictures. This is wrong. Page 98 of the manual explains how that is done. Another complaint was with Red Eye which is a given with tiny cameras where the flash is right by the lens. Just turn on the red eye reduction setting and that fixes that. You can even adjust flash brightness and LCD brightness. The manual is quite large because there are so many features that most people aren't aware of because they haven't taken time to read it 3 times. It takes 3 times because there are so many custom settings available.
Pictures inside and outside are crisp and vivid. (Angel mode with correct white balance make very beautiful skin tones. . . .)

Do I have any complaints? Yes:
1. Lousy tech support (called them before buying the camera. They were worthless. Have not needed to call them since)
2. Manual is PDF on CD. Have to print it off. Bummer.
3. Navigation through menus is funky. I agree with previous reviewer that your hands are moving all over the place in order to navigate. But after awhile you get it down. Part of the reason you have to read the manual 3 times is to understand the navigation and setting selections.

No camera is perfect. Everyone has complaints on one thing or another. The best camera is one you have with you when you want to take a picture. That usually means small enough to put in a pocket so it is wherever you are and fast enought to turn on and take a picture in a flash before the moment is gone. This camera does it in 1.5 seconds. And of course it must have great photos or why even own it? This is the camera--very fun and fast. Just wish that menu system was a bit easier. . . .