Minolta : DiMAGE G400: 4.0 megapixel camera with dual memory-card slot

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. It takes less than a second from turning the camera on to being ready to capture a sharp, well-exposed image.

When photographing events or spontaneous facial expressions, the DiMAGE G400 has the technology to capture the moment. The camera can focus and determine the exposure in approximately 0.2 second and the shutter-release time lag is approximately 0.03 second. Hybrid Adaptive A*IPS optimizes autofocus, autoexposure, and auto white-balance processing for fast response. 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 DiMAGE G400 has an equally impressive performance during playback. Playback mode starts up in approximately 0.2 second. A still image can be seamlessly enlarged from 1X to 12X in 1.5 seconds.

Dressed in an elegant metal case, the DiMAGE G400 is a stylish companion. The G400 can be easily slipped into a pocket or bag and taken wherever you go for business or pleasure. The DiMAGE G400 follows the tried and true design of traditional film cameras. Its form is simply a product of its function.

The DiMAGE G400 has a 4.2 megapixel. The 3X GT Hexanon zoom lens employs seven elements in six groups to provide sharp, high-contrast images. The lens is designed to minimize flare and off-axis aberrations so that the tonal range and detail in the scene are apparent in the final image. The new signal-processing engine ensures the images captured with the CCD are reproduced as accurately as possible.

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

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

The DiMAGE G400 is 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 of a film-camera shutter sound gives a positive confirmation an image has been captured.

Close-up photographs can be made of small objects. The DiMAGE G400 can focus as close as 5cm (2 in). At its maximum magnification, an area of 8 x 6cm (3.1 x 2.4 in) is covered.

The DiMAGE G400 has a dual card-slot system for flexible image storage. Both Memory Sticks and SD Memory Cards can be used singly or in combination. When both memory card types are used with the camera at the same time, up 640MB of data can be saved depending on the capacity of the cards. This eliminates the worries of running out of memory during important events.

Despite its small size, the DiMAGE G400 is packed with a lot of features. The Super Continuous mode takes a series of three images at a rate of 2.5 frames per second. Six scene-select modes allow you to quickly optimize camera operation for specific subjects.

Auto bracketing makes a three-frame exposure or focus bracket of a scene
to guarantee the best result. Exposures can be set manually. The camera can
store and recall two sets of frequently used camera settings.

The DiMAGE G400 is not restricted to taking photographs. 320x240 XR
(extended recording) movies with audio can 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 by itself or attached to a recorded still image.
Still images can easily be shared electronically. Favorite images can be
resized to 640x480 or 320x240 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.

The DiMAGE G400 is supplied with a high-performance, rechargeable
lithium-ion battery. The battery will let you shoot in confidence during
any event.

The DiMAGE G400 is Exif Print compatible. Menus can be displayed in seven
languages: Japanese, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and
Chinese.

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