Minolta DIMAGE X20 User Manual

9222-2787-11 P-A306 ME-0306

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

E

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Thank you for purchasing this Minolta product. Please take the time to read through this instruction
manual so you can enjoy all the features of your new digital camera.

Check the packing list before using this product. If any items are missing, immediately contact your
camera dealer.

Minolta DiMAGE X20 digital camera
AA-size alkaline batteries
Neck strap NS-DG 500
SD Memory Card
AV cable AVC-200
USB cable USB-500
DiMAGE software CD-ROM
DiMAGE Instruction Manuals CD-ROM
Quick Reference Guide
Minolta International Warranty Certificate

Minolta, the essentials of imaging and DiMAGE are trademarks or registered trademarks of Minolta
Co. , LTD. 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. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks
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.

3

• 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.

•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.

4 FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE

• 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.

5

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 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.

6 FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE

The following marks may be found on the product:

Digital Camera:

Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards

FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE

This mark on your camera certifies that this camera meets the requirements of the
EU (European Union) concerning interference causing equipment regulations. CE
stands for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity).

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.

These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will
not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or tel­evision reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encour­aged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is

connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Tested by the Minolta Corporation 101 Williams Drive, Ramsey, New Jersey 07446, U.S.A.
Do not remove the ferrite cores from the cables.

7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The getting up and running section covers how to prepare the camera for use. It contains important
information about power supplies and memory cards. The basic operation of this camera is covered
in the recording - basic operation section between pages 22 and 29, and the playback - basic opera­tion section between pages 30 and 33. Read the data-transfer mode section in its entirety before
connecting the camera to a computer.

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.

The appendix contains a troubleshooting section to help answer questions about the operation of the
camera. Information covering camera care and storage is also provided. Please store this manual in
a safe place.

Names of parts.....................................................................................................................................12

Getting up and running.........................................................................................................................14

Inserting the battery ................................................................................................................14

Battery-condition indicator .......................................................................................................15

Auto power off..........................................................................................................................15

AC adapter (sold separately)...................................................................................................16

Attaching the strap...................................................................................................................16

Installing and removing a memory card ..................................................................................18

About memory cards ...............................................................................................................19

Setting the date and time ........................................................................................................20

Recording Mode - basic operation .......................................................................................................22

Handling the camera ...............................................................................................................22

Setting the camera to record images ......................................................................................22

Using the zoom lens................................................................................................................23

LCD monitor display - basic ....................................................................................................24

Camera-shake warning ...........................................................................................................24

Basic recording operation........................................................................................................25

Focus lock................................................................................................................................26

Focus range.............................................................................................................................26

Focus signals...........................................................................................................................27

Special focusing situations ......................................................................................................27

Flash signals............................................................................................................................28

Flash range - Automatic operation ..........................................................................................28

LCD monitor display - recording mode....................................................................................29

8 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Playback - basic operation ...................................................................................................................30

Single-frame playback display .................................................................................................30

Viewing images .......................................................................................................................31

Deleting single images ............................................................................................................31

LCD monitor display - playback mode.....................................................................................32

Enlarged playback ...................................................................................................................33

Recording - advanced operation ..........................................................................................................34

LCD monitor display - advanced .............................................................................................34

Main menu navigation -recording-mode..................................................................................34

Flash modes........................................................................................................................... 36

Drive modes ............................................................................................................................38

Self-timer..........................................................................................................................39

Continuous advance ........................................................................................................40

Multi frame .......................................................................................................................41

Self-portrait ......................................................................................................................41

White balance..........................................................................................................................42

Image size and image quality..................................................................................................43

Exposure compensation ..........................................................................................................45

Toning ......................................................................................................................................46

Portrait .....................................................................................................................................47

Navigating the recording-mode menu .....................................................................................48

Customizing key functions.......................................................................................................50

Camera sensitivity - ISO..........................................................................................................51

Flash range and camera sensitivity.........................................................................................51

Auto reset ................................................................................................................................52

Voice memo.............................................................................................................................53

Date imprinting ........................................................................................................................54

Digital zoom.............................................................................................................................55

Instant playback.......................................................................................................................56

File number (#) memory ..........................................................................................................57

Folder name.............................................................................................................................57

Recording without a memory card ..........................................................................................58

Movie recording....................................................................................................................................59

Main menu navigation - movie mode ......................................................................................60

Notes on movie recording .......................................................................................................61

9

Playback - advanced operation ............................................................................................................62

Playing back voice memos and audio captions.......................................................................62

Playing back movies................................................................................................................63

Main menu navigation - playback-mode..................................................................................64

Navigating the playback-mode menu ......................................................................................65

Frame-selection screen ...........................................................................................................68

Deleting image and audio files ................................................................................................69

Locking image and audio files.................................................................................................70

Audio caption...........................................................................................................................71

Copy to favorite........................................................................................................................72

Rotate ......................................................................................................................................74

Image pasting ..........................................................................................................................74

Slide show ...............................................................................................................................76

About DPOF ............................................................................................................................78

Creating a DPOF print order ...................................................................................................78

Ordering an index print............................................................................................................79

E-mail copy..............................................................................................................................80

Viewing images on a television ...............................................................................................81

Setup menu .........................................................................................................................................82

Navigating the setup menu......................................................................................................82

LCD monitor brightness...........................................................................................................84

Formatting memory cards .......................................................................................................84

Reset default............................................................................................................................85

Language.................................................................................................................................86

Audio signals ...........................................................................................................................86

Shutter FX ...............................................................................................................................87

Volume.....................................................................................................................................87

Auto power off..........................................................................................................................87

Date and time ..........................................................................................................................88

Date format..............................................................................................................................88

Video output ............................................................................................................................88

Tr ansfer mode..........................................................................................................................88

10 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Data-transfer mode...............................................................................................................................89

System requirements...............................................................................................................89

Connecting the camera to a computer ....................................................................................90

Connecting to Windows 98 and 98SE.....................................................................................92

Automatic installation .......................................................................................................92

Manual installation ...........................................................................................................93

QuickTime system requirements.............................................................................................95

Auto power off - data-transfer mode........................................................................................95

Memory card folder organization.............................................................................................96

Disconnecting the camera from the computer ........................................................................98

Windows 98 and 98SE ....................................................................................................98

Windows Me, 2000 Professional, and XP........................................................................98

Macintosh.........................................................................................................................99

Changing the memory card - data-transfer mode .................................................................100

Using USB DIRECT-PRINT ...................................................................................................100

Notes on printing errors.........................................................................................................102

Navigating the USB DIRECT-PRINT menu ...........................................................................103

Printing DPOF files................................................................................................................103

Remote camera system requirements ..................................................................................104

Installing the remote camera driver.......................................................................................104

Connecting the remote camera .............................................................................................106

Notes on remote camera operation.......................................................................................107

Appendix .......................................................................................................................................108

Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................................108

Removing the driver software - Windows ..............................................................................110

Care and storage...................................................................................................................111

Technical specifications .........................................................................................................114

11

NAMES OF PARTS

* 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. 107).

Shutter-release button

Main switch

Flash (p. 28)

AV-out-terminal/

USB-port

Card slot

DC terminal (p. 16)

Battery chamber door (p. 14)

Lens*

Self-portrait mir­ror (p. 41)

Microphone

Indicator lamp

Tr ipod socket

12

NAMES OF PARTS

Strap eyelets

(p. 16)

Recording-mode switch (p. 22)

Controller

Menu button

LCD monitor*

Playback button
(p.30)

Speaker

13

GETTING UP AND RUNNING

INSERTING THE BATTERY

This digital camera uses two AA-size alkaline batteries or NI-MH batteries, but recharge­able NI-MH batteries are recommended because of longer life. When using NI-MH batter­ies, fully recharge them with a battery charger suitable for complex electronic equipment.
Please consult your vendor about an appropriate charger. Before using the battery, read
the safety warnings on pages 3 and 6 of this manual. When replacing the battery, the
camera should be turned off.

Slide the battery-chamber door toward the front of the camera to release the safety catch
(1). Open the door.

Insert the AA batteries as shown; make sure the positive and neg­ative battery terminals are oriented correctly (2).

Close the battery-chamber door and slide it toward the back of
the camera to engage the safety catch.

After installing the battery, the set-time/date message
may appear on the monitor.The clock and calendar is
set in the section 3 of the setup menu (p. 20). An
internal battery protects the clock, calender, and
memory settings for more than 24 hours if the camera
is used for at least 5 minutes before removing the bat­tery.

2

1

Carbon-zinc and nickel zinc battery can not be used
for this camera.

14 GETTING UP AND RUNNING

BATTERY-CONDITION INDICATOR

This camera is equipped with an automatic battery-condition indicator displayed on the LCD monitor.
The icon will change from white to red when battery power is low.

Full-battery icon - the battery is fully charged. This icon is displayed when
the camera is on.

Half-full-battery icon - the battery is partially charged. This icon is displayed
when the camera is turned on. The LCD monitor will turn off when the flash is
charging.

Low-battery warning - battery power is very low. The battery should be
replaced as soon as possible. This warning automatically appears and
remains on the monitor until the battery is replaced or recharged. If the
power level falls below this level when the camera is on, the battery-exhaust­ed message will appear just before the camera shuts down.

If power is insufficient for camera operation, LCD monitor will be blank and the shutter will not
release. Change the battery.

AUTO POWER OFF

To conserve battery power, the camera will shut down if an operation is not made within three min­utes. To restore power, press the main switch. The length of the auto-power-off period can be
changed in the section 2 of the setup menu (p. 87). When the camera is connected to a computer,
the auto-power-off period is set to ten minutes and cannot be changed.

15

AC ADAPTER (SOLD SEPARATELY)

Always turn off the camera before changing between power supplies.

The AC-6L Adapter allows the camera to be powered from a household

1

outlet. The AC adapter is recommended when the camera is interfaced
with a computer or during periods of heavy use.

Insert the mini plug of the AC adapter into the DC terminal (1).

Insert the AC adapter plug into an electrical outlet.

AT TACHING THE STRAP

Always keep the strap attached in case the camera is accidentally dropped.

Tw o types of straps are included with this camera as shown;
Strap A alone can be used as a wrist strap. Straps A and B
combined can be used as a neck strap.

Using strap A Using both straps A and B

strap A

strap B

16 GETTING UP AND RUNNING

Using strap A

Tu rn the strap eyelet so
that strap A can pass
through it.(1)

Pass the small loop of strap A through
the strap eyelet on the camera body
(2).

Pass the other end of the strap through the small
loop and tighten (3).

Using both straps A and B

Pass the small loop of strap B
through the other strap eyelet
or the loop of strap A (1).

Pass the end of strap B
through the link of the strap A
(2).

Pass the tip of strap B through
the buckle and pull to tighten
(3).

Slide the holder ring over the
tip (4).

1

1

2

3

1

2

3

4

17

INSTALLING AND REMOVING A MEMORY CARD

Always turn off the camera and confirm the flash/access lamp is not orange

and blinking before changing the memory card, otherwise the card may be

An SD (Secure Digital) Memory card or MultiMediaCard must be inserted for the camera to operate.
If a card has not been inserted, a no-card warning will appear on the LCD monitor; the shutter can
still be released and a single image can be captured (p. 58).

Insert the memory card all the way into the card slot and then
release. The card should catch in the slot.

Insert the card so the face is toward the front of the camera.
Always push the card in straight, never at an angle. Never
force the card. If the card does not fit, check that it is orientat­ed correctly.

To eject a memory card, press the card into the slot and
release. The card can now be pulled out.

damaged, and data lost.

18 GETTING UP AND RUNNING

ABOUT MEMORY CARDS

The response time during recording and playback is longer with MultiMediaCards compared with SD
Memory Cards. This is not a defect, but rather due to the specifications of the cards. When using
large capacity cards, some operations like deletion may take longer.

The SD Memory Card has a write-protect switch to prevent
image data from being deleted. By sliding the switch to the bot­tom of the card, the data will be protected. However, when the
card is protected, images cannot be recorded. If an attempt is
made to record or delete an image with the camera, the card­locked message will appear and the LED lamp near the card
slot will turn red and blink quickly. For memory card care and
storage see page 110.

If the unable-to-use-card message appears, the inserted card in
the camera may need to be formatted. A card used in another
camera may also have to be formatted before being used. A
card can be formatted in the section 1 of the setup menu (p.

84). When a card is formatted, all the data on the card is per­manently erased.

Write­protect
switch

Lock
position

19

SETTING THE DATE AND TIME

After initially inserting a memory card and charging the battery, the camera’s clock and calendar
must be set on the setup menu. When images are recorded, the image data is saved with the date
and time of recording. Depending on the region, the menu language may also have to be set. To
change the language, see the camera notes on the following page.

1

Digital zoom

Inst. Playback

File # memory

Folder name

Enter

MENU

Tu rn the camera on by pressing the
main switch near the shutter-release
button (1).

2

Press the menu button to display the
main menu on the LCD monitor (2).

Controller

Press the central button of the con­troller while the main menu is displayed
on the LCD monitor to open the record­ing-mode menu (3).

On

Off

On

Std. form

3

4

In the recording-mode menu, the setup icon is
located on the top-right corner. Highlight the setup
icon with the right key of the controller and press
the center of the controller to open the setup
menu (4).

20 GETTING UP AND RUNNING

Navigating the setup menu is simple. The four-way keys of the controller move the cursor and change
settings on the menu. Pressing the center of the controller selects menu options and sets adjust­ments.

Use the right key to highlight section 3 at the
top of the menu.

Date/Time set

Date format

Video output

Transfer mode

YYYY/MM/DD

NTSC

Date storage

Use the down key to highlight the date/time­set menu option.

Press the right key. “Enter” will appear on
the right side of the menu.

Press the central button to display the
date/time setting screen.

Setup menu: section 3

Use the left and right keys to select the item to be
changed.

Date/Time set

Use up and down keys to adjust the item.

Press the central button to set the clock and calen­dar. The setup menu will be displayed.

:enter

Date/Time setting screen

Camera notes

For customers in certain areas, the menu language must also be set. Highlight the language
option in the section 1 of the setup menu. Press the right key to display the language settings.
Using the up/down keys, highlight the desired language. Press the central button to set the
highlighted language; the setup menu will be displayed in the selected language.

21

RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION

This section covers basic recording operation. To prepare the camera for use, read pages 14 through

21.

HANDLING THE CAMERA

While using LCD monitor, grip the camera firmly with your right
hand while supporting the camera body with your left. Keep your
elbows at your side and your feet shoulder-width apart to hold the
camera steadily.

When taking vertical pictures, hold the camera so that the flash is
above the lens with the shutter-release button to the top. Take
care not to cover the lens with your fingers or the strap.

SETTING THE CAMERA TO RECORD IMAGES

1

Tu rn the camera on by pressing the main switch
near the shutter-release button (1).

2

Slide the recording-mode switch
to recording-mode. It is the
default setting.

22 RECORDING - BASIC OPERATION

USING THE ZOOM LENS

This camera is equipped with a unique 4.8 - 14.4mm zoom lens. This is equivalent to a 37 to 111mm
lens on a 35mm camera. The lens is operated by the controller at the back of the camera. The effect
of the optical zoom is visible on the LCD monitor.

To zoom in on the subject, push the
up key (T) of the controller.

To zoom out, push the down key
(W) of the controller.

The digital-zoom function can
increase the power of the lens. The
digital zoom is activated in section 2
of the recording-mode menu (p. 55).

Shooting tips

The zoom lens not only affects how large the subject is in the picture, but it also influences the
depth of field and perspective. Depth of field is the area between the closest object in focus and
the furthest object in focus. As the lens zooms in to the telephoto position, the depth of field
becomes shallower, separating the subject from the background. Many portraits are taken with tele­photo lenses. Zooming the lens out to the wide-angle position makes both the foreground and
background appear sharper. Usually landscape photographs take advantage of the large depth of
field of wide-angle lenses. Wide-angle lenses also create a strong perspective which gives a sense
of depth in the image. Telephoto lenses compress the space between the subject and background
and create a weak perspective.

23

LCD MONITOR DISPLAY - BASIC

LCD monitor

Recording mode
Flash modes (p. 36)

Image size (p. 43)
Image quality (p. 43)
Battery-condition indicator (p. 15)
Focus frame
Camera-shake warning (p. 24)
Drive mode (p. 38)
Frame counter (p. 44)
Focus signal (p. 27)

CAMERA-SHAKE WARNING

If the shutter speed falls below the point where the camera can be
hand held safely, the camera-shake warning indicator will appear on
the monitor. Camera shake is slight blurring caused by subtle hand
motion and is more pronounced at the telephoto position of the lens
than at the wide-angle position. Although the warning appears, the
shutter can still be released. If the warning appears, place the camera
on a tripod or use the built-in flash.

24 RECORDING - BASIC OPERATION

BASIC RECORDING OPERATION

Tu rn the camera on and slide the recording-mode switch to the recording position.

Place the subject within the focus frame on the LCD monitor.

• The focus-lock function (p. 26) can be used with off-center
subjects.

1

2

Press the shutter-release button partway down (1) to lock the focus
and exposure.

• The focus signals (p. 27) on the monitor will confirm that the image is
in focus. If the monitor focus signal is red, the camera was unable to
focus on the subject. Repeat the previous steps until the focus signal
is white.

Press the shutter-release button all the way down (2) to take the pic­ture.

• After the shutter releases, the flash/access lamp next to the card slot
will turn orange and blink indicating image data is being written to
the memory card. Never remove a memory card while data is being
transferred.

• The image can be previewed after it is captured by continuing to hold
down the shutter-release button. Instant playback also can be used
(p. 56).

25

FOCUS LOCK

The focus-lock function is used when you want to compose the image with the subject off-center and
outside the focus frame. Focus lock may also be used when a special focusing situation prevents the
camera from focusing on the subject. This function is controlled with the shutter-release button.

Place the subject within the monitor focus frame. Press and hold
the shutter-release button partway down to lock the focus.

• The focus signal on the monitor will indicate if the focus is
locked.

Without lifting your finger from the shutter-release button, recom­pose the subject within the image area. Press the shutter-release
button all the way down to take the picture.

FOCUS RANGE

The focus range is 10cm (0.3ft.) to infinity. The LCD monitor can be used to frame the subject.

26 RECORDING - BASIC OPERATION

FOCUS SIGNALS

This digital camera has a quick, accurate autofocusing system. The focus signal in the lower right
corner of the LCD monitor indicates the focus status. The shutter can be released regardless of
whether the camera can focus on the subject or not.

Focus confirmed - the LCD monitor focus signal is white. Focus

Cannot focus - the LCD monitor focus signal is red.

is locked.

Focus signal

SPECIAL FOCUSING SITUATIONS

The camera may not be able to focus in certain situations. In these situations the focus-lock function
(p. 26) can be used to focus on another object at the same distance as your main subject, and then
the image can be recomposed to take the picture.

The subject is too
dark.

The subject in the
focus frame is low
in contrast.

Tw o subjects at dif­ferent distances
overlap in the focus
frame.

The subject is near
a very bright object
or area.

27

FLASH SIGNALS

The flash mode indicator of the LCD monitor indicates the flash status, when the shutter­release button is pressed partway down. While the flash is charging, the shutter cannot be
released.

Flash charging - Flash mode indicator is red. Focus is locked.

Flash ready - Flash mode indicator is white.

Flash mode indicator

When the LCD monitor displays live image only, a red flash mode indicator will appear on the LCD
monitor to indicate the flash is charging, when the shutter-release button is pressed partway down.
When the LCD monitor is off or turns off because of the battery is too low, the flash/access lamp next
to the card slot will indicate the status of the flash, when the shutter-release button is pressed part­way down. When the lamp is red and blinks quickly, the flash is charging.
When the subject distance is closer than 20 cm (0.66 ft.) at the wide-angle setting, exposure may not
be even because of the parallax between the lens and flash. We reccomend that you use flash can­cel in this case, see page 37.

FLASH RANGE - AUTOMATIC OPERATION

The camera automatically controls the flash output. For well-exposed images, the subject must be
within the flash range. 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. The flash range can be changed with camera
sensitivity (ISO), see page 51.

Wide-angle position Telephoto position

28

RECORDING - BASIC OPERATION

0.10m ~ 2.7m (0.3 ft. ~ 8.9 ft.)0.10m ~ 3.6m (0.3 ft. ~ 11.8 ft.)

LCD MONITOR DISPLAY - RECORDING MODE

Pressing and holding the central button of the controller switches the LCD monitor display between
full display and live image only.

Live image only

central button of the controller

Full display

The battery-condition and date-imprinting indicators can appear on the live image only display. When
auto reset is active, the LCD monitor will be reset to the full display when the camera is turned off.

29

PLAYBACK - BASIC OPERATION

Images can be viewed in the playback mode. This section covers the basic operation in the playback
mode. The playback mode has additional functions, see page 62.

To view images from the playback mode, press the playback button.
To return to the recording mode, press the playback button again or
operate the recording mode switch.

SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK DISPLAY

Mode indicator

Time of recording
Date of recording

Audio-track indicator

Lock indicator (p. 70)

DPOF-set indicator (p. 78)

E-mail copy indicator (p. 80)

Magnification display (p. 33)

Image-size display (p. 43)
Image-quality indicator (p. 43)
Battery-condition indicator (p. 15)

Folder number - file number (p. 57)

Frame number / total number of images

30 PLAYBACK - BASIC OPERATION