The difference between an award-winning image and a mediocre snapshot can be a fraction of a second. The ability for a camera to focus quickly is paramount. The Dynax 4's responsive autofocus is driven by a high-power motor and controlled by a fast microprocessor. The camera's AF system is almost twice as fast as the Dynax 505si Super/Maxxum XTsi and the Dynax 505si/Maxxum HTsi.
The world does not stand still. The moment we see something, it changes. To be able to capture life enfolding requires a camera not only to focus on the subject, but also the ability to follow that subject as it moves. All SLR cameras suffer from a delay when taking pictures because the mirror must be lifted out of the optical path. Especially with telephoto lenses, this slight delay can be significant with fast moving subjects moving toward the camera. The Dynax 4's predictive focus control continues to track an approaching subject from when the shutter-release button is pressed until the exposure is made ensuring optimum focus.
The Dynax 4 was designed to be a versatile, high-performance photographic instrument. Features found in expensive, professional models have been added to create a camera that will perform flawlessly in any situation. Professional photographers and discerning amateurs demand a bright, accurate viewfinder for critical work. The Dynax 4 is equipped with the same high-quality spherical acute matte focusing screen found in the Dynax/Maxxum 9 and Dynax/Maxxum 7. This focusing screen provides a bright, clear image, which is very important when working in low-light conditions or with slow lenses. The 0.75X viewfinder magnification allows comfortable viewing.
Accurate exposure is just as important as critical focus in world-class photography. The camera must not only measure the overall luminance of the scene, but also evaluate the luminance distribution to optimize the exposure for the subject. Using the technology developed for Minolta's top-of-the-line cameras, the Dynax 4's 14-segment Honeycomb Metering combines luminance information with distance information from the AF system to analyze subject and background brightness. This system produces accurate exposures even under difficult conditions such as spot and backlighting.
For greater individual control over exposure, the Dynax 4 has a spot metering function. Spot metering measures the brightness of a small area within the scene. By using a specific area of the scene to set the exposure, the effect of dramatic lighting can be preserved or accented in a photograph.
Exposure can be further controlled with exposure compensation, automatic exposure bracketing, and multiple exposures as well as four exposure modes: program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual. Exposure compensation allows adjustments to be made to the program and auto-exposure modes. Exposure bracketing automatically takes a three-frame series of a scene with a slight variation in exposure for each frame: normal exposure, underexposed, and overexposed. The bracket can be made in 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1.0 Ev increments.
