User manual MINOLTA DIMAGE X50

E INSTRUCTION MANUAL 9222-2734-11 P-A405/0406/109678 BEFORE YOU BEGIN Thank you for purchasing this 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. DiMAGE X50 digital camera Lithium-ion battery NP-700 Lithium-ion battery charger BC-800 Hand strap HS-DG130 SD Memory Card USB cable USB-3 AV cable AVC-500 DiMAGE Viewer CD-ROM ,,DiMAGE Instruction Manuals"-CD-ROM Quick Reference Guide International Warranty Certificate Only use the battery specified in this manual that are manufactured and distributed by Konica Minolta. Beware of counterfeit batteries; the use of these batteries will damage the product and may cause fire. While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of this information, Konica Minolta assumes no liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions of this instruction manual. Konica Minolta is a trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. DiMAGE is a trademark of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. 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. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. 2 Before you begin FOR PROPER AND SAFE USE Lithium-ion batteries This camera operates on a small, but powerful lithium-ion battery. Misuse or abuse of the lithiumion battery can cause damage or injury through fire, electric shock, or chemical leakage. Read and understand all warnings before using the battery. DANGER · Do not short, disassemble, damage, or modify the battery. · Do not expose the battery to fire or high temperatures over 60°C (140°F). · Do not expose the battery to water, or moisture. Water can corrode or damage the internal battery safety devices and cause the battery to overheat, ignite, rupture, or leak. · Do not drop or subject the battery to strong impacts. Impacts can damage the internal battery safety devices and cause the battery to overheat, ignite, rupture, or leak. · Do not store the battery near or in metallic products. · Do not use the battery with any other products. · Only use the specified charger. An inappropriate charger may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · Do not use a leaking battery. If fluid from the battery enters your eye, immediately rinse the eye with plenty of fresh water and contact a doctor. If fluid from the battery makes contact with your skin or clothing, wash the area thoroughly with water. · Only use or charge the battery in an environment with ambient temperatures between 0° and 40°C (32° and 104°F). Only store the battery in an environment with ambient temperatures between ­20° and 30°C (­4° and 86°F) and a humidity of 45% to 85% RH. WARNING · Tape over the lithium-ion battery contacts to avoid short-circuiting during disposal; always follow local regulations for battery disposal. · If charging is not completed after the specified period elapses, unplug the charger and discontinue charging immediately. 3 GENERAL WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS Read and understand the following warnings and cautions for safe use of the digital camera and its accessories. WARNING · Only use the battery specified in this manual. · Only use the specified charger or AC adapter within the voltage range indicated on the unit. An inappropriate adapter or current may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · Only use the charger power cord in the sales region for which it was designed. An inappropriate current may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · Do not disassemble the camera or charger. Electric shock may cause injury if a high voltage circuit inside the product is touched. · Immediately remove the battery 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 the battery, memory card, 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. · Do not look directly at the sun or strong light sources through the viewfinder. It may damage your eyesight or cause blindness. · Do not use these products in a humid environment, or operate them with wet hands. If liquid enters these products, immediately remove the battery or unplug the product, 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 these products 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 these products. The use of inflammable cleaners and solvents may cause an explosion or fire. · When unplugging the AC adapter or charger, do not pull on the power cord. Hold the plug when 4 For proper and safe use removing it from an outlet. · Do not damage, twist, modify, heat, or place heavy objects on the AC adapter or charger cord. A damaged cord may cause damage or injury through fire or electric shock. · If these products emits a strange odor, heat, or smoke, discontinue use. Immediately remove the battery taking care not to burn yourself as the battery may become hot with use. The continued use of a damaged product or part may cause injuries or fire. · Take the product to a Konica Minolta service facility when repairs are required. · Handling the cord on this product may expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. · The subject must not be closer than 1 m when photographing portraits with flash in order to avoid damage to the eyes. 5 CAUTION · Do not use or store these products in a hot or humid environment such as the glove compartment or trunk of a car. It may damage the camera, charger, and battery which may result in burns or injuries caused by heat, fire, explosion, or leaking battery fluid. · If the battery is leaking, discontinue use of the product. · The camera, charger, and battery temperature rises with extended periods of use. Care should be taken to avoid burns. · Burns may result if the memory card or battery is 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 and charger, insert the plug securely into the electrical outlet. · Do not use electronic transformers or travel adapters with the charger. The use of these devices may cause a fire or damage the product. · Do not use if the AC adapter or charger cord is damaged. · Do not cover the AC adapter or charger. A fire may result. · Do not obstruct access to the AC adapter or charger; this can hinder the unplugging of the units in emergencies. · Unplug the AC adapter or charger when cleaning or not in use. 6 For proper and safe use The following marks may be found on the product: 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. FCC Compliance Statement Declaration on Conformity Responsible Party: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging USA Inc. Address: 725 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430 Digital Camera: DiMAGE X50 Tested To Comply With FCC Standards FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE 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. 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 21 and 31, and the playback - basic operation section between pages 32 and 35. 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 Charging the battery................................................................................................................14 Inserting the battery ................................................................................................................15 Battery-condition indicator......................................................................................................16 Auto power save .....................................................................................................................16 AC adapter (sold separately)...................................................................................................17 Attaching the strap..................................................................................................................17 Installing and removing a memory card..................................................................................18 About memory cards...............................................................................................................19 Setting the date and time........................................................................................................20 8 Table of contents Recording mode - basic operation ......................................................................................................21 Handling the camera ...............................................................................................................21 Setting the camera to record images......................................................................................21 LCD monitor display................................................................................................................22 Camera-shake warning ...........................................................................................................22 Using the zoom lens................................................................................................................23 Basic recording operation .......................................................................................................24 Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection.........................................................................25 Focus lock ...............................................................................................................................26 Focus range.............................................................................................................................26 Focus signals ..........................................................................................................................27 Special focusing situations .....................................................................................................27 Flash modes ............................................................................................................................28 Flash range - Automatic operation .........................................................................................29 Flash signals............................................................................................................................29 Display button - recording mode ............................................................................................29 Digital subject programs .........................................................................................................30 Spot AF ...................................................................................................................................31 Playback - basic operation ..................................................................................................................32 Single-frame playback display ................................................................................................32 Rotating images ......................................................................................................................33 Deleting single images ............................................................................................................33 Display button - playback mode.............................................................................................34 Enlarged playback...................................................................................................................35 Recording - advanced operation .........................................................................................................36 Movie recording.......................................................................................................................36 Drive modes ............................................................................................................................37 Multi frame.......................................................................................................................37 Self-timer .........................................................................................................................38 Continuous advance & UHS continuous advance ..........................................................39 Navigating the recording menus .............................................................................................40 Image size and image quality..................................................................................................42 Color mode..............................................................................................................................43 White balance..........................................................................................................................44 Custom key function ...............................................................................................................45 Auto reset ................................................................................................................................45 Camera sensitivity - ISO .........................................................................................................46 Flash range and camera sensitivity.........................................................................................46 Metering modes ......................................................................................................................47 Instant playback ......................................................................................................................47 Exposure compensation..........................................................................................................48 Voice memo.............................................................................................................................49 Date imprinting ........................................................................................................................50 Digital zoom.............................................................................................................................51 Recording mode......................................................................................................................52 Audio recording .......................................................................................................................52 Frame rate & movie file sizes ..................................................................................................53 Movie mode.............................................................................................................................53 9 Playback - advanced operation ...........................................................................................................54 Playing back voice memos and audio captions .....................................................................54 Playing back movies and audio recordings ............................................................................55 Navigating the playback menu................................................................................................56 Deleting image and audio files................................................................................................58 Audio caption ..........................................................................................................................59 Locking files ............................................................................................................................60 Image pasting..........................................................................................................................60 Slide show ...............................................................................................................................62 Dissolve ...................................................................................................................................62 Crop frame ..............................................................................................................................63 E-mail copy .............................................................................................................................64 Frame capture .........................................................................................................................65 Movie editing ...........................................................................................................................66 About DPOF ............................................................................................................................68 DPOF setup.............................................................................................................................68 Date print.................................................................................................................................69 Index print ...............................................................................................................................69 Setup mode .........................................................................................................................................70 Navigating the setup menu .....................................................................................................70 LCD monitor brightness ..........................................................................................................72 Formatting memory cards .......................................................................................................72 File number (#) memory ..........................................................................................................73 Folder Name............................................................................................................................73 Language.................................................................................................................................74 Audio signals ...........................................................................................................................74 Focus signal ............................................................................................................................74 Shutter FX................................................................................................................................75 Volume.....................................................................................................................................75 Auto power save .....................................................................................................................75 Reset default ...........................................................................................................................76 Date and time ..........................................................................................................................77 Transfer mode .........................................................................................................................77 Video output ............................................................................................................................78 Viewing images on a television ...............................................................................................78 10 Table of contents Data-transfer mode..............................................................................................................................79 System requirements ..............................................................................................................79 Connecting the camera to a computer ...................................................................................80 Connecting to Windows 98 and 98SE ....................................................................................81 Automatic installation ......................................................................................................81 Manual installation ...........................................................................................................82 Memory card folder organization ............................................................................................84 Auto power save - data transfer mode ...................................................................................85 Disconnecting the camera from the computer .......................................................................86 Windows 98 / 98 Second Edition ....................................................................................86 Windows XP, 2000 Professional, and Me ........................................................................86 Macintosh ........................................................................................................................87 Changing the memory card - data-transfer mode..................................................................88 QuickTime system requirements.............................................................................................88 Removing the driver software - Windows...............................................................................89 PictBridge................................................................................................................................90 Notes on printing errors ..........................................................................................................91 Navigating the PictBridge menu .............................................................................................92 Remote camera system requirements ....................................................................................96 Installing the remote camera driver.........................................................................................96 Connecting the remote camera ..............................................................................................98 Notes on remote camera operation ........................................................................................99 Appendix .......................................................................................................................................100 Troubleshooting .....................................................................................................................100 About the lithium-ion battery charger cord...........................................................................101 Care and storage...................................................................................................................102 Camera care ..................................................................................................................102 Cleaning.........................................................................................................................102 Storage ..........................................................................................................................102 Memory cards................................................................................................................103 Batteries.........................................................................................................................103 Before important events and journeys ..........................................................................103 Operating temperatures and conditions........................................................................104 LCD monitor care ..........................................................................................................104 Copyright .......................................................................................................................104 Questions and service ...................................................................................................104 What is an Ev? ......................................................................................................................105 Technical specifications ........................................................................................................106 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. 102). Viewfinder window* Mode switch (p. 21) Self-timer lamp (p. 38) Shutter-release button USB-port / AV-out terminal Flash (p. 28) Microphone Lens* Lens cover / Main switch DC terminal (p. 17) Strap eyelet (p. 17) 12 Names of parts Viewfinder* Indicator lamp Zoom lever (p. 23) Playback-mode button (p. 32) Speaker LCD monitor* Controller Battery chamber door (p. 15) Menu button Display button (p. 29, 34) Card chamber door (p. 18) Tripod socket 13 GETTING UP AND RUNNING CHARGING THE BATTERY Before the camera can be used, the lithium-ion battery must be charged. Before charging the battery, read the safety warnings on pages 3 and 4 of this manual. Only recharge the battery with the supplied battery charger. The battery should be recharged before each shooting session. See page 103 for battery care and storage. 1 Plug the power cord into the back of the charger unit (1). Plug the other end of the cord into a live household outlet. The included AC cord is designed for the current of the sales region. Only use the cord in the region it was purchased. For more on the AC cable, see page 101. With the battery terminals forward lower the battery into the charger so the guides in the charger bed enter the channels on the battery. Slide the battery forward into the charger. The indicator lamp (2) glows to show the battery is charging. The lamp goes out when the battery has been charged. Charging time is approximately 90 minutes. Remove the battery from the charger. Unplug the power cord from the outlet. 2 14 Getting up and running INSERTING THE BATTERY This digital camera uses one NP-700 lithium-ion battery. Before using the battery, read the safety warnings on pages 3 and 4 of this manual. When replacing the battery, the camera should be turned off (p.19). 1 2 3 1. Slide the battery-chamber door toward the front of the camera to release the safety catch. Open the door. 2. Slide the battery into the battery chamber with the battery terminals first. 3. 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, see page 20 on how to set up the clock. 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. 15 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 indicator - the battery is fully charged. This indicator is displayed when the camera is on. Low-battery indicator - the battery is partially charged. 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 recharged. Movie recording is not possible. If the power level falls below this level when the camera is on, the battery-exhausted message appears just before the camera shuts down. If power is insufficient for camera operation, the indicator lamp next to the viewfinder will turn orange and blink for three seconds. The shutter will not release. The battery must be recharged. AUTO POWER SAVE To conserve battery power, the camera shuts down if an operation is not made within three minutes. To restore power, press the shutter-release button or playback button. The length of the autopower-save period can be changed in section 2 of the setup menu (p. 70). When the camera is connected to a computer or PictBridge printer, the auto-power-save period is set to ten minutes and cannot be changed. 16 Getting up and running AC ADAPTER (SOLD SEPARATELY) Always turn off the camera before changing between power supplies. The AC adapter AC-4 or AC-5 allows the camera to be powered from a household outlet. The AC adapter is recommended when the camera is interfaced with a computer or during periods of heavy use. AC adapter model AC-4 is for use in North America, Japan, and Taiwan, and AC-5 is for use in all other areas. The battery cannot be charged using the AC adapter. 1. Insert the mini-plug of the AC adapter into the DC terminal. 2. Insert the AC adapter plug into an electrical outlet. 1 ATTACHING THE STRAP Always keep the strap around your wrist in the event that the camera is accidentally dropped. 1. Pass the small loop of the strap through the strap eyelet on the camera body. 2. Pass the other end of the strap through the small loop and tighten. 1 2 17 INSTALLING AND REMOVING A MEMORY CARD Always turn off the camera and confirm the indicator lamp is not lit before changing the memory card, otherwise the card may be damaged, and data lost. 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 appears on the LCD monitor; the shutter can still be released, but no image is captured. 1. Slide the card-chamber door toward the back of the camera to release the safety catch. Open the door. 2. 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 back 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. If a MultiMediaCard is inserted incorrectly, it will lock, but the card chamber door will not close. 3. To eject a memory card, press the card into the slot and release. The card can now be pulled out. 4. Close the card-chamber door and slide it toward the camera to engage the safety catch. 1 2 3 4 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 Writethe card is protected, images cannot be recorded. If an protect attempt is made to record or delete an image with the camera, switch the card-locked message will appear and the LED lamps near the viewfinder will turn orange and blink quickly. For memory card care and store see page 103. 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 section 1 of the setup menu (p. 70). When a card is formatted, all the data on the card is permanently erased. Lock position TURNING THE CAMERA ON To turn the camera on, slide the lens cover open in the direction indicated in the illustration. When the camera is initially turned on, the date and time need to be set, see the following page. The monitor may turn off for a few seconds while the flash charges when the camera is turned on. Slide the lens cover in the opposite direction to turn off the camera. Always store and transport the camera with the lens cover closed. 19 SETTING THE DATE AND TIME After initially inserting a memory card and batteries, the camera's clock and calendar must be set. When images are recorded, the image data is saved with the date and time of recording. If the clock and calendar have not been set, a message is displayed for a few seconds each time the camera is turned on. This message is also displayed if the clock and calendar reset when the camera is stored without batteries for a long period. 1 Use the left and right keys of the controller (1) to select "Yes." "No" cancels the operation. Set date/time? Yes No Press the center of the controller to open the date/time setup screen. Date/Time set Use the left and right keys to select the item to be changed. Use the up and down keys to adjust the item. 2004 . 01 . 01 00 : 00 MM / DD / YYYY :move :sel. :enter Press the central button to set the clock and calendar. Date/Time setup screen The date/time setup screen can be opened in section 2 of the setup menu. For customers in certain areas, the menu language must also be set. The language is changed in section 1 of the setup menu (p. 70, 74). 20 Getting up and running RECORDING MODE - BASIC OPERATION This section covers basic recording operation. To prepare the camera for use, read pages 14 through 20. HANDLING THE CAMERA While using the viewfinder or 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 bottom. Take care not to cover the lens with your fingers or the strap. SETTING THE CAMERA TO RECORD IMAGES Slide the mode switch to the appropriate position. Still-image recording. Digital Subject Programs. Movie and audio recording (p. 36, 52). 21 LCD MONITOR DISPLAY Recording mode Flash modes (p. 28) Automatic digital subject program display (p. 25) Image size (p. 42) Image quality (p. 42) Battery-condition indicator (p. 16) Focus frame Drive mode (p. 37) Frame counter (p. 43) Camera-shake warning 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 and the viewfinder indicator lamp will turn orange and blink slowly. 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. 22 Recording - basic operation USING THE ZOOM LENS This camera is equipped with a unique 6.1 - 17.1mm zoom lens. This is equivalent to a 37 to 105mm lens on a 35mm camera. The lens is operated by the zoom lever at the back of the camera. The effect of the optical zoom is visible in both the viewfinder and LCD monitor. To zoom in on the subject, push the the right side (T) of the zoom lever (1). To zoom out, push the the left side (W) of the zoom lever. After zooming, the zoom indicator is displayed on the LCD monitor to show the approximate zoom position. The digital-zoom function can increase the power of the lens. The digital zoom is activated in section 3 of the recording menu (p. 40). 1 Zoom indicator 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 BASIC RECORDING OPERATION Slide the mode switch to the digital-subject-program or recording position. The operation for both modes is the same. Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection is only active in the digital-subject-program mode. Place the subject anywhere within the focus frame. Make sure the subject is within the focus range of the lens (p. 26). If the subject is closer than 1m (3ft.) at the zoom lens' wide-angle position or 3m (10ft) at the telephoto position, use the LCD monitor to frame the subject. Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the focus and exposure. Automatic Digital Subject Selection will choose the appropriate exposure mode, see the facing page. The monitor focus signal is white and viewfinder indicator lamp turns green to confirm focus lock. If the focus signal is red or the indicator lamp blinks, the camera was unable to locate the subject. Repeat the previous steps. Focus signal Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture. The recorded image can be previewed by continuing to hold down the shutter-release button after the image is captured. The instant-playback function can also be used (p. 47). The viewfinder indicator lamp turns red and blinks indicating data is being written to the memory card. Never remove a memory card while data is being transferred. 24 Recording - basic operation AUTOMATIC DIGITAL SUBJECT PROGRAM SELECTION Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection chooses between program AE and one of four digital subject programs. The digital subject programs optimize camera setting for various conditions and subjects. Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection is only available in the digital-subject-program mode. For information on individual subject programs, see page 30. A row of gray indicators at the top on the monitor display indicate Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection is active. Press the shutter-release button partway down; the AF system locates the subject and the Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection chooses a subject program. If no indicators are displayed, programmed AE is active. Press the shutter-release button all the way down to take the picture. Program AE (no indicators) Portrait Sports action Landscape Sunset Hold the camera steadily when the sunset subject program is selected as exposures can be long. In the digital-subject-program mode, one of seven digital subject programs can be selected manually by using the left and right keys of the controller before taking a picture. See page 30. 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 or center the subject in the viewfinder. Press and hold the shutter-release button partway down to lock the focus. The focus signal on the monitor and the green viewfinder indicator lamp 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 (4 in.) to infinity. Both the LCD monitor and viewfinder can be used to frame the subject. However, because of parallax, only the monitor's live image will be accurate with subjects closer than 1m (3ft.) at the zoom lens' wide-angle position or 3m (10ft) at the telephoto position. 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 and the indicator lamp next to the viewfinder indicate the focus status. The shutter can be released regardless if the camera can focus on the subject or not. Focus confirmed - the LCD monitor focus signal is white, the viewfinder indicator lamp is green and steady. Focus is locked. Cannot focus - the LCD monitor focus signal is red and the viewfinder indicator lamp is green and blinks rapidly. 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. Two subjects at different distances overlap in the focus frame. The subject is near a very bright object or area. 27 FLASH MODES The flash can be used when taking still images. To select the flash mode, press the flash mode button (1) on the back of the camera until the desired mode is displayed. Press the shutter-release button to set the mode. The active flash mode is displayed in the top left corner of the LCD monitor. When the camera is turned off and auto reset (p. 45) is active, the flash mode is reset to autoflash with red-eye reduction if this mode was last used, if not the mode will be reset to autoflash. While the flash is charging, the shutter cannot be released. Autoflash - the flash fires automatically in low-light and backlit conditions. Autoflash Autoflash with red-eye reduction Fill-flash Flash cancel Red-eye reduction - the flash fires multiple bursts before the main flash burst to reduce red-eye; an effect caused by light reflected from the retina. Use in low-light conditions when taking photographs of people or animals, the pre-flashes contract the pupils of the subject's eyes. Fill flash - the flash fires with each exposure regardless of the amount of ambient light. Fill flash can be used to reduce harsh shadows caused by strong direct light or sunshine. Flash cancel - the flash will not fire. Use flash cancel when flash photography is prohibited, natural light is desired to illuminate the subject, or the subject is beyond the flash range. The camera-shake warning may appear when flash cancel is selected (p. 22). 1 Fill flash Recording - basic operation 28 Recording - basic operation 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 46. Wide-angle position 0.2m ~ 3.2m (0.6 ft. ~ 10.5 ft.) Telephoto position 0.1m ~ 1.8m (0.4 ft. ~ 5.9 ft.) FLASH SIGNALS The indicator lamp next to the viewfinder indicates the status of the flash. When the lamp is orange and blinks quickly, the flash is charging and the shutter will not release. The lamp glows steadily for three seconds when the flash is charged. DISPLAY BUTTON - RECORDING MODE The display button controls the LCD monitor display. The display cycles to the next position each time the button is pressed: full display, live image only, and monitor off. The monitor cannot be turned off for movie/audio recording. If the display button is pressed and held, the LCD-brightness adjustment screen is displayed, see page 72. Monitor off Full display Live image only 29 DIGITAL SUBJECT PROGRAMS Digital subject programs optimize the camera's exposure, white-balance, and image-processing systems for specific conditions and subjects. Set the mode switch to the Digital subject Program position. Simply press the left and right keys of the controller to select the appropriate subject program; the active subject program is displayed at the top of the monitor. For more on Automatic Digital Subject Program Selection, see page 25. Automatic selection Portrait Sports Action Landscape Sunset Night Portrait Text Super Macro Auto recording (off) Portrait - optimized to reproduce warm, soft skin tones and a slight defocusing of the background. Most portraits look best at a telephoto setting; the longer focal length does not exaggerate facial features and the shallower depth of field softens the background. Use fill flash with strong direct sunlight or backlight to reduce harsh shadows. Sports action - used to capture action by maximizing shutter speeds. When using flash, the subject must be within the flash range (p. 29). A monopod is more flexible and compact than a tripod when shooting events. Landscape - optimized to produce sharp, colorful landscapes. Used with bright outdoor scenery. Sunset - optimized to reproduce rich, warm sunsets. When the sun is above the horizon, do not point the camera toward the sun for prolonged periods of time. The intensity of the sun could damage the CCD. Between exposures, turn off the camera or cover the lens. 30 Recording - basic operation Night portrait - for deep, subtle night scenes. The use of a tripod is recommended. When used with flash, the subject and background exposures are balanced. The flash can only be used with close subjects such as with a portrait of a person. When using the flash, ask your subjects not to move after the burst; the shutter may still be open for the background exposure. Text - To take pictures of black text or line art on white backgrounds. Super Macro - for close-up photographs down to 6cm (2.4 in.). When selected, the lens zooms automatically to the Super Macro position; the zoom position cannot be changed. At close object distances, the flash may cause overexposure or uneven illumination, set the flash mode to flash cancel (p. 28). The use of a tripod is recommended. Auto recording - when the Digital Subject Programs are turned off, the camera uses programmed autoexposure. SPOT AF The spot AF is used for selective focusing. Both focus and exposure are determined with the spot focus area. When auto reset (p. 45) is active, the spot AF area resets to the wide focus frame when the camera is turned off. The spot focus area can be used with movie recording. When used with the digital zoom (p. 51), the spot focus area is enlarged. Press and hold the center button of the controller to display the spot focus area; press and hold the button again to return to the wide focus frame. Take the picture as described in the basic recording operation section on page 24. When the LCD monitor is off, the camera cannot be switched between wide and spot AF; the last AF mode set is active. When the live image only display is used, switching between the wide and spot AF modes resets the display mode to the full display. 31 PLAYBACK - BASIC OPERATION Images can be viewed in the playback mode. The playback mode has additional functions, see page 54. The camera does not need to be turned on with the lens cover to play back images. 1 To view recorded images, press the playback button (1). If the camera is off, continue to press the button until the monitor activates. Use the left / right keys of the controller to scroll through the images on the card (2). 2 Press the playback button again to return to the recording mode or turn the camera off. SINGLE-FRAME PLAYBACK DISPLAY Mode indicator Magnification display (p. 35) Image-size display (p. 42) Image-quality indicator (p. 42) Battery-condition indicator (p. 16) Time of recording Date of recording Audio-track indicator Lock indicator (p. 60) DPOF-setup indicator (p. 68) E-mail copy indicator (p. 64) Folder number - file number (p. 84) Frame number / total number of images 32 Playback - basic operation ROTATING IMAGES Press the down key of the controller (1) to rotate the displayed image 90° left, 90° right, and horizontally. The image is displayed in the selected orientation until changed. 1 DELETING SINGLE IMAGES To delete a displayed file, press the up key of the controller (1). A confirmation screen appears. Use the left/right keys to select "Yes." "No" cancels the operation. Press the center button of the controller to delete the file. Delete this frame? Yes No 1 33 DISPLAY BUTTON - PLAYBACK MODE The display button controls the display format. Each time the button is pressed, the display cycles through to the next format: full display, image only, index playback. Full display Image only Index playback In index playback, the left/right and up/down keys of the controller move the yellow border around the index thumbnails. When the image is highlighted with the border, the date of recording, audiotrack indicator, the lock and printing status, e-mail copy indicator and the frame number of the image are displayed at the bottom of the screen. The accompanying audio track of the highlighted image can be played by pressing the center button of the controller. When the display button is pressed again, the highlighted image is displayed in the single-frame playback mode. 34 Playback - basic operation ENLARGED PLAYBACK In single-frame playback, a still image can be enlarged by up to 6X in 0.2X increments. With the image to be magnified displayed, press the right side of the zoom lever (T) to activate the enlarged playback mode. The degree of magnification is displayed on the LCD monitor. Press the right side of the zoom lever (T) to increase the image magnification. Press the left side of the lever (W) to decrease the magnification. Use the four-way keys of the controller to scroll the image. When scrolling, the arrows in the display disappear when the edge of the image has been reached. The locator in the top right corner of the monitor indicates the area of the image being displayed. The display button switches between showing the full display and the image only. To exit enlarged playback, press the menu button or the central button of the controller. 35 RECORDING - ADVANCED OPERATION 1 MOVIE RECORDING This camera can record digital video with sound. Simply slide the mode switch to the movie/audio recording position (1). Total recording time varies with the frame rate and the memory card capacity, see page 53. Some changes can be made with the movie menu (p. 40). Place the subject in the focus frames and press the shutter-release button partway down to lock focus (2). Press the shutter-release button all the way down and release to begin recording (3). A digital zoom is available during recording. The camera continues to record until the recording time is used or the shutter-release button is pressed again. When recording, the frame counter displays the elapsed time. During the last ten seconds, the counter turns red and counts down the time. Take care not to cover the microphone while recording. 3 2 Microphone Image size Frame rate Recording indicator Recording time 36 Recording - advanced operation DRIVE MODES The drive modes control the rate and method images are captured. Indicators indicating the selected drive mode appear on the monitor. If auto reset (p. 45) is active, the drive mode is reset to single-frame advance when the camera is turned off. 1 Press the down key of the controller to select the drive mode (1). Single-frame advance - to take a single image each time the shutter-release button is pressed. This is the camera's default setting. Self-timer - to delay the release of the shutter (p. 38). Used for self-portraits. Continuous advance - to take up to four images when the shutter-release button is pressed and held (p. 39). UHS continuous advance - to take eleven 1280x960 size images in one second when the shutter-release button is pressed and held (p. 39). Multi Frame - to create a composite image of a nine-frame series when the shutter-release button is pressed once, see below. Multi Frame Take the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 24). Once the series starts, the shutter button can be released; the camera continues recording until all nine frames have been captured. Flash cannot be used. Because of the limits to the shutter speeds, images may be underexposed in low-light conditions. Image size refers to the total area of all nine images, not the size of each individual thumbnail. 37 Self-timer Used for self-portraits, the self-timer delays the release of the shutter for approximately ten seconds after the shutter-release button is pressed. The self-timer drive mode is selected with the down key of the controller (p. 37). With the camera on a tripod, compose the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 24). Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the exposure and focus (1). Press the shutter-release button all the way down to begin the countdown (2). Because focus and exposure are determined when the shutterrelease button is pressed, do not stand in front of the camera when taking a self-timer image. Always confirm the focus with the focus signals before beginning the countdown (p. 27). During the countdown, the self-timer lamp on the front of the camera starts to blink and is accompanied by an audio signal. A countdown timer is displayed on the monitor. A few seconds before the exposure, the self-timer lamp blinks rapidly. The lamp glows steadily just before the shutter fires. To stop the countdown, press the zoom lever or menu button. The drive mode resets to single-frame advance after the exposure. The audio signal can be turned off in section 2 of the setup menu (p. 70). 2 1 Self-timer lamp 38 Recording - advanced operation Continuous advance & UHS continuous advance These drive modes are selected with the down key of the controller (p. 37). 1 Compose the picture as described in the basic recording operation section (p. 24). Press the shutter-release button partway down to lock the exposure and focus for the series (1). Press and hold the shutterrelease button all the way down (2) to begin taking pictures. When the shutter-release button is pressed and held, the camera begins recording images until the maximum number has been taken or the shutter button is released. The frame counter is adjusted after the series has been taken. 2 Continuous-advance - to take up to four images when the shutter-release button is pressed and held. With the image-size setting of 2560 x 1920, the maximum rate of capture is 1.9 fps. The built-in flash can be used, but the rate of capture is reduced because the flash must recharge between frames. Date imprinting (p. 50) also reduces the rate of capture. UHS continuous-advance - to capture up to eleven 1280x960 images in one second regardless of the image-quality setting. A thumbnail of each frame in the series is shown six at a time while being saved. The built-in flash cannot be used. When the red low-battery warning is displayed, this drive mode cannot be used. Very bright light sources in the scene may cause streaks to appear on the image. Black areas caused by data loss may also be apparent. 39 NAVIGATING THE RECORDING MENUS The recording menu displayed varies with the position of the mode switch. Pressing the menu button (1) turns the menu on and off. The four-way keys of the controller (2) move the cursor in the menu. Pressing the central button of the controller enters a setting. 1 2 Activate the menu with the menu button. Use the left/right keys of the controller to highlight the appropriate menu tab; the menu changes as the tabs are highlighted. Use the up/down keys to scroll through the menu options. Highlight the option whose setting needs to be changed. With the menu option highlighted, press the right controller key; the settings are displayed with the current setting highlighted. To return to the menu options, press the left key. Use the up/down keys to highlight the new setting. Press the central button of the controller to select the highlighted setting; some options open a selection screen. Once a setting has been selected, the cursor returns to the menu options and the new setting is displayed. To return to the recording mode, press the menu button. 40 Recording - advanced operation Still image recording Image size Quality White balance* Key func.* 2560x1920 Standard Auto Off Sensitivity* Metering mode* Exp. Comp. Auto reset Auto MultiSegment 0 Off Color mode* Voice memo Date imprint Digital zoom Inst. playback Color Off Off Off Off * White balance, custom key function, camera sensitivity, metering mode, and color mode options are not active when the mode switch is in the digital-subject-program position. Movie and audio recording RecordingMode Frame rate Movie mode Movie 15ps STD. movie White balance Exp. Comp. Color mode Auto 0 Color Refer to the following sections for details on the menu options and their settings. Index to menu functions Auto reset, 45 Color mode, 43 Date imprinting, 50 Digital zoom, 51 Exp. compensation, 48 Frame rate, 53 Image size, 42 Instant playback, 47 Key function, 45 Metering mode, 47 Movie mode, 53 Quality, 42 Recording mode, 52 Sensitivity, 46 Voice memo, 49 White balance, 44 41 IMAGE SIZE AND IMAGE QUALITY Changing image size affects the number of pixels in each image. The greater the image size, the larger the file size. Choose image size based on the final use of the image smaller images are more suitable for web sites whereas larger sizes produce higher quality prints. LCD monitor Number of pixels (hor. X vert.) 2560 2048 1600 640 2560 2048 1600 640 X X X X 1920 1536 1200 480 FINE STD. ECON. Fine - high-quality JPEG image. Standard - the default setting. (JPEG) Economy - the smallest file sizes. (JPEG) Image quality controls the rate of compression, but has no effect on the number of pixels in the image. The higher the image quality, the lower the rate of compression and the larger the file sizes. If economical use of the memory card is important, use the economy mode. Standard image quality is sufficient for normal usage. The fine mode produces the highest quality image and the largest image files. Image size and quality must be set before the picture is taken. Changes are displayed on the LCD monitor. Image size and quality must be reset manually. Image size and quality are set in section 1 of the recording menu. See navigating the recording menu section on page 40. If image size or quality are changed, the frame counter displays the approximate number of images that can be recorded at that setting on the installed memory card. One memory card can contain images with differing sizes and qualities. The number of images that can be stored on a memory card is determined by the size of the card and the file size of the images. The actual file size is determined by the scene; some subjects can be compressed further than others. See the chart on the following page. 42 Recording - advanced operation Quality Approximate file sizes. 2560 X 1920 2048 X 1536 1600 X 1200 640 X 480 Fine 2.4MB 1.6MB 1.0MB 200KB Standard 1.2MB 820KB 520KB 130KB Economy 650KB 440KB 290KB 90KB Approximate number of images that can be stored on a 16MB memory card. Fine 5 8 14 68 Standard 11 17 27 99 Economy 21 31 47 148 Size Camera Notes The frame counter indicates the approximate number of images that can be stored on the memory card at the camera's image quality and size settings. Because the counter uses approximate file sizes, the actual image taken may not change the counter or may decrease it by more than one. When the frame counter displays zero, it indicates no more images at the image size and quality settings can be captured. Changing those settings may allow more images to be saved to the card. COLOR MODE The color mode controls whether an image is color or black and white. The color mode is set in section 3 of the stillimage recording menu or in section 2 of the movie/audio recording menu (p. 40). The color mode cannot be changed with digital subject programs. The color mode can be assigned to the controller (p. 45). The black & white mode produces neutral monochrome images. Sepia creates warm-tone monochrome images. The monitor live image reflects the selected color mode. The color option uses no monitor indicator when active. The color mode has no effect on image file size. Black & White Sepia 43 WHITE BALANCE White balance is the camera's ability to make different types of lighting appear neutral. The effect is similar to selecting daylight or tungsten film, or using color compensating filters in conventional photography. One automatic and four preset white-balance setting are available with still image and movie recording; white balance cannot be changed with digital subject programs. White balance is set in section 1 of the recording menu or in section 2 of the movie/audio recording menu (p. 40). Exposure compensation can be assigned to the controller (p. 45). When auto reset (p. 45) is active, the white balance is reset to automatic when the camera is turned off. Automatic white balance compensates for the color temperature of a scene. In most cases, the auto setting balances the ambient light and creates beautiful images, even under mixed-lighting conditions. When the built-in flash is used, the white balance is set to the color temperature of the flash. When one of the preset white-balance settings is selected, an indicator is displayed on the LCD monitor to indicate the active white-balance setting; the effect is immediately visible on the monitor. To record the ambient light, set the flash mode to flash cancel (p. 28). The built-in flash can be used with preset white-balance, but creates a pinkish or blueish cast with the fluorescent and tungsten settings. The flash is daylight balanced and produces good results with the daylight and cloudy settings. Daylight - for outdoor and sunlit subjects. Cloudy - for overcast outdoor scenes. Tungsten - for incandescent lighting: household light bulbs. Fluorescent - for fluorescent lighting: office ceiling lights. 44 Recording - advanced operation CUSTOM KEY FUNCTION In the recording mode, a function can be assigned to the left/right keys of the controller. This function is specified in section 1 of the recording menu (p. 40). This function cannot be used with the movie/audio mode or digital subject programs. Refer to the following sections for information on exposure compensation (p. 48), white balance (p. 44), camera sensitivity (p. 46), and color mode (p. 43). Image size Quality White balance Key func. Exp. Comp. White balance Sensitivity Color Off In the recording mode, use the left/right controller keys to change the function set with the menu. The LCD monitor displays the settings as they are changed. The changes are visible in the monitor image. The function is set automatically after five seconds or when another camera button is pressed. AUTO RESET When auto reset is active, the following functions reset when the camera is turned off. This function can be turned off in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 40). Flash mode (p. 28) Drive mode (p. 37) White balance (p. 44) Camera sensitivity (p. 46) Exposure compensation (p. 48) Metering mode (p. 47) Color mode (p. 43) AF area (p. 31) Monitor display (p. 29) Autoflash Single-frame advance Auto Auto 0.0 Multi-segment Color Wide focus frame Full display The flash mode is reset to autoflash or autoflash with red eye reduction depending on which of those two flash modes were last set. 45 CAMERA SENSITIVITY - ISO Five camera sensitivity settings can be selected with a still image: Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400; the numerical values are based on an ISO equivalent; the higher the number, the more sensitive the film. Sensitivity can be changed in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 40). This cannot be changed with movie recording or digital subject programs. Sensitivity can be assigned to the controller (p. 45). The auto setting automatically adjusts the camera sensitivity to the light conditions between ISO 50 and ISO 160. When any other setting than auto is used, "ISO" and the set value appear on the LCD monitor. A specific sensitivity setting can be selected. As the ISO value doubles, the camera sensitivity doubles. Like grain in silverhalide film that increases with speed, noise increases with the sensitivity in digital imaging; an ISO setting of 50 has the least noise and 400 has the most. Camera Notes Camera sensitivity Noise reduction is applied automatically to exposures of one second or longer. Processing is applied to each image after it is captured. The processing time varies from image to image; a processing message is displayed during this period. FLASH RANGE AND CAMERA SENSITIVITY 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 AUTO 50 100 200 400 Flash range (wide angle) 0.2m ~ 3.2m (0.6ft. ~ 10.5ft) 0.2m ~ 1.8m (0.6ft. ~ 5.9ft) 0.2m ~ 2.5m (0.6ft. ~ 8.2 ft) 0.2m ~ 3.6m (0.6ft. ~ 11.8 ft) 0.25m ~ 5.0m (0.8ft. ~ 16.7 ft) Flash range (telephoto) 0.1m ~ 1.8m (0.3ft. ~ 5.9ft) 0.1m ~ 1.0m (0.3ft. ~ 3.3ft) 0.1m ~ 1.4m (0.3ft. ~ 4.6ft) 0.1m ~ 2.0m (0.3ft. ~ 6.6ft) 0.1m ~ 2.8m (0.3ft. ~ 9.2ft) 46 Recording - advanced operation METERING MODES The metering mode is selected in section 2 of the recording menu (p. 40). Metering cannot be changed with the movie recording or digital subject programs. Multi-segment metering: uses 256 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 automatically activates if off and a small circle appears 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 remains active. Sensitivity Metering mode Exp. Comp. Auto reset Auto MultiSegment 0 Off Spot-metering area Spot-metering indicator INSTANT PLAYBACK After a still image is captured, it can be displayed on the monitor for two seconds before being saved. Instant playback shows the last frame in the series when used with the continuous-advance drive mode (p. 37). When the LCD monitor is turned off (p. 29), it activates automatically for the instant playback period. Instant playback can be activated in section 3 of the recording menu (p. 40). When used with voice memo, the audio recording begins after the image is played back. 47 EXPOSURE COMPENSATION The camera exposure can be adjusted to make the final picture lighter or darker by as much as ±2Ev in 1/3 increments with still image and movie recording; exposure compensation cannot be used with digital subject programs. When auto reset (p. 45) is active, exposure compensation is reset to 0.0 when the camera is turned off. Exposure compensation can be assigned to the controller (p. 45). Select the exposure compensation option in section 2 of the recording menu. Use the up/down keys to adjust the degree of compensation (1); the live image behind the menu reflects the change. Press the central controller button to set this value (2). If any value other than 0.0 is set, an indicator is displayed on the monitor as a warning. Sensitivity Metering mode Exp. comp. Metering mode ­2 ~ +2 +0.3 1 2 Shooting tips Sometimes the camera's exposure meter is deceived by certain conditions. Exposure compensation can be used in these situations. For example, a very bright scene, such as a snowy landscape or a white sandy beach, can appear too dark in the captured image. Before taking the picture, adjusting the exposure by +1 or +2 EV results in an image with normal tonal values. Calculated camera exposure ­1.0Ev ­2.0Ev In the example above, the dark water caused the camera to overexpose the image making it bright and washed-out. By compensating the exposure, detail is brought out in the leaves, and the stones and water appear richer. For more on Ev, see page 105. 48 Recording - advanced operation VOICE MEMO Voice memo allows an audio track up to fifteen second to be recorded with a still image. The function is activated in section 3 of the recording menu (p. 40). When the function is active, the microphone indicator (1) is displayed in the top left corner of the monitor. The voice memo must be set before taking a picture. It remains in effect until reset. After an image is captured, a screen appears indicating the audio recording has started. A bar graph displays the amount of recording time elapsed. To stop the recording, press the shutter-release button or the center button of the controller (2). The recording will stop automatically when the fifteen-second limit has elapsed. A voice memo is attached to the last image of a continuous-advance series (p. 37). When played back, images with voice-memo audio tracks have a note indicator displayed with them (p. 54). A voice memo can be deleted from an image in section 1 of the playback menu (p. 56). 1 Recording audio. Stop 2 Remaining recording time Camera Notes When making audio recordings, be careful not to touch or cover the microphone. The quality of the recording is proportional to the subject to microphone distance. For best results, hold the camera approximately 20cm (8in) from your mouth. Microphone 49 DATE IMPRINTING The date and time of recording can be printed directly on a still image. The imprinting function must be activated before the image is taken. Once activated, the date will continue to be imprinted until the function is reset; a yellow bar is displayed behind the frame counter on the monitor to indicate the imprinting function is active. Date imprinting is activated with section 3 of the recording menu (p. 40). Date imprinting has two menu options. The YYYY/MM/DD option prints the date. The MM/DD/hr:min option prints the month, day, and time of recording. The date and time are imprinted in the lower right corner of the image when viewed horizontally. It is printed directly on the photograph writing over the image information. The date can be imprinted in three formats: year / month / day, month / day / year, and day / month / year. The date and date format are set in section 3 of the setup menu (p. 70). Date-imprinting indicator Camera Notes Every time a still image is recorded, it is stored with an exif tag that contains the date and time of recording as well as shooting information. This information can be viewed with the camera in the playback mode, or on a computer with the DiMAGE Viewer software. 50 Recording - advanced operation