VCLICK! Table of contents Basic Operations Using functions for shooting Using functions for viewing Customizing the settings Digital Still Camera Cyber-shot Handbook DSC-H7/H9 Before operating the unit, please read this Handbook thoroughly together with the "Instruction Manual" and the "Cyber-shot Step-up Guide", and retain them for future reference. Viewing images on a TV Using your computer Printing still images Troubleshooting Others Index © 2007 Sony Corporation 3-196-620-12(1) GB Notes on using your camera Types of "Memory Stick" that can be used (not supplied) The IC recording medium used by this camera is a "Memory Stick Duo". There are two types of "Memory Stick". · For details on the usable battery pack, see page 131. Carl Zeiss lens This camera is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens which is capable of reproducing sharp images with excellent contrast. The lens for this camera has been produced under a quality assurance system certified by Carl Zeiss in accordance with the quality standards of Carl Zeiss in Germany. "Memory Stick Duo": you can use a "Memory Stick Duo" with your camera. "Memory Stick": you cannot use a "Memory Stick" with your camera. Notes on the LCD screen, the LCD finder and the lens · The LCD screen and the LCD finder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology so over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (white, red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD screen or the LCD finder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way. Other memory cards cannot be used. · For details on "Memory Stick Duo", see page 129. When using a "Memory Stick Duo" with "Memory Stick" compatible equipment You can use the "Memory Stick Duo" by inserting it into the Memory Stick Duo Adaptor (not supplied). Black, white, red, blue or green points · Do not hold the camera by taking hold of the LCD screen. Memory Stick Duo Adaptor Notes on the battery pack · Charge the battery pack (supplied) before using the camera for the first time. · The battery pack can be charged even if it is not completely discharged. Also, even if the battery pack is not fully charged, you can use the partially charged capacity of the battery pack as is. · If you do not intend to use the battery pack for a long time, use up the existing charge and remove it from your camera, then store it in a cool, dry place. This is to maintain the battery pack functions. · Exposing the LCD screen, the LCD finder or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods may cause malfunctions. Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors. · Do not press against the LCD screen. The screen may be discolored and that may cause a malfunction. 2 Notes on using your camera · Images may trail across on the LCD screen in a cold location. This is not a malfunction. · Be careful not to bump the movable lens, and be careful not to apply force to it. The pictures used in this Handbook The photographs used as examples of pictures in this Handbook are reproduced images, and are not actual images shot using this camera. On illustrations Illustrations used in this Handbook are those of the DSC-H7 unless noted otherwise. 3 Table of contents Notes on using your camera ..................................................................... 2 ControlBasic techniques for better images ............................................... 8 Focus ­ Focusing on a subject successfully..................................................... 8 Exposure ­ Adjusting the light intensity........................................................... 10 Color ­ On the effects of lighting ..................................................................... 12 Quality ­ On "image quality" and "image size" ............................................... 12 Flash ­ On using the flash ............................................................................... 14 Identifying parts ...................................................................................... 15 Indicators on the screen.......................................................................... 20 Changing the screen display................................................................... 24 Using the internal memory...................................................................... 25 Basic Operations Using the mode dial ................................................................................ 26 Shooting images easily (Auto Adjustment mode) ................................... 27 Shooting still images (Scene Selection).................................................. 31 Shooting in the dark (Night Shot) (DSC-H9 only) ................................... 34 Using the wheel dial................................................................................ 35 Shooting with manual adjustment ........................................................... 36 Shooting with Program Shift Shooting with shutter speed priority mode Shooting with aperture priority mode Shooting with manual exposure mode ISO: Selecting a luminous sensitivity EV: Adjusting the light intensity Focus: Changing the focus method Viewing images ....................................................................................... 43 Deleting images ...................................................................................... 45 Learning the various functions ­ HOME/Menu ....................................... 47 Menu items ............................................................................................. 50 4 Table of contents Using functions for shooting Shooting menu ........................................................................................51 Scene Selection: Selecting the Scene Selection mode Image Size: Selecting the image size Face Detection: Detecting the face of subject REC Mode: Selecting the continuous shooting method Color Mode: Changing the vividness of the image or adding special effects Metering Mode: Selecting the metering mode White Bal: Adjusting the color tones Flash Level: Adjusting the amount of flash light Red Eye Reduction: Reducing the red-eye phenomenon Contrast: Adjusting the contrast Sharpness: Adjusting the sharpness SteadyShot: Selecting the anti-blur mode SETUP: Selecting the shooting settings Using functions for viewing Playing back images from the HOME screen .............................62 (Single Image): Playing back a single image (Index Display): Playing back a list of images (Slide Show): Playing back a series of images Viewing menu......................................................................................65 (Delete): Deleting images (Slide Show): Playing back a series of images (Retouch): Retouching still images after shooting (Protect): Preventing accidental erasure : Adding a Print order mark (Print): Printing images using a printer (Rotate): Rotating a still image (Select Folder): Selecting the folder for viewing images Customizing the settings Customizing the Manage Memory feature and the Settings ........70 Manage Memory..........................................................................72 Memory Tool -- Memory Stick Tool ..................................................72 Format Create REC. Folder Change REC. Folder Copy 5 Table of contents Memory Tool -- Internal Memory Tool ............................................. 74 Format Settings .......................................................................................... 75 Main settings -- Main Settings 1 ...................................................... 75 Beep Function Guide USB Connect COMPONENT AF Illuminator Grid Line AF Mode Initialize Main settings -- Main Settings 2 ...................................................... 76 Video Out Shooting Settings -- Shooting Settings 1......................................... 78 Digital Zoom Conversion Lens Shooting Settings -- Shooting Settings 2......................................... 81 Flash Sync. Auto Orientation Auto Review Expanded Focus Clock Settings................................................................................... 83 Language Setting ............................................................................. 84 Viewing images on a TV Viewing images on a TV ......................................................................... 85 Viewing images by connecting your camera to a TV with the supplied cable for multiuse terminal Viewing an image by connecting your camera to a HD TV Using your computer Enjoying your Windows computer........................................................... 88 Installing the software (supplied) ............................................................ 90 Copying images to your computer .......................................................... 91 Viewing image files stored on a computer with your camera (using a "Memory Stick Duo") ............................................................................... 97 Using the "Picture Motion Browser" (supplied) ....................................... 98 Using the "Music Transfer" (supplied) ................................................... 104 Using your Macintosh computer ........................................................... 105 6 Table of contents Printing still images How to print still images ........................................................................107 Printing images directly using a PictBridge compliant printer ...............108 Printing at a shop ..................................................................................111 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting .....................................................................................113 Warning indicators and messages ........................................................125 Others To use your camera abroad -- Power sources......................................128 On the "Memory Stick" ..........................................................................129 On the battery pack ...............................................................................131 On the battery charger ..........................................................................132 Index Index......................................................................................................133 7 ControlBasic techniques for better images Focus Exposure Color Quality Flash This section describes the basics so you can enjoy your camera. It tells you how to use various camera functions such as the mode dial (page 26), the wheel dial (page 35), the HOME screen (page 47), the menus (page 49), and so on. Focus Focusing on a subject successfully When you press the shutter button halfway down, the camera adjusts the focus automatically (Auto Focus). Remember to press the shutter button only halfway down. Press the shutter button fully down suddenly. Press the shutter AE/AF lock button halfway indicator down. flashing , lit/beeps Then press the shutter button fully down. To shoot a still image difficult to focus on t [Focus] (page 40) If the image looks blurred even after focusing, it may be because of camera shake. t See "Hints for preventing blur" (as follows). 8 ControlBasic techniques for better images Hints for preventing blur The camera moved accidentally when you took the picture. This is called "Camera shake". On the other hand, if the subject moved when you took the picture, it is called "subject blur". Camera shake Cause Your hands or body shake while you hold the camera and press the shutter button, and the entire screen is blurred. What you can do to reduce the blurring · Use a tripod or place the camera on a flat, stable surface to hold the camera steady. · Shoot with a 2-second delay self-timer and stabilize your camera by holding your shooting arm firmly at your side after pressing the shutter button. Subject blur Cause Even though the camera is steady, the subject moves during the exposure so the subject looks blurred when the shutter button is pressed. What you can do to reduce the blurring · Select (High Sensitivity mode) in Scene Selection. · Select a higher ISO sensitivity to make the shutter speed faster, and press the shutter button before the subject moves. Notes · The anti-blur function is enabled in the factory default settings so that the camera shake is reduced automatically. However, this is not effective for subject blur. · Besides, camera shake and subject blur occur frequently under low-light or slow shutter speed conditions, such as those encountered in Twilight or Twilight Portrait mode. In that case, shoot with the above tips in mind. 9 ControlBasic techniques for better images Exposure Adjusting the light intensity You can create various images by adjusting the exposure and the ISO sensitivity. Exposure is ...