Viewing images on a computer Printing images

Others

Specifications... 150 Troubleshooting... 154 Warning messages.. 164 Precautions... 167

Index... 169

Checking the accessories supplied
The number in parentheses indicates the number of pieces. BC-VH1 Battery charger (1) Body cap (1) (Attached on the camera)
Power cord (mains lead) (1) (not supplied in the U.S.A. and Canada)
Eyecup (1) (Attached on the camera) CD-ROM (Application Software for camera) (1) Quick Start Guide (1) Instruction Manual (This manual) (1)
Rechargeable battery pack NPFH50 (1)

USB cable (1)

Shoulder strap (1)

Eyepiece cover (1)

Preparing the battery pack
When using the camera for the first time, be sure to charge the NP-FH50 InfoLITHIUM battery pack (supplied).
Charging the battery pack
The InfoLITHIUM battery pack can be charged even when it has not been fully depleted. It can also be used when it has not been fully charged.
1 Insert the battery pack on the

battery charger.

Push the battery pack until it clicks.
2 Connect the battery charger to the
wall outlet (wall socket).
Light on: Charging Light off: Normal charge completed One hour after the lamp is turned off: Full charge completed
For customers in the U.S.A. and Canada Plug To the wall outlet (wall socket)

CHARGE lamp

For customers in countries/regions other than the U.S.A. and Canada Power cord (mains lead)
About charging time Time required to charge a fully depleted battery pack (supplied) at a temperature of 25C (77F) is as follows.
Full charge Approx. 265 min. Normal charge Approx. 205 min.
The charging time differs depending on the remaining capacity of the battery back or charging conditions. When the CHARGE lamp flashes The CHARGE lamp of the supplied battery charger flashes in either way: Fast flashing: Turns the light on and off repeatedly at the interval of 0.15 seconds. Slow flashing: Turns the light on and off repeatedly at the interval of 1.5 seconds.

1 Confirm that the battery is fully charged (page 18). 2 Press the MENU button, then
select 3 with b/B on the control button.

MENU button

3 Select [Cleaning mode] with v/V,
then press the center of the control button.
The message After cleaning, turn camera off. Continue? appears.
4 Select [OK] with v on the control button, and press the center

of the control button.

After the image sensor vibrates for a short time, the mirror in front is lifted.
5 Detach the lens (page 21). 6 Use the blower to clean the image
sensor surface and the surrounding area.
Do not touch the image sensor with the tip of the blower. Complete the cleaning quickly. Hold the cameras face downward to prevent the dust from resettling in the camera. When cleaning the image sensor, do not put the tip of a blower into the cavity beyond the mount.
7 Attach the lens and turn the camera off.
Note The camera starts beeping if the battery pack becomes low during cleaning. Stop cleaning immediately and turn the camera off.
Identifying parts and screen indicators
See the pages in parentheses for details of operation.

Front side

A Shutter button (48) B Power switch (25) C Control dial (61, 123) D Self-timer lamp (100) E Lens contacts* F Remote sensor G Mirror* H Mount I Built-in flash* (84) J
M Focus mode switch (76, 81)
* Do not directly touch these parts.
Image sensor position mark (78)
K Mode dial (48 67) L Lens release button (21)

Rear side

A Accessory shoe (87) B Viewfinder* (68) C MENU button (42) D Eyepiece sensors (68, 127) E LCD monitor (38, 44, 104, 108) F Light sensor (126) G Diopter-adjustment dial (69) H LIVE VIEW/OVF switch (68) I

M Control button

When the menu is turned on: v/ V/b/B (40) When the menu is turned off: DISP (39, 70, 104)/ (99)/ ISO (92)/ (84)
(Delete) button (112) (Playback) button (104)
(Smart teleconverter) button (82) (Exposure) (Zoom in) button (88) For viewing: button (105)

J For shooting:

K Fn (Function) button (42) L Control button (Enter) (40)/

Spot AF button (80)

Sides/Bottom
A HDMI terminal (114) B Memory card switch C Memory card cover D Memory Stick PRO Duo

K Tripod receptacle

media insertion slot (22)
E SD memory card insertion slot
Use a tripod with a screw length of less than 5.5 mm (7/32 inch). You will be unable to firmly secure the camera to tripods having screws longer than 5.5 mm (7/32 inch), and may damage the camera.
(USB) terminal (132, 148)
G Access lamp (23) H Hooks for shoulder strap (27) I DC IN terminal
When connecting the ACPW10AM AC Adaptor (sold separately) to the camera, turn the camera off, then plug the connector of the AC Adaptor to the DC IN terminal on the camera.

J Battery cover (17)

(Macro).

Get close to the subject and shoot at the minimum distance of the lens. You can shoot a closer subject using a macro lens (sold separately). Set the flash mode to (Flash Off) when you shoot a subject within 1 m (3.3 feet). When shooting in macro mode, the SteadyShot function will not be fully effective. Use a tripod to achieve better results. Set the flash mode to (Flash Off) when you shoot without the flash (page 84).
Taking moving-subject photos
This mode is suitable for z Shooting moving subjects outdoors or in bright places.

(Sports Action).

The camera shoots images continuously while the shutter button is pressed. Press and hold the shutter button halfway down until the right moment. Set the flash mode to (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash (page 84).

Taking sunset photos

This mode is suitable for z Shooting the red of the sunset beautifully.

(Sunset).

Used to shoot an image accentuating the red color compared with other modes. This is also suitable for shooting the beautiful red of the sunrise. Set the flash mode to (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash (page 84).

Taking night view photos

This mode is suitable for z Shooting portraits in night scenes.
z Shooting night scenes at a distance
without losing the dark atmosphere of the surroundings.
Set the flash mode to persons (page 84).

(Night Port./View).

(Flash Off) when you shoot a night view without
Take care that the subject does not move to prevent the image from blurring. The shutter speed is slower, so using a tripod is recommended.
Note The picture may not be taken properly when shooting a wholly dark night scene.
Shooting an image the way you want it (Exposure mode)
With a single lens reflex camera, you can adjust the shutter speed (how long the shutter is open) and aperture (the range that is in focus: depth of field) to enjoy a variety of photographic expressions. For example, you can use a fast shutter speed to shoot the ephemeral shape of a wave, or you can accentuate a flower by opening the aperture to put everything in front of and beyond the flower out of focus. These are a few of the effects you can enjoy with your camera (pages 60, 62). Shooting images Adjusting the shutter speed and aperture not only creates the photographic effects of movement and focus, but also determines the brightness of the image by controlling the amount of exposure (the amount of light the camera takes in), which is the most important factor in photo shooting. Changing the brightness of the picture by the amount of exposure

Amount of exposure

When using a faster shutter speed, the camera opens the shutter for a shorter time. This means less time for the camera to take in light, resulting in a darker picture. To take a brighter picture, you can open the aperture (the hole through which the light passes) to some extent in order to adjust the amount of light the camera takes in at one time. The brightness of the picture adjusted by the shutter speed and aperture is called exposure. This section will show you how to adjust the exposure and enjoy various photo expressions by the use of movement, focus, and light. You can find out the right way to shoot the image and the subject you like.
When you turn the mode dial, the explanation of the selected mode and methods of shooting are displayed on the screen (Help Guide disp.). You can clear the Help Guide (page 124).
Shooting with program auto
This mode is suitable for z Using the automatic exposure, while keeping the custom settings for ISO sensitivity, Creative Style, D-Range optimizer, etc.
1 Set the mode dial to P. 2 Set the shooting functions to your desired settings (pages 76 to
Set the flash mode to (page 84). (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash
3 Adjust the focus and shoot the subject.
Shooting by controlling the blur of the background (Aperture priority)
This mode is suitable for z Putting the subject in sharp focus and blur everything in front of and beyond the subject. Opening the aperture narrows the range that is in focus. (Depth of field becomes shallower.)
z Shooting the depth of the scenery.
Narrowing down the aperture widens the range that is in focus. (Depth of field becomes deeper.)
1 Set the mode dial to A.
2 Select the aperture value (Fnumber) with the control dial.
Smaller F-number: The foreground and background of the subject are blurred. Larger F-number: The subject and its foreground and background are all in focus. You cannot check the blurring of an image on the LCD monitor or in the viewfinder. Check the recorded image and adjust the aperture.

Aperture (F-number)

3 Adjust the focus and shoot the

subject.

The shutter speed is automatically adjusted to obtain correct exposure. When the camera judges that the proper exposure is not obtained with the selected aperture value, the shutter speed flashes. In such cases, adjust the aperture again.

Shutter speed

The shutter speed may become slower depending on the aperture value. When the shutter speed is slower, use a tripod. To blur the background more, use a telephoto lens or a lens that is equipped with a smaller diaphragm (bright lens). Set the flash mode to (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash (page 84). However, the flash range differs according to the aperture value. When you shoot with the flash, check the flash range (page 86).

on the control button t Select the desired setting
2 After the flash has finished
charging, shoot the subject.
Flashing: The flash is being charged. When the indicator flashes, you cannot release the shutter. Lit: The flash has been charged and is ready to fire. When you press the shutter button halfway down under dark lighting in autofocus mode, the flash may be fired to help focus on a subject (AF illuminator).
(Flash charging) indicator
(Flash Off) (Autoflash) (Fill-flash) (Slow sync.)
Does not fire even if it is dark. Fires if it is dark or against light. Fires every time you trigger the shutter. Fires every time you trigger the shutter. Slow sync shooting allows you to shoot a clear image of both the subject and the background by slowing the shutter speed. Fires right before the exposure is completed everytime you trigger the shutter. Fires an external flash (sold separately) that is off the camera and away from it (Wireless flash shooting).

(Rear sync.) (Wireless)

The lens hood (sold separately) may block the light of the flash. Remove the lens hood when using the flash. When using the flash, shoot the subject at a distance of 1 m (3.3 feet) or greater. When shooting indoors or shooting nightscapes, you can use slow sync to shoot a brighter image of people and backgrounds. You can use rear sync to shoot a natural image of the trail of a moving subject such as a moving bicycle or a walking person.
Notes Do not hold the camera by grabbing the flash emitter. Shooting conditions required to prevent shadows from appearing on an image vary, depending on the lens. When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, the (Slow sync.), (Rear sync.), and (Wireless) items cannot be selected.
The flash range The range of the built-in flash depends on the ISO sensitivity and aperture value. Refer to the following table.
Aperture ISO setting F2.8 F4.0 F5.3.6 m (3.feet) 1 1.8 m (3.3 5.9 feet) 1 2.5 m (3.3 8.2 feet) 1 3.6 m (3.feet) AUTO 1.4 7.1 m (4.m (3.feet) feet) 1 3.6 m (3.feet) 1 5.1 m (3.feet) 1 2.5 m (3.3 8.2 feet) 1 3.5 m (3.feet)
1.4 7.1 m (4.m (3.feet) feet) m (6.feet)
1.4 7.1 m (4.1 5.1 m (3.feet) feet) 1.4 7.1 m (4.feet)
2.m (9.m (6.feet) feet) m (feet)

(Custom)

Note If the flash is used when the shutter button is pressed, a custom white balance is registered with the flash light taken into account. Take pictures with the flash in later shootings.

Image processing

Correcting the brightness of the image (D-Range Optimizer)
Fn button t [D-RangeOptimizer] t Select the desired setting
(Off) (Standard) No optimization. When there is a sharp contrast of light and shadow between the subject and the background, which is common when shooting into the sun, the camera attenuates the contrast across the entire image to produce an image with proper brightness and contrast. By dividing the image into small areas, the camera analyses the contrast of light and shadow between the subject and the background, producing the image with the optimal brightness and gradation.

(Advanced)

Notes (Advanced) is selected when the exposure mode is set to AUTO or one of the following Scene Selection modes: (Portrait), (Landscape) or (Macro). (Standard) is selected when the exposure mode is set to (Sports Action) in Scene Selection. (Off) is selected when the exposure mode is set to (Sunset) or (Night Port./View) in Scene Selection. For enlarged RAW images, the effects of the D-Range optimizer other than (Standard) cannot be checked on the camera. When shooting with the D-Range optimizer, the image may be noisy.
Selecting your desired image processing (Creative Style)
1 Fn button t [Creative Style] t Select the desired setting 2 When you want to adjust
(Contrast), (Saturation), or (Sharpness), select the desired item with b/B, then adjust the value with v/V.

(Standard) (Vivid)

For shooting various scenes with rich gradation and beautiful colors. The saturation and contrast are heightened for shooting striking images of colorful scenes and subjects such as flowers, spring greenery, blue sky, or ocean views. For shooting the skin color in a soft tone, ideally suited to shooting portraits. The saturation, contrast, and sharpness are heightened for shooting vivid and crisp scenery. Distant landscapes also stand out more. The contrast is attenuated for shooting a nightscape that is more faithful to the real view. For shooting the beautiful red of the setting sun. For shooting images in black and white monotone.

(Portrait) (Landscape)

(Night view) (Sunset) (B/W)
(Contrast), (Saturation), and Creative Style item.

(Contrast)

(Sharpness) can be adjusted for each
The higher the value selected, the more the difference of light and shadow is accentuated, thus making an impact on an image. The higher the value selected, the more vivid the color. When a lower value is selected, the color of the image is restrained and subdued. Adjusts the sharpness. The higher the value selected, the more the contours are accentuated, and the lower the value selected, the more the contours are softened.

(Saturation)

(Sharpness)
Notes When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, [Creative Style] is fixed to (Standard) and you cannot select other settings. When (B/W) is selected, you cannot adjust the saturation.
Changing the range of color reproduction (Color Space)
The way colors are represented with combinations of numbers or the range of color reproduction is called color space. You can change the color space, depending on your purpose.

MENU button t setting

2 t [Color Space] t Select the desired
This is the standard color space of the digital camera. Use sRGB in normal shooting, such as when you intend to print out the images without any modification. This has a wide range of color reproduction. When a large part of the subject is vivid green or red, Adobe RGB is effective. The file name of the image starts with _DSC.

Adobe RGB

Notes Adobe RGB is for applications or printers that support color management and DCF2.0 option color space. Using some applications or printers that do not support them may result in or print images that do not faithfully reproduce the color. When displaying images that were recorded with Adobe RGB on the camera or nonAdobe RGB-compliant devices, the images are displayed with low saturation.

Selecting the drive mode

This camera has five drive modes, such as single-shot advanced, and continuous advanced. Use them to suit your purpose.

Shooting single shot

This mode is for normal shooting.
on the control button t (Single-shot adv.)
Note When the exposure mode is set to shoot single shot.
(Sports Action) in Scene Selection, you cannot

Shooting continuously

The camera records the images continuously at the following speeds*.
Live View mode Viewfinder mode Maximum 2 images per second Maximum 2.5 images per second
* Our measurement conditions. The speed of continuous shooting is slower, depending on shooting conditions.

on the control button t (Continuous adv.)
2 Adjust the focus and shoot the subject.
When you press and hold the shutter button, the recording continues.
The maximum number of continuous shots The number of continuous shooting images obtainable has an upper limit.
Fine/Standard RAW & JPEG RAW No limit (Until the memory card is full) 3 images 6 images
Notes You cannot shoot images continuously when 0 flashes in the viewfinder. Wait until the indicator disappears. When the exposure mode is set to a Scene Selection mode other than (Sports Action), you cannot shoot continuously. The speed of continuous shooting may be slower when the battery level is insufficient or at low ambient temperatures.

Using the self-timer

The 10-second self-timer is convenient when the photographer appears in a photo and the 2-second self-timer is convenient to reduce the camera shake. [Self-timer(Cont.)] is convenient to prevent failure because the camera continuously shoots either three or five images after a 10 second pause.
on the control button t (Self-timer) t Select the desired setting
The number after is the number of seconds that is currently selected. Select to use the continuous selftimer.
When the self-timer is activated, audio signals and the self-timer lamp indicate the condition. The self-timer lamp flashes quickly and the audio signal sounds quickly right before the shooting.
To cancel the self-timer Press on the control button.
Note When you shoot images using the viewfinder, use the eyepiece cover (page 28).
Shooting images with the exposure shifted (Exposure bracket)

Base exposure

direction

+ direction

Bracket shooting allows you to shoot several images, each with different degrees of exposure. This camera is equipped with an auto bracket function. Specify the value of deviation (steps) from the base exposure, and the camera shoots while automatically shifting the exposure. You can choose an image that has the brightness you like after shooting is finished. When the flash is fired, flash bracket shooting is used to shift the amount of flash light. To shoot, press the shutter button shot by shot.
on the control button t (Bracket: Cont.) t Select the desired bracket step
The base exposure is set at the first shot in the bracket.

* (Bracket: Cont.)

Shoots three images with the exposure shifted by a selected step. Press and hold the shutter button until the recording stops. When the flash is fired, press the shutter button shot by shot. is the step currently selected.

* _ EV displayed with

Notes When the mode dial is set to M, the exposure is shifted by adjusting the shutter speed. When you adjust the exposure, the exposure is shifted based on the compensated value. The bracket cannot be used when the recording mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection.

Fn button t [Slide show] t [Interval] t Select the desired number of seconds

To play back repeatedly

Fn button t [Slide show] t [Repeat] t [On]
Checking the information of recorded images
Each time you press DISP on the control button, the information display changes (page 104).
Basic information display

Display 100-0003 DPOF3

Indication Memory card (22) Folder - file number (137) Protect (111) DPOF set (145) Image quality (119)

Display NO CARD

Indication No card warning
Image size (118)/Aspect ratio (118) Remaining battery warning (18) 1/125 F3.5 ISO10:37AM 3/7 Shutter speed (62) Aperture (60) ISO sensitivity (92) Date of recording File number/total number of images
A Display 100-0003 DPOF3 Indication Memory card (22) Folder - file number (137) Protect (111) DPOF set (145) Image quality (119)

Display 0.3 35mm

Indication Flash compensation (90) Metering mode (91) Focal length (152) Creative Style (96)

AWB +1 5500K M1

White balance (Auto, Preset, Color temperature, Color filter) (93) D-Range Optimizer (96)
Image size (118)/Aspect ratio (118) Remaining battery warning (18) B Display Indication Histogram (89) P A S M Mode dial (48 67) 1 10:37AM 3/7
Date of recording File number/total number of images

1/125 F3.5 ISO100 0.3

Shutter speed (62) Aperture (60) ISO sensitivity (92) Exposure compensation (88)
About the flashing segments on the histogram display When the image has a high-key or lowkey portion, that portion is flashed on the histogram display (Luminance limit warning).
Flashing R (Red) Luminance

G (Green)

B (Blue)
Protecting images (Protect)
You can protect images against accidental erasure. The protect function can be operated either using the Fn button or the MENU button. Here operation using the Fn button is described.
Protecting selected images/canceling the protection of the selected images
1 Fn button t [Protect] t [Marked images] 2 Select the image you want to
protect with b/B on the control button, then press the center of the control button.
A - mark appears on the selected image. To cancel a selection, press the center again.
3 To protect other images, repeat step 2. 4 Press the Fn button. 5 Select [OK] with v on the control button, then press the center
Protecting all the images/canceling the protection of all the images
Fn button t [Protect] t [All images] or [Cancel all] t [OK]

Deleting images (Delete)

Once you have deleted an image, you cannot restore it. Check whether to delete the image or not beforehand. The delete function can be operated either from the Fn button or from the MENU button. Here operation using the Fn button is described.

1 Click [Start] t [Documents].
If you are using Windows 2000, double-click [My Documents] on the desktop.
2 Double-click the desired image file.

The image is displayed.

Double-click the hard disk icon t the desired image file to open the image file.
Deleting the USB connection
Perform each procedure for Windows or Macintosh listed below beforehand when: Disconnecting the USB cable. Removing the memory card. Turning off the camera.
x For Windows Double-click on the tasktray, then click (USB Mass Storage Device) t [Stop]. Confirm the device on the confirmation window, then click [OK]. The device is disconnected. x For Macintosh
Drag and drop the drive icon or the icon of the memory card to the Trash icon.
The camera is disconnected from the computer.
Image file storage destinations and file names
The image files recorded with your camera are grouped as folders on the memory card. Example: viewing folders on Windows Vista
AFolders containing image data recorded using this camera. (The first three digits show the folder number.) BYou can create a folder in date form (page 120). You cannot record/play back any images in the MISC folder. Image files are named as follows. ssss (file number) stands for any number within the range of 0001 to 9999. The numerical portions of the name of a RAW data file and its corresponding JPEG file are the same. JPEG files: DSC0ssss.JPG JPEG files (Adobe RGB): _DSCssss.JPG RAW data file (other than Adobe RGB): DSC0ssss.ARW RAW data file (Adobe RGB): _DSCssss.ARW The extension may not be displayed depending on the computer.
Copying images stored on a computer to a memory card and viewing the images
This section describes the process using a Windows computer as an example. Step 1 is not necessary if the file name has not been changed. When you use the supplied PMB software, you can copy images easily (page 139).
1 Right-click the image file, then
click [Rename]. Change the file name to DSC0ssss.
Enter a number from 0001 to 9999 for ssss. If the overwrite confirmation message appears, enter a different number. An extension may be displayed depending on the computer settings. The extension for images is JPG. Do not change the extension.
2 Copy the image file to the
memory card folder in the following order.
1 Right-click the image file, then click

[Copy].

2 Double-click [Removable Disk] in
[Computer] (For Windows XP: [My Computer]). 3 Right-click the [sssMSDCF] folder in the [DCIM] folder, then click [Paste]. sss stands for any number within the range of 100 to 999.
Notes You may be unable to play back some images depending on the image size. When an image file has been processed by a computer or when the image file was recorded using a model other than that of your camera, playback on your camera is not guaranteed. When there is no folder, first create a folder with your camera (page 121) and then copy the image file.

Adobe is a registered trademark or a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. D-Range Optimizer Advanced uses technology provided by Apical Limited. In addition, system and product names used in this manual are, in general, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective developers or manufacturers. However, the or marks are not used in all cases in this manual.

Troubleshooting

If you experience trouble with your camera, try the following solutions. Check the items on pages 154 to 163. Consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
Check the following items. Remove the battery pack, and insert the battery pack again after about one minute, and turn on the power. Reset the settings (page 129). Consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.

Battery pack and power

The battery pack cannot be installed.
As you insert the battery pack, use the tip of the battery pack to push the lock lever (page 17). Check the model number of the battery pack (pages 13, 18).
The remaining battery indicator is incorrect, or sufficient remaining battery indicator is displayed but the power runs out too quickly.
This phenomenon occurs when you use the camera in an extremely hot or cold location (page 167). The battery pack is discharged. Install a charged battery pack (page 14). The battery pack is dead (page 18). Replace it with a new one.
Cannot turn on the camera.
Install the battery pack correctly (page 17). The battery pack is discharged. Install a charged battery pack (page 14). The battery pack is dead (page 18). Replace it with a new one.
The power turns off suddenly.
If you do not operate the camera for given period of time, the camera turns to power saving mode and nearly shuts down. To cancel the power save, operate the camera, such as pressing the shutter button halfway down (page 124).
The CHARGE lamp flashes when charging the battery pack.
Remove and re-insert the battery pack correctly. Charge the battery pack under the suitable temperatures between 10 and 30C (50 and 86F).
Nothing is displayed on the LCD monitor in viewfinder mode when the power is turned on.
In the default setting, the LCD monitor will turn off if no operation is registered for more than 10 seconds to minimize the battery consumption.
The image is not clear in the viewfinder.

Wait for a while as the printer is carrying out the cancellation. It may take some time depending on the printer.

The lens gets fogged.

Moisture condensation has occurred. Turn off the camera and leave it for about an hour before using it (page 167).
The message Set date and time? appears when you turn on the camera.
The camera has been left unused for sometime with a low battery or no battery pack. Charge the battery pack and set the date again (pages 25, 167). If the date setting is lost every time the battery pack is charged, consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
The number of recordable images does not decrease or decreases two at a time.
This is because the compression rate and the image size after compression change depending on the image when you shoot a JPEG image (page 119).
The setting is reset without the resetting operation.
The battery pack was removed when the power switch was set to ON. When removing the battery pack, make sure the camera is turned off and the access lamp is not illuminated (pages 17, 37).
The camera does not work properly.
Turn off the camera. Remove the battery pack and insert it again. If an AC Adaptor (sold separately) is used, disconnect the power cord. If the camera is hot, allow it to cool down before trying this corrective procedure. If the camera does not work after doing these solutions, consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
The five bars of the SteadyShot scale flashes.
The SteadyShot function does not work. You can continue to shoot but the SteadyShot function will not work. Turn the camera off and on. If the SteadyShot scale continues to flash, consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
--E- is indicated on the screen.
Remove the memory card, and insert it again. If this procedure does not turn off the indication, format the memory card.

Warning messages

If the following messages appear, follow the instructions below. Incompatible battery. Use correct model.
An incompatible battery pack is being used (page 18).
If the message still appears, change the memory card.

Card error

An incompatible memory card is inserted or the format has failed.
Reinsert Memory Stick. Reinsert SD memory card.
The inserted memory card cannot be used in your camera. The memory card is damaged. The terminal section of the memory card is dirty.

Set date and time?

Set the date and time. If you have not used the camera for a long time, charge the internal rechargeable battery (pages 25, 167).
This Memory Stick is not supported.
Use Memory Stick media available on this camera (page 23).

Power insufficient

This rechargeable battery is continually charged as long as you are using the camera. However, if you use the camera for only short periods, it discharges gradually, and if you do not use the camera at all for about 3 months it becomes completely discharged. In this case, be sure to charge this rechargeable battery before using the camera. However, even if this rechargeable battery is not charged, you can still use the camera as long as you do not record the date and time. If the camera resets the settings to the defaults each time you charge the battery, the internal rechargeable battery may be dead. Consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility. Charging method of the internal rechargeable battery Insert a charged battery pack in the camera, or connect the camera to a wall outlet (wall socket) using the AC Adaptor (sold separately), and leave the camera for 24 hours or more with the power off.
Notes on recording/playback
Before you record one-time events, make a trial recording to make sure that the camera is working correctly. This camera is neither dust-proof, nor splash-proof, nor water-proof. Do not look at the sun or a strong light through a removed lens or the viewfinder. This may cause irrecoverable damage to your eyes.
Or it may cause a malfunction of your camera. Do not use the camera near a location that generates strong radio waves or emits radiation. The camera may not be able to record or play back properly. Using the camera in sandy or dusty locations may cause malfunctions. If moisture condensation occurs, remove it before using the camera (page 167). Do not shake or strike the camera. In addition to malfunctions and an inability to record images, this may render the memory card unusable, or cause image data breakdown, damage or loss. Clean the flash surface before use. The heat of flash emission may cause dirt on the flash surface to become discolored or to stick to the flash surface, resulting in insufficient light emission. Keep the camera, supplied accessories, etc., out of the reach of children. A memory card, etc., may be swallowed. If such a problem occurs, consult a doctor immediately.

Numerics

40-segment honeycomb pattern metering. 151 Color Space.. 98 Compression ratio.. 119 Continuous AF.. 79 Continuous bracket. 101 Continuous shooting. 99 Contrast.. 96 Control button.. 40, 41 Creative Style.. 96 Ctrl dial setup.. 123 CTRL FOR HDMI. 116 Custom white balance. 94
Adobe RGB.. 98 AF area.. 80 AF illuminator.. 86 Ambient light.. 102 Amount of exposure. 57 Anti-dust function.. 33 Aperture. 57, 60 Aperture priority. 60 Aspect ratio.. 118 Audio signals.. 124 Auto off w/ VF.. 127 Auto review.. 126 Autoflash. 84 Autofocus.. 76 Autofocus mode.. 79
Date imprint.. 146 Date/Time setup.. 25, 125 DC IN terminal.. 37 Delete.. 112 Depth of field.. 57 Diopter-adjustment. 69 Display Color.. 124 DPOF setup.. 145 D-Range Optimizer.. 96 Drive mode.. 99