Do not attempt to service the set yourself as opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards.

Read this first

CAUTION
Replace the battery with the specified type only. Otherwise, fire or injury may result. Do not expose the batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like. Do not crush and do not expose the battery pack to any shock or force such as hammering, dropping or stepping on it. Do not short circuit and do not allow metal objects to come into contact with the battery terminals. Do not expose to high temperature above 140F (60C) such as in direct sunlight or in a car parked in the sun. Do not incinerate or dispose of in fire. Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium ion batteries. Be sure to charge the battery with Sony battery charger or the device that can charge the battery. Keep the battery pack out of the reach of small children. Keep the battery pack dry. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by Sony. Dispose of used battery promptly according to the instructions.
For Customers in the U.S.A. and Canada
RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Lithium-Ion batteries are recyclable. You can help preserve our environment by returning your used rechargeable batteries to the collection and recycling location nearest you. For more information regarding recycling of rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822-8837, or visit http:// www.rbrc.org/ Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-Ion batteries.
UL is an internationally recognized safety organization. This product has received UL Listing. If you have any questions about this product, you may call: Sony Customer Information Services Center 1-800-222-SONY (7669) The number below is for the FCC related matters only.

Battery pack

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. This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Caution

Incorrect use of the battery pack risks explosion, fire, or chemical burn. Comply with the following precautions. Do not disassemble.

M Metering mode lever (67) N Display panel (42) O For shooting: AF/MF (Auto
brightness button (40, 90)
(Delete) button (97) (Playback) button (90)
H LCD monitor (39) I For shooting: C (Custom)
button (106) For viewing: button (91)

(Histogram)

focus/manual focus) button (62) For viewing: (Enlarge) button (93)
P Rear control dial (46, 115) Q Access lamp (24) R Multi-selector (45) S
J For shooting: Fn (Function)
button (46) For viewing: (Image rotation) button (92)

(SteadyShot) switch (44)

Sides/Bottom

A Memory Stick Duo media

K Tripod receptacle

insertion slot (23)

B Memory card cover (23) C CF card insertion slot (23) D CF card eject lever (24) E Hooks for shoulder strap (29) F REMOTE terminal G DC IN terminal
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.
When connecting the ACVQ900AM AC Adaptor/ Charger (sold separately) to the camera, turn the camera off, then plug the connector of the AC Adaptor/Charger to the DC IN terminal on the camera.
H HDMI terminal (101) I VIDEO OUT/

terminal (99, 136)

J Battery cover (18)
LCD monitor (Recording information display)
The illustration above is an example of the detailed display in the horizontal position. A Display Indication C Display Indication Drive mode (81)
P A S M Mode dial (47, 49) 1/125 F5.6 +2.0 Shutter speed (52) Aperture (51) Exposure (68) AE lock (69) B Display Indication Flash mode (63) Exposure compensation (68)/Metered Manual (53) Flash compensation (71) EV scale (53, 84) ISO AUTO ISO sensitivity (72) +1 +1 +1

Focus mode (56)

AF area (58) Metering (67) D-Range Optimizer (77) Creative Style (78)
+1 Contrast, Saturation, +1 Sharpness, Brightness, Zone (80)

Display AWB 5500K M1

Indication White balance (Auto, Preset, Color temperature, Color filter, Custom) (73)
D Display 90% Indication Battery remaining (19) Image quality (105)
Image size (104)/APS-C size (132)/Aspect ratio (104) Memory card (24) 100 Remaining number of recordable images (31)
Switching the recording information display Press the DISP button to switch between the enlarged display and the detailed display. When you rotate the camera to a vertical position, the display automatically rotates to adjust to the camera position.

DISP button

Detailed display

AEL button

Shooting with BULB
You can shoot trails of light, such as fireworks, with a long exposure.
1 Set the mode dial to M. 2 Rotate the front control dial to the
left until [BULB] is indicated.
3 Rotate the rear control dial to adjust the aperture (F-number).
4 Press and hold the shutter button for the duration of the

shooting.

As long as the shutter button is pressed, the shutter remains open.
Using a Remote Commander (sold separately) reduces the camera shake and continues the exposure without pressing and holding the shutter button.
Notes When using a tripod, turn off the SteadyShot function. The longer the exposure time, the more outstanding the noise on the image. After shooting, noise reduction (Long exp.NR) will be done for the same amount of time that the shutter was open. You cannot do any further shooting during the reduction.
Using the shooting function
Selecting the focus method
Selecting the focus mode (Auto focus)
1 Set the focus mode lever to the

desired position.

Auto focus (S, A, C)
2 Press the shutter button halfway
down to check the focus and shoot the image.
When the focus is confirmed, the focus indicator changes to z or (page 57). The area that the focus is confirmed in the AF area illuminated briefly in red.

Focus area sensor

S (Single-shot AF) ( ) A (Automatic AF) ( )
The camera focuses on and the focus is locked when you press the shutter button halfway down. This is useful when shooting a motionless subject. The AF mode is switched between Single-shot AF and Continuous AF according to the movement of the subject. When you press and hold the shutter button halfway down, if the subject is motionless, the focus is locked and if the subject is in motion, the camera continues to focus. In continuous shooting, the second and later shots are automatically set to Continuous AF. The camera continues to focus while the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down. This is useful when the subject is in motion. If the AF area is set to (Wide), the AF area switches to match the position of the subject. The audio signals will not sound when the subject is in focus.

Shooting with Slow Sync

If you use the slow sync shooting feature with a slower shutter speed, you can capture a clear image of both the subject and the background. This is convenient when you shoot a portrait at night with a dark background. Using the shooting function
Shoot with the SLOW SYNC button pressed.
in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor lights up to indicate the exposure is locked.

SLOW SYNC button

Note In shutter speed priority mode or manual exposure mode, slow sync shooting is not available using the SLOW SYNC button.
Shooting with High Speed Sync (HSS)
Since the flash sync speed restriction is removed when you use one of the HVL-F58AM, HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM or HVL-F36AM models, the flash allows you to take pictures using the flash with the entire shutter speed range of the camera. It also enables you to take pictures with the flash in bright conditions with the aperture open. In high speed sync mode, H or HSS appears in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor.
Notes High speed sync mode is not available when the two-second self-timer or mirror lockup shooting is selected, or the flash mode is set to (Rear sync.).
For details on High Speed Sync, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the flash.
Using a flash equipped with a flash sync terminal cord
Open the cover of the (flash sync) terminal and plug the cord in.

(flash sync) terminal

You can use a flash equipped with a flash sync terminal of the opposite polarity.
Notes Select the manual exposure mode and set the shutter speed to 1/200 second with the SteadyShot on or 1/250 second with the SteadyShot off. If the shutter speed recommended on the flash is slower than that, use the recommended speed or an even slower speed. Use a flash with a flash sync voltage of 400 V or less. Before you connect the flash sync cord to the (flash sync) terminal, turn off the power of the connected flash. If the power is on, it may flash when you connect the cord. The flash will always be full emission. Flash compensation (page 71) cannot be used. Using auto white balance is not recommended. Use custom white balance to gain more precise white balance. The flash indicator is not displayed when the (flash sync) terminal is plugged in.

1 Press the WB button to display the White balance mode screen. 2 Select [
1]* (Custom white balance) with b/B on the multiselector, then press the center of the multi-selector.
* Any number between 1 and 3 is indicated.

3 Select [

SET] with b/B on the multi-selector, then press the center of the multi-selector.
4 Hold the camera so that the white area fully covers the spotmetering circle and press the shutter button down.
The shutter clicks and the calibrated values (ColorTemperature and Color filter) are displayed.
5 Select a memory number with b/B, press the center of the
The monitor returns to the recording information display with the memorized custom white balance setting retained. The custom white balance setting is registered in this operation is effective until a new setting is registered.
Note The message Custom WB error indicates that the value is beyond the expected range. (When the flash is used on a subject in close proximity or a subject with a bright color is in the frame.) If you register this value, the indicator turns yellow on the recording information display on the LCD monitor. You can shoot at this point, but it is recommended that you set the white balance again to get a more correct white balance value.
To call the custom white balance setting In step 3, select the desired number.
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

Using the D-Range Optimizer
The camera analyzes the subject almost instantly and automatically compensates to improve the image quality with the optimal brightness and gradation. You can shoot images with the natural color that you intend to reproduce.
1 Press the Fn button to display the Quick Navi screen (page 46). 2 Select the D-Range Optimizer
3 Select the desired mode with the front control dial.

To adjust

(Off) (Standard)
(Advanced: Level), use the rear control dial.

* Our measurement conditions: [Image size] is set to [L:24M], [Quality] is set to [Fine], the focus mode is set to Single-shot AF or manual focus, and the shutter speed is 1/250 second or faster. However, the speed of continuous shooting is slower when shooting under dark conditions, the D-Range Optimizer is set to (Advanced Auto) or (Advanced: Level), or [High ISO NR] is set to [High].
The maximum number of continuous shots (Media used for the measurement: Sony CompactFlash Card NCFD2G (300 4GB)) The number of continuous shooting images obtainable has an upper limit.
RAW cRAW RAW & JPEG cRAW & JPEG Extra fine Fine/Standard 16 images 18 images 12 images 12 images 34 images 384 images/593 images
The number of images that can be shot continuously is indicated in the viewfinder. When the available number of continuous shots is more than nine images, 9 is indicated in the viewfinder.
The number of images that can be shot continuously
Note When the capacity of the memory card is insufficient, the camera may not continuously shoot all the images indicated in the viewfinder.

Using the self-timer

After you press the shutter button, the shutter will be released about ten seconds. When the self-timer is activated, audio signals and the selftimer lamp indicate the condition. The self-timer lamp flashes quickly and the audio signal sounds quickly right before the shooting. After you press the shutter button, the shutter will be released about two seconds. This is convenient to reduce the camera shake because the mirror moves upward before shooting.
To cancel the 10-second self-timer Press the DRIVE button. Using the shooting function
Notes When you press the shutter button without looking into the viewfinder, close the eyepiece shutter with the eyepiece shutter lever. When the 2-second self-timer is selected, the following shooting features cannot be used: high speed sync shooting, WL high speed sync, and mirror lockup shooting.
Shooting with Exposure bracket
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. The base exposure is set at the first shot in the bracket.

Shooting with the white balance bracket
Based on the selected white balance value three images are taken per one shooting with the color temperature shifted.
* (WB bracket) * The value beneath When Lo is selected, it is shifted by 10 mired, and when Hi is selected, it is shifted by 20 mired. is the value currently selected.
Shooting with the DRO advanced bracket
DRO advanced bracket shooting takes three pictures per one shooting while separately changing the optimizing level of the gradation in each image area. (DRO: D-Range Optimizer)
bracket) * (DRO adv. When Lo is selected, it is shifted slightly, and when Hi is selected, it is shifted widely. is the value currently selected.

* The value beneath

Notes When DRO advanced bracket shooting is selected, the D-Range Optimizer setting (page 77) is temporarily deactivated. You cannot verify the effects of D-Range Optimizer other than those of (Standard) if you play back and enlarge an image recorded in RAW format.
Shooting with the mirror lockup function
Moving the mirror upward before shooting prevents camera shake when the shutter is released. This feature is convenient when you perform macro shooting or shoot with a telephoto lens, because even slight camera shake affects the image.
1 Press the shutter button.
The focus and exposure are locked and the mirror moves upward.
2 Press the shutter button again to shoot.
If you use the Remote Commander (sold separately), you can reduce the camera shake furthermore.
Notes The mirror automatically moves downward after 30 seconds from the time the mirror is moved upward. Press the shutter button again. High speed sync shooting and WL high speed sync shooting cannot be used during mirror lockup shooting. In mirror lockup shooting, do not touch the shutter or strongly blow on the shutter using a blower. These may cause damage to the camera. When you press the shutter button without looking into the viewfinder, close the eyepiece shutter with the eyepiece shutter lever.
Shooting with the Wireless Remote Commander
You can shoot using the SHUTTER and 2SEC (the shutter is released after 2 seconds) buttons on the RMT-DSLR1 Wireless Remote Commander (sold separately). Also, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the Wireless Remote Commander.

Memory Stick CompactFlash Uses the Memory Stick Duo media for recording or playback. Uses the CF card/Microdrive for recording or playback.

File number

Selects the method used to assign file numbers to images.
Series Reset The camera does not reset numbers and assigns numbers to files in sequence until the number reaches 9999. The camera resets numbers in the following cases and assigns numbers to files from 0001. When the recording folder contains a file, a number one higher than the largest number is assigned. When the folder format is changed. When all the images in the folder are deleted. When the memory card is replaced. When the memory card is formatted.

Folder name

Selects the folder name format. The recorded images are stored in the automatically-created folder in the DCIM folder on the memory card.
Standard form The folder name format is as follows: folder number + MSDCF. Example: 100MSDCF The folder name format is as follows: folder number + Y (the last digit)/MM/DD. Example: 10080405 (Folder name: 100, date: 04/05/2008)

Date form

Select folder
When a standard form folder is selected and there are two or more folders, you can select the recording folder to be used to record images.
Select the desired folder with v/V on the multi-selector, then press the center of the multi-selector.
Note You cannot select the folder when you are setting [Date form].

New folder

You can create a folder in a memory card for recording images. A new folder is created with a number incremented one higher than the largest number currently used, and the folder becomes the current recording folder.

USB connection

Selects the USB mode to be used when connecting the camera to a computer, etc., using a USB cable.
Mass Storage PTP Used for copying images to the computer. The camera is recognized as a USB mass storage device. Prints the images with a PictBridge compliant printer or copies images to PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) compliant devices. For details on printing with a PictBridge compliant printer, see page 150. Using Remote Camera Control contained on the CD-ROM (supplied), you can operate some functions of the camera (such as shooting) from a computer, store the recorded images to a computer, etc.

Focusing Screen

You can change the focusing screen to Type L (sold separately) or Type M (sold separately) according to your purpose. Select the appropriate setting for the type of screen after changing the screen itself.
Type G Type M Standard focusing screens (the default one). Focusing screens that make it easier to check the peak of the focus and approximate sharpness. This is suitable for a brighter lens (F1.4 to 2.8). Focusing screens that are equipped with a grid. The brightness of the viewfinder is the same as that of the G type.

Type L

Notes If the type of screen is not properly set, you cannot measure the light properly. For details on how to change the focusing screen, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the focusing screen.

Setup menu 4

APS-C size capt.
Captures an image in the area equivalent to the APS-C size. Decide on composition using (APS-C size area) in the viewfinder as a guide. [Aspect ratio] is set to [3:2].
On Off Shoots an image in the APS-C size area. Shoots an image in the normal size area.

Reset default

You can reset the main functions of the camera. The items to be reset are as follows.
Items Recording information display (39) Exposure compensation (68) Drive mode (81) White balance (73) ColorTemperature/Color filter (74) Custom white balance (75) ISO (72) Playback display (90) Reset to (default setting) Detailed display 0.0 Single-shot adv. AWB (Auto white balance) 5500K, Color filter 0 5500K AUTO Single-image screen (with recording data)
Items Image size (104) Aspect ratio (104) Quality (105) D-RangeOptimizer (77) Custom button (106) Creative Style (78) Color Space (106) Flash mode (64) Reset to (default setting) L:24M 3:2 Fine Off Creative Style Standard sRGB Autoflash or Fill-flash
Items Flash control (107) Flash compens. (71) Exposure step (108) ISO Auto Range (108) AF-A setup (109) AF area (58) Priority setup (109) AF illuminator (60) AF w/ shutter (110) Long exp.NR (110) High ISO NR (110)
Reset to (default setting) ADI flash 0.0 0.3 EV AF-A Wide AF Auto On On Normal
Items AF/MF button (113) AF/MF control (113) AF drive speed (113) AF area disp. (113) FocusHoldButton (114) Auto review (114) Preview Function (87) AEL button (115) Ctrl dial setup (115) Dial exp.comp (116) Ctrl dial lock (116) Button ops. (117) Release w/oCard (117) Rec.info.disp. (117) Exp.comp.set (118) Bracket order (118) Off Off Exclusive disp Enable Auto rotate Ambient&flash 0tt+ Reset to (default setting) AF/MF control Hold Fast
0.3 sec Focus hold 2 sec Intelligent AEL hold SS F/no.
Items DPOF setup Date imprint (121) PlaybackDisplay (122) Slide show Interval (123) Reset to (default setting) Off Auto rotate 3 sec
Items LCD brightness (124) Info.disp.time (124) Power save (124) HDMI output (125) File number (126) Folder name (126) USB connection (127) MassStrg.card (128) Menu start (129) Delete confirm. (129) Audio signals (129) AF Micro Adj. (130) APS-C size capt. (132) Reset to (default setting) sec 3 min HD(1080i)prior. Series Standard form Mass Storage Selected card Top Cancel first On Off Off

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 by date form (page 126). 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 from 0001 to 9999. The numerical portions of the name of a RAW data file and its corresponding JPEG image 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.
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 from 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 127) and then copy the image file.

Using the software

To utilize images recorded with the camera, the following software is provided: Sony Image Data Suite Image Data Converter SR Image Data Lightbox SR Remote Camera Control Sony Picture Utility PMB (Picture Motion Browser)
Note PMB is not compatible with Macintosh computers.
Recommended computer environment x Windows Recommended environment for using Image Data Converter SR Ver.3/ Image Data Lightbox SR/Remote Camera Control OS (pre-installed): Microsoft Windows XP*1 SP3/Windows Vista*2 SP1 *1 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. *2 Starter (Edition) is not supported. CPU/Memory: Pentium 4 or faster is recommended, RAM 1 GB or more is recommended. Display: dots or more Recommended environment for using PMB OS (pre-installed): Microsoft Windows XP*1 SP3/Windows Vista*2 SP1 *1 64-bit editions and Starter (Edition) are not supported. *2 Starter (Edition) is not supported. CPU/Memory: Pentium III 500 MHz or faster, 256 MB of RAM or more (Recommended: Pentium III 800 MHz or faster and 512 MB of RAM or more) Hard Disk: Disk space required for installation500 MB or more Display: dots or more

PhotoTV HD is a trademark of Sony Corporation. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. HDMI, the HDMI logo and HighDefinition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC. Macintosh, Mac OS, iMac, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac, and eMac are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Intel, Intel Core, MMX, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. Microdrive is a registered trademark of Hitachi Global Storage Technologies in the United States and/or other countries. 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 157 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 132). Consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.

Battery pack and power

The battery remaining indicator is incorrect, or sufficient battery remaining 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 displayed battery remaining differs from the current one. Fully discharge and then charge the battery pack to correct the display. The battery pack is discharged. Install a charged battery pack (page 18). The battery pack is dead (page 20). Replace it with 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).
Nothing is displayed on the LCD monitor when the power is turned on.
In the default setting, the LCD monitor will turn off if no operation is registered for more than five seconds to minimize the battery consumption. You can change the time that the LCD monitor is turned off (page 124). The LCD monitor is set to off. Press the DISP button to turn the LCD monitor on (page 40).

The image is not clear in the viewfinder.
Adjust the diopter scale properly using the diopter-adjustment dial (page 28).
The shutter does not release.
Check the free capacity of the memory card (page 31). If it is full, do one of the following: Delete unnecessary images (page 97). Change the memory card. The shutter cannot be released when the subject is out of focus (page 109). When an astronomical telescope, etc., is attached to the camera, set the exposure mode to M and do your shooting.
Recording takes a long time.
The noise reduction function is turned on (page 110). This is not a malfunction. You are shooting in RAW mode (page 105). Since the RAW image is large, the RAW mode shooting may take time.
The date and time are recorded incorrectly.
Set the correct date and time (pages 27, 125).
The aperture value and/or shutter speed flash when you press the shutter button halfway down.
Since the subject is too bright or too dark, it is beyond the available range of the camera. Adjust the setting again.
The image is whitish (Flare). Blurring of light appears on the image (Ghosting).
The picture was taken under a strong light source, and excessive light has entered the lens. Attach a lens hood.
The corners of the picture are too dark.
If any filter or hood is used, take it off and try shooting again. Depending on the thickness of the filter and improper attachment of the hood, the filter or the hood may partially appear in the image. The optical properties of some lenses may cause the periphery of the image to appear too dark (insufficient light). In such cases, making the aperture smaller by 1 to 2 steps may prevent this phenomenon.
Dots appear and remain on the LCD monitor.
This is not a malfunction. These dots are not recorded (page 9).
The EV scale b B is flashing in the viewfinder.
The subject is too bright or too dark for the metering range of the camera.

Viewing images

Your camera cannot play back images.
The folder/file name has been changed on your computer (page 141). 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. The camera is in USB mode. Delete the USB connection (page 139).