Nikon D3100 Reference Manual

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DIGITAL CAMERA

Reference Manual

Where to Find It

Find what you’re looking for from:

The Table of Contents

Find items by function or menu name.

The Q&A Index

Know what you want to do but don’t know the function name? the “question and answer” index.

The Index

Search by key word.

Error Messages

If a warning is displayed in the viewfinder or monitor, find the solution here.

Troubleshooting

Camera behaving unexpectedly?

A For Your Safety

Before using the camera for the first time, read the safety instructions in “For Your Safety” (0 ix–xiv).

Find the solution here.

➜

0 iv–viii

0 ii–iii

Find it from

0 205–207

0 192–194

0 188–191

Help

Use the camera’s on-board help feature for help on menu items and other topics. See page 11 for details.

Digitutor

“Digitutor”, a series of “watch and learn” manuals in movie form, is available from the following website: http://www.nikondigitutor.com/index_eng.html

Q&A Index 0 ii

Table of Contents 0 iv

Introduction 0 1

Basic Photography and Playback 0 23

Guide Mode 0 33

Live View 0 37

Recording and Viewing Movies 0 45

Release Mode 0 53

Q&A Index

Find what you’re looking for using this “question and answer” index.

Taking Photographs

Shooting Modes and Framing Options

Is there a quick and easy way to take snapshots? 23–27 How do I use the g position on the mode dial? 33–36 Can I choose a shutter speed (mode S)? 75 Can I choose an aperture (mode A)? 76 How do I make long (“time”) exposures (mode M)? 78 Can I frame photos in the monitor? 37–43 Can I shoot movies? 45–46

Release Modes

Can I take photos one at a time or in quick succession? 5, 53 How do I take pictures with the self-timer? 54 Can I reduce shutter noise in quiet surroundings? 5

Focus

Can I choose how the camera focuses? 55–56 Can I choose the focus point? 60

Image Quality and Size

How do I take pictures for printing at large sizes? How can I get more pictures on the memory card?

Exposure

Can I make photos brighter or darker? 81 How do I preserve details in shadows and highlights? 85–86

Using the Flash

Can I set the flash to fire automatically when needed?

How do I avoid “red-eye”?

64–66

67–70How do I keep the flash from firing?

Viewing Photographs

Playback

How do I view photographs on the camera? 30, 99 How do I view more information about a photo? 100–104 Can I view photos in an automatic slide show? 112 Can I view photos on a TV? 126–128 Can I protect photos from accidental deletion? 108

Deletion

How do I delete unwanted photos? 31, 109–111

Retouching Photographs

How do I create retouched copies of photos? 151–164 How do I remove “red-eye”? 153 How do I make JPEG copies of RAW (NEF) photos? 160 Can I overlay two NEF (RAW) photos to make a single image? 158–159 Can I copy a photo to use as a base for a painting? 162 Can I trim movie footage on the camera? 50–52

Menus and Settings

How do I adjust settings in the information display? 6–7 How do I use the menus? 11–13 How do I display menus in another language? 18, 140 How do I keep the displays from turning off? 143 How do I focus the viewfinder? 22 Can I display a framing grid in the monitor? 41 How do I set the camera clock? 18, 139 How do I format memory cards? 21 How do I restore default settings? 131, 136 Is there any way to stop the camera beeping? 144 How do I get help for a menu or message? 11, 192

Connections

How do I copy photos to a computer? 115–116 How do I print photos? 117–125

Can I print the date of recording on my photos?

Maintenance and Optional Accessories

What memory cards can I use? 177 What lenses can I use? 167 What optional flash units (Speedlights) can I use? 172 What other accessories are available for my camera? What software is available for my camera? What do I do with the supplied eyepiece cap? 54 How do I clean the camera? Where should I take my camera for servicing and repairs?

119, 125,

147

176

179

iii

Q&A Index .................................................................................................................................... ii

For Your Safety .......................................................................................................................... ix

Notices.......................................................................................................................................... xi

Introduction 1

Overview....................................................................................................................................... 1

Getting to Know the Camera................................................................................................. 2

The Camera Body ......................................................................................................................2

The Mode Dial.............................................................................................................................4

The Release-Mode Selector ...................................................................................................5

The Information Display..........................................................................................................6

The Command Dial ...................................................................................................................8

The Viewfinder......................................................................................................................... 10

Camera Menus..........................................................................................................................11

Using Camera Menus ............................................................................................................ 12

First Steps ...................................................................................................................................14

Charge the Battery ................................................................................................................. 14

Insert the Battery ....................................................................................................................15

Attach a Lens............................................................................................................................ 16

Basic Setup................................................................................................................................ 18

Insert a Memory Card............................................................................................................20

Format the Memory Card ....................................................................................................21

Adjust Viewfinder Focus ......................................................................................................22

Basic Photography and Playback 23

“Point-and-Shoot” Photography (i and j Modes)...................................................23

Step 1: Turn the Camera On................................................................................................ 23

Step 2: Select i or j Mode ...............................................................................................24

Step 3: Frame the Photograph .......................................................................................... 25

Step 4: Focus ............................................................................................................................26

Step 5: Shoot ............................................................................................................................ 26

Creative Photography (Scene Modes) ............................................................................. 28

k Portrait .................................................................................................................................. 28

l Landscape ..............................................................................................................................28

p Child...................................................................................................................................... 29

m Sports .................................................................................................................................... 29

n Close Up ................................................................................................................................. 29

o Night Portrait ......................................................................................................................... 29

Basic Playback...........................................................................................................................30

Deleting Unwanted Photographs ....................................................................................31

Guide Mode 33

The Guide ...................................................................................................................................33

Guide Mode Menus.................................................................................................................34

Live View 37

Framing Photographs in the Monitor ..............................................................................37

Recording and Viewing Movies 45

Recording Movies ....................................................................................................................45

Viewing Movies ........................................................................................................................49

Editing Movies ..........................................................................................................................50

Trimming Movies ....................................................................................................................50

Saving Selected Frames........................................................................................................52

Release Mode 53

Choosing a Release Mode ....................................................................................................53

Self-Timer Mode .......................................................................................................................54

For Your Safety

To prevent damage to your Nikon product or injury to yourself or to others, read the following safety precautions in their entirety before using this equipment. Keep these safety instructions where all those who use the product will read them.

The consequences that could result from failure to observe the precautions listed in this section are indicated by the following symbol:

This icon marks warnings. To prevent possible injury, read all warnings before using

this Nikon product.

❚❚ WARNINGS

Keep the sun out of the frame

Keep the sun well out of the frame when shooting backlit subjects. Sunlight focused into the camera when the sun is in or close to the frame could cause a fire.

Do not look at the sun through the viewfinder

Viewing the sun or other strong light source through the viewfinder could cause permanent visual impairment.

Using the viewfinder diopter control

When operating the viewfinder diopter control with your eye to the viewfinder, care should be taken not to put your finger in your eye accidentally.

Turn off immediately in the event of malfunction

Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming from the equipment or AC adapter (available separately), unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery immediately, taking care to avoid burns. Continued operation could result in injury. After removing the battery, take the equipment to a Nikon-authorized service center for inspection.

Do not use in the presence of flammable gas

Do not use electronic equipment in the presence of flammable gas, as this could result in explosion or fire.

Keep out of reach of children

Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury.

Do not disassemble

Touching the product’s internal parts could result in injury. In the event of malfunction, the product should be repaired only by a qualified technician. Should the product break open as the result of a fall or other accident, remove the battery and/or AC adapter and then take the product to a Nikon-authorized service center for inspection.

Do not place the strap around the neck of an

infant or child

Placing the camera strap around the neck of an infant or child could result in strangulation.

Observe caution when using the flash

• Using the camera with the flash in close contact with the skin or other objects could cause burns.

• Using the flash close to the subject’s eyes could cause temporary visual impairment. Particular care should be observed when photographing infants, when the flash should be no less than one meter (39 in.) from the subject.

Avoid contact with liquid crystal

Should the monitor break, care should be taken to avoid injury due to broken glass and to prevent the liquid crystal from the monitor touching the skin or entering the eyes or mouth.

Observe proper precautions when handling

batteries

Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. Observe the following precautions when handling batteries for use in this product:

• Use only batteries approved for use in this equipment.

• Do not short or disassemble the battery.

• Be sure the product is off before

replacing the battery. If you are using an AC adapter, be sure it is unplugged.

• Do not attempt to insert the battery upside down or backwards.

• Do not expose the battery to flame or to excessive heat.

• Do not immerse in or expose to water.

• Replace the terminal cover when

transporting the battery. Do not transport or store the battery with metal objects such as necklaces or hairpins.

• Batteries are prone to leakage when fully discharged. To a void dama ge t o the product, be sure to remove the battery when no charge remains.

• When the battery is not in use, attach the terminal cover and store in a cool, dry place.

• The battery may be hot immediately after use or when the product has been used on battery power for an extended period. Before removing the battery turn the camera off and allow the battery to cool.

• Discontinue use immediately should you notice any changes in the battery, such as discoloration or deformation.

Observe proper precautions when handling the

charger

• Keep dry. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or electric shock.

• Do not short the charger terminals. Failure to observe this precaution could result in overheating and damage to the charger.

• Dust on or near the metal parts of the plug should be removed with a dry cloth. Continued use could result in fire.

• Do not go near the charger during thunderstorms. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock.

• Do not handle the plug or charger with wet hands. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock.

• Do not use with travel converters or adapters designed to convert from one voltage to another or with DC-to-AC inverters. Failure to observe this precaution could damage the product or cause overheating or fire.

Use appropriate cables

When connecting cables to the input and output jacks, use only the cables provided or sold by Nikon for the purpose to maintain compliance with product regulations.

CD-ROMs

CD-ROMs containing software or manuals should not be played back on audio CD equipment. Playing CD-ROMs on an audio CD player could cause hearing loss or damage the equipment.

Notices

• No part of the manuals included with this product may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form, by any means, without Nikon’s prior written permission.

• Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described in these manuals at any time and without prior notice.

Notice for Customers in Canada

CAUTION

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

Notices for Customers in Europe

CAUTION

RISK OF EXPLOSION IF BATTERY IS REPLACED BY AN INCORRECT TYPE. BATTERIES ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS.

This symbol indicates that this product is to be collected separately.

The following apply only to users in European countries:

• This product is designated for separate collection at an appropriate collection point. Do not dispose of as household waste.

• For more information, contact the retailer or the local authorities in charge of waste management.

• Nikon will not be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of this product.

• While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in these manuals is accurate and complete, we would appreciate it were you to bring any errors or omissions to the attention of the Nikon representative in your area (address provided separately).

ATT EN TI ON

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

This symbol on the battery indicates that the battery is to be collected separately.

The following apply only to users in European countries:

• All batteries, whether marked with this symbol or not, are designated for separate collection at an appropriate collection point. Do not dispose of as household waste.

• For more information, contact the retailer or the local authorities in charge of waste management.

DISPOSE OF USED

Notices for Customers in the U.S.A.

The Battery Charger

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS—SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS DANGER—TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS

For connection to a supply not in the U.S.A., use an attachment plug adapter of the proper configuration for the power outlet if needed. This power unit is intended to be correctly oriented in a vertical or floor mount position.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statement

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 receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.

CAUTIONS

Modifications

The FCC requires the user be notified that any changes or modifications made to this device that are not expressly approved by Nikon Corporation may void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Interface Cables

Use the interface cables sold or provided by Nikon for your equipment. interface cables may exceed the limits of Class B Part 15 of the FCC rules.

Notice for Customers in the State of California WARNIN G: Handling the cord on this product

may expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Nikon Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, New York 11747-3064, U.S.A. Tel.: 631-547-4200

D3100

Using other

xii

Notice Concerning Prohibition of Copying or Reproduction

Note that simply being in possession of material that has been digitally copied or reproduced by means of a scanner, digital camera, or other device may be punishable by law.

• Items prohibited by law from being copied or

reproduced

Do not copy or reproduce paper money, coins, securities, government bonds, or local government bonds, even if such copies or reproductions are stamped “Sample.”

The copying or reproduction of paper money, coins, or securities which are circulated in a foreign country is prohibited.

Unless the prior permission of the government has been obtained, the copying or reproduction of unused postage stamps or post cards issued by the government is prohibited.

The copying or reproduction of stamps issued by the government and of certified documents stipulated by law is prohibited.

Disposing of Data Storage Devices

Please note that deleting images or formatting memory cards or other data storage devices does not completely erase the original image data. Deleted files can sometimes be recovered from discarded storage devices using commercially available software, potentially resulting in the malicious use of personal image data. Ensuring the privacy of such data is the user’s responsibility.

Before discarding a data storage device or transferring ownership to another person, erase all data using commercial deletion software, or format the device and then completely refill it with images containing no private information (for example, pictures of empty sky). Be sure to also replace any pictures selected for preset manual white balance (0 90). Care should be taken to avoid injury when physically destroying data storage devices.

• Cautions on certain copies and reproductions

The government has issued cautions on copies or reproductions of securities issued by private companies (shares, bills, checks, gift certificates, etc.), commuter passes, or coupon tickets, except when a minimum of necessary copies are to be provided for business use by a company. Also, do not copy or reproduce passports issued by the government, licenses issued by public agencies and private groups, ID cards, and tickets, such as passes and meal coupons.

• Comply with copyright notices

The copying or reproduction of copyrighted creative works such as books, music, paintings, woodcuts, prints, maps, drawings, movies, and photographs is governed by national and international copyright laws. Do not use this product for the purpose of making illegal copies or to infringe copyright laws.

xiii

Use Only Nikon Brand Electronic Accessories

Nikon cameras are designed to the highest standards and include complex electronic circuitry. Only Nikon brand electronic accessories (including chargers, batteries, AC adapters, and flash accessories) certified by Nikon specifically for use with this Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within the operational and safety requirements of this electronic circuitry.

The use of non-Nikon electronic accessories could damage the camera and may void your Nikon warranty. The use of third-party rechargeable Li-ion batteries not bearing the Nikon holographic seal shown at right could interfere with normal operation of the camera or result in the batteries overheating, igniting, rupturing, or leaking.

For more information about Nikon brand accessories, contact a local authorized Nikon dealer.

AVC Patent Portfolio License

THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-

COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO.

NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE

OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C.

SEE http://www.mpegla.com

A Before Taking Important Pictures

Before taking pictures on important occasions (such as at weddings or before taking the camera on a trip), take a test shot to ensure that the camera is functioning normally. Nikon will not be held liable for damages or lost profits that may result from product malfunction.

A Life-Long Learning

As part of Nikon’s “Life-Long Learning” commitment to ongoing product support and education, continually-updated information is available on-line at the following sites:

• For users in the U.S.A.: http://www.nikonusa.com/

• For users in Europe and Afric a: http://www.europe-nikon.com/support/

• For users in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East: http://www.nikon-asia.com/

Visit these sites to keep up-to-date with the latest product information, tips, answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs), and general advice on digital imaging and photography. Additional information may be available from the Nikon representative in your area. See the following URL for contact information: http://imaging.nikon.com/

xiv

Introduction

Overview

Thank you for your purchase of a Nikon single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera. To ge t the most from your camera, please be sure to read all instructions thoroughly and keep them where they will be read by all who use the product.

❚❚ Symbols and Conventions

To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used:

This icon marks cautions; information that should be read before use to

prevent damage to the camera.

This icon marks notes; information that should be read before using the

camera.

This icon marks references to other pages in this manual.

D Use Only Nikon Brand Accessories

Only Nikon brand accessories certified by Nikon specifically for use with your Nikon digital camera are engineered and proven to operate within its operational and safety requirements. THE USE OF NON-NIKON ACCESSORIES COULD DAMAGE YOUR CAMERA AND MAY VOID YOUR NIKON WARRANTY.

D Servicing the Camera and Accessories

The camera is a precision device and requires regular servicing. Nikon recommends that the camera be inspected by the original retailer or a Nikon-authorized service representative once every one to two years, and that it be serviced once every three to five years (note that fees apply to these services). Frequent inspection and servicing are particularly recommended if the camera is used professionally. Any accessories regularly used with the camera, such as lenses or optional flash units, should be included when the camera is inspected or serviced.

A Camera Settings

The explanations in this manual assume that default settings are used.

Getting to Know the Camera

Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera controls and displays. You may find it helpful to bookmark this section and refer to it as you read through the rest of the manual.

The Camera Body

1 2 3 4 5

1 Mode dial...................................4

Release-mode selector

3 R

(information) button

4 E (exposure compensation)

button................................... 82

N (aperture) button............. 77

Flash compensation button

................................................ 84

5 Shutter-release button........ 27

6 Power switch.............................3

7 AF-assist illuminator............. 57

Self-timer lamp...................... 54

Red-eye reduction lamp ..... 69

8 Body cap

...... 5, 53

.... 7, 41

9 CPU contacts

10 Built-in flash............................67

11 M (flash mode) button .........67

Y (flash compensation)

button................................... 84

12 Focal plane mark (E)........... 63

13 Eyelet for camera strap

14 Microphone............................46

15 Connector cover

16 Fn (function) button ...........146

17 Mounting mark...................... 16

18 Lens release button.............. 17

19 Mirror......................................182

20 Lens mount.............................63

21 Accessory shoe cover .........172

22 Accessory shoe (for optional

flash units) .........................172

23 Accessory terminal..............177

24 USB connector

Connecting to a

computer............................116

Connecting to a printer

HDMI mini-pin connector

26 A/V connector ......................126

...117 ...127

The Camera Body (Continued)

1 Viewfinder eyepiece..............54

2 Rubber eyecup 3 Monitor

Viewing settings...................6

Live view...............................37

Viewing pictures.................30

Full-frame playback...........99

4 K (playback) button.....30, 99

5 G (menu) button .....11, 129

6 W (thumbnail/playback

zoom out) button............ 105

Q (help) button.......................11

7 X (playback zoom in)

button ................................ 107

8 P (information edit)

button......................................6

9 Tripod socket

10 Diopter adjustment

control.................................. 22

11 A (AE-L/AF-L)

button.......................... 61, 146

L (protect) button ..........108

12 Command dial ..........................8

13 Live view switch ..............37, 45

14 Movie-record button............ 46

15 Memory card slot cover....... 20

16 Multi selector ......................... 12

17 J (OK) button....................... 12

13 14 15

18 Memory card access lamp

......................................... 20, 26

19 Speaker ....................................49

20 Power connector cover for

optional power connector

..............................................178

21 Battery-chamber cover latch

................................................15

22 Battery-chamber cover........ 15

23 O (delete) button

Deleting pictures................31

Deleting pictures during

playback.............................109

A The Power Switch

Rotate the power switch as shown to turn the camera on.

Rotate the power switch as shown to turn the camera off.

The Mode Dial

The camera offers a choice of the following shooting modes and g mode:

g Mode (0 33)

Take and view pictures and adjust settings with the help of an on-screen guide.

Auto Modes

Select these modes for simple, point-and-shoot photography.

• i Auto (0 23) • j Auto (flash off ) (0 23)

P, S, A, and M Modes

Select these modes for full control over camera settings.

• P— Programmed auto (0 74)

• S —Shutter-priority auto (0 75)

• A —Aperture-priority auto (0 76)

• M—Manual (0 77)

Scene Modes

The camera automatically optimizes settings to suit the scene selected with the mode dial. Match your selection to the scene being photographed.

• k Portr ait (0 28)

• l Landscape (0 28)

• p Child (0 29)

• m Sports (0 29)

• n Close up (0 29)

• o Night portrait (0 29)

A Scene Auto Selector (Live View)

Selecting live view in i or j mode enables automatic scene selection (“scene auto selector”; 0 41) when autofocus is used.

The Release-Mode Selector

Use the release-mode selector to choose from the following release modes:

8 Single frame

One photo is taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed.

I Continuous (0 53)

The camera records about 3 frames per second while the shutterrelease button is pressed.

E Self-timer (0 54)

The camera takes a photograph about ten seconds after the shutter-release button is pressed.

J Quiet shutter release

As for single frame, except that the camera makes no sound after shooting and that a beep does not sound when the camera focuses, keeping noise to a minimum in quiet surroundings.

Use for self-portraits.

The Information Display

Camera settings can be viewed and adjusted in the information display. make changes to settings. selector and press J to view options for the highlighted item.

Press the P button once to view settings, and again to

Highlight items using the multi

2 3

4 5

1 Shooting mode

2 Aperture (f-number) ......76, 77

3 Shutter speed ..................75, 77

4 Shutter-speed display.............7

5 Aperture display.......................7

6 Auto-area AF indicator ........ 58

7 Eye-Fi connection

8 Date imprint indicator .......147

9 Manual flash indicator.......135

16 17 19

i auto/

j auto (flash off) .............. 23

Scene modes ...................... 28

Guide mode ........................33

P, S, A, and M modes........... 73

3D-tracking indicator........... 58

Focus point............................. 60

indicator.............................150

Flash compensation indicator

for optional flash units ...175

148 9 10 11 12 13

10 Auto ISO sensitivity

indicator .............................132

11 Picture Control.......................94

12 Release mode.....................5, 53

13 “Beep” indicator...................144

14 Battery indicator....................23

GPS connection indicator

16 Help icon................................192

17 Exposure indicator ................77

Exposure compensation

indicator ...............................82

Electronic rangefinder........144

18 Number of exposures

remaining ............................24

19 “K” (appears when memory

remains for over 1000

exposures)............................24

.....98

P button

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

222120

20 Flash mode ............................. 68

21 Flash compensation............. 83

22 Exposure compensation...... 81

23 Image quality......................... 64

24 Image size............................... 66

25 White balance........................ 87

26 ISO sensitivity......................... 71

27 Focus mode......................38, 55

28 AF-area mode ........................58

29 Metering.................................. 79

Active D-Lighting

31 Movie frame size ...................47

................... 85

A Hiding Shooting Information

To turn the monitor off, press the R button. while the shutter-release button is pressed or if no operations are performed for about 8 s (for information on choosing how long the monitor stays on, see Auto off timers on page

143). The information display can be restored by pressing the R button again.

R button Information display Monitor off

Note that the monitor turns off automatically

A Rotating the Camera

When the camera is rotated 90 °, shooting information rotates to match camera orientation.

A The Shutter-Speed and Aperture Displays

These displays provide visual indications of shutter speed and aperture.

Fast shutter speed, large aperture

(small f-number).

While the mode dial is rotated, this display is replaced by an image of the mode dial.

Slow shutter speed, small aperture

(large f-number).

A See Also

For information on choosing a design for the information display, see Info display format, (0 137). For information on choosing whether information is displayed when the shutterrelease button is pressed; see Auto info display (0 139).

The Command Dial

The command dial can be used with other controls to adjust a variety of settings when shooting information is displayed in the monitor.

M button

Fn button

Choose a combination of aperture and shutter speed (mode P; 0 74).

Choose a shutter speed (mode S or M; 0 75, 77).

Choose an aperture (mode A; 0 76).

E button

Mode dial

Command dial

Mode P Command dial Information display

Mode S or M Command dial Information display

Choose an aperture (mode M; 0 77).

Mode A Command dial

Information display

Mode M E button Command dial Information display

Set exposure compensation (mode P, S, or A; 0 81).

Mode P, S, or A

Choose a flash mode (0 68).

E button Command dial Information display

M button Command dial Information display

Adjust flash compensation (mode P, S, A, or M; 0 83).

P, S, A, or M M button E button Command dial Information display

The role of the Fn button can be selected using the

Buttons > Fn button option in the setup menu (0 146), allowing the following settings to be adjusted by pressing the Fn button and rotating the command dial:

Image quality/size (0 64) ISO sensitivity (0 71)

Fn button Command dial

White balance (087) Active D-Lighting (0 85)

The Viewfinder

2 3

6 8411597

1210

1 Focus points........................... 60

2 Focus indicator ................26, 63

3 Autoexposure (AE) lock

indicator............................... 80

4 Shutter speed ..................75, 77

5 Aperture (f-number) ......76, 77

6 Battery indicator ................... 23

7 Number of exposures

remaining ...........................24

Number of shots remaining

before memory buffer

fills .........................................53

White balance recording

indicator...............................90

Exposure compensation value

................................................81

Flash compensation

value......................................83

ISO sensitivity......................... 71

8 “K” (appears when memory

remains for over 1000

exposures) ........................... 24

9 Flash-ready indicator............27

10 Flexible program

indicator ...............................74

11 Exposure indicator ................77

Exposure compensation

display...................................82

Electronic rangefinder..........63

12 Flash compensation

indicator ...............................83

13 Exposure compensation

indicator ...............................81

14 Auto ISO sensitivity

indicator .............................132

15 Warning indicator................192

D The Viewfinder

The response time and brightness of the viewfinder display may vary with temperature.

1514

Camera Menus

Most shooting, playback, and setup options can be accessed from the camera menus. menus, press the G button.

To view the

G button

Ta bs

Choose from the following menus:

D: Playback (0 129) • N: Retouch (0 151)

•

• C: Shooting (0 131) • m: Recent settings (0 165)

• B: Setup (0 136)

Slider shows position in current menu.

Current settings are shown by icons.

Menu options

Options in current menu.

If a d icon is displayed at the bottom left corner of the monitor, help can be displayed by pressing the Q (W) button. A description of the currently selected option or menu will be displayed while the button is pressed. Press

1 or 3 to scroll through the display.

Q (W) button

A Guide Mode

To display the on-screen guide, rotate the mode dial to g (0 33).

Using Camera Menus

The multi selector and J button are used to navigate the camera menus.

Move cursor up

J button: select highlighted item

Cancel and return to

previous menu

Select highlighted item or display sub-menu

Move cursor down

Follow the steps below to navigate the menus.

1 Display the menus.

Press the G button to display the menus.

2 Highlight the icon for the current menu.

Press 4 to highlight the icon for the current menu.

G button

3 Select a menu.

Press 1 or 3 to select the desired menu.

4 Position the cursor in the selected menu.

Press 2 to position the cursor in the selected menu.

5 Highlight a menu item.

Press 1 or 3 to highlight a menu item.

6 Display options.

Press 2 to display options for the selected menu item.

7 Highlight an option.

Press 1 or 3 to highlight an option.

8 Select the highlighted item.

Press J to select the highlighted item. To exit without making a selection, press the G button.

Note the following:

• Menu items that are displayed in gray are not currently available.

• While pressing 2 generally has the same effect as pressing J, there are some

cases in which selection can only be made by pressing J.

• To exit the menus and return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button

halfway (0 27).

First Steps

Charge the Battery

The camera is powered by an EN-EL14 rechargeable Li-ion battery (supplied). To maximize shooting time, charge the battery in the supplied MH-24 battery charger before use. when no charge remains.

A The Plug Adapter

Depending on the country or region of purchase, a plug adapter may be supplied with the charger. The shape of the adapter varies with the country or region of purchase. If a plug adapter is supplied, raise the wall plug and connect the plug adapter as shown at right, making sure the plug is fully inserted. Attempting to forcibly remove the plug adapter could damage the product.

1 Remove the terminal cover.

2 Insert the battery.

About 1 hour and 30 minutes are required to fully recharge the battery

Remove the terminal cover from the battery.

Insert the battery as shown in the illustration on the charger.

D Charging the Battery

Charge the battery indoors at ambient temperatures between 5–35°C (41–95°F). The battery will not charge if its temperature is below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 60 °C (140 °F).

3 Plug the charger in.

The CHARGE lamp will blink while the battery charges.

D During Charging

Do not move the charger or touch the battery during charging. Failure to observe this precaution could in very rare instances result in the charger showing that charging is complete when the battery is only partially charged. Remove and reinsert the battery to begin charging again.

4 Remove the battery when charging is complete.

Charging is complete when the CHARGE lamp stops blinking. Unplug the charger and remove the battery.

Battery

charging

Charging complete

Insert the Battery

1 Turn the camera off.

A Inserting and Removing Batteries

Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing batteries.

2 Open the battery-chamber cover.

Unlatch (q) and open (w) the battery-chamber cover.

3 Insert the battery.

Insert the battery as shown at right.

4 Close the battery-chamber cover.

A Removing the Battery

To remove the battery, turn the camera off, open the batterychamber cover, and pull the battery out.

D The Battery and Charger

Read and follow the warnings and cautions on pages ix–x and 184–185 of this manual. Do not use the battery at ambient temperatures below 0°C/32 °F or above 40°C/104°F; failure to observe this precaution could damage the battery or impair its performance. Capacity may be reduced and charging times may increase at battery temperatures from 0°C/32°F to 15°C/59°F and from 45°C/113 °F to 60 °C/140°F. If the CHARGE lamp flickers during charging, confirm that the temperature is in the correct range and then unplug the charger and remove and reinsert the battery. If the problem persists, cease use immediately and take battery and charger to your retailer or a Nikon-authorized service representative.

Do not attempt to charge a fully-charged battery. Failure to observe this precaution will result in reduced battery performance.

Use the charger with compatible batteries only. Unplug when not in use.

Attach a Lens

Care should be taken to prevent dust from entering the camera when the lens is removed. DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR.

The lens generally used in this manual for illustrative purposes is an AF-S

Focal length mark

Focal length scale

Lens cap

Focus ring (0 43, 62)

1 Turn the camera off.

2 Remove the rear lens cap and the

camera body cap.

3 Attach the lens.

Keeping the mounting mark on the lens aligned with the mounting mark on the camera body, position the lens in the camera’s bayonet mount (q). Being careful not to press the lensrelease button, rotate the lens counter-clockwise until it clicks into place (w).

Zoom ring

Mounting mark

CPU contacts

A-M switch (see below)

VR (vibration reduction) switch (0 17)

(0 168)

Rear lens cap

Slide the A-M switch to A (autofocus; if the lens has an M/A-M switch, select M/A for autofocus with manual override).

D Autofocus

Autofocus is supported with only AF-S and AF-I lenses, which are equipped with autofocus motors. Autofocus is not available with other AF lenses (0 167).

❚❚ Vibration Reduction (VR)

AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR lenses support vibration reduction (VR), which reduces blur caused by camera shake even when the camera is panned, allowing shutter speeds to be slowed by approximately 3 EV at a focal length of 55 mm (Nikon measurements; effects vary with the user and shooting conditions).

To use vibration reduction, slide the VR switch to ON. reduction is activated when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, reducing the effects of camera shake on the image in the viewfinder and simplifying the process of framing the subject and focusing in both autofocus and manual focus modes. only to motion that is not part of the pan (if the camera is panned horizontally, for example, vibration reduction will be applied only to vertical shake), making it much easier to pan the camera smoothly in a wide arc.

Vibration reduction can be turned off by sliding the VR switch to OFF. reduction off when the camera is securely mounted on a tripod, but leave it on if the tripod head is not secured or when using a monopod.

When the camera is panned, vibration reduction applies

Vibration

Turn vibration

A Detaching the Lens

Be sure the camera is off when removing or exchanging lenses. To remove the lens, press and hold the lens release button (q) while turning the lens clockwise (w). After removing the lens, replace the lens caps and camera body cap.

D CPU Lenses with Aperture Rings

In the case of CPU lenses equipped with an aperture ring (0 168), lock aperture at the minimum setting (highest f-number).

D Vibration Reduction

Do not turn the camera off or remove the lens while vibration reduction is in effect. If power to the lens is cut while vibration reduction is on, the lens may rattle when shaken. This is not a malfunction, and can be corrected by reattaching the lens and turning the camera on. Vibration reduction is disabled while the built-in flash is charging. When vibration reduction is active, the image in the viewfinder may be blurred after the shutter is released. This does not indicate a malfunction.

Basic Setup

A language-selection dialog will be displayed the first time the camera is turned on. Choose a language and set the time and date. Photographs can not be taken until you have set the time and date.

1 Turn the camera on.

A language-selection dialog will be displayed.

2 Select a language.

Press 1 or 3 to highlight the desired language and press J.

3 Choose a time zone.

A time-zone selection dialog will be displayed. Press 4 or 2 to highlight the local time zone (the UTC field shows the difference between the selected time zone and Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC, in hours) and press J.

4 Choose a date format.

Press 1 or 3 to choose the order in which the year, month, and day will be displayed. to proceed to the next step.

Press J

5 Turn daylight saving time on or off.

Daylight saving time options will be displayed. Daylight saving time is off by default; if daylight saving time is in effect in the local time zone, press 1 to highlight On and press J.

6 Set the date and time.

The dialog shown at right will be displayed. Press 4 or 2 to s el ect a n i tem, 1 or 3 to change. Press J to set the clock and exit to shooting mode.

A The Setup Menu

Language and date/time settings can be changed at any time using the Language (0 140) and Time zone and date (0 139) options in the setup menu.

A The Clock Battery

The camera clock is powered by an independent, rechargeable power source, which is charged as necessary when the main battery is installed or the camera is powered by an optional EP-5A power connector and EH-5a AC adapter (0 178). Three days of charging will power the clock for about a month. If a message warning that the clock is not set is displayed when the camera is turned on, the clock battery is exhausted and the clock has been reset. Set the clock to the correct time and date.

A The Camera Clock

The camera clock is less accurate than most watches and household clocks. Check the clock regularly against more accurate time pieces and reset as necessary.

Insert a Memory Card

The camera stores pictures on Secure Digital (SD) memory cards (available separately; 0 177).

1 Turn the camera off.

A Inserting and Removing Memory Cards

Always turn the camera off before inserting or removing memory cards.

2 Open the card slot cover.

Slide the card slot cover out (q) and open the card slot (w).

3 Insert the memory card.

Ho ldin g th e mem or y ca rd a s sho wn a t rig ht, slid e it in until it clicks into place. access lamp will light for a few seconds. the memory card slot cover.

D Inserting Memory Cards

Inserting memor y cards upside down or backwards could damage the camera or the card. Check to be sure the card is in the correct orientation.

If this is the first time the memory card will be used in the camera or the card has been formatted in another device, format the card as described on page 21.

A Removing Memory Cards

After confirming that the access lamp is off, turn the camera off, open the memory card slot cover, and press the card in to eject it (q). The card can then be removed by hand (w).

The memory card

Access lamp

Front

A The Write Protect Switch

Memory cards are equipped with a write protect switch to prevent accidental loss of data. When this switch is in the “lock” position, the memory card can not be formatted and photos can not be deleted or recorded (a beep will sound if you attempt to release the shutter). To unlock the memory card, slide the switch to the “write” position.

Write-protect switch

Format the Memory Card

Memory cards must be formatted before first use or after being formatted in other devices.

Format the card as described below.

D Formatting Memory Cards

Formatting memory cards permanently deletes any data they may contain. Be sure to copy a ny photographs and other data you wish to keep to a computer before proceeding (0 115).

1 Turn the camera on.

2 Display format options.

Press the G button to display the menus. Highlight Format memor y card in the setup menu and press 2. using the menus, see page 11.

For more information on

G button

3 Highlight Ye s .

To exit without formatting the memory card, highlight No and press J.

4 Press J.

The message at right will be displayed while the card is formatted.

memory card or remove or disconnect the power source until formatting is complete.

D Memory Cards

• Memory cards may be hot after use. Observe due caution when removing memory cards from the camera.

• Turn the power off before inserting or removing memory cards. Do not remove memory cards from the camera, turn the camera off, or remove or disconnect the power source during formatting or while data are being recorded, deleted, or copied to a computer. Failure to observe these precautions could result in loss of data or in damage to the camera or card.

• Do not touch the card terminals with your fingers or metal objects.

• Do not bend, drop, or subject to strong physical shocks.

• Do not apply force to the card casing. Failure to observe this precaution could damage

the card.

• Do not expose to water, heat, high levels of humidity, or direct sunlight.

Do not remove the

Adjust Viewfinder Focus

The camera is equipped with diopter adjustment to accommodate individual differences in vision. framing pictures in the viewfinder.

Check that the display in the viewfinder is in focus before

1 Remove the lens cap.

2 Turn the camera on.

3 Focus the viewfinder.

Rotate the diopter adjustment control until the viewfinder display and focus point are in sharp

When operating the control with your eye

focus. to the viewfinder, be careful not to put your fingers or fingernails in your eye.

Focus point

A Adjusting Viewfinder Focus

If you are unable to focus the viewfinder as described above, select single-servo autofocus (AF-S; 0 55), single-point AF (c; 0 58), and the center focus point (0 60), and then frame a high-contrast subject in the center focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway to focus the camera. With the camera in focus, use the diopter adjustment control to bring the subject into clear focus in the viewfinder. If necessary, viewfinder focus can be further adjusted using optional corrective lenses (0 176).

Basic Photography and Playback

“Point-and-Shoot” Photography (i and j Modes)

This section describes how to take photographs in i (auto) mode, an automatic “point-and-shoot” mode in which the majority of settings are controlled by the camera in response to shooting conditions, and in which the flash will fire automatically if the subject is poorly lit. take photographs with the flash off while leaving the camera in control of other settings, rotate the mode dial to j to select auto (flash off) mode.

Step 1: Turn the Camera On

1 Turn the camera on.

Remove the lens cap and turn the camera on. The information display will appear in the monitor.

2 Check the battery level.

Check the battery level in the information display or the viewfinder (if the monitor is off, press the P button to view the information display; if the monitor does not turn on, the battery is exhausted and must be recharged).

Information display Viewfinder Description

L — Battery fully charged. K — Battery partially discharged.

H d

(blinks)

Low battery. Ready fully-charged spare battery or prepare to charge battery. Battery exhausted; shutter release disabled. Charge or exchange battery.

A Image Sensor Cleaning

The camera vibrates the low-pass filter covering the image sensor to remove dust when the camera is turned on or off (0 180).

3 Check the number of exposures

remaining.

The information display and viewfinder show the number of photographs that can be stored on the memory card (values over 1,000 are rounded down to the nearest hundred; e.g., values between 1,200 and 1,299 are shown as 1.2 K). warning is displayed stating that there is not

enough memory for additional photographs, insert another memory card (0 20) or delete some photos (0 31, 109).

Step 2: Select i or j Mode

To shoot where use of a flash is prohibited, photograph infants, or capture natural lighting under low light conditions, rotate the mode dial to j. Otherwise, rotate the mode dial to i.

If a

Mode dial

j mode i mode

Step 3: Frame the Photograph

1 Ready the camera.

When framing photographs in the viewfinder, hold the handgrip in your right hand and cradle the camera body or lens with your left. your elbows propped lightly against your torso for support and place one foot half a pace ahead of the other to keep your upper body stable.

Hold the camera as shown at right when framing photographs in portrait (tall) orientation.

In j mode, shutter speeds slow when lighting is poor; use of a tripod is recommended.

Keep

2 Frame the photograph.

Frame a photograph in the viewfinder with the main subject in at least one of the 11 focus points.

Focus point

A Using a Zoom Lens

Use the zoom ring to zoom in on the subject so that it fills a larger area of the frame, or zoom out to increase the area visible in the final photograph (select longer focal lengths on the lens focal length scale to zoom in, shorter focal lengths to zoom out).

A The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR Lens

In the case of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18–55mm f/3.5–5.6G VR, changes to zoom can alter maximum aperture by up to 11/3 EV. The camera however automatically takes this into account when setting exposure, and no modifications to camera settings are required following adjustments to zoom.

Zoom in

Zoom ring

Zoom out

Step 4: Focus

1 Press the shutter-release button halfway.

Press the shutter-release button halfway to

The camera will select the focus points

focus. automatically. may pop up and the AF-assist illuminator may light.

2 Check the indicators in the viewfinder.

When the focus operation is complete, the selected focus points will be briefly highlighted, a beep will sound (a beep may not sound if the subject is moving), and the in-focus indicator (I) will appear in the viewfinder.

If the subject is poorly lit, the flash

In-focus indicator Description

I Subject in focus.

I (blinks)

While the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the number of exposures that can be stored in the memory buffer (“t”; 0 53) will be displayed in the viewfinder.

Camera unable to focus using autofocus. See page 56.

In-focus indicator

Step 5: Shoot

Smoothly press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to release the shutter and record the photograph. card slot cover will light and the photograph will be displayed in the monitor for a few seconds (the photo will automatically clear from the display when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway).

eject the memory card or remove or disconnect the power source until the lamp has gone out and recording is complete.

The access lamp next to the memory

Do not

Access lamp

Buffer

capacit y

A The Shutter-Release Button

The camera has a two-stage shutter-release button. release button is pressed halfway. To take the photograph, press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down.

The camera focuses when the shutter-

Focus: press halfway Shoot: press all the way down

A Auto-Meter Off

The viewfinder and information display will turn off if no operations are performed for about 8 seconds (auto-meter off), reducing the drain on the battery. Press the shutter-release button halfway to reactivate the display. The auto-meter off delay can be selected using the Auto off timers option in the setup menu (0 143).

8 s

Exposure meters on Exposure meters off Exposure meters on

A The Built-in Flash

If additional lighting is required for correct exposure in i mode, the built-in flash will pop up automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. If the flash is raised, photographs can only be taken when the flash-ready indicator (M) is displayed. If the flashready indicator is not displayed, the flash is charging; remove your finger briefly from the shutter-release button and try again.

To save battery power when the flash is not in use, return it to its closed position by pressing it gently downward till the latch clicks into place.

Creative Photography (Scene Modes)

The camera offers a choice of “scene” modes. Choosing a scene mode automatically optimizes settings to suit the selected scene, making creative photography as simple as selecting a mode, framing a picture, and shooting as described on pages 23–27.

❚❚ The Mode Dial

The following scenes can be selected with the mode dial:

k Portrait l Landscape p Child m Sports n Close up o Night portrait

Mode

❚❚ Scene Modes

k Portrai t

l Landscape

Mode dial

Use for portraits with soft, naturallooking skin tones. from the background or a telephoto lens is used, background details will be softened to lend the composition a sense of depth.

If the subject is far

Use for vivid landscape shots in daylight. The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off; use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur when lighting is poor.

p Child

n Close Up

Use for snapshots of children. Clothing and background details are vividly rendered, while skin tones remain soft and natural.

m Sports

Fast shutter speeds freeze motion for dynamic sports shots in which the main subject stands out clearly. flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off. To take a sequence of shots, select continuous release mode (0 5, 53).

The built-in

Use for close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other small objects (a macro lens can be used to focus at very close ranges). Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent blur.

o Night Portrait

Use for a natural balance between the main subject and the background in portraits taken under low light. tripod is recommended to prevent blur.

Use of a

Basic Playback

NOROR

MALAL

Photographs are automatically displayed for about 4 s after shooting. If no photograph is displayed in the monitor, the most recent picture can be viewed by pressing the K button.

1 Press the K button.

A photograph will be displayed in the monitor.

K button

2 View additional pictures.

Additional pictures can be displayed by pressing 4 or 2 or rotating the command dial.

To view additional information on the current photograph, press 1 and 3 (0 100).

To end playback and return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

1/250 F11

–

1. 3 +1. 0

AUTO A6, M1

100D3100 DS

15/04/2010 10:02:27

0001. JP

100

NIKON D31001/ 12

4608x3072

Deleting Unwanted Photographs

To delete the photograph currently displayed in the monitor, press the O button.

Note that photographs can not be recovered once deleted.

1 Display the photograph.

Display the photograph you wish to delete as described on the preceding page.

2 Delete the photograph.

Press the O button. A confirmation dialog will be displayed; press the O button again to delete the image and return to playback (to exit without deleting the picture, press K).

O button

A Delete

To delete selected images (0 110), all images taken on a selected date (0 111), or all images in the current playback folder (0 129), use the Delete option in the playback menu.

Guide Mode

The Guide

Guide mode gives access to a variety of frequently-used and useful functions. is rotated to g.

Choose from the following items:

The top level of the guide is displayed when the mode dial

Battery indicator (0 23)

Number of exposures remaining (0 24)

Shooting mode: A guide mode indicator appears on the shooting mode icon.

Shoot View/delete Set up

Take pictures. View and/or delete pictures. Change camera settings.

Guide Mode Menus

To access these menus, highlight Shoot, View/delete, or Set up and press J.

❚❚ Shoot

Easy operation

Auto

No flash

Distant subjects

Close-ups

Sleeping faces

Moving subjects

Landscapes

Port raits

Night portrait

“Start Shooting”

To start shooting, highlight Start shooting and press 2. The options shown below at right will be displayed.

Advanced operation

Soften backgrounds

Bring more into focus

Freeze motion (people)

Freeze motion (vehicles)

Show water flowing

Use a timer/quiet shutter

Single frame

Continuous

10-second self-timer

Quiet shutter release

Adjust aperture.

Select a shutter speed.

“More Settings”

Highlight an option and press J.

• Use the viewfinder

• Use live view

• Shoot movies

If More settings is displayed, you can highlight this option and press 2 to access the following settings (the settings available vary with the shooting option selected):

• Set Picture Control

• Flash compensation

• Release mode

• Exposure comp.

• Flash mode

• ISO sensitivity

❚❚ View/Delete

View single photos

View multiple photos

Choose a date

View a slide show

Delete photos

❚❚ Set Up

Image quality

Image size

Playback folder

Print set (DPOF)

Format memory card

LCD brightness

Info background color

Auto info display

Video mode

Time zone and date

Language

Auto off timers

Beep

Date imprint

Slot empty release lock

Movie settings

HDMI

Flicker reduction

Eye-Fi upload

* Only available when

compatible Eye-Fi memory card is inserted (0 150).

Changes to Image quality, Image size, LCD brightness, Info background color, Auto info display, Auto off timers, Beep, Date imprint, and Movie settings only apply in

guide mode and are not reflected in other shooting modes.

A Guide Mode

Guide mode is reset to Easy operation > Auto when the mode dial is rotated to another setting or the camera is turned off.

The following operations can be performed while the guide is displayed:

To Use Description

Return to top level of guide

Turn monitor

Highlight a

G button

Press G to turn the monitor on or return to the top level of the guide.

Press 4 or 2 to highlight a menu.

menu or option

Highlight

options

Select

highlighted

Return to

display

View help

Press 1 or 3 to highlight options in the menus.

Press 1, 3, 4, or 2 to highlight options in displays like that shown at right.

J Press J to select the highlighted menu or option.

Press 4 to return to the previous display.

To cancel and return to the previous display from displays like that shown at right, highlight & and press J.

If a d icon is displayed at the bottom left corner of the monitor, help can be displayed by pressing the Q (W) button. the currently selected option will be displayed while the button is pressed. Press 1 or 3 to scroll through the display.

A description of

d (help) icon

Q (W) button

Live View

Framing Photographs in the Monitor

Follow the steps below to take photographs in live view.

1 Rotate the live view switch.

The mirror will be raised and the view through the lens will be displayed in the camera monitor. be visible in the viewfinder.

The subject will no longer

q w

Live view switch

i o

Item Description 0

Shooting mode

Audio recording

indicator “No movie” icon Indicates that movies can not be recorded. 45

Time remaining

Focus mod e The current focus mode. 38

AF-area mode The current AF-area mode. 38

Focus poi nt

Time remaining

(movie mode) Movie frame size The frame size of movies recorded in movie mode. 47

Self-timer Displayed in self-timer release mode. 54

The mode currently selected with the mode dial. Select i or j for automatic scene selection (autofocus only; 0 41).

Indicates whether sound is being recorded with movies. 47

The amount of time remaining before live view ends automatically. Displayed if shooting will end in 30 s or less.

The current focus point. The display varies with the option selected for AF-area mode (0 38).

The recording time remaining in movie mode. 46

23, 28,

2 Choose a focus mode.

Press the P button and use the multi selector to highlight the current focus mode in the monitor. following options. press J.

Option Description

AF-S Single-servo AF

AF-F Full-time servo AF

MF Manual focus Focus manually (0 43).

The description in Steps 3, 4, and 5 assumes that AF-S or AF-F is selected. selected, proceed to Step 6 after focusing manually.

3 Choose an AF-area mode.

AF-area mode can be selected in all shooting modes except i and j. current AF-area mode in the monitor. J to display the following options. Highlight an option and press J.

Mode Description

8 Face -priority AF

9 Wide-area AF

! Normal-area AF

" Subject-tracking AF Track a selected subject as it moves through the frame.

Press the P button again to return to live view.

Press J to display the

Highlight an option and

For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button is pressed halfway. For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously during live view and movie recording.

Highlight the

The camera automatically detects and focuses on portrait subjects facing the camera. Use for portraits. Use for hand-held shots of landscapes and other non-portrait subjects. Use the multi selector to select the focus point. Use for pin-point focus on a selected spot in the frame. A tripod is recommended.

Press

P button

If MF is

A Live View AF-Area Mode

The AF-area modes for live view can also be chosen using the AF-area mode > Live view/ movie option in the shooting menu.

4 Choose the focus point.

Face-priority AF: A double yellow border will be

displayed when the camera detects a portrait subject facing the camera (if multiple faces, up to a maximum of 35, are detected, the camera will focus on the closest subject; to choose a different subject, press the multi selector up, down, left, or right).

Wide- and normal-area AF: Use the multi selector to move the focus point to any point in the frame, or press J to position the focus point in the center of the frame.

Subject-tracking AF: Position the focus point over your subject and press J. point will track the selected subject as it moves through the frame.

The focus

Focus point

5 Focus.

Press the shutter-release button halfway to focus.

Face-priority AF: The camera sets focus for the face in the double yellow border while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway; if the camera can no longer detect the subject (because, for example, the subject has looked away), borders will no longer be displayed.

Wide- and normal-area AF: The camera focuses on the subject in the selected focus point while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Subject-tracking AF: The camera focuses on the current subject. To end tracking, press J.

D Subject Tracking

The camera may be unable to track subjects if they are small, moving quickly, or a similar color to the background, or if both the subject and the background are very bright or very dark, the brightness and color of the subject or background varies greatly, the subject leaves the frame, or the subject visibly changes size.

The focus point will blink green while the camera focuses. to focus, the focus point will be displayed in green; if the camera is unable to focus, the focus point will blink red. the focus point blinks red. in i and j modes, exposure can be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button (0 80). Focus can be locked by pressing the shutter-release button halfway.

Check focus in the monitor before shooting. Except

Note that pictures can be taken even when

If the camera is able

6 Take the p icture.

Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot. complete, the photograph will be displayed in the monitor for 4 s or until the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

The monitor will turn off. When shooting is

The camera will then return to live view mode.

7 Exit live view mode.

Rotate the live view switch to exit live view mode.

A Live View Display Options

Press the R button to cycle through display options as shown below.

Show indicators Hide indicators Framing grid

A Automatic Scene Selection (Scene Auto Selector)

If live view is selected in i or j mode, the camera will automatically analyze the subject and select the appropriate shooting mode when autofocus is enabled. The selected mode is shown in the monitor.

Portr ait Human portrait subjects

Landscape Landscapes and cityscapes

Close up Subjects close to the camera

v w r

Night portrait

Auto Auto (flash off)

Portrait subjects framed against a dark background

Subjects suited to i or j mode or that do not fall into the categories listed above

A Flicker

You may notice flicker or banding in the monitor during live view or when shooting movies under certain types of lighting, such as fluorescent or mercury-vapor lamps. Flicker and banding can be reduced by choosing a Flicker reduction option that matches the frequency of the local AC power supply (0 139).

A Exposure

Depending on the scene, exposure may differ from that which would be obtained when live view is not used. Metering in live view is adjusted to suit the live view display, producing photographs with exposure close to what is seen in the monitor. In P, S, and A modes, exposure can be adjusted by ±5 EV in increments of 1/3 EV (0 81). Note that the effects of values over +3 EV or under –3 EV can not be previewed in the monitor.

A HDMI

When the camera is attached to an HDMI video device, the camera monitor will turn off and the video device will display the view through the lens as shown at right. Movies can not be

recorded and photographs can not be taken in live view while the camera is connected to an HDMI-CEC device.

D Shooting in Live View Mode

To prevent light entering via the viewfinder from interfering with exposure, remove the rubber eyecup and cover the viewfinder with the supplied DK-5 eyepiece cap before shooting (0 54).

Although they will not appear in the final picture, flicker, banding, or distortion may be visible in the monitor under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps or if the camera is panned horizontally or an object moves at high speed through frame. may leave after-images in the monitor when the camera is panned. When shooting in live view mode, avoid pointing the camera at the sun or other strong light sources. Failure to observe this precaution could result in damage to the camera’s internal circuitry.

Live view ends automatically if the lens is removed.

Live view may end automatically to prevent damage to the camera’s internal circuits; exit live view when the camera is not use. may rise and noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog) may be displayed in the following instances (the camera may also become noticeably warm, but this does not indicate a malfunction):

• The ambient temperature is high

• The camera has been used for extended periods in live view or to record movies

• The camera has been used in continuous release mode for extended periods

If a warning is displayed when you attempt to start live view, wait for the internal circuits to cool and then try again.

Note that the temperature of the camera’s internal circuits

Bright light sources

D The Count Down Display

A count down will be displayed 30 s before live view ends automatically (037 red 5 s before the auto-off timer expires or if live view is about to end to protect the internal circuits). Depending on shooting conditions, the timer may appear immediately when live view is selected. Note that although the count down does not appear in the information display or during playback, live view will still end automatically when the timer expires.

; the timer turns

D Using Autofocus in Live View

Autofocus is slower in live view and the monitor may brighten or darken while the camera focuses. The camera may be unable to focus in the following situations:

• The subject contains lines parallel to the long edge of the frame

• The subject lacks contrast

• The subject in the focus point contains areas of sharply contrasting brightness, or the

subject is lit by spot lighting or by a neon sign or other light source that changes in brightness

• Flicker or banding appears under fluorescent, mercury-vapor, sodium-vapor, or similar lighting

• A cross (star) filter or other special filter is used

• The subject appears smaller than the focus point

• The subject is dominated by regular geometric patterns (e.g., blinds or a row of windows

in a skyscraper)

• The subject is moving

Note that the focus point may sometimes be displayed in green when the camera is unable to focus.

A Manual Focus

To focus in manual focus mode (0 62), rotate the lens focus ring until the subject is in focus.

To magnify the view in the monitor up to about 6.8 for precise focus, press the X button. While the view through the lens is zoomed in, a navigation window will appear in a gray frame at the bottom right corner of the display. Use the multi selector to scroll to areas of the frame not visible in the monitor (available only if Wide-area AF or Normal-area AF is selected for AF-area mode), or press W to zoom out.

X button Navigation window

Recording and Viewing Movies

Recording Movies

Movies can be recorded in live view mode.

1 Rotate the live view switch.

The mirror is raised and the view through the lens is displayed in the monitor instead of the viewfinder.

D The 0 Icon

A 0 icon (0 37) indicates that movies can not be recorded.

A Before Recording

Set aperture before recording in mode A or M.

2 Choose a focus mode.

Press the P button and select a focus mode as described in Step 2 of “Live View“ (0 38).

A Camera Noise

The camera may record lens noise during autofocus or vibration reduction.

3 Choose an AF-area mode.

See Step 3 on page 38 for more information.

4 Focus.

Frame the opening shot and focus as described in Steps 4 and 5 of “Live View” (0 39–40). subjects that can be detected in face-priority AF drops during movie recording.

Note that the number of

Live view switch

P button

5 Start recording.

Press the movie-record button to start recording (the camera can record both video and sound; do not cover the microphone on the front of the camera during recording). A recording indicator and the time available are displayed in the monitor. be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button (0 80) or (in modes P, S, and A) altered by up to ±3 EV in steps of using exposure compensation (0 81). locked by pressing the shutter-release button halfway.

6 End recording.

Press the movie-record button again to end recording. Recording will end automatically when the maximum length is reached, or the memory card is full.

A Taking Photographs During Movie Recording

To end movie recording, take a photograph, and exit to live view, press the shutter-release button all the way down and hold it in this position until the shutter is released.

A Maximum Length

Each movie file can be up to 4 GB in size and 10 minutes long; note that depending on memory card write speed, shooting may end before this length is reached (0 177).

Except in i and j modes, exposure can

/3 EV

Focus can be

Movie record button

Recording indicator

Time remaining

❚❚ Movie Settings

Choose movie frame size and sound options.

• Frame size (Quality)

Option Frame size (pixels) Frame rate (fps) Maximum length

1920×1080; 24 fps 1920 × 1080 23.976 1280× 720; 30 fps 1280× 720; 25 fps 25 1280× 720; 24 fps

640× 424; 24 fps 640 × 424

• Audio (Sound)

Option Description

On Record monaural sound with movies. Off Sound recording off.

1280 × 720

1 Select Movie settings.

Press the G button to display the menus. Highlight Movie settings in the shooting menu and press 2.

2 Choose frame size and sound

recording options.

To choose a frame size, highlight Quality and press 2, then highlight an option and press J. highlight Sound and press 2, then highlight an option and press J.

To turn sound recording on or off,

29.97

23.976

G button

10 min.

A Movie Settings > Quality

The 1280 × 720; 30 fps, 1280 × 720; 25 fps, and 1280 × 720; 24 fps options have different frame rates.

• 1280 × 720; 30 fps: Suitable for display on NTSC devices

• 1280 × 720; 25 fps: Suitable for display on PAL devices

• 1280 × 720; 24 fps: The normal recording rate for movies and cartoons

D Recording Movies

Flicker, banding, or distortion may be visible in the monitor and in the final movie under fluorescent, mercury vapor, or sodium lamps or if the camera is panned horizontally or an object moves at high speed through frame (flicker and banding can be reduced by choosing a Flicker reduction option that matches the frequency of the local AC power supply; 0 139). Bright light sources may leave after-images when the camera is panned. Jagged edges, false colors, and moiré may also appear. When recording movies, avoid pointing the camera at the sun or other strong light sources. Failure to observe this precaution could result in damage to the camera’s internal circuitry.

Recording ends automatically if the lens is removed.

Live view may end automatically to prevent damage to the camera’s internal circuits; exit live view when the camera is not use. Note that the temperature of the camera’s internal circuits may rise and noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, or fog) may be displayed in the following instances (the camera may also become noticeably warm, but this does not indicate a malfunction):

• The ambient temperature is high

• The camera has been used for extended periods in live view or to record movies

• The camera has been used in continuous release mode for extended periods

If a warning is displayed when you attempt to start live view or movie recording, wait for the internal circuits to cool and then try again.

Matrix metering is used regardless of the metering method selected. Shutter speed and ISO sensitivity are adjusted automatically.

D The Count-Down Display

A count down will be displayed in red 30 s before movie recording ends automatically (0 37). Depending on shooting conditions, the timer may appear immediately when movie recording begins. Note that regardless of the amount of recording time available, live view will still end automatically when the timer expires. Wait for the internal circuits to cool before resuming movie recording.

Viewing Movies

Movies are indicated by a 1 icon in full-frame playback (0 99). Press J to start playback.

1 icon Length Current position/total length

Volume Guide

The following operations can be performed:

To Use Description

Pause Pause playback.

Play J

Advance/

rewind

Adjust volume X/W Press X to increase volume, W to decrease.

Edit movie A To edit movie, press AE-L/AF-L while movie is paused (0 50).

Return to full-

frame playback

Resume playback when movie is paused or during rewind/ advance. Speed doubles with each press, from 2× to 4× to 8× to 16×; keep pressed to skip to beginning or end of movie. If playback is paused, movie rewinds or advances one frame at a time; keep pressed for continuous rewind or advance.

/K Press 1 or K to exit to full-frame playback.

Exit to shooting

mode

Display menus G See page 129 for more information.

Press shutter-release button halfway. photographs can be taken immediately.

Monitor will turn off;

A The 2 Icon

2 is displayed in full-frame and movie playback if the movie was recorded without sound.

Editing Movies

Trim footage to create edited copies of movies or save selected frames as JPEG stills.

Option Description

Choose start point Create a copy from which the opening footage has been removed.

Choose end point Create a copy from which the ending footage has been removed.

Save selected frame Save a selected frame as a JPEG still.

Trimming Movies

To create trimmed copies of movies:

1 Display a movie full frame.

Press the K button to display pictures full frame in the monitor and press 4 and 2 to scroll through pictures until the movie you

wish to edit is displayed.

K button

2 Choose a starting or end point.

Play the movie back as described on page 49, pressing J to start and resume playback and 3 to pause. opening footage from the copy, pause on the first frame you wish to keep; if you will be trimming the ending footage from the copy, pause on the last frame you wish to keep.

If you intend to trim the

A Starting and Ending Frames

The starting frame is shown by a d icon, the final frame by a e icon.

3 Display the retouch menu.

Press the AE-L/AF-L button to display the retouch menu.

AE-L/AF-L button

4 Choose an option.

To create a copy that includes the current frame and all following frames, highlight Choose start point in the edit movie menu and press J. create a copy that includes the current frame and all preceding frames.

Select Choose end point

5 Delete frames.

Press 1 to delete all frames before (Choose start point) or after (Choose end point) the

current frame.

6 Save the copy.

Highlight Ye s and press J to save the edited

If necessary, the copy can be trimmed

copy. as described above to remove additional footage. icon in full-frame playback.

D Trimming Movies

Movies must be at least two seconds long. If a copy can not be created at the current playback position, the current position will be displayed in red in Step 5 and no copy will be created. The copy will not be saved if there is insufficient space available on the memory card.

To prevent the camera from turning off unexpectedly, use a fully-charged battery when editing movies.

A The Retouch Menu

Movies can also be edited using the Edit movie option in the retouch menu (0 151).

Edited copies are indicated by a f

Saving Selected Frames

To save a copy of a selected frame as a JPEG still:

1 View the movie and choose a frame.

Play the movie back as described on page

Pause the movie at the frame you intend

49. to copy.

2 Display the retouch menu.

Press the AE-L/AF-L button to display the retouch menu.

3 Choose Save selected frame.

Highlight Save selected frame and press J.

4 Create a still copy.

Press 1 to create a still copy of the current frame.

AE-L/AF-L button

5 Save the copy.

Highlight Yes and press J to create a JPEG copy of the selected frame. indicated by a f icon in full-frame playback.

A Save Selected Frame

JPEG movie stills created with the Save selected frame option can not be retouched. JPEG movie stills lack some categories of photo information (0 100).

Movie stills are

Release Mode

Choosing a Release Mode

To choose a release mode, rotate the release-mode selector to the desired setting.

Single frame (0 5)

Continuous (0 5)

Self-timer (0 54)

Quiet shutter release (0 5)

Release-mode selector

A The Memory Buffer

The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage, allowing shooting to continue while photographs are being saved to the memory card. Up to 100 photographs can be taken in succession; note, however, that frame rate will drop when the buffer is full.

While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the access lamp next to the memory card slot will light. Depending on the number of the images in the buffer, recording may take from a few seconds to a few minutes. Do not remove the memory card or

remove or disconnect the power source until the access lamp has gone out. If the camera is

switched off while data remain in the buffer, the power will not turn off until all images in the buffer have been recorded. If the battery is exhausted while images remain in the buffer, the shutter release will be disabled and the images transferred to the memory card.

A Continuous Release Mode

Continuous release mode (I) can not be used with the built-in flash; rotate the mode dial to j (0 24) or turn the flash off (0 67–69). For information on the number of photographs that can be taken in a single burst, see page 187.

A Buffer Size

The approximate number of images that can be stored in the memory buffer at current settings is shown in the viewfinder exposure-count display while the shutter-release button is pressed. The illustration shows the display when space remains in the buffer for about 24 pictures.

A Auto Image Rotation

The camera orientation recorded for the first shot applies to all images in the same burst, even if the camera is rotated during shooting. See “Auto Image Rotation” (0 141).

Self-Timer Mode

The self-timer can be used to reduce camera shake or for self-portraits.

1 Mount the camera on a tripod.

Mount the camera on a tripod or place the camera on a stable, level surface.

2 Select self-timer mode.

Rotate the release-mode selector to E.

3 Frame the photograph.

A Cover the Viewfinder

When taking photos without your eye to the viewfinder, remove the DK-20 rubber eyecup (q) and insert the supplied DK-5 eyepiece cap as shown (w). This prevents light entering via the viewfinder interfering with exposure. Hold the camera firmly when removing the rubber eyecup.

DK-20 rubber eyecup DK-5 eyepiece cap

q w

4 Take the photograph.

Press the shutter-release button halfway to focus, and then press the button the rest of the way down to start the self-timer (note that the timer will not start if the camera is unable to focus or in other situations in which the shutter can not be released). Two seconds before the photograph is taken, the self-timer lamp will stop blinking and the beeping will become more rapid. ten seconds after the timer starts.

D Using the Built-in Flash

Before taking a photograph with the flash in P, S, A, or M modes, press the M button to raise the flash and wait for the M indicator to be displayed in the viewfinder (0 27). Shooting will be interrupted if the flash is raised after the timer has started.

A See Also

The length of the self-timer delay can be selected using the Self-timer delay option in the setup menu (0 143).

The self-timer lamp will start to blink and a beep will begin to sound.

The shutter will be released

To cancel the timer, turn the camera off.

More on Photography (All Modes)

Focus

This section describes the focus options available when photographs are framed in the viewfinder. below). or use focus lock to focus to recompose photographs after focusing (0 60).

The user can also select the focus point for automatic or manual focus (0 62)

Focus Mode

Choose from the following focus modes. Note that AF-S and AF-C are available only in modes P, S, A, and M.

Option Description

Auto-servo

AF-A

Single-servo AFFor stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button is

AF-S

Continuous-

AF-C

servo AF

MF Manual focus Focus manually (0 62).

Focus can be adjusted automatically or manually (see “Focus Mode,”

Camera automatically selects single-servo autofocus if subject is stationary, continuous-servo autofocus if subject is moving. Shutter can only be released if camera is able to focus.

pressed halfway. Shutter can only be released if camera is able to focus. For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously while shutterrelease button is pressed halfway. Shutter can only be released if camera is able to focus.

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

2 Display focus-mode options.

Highlight the current focus mode in the information display and press J.

3 Choose a focus mode.

Highlight a focus mode and press J. To re turn to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

D Continuous-servo Autofocus

In AF-C mode or when continuous-servo autofocus is selected in AF-A mode, the camera gives higher priority to focus response (has a wider focus range) than in AF-S mode, and the shutter may be released before the in-focus indicator is displayed.

A Getting Good Results with Autofocus

Autofocus does not perform well under the conditions listed below. The shutter release may be disabled if the camera is unable to focus under these conditions, or the in-focus indicator (I) may be displayed and the camera may sound a beep, allowing the shutter to be released even when the subject is not in focus. In these cases, focus manually (0 62) or use focus lock (0 60) to focus on another subject at the same distance and then recompose the photograph.

There is little or no contrast between the subject and the background.

Example: Subject is the same color as the background.

The focus point contains objects at different distances from the camera.

Example: Subject is inside a cage.

The subject is dominated by regular geometric patterns.

Example: Blinds or a row of windows in a skyscraper.

The focus point contains areas of sharply contrasting brightness.

Example: Subject is half in the shade.

Background objects appear larger than the subject.

Example: A building is in the frame behind the subject.

The subject contains many fine details.

Example: A field of flowers or other subjects that are small or lack variation in brightness.

D The AF-Assist Illuminator

If the subject is poorly lit, the AF-assist illuminator will light automatically to assist the autofocus operation when the shutterrelease button is pressed halfway. The AF-assist illuminator will not light:

• In live view or during movie recording

• During manual focus or if live view is off and continuous-servo

autofocus is selected (AF-C selected for focus mode, or continuous-servo AF selected in AF-A focus mode)

• If the center focus point is not selected in c Single-point AF, d Dynamic-area AF, or f 3D-tracking (11 points) AF-area mode (0 58, 60)

• In shooting modes in which the AF-assist illuminator can not be used (0 186)

• If Off has been selected for the AF-assist option in the shooting menu (0 134)

The illuminator has a range of about 0.5–3.0 m (1 ft. 8 in.–9 ft. 10 in.); when using the illuminator, use a lens with a focal length of 18–200 mm and remove the lens hood. The AFassist illuminator will turn off automatically to protect the lamp after a period of continuous use. Normal function will resume after a brief pause. Note that the illuminator may become hot when used multiple times in quick succession.

AF-assist illuminator

A The Beep Speaker

The Beep option in the setup menu (0 144) can be used to turn the beep speaker on or off.

AF-Area Mode

Choose how the focus point for autofocus is selected. Note that f (3D-tracking (11 points)) is not available when AF-S is selected for focus mode.

Option Description

c Single-point AF

d Dynamic-area AF

e Auto-area AF Camera automatically detects subject and selects focus point.

3D-tracking

(11 points)

User selects focus point using multi selector (0 60); camera focuses on subject in selected focus point only. Use with stationary subjects. In AF-A and AF-C focus modes, user selects focus point manually (0 60), but camera will focus based on information from surrounding focus points if subject briefly leaves selected point. Use with erratically moving subjects. In AF-S focus mode, user selects focus point manually (0 60); camera focuses on subject in selected focus point only.

In AF-A and AF-C focus modes, user selects focus point using multi selector (0 60). If subject moves after camera has focused, camera uses 3Dtracking to select new focus point and keep focus locked on original subject while shutter-release button is pressed halfway. If subject leaves viewfinder, remove your finger from shutter-release button and recompose photograph with subject in selected focus point.

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

2 Display AF-area mode options.

Highlight the current AF-area mode in the information display and press J.

3 Choose an AF-area mode.

Highlight one of the following options and press

To return to shooting mode, press the

J. shutter-release button halfway.

A AF-Area Mode

The AF-area mode used when photographs are framed in the viewfinder can also be selected using the AF-area mode > Viewfinder option in the shooting menu (0 131). AF-area mode selections made in shooting modes other than P, S, A, or M are reset when another shooting mode is selected.

A 3D-tracking (11 Points)

When the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the colors in the area surrounding the focus point are stored in the camera. Consequently 3D-tracking may not produce the desired results with subjects that are the same color as the background.

Focus Point Selection

In manual focus mode or when autofocus is combined with AF-area modes other than e (Auto-area AF), you can choose from 11 focus points, making it possible to compose photographs with the main subject almost anywhere in the frame.

1 Choose an AF-area mode other than e

(Auto-area AF;

0 58).

2 Select the focus point.

Use the multi selector to select the focus point in the viewfinder or information display while the exposure meters are on. center focus point.

Press J to select the

Focus point

Focus Lock

Focus lock can be used to change the composition after focusing in AF-A, AF-S, and AF-C focus modes (0 55), making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus point in the final composition. autofocus (0 56), you can also focus on another subject at the same distance and then use focus lock to recompose the photograph. an option other than e (Auto-area AF) is selected for AF-area mode (0 58).

If the camera is unable to focus using

Focus lock is most effective when

1 Focus.

Position the subject in the selected focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway to initiate focus. (I) appears in the viewfinder.

Check that the in-focus indicator

2 Lock focus.

AF-A and AF-C focus modes: With the shutter-release

button pressed halfway (q), press the AE-L/AF-L button (w) to lock both focus and exposure (an AE-L icon will be displayed in the viewfinder;

Focus will remain locked while the AE-L/AF-

0 80). L button is pressed, even if you later remove your finger from the shutter-release button.

AF-S focus mode: Focus will lock automatically when the in-focus indicator appears, and remain locked until you remove your finger from the shutterrelease button. above).

Focus can also be locked by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button (see

Shutter-release button

AE-L/AF-L button

3 Recompose the photograph and shoot.

Focus will remain locked between shots if you keep the shutter-release button pressed halfway (AF-S) or keep the AE-L/AF-L button pressed, allowing several photographs in succession to be taken at the same focus setting.

Do not change the distance between the camera and the subject while focus lock is in effect.

If the subject moves, focus again at the new distance.

A The AE-L/AF-L Button

The Buttons > AE-L/AF-L button option in the setup menu (0 146) controls the behavior of the AE-L/AF-L button.

Manual Focus

Manual focus can be used when you are not using an AF-S or AF-I lens or when autofocus does not produce the desired results (0 56).

1 Set the lens focus-mode switch.

If the lens is equipped with an A-M or M/A-M switch, slide the switch to M.

2 Focus.

To focus manually, adjust the lens focus ring until the image displayed on the clear matte field in the viewfinder is in focus. when the image is not in focus.

A Selecting Manual Focus with the Camera

If the lens supports M/A (autofocus with manual override, MF priority), manual focus can also be selected by setting the camera focus mode to MF (manual focus; 0 55). Focus can then be adjusted

manually, regardless of the mode selected with the lens.

Photographs can be taken at any time, even

A-M switch

M/A-M

switch

❚❚ The Electronic Rangefinder

If the lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster, the viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm whether the subject in the selected focus point is in focus (the focus point can be selected from any of the 11 focus points). positioning the subject in the selected focus point, press the shutter-release button halfway and rotate the lens focus ring until the in-focus indicator (I) is displayed. subjects listed on page 56, the in-focus indicator may sometimes be displayed when the subject is not in focus; confirm focus in the viewfinder before shooting.

After

Note that with the

A Focal Plane Position

To determine the distance between your subject and the camera, measure from the focal plane mark on the camera body. The distance between the lens mounting flange and the focal plane is 46.5 mm (1.83 in.).

46.5 mm

Focal plane mar

A The Exposure Indicator

If desired, the exposure indicator can be used to determine whether the focus point for manual focus is in front of or behind the subject (0 144).

Image Quality and Size

Together, image quality and size determine how much space each photograph occupies on the memory card. sizes but also require more memory, meaning that fewer such images can be stored on the memory card (0 187).

Image Quality

Choose a file format and compression ratio (image quality).

Option File type Description

NEF (RAW) +

JPEG fine

NEF (RAW) NEF

JPEG fine

JPEG normal Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 8 (normal quality).

JPEG basic Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 16 (basic quality).

NEF/

Two images are recorded: one NEF (RAW) image and one fine-quality JPEG

JPEG

image. Raw 12-bit data from the image sensor are saved directly to the memory card. Settings such as white balance and contrast can be adjusted on a computer after shooting. Record JPEG images at a compression ratio of roughly 1 : 4 (fine quality).

JPEG

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Larger, higher quality images can be printed at larger

Information display P button

2 Display image quality options.

Highlight the current image quality in the information display and press J.

3 Choose a file type.

Highlight an option and press J. To re turn to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

A NEF (RAW) Images

Note that the option selected for image size does not affect the size of NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW)+JPEG images. Date imprint (0 147) is not available at image quality settings of NEF (RAW) or NEF (RAW)+ JPEG.

NEF (RAW) images can be viewed on the camera or using software such as Capture NX 2 (available separately; 0 177) or ViewNX 2 (available on the supplied ViewNX 2 CD). JPEG copies of NEF (RAW) images can be created using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the retouch menu (0 160).

A NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine

When photographs taken at NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine are viewed on the camera, only the JPEG image will be displayed. When photographs taken at these settings are deleted, both NEF and JPEG images will be deleted.

A File Names

Photographs are stored as image files with names of the form “DSC_nnnn.xxx,” where nnnn is a four-digit number between 0001 and 9999 assigned automatically in ascending order by the camera, and xxx is one of the following three letter extensions: “NEF” for NEF images, “JPG” for JPEG images, or “MOV” for movies. The NEF and JPEG files recorded at a setting of NEF (RAW) + JPEG fine have the same file names but different extensions. Small copies created with the small picture option in the retouch menu have file names beginning with “SSC_” and ending with the extension “.JPG” (e.g., “SSC_0001.JPG”); copies created with the movie edit options (0 50) have file names beginning with “DSC_” and ending with the extension “.MOV” (trimmed copies, e.g., “DSC_0001.MOV”) or “.JPG” (JPEG stills); copies created with the other options in the retouch menu have file names beginning with “CSC” (e.g., “CSC_0001. JPG”). Images recorded with the Color space option in the shooting menu set to Adobe RGB (0 133) have names that begin with an underscore (e.g., “_DSC0001.JPG”).

A The Shooting Menu

Image quality can also be adjusted using the Image quality option in the shooting menu (0 131).

A The Fn Button

Image quality and size can also be adjusted by pressing the Fn button and rotating the command dial (0 146).

Image Size

Image size is measured in pixels. Choose from the following options:

Image size Size (pixels) Print size (cm/in.)

# Large 4,608 × 3,072 39 × 26/15.4 × 10.2 $ Medium 3,456× 2,304 29.3 × 19.5/11.5 × 7.7 % Small 2,304 × 1,536 19.5 × 13/7.7 × 5.1

* Approximate size when printed at 300 dpi. Print size in inches equals image size in pixels

divided by printer resolution in dots per inch (dpi; 1 inch= approximately 2.54 cm).

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

2 Display image size options.

Highlight the current image size in the information display and press J.

3 Choose an image size.

Highlight an option and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

A The Shooting Menu

Image size can also be adjusted using the Image size option in the shooting menu (0 131).

A The Fn Button

Image quality and size can also be adjusted by pressing the Fn button and rotating the command dial (0 146).

Using the Built-in Flash

The camera supports a variety of flash modes for photographing poorly lit or backlit subjects.

❚❚ Using the Built-in Flash: i, k, p, n, and o Modes

1 Choose a flash mode (0 68).

2 Take pictures.

The flash will pop up as required when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and fire when a photograph is taken.

not pop up automatically, by hand. damage the flash.

Failure to observe this precaution could

DO NOT attempt to raise it

❚❚ Using the Built-in Flash: P, S, A, and M Modes

1 Raise the flash.

Press the M button to raise the flash.

2 Choose a flash mode (0 68).

If the flash does

3 Take pictures.

The flash will fire whenever a picture is taken.

A Lowering the Built-in Flash

To save power when the flash is not in use, press it gently downward until the latch clicks into place.

M button

Flash Mode

The flash modes available vary with shooting mode:

i, k, p, n o

No Auto

NYo Auto +red-eye reduc tion

j Off Nr Auto +slow sync

P, A S, M

N Fill flash N Fill flash

NY Red-eye reduction NY Red-eye reduction

NYp Slow sync +red-eye reduction Nq Rear-curtain sync

Np Slow sync

Nq*Rear curtain+slow sync

* p appears in information display when setting is complete.

NYr

j Off

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button.

Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Auto+ slow sync+ red-eye reduction

Information display P button

2 Display flash mode options.

Highlight the current flash mode in the information display and press J.

3 Choose a flash mode.

Highlight a mode and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

A Flash Modes

The flash modes listed on the previous page may combine one or more of the following settings, as shown by the flash mode icon:

• AUTO (auto flash): When lighting is poor or subject is back lit, flash pops up automatically when shutter-release button is pressed halfway and fires as required.

• Y (red-eye reduction): Use for portraits. reducing “red-eye.”

• j (off): Flash does not fire even when lighting is poor or subject is back-lit.

• SLOW (slow sync): Shutter speed slows automatically to capture background lighting at night

or under low light. Use to include background lighting in portraits.

• REAR (rear-cur tain sync): Flash fires just before shutter closes, creating a stream of light behind moving light sources (below at right). If this icon is not displayed, flash will fire as the shutter opens (front-curtain sync; the effect this produces with moving light sources is shown below at left).

Front-curtain sync Rear-curtain sync

Red-eye reduction lamp lights before flash fires,

A Choosing a Flash Mode

The flash mode can also be selected by pressing the M button and rotating the command dial (in P, S, A, and M modes, raise the flash before using the M button to choose the flash mode).

M button Command dial Information display

A The Built-in Flash

For information on the lenses that can be used with the built-in flash, see page 170. Remove lens hoods to prevent shadows. The flash has a minimum range of 0.6 m (2 ft.) and can not be used in the macro range of macro zoom lenses.

The shutter release may be briefly disabled to protect the flash after it has been used for several consecutive shots. The flash can be used again after a short pause.

A Shutter Speeds Available with the Built-in Flash

Shutter speed is restricted to the following ranges when the built-in flash is used:

Mode Shutter speed Mode Shutter speed

i, p, n, P, A

k o

/200–1/60 s S

/200–1/30 s M

/200–1 s

A Aperture, Sensitivity, and Flash Range

Flash range varies with sensitivity (ISO equivalency) and aperture.

Aperture at ISO equivalent of Range

100 200 400 800 1600 3200 m ft.

1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 1.0–8.5 3ft. 3 in.–27 ft. 11n. 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 0.7–6.0 2ft. 4in.–19ft. 8in.

2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 0.6–4.2 2ft.–13ft. 9in. 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 0.6–3.0 2ft.–9ft. 10in.

5.6 8 11 16 22 32 0.6–2.1 2ft.–6ft. 11in. 8 11 16 22 32 — 0.6–1.5 2ft.–4ft. 11in.

11 16 22 32 — — 0.6–1.1 2ft.–3ft. 7in. 16 22 32 — — — 0.6–0.7 2 ft.–2ft. 4in.

/200–30 s

/200–30 s, bulb

ISO Sensitivity

“ISO sensitivity” is the digital equivalent of film speed. Choose from settings that range from a value roughly equivalent to ISO 100 to one roughly equivalent to ISO 3200 in steps equivalent to 1 EV. above ISO 3200 by about 1 EV (Hi 1, equivalent to ISO 6400) or 2 EV (Hi 2, equivalent to ISO 12800). camera to set ISO sensitivity automatically in response to lighting conditions; AUTO is selected automatically in i and j modes. light needed to make an exposure, allowing higher shutter speeds or smaller apertures (although note that pictures may be affected by “noise” in the form of randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines).

Auto and scene modes also offer an AUTO option, which allows the

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

For special situations, ISO sensitivity can be raised

The higher the ISO sensitivity, the less

2 Display ISO sensitivity options.

Highlight the current ISO sensitivity in the information display and press J.

3 Choose an ISO sensitivity.

Highlight an option and press J. To re turn to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

A AUTO

If the mode dial is rotated to P, S, A, or M after AUTO is selected for ISO sensitivity in another mode, the ISO sensitivity last selected in P, S, A, or M mode will be restored.

A Hi 1/Hi 2

Pictures taken at these settings are more likely to be subject to noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines).

A The Shooting Menu

ISO sensitivity can also be adjusted using the ISO sensitivity settings option in the shooting menu (0 132).

A See Also

For information on enabling auto ISO sensitivity control in P, S, A, or M modes, see page 132. For information on using the Noise reduction option in the shooting menu to reduce noise at high ISO sensitivities, see page 134. For information on using the Fn button and the command dial to select ISO sensitivity, see page 146.

P, S, A, and M Modes

Shutter Speed and Aperture

P, S, A, and M modes offer different degrees of control over shutter speed and aperture:

Mode Description

Programmed auto

(0 74)

Shutter-priority auto

(0 75)

Aperture-priority auto

(0 76)

M Manual (0 77)

D Lens Aperture Rings

When using a CPU lens equipped with an aperture ring (0 168), lock the aperture ring at the minimum aperture (highest f-number). Type G lenses are not equipped with an aperture ring.

A Shutter Speed and Aperture

The same exposure can be achieved with different combinations of shutter speed and aperture. Fast shutter speeds and large apertures freeze moving objects and soften background details, while slow shutter speeds and small apertures blur moving objects and bring out background details.

Shutter speed Aperture

Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Recommended for snapshots and in other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings. User chooses shutter speed; camera selects aperture for best results. Use to freeze or blur motion. User chooses aperture; camera selects shutter speed for best results. Use to blur background or bring both foreground and background into focus. User controls both shutter speed and aperture. Set shutter speed to “bulb” for long time-exposures.

Fast shutter speed

(

/1,600 s)

Slow shutter speed

(1 s)

Large aperture (f/5.6) Small aperture (f/22)

(Remember, the higher the f-number, the

smaller the aperture.)

Mode P (Programmed Auto)

In this mode, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure in most situations. other situations in which you want to leave the camera in charge of shutter speed and aperture.

To take photographs in programmed auto:

This mode is recommended for snapshots and

1 Rotate the mode dial to P.

Mode dial

2 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

A Flexible Program

In mode P, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be selected by rotating the command dial (“flexible program”). Rotate the dial to the right for large apertures (low f-numbers) that blur background details or fast shutter speeds that “freeze” motion. Rotate the dial to the left for small apertures (high f-numbers) that increase depth of

field or slow shutter speeds that blur motion. All combinations produce the same exposure. While flexible program is in effect, a U (R) indicator appears in the viewfinder and information display. To restore default shutter speed and aperture settings, rotate the command dial until the indicator is no longer displayed, choose another mode, or turn the camera off.

Command dial

Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto)

In shutter-priority auto, you choose the shutter speed while the camera automatically selects the aperture that will produce the optimal exposure. shutter speeds to suggest motion by blurring moving subjects, fast shutter speeds to “freeze” motion.

Fast shutter speed (1/1,600 s) Slow shutter speed (1 s)

To take photographs in shutter-priority auto:

Use slow

1 Rotate the mode dial to S.

2 Choose a shutter speed.

Shutter speed is shown in the viewfinder and information display. dial to choose the desired shutter speed from values between 30 s and

Rotate the command

/4,000 s.

3 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

Mode dial

Command dial

Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)

In aperture-priority auto, you choose the aperture while the camera automatically selects the shutter speed that will produce the optimal exposure. (low f-numbers) reduce depth of field, blurring objects behind and in front of the main subject. details in the background and foreground. portraits to blur background details, long field depths in landscape photographs to bring the foreground and background into focus.

To take photographs in aperture-priority auto:

Small apertures (high f-numbers) increase depth of field, bringing out

Short field depths are generally used in

Large aperture (f/5.6) Small aperture (f/22)

Large apertures

1 Rotate the mode dial to A.

2 Choose an aperture.

Aperture is shown in the viewfinder and information display. dial to choose the desired aperture from values between the minimum and maximum for the lens.

Rotate the command

3 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

Mode dial

Command dial

Mode M (Manual)

In manual exposure mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture. To ta k e photographs in manual exposure mode:

1 Rotate the mode dial to M.

Mode dial

2 Choose aperture and shutter speed.

Checking the exposure indicator (see below), adjust shutter speed and aperture. values between 30 s and indefinitely for a long time-exposure (0 78). the N (E) button and rotating the command dial: choose from values between the minimum and maximum for the lens. shown in the viewfinder and information display.

Command

Shutter speed is selected by rotating the command dial: choose from

Shutter speed Aperture

dial

/4,000 s or select “bulb” to hold the shutter open

Aperture is selected by pressing

Shutter speed and aperture are

N(E) button Command

dial

3 Frame a photograph, focus, and shoot.

A The Exposure Indicator

If a CPU lens is attached and a shutter speed other than “bulb” is selected, the exposure indicator in the viewfinder and information display shows whether the photograph would be under- or over-exposed at current settings (the illustrations below show the display in the viewfinder). If the limits of the exposure metering system are exceeded, the indicator will flash.

Optimal exposure Underexposed by 1/3 EV Overexposed by over 2 EV

❚❚ Long Time-Exposures (M Mode Only)

At a shutter speed of “bulb,” the shutter remains open while the shutter-release button is held down. photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks. remote cord (0 177) is recommended to prevent blur.

This can be used for long time-exposure

A tripod or optional MC-DC2

Length of exposure: 35 s

Aperture: f/25

1 Ready the camera.

Mount the camera on a tripod or place it on a stable, level surface. To prevent loss of power before the exposure is complete, use a fully charged EN-EL14 battery or an optional EH-5a AC adapter and EP-5A power connector. noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels or fog) may be present in long exposures; before shooting, choose On for the Noise reduction option in the shooting menu (0 134).

Note that

2 Rotate the mode dial to M.

Mode dial

3 Choose a shutter speed.

Rotate the command dial until “Bulb” (A) appears in the viewfinder or information display.

Command dial

4 Open the shutter.

After focusing, press the shutter-release button all the way down. Keep the shutter-release button pressed until the exposure is complete.

5 Close the shutter.

Take your finger off the shutter-release button.

A Self-timer Mode

In self-timer mode, a shutter speed of “Bulb” is equivalent to approximately 1/10 s.

Exposure

Metering

Choose how the camera sets exposure in P, S, A, and M modes (in other modes, the camera selects the metering method automatically).

Method Description

Produces natural results in most situations. Camera uses 420-pixel RGB sensor to meter a wide area of the frame and set exposure according to tone

L Matrix

Center-

weight ed

N Spot

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

distribution, color, composition, and, with type G or D lenses (0 168), distance information (3D color matrix metering II; with other CPU lenses, the camera uses color matrix metering II, which does not include 3D distance information). Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area. Classic meter for portraits; recommended when using filters with an exposure factor (filter factor) over 1×. Camera meters current focus point; use to meter off-center subjects (if e Auto- area AF is selected for AF-area mode during viewfinder photography as de scr ibe d on p age 58, cam era wil l me ter cen ter foc us p oin t). Ensures that subject will be correctly exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

2 Display metering options.

Highlight the current metering method in the information display and press J.

3 Choose a metering method.

Highlight an option and press J. To re turn to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

Autoexposure Lock

Use autoexposure lock to recompose photographs after metering exposure:

1 Set metering to M or N (0 79).

L will not produce the desired results. Note that autoexposure lock is not available in i or j mode.

2 Lock exposure.

Position the subject in the selected focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway. release button pressed halfway and the subject positioned in the focus point, press the AE-L/AF-L button to lock focus and exposure.

While exposure lock is in effect, an AE-L indicator will appear in the viewfinder.

With the shutter-

AE-L/AF-L button

3 Recompose the photograph.

Keeping the AE-L/AF-L button pressed, recompose the photograph and shoot.

A The Shooting Menu

Metering can also be adjusted using the Metering option in the shooting menu (0 131).

A Adjusting Shutter Speed and Aperture

While exposure lock is in effect, the following settings can be adjusted without altering the metered value for exposure:

Mode Setting

Programmed auto Shutter speed and aperture (flexible program; 0 74)

Shutter-priority auto Shutter speed

Aperture-priority auto Aperture

The metering method itself can not be changed while exposure lock is in effect.

A See Also

If On is selected for Buttons > AE lock in the setup menu (0 146), exposure will lock when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. For information on changing the role of the AE-L/AF-L button, see Buttons > AE-L/AF-L button.

Shutter-release

button

Exposure Compensation

Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. center-weighted or spot metering (0 79). –5 EV (underexposure) and +5 EV (overexposure) in increments of positive values make the subject brighter while negative values make it darker.

–1 EV No exposure compensation +1 EV

It is most effective when used with

Choose from values between

/3 EV. In general,

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

2 Display exposure compensation options.

Highlight exposure compensation in the information display and press J.

3 Choose a value.

Highlight a value and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

Normal exposure can be restored by setting exposure compensation to ±0. compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.

Exposure

A The E Button

Exposure compensation can also be set by pressing the E button and rotating the command dial. The selected value is shown in the viewfinder and information display.

E button Command dial

–0.3 EV +2 EV

A Mode M

In mode M, exposure compensation affects only the exposure indicator; shutter speed and aperture do not change.

A Using a Flash

When a flash is used, exposure compensation affects both background exposure and flash level.

Flash Compensation

Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from the level suggested by the camera, changing the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Choose from values between –3 EV (darker) and +1 EV (brighter) in increments of

/3 EV; in general, positive values make the subject brighter while negative values

make it darker.

1 Place the cursor in the information display.

If shooting information is not displayed in the monitor, press the P button. Press the P button again to place the cursor in the information display.

Information display P button

2 Display flash compensation options.

Highlight flash compensation in the information display and press J.

3 Choose a value.

Highlight a value and press J. To return to shooting mode, press the shutter-release button halfway.

Normal flash output can be restored by setting flash compensation to ±0. compensation is not reset when the camera is turned off.

Flash

A The Y (M) and E Buttons

Flash compensation can also be set by rotating the command dial while pressing the Y (M) and E buttons. The selected value is shown in the viewfinder and information display.

Y (M) button E button Command dial

–0.3 EV +1 EV

A Optional Flash Units

Flash compensation is also available with optional SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, or SB-R200 flash units. The SB-900, SB-800, and SB-600 also allow flash compensation to be set using the controls on the flash unit. The flash compensation selected with the optional flash unit is added to the flash compensation selected with the camera.

Nikon D3100 Reference Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Q&A Index

Table of Contents

For Your Safety

Notices

Introduction

Overview

Getting to Know the Camera

The Camera Body

The Mode Dial

The Release-Mode Selector

The Information Display

The Command Dial

The Viewfinder

Camera Menus

Using Camera Menus

First Steps

Charge the Battery

Insert the Battery

Attach a Lens

Basic Setup

Insert a Memory Card

Format the Memory Card

Adjust Viewfinder Focus

Basic Photography and Playback

Step 1: Turn the Camera On

Step 3: Frame the Photograph

Step 4: Focus

Step 5: Shoot

Creative Photography (Scene Modes)

k Portrai t

l Landscape

p Child

n Close Up

m Sports

o Night Portrait

Basic Playback

Deleting Unwanted Photographs

Guide Mode

The Guide

Guide Mode Menus

Live View

Framing Photographs in the Monitor

Recording and Viewing Movies

Recording Movies

Viewing Movies

Editing Movies

Trimming Movies

Saving Selected Frames

Release Mode

Choosing a Release Mode

Self-Timer Mode

More on Photography (All Modes)

Focus

Focus Mode

AF-Area Mode

Focus Point Selection

Focus Lock

Manual Focus

Image Quality and Size

Image Quality

Image Size

Using the Built-in Flash

Flash Mode

ISO Sensitivity

P, S, A, and M Modes

Shutter Speed and Aperture

Mode P (Programmed Auto)

Mode S (Shutter-Priority Auto)

Mode A (Aperture-Priority Auto)

Mode M (Manual)

Exposure

Metering

Autoexposure Lock

Exposure Compensation

Flash Compensation