Olympus C5500, C55 User Manual

DIGITAL CAMERA

C-5500 ZOOM C-55 ZOOM

Advanced Manual

Thank you for purchasing an Olympus digital camera. Before you start to use your

new camera, please read these instructions carefully to enjoy optimum performance and a longer service life. Keep this manual in a safe place for future reference.

We recommend that you take test shots to get accustomed to your camera before

taking important photographs.

In the interest of continually improving products, Olympus reserves the right to update

or modify information contained in this manual.

Detailed explanations of all the functions for getting the most out of your camera.

Basic Operation

Basic Shooting

Advanced Shooting

Playing Back

Printing

Online Pictures

Camera Settings

Navigation

How to use the camera

Using a computer...

Using the OLYMPUS Master software on your computer lets you enjoy editing, viewing, and printing the pictures downloaded from your camera.

Using a card...

Pictures taken with this camera are stored on an xD-Picture Card. By storing the relevant print reservation data with the images on the card, you can print pictures at a print shop or on a PictBridge-compatible printer.

Using a printer...

With a PictBridge-compatible printer, you can print pictures directly from your camera.

Using a TV...

You can use a TV to view pictures or playback movies from your camera.

AE/AF

AF:

AE:ESP

ESP

iESP

CAM

TIMELAPSE

MULTI METERING

PICTURES

PICTURE

SELECT GO

SHARPNESS

CARD

INTERVAL

SATURATION

SET

SELECT

SPOT AREA

SPOT

Using the mode dial...

Use the mode dial to select a shooting or playback mode. f lets you select the optimum settings for the shooting conditions from 10 different situations.

Using the arrow pad and N button...

The arrow pad and N button are for selecting and setting menu options as well as viewing pictures frame by frame.

Using the direct buttons...

Direct buttons let you perform functions such as erasing or protecting pictures or setting the flash mode, making camera operation easy.

OK 01

± 0

Using the menus...

Shooting and playback-related functions are set from the menus

GOOKSET

displayed on the monitor.

How to use this manual

(Indications used in this manual

A sample page is shown below to explain how to read the instructions in this manual. Look at it carefully before taking or viewing pictures. See the reference pages for further details on how to use the buttons or menus.

Set the mode dial to one of these symbols. g “Mode dial” (P.12)

Select the menus in the order indicated by. g“Menus” (P.16)

Available languages vary depending on the area where you purchased this camera. g“Selecting a language” (P.108)

This sample page is only for your reference. It may differ from the actual page in this manual.

Note

Important information on factors which may lead to a malfunction or operational problems. Also warns of operations that should be absolutely avoided.

TIPS

Useful information and hints that will help you get the most out of your camera.

Reference pages describing details or associated information.

(Basic and Advanced Manuals

The instruction manual accompanying this camera is divided into two parts: the Basic Manual and the Advanced Manual (this document).

Basic Manual

Advanced Manual

This manual helps you get used to the camera. It gives you easy-tofollow explanations on how to take pictures and view them.

This manual introduces you to the camera’s many functions after you have mastered the basics. It will help you to use the camera’s capabilities to take much more creative pictures, with more fun!

Composition of the manual

A quick guide to the camera’s capabilities.

Read this part before using the camera.

Explanation of techniques from basics to advanced, giving you an understanding of all the functions related to taking pictures.

To view, edit and sort the pictures you have taken.

Settings to make your camera easier to use.

To print the pictures you have taken.

How to use the camera

Table of Contents

Basic operation

Tips before you start taking pictures

Basic shooting functions

Advanced shooting functions

More useful functions

Playback

Settings

Printing pictures

P.2

P.6

P.11

P.21

P.31

P.45

P.71

P.83

P.105

P.123

To enjoy the pictures you have taken on a computer. To use OLYMPUS Master.

Troubleshooting For when you want to know the names of parts, see a list of menus, or find what you are looking for.

Connecting the camera to a computer

Appendix

Miscellaneous

P.141

P.157

P.179

The title page of each chapter gives a short description of the contents. Be sure to check it out.

Table of Contents

How to use this manual....................................................................... 4

Composition of the manual ................................................................. 5

1 Basic operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -11

Mode dial........................................................................................... 12

Direct buttons .................................................................................... 13

Using the direct buttons in shooting mode .................................. 13

Using the direct buttons in playback mode ................................. 15

Menus ............................................................................................... 16

About the menus ......................................................................... 16

How to use the menus ................................................................ 19

2 Tips before you start taking pictures - - - - - -21

Holding the camera ........................................................................... 22

Turning the monitor on/off ................................................................. 23

If correct focus cannot be obtained................................................... 24

How to focus (focus lock) ............................................................ 24

Subjects that are difficult to focus on .......................................... 25

Record mode K ............................................................................. 26

Still picture record modes............................................................ 26

Movie record modes.................................................................... 27

Card capacity in number of pictures/remaining recording time... 28

To change the record mode........................................................ 30

3 Basic shooting functions- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31

Selecting a shooting mode according to the situation....................... 32

Zooming in on a distant subject ........................................................ 35

Using the optical zoom................................................................ 35

Using the digital zoom................................................................. 36

Taking close-up pictures (macro/super macro mode) &% ............ 37

Flash shooting # ............................................................................. 39

Flash intensity control w .......................................................... 43

Slow synchronization L ................................................... 44

4 Advanced shooting functions - - - - - - - - - - - 45

Aperture priority shooting A ............................................................ 46

Shutter priority shooting S ............................................................... 47

Manual shooting M .......................................................................... 48

My Mode r .................................................................................... 49

Table of Contents

Focusing applications........................................................................ 49

AF mode...................................................................................... 49

Fulltime AF .................................................................................. 50

AF area ....................................................................................... 50

AF illuminator .............................................................................. 51

Manual focus

Metering ............................................................................................ 54

ESP/Spot metering

Multi-metering ............................................................................. 54

AE lock B ..................................................................................... 56

ISO sensitivity ................................................................................... 58

Exposure compensation F .............................................................. 59

White balance WB ........................................................................... 60

Auto white balance ...................................................................... 60

Preset white balance ................................................................... 61

One-touch white balance V ..................................................... 62

White balance compensation > ............................................ 63

Sharpness N ................................................................................... 64

Contrast J ....................................................................................... 65

Saturation 6 ................................................................................... 65

Noise reduction O ......................................................................... 66

Histogram u ................................................................................... 67

Displaying shooting information INFO .............................................. 69

Frame assist...................................................................................... 70

M ....................................................................... 52

Kn ...................................................... 54

5 More useful functions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -71

Recording movies n ....................................................................... 72

Camera movement compensation h ...................................... 73

Sequential shooting j 7 .......................................................... 74

Sequential shooting j ............................................................. 74

Auto bracketing 7 ................................................................. 75

Time lapse shooting L .................................................................... 76

Self-timer shooting Y ...................................................................... 77

Function shooting (black & white/sepia)............................................ 78

Panorama shooting ........................................................................... 79

Recording sound with still pictures R ............................................... 81

Recording sound with movies R ...................................................... 82

6 Playback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -83

Single-frame playback q ................................................................ 84

Table of Contents

Close-up playback U ...................................................................... 84

Index display G .............................................................................. 85

Selecting the number of pictures G ......................................... 86

Calendar display G ........................................................................ 86

Slideshow m .................................................................................. 88

Slideshow setup m .................................................................. 88

Picture rotation y ............................................................................ 89

Playing back movies q .................................................................. 90

Editing still pictures ........................................................................... 91

Resizing Q .............................................................................. 91

Trimming P .............................................................................. 92

Red-eye correction...................................................................... 93

Recording sound R .......................................................................... 94

Editing movies................................................................................... 95

Creating an index........................................................................ 95

Editing a movie............................................................................ 96

Playback on a TV .............................................................................. 98

Video output selection................................................................. 99

Information display INFO ............................................................... 100

Histogram u ................................................................................. 101

Protecting pictures 0 .................................................................. 102

Erasing pictures SR ................................................................... 102

Single-frame erase S .............................................................. 103

All-frame erase R .................................................................. 103

Formatting I ................................................................................. 104

7 Settings- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 105

All reset ........................................................................................... 106

Selecting a language W ........................................................... 108

Power on/Power off setup ............................................................... 108

Rec view.......................................................................................... 109

Screen setup................................................................................... 110

Playback volume ............................................................................. 111

Beep 8 ......................................................................................... 111

Button operation beep ..................................................................... 112

Shutter sound.................................................................................. 112

My Mode setup r ........................................................................ 113

File name ........................................................................................ 116

Pixel mapping.................................................................................. 117

Monitor brightness adjustment s ................................................ 117

Table of Contents

Setting the date and time X ........................................................ 118

Measurement units (m/ft) m/ft ........................................................ 119

Shortcut........................................................................................... 120

Setting the shortcut menus ....................................................... 121

Using the shortcut menus ......................................................... 121

8 Printing pictures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 123

Direct printing (PictBridge) .............................................................. 124

Using the direct printing function............................................... 124

Connecting the camera to a printer........................................... 125

Printing pictures ........................................................................ 126

Easy printing ............................................................................. 126

Printing by selecting a print mode ............................................. 128

Trimming P ............................................................................ 131

Exiting direct printing ................................................................. 132

If an error code is displayed ...................................................... 133

Print settings (DPOF) < ................................................................ 134

How to make print reservations................................................. 134

All-frame reservation/Single-frame reservation U < ............. 135

Trimming P ............................................................................ 138

Resetting print reservation data < .......................................... 139

9 Connecting the camera to a computer - - - - 141

Flow................................................................................................. 142

Using OLYMPUS Master ................................................................ 143

What is OLYMPUS Master?...................................................... 143

Installing OLYMPUS Master ..................................................... 144

Connecting the camera to a computer............................................ 147

Starting up OLYMPUS Master ........................................................ 149

Displaying camera images on a computer ...................................... 151

Downloading and saving images .............................................. 151

Viewing still pictures and movies .................................................... 153

Printing pictures .............................................................................. 154

To download and save images to a computer without using

OLYMPUS Master..................................................................... 156

10 Appendix - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 157

Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 158

Error codes................................................................................ 158

Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 159

Table of Contents

Camera care ................................................................................... 166

AC adapter (optional)...................................................................... 167

Safety Precautions .......................................................................... 168

Handling the Camera ................................................................ 168

Battery handling precautions..................................................... 171

Card handling precautions ........................................................ 174

LCD Monitor .............................................................................. 175

Glossary of terms ............................................................................ 176

11 Miscellaneous - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 179

Menu list.......................................................................................... 180

List of factory default settings.......................................................... 186

Modes and shooting functions ........................................................ 189

Names of parts................................................................................ 191

Camera ..................................................................................... 191

Monitor indications .................................................................... 193

Index ............................................................................................... 196

1 Basic operation

BLUE

RED

SELECTGOGO

CANCEL

Basic operation



Don’t you sometimes feel that advanced shooting and editing functions are only for professional photographers? With their experience and skill, they can make all kinds of fine adjustments to achieve a variety of effects. Now you too can achieve such effects simply by pressing the buttons on your digital camera. You can use the advanced functions available on your camera by setting the menu items to adjust the amount of light passing through aperture or alter the focusing range. Just display a menu on the monitor and use the buttons to choose a setting. Familiarize yourself with the buttons and menus before reading the explanations of the various functions.

BLUE

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

000:0:36360 0:36

Movies

SELECT

CANCEL

CANCEL SELECT

Sequential shooting

RED

Mode dial

This camera features a mode dial for selecting the camera’s mode. The modes are divided into shooting and playback modes, with shooting mode divided into 8 modes. Select the mode you want, then press the POWER switch to turn the camera on.

Shooting modes

Set the mode dial to one of these positions to take pictures or movies.

Basic operation

Playback mode

Set the mode dial to this position to view pictures or movies.

(About the mode dial

There is no need to use special functions or change any settings.

The camera automatically adjusts all settings including focus and exposure for you.

The camera automatically sets the aperture value and shutter

speed.

This function allows you to set the aperture manually. The camera

sets the shutter speed automatically. gP.46

This function allows you to set the shutter speed manually. The

camera sets the aperture automatically. gP.47

This function allows you to set the aperture and shutter speed

Shooting modes

Playback

mode

TIPS

•

The direct button functions and menu contents vary depending on the position of the mode dial. g “Direct buttons” (P.13), “Menus” (P.16), “Menu list” (P.180)

• You can change the mode before and after turning the camera on.

manually. gP.48

This function allows you to set your own shooting parameters and

This function allows you to select from 10 situation-related modes

set to the shooting conditions. gP.32

This function allows you to record movies with sound. gP.72

This function allows you to view still pictures and movies, as well

as playback sound. gP.84, 90

Direct buttons

F2.8

1/1000

0.0

2592 1944

The direct buttons have different functions in shooting mode and in playback mode.

Using the direct buttons in shooting mode

Basic operation

e f

QUICK VIEW button

Pressing the QUICK VIEW button displays the last picture taken on the monitor. All the functions in normal playback mode are available. g“6 Playback” (P.83) To return to shooting mode for taking the next picture, press the QUICK VIEW button or press the shutter button halfway.

[ (AE lock) button

The exposure (AE) lock function is alternately activated and canceled each time you press the button. g“AE lock” (P.56)

F2.8

1/1000

2592 1944

AE lock screen

0.0

303030

Direct buttons

1/1000

F2.8

0.0

2592 1944

1/1000

F2.8

0.0

2592 1944

F2.8

1/1000

0.0

2.5m

1.2m

0.6m

# (flash mode) button

Press the # (flash mode) button repeatedly to change the setting. The setting changes in the following order with each press of the button. g“Flash shooting” (P.39)

1/1000

F2.8

0.0

AUTO (Auto-flash)

AUTO

$ (Flash off)

! (red-eye

reduction flash)

#SLOW (Slow

Basic operation

2592 1944

& (Macro) button

303030

synchronization)

# (fill-in flash)

Press the & (macro) button repeatedly to change the macro settings. The setting changes in the following order with each press of the button. g“Taking close-up pictures (macro/super macro mode)” (P.37)

1/1000

F2.8

N button

2592 1944

0.0

303030

OFF

(Macro)

(Super macro)

The focus mode is alternately selected. Holding down N for more than 1 second displays the following screen. Press bd to alternately select AF (Auto focus) and MF (Manual focus). g“Manual focus” (P.52)

F2.8

2.5m

1.2m

0.6m

1/1000

0.0

Currently, AF (Auto focus) is set. Press b to switch to MF (Manual focus).

303030

Using the direct buttons in playback mode

16 15

30 30

100

0030

16 15

30 30

100

0030

16 15

30 30

100

0030

SELECT

c d e

y (Rotation) button

Pressing the y (Rotation) button after selecting a still picture rotates it. Each pressing rotates the image in the following sequence: 90° clockwise, 90° counterclockwise, and back to the original. g“Picture rotation” (P.89)

100

’0505.

0202.

0030

16 15

100

’0505.

0 (Protect) button

0202.

0030

16 15

30 30

Pressing the 0 (Protect) button after selecting a picture sets the protect function. g“Protecting pictures” (P.102)

30 30

100

’0505.

Direct buttons

0030

0202.

16 15

30 30

Basic operation1Basic operation

S (Erase) button Pressing the S (Erase) button after selecting a picture displays the

screen below. Follow the operation guide at the bottom of the screen to erase the picture. g“Erasing pictures” (P.102)

ERASE

YES

SELECT

SELECT GO

Operation guide

Menus

Menus are used to set functions. Press N to display the menu on the monitor.

About the menus

The menu items that can be used differ depending on the mode.

Menus are divided into shortcut menus and mode menus.

Top menu

Basic operation

Shortcut menus

You can select menu items that are normally accessed from the mode menu. There are shortcut menus that allow you to select on/off.

Top menus

(

Shooting modes

h mode

gP.77

SETUP

MONITOR OFF

r mode

r1/2/3/4

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

gP.23 gP.26

gP.49

gP.23 gP.26

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

Mode menus

The settings are categorized into tabs by function. The mode menu is not displayed in h mode.

P A S M mode (Factory default setting)

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

f mode

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

∗

gP.23 gP.26

gP.32

gP.23 gP.26

n mode

gP.73

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

gP.23 gP.26

(Playback mode (q mode)

Menus

Basic operation1Basic operation

MovieStill picture

gP.90

gP.100

INFO

MODE MENU

gP.88

gP.101 gP.100

MOVIE PLAY

INFO

MODE MENU

∗ You can change the shortcut menus in P/A/S/M modes. The functions

assigned to the shortcut menus can also be set from the mode menu. g“Shortcut” (P.120)

Setup

Shooting modes (h)

(

In h mode, the SETUP screen allows you to format the memory card and perform basic settings for ease of use.

SETUP

FORMAT

ALL RESET

SELECT

ENGLISH

SETUP

Menus

Mode menus

Shooting modes (P A S M r f)

(

CAMERA tab

PICTURE tab

CARD tab

SETUP tab

Basic operation

CAMERA tab

PICTURE tab

CARD tab

SETUP tab

For setting shooting-related functions.

For setting picture-related functions, such as white balance.

For formatting the memory card.

For setting basic camera functions and functions for easy use of the camera.

(Playback mode (q mode)

PLAY tab

EDIT tab

CARD tab

SETUP tab

PLAY tab

EDIT tab

CARD tab

SETUP tab

TIPS

•In n mode, the mode menu differs in shooting mode and in playback mode.

For details, see “Menu list” (P.180).

• For details of mode menu items in setup and mode menu, see “Menu list” (P.180).

For recording sound and reserving for printing.

For editing saved pictures.

For formatting cards and erasing all image data.

For setting basic camera functions and functions for easy use of the camera.

AE/AF DRIVE

CAMERA

ISO

PIC CARD SET

PLAY

EDIT CARD SET

AUTO OFF

0.0

Menus

How to use the menus

Use the arrow pad and N to select and set the menu items. Follow the operation guide on the screen and use the arrow pad to set the items. How to use the menus is shown below.

Ex: Setting [

7] (Auto bracketing)

Mode dial

acbd buttons N button

1 Set the mode dial to either P, A, S, M, r or f. 2 Press N.

• The top menu is displayed.

Top menu

3 Press d to select [MODE MENU].

Basic operation1Basic operation

This refers to the arrow pad (acbd).

4 Press ac to select the

[CAMERA] tab, then press d.

• Refer to the arrows on the screen to select a setting with the arrow pad.

This refers to the arrow pad (cd).

AE/AF DRIVE

CAMERA

ISO

PIC CARD SET

MODE MENU

MONITOR OFF

AUTO OFF

0.0

Menus

5 Press ac to select [DRIVE],

then press d.

Basic operation

• Refer to the arrows on the screen to select a setting with the arrow pad.

• Unavailable settings cannot be selected.

6 Press ac to select [BKT], then

press d.

• Refer to the arrows on the screen to select a setting with the arrow pad.

The selected item appears indented.

AE/AF DRIVE

CAMERA

ISO

PIC CARD SET

AE/AF

DRIVE

CAMERA

ISO

PIC CARD SET

AUTO OFF

0.0

BKT

7 Press ac and select the

exposure differential from [±0.3], [±0.7] and [±1.0], then press d. Press ac and select the number of shots from [×3] and [×5], then press N.

• Follow the operation guide at the bottom of the screen and use the arrow pad to select and set a setting.

Operation guide

Press b to cancel.

Press ac to select a setting.

Press d to move settings.

Press N to make your selection.

CANCEL

BKT

± 0.3 ± 0.7 ± 1.0

SELECT

TIPS

In this manual, Steps 2 to 6 of how to use the menus are expressed as follows:

Top menu [MODE MENU] [CAMERA] [DRIVE] [BKT]

2 Tips before you start taking pictures

SHQ

SQ2

Tips before you start taking pictures



Your pictures are almost guaranteed to come out well just by setting the mode dial to h and pressing the shutter button. But occasionally, you can’t focus on your subject, or the subject is too dark, or the picture doesn’t come out the way you want… Just knowing which button to press or which setting to change can help you solve these problems. And did you know that by selecting an image size according to how you plan to use the pictures afterwards, you can store more pictures on the memory card? These are just some of the hints provided in this chapter.

Online applications

SQ2

Ideas

SQ2

Printing applications

SHQ

Holding the camera

Sometimes when you look at a picture you have taken, the contours of the subject are blurred. This is often caused by movement of the camera at the precise moment that the shutter button is pressed.

Picture where subject is not clearly defined

To prevent the camera from moving, hold the camera firmly with both hands while keeping your elbows at your sides. When taking pictures with the camera in the vertical position, hold the camera so that the flash is positioned higher than the lens. Keep your fingers and the strap away from the lens and flash.

Horizontal grip Vertical grip

Tips before you start taking pictures

Top view

Do not hold this part of the lens.

Turning the monitor on/off

You can take pictures with or without using the monitor.

MONITOR ON For taking pictures using the monitor (factory default setting) MONITOR OFF For taking pictures using the viewfinder

Mode dial

Top menu [MONITOR OFF] / [MONITOR ON] g“Menus” (P.16)

(Features of the monitor and viewfinder

Monitor Viewfinder

You can check the picture area

Advantages

Disadvantages

Tips

Viewfinder

that the camera actually records.

Camera movement occurs easily and subjects may be difficult to see in bright/dark places. The monitor uses more battery power than the viewfinder.

Use the monitor when you need to know the exact area the camera records, or to take a close-up of a person or flower (macro shooting).

• The camera records a wider area than the image in the viewfinder.

• As you get closer to the subject, the actual image recorded (the shaded area in the illustration on the left) differs slightly from the image in the viewfinder.

TIPS

The monitor turns off automatically.

→ If the camera is not used for over 3 minutes, the monitor turns off automatically.

Press the shutter button or zoom lever to turn the monitor on.

To adjust the brightness of the monitor.

→ Adjust the brightness with the [s] settings. g“Monitor brightness

adjustment” (P.117)

The monitor is hard to see.

→

Bright light, such as direct sunlight, may cause vertical lines (smears) to appear on the image in the monitor. This does not affect recorded pictures.

Camera movement does not occur easily and subjects can be seen clearly even in bright places. Little battery power is used.

When close to a subject, the image in the viewfinder differs slightly from the picture that the camera actually records.

Use the viewfinder for general snapshots, landscape pictures and other casual shots.

Tips before you start taking pictures

If correct focus cannot be obtained

F2.8

1/1000

0.0

2592 1944

F2.8

1/1000

0.0

2592 1944

The camera automatically detects the focus target in the frame. The level of contrast is one of the criteria it uses to detect the subject. The camera may fail to determine subjects with lower contrast than the surroundings or with an area of extremely strong contrast in the frame. If this happens, the simplest solution is to use the focus lock.

How to focus (focus lock)

Mode dial

1 Position the AF target mark on

the subject you want to focus on.

• When shooting a hard-to-focus subject or a fast-moving subject, point the camera at an object about the same distance away as the subject.

2 Press the shutter button halfway

Tips before you start taking pictures

until the green lamp lights.

• When the focus and exposure are locked, the green lamp lights.

• The AF target mark moves to the focus position.

• When the green lamp blinks, the focus and exposure are not locked. Release your finger from the shutter button, re-position the AF target mark on the subject and press the shutter button halfway again.

3 Keeping the shutter button

pressed halfway, recompose your shot.

1/1000

2592 1944

AF target mark

Shutter button

Green lamp

1/1000

2592 1944

F2.8

0.0

303030

0.0

303030

If correct focus cannot be obtained

4 Press the shutter button fully.

Shutter button

TIPS

The frame in which you focus on a subject is different from the frame in which you lock the exposure.

g“AE lock” (P.56)

Focus on the subject in the center of the frame.

g“AF mode” (P.49)

Subjects that are difficult to focus on

Under certain types of conditions, the auto focus may not work properly.

The green lamp blinks. The subject cannot be brought into focus.

Tips before you start taking pictures2Tips before you start taking pictures

Subject with low contrast

The green lamp lights, but the subject cannot be brought into focus.

Subjects at different distances

If this happens, focus on an object with high contrast at the same distance as the intended subject (focus lock), recompose your shot and then take the picture. If the subject has no vertical lines, hold the camera vertically and focus the camera using the focus lock function by pressing the shutter button halfway, then return the camera to the horizontal position while keeping the button pressed halfway and take the picture. If the subject still cannot be focused on, use the manual focus. g“Manual focus” (P.52)

Subject with an extremely bright area in the center of the frame

Fast-moving subject

Subject without vertical lines

The subject to be focused on is not in the center of the frame

Record mode

You can select a record mode in which to take pictures or shoot movies. Select the best record mode for your purpose (printing, editing on a computer, website editing, etc.). For information on the image sizes for each record mode and the memory capacity of the card, see the table on P.28.

Still picture record modes

Record mode depicts the image size and compression rate of pictures you wish to

record. Pictures are made from thousands of dots (pixels). If a picture with relatively few pixels is enlarged, it looks like a mosaic. A picture with many pixels is denser and clearer, but requires a larger file size (data size), decreasing the number of pictures that can be saved on a card. Increasing the compression rate reduces the file size, but makes the pictures appear grainy.

Picture with high number of pixel

Picture with low number of pixel

Tips before you start taking pictures

(Normal image modes

Image becomes clearer

Application

Select according to

print size

For small-sized

prints and websites

Image size becomes larger

Compression

Image size

2592 × 1944 SHQ HQ

2288 × 1712

2048 × 1536

1600 × 1200

1280 × 960

1024 × 768

640 × 480

Low com-

pression

SQ1

HIGH

SQ2

HIGH

High com-

pression

SQ1

NORMAL

SQ2

NORMAL

Record mode

F2.8

1/1000

0.0

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Image size

The number of pixels (horizontal × vertical) used when saving an image. If the image will be printed, higher resolutions (larger numbers) are recommended so that the image will be clearer.

Compression

In record modes other than TIFF, image data are compressed. The higher the compression, the less clear the image will be.

(Special record modes

Record mode Features Image size

3:2

(SHQ, HQ)

This is useful for ordering prints from a photo lab.

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3:2

The image aspect ratio is normally 4:3. If the aspect ratio is changed to 3:2, the image can be printed at a photo lab without losing the image borders.

Monitor display when

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3:2 is set

F2.8

Movie record modes

(HQ, SQ

Movies are recorded in Motion-JPEG format.

Tips before you start taking pictures2Tips before you start taking pictures

0.0

303030

Record mode

Card capacity in number of pictures/remaining recording time

Still pictures

in number of pictures

Using a 16 MB card

With sound

12 12

Remaining recording time

Using a 16 MB card

With sound

23 sec. 24 sec.

46 sec. 48 sec.

Tips before you start taking pictures

Record

mode

SHQ

SQ1

SQ2

Movies

Record

mode

SQ2

Image size

3:2

2288 × 1712

2048 × 1536

1600 × 1200

1280 × 960

1024 × 768

640 × 480

Com-

pression

2592 × 1944

2592 × 1728 4 4

2592 × 1944

2592 × 1728 13 14

HIGH

NORMAL 15 16

HIGH 6 6

NORMAL 19 20

HIGH 11 11

NORMAL 30 32

HIGH 16 17

NORMAL 45 49

HIGH 25 26

NORMAL 66 76

HIGH 58 66

NORMAL 124 165

pression

File

format

Low

com-

High com-

JPEG

*HIGH = low compression / NORMAL = high compression

Image size File format

320 × 240 (30 frames/sec.)

320 × 240 (15 frames/sec.)

Motion-JPEG

Card capacity

Without sound

(sec.)

Without sound

Record mode

F2.8

1/1000

0.0

2592 1944

0.0

TIPS

• When a picture is transferred to a computer, the size of the picture on the computer screen varies depending on the computer’s monitor setting. For instance, a picture taken with an image size of 1,024 × 768 fills as the screen if you set the picture to 1× when the monitor setting is 1,024 × 768. However, if the monitor setting is over 1,024 × 768 (such as 1,280 × 1,024), the picture only takes up part of the screen.

• The number of storable still pictures/recording time is displayed on the monitor when a card is inserted in the camera.

Tips before you start taking pictures2Tips before you start taking pictures

1/1000

2592 1944

Number of storable still pictures

F2.8

0.0

303030

Remaining recording time

0.0

00:0:36

0 0:3 6

Note

• The number of storable still pictures and movie recording times listed in the table are approximate.

• The number of storable still pictures may change according to the subject or factors like whether print reservations have been made or not. In certain instances, the number of remaining pictures does not change even when you take pictures or stored images are erased.

Record mode

To change the record mode

Mode dial

Top menu [K] g “Menus” (P.16)

1 Select a record mode from

[SHQ], [HQ], [SQ1] and [SQ2].

SELECT

For movies, select a record mode from [HQ], [SQ]. g Go to St ep 3

SHQ

HQ SQ1 SQ2

SET

For still pictures

SQ1 320 240

30fps

Tips before you start taking pictures

2 If you selected [SHQ], [HQ],

[SQ1] or [SQ2], choose an image size.

If you selected [SQ1] or [SQ2], press d after choosing the image size, then select [HIGH] or [NORMAL].

3 Press N.

SQ2 320 240

SELECT GO

For movies

SHQ

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3:2

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CANCEL

SELECT

15fps

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