Olympus SP500 User Manual
DIGITAL CAMERA
SP-500 UZ
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
How to use this manual
(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
(Indications used in this manual
Below is an explanation of how to read the instructions in this manual.
Please read it carefully before proceeding.
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.
g
Reference pages describing details or associated information.
This manual gives you easy-to-follow explanations on how to take
pictures and view them so that you can get started quickly. Go ahead
and take some pictures! You will also find information on the camera’s
main functions as well as how to make prints and enjoy your pictures
on a computer.
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!
2
Composition of the manual
You’ll find important points for
getting the most out of your
camera here.
Read this part before taking
pictures.
Explanations of techniques
from basic 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.
Basic operation
Tips before you start
taking pictures
Basic shooting
functions
Advanced shooting
functions
Additional shooting
functions
Playback
Settings
Printing pictures
P. 9
P. 21
P. 34
P. 48
P. 64
P. 73
P. 103
P. 118
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
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.
The title page of each chapter gives a short description of the contents. Be
sure to check it out.
Connecting the camera
to a computer
Appendix
Miscellaneous
P. 134
P. 150
P. 170
3
9
10
11
Table of Contents
How to use this manual....................................................................... 2
Composition of the manual ................................................................. 3
1 Basic operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -9
Mode dial........................................................................................... 10
Direct buttons .................................................................................... 12
Using the direct buttons in shooting mode .................................. 12
Using the direct buttons in playback mode ................................. 13
Menus ............................................................................................... 14
About the menus ......................................................................... 14
Using the menus ......................................................................... 17
Using the GUIDE function ........................................................... 19
How to read the procedure pages..................................................... 20
2 Tips before you start taking pictures - - - - - -21
Turning the camera on and off.......................................................... 22
If the correct focus cannot be obtained............................................. 23
How to focus (focus lock) ............................................................ 23
Subjects that are difficult to focus on .......................................... 24
Record mode ............................................................................. 25
Still picture record modes............................................................ 25
Movie record modes.................................................................... 27
Number of storable still pictures/remaining recording time ......... 27
Changing the record mode.......................................................... 29
The internal memory and memory card ............................................ 31
The card ...................................................................................... 32
Inserting and removing the card.................................................. 32
3 Basic shooting functions- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34
Selecting a scene mode according to the situation........................... 35
Zooming in on your subject ............................................................... 38
Using the zoom ........................................................................... 38
Using the digital zoom................................................................. 39
Using macro/super macro mode ..................................... 40
Flash shooting .............................................................................. 41
Flash intensity control .......................................................... 43
Synchro ......................................................................... 44
Slave flash shooting ( FLASH) ..................................................... 45
4
Table of Contents
Recording movies ....................................................................... 45
Camera movement compensation ....................................... 47
Recording sound with movies ................................................ 47
4 Advanced shooting functions - - - - - - - - - - - 48
Changing the aperture value for shooting pictures ...................... 49
Changing the shutter speed for shooting pictures ....................... 50
Changing the aperture value and
shutter speed for shooting pictures ................................. 51
My Mode ..................................................................................... 51
Focusing applications........................................................................ 52
AF mode (iESP/SPOT/AREA)..................................................... 52
Manual focus (FOCUS MODE) ........................................... 53
Fulltime AF .................................................................................. 54
AF predict ............................................................................ 54
AF lock ................................................................................... 55
AF illuminator .............................................................................. 56
Changing the area for measuring the brightness of a subject
(ESP/ ).............................................................................. 56
AE lock ...................................................................................... 57
Changing ISO sensitivity (ISO) ......................................................... 58
Changing picture brightness ....................................................... 58
Adjusting the white balance ..................................................... 59
White balance compensation ............................................. 61
Adjusting a picture for recording
(SHARPNESS/CONTRAST/SATURATION) ........ 62
Reducing picture noise (NOISE REDUCTION) ......................... 63
5 Additional shooting functions - - - - - - - - - - -64
Sequential shooting .................................... 65
Timelapse shooting ..................................................................... 66
Self-timer shooting ..................................................................... 67
Panorama shooting ........................................................................... 68
Recording sound with still pictures ............................................... 69
Changing the monitor and viewfinder display (DISP./GUIDE) .......... 70
Histogram ............................................................................. 71
Frame assist................................................................................ 72
5
Table of Contents
6 Playback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 73
Playing back still pictures ........................................................... 74
Playing back pictures in a calendar (CALENDAR)...................... 75
Picture rotation ...................................................................... 75
Playing back movies .................................................................. 76
Selecting the position to begin movie playback
(INDEX PLAY)....................................................................... 77
Playing back albums ................................................................... 78
Adding pictures to an album (ALBUM ENTRY)........................... 78
Viewing pictures in albums (SEL. ALBUM) ................................. 80
Selecting an album cover (SELECT TITLE IMAGE) ................... 81
Undoing album entries (UNDO ENTRY)..................................... 82
Erasing pictures from albums ................................................ 83
Slideshow .................................................................................. 84
Adding sound to still pictures ....................................................... 86
Editing still pictures (RAW DATA EDIT/ / /REDEYE FIX/
BLACK & WHITE/SEPIA)...................................................... 87
Creating composite pictures
(FRAME/TITLE/CALENDAR/LAYOUT) ................................ 90
Adjusting pictures (BRIGHTNESS/SATURATION)........................... 93
Editing movies................................................................................... 94
Creating an index........................................................................ 95
Editing a movie............................................................................ 96
Playing back pictures on a TV........................................................... 97
Video output ................................................................................ 98
Protecting pictures ..................................................................... 99
Copying pictures in the internal memory to the card (BACKUP)....... 99
Erasing pictures .................................................................. 100
Single-frame erase .............................................................. 101
All-frame erase .................................................................. 101
Formatting the internal memory or card
(MEMORY FORMAT/FORMAT) .............................. 102
7 Settings- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 103
Resetting the settings to the default (RESET) ................................ 104
Selecting a display language ................................................ 104
Changing the startup screen and shutdown screen
(PW ON SETUP/PW OFF SETUP)..................................... 105
Screen setup ............................................................................. 105
Viewing pictures immediately (REC VIEW)..................................... 106
6
Table of Contents
Setting camera sounds
( /BEEP/SHUTTER SOUND/VOLUME) ......................... 107
Resetting file names (FILE NAME) ................................................. 108
Adjusting the image processing function (PIXEL MAPPING) ......... 109
Adjusting the monitor brightness ............................................. 110
Setting the date and time ........................................................ 111
Setting the date and time in another time zone
(DUAL TIME SETUP) .................................................... 112
Setting the measurement unit (m/ft)................................................ 113
Customizing the camera (MY MODE SETUP/SHORT CUT/
CUSTOM BUTTON) ................................................ 113
8 Printing pictures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 118
Direct printing (PictBridge) .............................................................. 119
Using the direct printing function............................................... 119
Printing pictures (EASY PRINT)................................................ 120
Printing pictures (CUSTOM PRINT).......................................... 121
Other print modes and print settings ......................................... 125
If an error message is displayed ............................................... 128
Print settings (DPOF) ................................................................ 129
How to make print reservations ................................................. 129
Single-frame reservation ..................................................... 131
All-frame reservation .......................................................... 132
Resetting print reservation data .......................................... 133
9 Connecting the camera to a computer - - - - 134
Flow................................................................................................. 135
Using OLYMPUS Master ................................................................ 136
What is OLYMPUS Master? ...................................................... 136
Installing OLYMPUS Master ..................................................... 137
Connecting the camera to a computer ............................................ 141
Starting up OLYMPUS Master ........................................................ 142
Displaying camera images on a computer ...................................... 144
Downloading and saving images .............................................. 144
Viewing still pictures and movies .................................................... 146
Printing pictures .............................................................................. 147
To download and save images to a computer without
using OLYMPUS Master ..................................................... 149
7
Table of Contents
10 Appendix - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 150
Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 151
Error messages......................................................................... 151
Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 153
Camera care ................................................................................... 160
Batteries .......................................................................................... 161
AC adapter (optional)...................................................................... 162
Safety Precautions .......................................................................... 163
Glossary of terms ............................................................................ 167
11 Miscellaneous - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 170
Menu list.......................................................................................... 171
List of factory default settings.......................................................... 180
Functions available in shooting modes and scenes........................ 182
Index ............................................................................................... 185
8
1 Basic operation
OK
HOLD
RESET
00:36
HQ
Basic operation
Are you ever overwhelmed by all of the
advanced shooting and editing functions?
Professional photographers use these
functions 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 various functions available to
adjust the brightness and white balance of
your pictures, alter the focusing range, and
much more.
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.
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
RESET
MODE MENU
OK
HOLD
ESP
DRIVE
/
ISO
1/2/3/4
1
ESP
OFF
AUTO
HQ
Movies
00:36
00:36
Sequential shooting
9
Mode dial
This camera features a shooting mode and a playback mode. Use the
mode dial to make settings. Set the desired mode and turn the camera on.
1
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
h
This function allows you to take pictures with full automatic settings.
The camera automatically sets the optimum aperture value and
P
shutter speed for the brightness of the subject.
This function allows you to set the aperture manually. The
A
camera sets the shutter speed automatically. g“Changing the
aperture value for shooting pictures” (P. 49)
This function allows you to set the shutter speed manually. The
S
camera sets the aperture automatically. g“Changing the
Shooting
modes
Playback
mode
shutter speed for shooting pictures” (P. 50)
This function allows you to set the aperture and shutter speed
M
manually. g“Changing the aperture value and shutter speed
for shooting pictures” (P. 51)
This function allows you to set your own shooting parameters
r
and register them as your original mode. g“My Mode” (P. 51)
This function allows you to select from 21 situation-related
f
modes set to the shooting conditions.
g“Selecting a scene mode according to the situation” (P. 35)
n
This function lets you record movies. g“Recording movies” (P. 45)
This function allows you to play back still pictures or movies.
q
You can also play back sound. g“Playback” (P. 73)
TIPS
•
Direct button functions and menu contents vary depending on the position of the
mode dial. g“Direct buttons” (P. 12), “Menus” (P. 14), “Menu list” (P. 171)
• You can change the mode before and after turning the camera on.
10
Mode dial
Mode dial notation
In this manual, the following icons indicate the position of the mode dial
necessary for operating functions.
This indicates an operation when the mode dial is set to n.
This indicates an operation when the mode dial is set to any of the following
modes: hPASMrfn.
1
Basic operation
11
Direct buttons
1600
1200
SQ1
0.0
F4.0
1/200
This camera features buttons for setting functions directly.
The direct buttons have different functions in shooting mode and in playback mode.
1
Using the direct buttons in shooting mode
1
2
Basic operation
3
4
5
6
7
# button (Flash pop-up) gP. 41
1
Opens the flash.
[ button (AE lock)/Custom button gP. 57, P. 113
2
Locks the exposure. The lock function is
alternately activated and canceled each time
you press the button. Frequently used functions
can be assigned to the custom button. The
assigned function setting changes each time
you press the button.
The screen on the right shows when [DRIVE] is
assigned to the custom button.
u button (Monitor/Viewfinder)
3
Toggles between the monitor and viewfinder.
DISP./GUIDE button gP. 19, P. 70
4
Select a menu item, and press this button to display an explanation of its
function.
Press this button repeatedly to display the lines and histogram.
QUICK VIEW button gP. 74
5
The last picture taken is displayed on the monitor. All the functions in
playback mode are available. To return to shooting mode, press the
QUICK VIEW button or press the shutter button halfway.
# button (Flash mode) gP. 41
6
Selects the flash mode.
Z button (OK/MENU) gP. 14
7
Displays the top menu of shooting mode.
1/200
SQ1
×
F4.0
1200
0.0
441600
12
Direct buttons
SQ1
12
30
ISO
400
1/1 00
1600
1200
SIZE
100
0004
SQ1
12
30
100
0004
SQ1
12
ISO
400
1/1 00
F4. 0
Using the direct buttons in playback mode
1
2
3
4
5
< button (Print) gP. 120
1
Prints pictures displayed on the monitor.
u button (Monitor/Viewfinder)
2
Toggles between the monitor and viewfinder.
DISP./GUIDE button gP. 19, P. 70
3
Select a menu item, and press this button to display an explanation of its function.
Press this button repeatedly during playback to change the display in the
following order. The histogram is not displayed while displaying movies.
The playback screen is
displayed.
100
-
’0505.
0909.
0004
2626 12
SQ1
:
30
4
Detailed camera information is
displayed.
-
100
0004
:
SIZE
F4F4.
0
’0505.
0909.
1600
ISO
2626 12
1
Basic operation
SQ1
1200
×
2.01/100
+
400
:
30
4
SQ1
F4.0
1/100
2.0
+
ISO
400
0909.
2626 12
:
30304
Only f is displayed.
’0505.
The histogram is displayed.
S button (Erase) gP. 83, P. 100
4
Erases pictures displayed on the monitor.
Z button (OK/MENU) gP. 14
5
Displays the top menu of playback mode.
13
Menus
OK
HOLD
RESET
Set the mode dial to any mode and press Z to display the menus on the
monitor. Menus are used to make each camera setting.
1
Mode dial
Basic operation
Press Z
About the menus
The menu items displayed in shooting mode and playback mode differ.
Top menu
Menus are divided into shortcut
menus and mode menus.
MODE MENU
OK
RESET
Shortcut menus
For setting menu items directly. Settings are categorized by function
TIPS
• Press and hold down Z on the top menu to jump directly to one of the following
functions.
Shooting mode (except r)
The [RESET] screen is displayed. g“Resetting the settings to the default
(RESET)” (P. 104)
Playback mode
The [ALBUM ENTRY] screen is displayed. g“Adding pictures to an album
(ALBUM ENTRY)” (P. 78)
Album playback mode
The [UNDO ENTRY] screen is displayed. g“Undoing album entries
(UNDO ENTRY)” (P. 82)
HOLD
Mode menu
into tabs.
14
Shortcut menus
OK
HOLD
RESET
OK
HOLD
RESET
OK
HOLD
ALBUM ENTRY
OK
HOLD
ALBUM ENTRY
OK
HOLD
UNDO ENTRY
OK
HOLD
UNDO ENTRY
Shooting mode
(
(default value)
Menus
1
Basic operation
For moviesFor still pictures
MODE MENU
OK
RESET
HOLD
(Playback mode
EDIT
ALBUM
ALBUM ENTRY
In album playback mode
CLOSE ALBUM
UNDO ENTRY
MODE MENU
CALENDAR
OK
ALBUM MENU
SEL. ALBUM
OK
HOLD
HOLD
gP. 67
gP. 40
gP. 25
DIGITAL ZOOM
MODE MENU
OK
RESET
HOLD
gP. 39
gP. 47
gP. 25
For moviesFor still pictures
gP. 87,
90, 93
gP. 75
MOVIE PLAY
ALBUM
CALENDAR
ALBUM ENTRY
MODE MENU
OK
HOLD
gP. 76
gP. 75
gP. 78 gP. 78
For moviesFor still pictures
gP. 84 gP. 76
gP. 80
MOVIE PLAY
CLOSE ALBUM
SEL. ALBUM
UNDO ENTRY
ALBUM MENU
OK
HOLD
gP. 80
gP. 81 gP. 81
TIPS
• The shortcut menus can also be accessed from the mode menu. Also, you can
change short cut menus in any mode other than h, n, and q.
g“Customizing the camera (MY MODE SETUP/SHORT CUT/CUSTOM
BUTTON)” (P. 113)
15
Menus
Mode menu
1
(
Shooting mode
/
DRIVE
ISO
1/2/3/4
ESP
OFF
AUTO
Basic operation
CAMERA
ESP
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
For setting shooting-related functions.
tab
PICTURE
tab
MEMORY/
CARD tab
For setting picture-related functions, such as record mode and white
balance.
For formatting internal memory or a card. Also saves internal memory
data to a card.
SETUP tab For setting basic camera functions and settings that make the camera
easier to use.
(Playback mode
OFF
PLAY
EDITMEM
SET
PLAY tab For setting playback-related functions.
EDIT tab For editing saved pictures. The same screen is displayed when
[EDIT] is selected from the top menu.
MEMORY/
CARD tab
For formatting internal memory or a card, and erasing all image data.
Also saves internal memory data to a card.
SETUP tab For setting basic camera functions and settings that make the camera
easier to use.
°
0
TIPS
• The [MEMORY] tab is displayed when the internal memory is in use. The
[CARD] tab is displayed when a card is inserted in the camera.
• For a list of mode menu items, see “Menu list” (P. 171).
16
Menus
OK
HOLD
RESET
Using the menus
Use the arrow pad and Z to set menu items.
Follow the operation guide and arrows on the screen to select and change settings.
Ex: Setting [ISO]
Mode dial
srpq buttons
Z button
1 Set the mode dial to any of the following modes:
PASMrfn.
2 Press Z.
• The top menu is displayed.
Top menu
3 Press q to select [MODE MENU].
RESET
MODE MENU
OK
HOLD
This refers to the arrow
pad (srpq).
4 Press sr to select the
[CAMERA] tab, and press q.
• Refer to the arrows on the screen to
select and make settings with the arrow
pad.
This refers to the arrow
pad (qr).
ESP
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
/
DRIVE
ISO
1/2/3/4
ESP
OFF
AUTO
1
Basic operation
17
Menus
5 Press sr to select the [ISO],
1
and press q.
• Refer to the arrows on the screen to
select and make settings with the arrow
pad.
• Unavailable settings cannot be
selected.
Basic operation
The selected item is displayed
in a different color.
6 Press sr to select [AUTO],
[80], [100], [200], or [400], and
press Z.
•Press Z repeatedly to exit the menu.
TIPS
• The operation guide displayed at the
bottom of the screen depends on the menu
to be set. In this case, follow the operation
guide to set or change settings using the
arrow pad.
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
Press q to go on to
the following setting.
CAMERAMEM
PIC
SET
ESP
DRIVE
ISO
1/2/3/4
ESP
DRIVE
OFF
1
2
/
/
ISO
1/2/3/4
BEEP
ESP
OFF
AUTO
AUTO
80
100
200
400
LOW
HIGH
Operation guide
Press psr to select a setting.
Press Z to finalize the setting.
SELECT
Menu operation notation
In this manual, procedures for using the menus are expressed as follows:
• Ex: Steps 1 to 5 for setting [ISO]
Top menu [MODE MENU] [CAMERA] [ISO]
18
GO
OK
Menus
Using the GUIDE function
This camera has a GUIDE function. Pressing the DISP./GUIDE button during menu
display in shooting mode or playback mode automatically displays a menu guide
explaining the menus.
1 With a menu selected, hold down
the DISP./GUIDE button.
• The menu explanation is displayed.
• Release the DISP./GUIDE button to
close the menu guide.
When [FILE NAME] is selected
FILE NAME
Sets the format for
naming folders and files
that are to be saved to
a new card.
1
Basic operation
19
How to read the procedure pages
A sample of a procedure page is shown below explaining the notation.
Look at it carefully before taking or viewing pictures.
1
This indicates the position of the mode dial.
If multiple icons are displayed, the described function can be used in
any of these modes.
g“Mode dial” (P. 10), “Mode dial notation” (P. 11)
Basic operation
Select the menus in the order
indicated by . g“Using the
menus” (P. 17), “Menu operation
notation” (P. 18)
Procedures differ for h mode,
n mode, and album playback
mode.
This sample page is only for your reference. It may differ from the actual page in this
manual.
20
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,
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 in the internal memory and on the
memory card? These are just some of the
hints provided in this chapter.
2
Printing
applications
Ideas
Ideas
SHQ
SHQ
Online applications
SQ2
SQ2
21
Turning the camera on and off
Press the POWER button to turn the camera on.
POWER button
2
Monitor
(Turning the camera on
Set the mode dial to any mode, and press the POWER button.
• The monitor turns on.
• When you turn on the camera in shooting mode, the lens extends.
• Before turning the camera on in shooting mode, remove the lens cap, and
then press the POWER button.
(Turning the camera off
Press the POWER button.
Tips before you start taking pictures
• The monitor turns off.
• The lens retracts.
• Reattach the lens cap to protect the lens.
TIPS
• The screen on the right is displayed when the
date and time setting has returned to the factory
default setting. Setting the date and time makes
your pictures easier to manage, such as when
you view them with calendar display.
g“Setting the date and time” (P. 111)
Mode dial
Y/M/D
22
If the correct focus cannot be obtained
1600
1200
SQ1
0.0
F4.0
1/200
1600
1200
SQ1
F4.0
1/200
0.0
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)
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
1 Position the AF target mark on
the subject you want to focus on.
• When shooting a hard-to-focus or fastmoving subject, focus the camera on an
object about the same distance away as
the subject.
2 Press the shutter button halfway
until the green lamp lights.
• The green lamp lights when the focus
and exposure are locked.
• 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.
4 Press the shutter button fully.
• The camera takes the picture. The card
access lamp blinks while the picture is
recorded.
1/200
SQ1
AF target mark
Shutter button
Green lamp
1/200
SQ1
Shutter button
1200
×
1200
×
F4.0
F4.0
0.0
441600
0.0
441600
23
If the correct focus cannot be obtained
TIPS
To focus on the subject in the center of the frame
g“AF mode (iESP/SPOT/AREA)” (P. 52)
When the frame in which you focus on a subject is different from the
2
frame in which you lock the exposure
g“AE lock” (P. 57)
To fix the focus
g“AF lock” (P. 55)
Note
• Press the shutter button gently. If it is pressed forcefully, the camera may move
causing the picture to blur.
• Never open the card cover, remove the batteries or disconnect the AC adapter
while the card access lamp is blinking. Doing so could destroy stored pictures
and prevent storage of pictures you have just taken.
• Recorded pictures are saved in the camera regardless of whether the camera
is turned off or the batteries are replaced or removed.
• When taking pictures against strong backlight, the area of the picture in shadow
may appear colored.
Tips before you start taking pictures
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.
The green lamp
lights, but the
subject cannot be
brought into focus.
In these cases, focus (focus lock) on an object with high contrast at the same
distance as the intended subject, 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.
Subject with
low contrast
Subjects at
different
distances
Subject with an
extremely bright
area in the center
of the frame
Fast-moving
subject
Subject without
vertical lines
The subject is
not in the center
of the frame
24
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 number of storable still pictures/movie
recording time, see the tables on P. 27 and 28.
Still picture record modes
Still pictures (other than those in raw data format) are recorded in JPEG format.
Record mode depicts the image size and compression rate of your pictures.
Pictures are made from thousands of dots (pixels). If a picture with relatively few
pixels is enlarged, it looks like a mosaic. Pictures with more pixels are denser and
clearer but require more space (larger file size), thus decreasing the number of
pictures that can be saved. Though a high compression rate results in a small file
size, this also produces a grainy look.
Picture with high number of pixels
Picture with low number of pixels
(Normal image modes
Image becomes clearer
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
Application
Select according
to print size
For small-sized
prints and
websites
Image size becomes larger
Image size
Compression
2816 × 2112 SHQ HQ
2592 × 1944
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
25
Record mode
2816
1880
HQ
F4.0
1/200
0.0
Image size
The number of pixels (horizontal × vertical) used when saving an image. You can
save your pictures at a large image size to get clearer prints. However, as the image
size increases, the file size (data size) also increases, which decreases the number
of pictures that can be saved.
2
Compression
In record modes other than [RAW], pictures are compressed and saved. The higher
the compression, the less clear the image will be.
(Special record modes
Record mode Features Image size
RAW
3:2
(SHQ, HQ)
Raw data
This is unprocessed data which has not been subjected to color conversion or white
balance, sharpness and contrast adjustment. Use the OLYMPUS Master software
to display the picture data on a computer. You can also view the data with Photoshop
software by installing the Plug-in available from the Olympus website. Raw data
cannot be displayed using ordinary software, and print reservations cannot be made.
Tips before you start taking pictures
Pictures taken with the record mode set to raw data can be edited with this camera.
g“Editing still pictures (RAW DATA EDIT/Q/P/REDEYE FIX/BLACK &
WHITE/SEPIA)” (P. 87)
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 store without losing the image
borders.
Raw uncompressed data. Data is in ORF
format.
This is useful for ordering prints from a photo
store.
1/200
2816 × 2112
2816 × 1880
F4.0
0.0
26
HQ
Monitor display when
1880
×
3:2 is set
442816
Movie record modes
Movies are recorded in Motion-JPEG format.
Record mode
Number of storable still pictures/remaining recording time
For still pictures
Number of storable still pictures
Record
mode
RAW 2816 × 2112 1 1 14 14
SHQ
HQ
SQ1
SQ2
Image size
3:2
3:2
2592 × 1944
2288 × 1712
2048 × 1536
1600 × 1200
1280 × 960
1024 × 768
640 × 480
2816 × 2112 2 2 31 31
2816 × 1880 2 2 32 33
2816 × 2112 7 7 84 86
2816 × 1880 7 8 95 97
HIGH 2 2 34 34
NORMAL 8 8 99 102
HIGH 3 3 44 44
NORMAL 10 10 126 130
HIGH 4 4 54 55
NORMAL 12 13 156 162
HIGH 7 7 88 90
NORMAL 19 21 241 257
HIGH 11 11 135 140
NORMAL 29 32 362 399
HIGH 16 17 204 215
NORMAL 43 50 532 614
HIGH 38 43 469 532
NORMAL 82 109 997 1330
Internal memory Using a 128 MB card
With
sound
Without
sound
With
sound
Without
sound
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
27
Record mode
1600
1200
SQ1
F4.0
1/200
0.0
00:36
HQ
0.0
For movies
Record mode Image size
2
HQ
SQ
1/200
SQ1
Number of storable still pictures
320 × 240
(30 frames/sec.)
320 × 240
(15 frames/sec.)
F4.0
0.0
×
1200
441600
Remaining recording time
Internal memory Using a 128 MB card
With
sound
15 sec. 15 sec.
30 sec. 31 sec.
Without
sound
HQ
Remaining recording time
With
sound
3 min.
10 sec.
6 min.
15 sec.
0.0
00:36
00:36
Without
sound
3 min.
13 sec.
6 min.
26 sec.
Tips before you start taking pictures
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 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.
Note
• The number of storable still pictures and remaining recording time listed in the
tables are approximate.
• The number of storable still pictures may change according to the subject or
factors like whether print reservations or album entries have been made or not.
In certain instances, the number of remaining pictures does not change even
when you take new pictures or erase stored pictures.
28
Changing the record mode
Record mode
Top menu [MODE MENU] [PICTURE] [K]
g“Using the menus” (P. 17)
•For hn: Top menu [K]
1 For still pictures, select from
[RAW], [SHQ], [HQ], [SQ1] or
[SQ2].
• [RAW] cannot be set in h or f
mode.
• If you select [RAW], see “(JPEG copy”
(P. 30).
For movies, select from
[HQ 320 × 240 30fps] and [SQ
320 × 240 15fps].
2 Select the image size of the
record mode.
If you selected [SQ1] or [SQ2],
press q after choosing the image
size, then select [HIGH] or
[NORMAL].
3 Press Z.
RAW
SHQ
HQ
SQ1
SELECT
For still pictures
320×240 30fpsHQ
320×240SQ 15fps
SELECT
For movies
SQ2
1280×960
1024×768
640×480
When [SQ2] is selected
HIGH
NORMAL
SELECT
GOSET
GO
GO
OK
OK
OK
2
Tips before you start taking pictures
29
Record mode
(JPEG copy
Pictures taken in the raw data format can be stored in JPEG format at the same time
as they are recorded in raw data. To record pictures in JPEG format you can select
[SHQ], [HQ], [SQ1] or [SQ2] for the record mode, but you cannot select the image
size. Pictures are recorded in the size currently set for each record mode.
2
1 In the [K] screen, select [RAW], and press q.
2 Select a JPEG duplicate setting
from [OFF], [SHQ], [HQ], [SQ1]
and [SQ2].
• Select [OFF] to save raw data only.
3 Press Z.
Tips before you start taking pictures
JPEG DUPLICATE SETTING
OFF
SHQ
HQ
SQ1
SELECT
GO
OK
30
Loading...