Olympus SP-700 Advanced Manual

DIGITAL CAMERA

SP-700

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 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.

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

Basic operation

Tips before you start
taking pictures

Basic shooting functions

Additional shooting
functions

Playback

Settings

Printing pictures

Connecting the camera
to a computer

P. 8

P. 23

P. 34

P. 49

P. 64

P. 97

P. 114

P. 130

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

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.

Appendix

Miscellaneous

P. 146

P. 165

3

9

10

Table of Contents

How to use this manual....................................................................... 2

Composition of the manual ................................................................. 3

1 Basic operation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -8

How to use the mode switch ............................................................... 9

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 ......................................................................... 19

Using the GUIDE function ........................................................... 21

How to read the procedure pages..................................................... 22

2 Tips before you start taking pictures - - - - - -23

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

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

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

Record mode (IMAGE QUALITY) .............................................. 26

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

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

Number of storable still pictures/remaining recording time ......... 27

Changing the record mode .................................................. 29

The internal memory and memory card ............................................ 30

The card ...................................................................................... 31

Inserting and removing the card.................................................. 32

3 Basic shooting functions- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34

Selecting a scene according to the situation (f)........................ 35

Zooming in on your subject ............................................................... 40

Using the zoom ........................................................................... 40

Using the digital zoom................................................................. 41

Using macro/super macro mode ..................................... 42

Flash shooting .............................................................................. 43

Self-timer shooting ..................................................................... 45

Recording movies ....................................................................... 46

Camera movement compensation (IMAGE STABILIZER) ... 47

Fulltime AF .................................................................................. 48

Recording sound with movies ................................................. 48

4

Table of Contents

4 Additional shooting functions - - - - - - - - - - -49

Shoot pictures while checking the shot you just took

(COMPARE & SHOOT) ................................................. 50

Changing ISO sensitivity (ISO) .................................................. 51

Changing picture brightness (EXP. COMP.) .............................. 52

Adjusting the color of a picture (WHITE BALANCE) ................. 53

Changing the area for measuring the brightness of a subject

(METERING) ......................................................................... 54

Sequential shooting (j/MULTI-SHOT) ............................ 55

Changing the focusing area (AF MODE) .......................................... 56

Panorama shooting ........................................................................... 57

Creating labels for combined LABEL (LABEL SHOT)....................... 59

Recording sound with still pictures ............................................... 60

Changing the monitor display (DISP./GUIDE) .................................. 61

Histogram ............................................................................. 62

Frame assist................................................................................ 63

5 Playback - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -64

Playing back still pictures ........................................................... 65

Playing back pictures in a calendar (CALENDAR) ............... 66

Picture rotation (ROTATION) ................................................ 66

Playing back movies .................................................................. 67

Selecting the position to begin movie playback

(INDEX PLAY) ............................................................... 68

Playing back albums ................................................................... 69

Adding pictures to an album (ALBUM ENTRY)........................... 70

Viewing pictures in albums.......................................................... 72

Selecting an album cover (SELECT TITLE IMAGE) ........... 73

Undoing album entries (UNDO ENTRY) ............................... 73

Erasing pictures from albums ................................................ 75

Slideshow ................................................................................... 76

Adding sound to still pictures ........................................................ 77

Editing still pictures (Q/P/REDEYE FIX/BLACK &

WHITE/SEPIA) .............................................................. 78

Creating composite pictures (FRAME/LABEL/CALENDAR/

LAYOUT) ....................................................................... 80

Adjusting pictures (BRIGHTNESS, SATURATION,

COLOR BALANCE, WARM/COOL) .............................. 84

Editing movies ........................................................................... 85

Creating an index ........................................................................ 86

Editing a movie............................................................................ 87

5

Table of Contents

Playing back pictures on a TV........................................................... 89

Video output ................................................................................ 90

Protecting pictures (PROTECT) ................................................ 91

Copying pictures in the internal memory to the card (BACKUP)....... 92

Erasing pictures .................................................................... 93

Single-frame erase ................................................................ 93

Erase selected ............................................................................ 94

All-frame erase .................................................................... 95

Formatting the internal memory/card (MEMORY FORMAT/

FORMAT) ................................................................... 96

6 Settings- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 97

Resetting the settings to the default (RESET) ............................ 98

Selecting a display language .................................................. 99

Changing the startup screen and shutdown screen

(PW ON SETUP/PW OFF SETUP)..................................... 100

Screen setup ............................................................................. 101

Viewing pictures immediately (REC VIEW)..................................... 102

Setting camera sounds (8/BEEP/SHUTTER SOUND/

VOLUME)............................................................................ 103

Resetting file names (FILE NAME) ................................................. 105

Adjusting the image processing function (PIXEL MAPPING) ......... 106

Adjusting the monitor brightness ............................................. 107

Setting the date and time ........................................................ 107

Setting the date and time in another time zone

(DUAL TIME SETUP) .................................................... 108

Displaying a picture automatically (SCREEN SAVER) ................... 110

Setting the sleep time (SLEEP)....................................................... 111

Custom button ........................................................................... 112

Setting the custom button ......................................................... 113

Using the custom button ........................................................... 113

7 Printing pictures - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 114

Direct printing (PictBridge) .............................................................. 115

Using the direct printing function ............................................... 115

Printing pictures (EASY PRINT)................................................ 116

Printing pictures (CUSTOM PRINT).......................................... 118

Other print modes and print settings......................................... 121

If an error message is displayed ............................................... 124

Print settings (DPOF) ................................................................ 125

6

Table of Contents

How to make print reservations ................................................. 125

Single-frame reservation ..................................................... 127

All-frame reservation .......................................................... 128

Resetting print reservation data .......................................... 129

8 Connecting the camera to a computer - - - - 130

Flow................................................................................................. 131

Using OLYMPUS Master ................................................................ 132

What is OLYMPUS Master? ...................................................... 132

Installing OLYMPUS Master ..................................................... 133

Connecting the camera to a computer ............................................ 137

Starting up OLYMPUS Master ........................................................ 138

Displaying camera images on a computer ...................................... 140

Downloading and saving images .............................................. 140

Viewing still pictures and movies .................................................... 142

Printing pictures .............................................................................. 143

To download and save images to a computer without using

OLYMPUS Master............................................................... 145

9 Appendix - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 146

Troubleshooting .............................................................................. 147

Error messages ......................................................................... 147

Troubleshooting ........................................................................ 149

Camera care ................................................................................... 156

Battery............................................................................................. 157

AC adapter ...................................................................................... 158

Safety Precautions .......................................................................... 159

Glossary of terms ............................................................................ 163

10 Miscellaneous - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 165

Menu list.......................................................................................... 166

List of factory default settings.......................................................... 175

Functions available in shooting modes and scenes........................ 177

Index ............................................................................................... 183

7

00:36

1 Basic operation

1



COMPARE

MULTI

& SHOOT

-SHOT

CANCEL MODE

IMAGE
QUALITY

WHITE

EXP.

BALANCE

COMP.

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.

RESET

MENU

ISO

METERING

DRIVE

CAMERA

DIGITAL ZOOM

MEM

AF MODE

SET

PANORAMA

AUTO

OFF
SPOT

8

Movies

00:36

00:36

Sequential shooting

How to use the mode switch

6M

12

30

100

0004

6M

T

)To tak

)

This camera features a shooting mode and a playback mode. Shooting
mode is for taking pictures and adjusting shooting settings, whereas
playback mode is for displaying and editing pictures you have taken.
To switch between the shooting mode and the playback mode slide the
mode switch.

1

Basic operation

Shooting modes

Set the mode switch to K
to take still pictures or
to record movies.

e pictures (shooting mode

6M

• The subject is displayed on
the monitor.

n

44

Set to q.

Set to K or n.

Playback mode

Set the mode switch to this
position to view pictures.

o play back (playback mode

-

100

0004

’0505.

1010.

2626 12

• The last picture taken is
displayed on the monitor.

Mode switch notation

In this manual, the following icons indicate the camera mode necessary for
using functions. If two or three icons are displayed, the described function can
be used in any of those modes. The icons for modes that cannot be used are
shown in gray.

6M

:

30

4

This indicates an operation when the mode switch is set to
K.

This indicates an operation when the mode switch is set to
K, n or q.

9

How to use the mode switch

(Turning the camera on in shooting mode

1

Set the mode switch to K or n and press the o button.

• The camera turns on in shooting mode. You are ready to take pictures.

o button

Mode switch

Basic operation

(Lens cover opens

To turn the camera off

jPress the o button. The lens cover closes and the monitor and the power/

card access lamp turn off.

To switch to playback mode

jSet the mode switch to q. The camera is in playback mode while the lens cover

remains open. To return to shooting mode, set the mode switch to K or n.

(The monitor turns on.

(Power/card

access lamp
turns on.

10

How to use the mode switch

(Turning the camera on in playback mode

Set the mode switch to q and press the o button.

• The camera turns on in playback mode. The last picture taken is displayed on the
monitor.

o button

(The lens cover is closed

To turn the camera off

jPress the o button. The monitor and the power/card access lamp turn off.

To switch to shooting mode

jSet the mode switch to K or n. The lens cover opens and shooting mode is

enabled. To return to playback mode, set the mode switch to q. The lens cover
remains open.

Mode switch

(The monitor turns on.

(Power/card

access lamp
turns on.

1

Basic operation

Note

• When the power is turned on, sometimes the monitor flashes before displaying
the picture. This is not a malfunction.

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. 107)

Y/M/D

11

Direct buttons

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

13 4

2

Basic operation

1 QUICK VIEW button gP. 65

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 again or press the shutter button halfway.

2 z (custom) button gP. 112

Activates the function that is selected for the custom button.

3 DISP./GUIDE button gP. 21, 61

Select a menu item, and press this button to display an explanation of its function.
When the camera is ready to shoot, press this button repeatedly to toggle the
display of shooting information, composition guide lines and histogram.

X& button (Macro) gP. 42

4

Enables macro mode or super macro mode.

5 Of (SCENE SELECT) button gP. 38

Select the scene mode best suited to the light conditions and the effect you
want to achieve.

5

8

6

7

6 Y# button (Flash mode) gP. 43

Selects the flash mode.

7 Z button (OK/MENU) gP. 14

Displays the top menu of shooting mode.

8 NY button (Self-timer) gP. 45

Switches the self-timer mode on/off

12

Direct buttons

12

30

ISO

400

2816

2112

SIZE

100

0004

6M

12

30

100

0004

6M

12

ISO

400

6M

Using the direct buttons in playback mode

21

43

< button (Print) gP. 116

1

Prints pictures displayed on the monitor.

DISP./GUIDE button gP. 21

2

Select a menu item, and press this button to display an explanation of its
function. During playback, press this button repeatedly to change the
display in the following order.

The playback
screen is displayed.

-

0004

1010.

2626 12

B6M

:

30

4

100

’0505.

Detailed camera
information is
displayed.

-

100

0004

:

2816

SIZE

’0505.

2112

×

+

ISO

1010.

2626 12

B6M

400

2.0

:

30

4

Only f is
displayed.

The histogram is
displayed.
This screen is
not displayed
during movies.

B6M

2.0

+

ISO

400

1010.

2626 12

:

30304

’0505.

1

Basic operation

Z button (OK/MENU) gP. 14

3

Displays the top menu of playback mode.

S button (Erase) gP. 75, 93

4

Erases pictures displayed on the monitor.

13

Menus

COMPARE
& SHOOT

MULTI

-SHOT

RESET

IMAGE
QUALITY

CANCEL

MODE
MENU

WHITE
BALANCE

EXP.
COMP.

ISO

Press Z in shooting mode or playback mode to display the menus on the
monitor. Menus are used to select each camera setting.

1

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.

COMPARE

MULTI

& SHOOT

IMAGE
QUALITY

WHITE
BALANCE

-SHOT

CANCEL

EXP.
COMP.

RESET

MODE
MENU

ISO

Closes the top menu.

Shortcut menus

For setting menu items directly. Settings are categorized by function

into tabs.

Cancel

Mode menu

14

Menus

COMPARE
& SHOOT

MULTI

-SHOT

RESET

IMAGE
QUALITY

CANCEL

MODE
MENU

WHITE
BALANCE

EXP.
COMP.

ISO

IMAGE
STABI­LIZER

COMPARE
& SHOOT

RESET

IMAGE
QUALITY

CANCEL

MODE
MENU

WHITE
BALANCE

EXP.
COMP.

ISO

Shortcut menus

Shooting mode

(

For moviesFor still pictures

COMPARE
& SHOOT

WHITE
BALANCE

COMPARE & SHOOT P. 50

MULTI-SHOT (for still pictures) P. 55

IMAGE STABILIZER (for movies) P. 47

RESET P. 98

IMAGE QUALITY

CANCEL P. 14

MODE MENU P. 18

WHITE BALANCE P. 53

EXP. COMP. P. 52

ISO P. 51

IMAGE
QUALITY

MULTI

-SHOT

CANCEL

EXP.
COMP.

RESET

MODE
MENU

ISO

COMPARE
& SHOOT

IMAGE
QUALITY

WHITE
BALANCE

IMAGE
STABI­LIZER

CANCEL

EXP.
COMP.

RESET

MODE
MENU

ISO

Menu items for taking pictures Ref. Page

P. 26
P. 27

1

Basic operation

15

Menus

CANCEL

ALBUM

CALENDAR

ERASE

SLIDE
SHOW

COMPOSE
IMAGE

ADJUST
IMAGE

EDIT
IMAGE

MODE
MENU

MOVIE
PLAY

INDEX
PLAY

EDIT

CANCEL

ALBUM

CALENDAR

ERASE

SLIDE
SHOW

MODE
MENU

(Playback mode

1

COMPOSE
IMAGE

ALBUM

SLIDE
SHOW

Basic operation

COMPOSE IMAGE (for still pictures) P. 80

INDEX PLAY (for movies) P. 68

ADJUST IMAGE (for still pictures) P. 84

MOVIE PLAY (for movies) P. 67

EDIT IMAGE (for still pictures) P. 78

EDIT (for movies) P. 85

ALBUM P. 69

CANCEL P. 14

MODE MENU P. 18

SLIDESHOW P. 76

CALENDAR P. 66

ERASE P. 93

ADJUST
IMAGE

CANCEL

CALENDAR

EDIT
IMAGE

MODE
MENU

ERASE

Menu items for taking pictures Ref. Page

INDEX
PLAY

ALBUM

SLIDE
SHOW

For moviesFor still pictures

MOVIE
PLAY

CANCEL

CALENDAR

EDIT

MODE
MENU

ERASE

16

Menus

CANCEL

UNDO
ENTRY

ROTATION

PROTECT

ALBUM
MENU

CLOSE
ALBUM

SEL.
ALBUM

SELECT
TITLE
IMAGE

SLIDE
SHOW

MOVIE
PLAY

INDEX
PLAY

CANCEL

UNDO
ENTRY

PROTECT

ALBUM
MENU

CLOSE
ALBUM

SEL.
ALBUM

SLIDE
SHOW

(Album playback mode

For moviesFor still pictures

MOVIE
PLAY

CANCEL

INDEX
PLAY

UNDO
ENTRY

ALBUM
MENU

PROTECT

SEL.
ALBUM

CLOSE
ALBUM

SLIDE
SHOW

SELECT
TITLE
IMAGE

CANCEL

ROTATION

UNDO
ENTRY

ALBUM
MENU

PROTECT

SEL.
ALBUM

CLOSE
ALBUM

SLIDE
SHOW

Menu items for taking pictures Ref. Page

SEL. ALBUM P. 72

SELECT TITLE IMAGE (for still pictures) P. 73

MOVIE PLAY (for movies) P. 67

UNDO ENTRY P. 73

CLOSE ALBUM P. 72

CANCEL P. 14

ALBUM MENU P. 69

SLIDESHOW P. 76

ROTATION (for still pictures) P. 66

INDEX PLAY (for movies) P. 68

PROTECT P. 91

1

Basic operation

17

Menus

Mode menu

1

(

Shooting mode

AUTO

DRIVE

OFF
SPOT

Basic operation

CAMERA

METERING

CAMERA

DIGITAL ZOOM

MEM

AF MODE

SET

PANORAMA

For setting shooting-related functions.

tab

MEMORY/
CARD tab

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

MEM
SET

PLAY tab For setting playback-related functions.

MEMORY/
CARD tab

For erasing all image data and 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.

°

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. 166).

18

Menus

COMPARE
& SHOOT

MULTI

-SHOT

RESET

IMAGE
QUALITY

CANCEL

MODE
MENU

WHITE
BALANCE

EXP.
COMP.

ISO

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 [DRIVE]

ONXY buttons
Z button

1 Set the mode switch to K to enable shooting mode.

COMPARE
& SHOOT

IMAGE
QUALITY

WHITE
BALANCE

Top menu

MULTI

-SHOT

CANCEL

EXP.
COMP.

RESET

MODE
MENU

ISO

2 Press Z.

• The top menu is displayed.

3 Press Y to select [MODE MENU]

and then press Z.

4 Press ON to select the

[CAMERA] tab, and press Y.

• Refer to the arrows on the screen to
select and make settings with the arrow
pad.

METERING

CAMERA

DIGITAL ZOOM

MEM

AF MODE

SET

PANORAMA

AUTO

DRIVE

OFF
SPOT

1

Basic operation

This refers to the
arrow pad (YN).

19

Menus

5 Press ON to select [DRIVE], and

1

Basic operation

press Y.

• Refer to the arrows on the screen to
select and make settings with the arrow
pad.

• Unavailable settings cannot be
selected.

The selected item is displayed
in a different color.

6 Press ON to select from [o],

[j], or [MULTI-SHOT], and
press Z.

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.

CAMERA

MEM
SET

Press Y to go on to
the following setting.

MEM CAMERA
SET

METERING

DRIVE

DIGITAL ZOOM

AF MODE

PANORAMA

METERING

DRIVE

DIGITAL ZOOM

AF MODE

PANORAMA

BEEP

OFF

1

2

AUTO

OFF
SPOT

o
j

MULTI-SHOT

LOW
HIGH

Operation guide

Press XON 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 [DRIVE]

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

20

GO

OK

Menus

Using the GUIDE function

This camera has a GUIDE function. Pressing the DISP./GUIDE button while a menu
is displayed in shooting mode or playback mode automatically displays a menu
guide explaining the menus.

1 When a menu is displayed, 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

21

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

Indicates the position in which the mode switch is set. If multiple icons
are displayed, the described function can be used in any of these
modes. The icons of modes that cannot be used are shown in gray.
g“How to use the mode switch” (P. 9), “Mode switch notation” (P. 9)

Basic operation

Select the menus in the order
indicated by . g“Using the
menus” (P. 19), “Menu operation
notation” (P. 20)

When procedures differ for different
modes, the procedures are
explained together.

Available languages may vary
according to where you purchased
the camera. The displayed
language can be changed.
g“Selecting a display language”
(P. 99)

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

22

2 Tips before you start taking pictures

Tips before you
start taking pictures



Your pictures are almost guaranteed to come
out well just by setting the mode switch to K
or A 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

B SUPER HIGH6M
for printing
applications

Ideas

Ideas

L BASIC 1M for
online applications

23

If the correct focus cannot be obtained

6M

6M

The camera automatically detects the focus target in the frame. The level
of contrast is one of the criteria used to determine 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.

2

How to focus (focus lock)

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.

6M

Tips before you start taking pictures

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.

AF target mark

Shutter button

Green lamp

44

4 Press the shutter button fully.

• The camera takes the picture. The
power/card access lamp blinks while the
picture is recorded.

24

6M

Shutter button

44

If the correct focus cannot be obtained

TIPS

Focus on the subject in the center of the frame.

g“Changing the focusing area (AF MODE)” (P. 56)

Note

• Press the shutter button gently. If it is pressed forcefully, the camera may move
causing the picture to blur.

• Never open the battery compartment/card cover, remove the battery or
disconnect the AC adapter while the power/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 battery is replaced or removed.

• When taking pictures against strong backlight, the area of the picture in shadow
may appear colored.

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

2

Tips before you start taking pictures

25

Record mode (IMAGE QUALITY)

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.

2

Still picture record modes

Still pictures are recorded in JPEG format.
Record mode depicts the image size of 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.

Picture with high number of pixels

Picture with low number of pixels

Tips before you start taking pictures

Record mode

B SUPER HIGH6M

e HIGH 4M

f HIGH 2M

L BASIC 1M

E E-MAIL VGA

Image size Application

2816 × 2112

2288 × 1712

1600 × 1200

1024 × 768

640 × 480

The number of storable still pictures is lower,
and recording pictures takes longer, but it is
useful for creating beautiful prints on full-size
paper and for performing computer image
processing, such as contrast adjustment and
red-eye correction.

This is useful for post-card sized prints, or for
computer editing such as rotating or adding
text to a picture.

Standard image quality with a high number of
pictures to shoot. This is useful for viewing
pictures on a computer.

This is useful for sending as e-mail
attachments.

26

Record mode (IMAGE QUALITY)

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.

Movie record modes

Movies are recorded in Motion-JPEG format.
[FINE] and [STANDARD] offer an easy-to-see image size, but the recording time is
short. [EXTENDED] offers longer recording time, but the picture may appear grainy.

Number of storable still pictures/remaining recording time

For still pictures

Number of storable still pictures

Record mode Image size

B SUPER HIGH6M 2816 × 2112 6 6 10 10
e HIGH 4M 2288 × 1712 9 9 15 15
f HIGH 2M 1600×120015142423
L BASIC 1M 1024 × 768 36 33 58 52
E E-MAIL VGA 640 × 480 57 48 90 76

Internal memory Using a 16 MB card

Without

sound

With

sound

Without

sound

With

sound

2

Tips before you start taking pictures

27

Record mode (IMAGE QUALITY)

6M

00:36

For movies

Remaining recording time

Record mode Image size

2

F FINE

F STANDARD

M EXTENDED

6M

Number of storable still pictures

640 × 480

(30 frames/sec.)

320 × 240

(30 frames/sec.)

160 × 120

(30 frames/sec.)

Internal memory Using a 16 MB card

Without

sound

5 sec. 5 sec. 8 sec. 8 sec.

15 sec. 14 sec. 24 sec. 23 sec.

66 sec. 62 sec. 105 sec. 99 sec.

With

sound

44

Remaining recording time

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.

Without

sound

00:36

00:36

With

sound

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 labels were added with the label shot function and if 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

Record mode (IMAGE QUALITY)

Changing the record mode

Top menu [IMAGE QUALITY] g“Using the menus” (P. 19)

1 For still pictures, select from [B

SUPER HIGH6M], [e HIGH 4M],
[f HIGH 2M], [L BASIC 1M] or
[E E-MAIL VGA].

For movies, select from [F FINE],
[

F

STANDARD], and [M EXTENDED].

B SUPER HIGH6M

e
f HIGH 2M
L BASIC 1M

SELECT

For still pictures

FSTANDARD
MEXTENDED

HIGH 4M

FFINE

GO

OK

2

Tips before you start taking pictures

2 Press Z.

SELECT

For movies

GO

OK

29

The internal memory and memory card

12

30

100

0004

6M

6M

Pictures taken are recorded in the internal memory.
Pictures can also be recorded to an xD-Picture Card (“card”). The card can
be used to record more pictures than is possible with the internal memory
of the camera. A card can be convenient when taking many pictures while
on a trip.

(Internal memory basics

2

The internal memory is the camera’s media for recording pictures, similar to film in
a film camera.
Pictures recorded to the internal memory can be easily erased on the camera or
processed using a computer. Unlike portable storage media, the internal memory
cannot be removed or exchanged.

(Using the internal memory or card

You can confirm on the monitor whether the internal memory or card is being used
during shooting and playback operations.

Shooting mode Playback mode

-

100

0004

Tips before you start taking pictures

’0505.

1010.

6M

Monitor

indication

Pictures are recorded to the

[IN]

internal memory.

[xD]

• The internal memory and a card cannot be used at the same time.

• The internal memory cannot be used for shooting or playback operations when a
card is inserted in the camera. Remove the card before using the internal memory.

• Pictures recorded to the internal memory can be copied to a card. g“Copying
pictures in the internal memory to the card (BACKUP)” (P. 92)

30

Pictures are recorded to a card. Pictures are being played back

44

Memory indicator

Shooting mode Playback mode

Pictures are being played back
from the internal memory.

from a card.

2626 12

B6M

:

30

4