Sony Alpha 100 User Manual

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Sony Consumer Products Group,
Registered Head Office:
Sony United Kingdom Limited,
The Heights, Brooklands,
Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0XW.
Company No. 2422874.
Registered in England.

The “ ” symbol is pronounced “Alpha”

‘Sony’, ‘like.no.other’, the logo, Bionz, Super SteadyShot, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick Duo and their logos are trademarks of Sony Corporation, Japan. All other
trademarks are acknowledged. Whilst the information is true at the point of production, small production changes in the course of the Company's policy of improvement through research and
design might not necessarily be indicated in the specification. Subject to errors, design and technical changes.

Dynamic Range Optimiser Advanced mode uses technology provided by Apical Ltd.

Microsoft®, MS, and Windows®are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and / or other countries. Windows 2000 Professional is an
abbreviation for Microsoft®Windows® 2000 Professional operating system. WindowsXP Home Edition / Professional is an abbreviation for Microsoft®Windows®XP Home Edition / Professional.

Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, iBook, iMac, eMac, iPod, PowerBook, and MacBook are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be
trademarks or registered trademarks and are hereby acknowledged.

Digital SLR Camera

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It’s a brand new name.
And it’s a brand new spirit in photography.

is about inspiration. It’s about
exploration and discovery. And it’s
about the power of imagination.

Whether you’re serious about taking better
pictures – or just serious about having fun with
photography – takes you to the next level.

Welcome to

100 Features

Super SteadyShot inside
camera body reduces
camera shake with all lenses.

The 100 features an innovative
image stabilisation system that shifts

the CCD sensor to compensate for
camera shake to deliver crisp,
blur-free images with all compatible

system lenses.

10 Megapixel CCD
and BIONZ image
processing engine produce
superb quality images.

The combination of a newly­developed 10.2 effective Megapixel
CCD sensor and BIONZ image
processing engine ensures
extremely detailed, lifelike high
resolution images right up to
A3 print size.

2.5" 230K pixel Clear
Photo LCD Plus screen
displays beautiful,
high-resolution pictures.

The large 2.5" (230,000 pixel) Clear
Photo LCD Plus screen displays
shots with stunning authenticity
and detailing. The anti-reflection
coating and Clear Processing
assure beautiful images that are
easy to view… even outdoors or in
bright ambient lighting conditions.

Wide line-up of
interchangeable lenses.

There’s an extensive choice of
high-quality lenses – from ultra
wide angle to super telephoto –
to get the very best out of the
extraordinary imaging capabilities
of the 100. The full range
includes Carl Zeiss and Sony G
lenses that have been designed to
deliver the ultimate in imaging
performance with outstanding
clarity, geometric accuracy and
colour reproduction.

High-speed response with
built-in Eye-Start AF feature
ensure stress-free shooting.

The powerful BIONZ image
processing engine allows you to
capture high-quality images
quickly, allowing high-speed
continuous shooting at up to three
frames per second in JPEG fine
mode – limited only by your
memory card’s capacity. In
addition, the camera’s innovative
Eye-Start AF system brings images
into crisp, clear focus the moment
you lift the viewfinder to your eye.

CCD sensor coating
and anti-dust vibration
system for clear,
dust-free images.

The 100 represents a significant
advance in addressing the
challenge of keeping the inside of
the camera body dust-free when
lenses are interchanged. Combined
with an anti-static coating on the
CCD sensor, the anti-dust vibration
system dislodges dust particles
from the sensor when the camera is
turned off.

Up to 750 shots from
a single battery charge.

The high capacity rechargeable
lithium ion battery allows you to
focus on shooting without worrying
about running low on power.
Coupled with the camera’s highly
energy-efficient design, a single
charge of the battery allows up to
750 shots (CIPA measurement).

Conceived and created by Sony, is a synthesis
of the most advanced digital technology, precision
optics and innovative design. The result? A new
family of Digital SLR cameras, lenses and
accessories that’s quite simply like no other.

The way we see it, if you have a camera
and you take photographs, you’re already
a photographer. With we just want you
to be an even better one.

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LCD screen provides shooting information

Easy-to-view navigation display.

Navigation Display shows camera settings. Switch between detailed
display and zoom screens by pressing Display button. If the camera is
held vertically, the screen will automatically switch to vertical display
orientation.

LCD screen

Clear Photo LCD Plus technology for accurate reviewing.

Switch between Single Frame replay and Index screens during
playback by pressing the Display button. A histogram can be viewed
during single frame replay. Single Frame images can be enlarged or
rotated during replay.

Viewfinder information display

Verify shooting information with the camera held to your eye.

The wide Autofocus area covers the scene with nine separate local focus points,
allowing you to achieve a wide range of different compositional effects. You can
also select a single focus area if preferred.

Controls and main functions

Eye sensor see page 13

Infra-red sensor detects when the camera has been
placed to the photographer’s eye to look through the
viewfinder. Looking through the viewfinder activates
the Eye-Start AF system that instantaneously brings
subjects into clear focus.

CCD see page 8

10.2 Megapixel CCD sensor with RGB
primary colour filter. Anti-static sensor coating
reduces build-up of dust particles in
conjunction with CCD vibration feature when
camera is switched off.

Super SteadyShot switch see page 6

Activates Super SteadyShot image stabiliser
system inside camera body to reduce camera
shake during handheld shooting.

CF card cover see page 20

The 100 accepts Compact Flash Type I and II
(including MicroDrive) media. With the supplied
adaptor it can also be used with Memory Stick
Duo / Memory Stick PRO Duo media.

Viewfinder

Power switch

DC power in

Execute button/
Spot AF button

Preview button Lens signal contact Lens mount

Remote release
terminal

Auto/Manual
focus switch

Function button Function dial Drive button

Shutter button

Control dial

Menu button

Press this button to display the
Menu screen on the LCD monitor.
From the Menu screen, you can
select various menus such as the
Shooting or Replay menus.

Display button

Changes display mode

Delete button

To delete an image, press this
button and confirm with + key.

Replay button

When you press the Replay button,
the photo that you have shot is
displayed on the LCD screen. You
can select other images by using
the + key or the Control dial.

Lens attachment mark

When attaching a lens, align the
attachment mark on the lens with
this mark and turn the lens
clockwise.

Lens release button

Remove the lens by holding down
the button and turning the lens
anticlockwise.

Exposure Adjustment
button/Reduce button

AEL button/Zoom button

Access lamp

+ key

Self-timer lamp

LCD monitor see page 14

Photos and shooting information are displayed in the

2.5-inch (230,000-dot) high-resolution LCD screen
featuring Clear Photo LCD Plus technology. Choice of
Navigation Display modes makes optimum use of large
information screen that flips automatically to vertical
orientation when camera is rotated.

Mode dial see page 16

Enables one-touch setting
of shooting modes. Turn
dial to select desired
shooting mode.

Built-in flash

Integrated flash unit
(GN 12 @ ISO 100, m)
moves up and down manually.

Spot metering
circle

Spot focus
frame

Focus display

Wireless
flash

Flash
adjustments

Flash mode

High-speed synchronisation EV scale

Continuous shooting
frames remaining counter

Camera shake
warning

Super
SteadyShot
indicator

Aperture value

Shutter speed

Local focus frame

Wide focus
frame

AE lock

Exposure Adjustment

Date and
time

Protect DPOF printing

Image
number/
Total images

Folder
number ­file number

Image
Quality
Mode

Image size

EV scale

Sharpeness adjustment

Colour saturation adjustment

Flash mode

Flash exposure
adjustment

Auto exposure
lock

Contrast adjustment

Release priority

Aperture
value and
shutter
speed

ISO equiv.
setting

Image size

Image
quality mode

Drive mode

Frame
counter

Focus mode

Focus frame

White balance

Metering mode

Battery
capacity

Dynamic range
optimiser

Colour mode

Exposure mode

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Beautiful, sharp photos with no blurring

Super SteadyShot inside camera body reduces effects of camera shake

Combats camera shake for sharper
handheld shots every time

Camera shake is one of the most common reasons for spoiled pictures
– and it’s particularly noticeable with large prints. To reduce the number
of unnecessarily spoiled photos, the 100 features Super SteadyShot
– a sophisticated image stabilisation system that’s built into the camera
body itself. Instead of depending on an anti-shake mechanism within
each lens, Super SteadyShot operates by compensating for small
movements of the CCD image sensor itself. This means that it works
with all compatible Sony system lenses – and without the need for
expensive specialist optics that include built-in image stabilisation.

The actual compensation effect depends on the selected lens and
shooting conditions, but typically it’s equivalent to between 2 and 3.5
steps in shutter speed. As well as reducing the blur caused by camera
shake, Super SteadyShot also permits handheld shooting in situations
that would normally require a tripod or flash. An indicator in the bottom
right hand corner of the viewfinder also provides real time indication of
the amount of camera shake.

Super SteadyShot
detects camera
shake and shifts the
position of the CCD
sensor to
compensate for
movement of the
camera body, thus
reducing image blur.

Anti-Shake switch
on back of camera.
Without Anti-Shake
the whole screen is

blurred due to

camera shake and

the photo is ruined.

High danger
of camera
shake

Small
camera
shake

Photo data / 50mm
F1.4 / Handheld at
1/8sec. F2,
ISO 100 White
balance: Sunlight,
Anti-Shake: ON

The seated subject is
depicted clearly with
no blur. The 1/8 sec.
slow shutter speed
captures the movement
of the waves.

Indicator and warning icon in the
viewfinder provides immediate

indication of camera shake status.

Amount of camera shake is measured on a
scale of 1 to 5 indicator bars. Warning icon
also illuminates whenever the danger of
camera shake is high.

Operating Tip

Turn on Super
SteadyShot using the
switch on the back of
the camera body.

✔ Super SteadyShot inside camera body prevents blur by compensating for camera shake

✔ Image stabilisation system operates with all system lenses

✔ Compensation equivalent to 2-3.5 steps in shutter speed

Effective with all system lenses

Anti-dust system for flawless photos

Banish spotting, speckling and
imperfections that can ruin even the best
shots when dust enters the camera body
as you’re changing lenses. The 100
features an advanced anti-dust system
to minimise the effects of dust particles
entering the camera body when lenses
are exchanged. The CCD sensor’s anti­static coating acts as a barrier to dust,
while a CCD vibration function briefly
shakes the sensor every time the 100
is powered off to dislodge dust particles.
There’s also a selectable menu function
that vibrates the sensor more strongly.

Since it’s built into the camera body
itself, Super SteadyShot compensates
for camera shake with all
interchangeable system lenses.
The result? Shoot with greater
confidence using all compatible optics
including zooms, telephotos, macros and
wide-angles.

Enjoy sharp, blur-free photos… even
with a telephoto or zoom lens at high
magnification.

The 100 combats the effects of
dust entering the camera body when
lenses are exchanged.

The dark faint blur is dirt

accumulated on the CCD

image sensor.

75-300mm F4.5-5.6

50mm

F2.8 Macro

Super SteadyShot allows handheld
macro shooting with a reduced risk
of camera shake.

TECHNICAL POINT

Super SteadyShot allows shutter speeds 2–3.5 steps slower than normal

The fraction ‘one over focal length’ offers a useful
calculation of the minimum shutter speed (in
seconds) at which sharp images can be obtained
by handheld shooting. Unlike 35mm cameras, the
actual shooting angle of the 100 is equivalent to
the shooting angle of 1.5 times of the focal length
indicated on the lens. For example, a lens with a
focal length of 50mm would have an equivalent
focal length of 75mm, meaning that a minimum
shutter speed of approx. 1/80 sec. would be
required for sharp images. Since Super
SteadyShot provides compensation equivalent to 2
– 3.5 steps in shutter speed, compensation of 2
steps from 1/80 sec. would allow sharp images to
be taken at 1/20 sec., while 3 steps would allow a
minimum speed of only 1/10 sec.

OFF Anti-Shake ON

1/80
sec.

1/20
sec.

1/10
sec.

1/80
sec.

1/20
sec.

1/10
sec.

Shooting with a 50mm F2.8 macro lens

(35mm equivalent of 75mm)

1/100 1/80 1/60 1/50 1/40 1/30 1/25 1/20 1/15 1/13 1/10

1 2 3

Risk of blurring becomes larger

Compensation can be expected

Rough estimate for lowest speed possible without camera shake at 50mm focal length (75mm equivalent with 100) is around 1/80 sec.

Anti-Shake

ON

OFF

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