Sony DSC-L1 Operating Instruction

Getting started ______________________

Shooting still images ________________

Viewing still images _________________

Deleting still images _________________

Before advanced operations ____________

Advanced still image shooting ___________

Advanced still image viewing ____________

Still image printing ____________________

Enjoying movies _____________________

Enjoying images on your computer _______

Troubleshooting ______________________

Additional information _________________

Index ______________________________

2-186-445-13 (1)

Digital Still Camera

Operating Instructions

Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and retain it for future reference.

Owner’s Record

The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. DSC-L1

Serial No. ___________________

DSC-L1

WARNING

To prevent ﬁre or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

For the Customers in the U.S.A.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufﬁcient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.

If you have any questions about this product, you may call:

Sony Customer Information Services Center

1-800-222-SONY (7669) The number below is for the FCC related matters only.

Regulatory Information

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: DSC-L1 Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 16450 W. Bernardo Dr, San Diego, CA 92127 U.S.A. Telephone No.: 858-942-2230

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

CAUTION

You are cautioned that any changes or modiﬁcations not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

— Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. — Increase the separation between the

equipment and receiver.

— Connect the equipment into an outlet on

a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

— Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/

TV technician for help.

The supplied interface cable must be used with the equipment in order to comply with the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.

For the Customers in the U.S.A. and Canada

RECYCLING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Lithium-Ion batteries are recyclable. You can help preserve our environment by returning your used rechargeable batteries to the collection and recycling location nearest you.

For more information regarding recycling of rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822-8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Lithium-Ion batteries.

For the customers in the United Kingdom

A moulded plug complying with BS 1363 is ﬁtted to this equipment for your safety and convenience. Should the fuse in the plug supplied need to be replaced, a fuse of the same rating as the supplied one and approved by ASTA or BSI to BS 1362, (i.e., marked with or mark) must be used. If the plug supplied with this equipment has a detachable fuse cover, be sure to attach the fuse cover after you change the fuse. Never use the plug without the fuse cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please contact your nearest Sony service station.

Attention for the Customers in Europe

This product has been tested and found compliant with the limits set out in the EMC Directive for using connection cables shorter than 3 meters (9.8 feet).

Attention

The electromagnetic ﬁelds at the speciﬁc frequencies may inﬂuence the picture and sound of this camera.

Notice

If static electricity or electromagnetism causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart the application or disconnect and connect the USB cable again.

“Memory Stick”

For the Customers in the U.S.A. and Canada

THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION. THIS CLASS B DIGITAL APPARATUS COMPLIES WITH CANADIAN ICES-003.

Notice

Certain countries and regions may regulate disposal of the battery used to power this product. Please consult with your local authority.

Read this ﬁrst

Trial recording

Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make sure that the camera is working correctly.

No compensation for contents of the recording

Contents of the recording cannot be compensated for if recording or playback is not possible due to a malfunction of your camera or recording media, etc.

Back up recommendation

To avoid the potential risk of data loss, always copy (back up) data to a disk.

Notes on image data compatibility

• This camera conforms with the Design rule for Camera File system universal standard established by the JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association).

• Playback of images recorded with your camera on other equipment and playback of images recorded or edited with other equipment on your camera are not guaranteed.

Precaution on copyright

Television programs, ﬁlms, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted. Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the copyright laws.

Do not shake or strike the camera

In addition to malfunctions and inability to record images, this may render the “Memory Stick Duo” unusable or image data breakdown, damage or loss may occur.

LCD screen, LCD ﬁnder (only models with an LCD ﬁnder) and lens

• The LCD screen and the LCD ﬁnder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology so over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (white, red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD screen and the LCD ﬁnder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the recording in any way.

• Be careful when placing the camera near a window or outdoors. Exposing the LCD screen, the ﬁnder or the lens to direct sunlight for long periods may cause malfunctions.

• Do not press the LCD screen hardly. The screen may be uneven and that may cause a malfunction.

• Images may be trailed on the LCD screen in a cold location. This is not a malfunction.

The power zoom lens

This camera is equipped with a power zoom lens. Be careful not to bump the lens, and be careful not to apply force to it.

Lens cover

The lens cover of this camera opens and closes automatically when the camera is turned on and off. Be careful not to pinch your ﬁnger when the lens cover opens and closes. Also, do not attempt to forcibly open the lens cover, as this may cause malfunction.

Clean the ﬂash surface before use

The heat of ﬂash emission may cause dirt on the ﬂash surface to become discolored or to stick to the ﬂash surface, resulting in insufﬁcient light emission.

Do not get the camera wet

When taking pictures outdoors in the rain or under similar conditions, be careful not to get the camera wet. Water entering the inside of the camera may cause malfunctions which in some cases may not be repairable. If moisture condensation occurs, see page 116 and follow the instructions on how to remove it before using the camera.

Do not expose the camera to sand or dust

Using the camera in sandy or dusty locations may cause malfunction.

Do not aim the camera at the sun or other bright light

This may cause irrecoverable damage to your eyes. Or it may cause the malfunction of your camera.

Notes on the camera locations

Do not use the camera near a location that generates strong radio waves or emits radiation, or a location with a strong magnetic ﬁeld. The camera may not be able to record or play back properly.

Carl Zeiss lens

This camera is equipped with a Carl Zeiss lens which is capable of reproducing sharp images with excellent contrast. The lens for this camera has been produced under a quality assurance system certiﬁed by Carl Zeiss in accordance with the quality standards of Carl Zeiss in Germany.

The pictures used in this manual

The photographs used as examples of pictures in this manual are reproduced images, and are not actual images shot using this camera.

Before using your camera

“Memory Stick” compatible with this camera

The IC recording medium used with this camera is the “Memory Stick Duo”. There are two sizes of “Memory Stick”. Choose the “Memory Stick” size that matches your camera.

“Memory Stick Duo” (Size used with this camera)

“Memory Stick”

• For details on the “Memory Stick Duo”, see page 116.

• “Memory Stick PRO” and “Memory Stick PRO Duo” can be used only with “Memory Stick PRO” compatible equipment.

• For the number of images that can be saved using this camera, see page 25 or 108.

When using a “Memory Stick Duo” with “Memory Stick” compatible equipment

Be sure to insert the “Memory Stick Duo” into the supplied Memory Stick Duo Adaptor.

Memory Stick Duo Adaptor

On “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack

When using the battery pack for the ﬁrst time

Be sure to charge the supplied NP-FT1 battery pack (page 13).

Recharging

The battery pack can be charged even when it has not been completely discharged. In addition, the battery pack can be used even if it has only been charged partway.

Extending the battery pack life

When not using the camera for a long time, turn off the camera, remove the battery pack and store it in a dry, cool place to maintain the battery pack functions (page

118).

• For details on “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack, see page 118.

Trademarks

• is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

• “Memory Stick”, , “Memory Stick PRO”,

, “Memory Stick Duo”,

, “Memory Stick PRO Duo”,

, “MagicGate” and

are trademarks of Sony

Corporation.

• “InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

• Picture Package is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

• Microsoft, Windows, Windows Media, and DirectX are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

• Macintosh, Mac OS, QuickTime, iMac, iBook, PowerBook, Power Mac and eMac are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

• Macromedia and Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

• Intel, MMX, and Pentium are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

• In addition, system and product names used in this manual are, in general, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective developers or manufacturers. However, the ™ or ® marks are not used in all cases in this manual.

Table of contents

Read this ﬁrst ............................................4

Before using your camera .........................6

Identifying the parts ................................10

Attaching a tripod ............................... 12

Getting started

Charging the battery pack .......................13

Using the AC adaptor ..............................16

Using your camera abroad ......................16

Turning on/off your camera ....................17

How to use the control button .................17

Setting the date and time .........................18

Changing the language setting ................ 20

Shooting still images

Inserting and removing a “Memory Stick

Duo” ...............................................21

Setting the still image size ......................22

Image size and quality ............................23

Number of still images that can be

recorded .......................................... 25

Basic still image shooting

— Using auto adjustment mode ..... 26

Checking the last image you shot

— Quick Review ............................ 29

Indicators on the LCD screen during

shooting ..........................................29

Using the zoom feature ....................... 30

Using the self-timer ............................31

Selecting a ﬂash mode ........................ 32

Inserting the date and time on a still

image ..............................................34

Shooting according to scene conditions

— Scene Selection .......................... 36

Viewing still images

Viewing images on the LCD screen of

your camera .................................... 40

Viewing single images ........................ 40

Viewing an index screen ..................... 41

Deleting still images

Deleting images ......................................42

Deleting images in index mode ..........43

Formatting a “Memory Stick Duo” ......... 44

Before advanced operations

How to setup and operate your camera ... 46

Changing the menu settings ................46

Changing the items in the

Setup screen .................................... 47

Deciding the still image quality .............. 47

Creating or selecting a folder .................. 48

Creating a new folder .......................... 48

Changing the recording folder ............ 49

Advanced still image shooting

Choosing an auto focus method .............. 50

Choosing a focus range ﬁnder frame

— AF range ﬁnder .......................... 50

Choosing a focus operation

— AF Mode .................................... 51

Adjusting the exposure

— EV adjustment ........................... 52

Displaying a histogram ....................... 53

Selecting the metering method ................ 55

Adjusting color tones

— White Balance ...........................56

Adjusting the ﬂash level

— Flash Level ................................57

Shooting continuously ............................57

Recording 16 frames in succession

— Multi Burst ...............................58

Shooting with special effects

— Picture Effect ............................. 59

Advanced still image viewing

Selecting the folder and playing back

images ............................................. 60

Enlarging a portion of a still image ......... 61

Enlarging an image

— Playback zoom ..........................61

Playing back successive images

— Slide Show ................................. 62

Rotating still images ...............................62

Playing back images shot in Multi Burst

mode ............................................... 63

Playing back continuously .................. 63

Playing back frame by frame .............. 64

Protecting images

— Protect ........................................ 64

In single-image mode .........................65

In index mode ..................................... 65

Changing image size

— Resize ........................................66

Still image printing

Printing still images ................................67

Direct printing ......................................... 68

Preparing the camera ..........................68

Connecting the camera to the printer ..69

Printing in single-image mode ............69

Printing in index mode ........................ 71

Having images printed at a shop ............. 73

Marking print marks ........................... 73

Marking print marks in single-image

mode ............................................... 73

Marking print marks in index mode ...74

Enjoying movies

Shooting movies ...................................... 75

Viewing movies on the LCD screen .......76

Deleting movies ......................................77

In single-image mode .........................77

In index mode ..................................... 77

Cutting movies ........................................ 78

Enjoying images on your computer

Copying images to your computer

— For Windows users ....................80

Installing the USB driver .................... 81

Connecting the camera to your

computer ........................................ 82

Copying images .................................. 83

Viewing the images on your

computer ......................................... 85

Image ﬁle storage destinations and ﬁle

names .............................................. 85

Viewing image ﬁles once copied to a

computer with your camera ............ 87

Installing “Picture Package” and

“ImageMixer VCD2” .....................87

Copying images using “Picture

Package” ......................................... 89

Using “Picture Package” ..................... 89

Printing images ................................... 91

Copying images to your computer

— For Macintosh users ..................92

Using “ImageMixer VCD2” ............... 93

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting ...................................... 95

Warnings and messages ........................104

Self-diagnosis display

– If a code starting with an alphabet

letter appears ................................. 107

Additional information

Number of images that can be saved or

shooting time ................................ 108

Menu items ............................................ 109

Setup items ............................................112

Precautions ............................................ 115

On “Memory Stick” ..............................116

On “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack ......... 118

Speciﬁcations ........................................ 119

The LCD screen ....................................121

Index

Index .....................................................125

Identifying the parts

See the pages in parentheses for details of operation.

POWER

7 8

 Mode switch (18, 109)

: To shoot movies

: To shoot still images

: To view or edit images

 Shutter button (26)  For shooting: Zoom (W/T) lever

(30) For viewing: / (Playback zoom) lever (61)/

(Index) lever (41)

 Flash (32)  Self-timer lamp (31)/

AF illuminator (33, 112)

 Screw groove (12)  POWER button (17)  POWER lamp (17)  Microphone (75)  (USB) jack (69, 82)  DC IN jack (13, 16)  Jack cover (13, 16)  Tripod adaptor attachment

groove (12)

 Lens

 Speaker  LCD screen

For details on the items on the LCD screen, see page 121 to 124.

 (Image Size/Delete) button

(22, 42)

 (Display/LCD backlight

on/off) button (29)

 MENU button (46, 109)  Control button

Menu on: //// (17)/ Menu off: / // (32/31/29/55)

 /CHG lamp (orange) (14)  Battery/“Memory Stick Duo”

cover

 Battery eject lever (13)  RESET button (95)  Access lamp (21)  Hook for neck strap

Attaching the strap

Attaching the strap is recommended to prevent dropping the camera.

 Internal battery cover

• This contains a rechargeable button battery.

Do not open this cover, as this may cause a malfunction.

Attaching a tripod

Securing the camera to a tripod lets you shoot clear pictures with little or no shaking. When attaching a tripod to the camera, ﬁrst attach the tripod adaptor.

• You cannot attach the tripod directly to

the camera.

Attach the tripod adaptor

1 Insert the protrusion on the tripod

adaptor with the tripod adapor attachment groove on the camera.

 Tripod adaptor attachment

groove

 Screw groove  Locking screw  Protrusion

2 Make sure to match the locking screw

with the screw groove on the camera, and then turn the locking screw to secure the tripod adaptor to the camera.

 Locking screw  Tripod screw hole

Attach the tripod here.

• See the operating instructions supplied with the tripod for the method of attaching the tripod.

• Use a tripod with a screw length of less than

5.5 mm (7/32 inch). You will be unable to ﬁrmly secure the tripod adaptor to tripods having longer screws, and may damage the camera.

• Be careful so that the tip of the locking screw does not scratch the camera.

Getting started

Charging the battery pack

 Open the battery/“Memory

Stick Duo” cover.

Slide the cover in the direction of the arrow.

• Be sure to turn off your camera when

charging the battery pack (page 17).

• Your camera operates with the “InfoLITHIUM” NP-FT1 battery pack (T type) (supplied). You can use only T type battery pack (page 118).

Surface with the “InfoLITHIUM” logo

Battery eject lever

 Install the battery pack, then

close the battery/“Memory Stick Duo” cover.

Make sure the battery pack is ﬁrmly inserted all the way, then close the cover.

Battery insertion slot

Insert the battery pack so that tip of the  marks on the side of the battery pack face the tip of the  mark on the battery insertion slot.

• The battery pack is easily inserted by pushing the battery eject lever toward the front of the camera using the tip of the battery pack.

DC plug

AC Adaptor

Jack cover

 Connect the AC Adaptor

(supplied) to the DC IN jack of your camera.

Connect the DC plug with the  mark facing up.

• Do not short the DC plug of the AC Adaptor with a metallic object, as this may cause malfunction.

• Clean the DC plug of the AC Adaptor with a dry cotton bud. Do not use the dirty plug. Use of the dirty plug may not properly charge the battery pack.

To a wall outlet (wall socket)

Power cord (mains lead)

 Connect the power cord

(mains lead) to the AC Adaptor and to a wall outlet (wall socket).

The /CHG lamp lights up when charging begins.

/CHG lamp

The /CHG lamp goes off when charging is completed.

• After charging the battery pack, disconnect the AC Adaptor both from the DC IN jack of the camera and from a wall outlet (wall socket).

Battery remaining indicator

The battery remaining indicator on the LCD screen shows the remaining shooting or viewing time.

Remaining indicator

60min

Remaining time

• The displayed time remaining may not be correct under certain circumstances or conditions.

Charging time

Approximate time to charge a completely discharged battery pack using the AC Adaptor at a temperature of 25°C (77°F).

Battery pack Charging time (min.)

NP-FT1 (supplied) Approx. 150

• The charging time may become longer under certain circumstances or conditions.

To remove the battery pack

Open the battery/“Memory Stick Duo” cover. Slide the battery eject lever in the direction of the arrow, and remove the battery pack.

• Be careful not to drop the battery pack when removing it.

Getting started

Number of images and battery life that can be recorded/ viewed

The tables show the approximate number of images and the battery life that can be recorded/viewed when you shoot images in normal mode with a fully charged battery pack (supplied) at a temperature of 25°C (77°F). The numbers of images that can be recorded or viewed take into account changing the “Memory Stick Duo” as necessary. Note that the actual numbers may be less than indicated depending on the conditions of use.

• The battery capacity decreases as the number of uses increases and over time (page 119).

Shooting still images

Under the average conditions

Image size

NP-FT1 (supplied)

LCD backlight

No. of images

Battery life (min.)

4M On Approx.

240

Approx. 120

Off Approx.

280

Approx. 140

VGA (E-Mail)

On Approx.

240

Approx. 120

Off Approx.

280

Approx. 140

Shooting in the following situations:

– (P.Quality) is set to [Fine] – Shooting one time every 30 seconds – The zoom is switched alternately between

the W and T ends – The ﬂash strobes once every two times – The power turns on and off once every ten

times – [AF Mode] is set to [Single] on the Setup

screen

The measurement method is based on CIPA

standard. (CIPA: Camera & Imaging Products Association)

Viewing still images

Image size

NP-FT1 (supplied)

No. of images

Battery life (min.)

4M Approx.

5200

Approx. 260

VGA (E-Mail)

Approx. 5200

Approx. 260

Viewing single images in order at about three

second intervals

Shooting movies

NP-FT1 (supplied)

LCD backlight OnLCD backlight

Off

Approx. 100 min. Approx. 120 min.

Shooting movies continuously with the image

size [160]

• The number of images and the battery life that can be recorded/viewed are decreased under the following conditions: – The surrounding temperature is low – The ﬂash is used – The camera has been turned on and off many

times – The zoom is used frequently – [LCD Backlight] is set to [Bright] on the

Setup screen – [AF Mode] is set to [Monitor] on the Setup

screen – The battery power is low

Using the AC adaptor

DC plug

AC Adaptor

Jack cover

 Open the jack cover and

connect the AC Adaptor (supplied) to the DC IN jack of your camera.

Connect the DC plug with the  mark facing up.

• Connect the AC Adaptor to an easily accessible wall outlet (wall socket) close by. If any trouble occurs while using the adaptor, immediately shut off the power by disconnecting the plug from the wall outlet (wall socket).

To a wall outlet (wall socket)

Power cord (mains lead)

 Connect the power cord

(mains lead) to the AC Adaptor and then to a wall outlet (wall socket).

• Do not use the AC Adaptor placed in a narrow space, such as between a wall and furniture.

• After using the AC Adaptor, disconnect it both from the DC IN jack of the camera and from a wall outlet (wall socket).

• The set is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet (wall socket) even if the set itself has been turned off.

Using your camera abroad

Power sources

You can use your camera in any country or region with the AC Adaptor/power cord (mains lead) (supplied) within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Use a commercially available AC plug adaptor [a], if necessary, depending on the design of the wall outlet (wall socket) [b].

AC-LS5/LS5B

• Do not use an electronic transformer (travel converter), as this may cause a malfunction.

Getting started

Turning on/off your camera

POWER

POWER lamp

POWER button

 Press POWER.

The POWER lamp (green) lights up and the power is on. When you turn on your camera for the ﬁrst time, the Clock Set screen appears (page 18).

Turning off the power

Press POWER again. The POWER lamp goes out, and the camera turns off.

• Do not leave the camera with the lens

portion extended for a long period of time with the battery pack or the AC Adaptor removed, as this may cause malfunction.

• If you turn on the power when the mode switch is set to or , the lens portion moves. Do not touch the lens portion while it is operating.

Auto power-off function

If you do not operate the camera for about three minutes during shooting or viewing or when performing Setup, the camera turns off automatically to prevent wearing down the battery. The auto power-off function only operates when the camera is operating using a battery pack. The auto power-off function also will not operate in the following circumstances.

• When viewing movies

• When playing back a slide show

• When connecting USB cable

How to use the control button

Camera 1

AF Mode: Digital Zoom: Date/Time: Red Eye Reduction: AF Illuminator: Auto Review:

Single Smart Off Off Auto Off

SELECTMENU

Cancel

Setup 2

File Number:

USB Connect:

Clock Set:

To change the current settings of the camera, bring up the menu or the Setup screen (page 47), and use the control button to make the changes. To set a menu item, press /// on the control button to select the desired item and setting and make the setting. To set a Setup item, press /// on the control button to select the desired item and setting, then press  to make the setting.

Setting the date and time

Mode switch

 Set the mode switch to .

• To change the date and time on the Setup screen, select [Clock Set] in

(Setup 2) (pages 47 and 114), and

perform the procedure from step .

• You can also carry out this operation when the mode switch is set to

or .

POWER

2004

/ :/

1 1

12 00

Cancel

Clock Set

D/M/Y

M/D/Y

Y/M/D

POWER button

 Press POWER to turn on the

power.

The POWER lamp (green) lights up and the Clock Set screen appears on the LCD screen.

2004

/ :/

1 1

12 00

Cancel

Clock Set

D/M/Y

M/D/Y

Y/M/D

 Select the desired date display

format with / on the control button, then press .

Select from [Y/M/D] (year/month/day), [M/D/Y] (month/day/year) or [D/M/Y] (day/month/year).

• If the rechargeable button battery (page 116), which provides the power for saving the time data, ever becomes low, the Clock Set screen will appear again. When this happens, reset the date and time, by starting from step  above.

Getting started

2004

/ :/

1 1

12 00

Cancel

Clock Set

D/M/Y

M/D/Y

Y/M/D

 Select the year, month, day,

hour or minute item you want to set with / on the control button.

The item to be set is indicated with /.

2005

/ :/

1 1

10 00

Cancel

Clock Set

D/M/Y

M/D/Y

Y/M/D

 Set the numeric value with /

on the control button, then press  to enter it.

After entering the number, / moves to the next item. Repeat steps  and  until all of the items are set.

• If you selected [D/M/Y] in step , set the

time on a 24-hour cycle.

• Midnight is indicated as 12:00 AM, and noon as 12:00 PM.

2005

/ :/

1 1

10 30

Cancel

Clock Set

D/M/Y

M/D/Y

Y/M/D

 Select [OK] with  on the

control button, then press .

The date and time are entered and the clock starts to keep time.

• To cancel the date and time setting, select

[Cancel] with /// on the control button, then press .

Changing the language setting

You can change the screen display like menu items, warnings and messages in your desired language. To change the language setting, select (Language) in 1 (Setup 1) on the Setup screen, (pages 47 and 113) and select the desired language.

Shooting still images

Inserting and removing a “Memory Stick Duo”

 Open the battery/“Memory

Stick Duo” cover.

Slide the cover in the direction of the arrow.

• When using this camera, the Memory

Stick Duo Adaptor (supplied) is not necessary.

• For details on “Memory Stick Duo”, see page

116.

Terminal side

 Insert the “Memory Stick Duo”.

Insert a “Memory Stick Duo” all the way in until it clicks as illustrated.

• When inserting a “Memory Stick Duo”, make sure of the direction and insert it all the way to the connector. If the “Memory Stick Duo” is not inserted correctly, you may not be able to record or display images with the “Memory Stick Duo”. And also it may result in malfunction of both the camera and “Memory Stick Duo”.

Access lamp

 Close the battery/“Memory

Stick Duo” cover.

To remove a “Memory Stick Duo”

Open the battery/“Memory Stick Duo” cover, then push the “Memory Stick Duo” to pop it out.

• Whenever the access lamp is lit, the camera is recording or reading an image. Never remove the “Memory Stick Duo” or turn off the power at this time. The data may be corrupted.

Setting the still image size

Mode switch

 Set the mode switch to , and

turn on the power.

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3:2

Image Size

 Press (Image Size).

The Image Size setup appears.

• For details on the image size, see page 23.

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Image Size

 Select the desired image size

with / on the control button.

The image size is set. When the setting is complete, press (Image Size) so that the Image Size setup disappears from the LCD screen.

• The image size selected here is maintained even when the power is turned off.

Shooting still images

Image size and quality

You can choose image size (number of pixels) and image quality (compression ratio) based on the kind of images you want to shoot. The image size is shown by the number of pixels (dots) (horizontal × vertical), which compose an image. For example, a 4M (2304×1728) size image indicates that there are 2304 pixels horizontally and 1728 pixels vertically. The larger the number of pixels, the larger the image size. You can select from Fine (high quality) or Standard image quality. Each uses a different compression ratio. When you select Fine, the image quality improves as the image size increases, but the amount of recorded data also increases and the number of images that can be recorded on a “Memory Stick Duo” decreases. Refer to the table on the right and choose the image size and image quality appropriate to the kind of images you want to shoot.

Short description of the image size

The following illustration shows a brief image using the maximum image size and the minimum one.

2304

1728

480

640

Image size

2304 pixels × 1728 pixels = 3,981,312 pixels

Image size

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640 pixels × 480 pixels = 307,200 pixels

Examples based on the image size

Image size Usage guidelines

4M1) (2304×1728) Larger

Smaller

• For saving important images, printing in A4 size or printing A5 size high density images

3:22) (2304×1536)

3M (2048×1536)

1M (1280×960) • For printing in postcard size

VGA (E-Mail) (640×480)

• For recording a larger number of images

• For attaching images to e-mail or creating home pages

The factory setting is [4M]. It is the highest image quality on this camera.

Images are recorded in the same 3:2 aspect ratio as photograph printing paper or postcards, etc.

Examples based on the image quality

Image quality (Compression ratio)

Usage guideline

Fine

Low compression (looks better)



High compression (normal)

• For recording or printing with better image quality.

Standard

• For recording a larger number of images.

Shooting still images

Number of still images that can be recorded

The number of images that can be saved in a “Memory Stick Duo”

The number of images that can be saved when [P.Quality] is set to [Fine] ([Standard])2) are shown below.

• The table below shows the approximate number of images that can be recorded on a “Memory Stick

Duo” that has been formatted by this camera.

(Units: number of images)

Capacity

Image size

16MB 32MB 64MB 128MB 256MB 512MB

(14)

(30)

(60)

(121)

119

(216)

242

(440)

3:2

(14)

(30)

(60)

(121)

119

(216)

242

(440)

(18)

(37)

(74)

(149)

148

(264)

302

(537)

(46)

(93)

101

(187)

202

(376)

357

(649)

726

(1320)

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(243)

196

(491)

394

(985)

790

(1975)

1428

(3571)

2904

(7261)

When [REC Mode] is set to [Normal].

For the number of images that can be saved in other modes, see page 108.

For more information about the image quality (compression ratio), see page 47.

• When images recorded using earlier Sony models are played back on this camera, the display may differ from the actual image size.

• When the images are viewed on the LCD screen of the camera, they all look the same size.

• The number of shooting images may differ from these values according to the shooting mode, shooting conditions and the subject.

• When the number of remaining shooting images is greater than 9,999, the “>9999” indicator appears on the LCD screen.

• You can resize the images later (Resize function, see page 66).

Basic still image shooting — Using auto adjustment mode

Holding the camera correctly

When shooting pictures with the camera, be careful so that your ﬁngers do not block the lens portion, ﬂash emitter, microphone or /CHG lamp. (page 10)

Mode switch

 Set the mode switch to , and

turn on the power.

• The lens cover opens when the power is turned

on while the mode switch is set to or .

• Do not touch the lens portion while it is

operating, such as when you press POWER to turn on the power or when the zoom function is working (page 30).

 Hold the camera steadily with

both hands and position the subject in the center of the focus frame.

• This camera has an Auto Macro AF function.

The minimum focal distance needed to focus on a subject is approx. 12 cm (4 3/4 inches) from the lens surface at the W end or 50 cm (19 3/4 inches) at the T end.

• The frame indicated on the LCD screen shows

the focus adjustment range (AF range ﬁnder, page 50).

Shooting still images

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S AF

min

AE/AF lock indicator Flashes green  Light up

 Press and hold the shutter

button halfway down.

The beep sounds but the image is not yet recorded. When the AE/AF lock indicator changes from ﬂashing to steadily lit, the camera is ready for shooting. (The LCD screen may be frozen for a split second depending on the subject.)

• If you release the shutter button, shooting will

be canceled.

• You can continue and shoot even when the

camera does not beep, but in this case the focus is not set properly.

• No beep sounds when [Beep] is set to [Off] on the Setup screen (page 113).

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 Press the shutter button fully

down.

The shutter sounds. The image will be recorded in the “Memory Stick Duo”. The recorded image is displayed for approximately two seconds (Auto Review, page 112).

• When operating the camera using a battery

pack, if you do not operate the camera for a while during recording or playback, the camera turns off automatically to prevent wearing down the battery (page 17).

Mode switch

When you set the mode switch to , the functions that can be used change as follows according to (Camera) in the menu.

Mode

Auto Camera

Program

Still image auto shooting [Auto]

The focus, exposure and white balance are automatically adjusted as needed to allow easy shooting. In addition, the image quality is set to [Fine] (page 47), the AF range ﬁnder frame is set to [Multi AF], and the metering mode is set to [Multi] (pages 50 and 55). Only (Camera), [Mode] (REC Mode) and (Setup) appear in the menu.

Still image program shooting [Program]

The necessary adjustments are made automatically like still image auto shooting, but you can also change the focus and other adjustments as desired. In addition, you can also set the desired shooting functions using menus (pages 46 and 109).

(Twilight mode) (page 36)

(Twilight portrait mode) (page 36)

(Landscape mode) (page 36)

(Soft snap mode) (page 36)

(Snow mode) (page 36)

(Beach mode) (page 37)

(Candle mode) (page 37)

To switch the shooting method

1 Set the mode switch to . 2 Press MENU.

3 Select (Camera) with  on the

control button.

4 Select the desired shooting mode with

/ on the control button.

Auto Focus

When you try to shoot a subject that is difﬁcult to focus on, the AE/AF lock indicator changes to ﬂashing slowly. In addition, the AE locked beep does not sound. The Auto Focus function may have difﬁculty working under the following conditions. In such cases, release the shutter button, then recompose the shot and focus again.

• The subject is distant from the camera

and dark.

• The contrast between the subject and its

background is poor.

• The subject is seen through glass, such

as a window.

• A fast-moving subject.

• The subject reﬂects or has a lustrous

ﬁnish, such as a mirror or a luminous body.

• A ﬂashing subject.

• A backlit subject.

There are two Auto Focus functions: “AF range ﬁnder frame” which sets the focus position according to the subject position and size, and “AF mode” which sets the focus start/ﬁnish timing. See page 50 for details.

Shooting still images

Checking the last image you shot — Quick Review

10:30PM2005 1 1101-0029

8/8

101

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Review

60min

RETURN

 Press  () on the control

button.

To return to the normal shooting mode, press lightly on the shutter button or press  () again.

To delete the image displayed on the LCD screen

1 Press (Delete). 2 Select [Delete] with  on the control

button, then press .

The image is deleted.

• The image may appear rough right after playback starts due to the image processing.

Indicators on the LCD screen during shooting

Each time you press , the display changes in the following order.

• For a detailed description of the indicators, see

page 121.

• For a detailed description of the histogram, see

page 53.

• You can extend the battery remaining time by

turning off the LCD backlight.

• When shooting/viewing movies, the status of

the LCD screen changes as follows: Indicators off  LCD backlight off  Indicators on

• This setting is maintained even when the power

is turned off.

Histogram on (Image information can also be displayed during playback.)

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

Indicators off

S AF



LCD backlight off



Indicators on

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S AF

60min

Using the zoom feature

min

101 101

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SAF

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SAF

W (wide-angle) T (telephoto)

 Slide the zoom lever to choose

the desired zoom position for shooting.

The minimum focal distance to the subject

Approx. 12 cm (4 3/4 inches) from the lens tip at the W side Approx. 50 cm (19 3/4 inches) from the lens tip at the T side

• The lens portion moves during zoom operation.

Do not touch the lens portion while it is operating.

• You cannot change the zoom scale while

shooting movie (page 75).

Zoom

Your camera is equipped with the following zoom functions. The enlargement method and the zoom scale differ according to the image size and the zoom type, so select the zoom to match the shooting purpose.

Optical zoom

The telephoto and wide angle adjustment is made by the lens in the same manner as a conventional ﬁlm camera. The maximum optical zoom is 3×.

Digital zoom

The camera has the following two types of digital zoom.

Smart zoom

The image is enlarged with almost no distortion. This lets you use smart zoom with the same feeling as optical zoom. The maximum smart zoom scale depends on the selected image size as shown in the following table.

Precision digital zoom

All image sizes are enlarged up to a maximum 6×. Precision digital zoom function cuts out and enlarges a certain portion of the image, so the image quality deteriorates.

Optical zoom Precision digital

zoom

Image size

Maximum smart zoom scale

Maximum precision digital zoom scale

4M —* approx. 6×

3:2 —* approx. 6×

3M approx. 3.4× approx. 6×

1M approx. 5.4× approx. 6×

VGA (E-Mail)

approx. 10× approx. 6×

* The maximum optical zoom scale is 3×.

+ 98 hidden pages

Sony DSC-L1 Operating Instruction

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual