Sony DSC-P31, DSC-P71, DSC-P51 User Manual

3-074-351-13(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 nu m b er s are lo cat ed on the bottom. Record th e serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers whenever you call upon yo ur Sony dealer regarding this product.

Model No. DSC-P71/P51/P31 Serial No.

DSC-P71/P51/P31

Getting started_______________________

Sho ot in g s t ill im a g e s_________________

Viewing still images __________________

Dele ti n g still image s__________________

Copying still images to your comp uter

Before advanced operations ____________ Adva nced s till image s hootin g___________ Adva nced s till image v ie w in g____________ Still image editting ____________________ Enjoying mo vies_______________________ Troubleshooting_______________________ Additional information__________________

Index

_________

WARNING

To preven t fire or shock hazar d, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.

For the Customers in the U.S.A.

This symbol is in tend ed to alert the user to the presenc e of uninsulated “d angerous voltage” within the produ ct’s enclosure that may b e o f sufficient ma gn itude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

This symbol is in tend ed to alert the user to the presenc e of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instru c tions in th e li te ra t u re accompanyin g the appliance .

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

Sony Custo m er Inform ation Servic es Cen ter 1-800-222-SONY (7669)

The number below is for the FCC related matters only.

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: DSC-P71 Responsible Party:Sony Electronics Inc. Address: 680 Kinderkamack

Road, Oradell, NJ 07649 USA

Telephone No.: 201-930-6972 This device com plies w ith Pa rt 15 of the

FCC Ru les. O p er ation is sub ject to th e following two conditions: (1) This device may not cau se ha rmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interfere nce received, includ ing interference that m ay cause undesired operation.

Declaration of Conformity

Trade Name: SONY Model No.: D SC -P51, DSC-P31 Responsible Party:Sony Electron ics Inc. Address: 680 Kinderkamack

Road, Orade ll, N J 07649 USA

Telephone No.: 201-930-6972 This device co mplies with Pa rt 1 5 o f th e

FCC Rules. O p eration is sub ject to th e following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause h arm f ul in terferen ce, an d (2) this device must accept any interference received, includin g interferen ce that may cause undesired operation.

CAUTION

You are cau tion e d that a n y changes or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could v oid y our au thority to oper ate this equipmen t.

Note:

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Clas s B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FC C Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interferenc e in a residentia l installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause h a r mful interference to ra dio commun ications. H o w e ve r , there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmfu l in terference to radio o r 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 follow in g m easures:

—Reo rient or relocate the recei ving anten na. —Increase th e sep aration b etween the

equipment and recei v er.

—Co nne ct the equip m ent into an ou tlet on a

circu it d iffere n t fr o m th a t to whic h th e receiver is connected.

—Co nsult the dealer or an e xpe rienced

radio/TV technician fo r help. The supplied interface cable must be used with the equipment in order to co mply with the limits for a digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Par t 15 of FC C R ules.

For the Customers i n the U .S.A. and Canada

RECYCLING NICKEL METAL HYDRIDE BATTERIES

Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are recyclable. You can help preserve our environment by returning your used rechargeable batteries to the collection and recycling location nearest you.

For m o re in formation regarding r ecycling of rechargeable batteries, call toll free 1-800-822-8837, or visit http://www.rbrc.org/

Caution: Do not handle damaged or leaking Nickel Metal Hydride batteries.

CAUTION

TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

A moulded plug complying with BS 1363 is fitted to this equipment for your safety and conven ience. Should the fuse in the plug supplied need to be replaced, a 5 AMP fuse 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 co v e r, be sure to attach the fuse cover after you ch an ge the fuse. Nev e r use the plug without the fuse cover. If you should lose the fuse cover, please contact your nearest Sony service station.

For the Customers in Germany

Directive:EM C D irectiv e 89/33 6/EE C ,

92/31/EEC This equipmen t co mplies with the EMC regulations when used under the following circumstances:

•Residential area

•Business district

•Light-industry district

(This equipment c omplies with the EM C standard regulations EN55022 Class B.)

Attention for the Customers in Europe

This product has been tested and found compliant with the lim its sets out on the EM C Directive for using connection cables shorter than 3 m e te r s.

Attention

The electromag ne tic f ields at the specific frequencies may influence the picture and sound of this camera.

“Memory Stick”

N50

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

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

Notice

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

Trademarks

• “Memory Stick,” , “MagicGate Memory

Stick,” and , are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

• “MagicGate” and are

trademarks of Sony Corporation.

• Microsoft and Windows are re gistere d

trademarks of the U.S. Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.

• Macintosh, Mac OS, and QuickTime, are

trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

• 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.

Before using your camera

Trial recording

Before you record one-time events, you may want to m ake 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 medium, etc.

Notes on image data compatibility

•This camera confor ms with the Design Ru les

for Camera File Sys te ms universal stand a rd established by the JE ITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association).

•Playback of images reco rded w ith your

camera on other equipment and playback of images recorded or edited with other equipment o n y o ur 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” unusable or image data breakdown, damage or loss may occur.

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

•The LCD scre en an d th e LCD finder are

manufactured using extremely highprecision technology so over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effectiv e u se. 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 an d th e 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 get the camera wet

When taking pictures outdoors in the rain or under similar conditions, be careful not to get the camera we t. If moisture condensation occurs, see page 99 and follow the instructions on ho w to rem ove it before using the camera.

The auto zoom lens (for the DSC-P71 only)

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

On illustrations

Illustrations used in this manual are of the DSCP71 unless noted otherwise.

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.

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

This may ca use irrecoverable damage to your eyes.

Back up recommendation

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

Before using you r camer a..................... .... 5

Identifying the parts..................................8

Getting started

Preparing batteries ..................................14

Charging the batteries.............................14

Inserting the batt eries.............................. 17

Using an external power source..............19

Using your camera abroad......................19

Turning on/off your camera....................20

How to use the control but to n............ ... ..20

Setting the date and time.........................21

Shoo tin g still images

Inserting and removing a

“Memory Stick” .............................23

Deciding the still image size and quality 24 Basic still image shooting (using auto

adjustment mode) ...........................26

Checking the last shot image (Quick

Review) ..........................................27

Using the zoom feature....................... 28

Shooting close-ups (Macro)

(DSC-P71 only)................. .. ... ........ 28

Using the self-timer............................29

Selecting a flash mode........................30

Shooting with the finder.....................32

Shooting with th e date and time

inserted...........................................32

Shooting according to scene conditions

(SCENE SELECTION) ................. 34

Viewin g still images

Viewing images on the LCD screen of your

camera............................................ 36

Viewing single images....................... 36

Viewing Index

(nine- or triple- im age display) ... ... 37

Viewing images on a TV screen............. 38

Deletin g s till images

Deleting images...................... ................ 39

Deleting on the Index (nine-image)

screen ............................................. 40

Deleting on the Index (triple-image)

screen ............................................. 41

Formatting a “Memory Sti ck”................43

Copying still images to y o u r computer

Copying still ima g es to your computer ...44

1 Installing the USB driver ..................45

2 Preparing your camera ......................46

3 Connecting your camera to your

computer ........................................47

4 Copying image s ............................. ...48

When a removable disk icon is not

shown..............................................49

Copying images

(for Windows XP users) ................49

Image file st or age destinations and file

names ..............................................51

5 Viewing the images on your

computer.........................................53

For Macintosh us er s................................54

Before advanced operations

How to setup and o perate your camera...55

Changing menu settings......................55

Changing items in the SET UP

screen ..............................................55

Adva nced still image shooting

Adjusting the expos ure (EV adjustment) 56 Adjusting color tones

(WHITE BALANCE).....................57

Choosing a focus method

(MULTI AF/CENTER AF)............58

Setting the distance to the subject

(Focus preset) .................................60

Adding special effects (P. EFFECT).......60

Spot light-mete rin g ................................. .61

Shooting multiple frames

(CLIP MOTION)................... .........62

Shooting in Multi Burst mode

(MULTI BURST)...........................64

Shooting still images for e-mail

(E-MAIL)........................................65

Adva n c e d s till image viewing

Enlarging a portion of a still image ........ 66

Enlarging an image – Playback zoom 66 Recording an enlarged image –

Trimming........................................ 67

Playing back successive images

(SLIDE SHOW).............................67

Rotating still images (ROTATE)............68

Still ima g e e d itt in g

Protecting images (PROTECT)..............69

For single images........ ... ... ..................69

For Index (nine-image) screen............69

For Index (triple-image) screen.......... 70

Changing image size (RESIZE)..............71

Choosing images to print (PRINT)......... 72

For single images........ ... ... ..................72

For index (nine-images) screen..........72

For index (triple-image) screen.......... 73

Enjoying movies

Shooting movies .....................................74

Viewing movies on the LCD screen.......75

Deleting movies.......................... ... ......... 76

Deleting on the single screen.............. 76

Deleting on the Index (nine-image)

screen.............................................. 76

Deleting on the Index (t riple-image)

screen..............................................77

Editing movies.........................................78

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

Deleting unneces s ary portions of a

movie ..............................................79

Copying movies to you r comp u te r..........80

For Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, Me

users................................................80

For Windows XP users.......................80

For Macintosh us er s............................81

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting ......................................82

Warnings and messages ..........................89

Self-Diagnostics Display.........................90

Additional information

The number of images that can be saved/

shooting time...................................91

Menu items........................... ... ................92

SET UP items................. ... ......................97

Precautions..............................................99

The “Memory Stick”.............................100

The nickel hydride batteries..................100

Specifications........................................101

The LCD screen ................ ... ... ..............103

Index......................................................106

Identifying the parts (DSC-P71)

2 3

Attaching the strap

A POWER O N /O FF lamp (20) B POWER button (20) C Shutter button (26) D Flash (30) E Self-timer lamp

AF illuminator (31, 97)

F Finder window G Lens H Tripod receptacle (bottom

surface)

(29)

4 5

Use a tripod with a screw length of less than

•

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 q; qa

A Finder

Self-timer/recording lamp (red) AE/AF lock lamp (green)

Flash charge lamp

(orange) (30)

B DISPLAY/LCD ON/OFF button

(32)

C MENU button D VIDEO OUT jack E Jack cover F USB jack (47)

(24)

(38)

s qd qf

G Control butt on

(Menu on) (v/V/b/B/z) (20)/ (Menu off) ( / /7/) ( 27 , 29, 30)

H RESET button (bottom surface)

(82)

I LCD screen J DC IN jack cover (19) K DC IN jack (19)

L Mode dial (21)

: To shoot still images : To view or edit images

: T o shoot movies /Clip Mo tion images/Multi B u rst mode images SET UP: To set the SET UP items SCN: To shoot in the SCENE SELECTION mode

M Zoom button ( for shooting)

Index button (f or viewing) (37)

N Wrist strap hook O Open lever P Battery cover Q “Memory Stick” cover R Access lamp (23)

(28)

Identifying the parts (continued) (DSC-P51)

2 3

Attaching the strap

4 5

Use a tripod with a screw length of less than

A POWER O N /O FF lamp (20) B POWER button (20) C Shutter button (26) D Flash (30) E Self-timer lamp

AF illuminator

F Finder window G Lens H Tripod receptacle (bottom

surface)

(29)

(31, 97)

•

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

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 q; qa

A POWER SAVE switch B DISPLAY/LCD ON/OFF button

(32)

C Finder

Self-timer/recording lamp (red) AE/AF lock lamp (green)

Flash charge lamp

(orange) (30)

qs qd qf

qk ql

H Control butt on

(Menu on) (v/V/b/B/z) (20)/ (Menu off) ( / /7/) (27, 29,

30, 61)

I RESET button (buttom surface)

(82)

J LCD screen K DC IN jack cover (19)

L Mode dial (21)

: To shoot still images

: To view or edit images

: T o shoot movies /Clip Mo tion images/Multi B u rst mode images SET UP: To set the SET UP items SCN: To shoot in the SCENE SELECTION mode

M Zoom button ( for shooting)

Index button (f or viewing) (37)

N Wrist strap hook O Open lever P Battery cover Q “Memory Stick” cover R Access lamp (23) S DC IN jack (19)

(28)

D MENU button E VIDEO OUT jack (38) F Jack cover G USB jack (47)

(24)

Identifying the parts (continued) (DSC-P31)

2 3

Attaching the strap

Use a tripod with a screw length of less than

A POWER O N /O FF lamp (20) B POWER button (20) C Shutter button (26) D Flash (30) E Self-timer lamp

AF illuminator

F Finder window G Lens H Tripod receptacle (bottom

surface)

(29)

(31, 97)

•

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

5 6

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 q; qa

A POWER SAVE switch B DISPLAY/LCD ON/OFF button

(32)

C Finder

Self-timer/recording lamp (red) AE/AF lock lamp (green)

Flash charge lamp

(orange) (30)

qs qd qf

qk ql

H Control butt on

(Menu on) (v/V/b/B/z) (20)/ (Menu off) ( / /7/) (27, 29,

30, 61)

I RESET button (buttom surface)

(82)

J LCD screen K DC IN jack cover (19)

L Mode dial (21)

: To shoot still images

: To view or edit images

: T o shoot movies /Clip Mo tion images/Multi B u rst mode images SET UP: To set the SET UP items SCN: To shoot in the SCENE SELECTION mode

M Zoom button ( for shooting)

Index button (f or viewing) (37)

N Wrist strap hook O Open lever P Battery cover Q “Memory Stick” cover R Access lamp (23) S DC IN jack (19)

(28)

D MENU button E Jack cover F USB jack (47) G VIDEO OUT jack (38)

(24)

Getting started

Preparing batteries

Use the followin g batteries in this camera.

Acceptable batteries

R6 (size AA) Ni ckel-Metal Hydride batteries (2)

NH-AA-DI (2) (supplied)

–

NH-AA-2DI twin-pack (recommended, not

–

supplied)

Batteries that cannot be used

Manganese batteries, lithium batteries, nicad batteries, alk a li ne batteries (cannot be used with the DSC-P71)

Use of AA alkaline batteries may result in

shorter than desired operating time. (only in the DSC-P51/P31) When alkaline batteries are used, take note of the following information.

Turn POWER SAVE to ON, shut the LCD

•

screen off, and use the Finder to shoot your images. This will lengthen battery life (page 16). There is a big difference in the performance

•

of batteries of different types and of batteries made by different manufacturers. This is especially true in low temperatures, where some batteries are noticeably weaker . You may not be able to shoot in temperatures below +5°C (41°F). The battery remaining indicator may not

•

display the correct information.

Charging the batteries

BC-CS1 (supplied)

Insert with the cor-

Insert Nickel-Metal Hydride

rect polarity +/

batteries into the cha rge r (supplied).

Be sure to charge the Nickel-Metal Hydride

•

batteries supplied with your camera before using them. Be sure to charge the batteries in an

•

environment where the ambient temperature is 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F). If the batteries are charged in an environment where the temperature is outside that range, the batteries may not charge efficiently. Connect the battery charger to an easily

•

accessible wall outlet (mains) close by. If something goes wrong while you are using the charger, immediately shut off the power by pulling the plug out of the wall outlet.

−

To the wall outlet (mains)

Charge lamp

Power cord (mains lead)

Connect the charger to a wall outlet (mains) using the power cord (mains lead).

Charging starts, and the charge lamp lights. When the charge lamp goes out, charging is finished.

When charging is finished, disconnect the

•

power cord (mains lead) from the wall outlet (mains), and remove the Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries from the charger. When transporting the Nickel-Metal Hydride

•

batteries, be sure to use the battery case (supplied). If the +/− metal terminals are shorted, there is a possibility of danger from excessive heat or fire.

Charging the Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries

• If the poles of the Nickel-Metal Hydride

batteries are dirty, the batteries may not charge properly. Occasionally clean the poles of the batteries and the terminals of the charger by wiping them with a dry cloth.

• At the time of purchase, or when the Nickel-

Metal Hydride batteries haven’t been used f or a long time, they may not fully charge. This is typical of this type of battery, and is not a malfunction. If this happens, repeatedly using up the battery fully, and then recharging it, should correct the problem.

• Even when Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries

are not being used they loose their charge naturally over time. It is recommended that you recharge the batteries just before using them.

• If you recharge Nickel-Metal Hydride

batteries before fully using up the existing charge, the so-called memory effect* can occur, and the low battery warning will be triggered sooner than expected. Charging the battery after fully depleting the existing charge should correct the problem. * The “memory effect” – the situation in

which a battery temporarily accepts a less than full charge.

• To use up the batteries completely, put the camera in the slide show mo de and leave it that way until the batter ies are used up (page 67).

Precautions to be observed when charging the batteries

• Do not charge any other batteries except Sony

Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries in the charger supplied with your camera. If you try to charge any other type of battery (e.g., manganese batteries, alkaline dry cells, or one-time lithium batteries) than the batteries specified, those batteries may leak, overheat, or explode, causing the danger of burns or other injuries.

• Be sure to charge both Nickel-Metal Hydride

batteries at the same time.

• When the batteries are charged, use them only

in an environment where the temperature range is 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F). Otherwise, there is a danger of leaks, explosions, excessive heat, fire, or electric shock.

• Do not charge fully charged Nickel Metal

Hydride batteries again. Otherwise, there is a danger of leaks, explosions, excessive heat, fire, or electric shock.

• Do not peel off the external seals or damage

the batteries. Never use batteries from which the seals have been partially or completely removed, or batteries that have been split in any way.

Charging time

Nickel-Metal Hydride battery

NH-AA-DI × 2 (supplied)

This represents the time required to charge fully depleted Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries using the supplied BC-CS1 charger in an environment where the ambient temp er at ur e is 25°C (77°F).

• Charging is complete in approximately 13

hours. The charge lamp may remain lit longer than 13 hours, but this is not a malfunction.

• If you use the ACC-CSNQ ST AMIN A “Super

Quick charge” kit (not supplied), the batteries will charge faster.

Charging time

Approx. 13 hours

Getting started

Charging the Nickel-Metal hydride batteries (continued)

Battery remaining indicator

As the battery po we r de cr ea s es w ith use, the Battery remaining indicator disp lays the amount of power re ma ining using the following symbols.

Battery remaining indicator

Flashing

If the LCD screen is off, press the DISPLAY/

•

LCD ON/OFF button to turn it on. Based on the conditions under which the

•

camera is being used and the state of the charge, or on the environment, this information may not be correctly indicated. When the AC adaptor is being used, the

•

Remaining battery information is not displayed.

Battery remaining guidelines (A full charge is 100%)

Suff icient pow e r remaining

Battery half fu ll Battery low, recording/

playback will stop soon. Change the batteries for

fully charged ones, or charge these batteries.

The POWER SAVE function

When the POWER SAVE function is set to ON, you can shoot for a longer period of time.

DSC-P71

Turn the Mode dial to SE T UP, and set [POWER SAVE] in SETUP 2 to [ON]. The factory setting of the camera is set to [ON] (page 98).

DSC-P51/P31

Set the POWER SAVE switch to ON. When the camera is s hi p ped from the factory, this switch is set to ON.

When the POWER SAVE function is ON

The LCD screen will be darker than it is when

•

POWER SAVE is set to OFF. You cannot change the settings for [LCD BACKLIGHT] at this time (page 98). To make the available shooting time even longer, it is recommended that you turn off the LCD screen and use the Finder to do your shooting (page 32). In Flash mode, the (No flash) is displayed.

•

If you want to shoot using the flash, press v ( ) on the control button, and select (forced flash) or Auto (page 30). When the power turns on, the Flash mode is

•

normally set to (No flash). When the flash is charging ( the Flash

•

charge lamp blinks), the LCD screen turns off. In shooting still images, the focus only

•

focuses when the shutter is pushed down halfway.

Inserting the batteries

1 2 3

Getting started

, Open the Battery cover.

Slide it in the direction of the arrow, and it opens out.

, Insert the batteries.

Match the

marks inside the battery case.

−

Occasionally clean the poles of the batteries

•

and the terminals of the Battery cover by wiping them with a dry cloth. If the poles of the batteries or the terminals become covered with a film of dirt or oil from the skin, the operating time of the camera can be greatly reduced.

poles of the batteries to the

+/−

, Close the Battery co v er .

Close the Battery cover while holding th e

batteries in. The cover is closed when it clicks.

To remove the batteries

Stand the camera on end, open the Battery cover upward, then remove the batteries.

Make sure you don’t drop the batteries when

•

opening or closing the Battery cover.

Inserting the batteries (continued)

Battery life and the number of images that can be recorded/ played back

The tables show approximate guidelines for the length of time the camera can be used when picture quality is set to Standard, when you shoot in Flash mode

, and when you shoot in Normal mode in an environment where the ambient temperature is 25°C (77°F), and the supplied Nickel-M etal Hydride batteries are fully charged . The gu id elines for the number of images that can be recorded or played back allow for changing the “Memory Stick” as necessary. Actual results may differ slightly from these, depending on the condit ions of use.

Playing back** still images

Model Image size

DSC-P71 DSC-P51 DSC-P31

With the LCD screen on, showing single images in order, one

approximately every three seconds

2048×1536

640×480

1600×1200

640×480

1600×1200

640×480

Shooting* still images

Model Image size LCD

DSC-P71

DSC-P51

DSC-P31

Recording one image approximately every three seconds

(size AA)

Battery li fe (min.)

Approx. 230 Approx. 4600

Approx. 280 Approx. 5600

Ni-MH

(2) (supplied)

No. of images

screen

2048×1536

640×480

1600×1200

640×480

1600×1200

640×480

Shooting*** movies images

Model LCD

DSC-P71

DSC-P51

DSC-P31

Continuous recording with a picture size of 160×112

***

ON Approx. 100 Approx. 2000

OFF Approx. 120 Approx. 2400

ON Approx. 150 Approx. 3000

OFF Approx. 180 Approx. 3600

ON Approx. 120 Approx. 2400

OFF Approx. 150 Approx. 3000

(size AA)

Battery life (m in .) No. of images

screen

ON Approx. 120

OFF Approx. 170

ON Approx. 150

OFF Approx. 200

ON Approx. 150

OFF Approx. 200

(size AA)

Ni-MH

(2) (supplied)

Using an external power source

)

2 To the wall outlet (mains

DC IN jack cover

DC plug

AC power adaptor

(not supplied)

Open the DC IN jack cover, then connect the AC-LS1 AC power adaptor (not supp lied) to the DC IN jack of the cam era.

Connect the cable wi th th e v mark facing up.

Connect the AC power adaptor to an easily

•

accessible wall outlet (mains) close by . If something goes wrong while you are using the adaptor, immediately shut off the power by pulling the plug out of the wall outlet.

When you have finished using the AC power

•

adaptor, disconnect it from the DC IN jack of the camera. To use power from an automobile, use a DC

•

adaptor/Charger (not supplied). If you insert or remove the DC plug while you

•

are using the batteries, the power may shut off.

Power cord (mains lead)

Connect the po wer cord (mains lead) to the AC power adap tor and to the wall outlet (mains).

Using your camera abroad

Power sources

You can use your camera in any country or area with the su pplied ba ttery charge r or the AC-LS1 AC power adaptor (not supplied) within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Use a commerciall y av ai lable AC plug adaptor [a], if necessary, depending on the design of the wall outlet (wall socket) [b].

BC-CS1

• Do not use an electronic transformer. Using this may cause a malfunction.

Getting started

Turning on/off your camera

POWER ON/ OFF lamp

POWER button

Press the POWER button.

The POWER ON/OFF lamp lights in green, the power is on. When you tu rn on your camera for the first time, the CLOCK SET screen appears (see the next page).

To turn off the power

If you press the POWER button again, the POWER ON/OFF lamp goes out, and the camera turns off.

When the mode dial is set to , , SCN

•

and you turn the power on, the lens begins to move (DSC-P71 only). Please be careful not to touch the lens.

The Auto Power Off function

If no tasks are performed for a while* when shooting, viewing, or performing SET UP while using the batteries, power is automatically shut off to preserve battery power. However, in the followin g circumstances, even if the battery is being used to power t he camera, the Auto Power Off feature will not work.

• Movies are bein g play e d ba ck

• A slide show is being shown

• There is a plug in th e U SB terminal or the VIDEO OUT jack

When POWER SAVE is set to ON:

approximately 90 seconds When POWER SAVE is set to OFF: approximately 3 minutes

How to use the control button

0EV

To change the curr ent settings of the camera, bring up the menu or SET UP on the LCD screen (page 55), and use the control button to make the changes. For each item, p ress v/V/b/B to select the desired value, then press the center z or b/B to make the setting.

(SPOT METER) is not displayed on the

•

menu of the DSC-P51/P31 (page 61).

AUTO

WHITE BAL

ISO

Setting the date and time

Mode dial

CLOCK SET

2002

12 00

POWER button

Y/M/D M/D/Y D/M/Y

CANCEL

Getting started

12 00

Y/M/D M/D/Y D/M/Y

CANCEL

CLOCK SET

2002

, Set the m o d e dia l to .

• To change values for the time and the date that

have been previously set, change the mode dial to SET UP, choose [CLOCK SET] in SETUP 1 (page 97), then proceed from Step 3.

• You can also carry out this operation when the

mode dial is set to SCN, , or .

, Press the POWER button.

The POWER lam p lights in green and the CLOCK SET screen appears.

, Choose the desired order for

the date, the month and the year using v/V on the control button, then push the center z.

You can choose from [Y/M /D] (year/ month/day), [M/D/Y] , and [D/M/Y].

• If the rechargeable button battery, which

provides the power for saving the time data, ever loses its charge (page 99), the CLOCK SET screen automatically reappears. If this happens, reset the date and time by following the above procedure, starting from Step 3.

Setting the date and time (continued)

CLOCK SET

2002

, Choose the year, month, day,

hour, and minute items using b/B.

A v will be shown above, and a V will be shown below the it em cu r r en tl y se le ct ed to be set.

12 00

Y/M/D M/D/Y D/M/Y

CANCEL

10 30

Y/M/D M/D/Y D/M/Y

CANCEL

CLOCK SET

2002

12 00

Y/M/D M/D/Y D/M/Y

CANCEL

, Choose [OK] using the B on

the control button, and then press the center z.

After the date and time are set, the clock will start to keep time.

To cancel the setting process, choose

•

[CANCEL], and press the center z.

CLOCK SET

2002

, Set the desired numerical

value using v/V on the control button, then press the center z.

After setting the current numerical value, move to the next item. Repeat the abov e process until al l of the items have been set.

If you choose [D/M/Y] in Step 3, use the 24

•

hour clock display.

Inserting and removing a “Memory Stick”

Shooting still images

Bottom

, Open the “Memory Stick”

cover.

Slide the co ver in the di rect ion of the arr ow to open it.

Label side

Connector side

, Insert the “Memo ry Stick.”

Insert the “Memory Stick” all the way in until it clicks, as shown in the illustration.

Whenever you insert a “Memory Stick,” push it

•

all the way in until it clicks. If you do not insert it correctly, a message such as “MEMORY STICK ERR O R ” appears on the LCD screen.

Access lamp

Shooting still images

, Close the ”Memory Stick”

cover.

To remove the “Memory Stick”

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

• Whenever the Access lamp is lit, the camera is recording or reading out an image. Never remove the “Memory Stick” or turn off the power at this time.

Deciding the still image size and quality

FINE

AUTO

WHITE BAL

Menu button

ISO

, Set the mode dial to , tur n on

the power, and then push the MENU button.

The menu appears.

You can also carry out this operation when the

•

mode dial is set to SCN.

(SPOT METER) is not displayed on the

•

menu of the DSC-P51/P31 (page 61).

2048x1536 2048 (3 : 2) 1600x1200 1280 x 960

640 x 480

IMAGESIZE

1600x1200 1600 (3 : 2) 1280 x 960

640 x 480

IMAGE SIZE

DSC-P71 DSC-P51/

P31

, Select (Image size) using b/

B on the control button. Use v/ V to select the d e sired im a ge

size.

The image size is set.

FINE STANDARD

P.QUALITY

MODE

PFX

, Select (Image quality) using

b/B on the control button. Use v/V to select the desired image

quality.

The image quality is set. When the settin g is co m p leted, press the MENU button. The menu disappears from the screen.

For image quality, you can choose either

•

[FINE] or [STANDARD]. The image size and quality values chosen here

•

will be preserved even when the camera is turned off.

Image size and quality

You can choose image size (number of pixels) and image quality (compression ratio) based on the kind of im ages you want to shoot. The larger you m ake the image size and the higher you make the image quality, the better your image, but also the larger th e amo u nt of d at a n eed ed to preserve your image. This means you can save fewer im ages in your “Memory Stick.” Choose an image size and quality level appropriate for the kind of images you want to shoot. You can resize the images later (Resize function, se e page 71).

You can choose image size from the following tables.

Image size Examples

2048×1536 (DSC-P71) Very fine prints 2048(3:2) (DSC-P71) 3:2 prints* 1600×1200 Printing A4 size

1600 (3:2) (DSC-P51/P31) 3:2 prints* 1280×960

640×48 0

images

Printing postcard size images

For images to be attached to e-mail

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

The number of images that can be saved in FINE (STANDARD) mode are shown below. (Units: numb er of im ag e s )

Capacity

Image size

2048×1536 (DSC-P 7 1 )

2048(3:2) (DSC-P 7 1 )

1600×1200 8 (15) 16 (30) 32 (60) 64 (120) 128 (240) 1600 (3:2)

(DSC-P 5 1 /P3 1) 1280×960 12 (22) 24 (44) 50 (93) 100 (186) 200 (372) 640×480 48 (118) 96 (240) 195 (488) 393 (983) 786 (1966)

When the shooting mode is normal

For the number of images that can be saved in other modes, see page 91.

The image size is the screen size used when

•

viewing the images on a personal computer. When the images are viewed on the LCD screen of the camera, they all look the same size. Number of shooting images can differ from

•

these values according to shooting conditions.

* This option records images in a horizontal to

vertical proportion of 3:2 to match the size of the print paper used.

8MB 16MB 32MB 64MB 128MB

5 (9) 10 (18) 20 (36) 40 (72) 80 (1 44)

8 (15) 16 (30) 32 (60) 64 (120) 128 (240)

The image size value (e.g., 2048×1536) is the

•

number of pixels displayed.

For inform ation ho w to s hoot i mages to be used as attachments to e-mail messages, see page 65.

Shooting still images

Basic still image shooting (using auto adjustment mode)

Mode dial

, Set the mode dial to , and

turn on your camera.

• The lens cover opens when the power is turned

on.

• When the camera is turned on or when using

the zoom, and the lens is moving, don’t touch the lens assembly (DSC-P71 only) (page 28).

• When the mode dial is set to , the exposure

and focus are adjusted automatically.

2048

F2.8

Flashes in

, Hold your camera with your

both hands and po sition a subject in the cente r of the frame to focus on.

Do not cover the lens or flas h with your fingers.

• You can choose eithe r Multi-point AF mode or

Center AF as the AF mode (page 58).

, Press and hold the shutter

halfway down.

The camera beeps. Whe n the A E/A F lo ck indicator stops flashing and remains on, the camera is ready for shooting.

• If you remove your finger from the shutter,

shooting will be canceled.

• The minimum focal distance to a subject is

• The frame appearing on the LCD screen shows

50cm (19 (3 button set to the W (wide angle) side, and 50cm (19 T (telephoto) side; and 10cm (3 more for the DSC-P31.To shoot subjects at distances closer than this, use Macro mode (DSC-P71 only).

the limits of the area where the focus will be adjusted. (For more details on the AF range finder, see page58.)

/16 inches) for the DSC-P71; 8cm

/4 inches) for the DSC-P51 with the Zoom

/4 inches) with the Zoom button set to the

green t remains o

/16 inches) or

Checking the last shot image (Quick Review)

2048

, Press the shutter fully down.

A beeping sound is he ard, the shooting is completed, and th e still image is saved in the “Memory Stick.” When the Recording lamp (page 9) goes out, you c an s h oot the next image.

When you are shooting with the battery, if no

•

tasks are performed for a while* with the camera turned on, power is automatically shut off to preserve battery power (page 20).

When POWER SAVE is set to ON:

approximately 90 seconds When POWER SAVE is set to OFF: approximately 3 minutes

About Auto Focus

When you try to sh oo t a s u b ject that is hard to focus on , th e A E/A F lo ck indicator will ch ange to flashing slowly. The Auto Focus function may be difficult to use with in the following subjects. In such cases, release the shutter, then try to re compose the shot and focus again.

The subject is distant from the camera and

•

dark The contrast of the subject and its

•

background is poor The subject is seen through glass, such as

•

a window A fast-moving subject

•

The subject has a reflection, such as that

•

from a mirror, or there is a luminous body and a lustrous subject A flashing subject

•

2048

10:30

8/8

REVIEW

2002 7 4100-0029

, Press b (7) on th e c o n tro l

button.

To return to shooting mode, press the shutter lig htly or pre ss b (7) on the control button again.

To delete the image displayed on the LCD screen

1 Press MENU bu tton to displa y the me nu.

Press B on the control button to select

[DELETE], then press the ce nter z.

3 Press v on the control button to select

[OK], then press the center z. The image will be deleted.

Shooting still images

Using the zoom feature

Shooting close-ups (Macro) (DSC-P71 only)

W (wide-angle) T (telephoto)

2048

, Press the W (wide angle) or the

T (telephoto) side of the Zoom button to choose the desired image size, and shoot your image.

The minimum distance needed to focus on a subject

(From the end of the lens when the zoom button is set all the way to either the W or T side)

DSC-P71

50 cm (19

DSC-P51

8cm (3 (19

DSC-P31

10 cm (3

The lens moves when the zoom feature is being

•

used (DSC-P71 only). Be very careful not to touch the lens. The zoom feature cannot be used when shooting

•

movies (page 74) (DSC-P71/P31 only).

/16 inches) for both W and T

/4 inches) for W, and 50cm

/4 inches) for T

/16 inches)

2048

Digital zoom

DSC-P71/P51

When the Zoom exceeds 3x for the DSC-P71 and 2x for the DSC-P51, the digital zoom feature enlarges the image up to a maximum of 6x using d igital processing. Because picture quality deteriorates when digital zoom is used, set [DIGITAL ZOOM] in SET UP to [OFF] when this feature is not needed (page 97).

The T side of this line shows the extent of digital zoom

DSC-P31

The DSC-P31 does not have an optical zoom. It has only a 3x digital zoom. There is no Digita l zoom item in SET UP.

When you are using digital zoom, you

•

cannot confirm the image using the finder. When you are using the digital zoom

•

feature, the Auto focus frame is not displayed.

For close-ups of small subjects like flowers or insects, shoo t using the Macro feature. You can use this feature for close-ups of subjects up to the distances specified below.

When the zoom is set all the way to the W side: 10 cm (3

/16 inches) from

the end of the lens

When the zoom is set all the way to the T side: 50 cm (19

/16 inches) from

the end of the lens

Using the self-timer

2048

, Set the mode dial to , and

press B ( ) on the control button.

(Macro) appears on the LCD screen.

If the menu is currently displayed, press the

•

MENU button first and the menu disappears. You can perform this operation even when the

•

mode dial is set to SCN (other than Landscape mode) (page 34), or .

2048

, Center the subject in the frame,

and shoot the image.

To return to normal shooting

Press B ( ) on the control button one more time. disappears from the LCD screen.

Use the LCD screen to shoot when using the

•

Macro feature. If you use the finder, the limits of what you see and what you actually shoot may be different.

2048

, Set the mode dial to , and

press V ( ) on the control button.

(Self-timer) appears on the LCD screen.

If the menu is currently displayed, press the

•

MENU button first and the menu disappears. You can perform this operation even when the

•

mode dial is set to SCN, or .

Shooting still images

Selecting a flash mode

2048

0EV

F2.3

, Center the subject in the frame,

and press the shutter all the way down.

The Self-timer lamp (page 8 for the DSCP71, page 10 for the DSC-P51, page 12 for the DSC-P31) will blink in orange, and you will hear a beeping sound. The image will be shot within appr oximately 10 seconds .

To cancel the self-timer during the operation

Press V ( ) on the control button one more time.

If you stand in front of the camera and press the

•

shutter, the focus and the exposure may not be correctly set.

2048

, Set the mode dial to select ,

and press v ( ) on the control button repeatedly to select a flash mode.

Flash mode has the following features. No indicator (Auto): Base d on the

lighting condit ions, the camera will decide if there is enough li gh t, and will use the flash accordingly (factory setting).

(forced flash): The flash will be used

regardless of the amount of ambient light.

(no flash): The flash will not be used.

Each time you press the button, the display changes as follows.

When POWER SAVE is OFF

No indicator (Auto) t (forced flash) t

(no flash)

When POWER SAVE is ON

(no flash) t No indicator (Auto) t

(forced flash)

If the menu is currently displayed, press the

•

MENU button first and the menu will disappear. Y ou can change the brightness of the flash

•

using [FLASH LEVEL] in the settings menu (page 93). When Flash mode is set to Auto or (forced

•

flash), and you look at the LCD screen in a dark place, you may notice some “noise” in the image, but this will have no effect on the image you shoot. While the flash is being charged, the Flash

•

charging lamp blinks. When charging is completed, the lamp goes out. When you press the shutter button halfway

•

down while the flash is flashing, the Flash charge lamp turns on.

+ 84 hidden pages

Sony DSC-P31, DSC-P71, DSC-P51 User Manual

Table of contents