Sony DSC-S930 Handbook

VCLICK!

Table of contents

Basic Operations

Using the shooting functions

Digital Still Camera

Cyber-shot Handbook

DSC-S930

Using the viewing functions

Using the Setup screen

Before operating the unit, please read this Handbook thoroughly together with the

“Instruction Manual” and the “Cyber-shot Step-up Guide”, and retain them for future

Using your computer

reference.

Printing still images

Troubleshooting

Others

Index

Notes on using your camera

Notes on the types of “Memory Stick” media that you can use (sold separately)

“Memory Stick Duo” media

You can use “Memory Stick Duo” media with the camera.

“Memory Stick” media

You cannot use “Memory Stick” media with the camera.

Other memory cards cannot be used.

• For details on “Memory Stick Duo” media, see page 95.

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

You can use the “Memory Stick Duo” media by inserting it into the “Memory Stick Duo” media Adaptor (sold separately).

Notes on the LCD screen and lens

• The LCD screen is manufactured using extremely high-precision technology, so over

99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, some tiny black and/or bright dots (white, red, blue or green) may appear on the LCD screen. These dots are a normal result of the manufacturing process, and do not affect the recording.

Black, white, red, blue

or green points

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

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

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

• 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.

The images used in this Handbook

The images used as examples in this Handbook are reproduced images, and are not actual images shot using the camera.

“Memory Stick Duo” media Adaptor

Notes on using your camera .....................................................................2

Basic techniques for better images...........................................................6

Focus – Focusing on a subject successfully..................................................... 6

Exposure – Adjusting the light intensity ............................................................ 8

Color – On the effects of lighting....................................................................... 9

Quality – On “image quality” and “image size” ............................................... 10

Flash – On using the flash............................................................................... 11

Identifying parts .......................................................................................12

Indicators on the screen ..........................................................................14

Changing the screen display...................................................................18

Using the internal memory ......................................................................19

Basic Operations

Shooting images......................................................................................20

Viewing images .......................................................................................24

Deleting images.......................................................................................26

Using menu items....................................................................................28

Menu items..............................................................................................29

Using the shooting functions

Switching the shooting mode ..................................................................30

Shooting images according to the scene ................................................31

Shooting menu ........................................................................................33

Camera: Selecting the shooting mode SteadyShot: Selecting the anti-blur mode Face Detection: Detecting the face of subject REC Mode: Selecting the continuous shooting method EV: Adjusting the light intensity ISO: Selecting a luminous sensitivity Metering Mode: Selecting the Metering mode Focus: Changing the Focus method White Balance: Adjusting the color tones Flash Level: Adjusting the amount of flash light Red Eye Reduction: Setting the Red Eye Reduction function Color Mode: Changing the vividness of the image or adding special effects

(Setup): Changing Setup items

Table of contents

Using the viewing functions

Viewing menu ......................................................................................... 45

(Slideshow): Playing back a series of images

(Retouch): Retouching still images

(Multi-Purpose Resize): Changing the image size according to usage

(Protect): Preventing accidental erasure

: Adding a Print order mark

(Print): Printing images using a printer (Rotate): Rotating a still image (Select Folder): Selecting the folder for viewing images

(Setup): Changing Setup items

Using the Setup screen

Using Setup items................................................................................... 52

Main Settings .......................................................................................... 53

Beep Function Guide

Shooting Settings.................................................................................... 55

Grid Line Digital Zoom

Memory Tool — Memory Stick Tool........................................................ 57

Format Create REC.Folder

Memory Tool — Internal Memory Tool ................................................... 59

Format

Clock Settings ......................................................................................... 60

Language Setting....................................................................................61

Initialize USB Connect

Auto Review

Change REC.Folder Copy

Table of contents

Using your computer

Enjoying your Windows computer...........................................................62

Installing the software (supplied).............................................................64

On the “PMB (Picture Motion Browser)” (supplied) .................................65

Copying images to your computer using the “PMB”................................66

Copying images to a computer without “PMB”........................................70

Viewing image files stored on a computer with the camera copying to the

“Memory Stick Duo” media ......................................................................72

Using your Macintosh computer ..............................................................73

Viewing “Cyber-shot Step-up Guide”.......................................................75

Printing still images

How to print still images ..........................................................................76

Printing images directly using a PictBridge compliant printer..................77

Printing at a shop ....................................................................................80

Troubleshooting

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

Warning messages..................................................................................92

Others

On the “Memory Stick Duo” media ..........................................................95

On the batteries....................................................................................... 97

Index

Index........................................................................................................98

Basic techniques for better images

Focus Exposure Color Quality

Focus

Focusing on a subject successfully

This section describes the basics so you can enjoy your camera. It tells you how to use various camera functions such as the mode switch (page 20), and the menus (page 28).

Flash

When you press the shutter button halfway down, the camera adjusts the focus automatically (Auto Focus). Remember to press the shutter button only halfway down.

Do not fully press the shutter button straight away.

When focusing is difficult

Press the shutter button halfway down.

t [Focus] (page 39)

AE/AF lock indicator flashing , lit/beeps

If the image looks blurred even after focusing, it may be because of camera shake.

Then press the shutter button fully down.

t See

“Hints for preventing blur” on the next page.

Basic techniques for better images

Hints for preventing blur

The camera moved accidentally when you took the image. This is called “Camera shake”. On the other hand, if the subject moved when you took the image, it is called “subject blur”.

Camera shake

Cause

Your hands or body shake while you hold the camera and press the shutter button, and the entire screen is blurred.

What you can do to reduce the blurring

• Use a tripod or place the camera on a flat surface to hold the camera steady.

• Shoot with a 2-second delay self-timer and stabilize the camera by holding your arms firmly at your side after pressing the shutter button.

Subject blur

Cause

Even though the camera is steady, the subject moves during the exposure so the subject looks blurred when the shutter button is pressed.

Notes

• When the anti-blur function is set to [Auto], you can reduce the camera shake automatically. However, this is not effective for subject blur.

• Besides, camera shake and subject blur occur frequently under low-light or slow shutter speed conditions, such as those encountered in (Twilight) mode or (Twilight Portrait) mode. In that case, shoot with the above tips in mind.

What you can do to reduce the blurring

• Select (High Sensitivity) mode in the Camera (Scene Selection).

• Select a higher ISO sensitivity to make the shutter speed faster, and press the shutter button before the subject moves.

Basic techniques for better images

Exposure

You can create various images by adjusting the exposure and the ISO sensitivity. Exposure is the amount of light that the camera will receive when you release the shutter.

Adjusting the light intensity

Shutter speed = Length of time the camera receives

Exposure:

Aperture = Size of the opening allowing light to pass

Overexposure

= too much light Whitish image

Correct exposure

Underexposure

= too little light Darker image

light

through

ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index) = Recording sensitivity

The exposure is automatically set to the proper value in the auto adjustment mode. However, you can adjust it manually using the functions below.

Adjusting EV:

Allows you to adjust the exposure determined by the camera (page 36).

Metering Mode:

Allows you to change the part of the subject to be measured to determine the exposure (page 38).

Adjusting the ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)

ISO sensitivity is a speed rating for recording media that incorporates an image sensor that receives light. Even when the exposure is the same, images differ depending on the ISO sensitivity. To adjust the ISO sensitivity, see page 37.

High ISO sensitivity

Records a bright image even in dark locations while increasing shutter speed to reduce blur. However, the image tends to become noisy.

Low ISO sensitivity

Records a smoother image. However, when the exposure is insufficient, the image may become darker.

Basic techniques for better images

Color

The apparent color of the subject is affected by the lighting conditions.

On the effects of lighting

Example: The color of an image affected by light sources

Weather/lighting

Characteristics of light

The color tones are adjusted automatically in the auto adjustment mode. However, you can adjust color tones manually with [White Balance] (page 41).

Daylight Cloudy Fluorescent Incandescent

White (standard) Bluish Green-tinged Reddish

Basic techniques for better images

Quality

On “image quality” and “image size”

A digital image is made up of a collection of small dots called pixels. If it contains a large number of pixels, the picture becomes large, it takes up more memory, and the image is displayed in fine detail. “Image size” is shown by the number of pixels. Although you cannot see the differences on the screen of the camera, the fine detail and data processing time differ when the image is printed or displayed on a computer screen.

Description of the pixels and the image size

1 Image size: 10M

3648 pixels × 2736 pixels = 9,980,928 pixels

2 Image size: VGA(E-Mail)

Pixels

640 pixels × 480 pixels = 307,200 pixels

Selecting the image size for use (page 23)

Pixel

Many pixels (Fine image quality and large file size)

Few pixels (Rough image quality but small file size)

Example: Printing in up to A3+ size

Example: An attached image to be sent by e-mail

Basic techniques for better images

Flash

On using the flash

The eyes of the subject may come out red, or fuzzy white circular spots may appear when using the flash. These phenomena can be reduced by taking the following steps.

The “Red-eye phenomenon”

Pupils become dilated in dark environments. Flash light is reflected off the blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina), causing the “red-eye” phenomenon.

Camera Eye

Retina

How can the “Red-eye phenomenon” be reduced?

• Set [Red Eye Reduction] to [On] (page 43).

• Select (High Sensitivity) mode* in the Camera (Scene Selection) (page 30). (The flash is turned off

automatically.)

• When the eyes of the subject turn out red, correct the image with [Retouch] on the viewing menu (page 47) or with the supplied software “PMB”.

The “White circular spots”

This is caused by particles (dust, pollen, etc.) floating close to the lens. When they are accentuated by the camera’s flash, they appear as white circular spots.

Camera

Subject

Particles (dust, pollen, etc.) in the air

How can the “White circular spots” be reduced?

• Light the room and shoot the subject without a flash.

• Select (High Sensitivity) mode* in the Camera (Scene Selection). (The flash is turned off automatically.)

* Even though you selected (High Sensitivity) mode in the Camera (Scene Selection), the shutter speed

might be slower under low-light conditions, or in a dark place. In that case, use a tripod or hold your arms firmly at your side after pressing the shutter button.

Identifying parts

See the pages in parentheses for details of operation.

A Shutter button (20) B Self-timer lamp (22) C Microphone D Lens E ON/OFF (power) button F ON/OFF (power) lamp G Flash (21) H Buzzer I (USB) jack

Bottom

9 0

6 7

A For shooting: Zoom (W/T) button

(21) For viewing: (Playback zoom) button/ (Index) button (24, 25)

B LCD screen (18) C For shooting: (Image Size) button

(23) For viewing: (Delete) button (26)

D Hook for strap E Mode switch (20) F MENU button (28) G Control button

Menu on: v/V/b/B/z (28) Menu off: DISP/ / / (18, 21-22)

H Access lamp

Identifying parts

I Tripod receptacle

• Use a tripod with a screw less than 5.5 mm (7/32 inch) long. Otherwise, you cannot firmly secure the camera, and damage to the camera may occur.

J Battery/“Memory Stick Duo” media

cover

K “Memory Stick Duo” media slot L Batteries insertion slot

Indicators on the screen

Each time you press v (DISP) on the control button, the display changes (page 18). See the pages in parentheses for details of operation.

When shooting still images

When shooting movies

Display Indication

Battery remaining

Low battery warning (92)

Image size (23)

Camera mode (Scene Selection) (30)

Camera mode (Program Auto) (30)

White balance (41)

Burst mode (36)

Metering mode (38)

Face detection (35)

SteadyShot (34)

Vibration warning

• Indicates that vibration may prevent you from shooting clear images due to insufficient lighting. Even if the vibration warning appears, you can still shoot images. However, we recommend that you set the anti-blur function to [Auto], using the flash for better lighting or using a tripod or other means to stabilize the camera (page 7).

Zoom scaling (21, 55)

Color mode (44)

Indicators on the screen

Display Indication

z AE/AF lock (20)

REC Standby

ISO400 ISO number (37)

125 Shutter speed

F3.5 Aperture value +2.0EV Exposure Value (36)

0:12 Recording time

1.0 m Focus preset distance (39)

Recording a movie/Standby a movie

(minutes : seconds)

AF range finder frame indicator (39)

Macro (22)

Display Indication

Recording folder (57)

• This does not appear when using internal memory.

12 Number of recordable

00:00:15 Recordable time

images

Recording Media (“Memory Stick Duo” media, Internal memory)

(hours : minutes : seconds)

Red-eye reduction (43)

Flash mode (21)

Flash charging

Display Indication

Self-timer (22)

Spot metering cross hair (38)

AF range finder frame (39)

Histogram (18)

Indicators on the screen

When playing back still images

When playing back movies

Display Indication

Battery remaining

Low battery warning (92)

Image size (23)

PictBridge connecting (78)

Protect (49)

Print order (DPOF) mark (80)

Zoom scaling (24)

PictBridge connecting (79)

• Do not disconnect the USB cable while the mark is displayed.

Display Indication

N Playback (24)

Playback bar

00:00:12 Counter

101-0012 Folder-file number (51)

2009 1 1 9:30 AM

z STOP z PLAY

BACK/

Recorded date/time of the playback image

Function guide for playing image

Selecting images

Histogram (18)

• appears when histogram display is disabled.

Indicators on the screen

Display Indication

Playback folder (51)

• This does not appear when using internal memory.

8/8 12/12 Image number/Number of

ISO400 ISO number (37) +2.0EV Exposure Value (36)

500 Shutter speed

F3.5 Aperture value

images recorded in selected folder

Playback Media (“Memory Stick Duo” media, Internal memory)

Changing folder (51)

• This does not appear when using internal memory.

Metering mode (38)

Flash

White balance (41)

Changing the screen display

v DISP (Screen display) button

Each time you press v (DISP) on the control button, the display changes as follows:

Indicators on

Indicators on*

Histogram on*

During playback, the image information is displayed.

Histogram display

Indicators off*

• If you view images in bright outside light, adjust to increase the brightness of the LCD backlight. However, the battery power may decrease faster under such condition.

• The histogram does not appear in the following situations:

While shooting – When the menu is displayed. – When recording movies. During playback – When the menu is displayed. – In index mode. – When you are using playback zoom. – When you are rotating still images. – During playback of movies.

• A large difference in the histogram displayed during shooting and playback may occur when:

– The flash strobes. – The shutter speed is slow or fast.

• The histogram may not appear for images recorded using other cameras.

z Adjusting EV (Exposure Value) by

displaying a histogram

BrightDark

A histogram is a graph showing the brightness of an image. Press v (DISP) on the control button repeatedly to display the histogram on the screen. The graph display indicates a bright image when skewed to the right side, and a dark image when skewed to the left side.

A Number of pixels B Brightness

* The brightness of the LCD Backlight increases

• The histogram also appears when playing back a single image, but you cannot adjust the exposure.

Using the internal memory

The camera has approximately 12 MB of internal memory. This memory is not removable. Even when there is no “Memory Stick Duo” media inserted in the camera, you can record images using this internal memory.

When “Memory Stick Duo” media is inserted

[Recording]: Images are recorded on the “Memory Stick Duo” media.

[Playback]: Images on the “Memory Stick Duo” media

Internal memory

On image data stored in the internal memory

We recommend that you copy (back up) data without error using one of the following methods.

To copy (back up) data on “Memory Stick Duo” media

Prepare “Memory Stick Duo” media with sufficient free capacity, then perform the procedure explained in [Copy] (page 58).

To copy (back up) data on a hard disk of your computer

Perform the procedure on pages 66, 67 or 70, 71 without “Memory Stick Duo” media inserted in the camera.

are played back. [Menu, Setup, etc.]: Various functions can be performed

on images on the “Memory Stick Duo” media.

When there is no “Memory Stick Duo” media inserted

[Recording]: Images are recorded using the internal memory.

[Playback]: Images stored in the internal memory are played back.

[Menu, Setup, etc.]: Various functions can be performed on images in the internal memory.

• You cannot copy image data on “Memory Stick Duo” media to the internal memory.

• By connecting the camera and a computer with a USB cable, you can copy data stored in the internal memory to a computer. However you cannot copy data on a computer to the internal memory.

Basic Operations

Shooting images

Macro button

DISP button

Flash button

Self-timer button

z button

v/V/b/B button

Control button

(Image Size) button

Shutter button

Zoom (W/T) button

Mode switch

1 Select the desired function from the mode switch.

When shooting still images: Select (Still image). When shooting movies: Select (Movie).

2 Hold the camera, with your elbows pressed against your body to steady it.

3 Shoot with the shutter button.

When shooting still images:

1Press and hold the shutter button halfway down to focus.

The z (AE/AF lock) indicator (green) flashes, a beep sounds, the indicator stops flashing and remains lit.

AE/AF lock indicator

2Press the shutter button fully down.

Position the subject in the center of the focus frame.

Shooting images

When shooting movies:

Press the shutter button fully down. To stop recording, press the shutter button fully down again.

If you shoot a still image of a subject that is difficult to focus on

• The shortest shooting distance is approximately 5 cm (2 inches) (W)/50 cm (1 feet 7 3/4 inches) (T) (from the front of the lens).

• When the camera cannot focus on the subject automatically, the AE/AF lock indicator changes to flash slowly and the beep does not sound. In addition, the AF range finder frame disappears. Recompose the shot and focus again.

Focusing may be difficult in the following situations:

– It is dark and the subject is distant. – The contrast between the subject and the background is poor. – The subject is seen through glass. – The subject is moving quickly. – There is reflective light or shiny surfaces. – The subject is backlit or there is a flashing light.

W/T Using the zoom

Press T to zoom, press W to undo the zoom.

• When the zoom scale exceeds 3×, the camera uses the Digital Zoom function.

For details on the [Digital Zoom] settings and the image quality, see page 55.

• You cannot change the zoom scale while shooting a movie.

Flash (Selecting a flash mode for still images)

Press B ( ) on the control button repeatedly until the desired mode is selected.

Basic Operations

(No indicator): Flash Auto

Flashes when there is insufficient light or backlight (default setting).

: Flash forced on

: Slow synchro (Flash forced on)

The shutter speed is slow in a dark place to clearly shoot the background that is out of flash light.

: Flash forced off

• The flash strobes twice. The first flash adjusts the light quantity.

• While charging the flash, is displayed.

Shooting images

Macro (Shooting close-up)

Press b ( ) on the control button repeatedly until the desired mode is selected.

(No indicator): Auto

The camera adjusts the focus automatically from distant subjects to close-up. Normally, put the camera in this mode.

: Macro

The camera adjusts the focus with priority on close-up subjects. Set Macro On when shooting close subjects.

• The Auto Focus speed drops when you shoot images in the Macro.

• Setting the zoom all the way to the W side is recommended.

Using the self-timer

Press V ( ) on the control button repeatedly until the desired mode is selected.

(No indicator): Not using the self-timer

: Setting the 10-second delay self-timer : Setting the 2-second delay self-timer

When you press the shutter button, the self-timer lamp flashes and a beep sounds until the shutter operates.

Self-timer lamp

To cancel, press

• Use the 2-second delay self-timer to prevent blur of an image. The shutter is released 2 seconds after you

press the shutter button, which reduces camera shake when the shutter button is pressed.

V ( ) again.

Shooting images

To change the still image size

Press (Image Size), and then press b/B to select the size. For details on the image size, see page 10. The default setting is marked with .

For still images

Image size Usage guidelines No. of images Printing

10M (3648×2736)

3:2 (8M) (3648×2432)

For prints up to A3+(13×19") Less

Shoot in 3:2 aspect ratio

Fine

Basic Operations

5M (2592×1944)

3M (2048×1536)

VGA (640×480)

16:9 (7M) (3648×2056)

16:9 (2M) (1920×1080)

*1)

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

*2)

Both edges of the image may be cut off when printing (page 89).

For prints up to A4(8×10")

For prints up to 10×15 cm (4×6") or 13×18 cm(5×7")

Shoot at small image size for e-mail attachments

For viewing on HDTVs and printing up to A4(8×10")

For viewing on HDTVs

Less

For movie

The image size of a movie is fixed to 320 × 240.

Rough

Fine

Rough

Viewing images

v/V/b/B button

z button

Control button

(Delete) button

(Index) button

(Playback zoom) button

MENU button

Mode switch

1 Select (Playback) with the mode switch.

2 Select an image with b/B on the control button.

Movie:

Press

z to play back a movie. (Press z again to stop playback.) B to fast forward, b to rewind. (Press z to return to normal playback.)

Press

• You cannot listen to the audio with this camera when a movie is played back.

To view an enlarged image (playback zoom)

Press (T) while displaying a still image. To undo the zoom, press W. Adjust the portion with v/V/b/B. To cancel the playback zoom, press z.

• To store enlarged images, see [Trimming] (page 47).

Shows the displayed area of the whole image.

In this case, the center is enlarged.

Viewing images

To view an index screen

Press (Index) to display the index screen while a still image is displayed. Select an image with v/V/b/B. To return to the single image screen, press z.

• Each time you press (Index), the number of images on the index screen increases.

• When using “Memory Stick Duo” media, you can select the desired date/folder with v/V

after selecting the bar with b.

Bar

Basic Operations

Deleting images

v/V/b/B button

(Index) button

MENU button

z button

Control button

(Delete) button

Mode switch

1 Select (Playback) with the mode switch.

2 Press the (Delete) button while displaying in single-image or index mode.

3 Select the desired deletion method with b/B from among [This Image],

[Multiple Images] and [All In This Folder], then press z.

Deleting images

When you select [This Image]

You can delete the selected image. Select [OK] with v, then press z.

When you select [Multiple Images]

You can select and delete multiple images simultaneously.

1 Select the images you want to delete, then press z.

The mark is checked in the check box of the image.

Single Image Index Display

2 Press the MENU button. 3 Select [OK] with v, then press z.

• To delete all the images of a folder, select [Multiple Images] on the index screen, select the

bar with b and place a mark in the check box.

When you select [All In This Folder]

You can delete all the images of the selected folder. Select [OK] with v, then press z.

Basic Operations

Using menu items

v/V/b/B button

MENU button

z button

Control button

1 Press the MENU button to display the menu.

• The menu will be displayed only during shooting and playback mode.

• Different items will become visible depending on the selected mode.

2 Select a desired menu item with v/V on the control button.

• If the desired item is hidden, keep pressing v/V until the item appears on the screen.

3 Select a setting with b/B.

• If the desired setting is hidden, keep pressing b/B until the setting appears on the screen.

• Select an item in playback mode, and press z.

4 Press the MENU button to turn off the menu.

Menu items

The available menu items vary depending on the mode switch position, and the shooting mode. Only the available items are displayed on the screen.

( : available)

Mode switch position:

Scene

Selection

Shooting menu (page 33)

Camera —

SteadyShot —

Face Detection

REC Mode

ISO — — —

Metering Mode — —

Focus — — —

White Balance —

Flash Level — — —

Red Eye Reduction

Color Mode — —

(Setup)

* The operation is limited according to the selected Scene Selection mode (page 32).

Viewing menu (page 45)

(Slideshow) (Retouch)

(Multi-Purpose Resize) (Protect)

(Print)

(Rotate) (Select Folder)

(Setup)

Basic Operations

—

Using the shooting functions

Switching the shooting mode

You can switch the shooting mode.

There are eight shooting modes available for still images and the default setting is Auto Adjustment. To switch the shooting mode to other than Auto Adjustment, follow the procedure described below.

v/V/b/B button

MENU button

z button

Control button

1 Set the mode switch to (Still image). 2 Press the MENU button to display the menu. 3 Select [Camera] with v/V on the control button. 4 Select the desired mode with b/B. 5 Press the MENU button to turn off the menu.

Mode switch

Still image mode

: Auto Adjustment

Allows shooting with the settings adjusted automatically.

: Program Auto

Allows you to shoot with the exposure adjusted automatically (both the shutter speed and the aperture value).

: Scene Selection

Allows you to shoot with preset settings according to the scene (page 31).

+ 70 hidden pages