Sony α 500 Instruction Manual

Preparing the camera

Before your operation

Shooting images

Using the shooting function

Using the viewing function

Changing your setup

Viewing images on a computer

Printing images

Additional information on this product and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at our Customer Support Website.

Printed on 70% or more recycled paper using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)-free vegetable oil based ink.

Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera

Instruction Manual

DSLR-A500/A550

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. DSLR-A500/A550 Serial No. __________________________

WARNING

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

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. DANGER - TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

If the shape of the plug does not fit the power outlet, use an attachment plug adaptor of the proper configuration for the power outlet.

Caution

Battery pack

If the battery pack is mishandled, the battery pack can burst, cause a fire or even chemical burns. Observe the following cautions.

• Do not disassemble.

• Do not crush and do not expose the battery pack to any shock or force such as hammering, dropping or stepping on it.

• Do not short circuit and do not allow metal objects to come into contact with the battery terminals.

• Do not expose to high temperature above 60°C (140°F) such as in direct sunlight or in a car parked in the sun.

• Do not incinerate or dispose of in fire.

• Do not handle damaged or leaking lithium ion batteries.

• Be sure to charge the battery pack using a genuine Sony battery charger or a device that can charge the battery pack.

• Keep the battery pack out of the reach of small children.

• Keep the battery pack dry.

• Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by Sony.

• Dispose of used battery pack promptly described the instructions.

Battery charger

Even if the CHARGE lamp is not lit, the battery charger is not disconnected from the AC power source (mains) as long as it is connected to the wall outlet (wall socket). If some trouble occurs while using the battery charger, immediately shut off the power by disconnecting the plug from the wall outlet (wall socket).

For 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.

Battery pack

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.

For Customers in the U.S.A.

UL is an internationally recognized safety organization. The UL Mark on the product means it has been UL Listed.

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.: DSLR-A500 Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. Address:16530 Via Esprillo,

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.

Declaration of Conformity Trade Name: SONY Model No.: DSLR-A550 Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc. Address:16530 Via Esprillo,

San Diego, CA 92127 U.S.A.

Telephone No.: 858-942-2230

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 Customers in Europe

Notice for the customers in the countries applying EU Directives

The manufacturer of this product is Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan Minato-ku Tokyo, 108-0075 Japan. The Authorized Representative for EMC and product safety is Sony Deutschland GmbH, Hedelfinger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany. For any service or guarantee matters please refer to the addresses given in separate service or guarantee documents.

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 unit.

Notice

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

Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems)

This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product shall not be treated as household waste. Instead it shall be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring this product is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health, which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For more detailed information about recycling of this product, please contact your local Civic Office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

Disposal of waste batteries (applicable in the European Union and other European countries with separate collection systems)

This symbol on the battery or on the packaging indicates that the battery provided with this product shall not be treated as household waste. On certain batteries this symbol might be used in combination with a chemical symbol. The chemical symbols for mercury (Hg) or lead (Pb) are added if the battery contains more than 0.0005% mercury or

0.004% lead. By ensuring these batteries are disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potentially negative consequences for the environment and human health which could otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of the battery. The recycling of the materials will help to conserve natural resources. In case of products that for safety, performance or data integrity reasons require a permanent connection with an incorporated battery, this battery should be replaced by qualified service staff only. To ensure that the battery will be treated properly, hand over the product at end-oflife to the applicable collection point for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. For all other batteries, please view the section on how to remove the battery from the product safely. Hand the battery over to the applicable collection point for the recycling of waste batteries. For more detailed information about recycling of this product or battery, please contact your local Civic Office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.

Notice for 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 an 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.

Notes on using your camera

Shooting procedure

• This camera has two modes for shooting: the Live View mode using the LCD monitor, and the viewfinder mode using the viewfinder (OVF).

• There may be differences between an image recorded in Live View mode and an image recorded in viewfinder mode, such as exposure, white balance, or Drange optimizer, depending on the method used of metering or the exposure mode.

• In Live View or manual focus check mode, the recorded image may be different from the image you monitored with the LCD monitor.

No compensation for contents of the recording

The contents of the recording cannot be compensated for if recording or playback is not possible due to a malfunction of your camera or a memory card, etc.

Back up recommendation

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

Notes on the LCD monitor and lens

• The LCD monitor is 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 monitor. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the images in any way. To deal with such issues that may appear in Live View mode, you may reduce the effect by using the “Pixel mapping” function (page 163).

• Do not hold the camera by taking hold of

• Do not expose the camera to direct

• Images may trail across on the LCD

• Do not press against the LCD monitor.

Warning on copyright

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

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.

On the data specifications described in this Instruction Manual

The data on performance and specifications is defined under the following conditions, except as described in this Instruction Manual: at an ordinary ambient temperature of 25ºC (77°F), and using a fully charged battery pack.

Black, white, red, blue and green points

the LCD monitor.

sunlight. If sunlight is focused on a nearby object, it may cause a fire. When you must place the camera under direct sunlight, attach the lens cap.

monitor in a cold location. This is not a malfunction. When turning on the camera in a cold location, the LCD monitor may become temporarily dark. When the camera warms up, the monitor will function normally.

The monitor may be discolored and that may cause a malfunction.

Notes on using your camera .............................................. 7

Preparing the camera

Before your operation

Shooting images

Checking the accessories supplied .................................. 12

Preparing the battery pack ............................................... 13

Attaching a lens ............................................................... 20

Inserting a memory card .................................................. 22

Preparing the camera ....................................................... 25

Using the accessories supplied ........................................ 27

Checking the number of recordable images .................... 29

Cleaning ........................................................................... 32

Identifying parts and screen indicators ............................ 35

Front side .................................................................... 35

Rear side ..................................................................... 36

Top ............................................................................. 38

Sides/Bottom .............................................................. 39

Switching the recording information display (DISP)

............................................................................ 40

LCD monitor .............................................................. 41

Selecting a function/setting ............................................. 43

Selecting a function with the Fn (Function) button ... 44 The functions selected by the Fn (Function) button ... 45

The functions selected by the MENU button ............. 45

Shooting an image without camera shake ....................... 47

Correct posture ........................................................... 47

Using the SteadyShot function ................................... 48

Using a tripod ............................................................. 49

/ Shooting with the automatic setting............... 50

Using the Face Detection function ............................. 52

Shooting with a suitable setting for the subject (Scene

Selection) .................................................................... 54

Taking portrait photos .......................................... 55

Taking landscape photos ...................................... 56

Taking small-subject photos ................................ 57

Taking moving-subject photos ............................. 58

Taking sunset photos ........................................... 59

Taking night view photos .................................... 60

Using the shooting function

Shooting an image the way you want it (Exposure mode)

..................................................................................... 61

Shooting with program auto .................................. 62

Shooting by controlling the blur of the background

(Aperture priority) ............................................. 63

Shooting a moving subject with various expressions

(Shutter speed priority) ..................................... 65

Shooting with the exposure adjusted manually

(Manual exposure) ............................................ 67

Shooting trails with long exposure (BULB) .......... 69

Shooting with the viewfinder (OVF) ............................... 71

Switching to the viewfinder ....................................... 71

Adjusting the focus of the finder (diopter adjustment)

............................................................................ 72

Switching the recording information display (DISP)

............................................................................ 73

LCD monitor (Graphic Display) ................................ 74

LCD monitor (Standard Display) ............................... 76

Viewfinder .................................................................. 78

Selecting the focus method .............................................. 79

Using autofocus .......................................................... 79

Shooting with your desired composition (Focus-lock)

............................................................................ 81

Selecting the focus method to suit the movement of the

subject (Autofocus mode) ................................. 82

Selecting the focus area (AF area) ............................. 83

Adjusting the focus manually (Manual focus) ........... 84

Checking the focus by enlarging the image (Manual

focus check) ...................................................... 85

Zooming in in one step .................................................... 87

Using the flash ................................................................. 88

Performing wireless flash shooting ............................ 91

Adjusting the brightness of the image (Exposure, Flash

compensation, Metering) ............................................ 92

Shooting with fixed brightness (AE Lock) ................ 92

Using brightness compensation for the entire image

(Exposure compensation) .................................. 93

Adjusting the amount of flash light (Flash compensation)

............................................................................ 95

Selecting the flash control mode to set the amount of

flash light (Flash control) .................................. 96

Selecting the method for measuring the brightness of a

subject (Metering mode) ................................... 97

Compensating for the brightness and contrast automatically

(D-Range) ................................................................... 98

Correcting the brightness of the image (D-Range

Optimizer) ......................................................... 98

Compensating automatically with rich gradation (Auto

High Dynamic Range) ....................................... 99

Image processing ........................................................... 101

Selecting your desired image processing (Creative Style)

.......................................................................... 101

Changing the range of color reproduction (Color Space)

.......................................................................... 102

Setting ISO .................................................................... 103

Adjusting the color tones (White balance) .................... 104

Adjusting the white balance to suit a specific light source

(Auto/Preset white balance) ............................ 104

Setting the color temperature and a filter effect (Color

Temperature/Color filter) ................................ 105

Registering the color tones (Custom white balance) 106

Selecting the drive mode .................................. 108

Shooting single shot ................................................. 108

Shooting continuously .............................................. 108

Using the self-timer .................................................. 109

Shooting images with the exposure shifted (Exposure

bracket) ............................................................ 110

Shooting with white balance shifted (WB bracket)

.......................................................................... 111

Shooting with the Wireless Remote Commander .... 112

Capturing smiling faces (Smile Shutter) ....................... 113

Using the viewing function

Changing your setup

Viewing images on a computer

Printing images

Others

Playing back images ...................................................... 115

Checking the information of recorded images .............. 120

Protecting images (Protect) ........................................... 122

Deleting images (Delete) ............................................... 123

Viewing images on a TV screen .................................... 125

Setting image size and image quality ............................ 128

Setting the method for recording on a memory card ..... 130

Changing the noise reduction setting ............................ 132

Changing the function of the AEL button ..................... 133

Changing other settings ................................................. 134

Setting the LCD monitor ............................................... 135

Confirming the version of the camera ........................... 137

Resetting to the default .................................................. 138

Using your computer ..................................................... 140

Using the software ......................................................... 147

Specifying DPOF .......................................................... 152

Printing images by connecting the camera to a PictBridge

compliant printer ...................................................... 154

Specifications ................................................................ 156

Troubleshooting ............................................................. 160

Warning messages ......................................................... 169

Precautions .................................................................... 172

Index ............................................................................. 174

Preparing the camera

Checking the accessories supplied

The number in parentheses indicates the number of pieces.

• BC-VM10 Battery charger (1)/ Power cord (mains lead) (1)

• Rechargeable battery pack NPFM500H (1)

• USB cable (1)

• Shoulder strap (1)

• Eyepiece cover (1)

• Body cap (1) (Attached on the camera)

• Instruction Manual (This manual) (1)

• Eyecup (1) (Attached on the camera)

• CD-ROM (Application Software for α camera) (1)

Preparing the battery pack

When using the camera for the first time, be sure to charge the NPFM500H “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (supplied).

Charging the battery pack

The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack can be charged even when it has not been fully depleted. It can also be used when it has not been fully charged.

1 Insert the battery pack on the

battery charger.

Push the battery pack until it clicks.

2 Connect the power cord (mains

lead).

Light on: Charging Light off: Normal charge completed One hour after the lamp is turned off: Full charge completed

About charging time

• Time required to charge a fully depleted battery pack (supplied) at a temperature of 25°C (77°F) is as follows.

Full charge Normal charge

Approx. 235 min. Approx. 175 min.

• The charging time differs depending on the remaining capacity of the battery back or charging conditions.

CHARGE lamp

To a wall outlet (wall socket)

Preparing the camera

• We recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of between 10 to 30°C (50 to 86°F). You may not be able to efficiently charge the battery pack outside of this temperature range.

Notes

• Connect the battery charger to the nearest wall outlet (wall socket).

• When charging is finished, disconnect the power cord (mains lead) from the wall

outlet (wall socket), and remove the battery pack from the battery charger. If you leave the charged battery pack on the charger, battery life may be decreased.

• Do not charge any battery pack other than the “InfoLITHIUM” M series battery

pack in the battery charger (supplied) with your camera. Batteries other than the specified kind may leak, overheat, or explode if you attempt to charge them, posing a risk of injury from electrocution and burns.

• When the CHARGE lamp flashes, this may indicate a battery error or that a battery

pack other than the specified type has been installed. Check that the battery pack is the specified type. If the battery pack is the specified type, remove the battery pack, replace it with new one or another one and check if the battery charger operates correctly. If the battery charger operates correctly, a battery error may have occurred.

• If the battery charger is dirty, charging may not be performed successfully. Clean the

battery charger with dry cloth, etc.

To use your camera abroad — Power sources

You can use your camera and the battery charger and the AC-PW10AM AC Adaptor (sold separately) in any country or region where the power supply is within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.

Note

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

malfunction.

Representative plug of power supply cord of countries/regions around the world.

A Type

(American

Type)

B Type (British

Type)

BF Type

(British

Type)

B3 Type

(British

Type)

C Type

(CEE Type)

SE Type

(CEE Type)

O Type (Ocean

Type)

The representative supply voltage and plug type are described in this chart. Depend on an area, Different type of plug and supply voltage are used. Attention: Power cord meeting demands from each country shall be used.

-For only the United States Use a UL Listed, 1.5-3 m (5-10 ft.), Type SPT-2 or NISPT-2, AWG no. 18 power supply cord, rated for 125 V 7 A, with a non-polarized NEMA 1-15P plug rated for 125 V 15 A.”

Europe