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Basic Shooting Operation
3
Holding the Camera
How you hold the camera is important when taking pictures.
• Hold the camera firmly with both hands.
• Press the shutter release button gently when taking a picture.
Horizontal position Vertical position
• To reduce camera shake, support your body or the camera on a solid object such as a table, tree, or wall.
• Although there are individual differences among photographers, the shutter speed for a handheld camera is generally 1/(focal length ×1.5). For example, it is 1/75 of a second for a focal length of 50 mm and 1/150 of a second for
100 mm. Use a tripod or the Shake Reduction function (p.67) when using a
lower shutter speed.
• When using a telephoto lens, a tripod that is heavier than the total weight of the camera and lens is recommended to avoid camera shake.
• Do not use the Shake Reduction function when using the camera on a tripod.
Letting the Camera Choose the Optimal Settings
The x features various Capture modes, Focus modes, and Drive modes suited for your intentions. This section explains how to take pictures by simply pressing the shutter release button.
1
Set the mode dial to I.
The camera will select the optimal capture mode for the subject.
1
Selecting the Appropriate Capture
Mode for Scenes (p.78)
3
57
2
Set the focus mode lever to =.
The focus mode changes to l
(Autofocus/Single) mode.
In l, the lens automatically focuses when the shutter release button is pressed halfway. When the image is focused, the shutter can be
released. (p.102)
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3
Look through the viewfinder to view the subject.
A zoom lens can be used to change the size of the subject in the viewfinder.
1 Using a Zoom Lens (p.61)
3
4
Position the subject inside the
AF frame and press the shutter release button halfway.
The autofocus system operates. The focus indicator ] appears in the viewfinder when the subject comes into focus.
When set to I (Auto Picture) mode, the optimal capture mode is automatically selected from Portrait, Landscape,
Macro, and Moving Object modes or standard settings (Normal mode).
The flash pops up automatically when necessary. (Push the K button and manually lift the flash when Flash mode is not set to [Auto discharge] or [Auto flash+Redeye reduct]).
1
Operating the shutter release button
(p.59)
1
Subjects that are Difficult to Focus on
(p.60)
Flash status
1
Using the Built-in Flash (p.62)
1
Selecting the Focusing Area (AF Point) (p.105)
Focus indicator
You can preview the image in the monitor and check the composition,
exposure, and focus before taking the picture. (p.112)
5
Press the shutter release button fully.
The picture is taken.
6
Review the captured image on the monitor.
Image appears for 1 second on the monitor after capturing (Instant
Review).
1
Setting the Instant Review (p.211)
1
Histogram Display (p.211)
1
Bright/Dark Area Display (p.211)
You can magnify the image during
Instant Review with the e-dial. (p.162)
You can delete the image during
Instant Review by pressing the i button.
1
Deleting Images (p.72)
Operating the shutter release button
The shutter release button has two working positions.
Not pressed Pressed halfway
(first position)
Pressed fully
(second position)
Pressing it down halfway (first position) turns on the viewfinder and
LCD panel indicators and the autofocus system operates. Pressing it fully (second position) takes the picture.
• Press the shutter release button gently when taking a picture to prevent camera shake.
• Practice pressing the shutter release button halfway to learn where the first position is.
• The viewfinder indicators stay on while shutter release button is pressed halfway. The indications stay on for about 10 seconds (default setting) while the exposure metering timer is on after the button is
released. (p.27, p.99)
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3
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3
Subjects that are Difficult to Focus on
The autofocus mechanism is not perfect. Focusing may be difficult when taking pictures under the following conditions ((a) to (f) below). These also apply to manual focusing using the focus indicator ] in the viewfinder.
If the subject cannot be focused automatically, set the focus mode lever to
\ and use the manual focus mode to focus on the subject with the aid
of the matte field in the viewfinder. (p.110)
(a) Extremely low-contrast subjects such as a white wall in the focusing area.
(b) Subjects which do not reflect much light within the focusing area.
(c) Fast moving objects.
(d) Strongly reflected light or strong backlighting (bright background).
(e) If repeating vertical or horizontal line patterns appear within the focusing area.
(f) Multiple subjects in the foreground and background within the focusing area.
Subject may not be focused even when ] (focus indicator) is displayed when
(e) and (f) above apply.
