BASIC IMAGE RECORDING BASIC IMAGE RECORDING This section describes the basic procedure for recording an image. IMPORTANT! • Make sure your fingers or the strap does not block the flash or lens. Flash Recording an Image Lens Aiming the Camera Use both hands to hold the camera still when shooting an image. Holding the camera with one hand increases the chance of movement, which can blur your images. • Horizontal • Vertical Hold the camera still in both hands, with your arms firmly against your sides.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 3. Compose the image Recording an lmage on the monitor screen. Your camera automatically adjusts shutter speed in accordance with the brightness of the subject. Images you record are stored in the camera’s built-in memory, or to a memory card if you have one loaded in the camera. • When an optionally available SD memory card or MultiMediaCard (MMC) is loaded in the camera, images are stored on the card (page 125).
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING About the REC Mode Monitor Screen Recording Precautions • The image shown on the monitor screen in the REC mode is a simplified image for composing purposes. The actual image is recorded in accordance with the image quality setting currently selected on your camera. The image saved in file memory has much better resolution and detail than the REC mode monitor screen image.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 5. In the REC mode, use [ ] and [ ] to change Using Zoom the digital zoom factor. You can use the digital zoom feature of your camera to zoom in on the center of an image. Performing a zoom operation toggles the zoom factor between 1X and 4X. [ ] : Zoom in. [ ] : Zoom out. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Use [ ] and [ ] to select the “REC” tab. 3. Use [ ] and [ ] to select “Digital Zoom”, and then press [ ]. Zoom out 4. Use [ ] and [ ] to select “On”, and then 6.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING IMPORTANT! Using the Flash • Zoom is disabled whenever the monitor screen is turned off (page 25). • Using digital zoom can cause degradation of the recorded image. • To disable digital zoom, select “Off” for the “Digital Zoom” setting on the “REC” tab. Perform the following steps to select the flash mode you want to use. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Use [ ] and [ ] to select the “REC” tab. NOTE 3.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING ■ About Red-eye Reduction 5. Record the image. Using the flash to record at night or in a dimly lit room can cause red spots inside the eyes of people who are in the image. This is caused when the light from the flash reflects off of the retina of the eye. Red-eye reduction fires a preflash, which causes the irises in the eyes of any people in the image to close. This is followed by another flash operation when the image is actually recorded.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING • The flash unit may not be able to charge when battery on power is low. Low battery power is indicated by the the monitor screen, and when the flash fails to fire properly resulting in poor image exposure. When these symptoms occur, charge the camera’s battery as soon as possible. • When the red-eye reduction mode ( ) is selected, flash intensity is adjusted automatically in accordance with the exposure. The flash may not fire at all when the subject is brightly lit.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING IMPORTANT! Recording Macro Images • Selecting the macro mode causes the to appear on the monitor screen. • Normally, you should leave the Normal ( ( ) selector setting at “ ”. You can select either normal or macro (close-up) recording using the selector located on the left side of the camera. The table below describes the two settings available with the selector. To do this: Select this setting: Shoot normal images, at a distance of about 1m (39.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING To do this: Using the Self-timer The self-timer lets you select either a 2-second or 10second delay of the shutter release after you press the shutter release button. A Triple Self-timer feature lets you perform three consecutive self-timer operations to record three images.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING 5. Record the image. • When you press the shutter release button, the self-timer lamp flashes and the shutter releases after the selftimer reaches the end of its countdown. Specifying Image Size and Quality You can specify the image size and image quality to suit the type of image you are recording. To specify the image size Self-timer lamp 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING NOTES To specify image quality • If you plan to make large prints of your images or otherwise use them in applications where highresolution is your top priority, select the “1600 x 1200” image size. • If you plan to send images as e-mail attachments or otherwise use them in applications where data economy is your top priority, select the “640 x 480” image size.
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING NOTE • Use the “Fine” setting when image quality is your top priority and file size is secondary. Conversely, use the “Economy” setting when file size is your top priority and image quality is secondary. IMPORTANT! • Actual file size depends on the type of image you record. This means that the remaining image capacity noted on the monitor screen may not be exactly accurate (pages 23, 183).
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to This chapter describes the other powerful features and functions that are available for recording. change the exposure compensation value, and then press [SET]. Exposure Compensation (EV Shift) • Pressing [SET] registers the displayed value. Exposure compensation lets you change the exposure setting (EV value) manually to adjust for the lighting of your subject.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS • To cancel EV Shift, adjust the value until it becomes 0.0. Adjusting White Balance The wavelengths of the light produced by various light sources (sunlight, light bulb, etc.) can affect the color of a subject when it is recorded. White balance lets you make adjustments to compensate for different lighting types, so the colors of an image appear more natural. 4. Record the image.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select the setting you Adjusting White Balance Manually want, and then press [SET]. When shooting under these conditions: Normal conditions Under some light sources, automatic white balance under the “Auto” setting can take a long time to complete. Also, the auto white balance range (color temperature range) is limited. Manual white balance helps to ensure that colors are recorded correctly for a particular light source.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 4. Point the camera at a white piece of paper or Using the BESTSHOT Mode similar object under the lighting conditions for which you want to set the white balance, and then press the shutter release button. Selecting one of the 15 BESTSHOT scenes automatically sets up the camera for recording a similar type of image. ■ Example Sample Scene • Portrait • Scenery • Night Scene • Night Scene Portrait A white piece of paper • This starts the white balance adjustment procedure.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. IMPORTANT! • Sample scene number 4 is Coupling Shot scene (page 62). Sample scene number 5 is a Pre-shot scene (page 64). • BESTSHOT scenes were not recorded using this camera. They are provided as samples only. • Images recorded using a BESTSHOT scene may not produce the results you expected due to shooting conditions and other factors.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 6. Use [왗] and [왘] to Creating Your Own BESTSHOT Setup display the image whose setup you want to register as a BESTSHOT scene. You can use the procedure below to save the setup of an image you recorded for later recall when you need it again. Recalling a setup you save automatically sets up the camera accordingly. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 7. Use [왖] and [왔] to 2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and select “Save”, and then press [SET]. then press [왘]. 3.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS ■ To delete a BESTSHOT user setup IMPORTANT! • BESTSHOT user setups are located in the camera’s built-in memory after the built-in sample scenes. • Note that formatting the built-in memory (page 123) deletes all BESTSHOT user setups. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and then press [왘]. 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “ NOTES BESTSHOT”, and then press [SET].
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Combining Shots of Two People into a Single Image (Coupling Shot) • Combined Images The Coupling Shot mode lets you record images of two people and combine them into a single image. This makes it possible for you to include yourself in group images, even when there is no one else around to record the image for you. Coupling Shot is available in the BESTSHOT mode (page 58).
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 5. Use the monitor 6. Next, use the monitor screen to compose and record the left side of the image. screen to compose the right side of the image, taking care to align the actual background with the semi-transparent image of the background of the left-side image, which remains on the monitor screen. When everything is aligned correctly, record the image. • The exposure, white balance, zoom, and flash settings are fixed for this type of image.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS • Freeze the background on the monitor screen. Recording a Subject onto an Existing Background Image (Pre-shot) Pre-shot helps you get the background you want, even if you need to ask someone else to record the image for you. Basically, Pre-shot is a two-step process. 1. You compose the background you want and press the shutter release button, which causes a semi-transparent image of the background to remain on the monitor screen. 2.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 6. Next, use the monitor screen to compose the subject with the semi-transparent background shown on the monitor screen. When everything is aligned correctly, record the image. 2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and then press [왘]. 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “ BESTSHOT”, and then press [SET]. 4. Use [왗] and [왘] to select “Pre-shot”, and then press [SET].
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to Using the Movie Mode Remaining capacity select “ Movie”, and then press [SET]. You can record movies up to 60 seconds long. The EXM20 even lets you record audio along with your movies. • “Remaining capacity” shows how many 60second movies can still be recorded to memory. • File Format: AVI AVI format conforms to the Motion JPEG format promoted by the Open DML Group.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS IMPORTANT! Recording Audio (EX-M20 Only) • The flash does not fire in the Movie mode. • The EX-M20 also records audio. Note the following points when recording a movie. — Take care that you do not block the microphone with your fingers. Adding Audio to a Snapshot You can add audio to a snapshot after you record it. • Image Format: JPEG JPEG is an image format that provides efficient data compression. The file extension of a JPEG file is “.JPG”.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 5. Press the shutter release button to start audio recording. 2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and • The operation/flash charge lamp flashes green as recording is performed. then press [왘]. 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “ ( + • Even if you have the monitor screen turned off (page 25), the monitor screen turns on while you are adding audio to a snapshot. )”, and then press [SET]. • This enters the Snapshot Audio Mode. 6.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS 4. Press the shutter release button to start voice Recording Your Voice recording. The Voice Recording Mode provides quick and easy recording of your voice. • The remaining recording time value counts down on the monitor screen and the operation/flash charge lamp flashes green as recording is performed. • Audio Format: WAVE/ADPCM recording format This is the Windows standard format for audio recording. The file extension of a WAVE/ADPCM file is “.WAV”.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS ■ Audio Recording Precautions Using the Histogram • Keep the microphone on the front of the camera pointed at the subject. • Take care that you do not block the microphone with your fingers. You can use the [DISP] button to display a histogram on the monitor screen. The histogram lets you check exposure conditions as you record images (page 25). You can also display the histogram of a recorded image in the PLAY mode.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS • When the histogram is too far to the left, it means that there are too many dark pixels. This type of histogram results when the overall image is dark. A histogram that is too far to the left may result in “black out” of the dark areas of an image. IMPORTANT! • Note that the above histograms are shown for illustrative purposes only. You may not be able to achieve exactly the same shapes for particular subjects.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS IMPORTANT! REC Mode Camera Settings • Increasing ISO sensitivity can cause static to appear inside an image. Select the ISO sensitivity setting that suits your shooting needs. • Using a high ISO sensitivity setting along with the flash to shoot a nearby subject may result in improper illumination of the subject. Specifying ISO Sensitivity Use the following procedure to select the ISO sensitivity setting that suits the type of image you are recording. 1.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Turning the On-screen Grid On and Off Turning Image Review On and Off You can display gridlines on the monitor screen to help you compose images and ensure that the camera is straight when recording. Image review displays an image on the monitor screen as soon as you record it. Use the following procedure to turn image review on and off. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the “REC” tab, select “Review”, and then press [왘]. 3.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Assigning Functions to the [왗] and [왘] Keys When you want to assign this function to [왗] and [왘] keys: Select this: A “key customization” feature lets you configure the [왗] and [왘] keys so they change camera settings whenever they are pressed in the REC mode. After you configure the [왗] and [왘] keys, you can change the setting assigned to them without going through the menu screen. Recording mode • [왗] and [왘] cycle through recording modes.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Assigning Functions to the [왖] and [왔] Keys A “key customization” feature lets you configure the [왖] and [왔] keys so they change camera settings whenever they are pressed in the REC mode. After you configure the [왖] and [왔] keys, you can change the setting assigned to them without going through the menu screen. 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the “REC” tab, select “U/D Key”, and then press [왘]. 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select the setting you want, and then press [SET].
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Specifying Power On Default Settings 1. In the REC mode, press [MENU]. The camera’s “mode memory” feature lets you specify the power on default settings individually for the REC mode, flash mode, white balance mode, ISO sensitivity, and digital zoom mode. Turning on mode memory for a mode tells the camera to remember the status of that mode when you turn off the camera, and restore it the next time you turn the camera back on.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS Resetting the Camera Use the following procedure to reset all of the camera’s settings to their initial defaults as shown under “Menu Reference” on page 173. 1. In the REC mode or the PLAY mode, press [MENU]. 2. Select the “Set Up” tab, select “Reset”, and then press [왘]. 3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “Reset”, and then press [SET]. • To cancel the procedure without resetting, select “Cancel” and press [SET].
