Casio Exilim Ex S500 Users Guide

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
51
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
This section describes the basic procedure for recording an
image.
Recording an Image
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 Hold the camera
still in both
hands, with your
arms firmly
against your
sides.
Vertical When holding
the camera
vertically, make
sure that the
flash is above
the lens. Hold
the camera...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
52
Recording an Image
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 163).
After purchasing a memory card, be sure to load it into
the camera and format it before trying to use it (page...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
53
3.Press the shutter button half
way to focus the image.
When you press the shutter
button half way, the camera’s
Auto Focus feature automatically
focuses the image, and displays
the shutter speed value, the
aperture value, and the ISO
sensitivity.
You can tell whether
the image is focused
by observing the
focus frame and the
operation lamp.
Shutter button
Operation lamp
It means this:
The image is in focus.
The image is not in focus.
When you see this:
Green focus frame
Green...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
54
*1 The size of the opening (aperture) that allows light
passing through the lens to reach the CCD. A larger
aperture value indicates a smaller opening for light to
pass through. The camera adjusts this setting
automatically.
*2 The amount of time the shutter remains open, allowing
light passing through the lens to reach the CCD. A
larger shutter speed value indicates that the shutter
remains open longer, which means more light reaches
the CCD. The camera adjusts this setting...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
55
You can turn the AF assist light on or off. It is
recommended that you turn off the AF assist light when
recording images of nearby people, etc.
1.In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2.Use [
] and [] to select the “REC” tab.
3.Use [] and [] to select “AF Assist Light”,
and then press [].
4.Use [] and [] to select the setting you
want, and then press [SET].
Select this setting:
On
Off
To do this:
Turn on the AF assist light
Turn off the AF assist light
 IMPORTANT! 
Do not look...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
56

 About Auto Focus
Proper focus may be difficult or even impossible when
shooting the following types of subjects.
—Solid color walls or subjects with little contrast
—Strongly backlit subjects
—Very shiny objects
—Venetian blinds or other horizontally repeating patterns
—Multiple subjects that are varying distances from the
camera
—Subjects in poorly lit areas
—Moving subjects
—Subjects outside the shooting range of the camera
Note that a green operation lamp and focus frame...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
57

 About the REC Mode Monitor Screen
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.
Certain levels of subject brightness can cause the
response of the REC mode monitor screen to slow down,
which causes some...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
58
Zoom out Zoom in
2.Compose the image, and then press the
shutter button.
 NOTE 
The optical zoom factor also affects the lens
aperture.
Use of a tripod is recommended to protect against
hand movement when using the telephoto setting
(zoom in).
Whenever you perform an optical zoom operation
while recording with the Auto Focus mode, Macro
mode, or manual focus, a value will appear on the
monitor screen to tell you the focusing range (pages
72, 75, 77).
Optical zoom is disabled...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
59
Digital Zoom
Digital zoom digitally enlarges the part of the image at the
center of the image screen. The range of digital zoom is 3X
to 12X (in combination with optical zoom).
 IMPORTANT! 
When you perform a digital zoom operation, the
camera manipulates the image data to enlarge the
center of the image. Unlike optical zoom, an image
enlarged with digital zoom appears coarser than the
original.

 To record an image using digital zoom
1.In the REC mode,
hold down the
telephoto...

BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
60
3.Release the zoom button momentarily, and
then hold down its telephoto (
) side again
to move the zoom pointer into the digital
zoom range.
The zoom pointer will also stop when you move the
pointer back to the switch over point to re-enter the
digital zoom range. Release the zoom button and
then hold down its wide angle (
) side again to
move into the digital zoom range.
4.Compose the image, and then press the
shutter button.
Select this setting:
On
Off
To do this:
Turn on...