Kodak M531 User Manual

							Setting up your camera
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 5
Storing pictures on an optional SD or SDHC Card
Your camera has internal memory.  We strongly recommend purchasing an SD 
or SDHC Card to conveniently store more pictures/videos.
CAUTION:
A card can only be inserted one way; forcing it may cause 
damage. Inserting or removing a card while the camera is on may 
damage the pictures, the card, or the camera.
Purchase accessories  www.kodak.com/go/m531accessories
1Turn off the camera.
2 Insert the card until it 
clicks.
3
Turn on the camera.
To eject the card, 
push and release it.
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2Taking pictures/videos
Taking pictures
To get clear, focused pictures:
1The camera turns on in Smart Capture mode. 
(If it’s in a different mode, press the Mode button, 
then   until the LCD displays 
Smart Capture 
mode  , then press OK.)
2 Compose the picture.
3 Press the Shutter button  halfway to focus and 
set exposure. When the framing marks turn green, 
press the Shutter button  completely down.
Using the framing marks
Framing marks indicate  the camera focus area. 
1 Press the Shutter button  halfway.
If the camera is not focusing on the desired subject, 
release the Shutter button and recompose the scene.
2Press the Shutter button  completely down to 
take the picture.
NOTE:  Multiple framing marks may appear when faces are detected.
To use the built-in Help system,  see page 41.
Framing marks 
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							Taking pictures/videos
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 7
Taking a video
1 Press the Mode button, then   until the LCD 
displays 
Video  , then press OK.
2 Press the Shutter button  completely down, 
then release it. To stop re cording, press and release 
the Shutter button again.
To review and work with videos, see  page 21.
Reviewing the picture/video just taken
After you take a picture/video, the LCD briefl y displays the picture or the first frame of 
a video. (To take new pictures/videos sooner, press the Shutter button halfway.) 
To review pictures/videos anytime, see  page 21.
Delete the current picture/video
OK Play/pause a video Adjust volume
While a picture/video is displayed, 
you may:
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Taking pictures/videos
Adjusting LCD brightness
You can adjust the LCD brightness for your environment or to conserve battery power, 
see 
page 34 .
Understanding the picture-taking icons
Know when your battery needs charging
The battery level icon works like the gas gaug e in your car, but appears only when the 
battery requires your at tention. (If you’re viewing shortc uts, the battery level is always 
displayed.  See page 13 .)
Charge the battery whenever necessary.
Purchase extra batteries for your special event.  www.kodak.com/go/m531accessories
Charge the battery   See page 2
Battery level
Capture mode
Pictures/time remaining
Zoom indicator
Preset keyword 
tag Self timer
Flash mode
Focus mode
Exposure compensation
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							Taking pictures/videos
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 9
Using the optical zoom
1 Use the LCD to frame your subject.
2 To zoom in, press Telephoto (T). 
To zoom out, press Wide Angle (W).
3 Ta ke  t h e  p i c t u r e.
NOTE:  For focus distances, see Specifications starting on  page 46.
Using digital zoom
Use digital zoom to get up to 5X magnification beyond optical zoom. (Digital zoom is 
not available in Smart Capture mode.) Press  Telephoto (T) until the slider on the LCD 
is at the end of the optical zoom range.  Release Telephoto (T), then press it again.
NOTE:  You may notice decreased image quality when using digital zoom.
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Taking pictures/videos
Using the flash
Press the Flash button repeatedly until 
the LCD displays the desired flash mode.
Flash modesFlash fires
AutoWhen the lighting conditions require it.
Fill (Flash On)Every time you take a picture, regardless of the lighting 
conditions. Use when the subject is in shadow or is “backlit” 
(when the light is behind the subject).
NOTE:  (Not available in Smart Capture mode.)
Red-eye 
Reduction 
Choose a setting 
in the Setup 
menu,  page 35 .Preflash A preflash fires, shrinking  the eye pupil, before the picture is 
taken.
Digital 
Correction A preflash does not fire; the camera corrects red eye.
NOTE:  When using digital correcti
on, image processing takes longer 
than when using preflash.
OffNever
Flash button
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							Taking pictures/videos
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 11
Using different modes
Press the Mode button, then   until the LCD displays the mode that best suits 
your subjects and surroundings, 
then press OK.
Use this modeFor
Smart 
Capture General picture taking—it offers 
excellent image quality and ease 
of use. 
■Faces get focus and exposure priority.
■The scene is analyzed for ot her content and for lighting.
You can choose the best picture  size and aspect ratio for your 
needs—just press the Menu   button and choose Picture Size.
■3:2 (the best choice when making 4 x 6 prints)
■16:9 (wide screen)
■4:3 (the default setting)
 Program Advanced picture taking—allows access to more manual settings 
than Smart Capture.
Scene
Point-and-shoot simplicity when ta
king pictures in practically any 
situation. (See  page 12.)
VideoCapturing video with sound. (See 
page 7.)
Mode button
view single picture.
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Taking pictures/videos
Using Scene (SCN) modes
Choose a Scene mode—for great pict
ures in practically any situation.
1 Press the Mode button, then    until the LCD displays SCN, 
then press OK.
2 Press     to highlight a mode and read its description.
3 Press OK to enter that Scene mode.
The camera is now in the highlighted scene mode.
SCN mode For
Portrait Full-frame portraits of people. 
Panorama L-R, R-L“Stitching” 2 or 3 pictures in to 1 panoramic scene. (See page 15.)
Blur Reduction Reducing blur caused by camera shake or subject motion.
SportAction pictures.
LandscapeDistant scenes.
Close-upClose range. Use available light  instead of flash, if possible.
Night PortraitReduces red eye of people in nigh t scenes or low-light conditions. 
Night Landscape  Distant scenery at night. Flash does not fire.
High ISO People indoors, in low-light scenes.
FlowerClose-ups of flowers or other sm all subjects in bright light.
SunsetSubjects at dusk or dawn.
BacklightSubjects that are in shadow or “backlit.”
Candle LightSubjects illuminated by candle light.
ChildrenAction pictures of children in bright light.
Manner/
Museum  Quiet occasions, like a wedding or
 lecture. Flash and sound are 
disabled. For best results, place th e camera on a steady surface or 
tripod.
Beach Bright beach scenes.
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 13
Using shortcuts
Your camera has a clean, uncluttered interf ace. For quick access to the most popular 
capture and review functions: 
1 Press the Info   button. 
The shortcuts appear. To hide  the shortcuts again, press  .
2Press   to access functions like Exposu re Compensation, Self-timer, and Auto 
focus. (You’ll see different fu nctions in different modes.)
3 Press   to choose a setting.
Snow Bright snow scenes.
TextDocuments. For best resu lts, place the camera on a steady surface or 
tripod.
Fireworks Fireworks. For best results, place  the camera on a steady surface or 
tripod.
Self-Portrait Close-ups of yourself. Assures pr oper focus and minimizes red eye.
Panning ShotEmphasizing motion, with a sharp s ubject and blurred background. (For 
best results, track the moving subject while taking the picture.)
SCN mode For
Press to 
show/hide 
shortcuts.
Shortcuts
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Taking pictures/videos
Using the self-timer
Use the self-timer when you want to be included in a picture, or to ensure a steady 
Shutter button press. For best results, place the camera on a tripod or steady surface. 
You can turn on the self-timer using a shortcut (
see page 13) or these steps:
1 Press the Menu   button. Press  to  choose Self-timer, then press OK.
2 Press  to choose a Self-timer setting:
2 Seconds—  A picture is taken after a 2-second delay.
10 Seconds—  A picture is taken after a 10-s econd delay (so you have time 
to get into the scene).
2 Picture Timer—  The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A 
second picture is taken 8 seconds later.
3 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button  halfway, then completely down .
The camera takes the picture/pictures after the delay.
To take a video after a 2- or 10-second de lay, use the same procedure but press the 
Shutter button  completely down  while in video mode.
Using burst
Use the burst feature to take up to 3 pictures in rapid succession. You can turn on 
burst using a shortcut ( see page 13) or these steps:
1 Press the Menu   button. 
2 Press to choose Self-t imer/Burst, then press   to choose Burst On. 
3 Press the Menu   button.
4 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button  halfway, then completely down 
and hold it .
The camera stops taking pictures when you release the Shutter button, when pictures 
are taken, or when there is no more storage  space. Burst is unavailable in some modes.
2
10
2x
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