Nikon Coolpix S50 User Manual

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Using the Flash
Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
jThe B (Off) Indicator
Note the following when lighting is poor and the flash is off (B). Turn vibration reduction
(c114) off when using a tripod.
• Place the camera on a flat, level surface or use a tripod (recommended).
•The W is displayed when the camera automatically increases sensitivity to minimize blur
caused by slow shutter speed. Pictures taken when W is displayed may be slightly mottled.
• When W is displayed, higher sensitivity is applied, and slow shutter speeds are used, noise
reduction may be automatically applied as pictures taken are recorded; results in increased
recording times.
jNote on Using the Flash
When using the flash at a wide-angle zoom position, reflections from dust particles in the air
may appear as bright spots in pictures. To reduce these reflections, set the flash to B (Off) or
zoom in on the subject.
kThe AF-assist Illuminator
If lighting is poor, the AF-assist illuminator may light to assist the focus operation when the
shutter-release button is pressed halfway. The illuminator has a range of about 2 m (6 ft.
7 in.) at the maximum wide-angle position and 1.5 m (4 ft. 11 in.) at the maximum telescopic
position. The AF-assist illuminator can be set to [Off] manually (c115), although in this case
the camera may not focus when lighting is poor.
kThe Flash Lamp
The flash lamp indicates flash status when the shut-
ter-release button is pressed halfway.
•On: Flash will fire when picture is taken.
•Blinks: Flash charging. Wait a few seconds and
try again.
•Off: Flash will not fire when picture is taken.
kRed-Eye Reduction
The COOLPIX S50 is equipped with an advanced red-eye reduction system. Pre-flashes are
fired several times at low intensity before the main flash to reduce “red-eye.” If the camera
detects “red-eye” after a picture is taken, Nikon’s own In-Camera Red-Eye Fix processes the
image as it is recorded. Therefore, there is a slight delay before the shutter-release button
operates normally to take another picture. 
• Not recommended for when shutter-release timing is essential.
• Red-eye reduction may not always produce the desired results.
• In some rare cases, other portions of pictures may be affected.
Use flash modes other than auto with red-eye reduction in above cases.
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Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
Taking Pictures with the Self-Timer
The camera is equipped with a ten-second and three-second timer for self-
portraits. When using the self-timer, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn
vibration reduction (c114) off when using a tripod.
1Press H (self-timer).
The self-timer menu is displayed.
2Use the rotary multi selector to choose
[10s] or [3s] and press d.
[10s] (ten seconds): suited  for  important  occasions
(such as weddings)
[3s] (three seconds): suited for preventing camera
shake
The mode selected for self-timer is displayed.
If a setting is not applied by pressing d within five seconds, the selection will be
cancelled.
3Frame the picture and press the
shutter-release button halfway.
Focus and exposure will be set.
4Press the shutter-release button
the rest of the way down.
The self-timer starts and the self-timer lamp
will blink. The lamp stops blinking one sec-
ond before the photograph is taken and
remains lit until the shutter is released.
The number of seconds remaining before
the shutter is released is displayed in the
monitor.
To stop the timer before a picture is taken,
press the shutter-release button again.
3s 10s
Self-timer
6
MM
HH101010
L
6
6
MM
HH101010
L
6
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Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
Macro Close-up Mode
Macro close-up mode is used for taking pictures of objects as close as 4 cm
(1.6 in.). Note that the flash may be unable to light entire subject at distances
of less than 30 cm (11.8 in.).
1Press L (macro close-up mode).
The macro close-up menu is displayed.
2Use the rotary multi selector to choose
[ON] and press d.
The macro close-up mode icon (F) is displayed.
When [OFF] is selected, FOFF is only displayed for
five seconds.
The monitor will return to the normal display for the
current mode if the setting is not applied by pressing
d within five seconds.
3Press v (k) or t (j) to frame the pic-
ture.
The camera can focus at a distance of 4 cm (1.6 in.) at
the zoom position at which F glows green (the zoom
indicator is positioned over F).
4Focus and shoot.
The macro close-up mode applied in L (auto) mode
or high-sensitivity shooting mode is stored in the
camera’s memory even after the camera is turned off.
kMacro Close-up Mode
In macro close-up mode, the camera focuses continuously, even when the shutter-release
button is not pressed halfway to lock focus.
Macro close-up
FFFL
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Basic Photography and Playback: Auto Mode
Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is used to alter exposure from the value suggested
by the camera to make pictures brighter or darker.
1Press the rotary multi selector I (expo-
sure compensation).
2Use the rotary multi selector to adjust
exposure.
• When the picture is too dark: adjust the exposure
compensation to “+” side.
• When the picture is too bright: adjust the exposure
compensation to “-” side.
• Exposure compensation can be set to values
between -2.0 and +2.0 EV.
3Press d.
•The I icon is displayed in the monitor.
• The monitor will return to the normal display for the
current mode if the setting is not applied by press-
ing d within five seconds.
• The exposure compensation applied in L mode or
high-sensitivity shooting mode is stored in the cam-
era’s memory even after the camera is turned off.
Exp. +/-
6
MM
WW
L
6
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Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
High-sensitivity Shooting Mode
In high-sensitivity shooting mode, sensitivity is increased with shooting under
low lighting to reduce blurring caused by camera shake or subject move-
ment, allowing you to capture the atmosphere of the scene. ISO sensitivity
will be automatically increased to a maximum of 1600 depending upon the
brightness of the subject.
1Enter high-sensitivity shooting
mode by pressing C in
shooting mode, selecting K
(use the rotary multi selector),
and then pressing d.
2Frame the subject and take the
picture.
jNotes on High-sensitivity Shooting Mode
• This mode reduces effects of camera shake even for shooting under low lighting; however,
when shooting without the flash, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction
(c114) off when using a tripod.
• Pictures taken in this mode may become somewhat grainy.
• Focus may not be precisely fixed in extremely dark places.
lHigh-sensitivity Shooting and Anti-shake Modes
Both high-sensitivity shooting mode and anti-shake mode (c42) reduce blurring caused by
camera shake and subject movement. However, high-sensitivity shooting mode is suited for
shooting under low lighting. In some circumstances, disabling the flash may make it even eas-
ier to capture the true essence of the scene.
In high-sensitivity shooting mode, pressing m displays the high-sensitivity menu. The items
available from this menu are the same as those available in the L (auto) mode shooting
menu (c88), except that [ISO sensitivity] is not available in the high-sensitivity menu. Just as
with L (auto) mode, the flash, self-timer, macro close-up mode, and exposure compensa-
tion are available.
In anti-shake mode, vibration reduction (c114) and BSS (c95) are enabled to reduce blur-
ring caused by camera shake or subject movement, and the flash is disabled. Sensitivity is set
higher and shutter speed is faster than with L (auto) mode under the same lighting condi-
tions. This mode is suited to shooting under natural light when the camera is zoomed in.
High sensitivity 
6
MM
WW
6
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Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
Scene Modes
The camera offers a choice of 15 “scene” options. Camera settings are auto-
matically optimized for the selected subject type.
1Enter scene mode by pressing
C in shooting mode, select-
ing n (use the rotary multi
selector), and then pressing d.
2Press m to display the scene
menu screen, and choose the
desired scene and press d.
3Frame the subject and take the
picture.
lImage Mode
[Z Image mode] (c89) can be set in the scene menu.
Changes made to these settings apply to all shooting modes.
B PortraitH Beach/snowN Museum
E LandscapeI SunsetK Fireworks show
P SportsJ Dusk/dawnO Copy
D Night portraitG Night landscapeL Back light
C Party/indoorM Close upF Panorama assist
Scene
B
E
P
D
CScene menu
ExitPortrait
Landscape
Sports
Night portrait
Party/indoor
6
MM
WW
B
6
Scene menu
Image mode
Exit
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
Features
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
kIcons Used For Descriptions
The following icons are used for descriptions in this section: J, flash (c28); H, self-timer
(c30); L, macro close-up (c31); I, exposure compensation (c32); u, AF-assist illumi-
nation (c115).
B Portrait
Use this mode for portraits in which the main subject 
stands out clearly. Portrait subjects exhibit smooth, natu-
ral-looking skin tones.
• Camera focuses on subject in the center of the monitor.
CA*HOff*FOffI0*uAuto*
E Landscape
Use this mode for vivid landscapes and cityscapes.
• Camera focuses at infinity. The focus indicator (c24) 
always glows green when the shutter-release button is 
pressed halfway. Note, however, that objects in the fore-
ground may not always be in focus.
CBHOff*FOffI0*uOff
P Sports
Use this mode for dynamic action shots that freeze the 
action in a single shot and record motion in a series of pic-
tures.
• While the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the 
camera focuses continuously until focus is acquired and 
locked.
• While shutter-release button is held down, pictures are 
taken at rate of about 1.6 frames per second (fps) when 
image mode is set to [E Normal (3072)].
• The maximum frame rate with continuous shooting may 
vary depending upon the current image mode setting 
and the memory card used.
CBHOffFOffI0*uOff
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
1Fill flash with slow sync and red-eye reduction.2Other settings can be selected.
1Fill flash with slow sync and red-eye reduction. Other settings can be selected.2Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
Q: For those scene modes with Q, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction
(c114) off when using a tripod.
D Night PortraitQ
Use this mode to achieve a natural balance between the 
main subject and background lighting in portraits taken at 
night.
CA1HOff2FOffI02uAuto2
C Party/indoor
Captures the effects of candlelight and other indoor back-
ground lighting.
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
• Turn vibration reduction (c114) off when using a tri-
pod.
CA1HOff2FOffI02uAuto2
H Beach/snow
Captures the brightness of such subjects as snowfields, 
beaches, or sunlit expanses of water. 
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
Cz*HOff*FOff*I0*uAuto*
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
Q: For those scene modes with Q, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction
(c114) off when using a tripod.
I SunsetQ
Preserves the deep hues seen in sunsets and sunrises. 
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOff*FOffI0*uOff
J Dusk/dawnQ
Preserves the colors seen in the weak natural light before 
sunrise or after sunset. 
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOff*FOffI0*uOff
G Night landscapeQ
Slow shutter speeds are used to produce stunning night 
landscapes. 
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOff*FOffI0*uOff
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Scene Modes
Shooting Suited for the Scene - High-sensitivity Shooting Mode, Scene Mode
* Other settings can be selected.
* Other settings can be selected.
Q: For those scene modes with Q, use of a tripod is recommended. Turn vibration reduction
(c114) off when using a tripod.
M Close up
Photograph flowers, insects, and other small objects at 
close range.
• The camera can focus at distances as close as 4 cm 
(1.6 in.). Zoom is available when F is green.
• [AF area mode] is set to [Manual] (c97). Camera 
focuses on subject in applied focus area.
• While the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the 
camera focuses continuously until focus is acquired and 
locked.
• Macro close-up shooting (c31) can be used for this 
option.
• Turn vibration reduction (c114) off when using a tri-
pod.
CB*HOff*FOnI0*uAuto*
N Museum
Use indoors where flash photography is prohibited (for 
example, in museums and art galleries) or in other settings 
in which you do not want to use the flash. 
• Camera focuses on subject in center of frame.
• BSS (c95) turns on automatically. 
• Turn vibration reduction (c114) off when using a tri-
pod.
CBHOff*FOff*I0*uOff
K Fireworks showQ
Slow shutter speeds are used to capture the expanding 
burst of light from a firework.
• Camera focuses at infinity. When the shutter-release 
button is pressed halfway, the focus indicator (c24) 
always lights; however, focus may not be set for near 
subjects, while the camera focuses at infinity.
CBHOffFOffI0uOff
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