Sony A 100 Manual

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Using the shooting functions
To attach the eyepiece cover
When the shutter is released without the use of the viewfinder, as in bulb exposure or shooting with the 
self-timer, attach the eyepiece cover to prevent light from entering through the viewfinder and affecting 
the exposure.
1Carefully slide the eyecup off by pushing on each side of the eyecup.
2Slide the eyepiece cover over the viewfinder. The cover is normally attached to the shoulder 
strap.
 When attaching the eyepiece cover, the eyepiece sensors located below the viewfinder may be activated 
depending on the situation, and the focus may be adjusted or the LCD monitor may continue to flash. 
Setting [Eye-Start AF] to [Off] prevents this problem (page 85). 
						

							42
Using the function dial
Set the function dial to the desired function. You can set the focus frame, AF mode, metering 
mode, flash compensation, color mode, etc.
ISO:Setting ISO/Zone Matching (page 44)
WB:Adjusting the white balance (page 46)
D-R:D-Range Optimizer (page 49)
DEC:Selecting the color/DEC mode (page 49)
:Focus mode (page 51)
:Flash (page 54)
:Metering mode (page 58)
Function dial 
						

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Using the shooting functions
1Set the function dial to the desired position.
2Press the Fn button so that the function screen appears.
3Select the desired setting or value with v/V/b/B on the controller.
 You can substitute the control dial for b/B of the controller.
 For details on the setting method, see the corresponding explanation.
4Press the center button of the controller to complete the operation.
The settings you select are set.
How to use the function dial
Function dial
Controller Fn button
Center button/Spot AF 
button 
						

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You can adjust the ISO sensitivity and switch the Zone Matching setup.
ISO is a unit of measurement of sensitivity to light. The larger the number, the higher the 
sensitivity.
1Display the ISO/Zone Matching screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select the desired value with v/V/b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
 [Hi200] and [Lo80] options are used for Zone Matching (page 45).( : The default setting)
 When [ISO] is set to [AUTO], the ISO sensitivity is automatically adjusted between ISO 100 and ISO 
800, however, if the mode dial is set to M, it is fixed at ISO 100.
 The built-in flash range (the range within which the correct exposure is provided) depends on the aperture 
value and ISO sensitivity. Refer to the following table to determine the shooting distance.
Setting ISO/Zone MatchingISOWBD-RDEC
ISO
AUTOAutomatically adjusts the ISO sensitivity.
100Select a large number when shooting in dark locations or 
shooting a subject moving at high speed, or select a small 
number to obtain high image quality. 
200
400
800
1600
ApertureISO setting100 200 400 / AUTO 800 1600
F2.8 1 – 4.3 m 
(39 3/8 – 169 
3/8 inches)1 – 6 m 
(39 3/8 – 236 
1/4 inches)1.4 – 8.6 m (55 
1/8 – 338 
5/8 inches)2 – 12 m 
(78 3/4 – 472 
1/2 inches)2.8 – 17 m (110 
1/4 – 669 
3/8 inches)
F4.0 1 – 3 m 
(39 3/8 – 118 
1/8 inches)1 – 4.3 m 
(39 3/8 – 169 
3/8 inches)1 – 6 m 
(39 3/8 – 236 
1/4 inches)1.4 – 8.6 m 
(55 1/8 – 338 
5/8 inches)2 – 12 m 
(78 3/4 – 472 
1/2 inches)
F5.6 1 – 2.1 m 
(39 3/8 – 82 
3/4 inches)1 – 3 m 
(39 3/8 – 118 
1/8 inches)1 – 4.3 m 
(39 3/8 – 169 
3/8 inches)1 – 6 m 
(39 3/8 – 236 
1/4 inches)1.4 – 8.6 m 
(55 1/8 – 338 
5/8 inches) 
						

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Using the shooting functions
You can keep the image from becoming overexposed or underexposed when shooting a high-
keyed or low-keyed subject.
This function is also available for a RAW file.
1Display the ISO/Zone Matching screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select [Lo80] or [Hi200] with v/V/b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
 [AUTO], [100], [200], [400], [800] and [1600] options are used for ISO sensitivity (page 44).
 The ISO sensitivity is set to the equivalent of ISO 80 in [Lo80], and of ISO 200 in [Hi200].
 When zone matching is used, the contrast setting in the color mode is deactivated.
 Refer to the following table to determine the flash range.
Zone Matching
Lo80This keeps the image from becoming underexposed. Use in 
low-key (predominantly dark) scenes is recommended, as the 
image tends to become whitish.
Hi200This keeps the image from becoming overexposed. Use in 
high-key (predominantly light) scenes is recommended, as 
the image tends to have heightened noise level.
ApertureZone MatchingLo80 Hi200
F2.8 1 – 3.8 m (39 3/8 – 149 5/8 inches) 1 – 6 m (39 3/8 – 236 1/4 inches)
F4.0 1 – 2.7 m (39 3/8 – 106 3/8 inches) 1 – 4.3 m (39 3/8 – 169 3/8 inches)
F5.6 1 – 1.9 m (39 3/8 – 74 7/8 inches) 1 – 3 m (39 3/8 – 118 1/8 inches) 
						

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Normally, the camera automatically adjusts the color tones. However, you can also adjust 
them according to the lighting conditions.
1Display the White-balance mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select the desired white balance mode with v/V on the controller.
3To select [AWB], press the center of the controller.
To select anything other than [AWB], go to each procedure.
*K: stands for “Kelvin” (unit of color temperature)
Select an option to suit a specific light source. Use this function if you cannot get your desired 
color in [AWB].
1Display the White-balance mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Display the Preset white balance screen with v/V on the controller, then press B.
3Select the desired light source with b/B on the controller or the control dial, then make fine 
adjustments with v/V on the controller, if necessary.
 You can adjust the white balance between +3 and -3 (in Fluorescent, between +4 and -2).
 Adjusting toward + increases the color temperature and the image turns reddish. Adjusting toward - 
decreases the color temperature and the image turns paler.
 1 step is equivalent to approximately 10 mired*.
* Mired: a unit to indicate the color conversion quality in color temperature filters.
Adjusting the white balanceISOWBD-RDEC
AWB (Auto white balance)Adjusts the white balance automatically.
 (Preset white balance)Adjusts the white balance to a specific light source (see 
below).
K* (Color temperature)Adjusts color temperature. The CC (Color Compensating) 
filter is also adjusted (page 47).
 (Custom white balance)Memorizes the basic white color (page 48).
Preset white balance 
						

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Using the shooting functions
4Press the center of the controller.( : The default setting)
 For details on the white balance t page 17
 If the ambient light consists of sodium-vapor lamps or mercury-vapor lamps alone, an accurate white 
balance cannot be acquired due to the properties of the light source. Use of the flash is recommended to 
overpower the ambient light. 
You can set the white balance using a color temperature.
Based on using the set color temperature as the standard, the color can be compensated from G 
(Green) to M (Magenta) just like using a CC (Color Compensation) filter for photography.
 When setting the color temperature measured by the color meter, test shooting is recommended before the 
actual photo is taken.
1Display the White-balance mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Display the Color temperature screen with V on the controller, then press B.
3Set the color temperature with v/V/b/B on the controller.
 Select the digit (thousand’s or hundred’s place) of the color temperature with b/B, then set the value 
of the selected digit with v/V.
 The color temperature can be selected between 2500K and 9900K.
4Select the setup area of the CC filter with B, then set the CC filter with v/V, if necessary.
 (Daylight)Adjusts for outdoors, sunlit subjects.
 (Shade)Adjusts for shady conditions on a clear day.
 (Cloudy)Adjusts for a cloudy sky.
 (Tungsten)Adjusts for places where the lighting conditions change 
quickly, such as at a party hall, or under bright lighting, such 
as at photography studios.
 (Fluorescent)Adjusts for fluorescent lighting.
 (Flash)Adjusts for flash condition.
Color temperature 
						

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 Pressing v compensates toward M (Magenta), and pressing V toward G (Green). This compensation 
can adjust among nine steps in each direction.
 The increment on the scale is equivalent to approximately 5CC.
5Press the center of the controller. If you change the color temperature after adjusting the CC filter, the actual CC filter value reflects the 
new color temperature.
In a scene where the ambient light consists of multiple types of light source, use of custom 
white balance is recommended in order to accurately reproduce the whiteness.
1Display the White-balance mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Display the Custom white balance screen with v/V on the controller, then press B.
3Select [ SET] with B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
The message “Use spot metering area. Press shutter to calibrate.” appears on the LCD monitor.
4Hold the camera so that the white area fully covers the spot-metering circle and press the shutter 
button down. The shutter clicks and the calibrated values (Color temperature and CC) are 
displayed.
 The focus does not have to be confirmed.
5Press the center of the controller.
The monitor returns to the recording information screen with the memorized custom white 
balance setting retained.
To call the custom white balance setting
In step 2 above, select [ ] with b/B, then press the center of the controller.
  The custom white balance setting registered in this operation is effective until a new setting is registered. 
(The setting is retained after the power is turned off.)
 If the flash is used when the shutter button is pressed, a custom white balance is registered with the flash 
light taken into account. Take pictures with the flash in later shootings.
 The message “Custom WB error.” indicates that the value is beyond the expected range. (When the flash 
is used on a subject in close proximity or a subject with a bright color is in the frame.) The value is 
registered and the   indicator turns yellow on the recording information display on the LCD monitor. 
You can shoot at this point, but it is recommended that you set the white balance again to get a more 
correct white balance value.
Custom white balance 
						

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Using the shooting functions
The camera analyzes the shooting conditions and automatically corrects the image to improve 
the image quality.
1Display the D-Range Optimizer screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select the desired mode with b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
( : The default setting)
 There is no effect in the following cases.
– Center weighted metering
– Spot metering
– The mode dial is set to M.
– [Quality] is set to [RAW] or [RAW & JPEG].
 When using AE lock, the camera automatically corrects the locked image.
 When in Continuous advance mode, the correction is fixed onto the first image, the same correction is 
used for the second or later images.
The color mode has combinations of color tone, white balance, contrast, saturation, and 
sharpness that are best for various shooting conditions and purposes. This function is useful if 
you want to use the effects of scene selection when the mode dial is set to P, A, S, or M. 
Within the color mode, the contrast, saturation, and sharpness can be further calibrated to your 
liking.
1Display the Color/DEC screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select the desired color mode with b/B on the controller.
D-Range OptimizerISOWBD-RDEC
OFF (Off)Does not correct brightness or contrast.
 (Standard)Adjusts the brightness and contrast of the whole screen.
 (Advanced)Optimizes the contrast and the color reproduction of the 
recorded image by area.
Selecting the color/DEC modeISOWBD-RDEC 
						

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3When adjusting the contrast, saturation, or sharpness, move to the screen used for adjustments 
with V, select the desired item with v/V, then adjust the value with b/B.
4Press the center of the controller.
( : The default setting)
*Uses the sRGB color space (see below).
 Selecting auto white balance (page 46) produces a more effective color tone. Use auto white balance 
especially in Sunset mode.
zAbout sRGB color space and Adobe RGB color space
sRGB color space
This is the standard color space of the digital camera and suitable for almost all normal conditions. As it is 
the color space that accommodates the properties of the average monitor, sRGB is also suited for handling 
images for use in web pages.
 (Standard)*Reproduces various scenes with rich gradation and beautiful 
color.
 (Vivid)*Reproduces memorable scenery such as blue sky, sunsets, 
spring greenery, and autumn leaves with deep and vivid 
colors.
 (Portrait)*Accentuates the subject and softly reproduces skin tones.
 (Landscape)*Reproduces the scenery with vivid and sharp colors.
 (Sunset)*Beautifully reproduces the red of the sunset.
 (Night view)*Reproduces the light area vividly and the dark area crisply.
 (B&W)For monochrome images.
 (Adobe RGB)Uses the Adobe RGB color space. An ICC profile will not be 
embedded in the image.
 (Contrast)Adjusts the contrast in five steps, from -2 to +2. The higher the 
value, the stronger the contrast, resulting in a well-modulated, 
clear image. The lower the value, the weaker the contrast, 
resulting in fewer instances of white out or black out.
  When setting the zone matching, only the contrast setting is 
temporarily reset to 0 and cannot be changed.
 (Saturation)Adjusts the color saturation in five steps, from -2 to +2. The 
higher the value, the stronger the saturation, resulting in a vivid, 
clear image. A lower value results in an understated image.
 If the color mode is set to   (B&W), the saturation cannot be 
adjusted. 
 (Sharpness)Adjusts the sharpness of the image in five steps, from -2 to +2. 
The higher the value, the sharper the outline, resulting in a vivid, 
clear image. The lower the value, the softer the outline.