Sony A 200 Manual

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Preparing the camera
Inserting a memory card
You can use a CompactFlash card (CF card), Microdrive, or “Memory 
Stick Duo” as a memory card.
1Open the memory card cover.
2Insert a memory card (not 
supplied) from the terminal side 
(the terminal side has a number 
of small holes) with its label side 
facing toward the LCD monitor.
Face side with a label
 For a “Memory Stick Duo” (not 
supplied), insert it in a Memory Stick 
Duo Adaptor for CompactFlash slot 
(not supplied), then insert the adaptor in 
the camera.
Face side with a label
3Close the memory card cover. 
						

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To remove the memory card
 The memory card may be hot just after it has been used for a long time. 
Be careful when you handle it.
 When the access lamp is lit, do not remove the memory card or the 
battery pack, or turn off the power. The data may be corrupted.
 Data may be damaged if you place the memory card near strongly-
magnetized material or use the memory card in a static-prone or 
electrically noisy environment.
 We recommend backing up important data, such as to a hard disk of a 
computer.
 When you carry or store the memory card, put it in the case supplied with 
it.
 Do not expose the memory card to water.
 Do not touch the terminal section of the memory card with your hand or a 
metal object.
On the CF card/Microdrive
 Be sure to format the CF card/Microdrive using this camera when you use 
it for the first time.
 Do not remove the label of a CF card/Microdrive or attach a new label 
over the label. 
 Do not press on the label strongly.
Notes on use of the MicrodriveA Microdrive is a compact and lightweight hard disk drive that complies with 
CompactFlash Type II.
Check that the access lamp is not lit, then 
open the memory card cover, push down 
the memory card eject lever. After the 
card is ejected a little, pull out the 
memory card.
Notes on using memory cards
Memory card eject 
lever
Access lamp 
						

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Preparing the camera
 The Microdrive is a compact hard disk drive. Since the Microdrive is a rotating disk, 
the Microdrive is not strong enough to resist vibration and shock compared to a 
memory card.
Be sure not to transmit vibration or shock to the Microdrive during playback or 
shooting.
 Note that the use of the Microdrive under 5°C (41°F) may bring performance 
degradation.
Operating temperature range when using the Microdrive: 5 to 40°C (41 to 104°F)
 Note that the Microdrive cannot be used under low atmospheric pressure (above 
3 000 meters above sea-level).
 Do not write on the label.
On the “Memory Stick”
 “Memory Stick PRO Duo” or “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” with a 
capacity up to 8 GB have been confirmed to operate properly with this 
camera.
 A “Memory Stick Duo” formatted with a computer is not guaranteed to 
operate with this camera.
 Data read/write speeds differ depending on the combination of the 
“Memory Stick Duo” and the equipment used.
Notes on using a “Memory Stick Duo” Do not press down hard when you write down on the memo area.
 Do not attach a label on the “Memory Stick Duo” itself.
 Do not strike, bend or drop the “Memory Stick Duo.”
 Do not disassemble or modify the “Memory Stick Duo.”
 Do not leave the “Memory Stick Duo” within the reach of small children. They 
might accidentally swallow it.
 “Memory Stick”: You cannot use the 
“Memory Stick” with your camera.
 “Memory Stick Duo”: You can use the 
“Memory Stick Duo” with your camera 
by inserting it in a Memory Stick Duo 
Adaptor for CompactFlash slot (not 
supplied). 
						

							24
 Do not use or store the “Memory Stick Duo” under the following conditions:
– High temperature locations such as the hot interior of a car parked in direct 
sunlight.
– Locations exposed to direct sunlight.
– Humid locations or locations with corrosive substances present. 
						

							25
Preparing the camera
Preparing the camera
When you turn the camera on for the first time, the date/time setup screen 
appears.
Setting up the date
1Set the POWER switch to ON to 
turn the camera on.
 To turn the camera off, set it to OFF.
2Verify that [OK] is selected on the 
LCD monitor, then press the 
center of the controller.
3Select each item with b/B and 
set the numeric value with v/V. 
						

							26
To cancel the date/time setting operation
Press the MENU button.
When it is hard to rotate the diopter-adjustment dial
4Repeat step 3 to set other items, then press the center of the 
controller.
 When changing the sequence of [YYYY/MM/DD], first select [YYYY/
MM/DD] with b/B, then change it with v/V.
5Verify that [OK] is selected, then press the center of the 
controller.
Adjusting the focus of the finder (diopter adjustment)
Adjust the diopter-adjustment dial 
to your eyesight until the indicators 
appear clearly in the viewfinder.
 Turn the dial toward + when you are far-
sighted, toward – when you are near-sighted.
 Training the camera on the light allows you to 
adjust the diopter easily.
Remove the eyecup, then rotate the dial. When attaching the FDA-M1AM Magnifier 
(not supplied) or the FDA-A1AM Angle 
Finder (not supplied) to the camera, remove 
the eyecup as illustrated and attach them. 
						

							27
Preparing the camera
Using the accessories supplied
This section describes how to use the shoulder strap and the eyepiece cover. 
The other accessories are described in the following pages.
 Rechargeable battery pack (page 14)
 Battery charger, Power cord (mains lead) (page 14)
 Eyecup (page 26)
 USB cable (pages 120, 136)
 Video cable (page 104)

You can prevent light from entering through the viewfinder and affecting 
the exposure. When the shutter is released without the use of the 
viewfinder, as in shooting with the self-timer, attach the eyepiece cover.
Attaching the shoulder strap
Attach the both ends of the strap on 
the camera.
 You can also attach the eyepiece cover 
(below) on the strap.Eyepiece cover
Using the eyepiece cover 
						

							28
Note 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. In such cases, set [Eye-Start AF] (page 69) and [Auto off w/ VF] (page 115) to 
[Off].
1Carefully slide the eyecup off by 
pushing on each side of the 
eyecup.
2Slide the eyepiece cover over the 
viewfinder. 
						

							29
Preparing the camera
Checking the number of recordable 
images
Note If “0” is flashing in yellow, the memory card is full. Replace the memory card with 
another one, or delete images in the current memory card (pages 21, 102).
The table shows the approximate number of images that can be recorded on 
a memory card formatted with this camera. The values may vary depending 
on the shooting conditions.
The number of recordable images (Units: Images)
Image size: L 10M
Aspect ratio: 3:2*
* When [Aspect ratio] is set to [16:9], you can record more images than the numbers 
shown in the table above. However, if it is set to [RAW], the number is the same as 
that of the [3:2] aspect ratio.
Once you insert a memory card into the 
camera and set the POWER switch to 
ON, the number of images that can be 
recorded (should you continue to shoot 
using the current settings) is displayed on 
the LCD monitor.
The number of images that can be recorded on a memory 
card
Capacity
Size1GB 2GB 4GB 8GB
Standard 325 653 1307 2606
Fine 241 484 969 1933
RAW & JPEG 48 98 198 397
RAW 61 124 250 500 
						

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The approximate number of images that can be recorded is 750 when you 
use the camera with the battery pack (supplied) at full capacity.
Note that the actual numbers may be less than those indicated depending on 
the conditions of use.
 The number is calculated with a battery pack at full capacity and in the 
following situation:
– At an ambient temperature of 25°C (77°F).
– [Quality] is set to [Fine].
– Focus mode is set to   (Automatic AF).
– Shooting once every 30 seconds.
– The flash strobes once every two times.
– The power turns on and off once every ten times.
 The measurement method is based on the CIPA standard.
(CIPA: Camera & Imaging Products Association)
 When using a Microdrive, the number of images recordable may differ.
The number of images that can be recorded using a battery 
pack