Sony A 200 Manual

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Before your operation
Selecting a function/setting
You can select a function for shooting or playback from the menu list. To 
display the menu list, press the Fn (Function) button,   (Drive) 
button, or MENU button.
In this instruction manual, the process of selecting a function with the 
controller from the menu list is described as follows:
Example: Fn button t [White balance] t Select the desired 
setting
When you start the operation, an operation guide of controller functions 
will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. Please refer to the guide when 
operating the camera. The step-by-step description of the above example is 
as follows: Example: When the Fn button is pressed.
From the menu list, use the controller to 
move the cursor to the setting of your 
choice and execute the selection.
: Press v/V/b/B on the controller to 
move the cursor.
z: Press the center button to execute the 
selection.
1Press the Fn button. 
						

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The operation guide list
The operation guide also indicates operations other than the controller 
operation. The indications of icons are as follows.
2Following the operation guide, 
select [White balance] with v/V/
b/B on the controller, then press 
the center z to execute.
Operation guide
3Following the operation guide, 
select and execute the desired 
function.
For example, to change [5500K] (the 
current setting), select [5500K] with v/
V, adjust the value of 
[ColorTemperature] with b/B, then press 
the center z to execute.
MENU button
Returns with MENU button
 button
 button
 button
 button 
						

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Before your operation
Flash mode (page 74)
Autofocus mode (page 69)
White balance (page 83)
Metering mode (page 80)
AF area (page 70)
D-RangeOptimizer (page 87)
 Single-shot adv. (page 89)
 Continuous adv. (page 89)
 Self-timer (page 90)
 Bracket: Cont. (page 90)
 Bracket: Single (page 90)
 WB bracket (page 92)
The functions selected by the Fn (Function) button
The functions selected by the   (Drive) button
Functions selected by the MENU button
Recording menu
 1Image size (106)
Aspect ratio (106)
Quality (106)
Creative Style (87)
Flash control (79)
Flash compens. (79) 2Priority setup (111)
AF illuminator (73)
Long exp.NR (110)
High ISO NR (110)
Rec mode reset (116)
Custom menu
 1Eye-Start AF (69)
AEL button (112)
Ctrl dial setup (112)
Red eye reduc. (73)
Auto review (114)
Auto off w/ VF (115) 
						

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Playback menu
 1Delete (102)
Format (109)
Protect (101)
DPOF setup (133)
 Date imprint (134)
 Index print (134) 2PlaybackDisplay (93)
Slide show (97)
 Interval (97)
Setup menu
 1LCD brightness (114)
Info.disp.time (114)
Power save (113)
Video output (105)
 Language (113)
Date/Time setup (113) 2File number (108)
Folder name (108)
Select folder (109)
 New folder (109)
USB connection (120, 135)
Audio signals (113)
 3Cleaning mode (32)
Reset default (117) 
						

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Shooting images
Shooting images
Shooting an image without camera shake
“Camera shake” refers to an unwanted movement of the camera that occurs 
after the shutter button has been pressed, resulting in a blurred image.
To reduce camera shake, follow the instructions below.
Correct posture
Stabilize your upper body and take a 
position that keeps the camera from 
moving. 
Point 1
One hand holds the grip of the camera, 
and the other hand supports the lens.
Point 
2
Lightly tuck your elbows against your 
body.
When shooting in a kneeling position, 
steady your upper body by placing your 
elbow on your knee.
Point 
3
Take a secure stance with your feet 
shoulder-width apart. 
						

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Camera shake warning indicator
Note The   (Camera shake warning) indicator is displayed only in the modes that the 
shutter speed is automatically set. This indicator is not displayed in M/S/P
S modes.
This Super SteadyShot function can reduce the effect of camera shake by 
the equivalent of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 increments of shutter speed. Due to potential camera shake, the   
(Camera shake warning) indicator flashes 
in the viewfinder. In this case, use the 
Super SteadyShot function, a tripod, or 
the flash.
 (Camera shake warning) indicator
Using the Super SteadyShot function
Set the   switch to “ON.”
 The   (Super SteadyShot scale) indicator 
appears. Wait until the scale becomes low, 
then start shooting.
 switch
 (Super SteadyShot scale) indicator 
						

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Shooting images
Note The Super SteadyShot function may not work optimally when the power has just 
been turned on, when the subject has just entered the area, or when the shutter button 
has been pressed all the way down without stopping halfway. Wait for the   
(Super SteadyShot scale) indicator scale to go down, and then press the shutter 
button down slowly.
In the following cases, we recommend that you mount the camera on a 
tripod.
 Shooting without a flash under dark conditions.
 Shooting with slow shutter speeds, which are typically used in night-time 
shooting.
 Shooting a close subject, such as in macro shooting.
 Shooting with a telescopic lens.
 Shooting a moving subject.
Note When using a tripod, deactivate the Super SteadyShot function.
Using a tripod 
						

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/  Shooting with the automatic 
setting
The “AUTO” mode allows you to easily shoot any subject under any 
conditions.
Select   when shooting in a location where the use of a flash is restricted.
1Set the mode dial to   or   
(Flash Off).
2Hold the camera and look into the 
viewfinder.
The subject inside the focus area comes 
into focus (Eye-Start AF, page 69).
Focus area
3Place the desired subject within 
the focus area.
 If the   (Camera shake warning) 
indicator flashes, set the   switch to 
ON to activate the Super SteadyShot 
function, or use a tripod.
 (Camera shake warning) indicator
4When using a zoom lens, turn the 
zoom ring, then decide on your 
shot.
or
Zoom ring 
						

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Shooting images
Note If you turn the camera off or change the recording mode in AUTO or Scene 
Selection mode, the settings you set up with the Fn button,   button, ISO 
button, or MENU button are reset to the default settings.
5Press the shutter button halfway 
down to focus.
When the focus is confirmed, the focus 
indicator z or   (Focus indicator) 
lights up (page 68).
Focus indicator
6Press the shutter button fully 
down to shoot.
 When the   switch is set to ON, wait 
until the scale of the   (Super 
SteadyShot scale) indicator becomes 
low, then start shooting.
 (Super SteadyShot scale) indicator 
						

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Shooting with a suitable setting for the 
subject (Scene Selection)
Selecting an appropriate mode for the subject or the shooting conditions 
allows you to shoot the image with a more suitable setting for the subject 
than in “AUTO” mode.
Set the mode dial to   (Portrait).
 To blur the background more, set the lens to the telephoto position.
 You can shoot a vivid image by focusing on the eye that is closer to the 
lens. 
 Use the lens hood to shoot backlit subjects.
 Use the red-eye reduction function if the eyes of your subject turn red 
from the flash (page 73).
 Taking portrait photos
This mode is suitable to
zBlur away backgrounds and sharpen 
the subject.
zReproduce skin tones softly.
Shooting techniques