Sony A 230 Manual

							Using the shooting function
71
To measure the exact distance to the subject
Notes If the subject is closer than the minimum shooting distance of the attached lens, the 
focus cannot be confirmed. Make sure you put enough distance between the subject 
and the camera.
 When the focus mode switch on the camera is set to MF, the correct focus is not 
achieved, even if the focus mode switch on the lens is set to AF. To switch to auto 
focus, set the focus mode switch on the camera to AF.
To deactivate the Eye-Start AF function
MENU button t  1 t [Eye-Start AF] t [Off]
 When attaching the FDA-M1AM Magnifier (sold separately) or the FDA-
A1AM Angle Finder (sold separately) to the camera, setting [Eye-Start 
AF] to [Off] is recommended because the eyepiece sensors located below 
the viewfinder may be activated. The   mark located on the top of the 
camera shows the location of the image 
sensor*. When you measure the exact 
distance between the camera and the 
subject, refer to the position of the 
horizontal line.
* The image sensor is the part of the 
camera that acts as the film.
Shooting with your desired composition (Focus-lock)
1Place the subject within the AF 
area and press the shutter button 
halfway down.
The focus and exposure are fixed. 
						

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Fn button t [Autofocus mode] t Select the desired setting
 Use   (Single-shot AF) when the subject is motionless.
 Use   (Continuous AF) when the subject is in motion.
2Keep the shutter button halfway 
down, and put the subject back in 
the original position to re-
compose the shot.
3Press the shutter button fully down to take the picture.
Selecting the focus method to suit the movement of the 
subject (Autofocus mode)
 (Single-shot 
AF)The camera focuses and the focus is locked when you press 
the shutter button halfway down.
 (Automatic AF)The [Autofocus mode] is switched between Single-shot AF 
and Continuous AF according to the movement of the 
subject.
When you press and hold the shutter button halfway down, if 
the subject is motionless, the focus is locked and if the 
subject is in motion, the camera continues to focus.
 (Continuous 
AF)The camera continues to focus while the shutter button is 
pressed and held halfway down.
 The audio signals will not sound when the subject is in 
focus.
Shooting techniques 
						

							Using the shooting function
73
Note  (Automatic AF) is selected when the exposure mode is set to AUTO or one of 
the following Scene Selection modes:   (Portrait),   (Landscape),   (Sunset), or 
 (Night Port./View).
 (Single-shot AF) is selected when the exposure mode is set to   (Macro) in 
Scene Selection.
 (Continuous AF) is selected when the exposure mode is set to   (Sports 
Action) in Scene Selection.
Fn button t [AF area] t Select the desired setting
Notes When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, [AF area] is fixed to 
 (Wide) and you cannot select the other settings.
 The AF area may not be illuminated during continuous shooting or when the shutter 
button is pressed all the way down without pause.
Selecting the focus area (AF area)
Select the desired AF area to suit the 
shooting conditions or your preference.
The area used for focusing is illuminated 
briefly.
Area
 (Wide)The camera determines which of the nine AF areas is used in 
focusing within the AF area. If you press and hold the center 
of the control button, you can adjust the focus using the AF 
areas located in the center area.
 (Spot)The camera uses the AF area located in the center area 
exclusively.
 (Local)Choose the area for which you want to activate the focus 
from among nine areas with the control button. If you press 
and hold the center of the control button during the shooting, 
you can temporarily adjust the focus using the AF areas 
located in the center area.
AF area 
						

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When it is difficult to get the proper focus in autofocus mode, you can 
adjust the focus manually.
Notes In the case of a subject that can be focused in autofocus mode, the z indicator lights 
up in the viewfinder when the focus is confirmed. When the Wide AF area is used, 
the center area is used, and when the Local AF area is used, the area that is selected 
with the control button is used.
 When using a tele converter (sold separately), etc., rotation of the focusing ring may 
not be smooth.
 The correct focus in the viewfinder is not achieved if the diopter is not adjusted 
properly (page 24).
 The direct manual focus function is not available on this camera.
Adjusting the focus manually (Manual focus)
1Set the focus mode switch on the 
lens to MF.
2When the lens is not equipped 
with the focus mode switch, set 
the focus mode switch on the 
camera to MF.
3Rotate the focusing ring of the 
lens to achieve a sharp focus.
Focusing 
ring 
						

							Using the shooting function
75
Using the flash
In a dark location, using the flash allows you to shoot the subject brightly, 
and it also helps to prevent camera shake. When shooting into the sun, you 
can use the flash to shoot a bright image of the backlit subject.
When the mode dial is set to AUTO, the flash pops up automatically if it is 
dark or you are shooting into the light.
1 on the control button t Select 
the desired setting
2After the flash has finished 
charging, shoot the subject.
 Flashing: The flash is being charged. 
When the indicator flashes, you cannot 
release the shutter.
 Lit: The flash has been charged and is 
ready to fire.
 When you press the shutter button 
halfway down under dark lighting in 
autofocus mode, the flash may be fired 
to help focus on a subject (AF 
illuminator).
 (Flash charging) 
indicator 
						

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 The lens hood (sold separately) may block the light of the flash. Remove 
the lens hood when using the flash.
 When using the flash, shoot the subject at a distance of 1 m (3.3 feet) or 
greater.
 When shooting indoors or shooting nightscapes, you can use slow sync to 
shoot a brighter image of people and backgrounds.
 You can use rear sync to shoot a natural image of the trail of a moving 
subject such as a moving bicycle or a walking person.
Notes Do not hold the camera by grabbing the flash emitter.
 Shooting conditions required to prevent shadows from appearing on an image vary, 
depending on the lens.
 When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, the   (Slow sync.), 
 (Rear sync.), and   (Wireless) items cannot be selected.  (Flash Off)Does not fire even if it is dark.
 (Autoflash)Fires if it is dark or against light.
 (Fill-flash)Fires every time you trigger the shutter.
 (Slow sync.)Fires every time you trigger the shutter. Slow sync shooting 
allows you to shoot a clear image of both the subject and the 
background by slowing the shutter speed.
 (Rear sync.)Fires right before the exposure is completed everytime you 
trigger the shutter.
 (Wireless)Fires an external flash (sold separately) that is off the camera 
and away from it (Wireless flash shooting).
Shooting techniques 
						

							Using the shooting function
77
The flash range
The range of the built-in flash depends on the ISO sensitivity and aperture 
value. Refer to the following table.
The AF illuminator
 AF illuminator does not operate when [Autofocus mode] is set to   
(Continuous AF) or the subject is moving in   (Automatic AF). (The 
 or   indicator lights.)
 The AF illuminator may not operate with focal lengths of 300 mm or longer.
 When an external flash is attached, the AF illuminator of the external 
flash is used.
To deactivate the AF illuminator
MENU button t  1 t [AF illuminator] t [Off]
To use the red-eye reduction
The red-eye reduction reduces the red-eye phenomenon by providing pre-
flash (low-flash light) a few times before shooting when using the flash.
MENU button t  1 t [Red eye reduc.] t [On]
Aperture F2.8 F4.0 F5.6
ISO 
settingAUTO 1.4 – 7.1 m (4.6 – 23 
feet)1 – 5 m (3.3 – 16 
feet)1 – 3.6 m (3.3 – 11 
feet)
100 1 – 3.6 m (3.3 – 11 
feet)1 – 2.5 m (3.3 – 8.2 
feet)1 – 1.8 m (3.3 – 5.9 
feet)
200 1 – 5.1 m (3.3 – 16 
feet)1 – 3.5 m (3.3 – 11 
feet)1 – 2.5 m (3.3 – 8.2 
feet)
400 1.4 – 7.1 m (4.6 – 23 
feet)1 – 5 m (3.3 – 16 
feet)1 – 3.6 m (3.3 – 11 
feet)
800 2 – 10 m (6.6 – 32 
feet)1.4 – 7.1 m (4.6 – 23 
feet)1 – 5.1 m (3.3 – 16 
feet)
1600 2.8 – 14 m (9.2 – 46 
feet)2 – 10 m (6.6 – 32 
feet)1.4 – 7.1 m (4.6 – 23 
feet)
3200 4 – 20 m (13 – 66 
feet)2.8 – 14 m (9.2 – 46 
feet)2 – 10 m (6.6 – 32 
feet) 
						

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With an external wireless flash (sold separately), you can shoot with the 
flash without a cord when the external flash is not attached to the camera. 
By changing the position of the flash, you can shoot an image with a three 
dimensional feel by highlighting the contrast of light and shadow on the 
subject.
For the actual steps of shooting, refer to the operating instructions of the 
flash.
Notes The camera cannot perform a pre-flash test of the wireless flash. Confirm that the 
flash fires properly by releasing the shutter.
 The camera cannot carry out the wireless lighting ratio control.
 Turn off the wireless flash mode after wireless flash shooting. If the built-in flash is 
used while the wireless flash mode is still active, inaccurate flash exposures will 
result.
 Change the channel of the external flash when another photographer is using a 
wireless flash nearby and his/her built-in flash light causes your external flash to fire. 
To change the channel of the external flash, refer to the operating instructions 
supplied with it.
Performing wireless flash shooting
1Attach the wireless flash to the accessory shoe and turn both 
the camera and the flash on.
2 on the control button t  
(Wireless)
3Remove the wireless flash from the accessory shoe. 
						

							Using the shooting function
79
Adjusting the brightness of the image 
(Exposure, Flash compensation, 
Metering)
Except for recording mode M, the exposure is automatically selected 
(Automatic exposure).
Based on the exposure acquired by the automatic exposure, you can 
perform exposure compensation by shifting the exposure to either the + 
side or the – side, depending on your preference. You can make the entire 
image brighter by shifting to the + side. The entire image becomes darker 
when you shift it to the – side.
Using brightness compensation for the entire image 
(Exposure compensation)
1Press the   button to display the 
exposure compensation screen. button
2Adjust the exposure with the 
control dial.
Toward + (over): Brightens an image.
Toward – (under): Darkens an image.
Standard exposure
Adjust in the – 
directionBase exposure
Adjust in the + 
direction 
						

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 Adjust the compensation level by checking the recorded image.
 Using bracket shooting, you can shoot multiple images with the exposure 
shifted to the plus or minus sides (page 91).
Note This item cannot be set when the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection.
When shooting with the flash, you can adjust the amount of flash light 
alone, without changing the exposure compensation. You can only change 
the exposure of a main subject which is within the flash range.
MENU button t  1 t [Flash compens.] t Select the 
desired setting
Toward +: Makes the flash level higher.
Toward –: Makes the flash level lower.
Notes This item cannot be set when the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection.
 If you have adjusted the flash level,   appears in the viewfinder when the built-in 
flash is pulled up. When you adjust it, be careful not to forget to reset the value.
 The higher flash effect may not be visible due to the limited amount of flash light, if 
the subject is outside the maximum range of the flash. If the subject is very close, the 
lower flash effect may not be visible.
Exposure compensation and flash compensationExposure compensation changes the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity (when 
[AUTO] is selected) to perform the compensation. If the flash is used, the amount of 
flash light is also changed.
However, flash compensation only changes the amount of flash light.
3Adjust the focus and shoot the subject.
Shooting techniques
Adjusting the amount of flash light (Flash compensation)