Sony Camera Alpha Slt A37 Instruction Manual

							71
List of icons on the screen
Others
E  
 Face Detection (52)/
Smile Shutter (52)
 Auto Portrait Framing 
(52)
Smile Detection 
Sensitivity indicator (52)
DisplayIndication
  Metering mode (52)
Flash compensation (52)
AWB  
  
 7500K 
A5 G5White balance (Auto, 
Preset, Custom, Color 
temperature, Color filter) 
(50)
  D-Range Optimizer (52)/
Auto HDR (52)
 
+3 +3 +3Creative Style (52)/
Contrast, Saturation, 
Sharpness
 Picture Effect (52)
DisplayIndication 
						

							72
Functions available for each shooting 
mode
The functions you can use depend on the selected shooting mode.
In the table below,   indicates the function available. – indicates the 
function not available.
The functions you cannot use are displayed in gray on the screen.
* When [Manual Exposure] is selected, this function is not available.
Shoot ModeExposure 
Comp. 
(41)Self-timer 
(43)Cont. 
Shooting 
(43)Face 
Detection 
(52)Smile 
Shutter 
(52)Auto Port. 
Framing 
(52)
 (29)–
 (29)–
 (36)–
 
(36)––
––
––
––
––
––
––– ––
––
 (37)–––––
 (37)–––––
 (38)–––––
 (35)
 (35)
 (35)
 (35)–
 (31)*–– 
						

							73
Others
Flash modes available
The flash modes you can select depend on the shooting mode and functions 
selected.
In the table below,   indicates the function selectable. – indicates the 
function not selectable.
The flash modes you cannot select are displayed in gray on the screen.
Shoot Mode 
(Flash 
Off) 
(Autoflash) (Fill-
flash) (Slow 
Sync.) (Rear 
Sync.) 
(Wireless)
 (29)–– –
 (29)–––––
 (36)–– –
 
(36)–– –
––––
–– –
––––
––––
–––––
–––––
––––
 (37)–––––
 (37)–––––
 (38)––
 (35)––
 (35)––
 (35)––
 (35)––
 (31)––––– 
						

							74
Learning more about the camera 
(α Handbook)
“α Handbook,” which explains how to use the camera in detail, is included 
on the CD-ROM (supplied). Refer to it for in-depth instructions on the 
many functions of the camera.
For Windows users
1Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into 
the CD-ROM drive.
2Click [Handbook].
3Click [Install].
4Start “α Handbook” from the shortcut on the desktop.
For Mac users
1Turn on your computer, and insert the CD-ROM (supplied) into 
the CD-ROM drive.
2Select the [Handbook] folder and copy “Handbook.pdf” stored 
in the [GB] folder to your computer.
3After copying is complete, double-click “Handbook.pdf.” 
						

							75
Others
Checking the number of recordable 
images/recording time
Notes When “0” (the number of recordable images) flashes in yellow, the memory card is 
full. Replace the memory card with another one, or delete images in the current 
memory card (pages 33, 58).
 When “NO CARD” (the number of recordable images) flashes in yellow, it means 
no memory card has been inserted. Insert a memory card.
The table shows the approximate number of images that can be recorded on 
a memory card formatted with this camera. The values are defined using 
Sony standard memory cards for testing. The values may vary depending 
on the shooting conditions and the type of memory card used.
Image Size: L 16M
Aspect Ratio: 3:2*
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” (Units: Images)
* When [Aspect Ratio] is set to [16:9], you can record more images than the numbers 
shown in the table above (except when [RAW] is selected).
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 screen.
The number of images that can be recorded on a memory 
card
Capacity
Size2GB 4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB
Standard 410 820 1650 3350 6700
Fine 295 590 1150 2400 4800
RAW & JPEG 80 160 325 650 1300
RAW 110 220 445 890 1750 
						

							Checking the number of recordable images/recording time
76
The approximate number of images that can be recorded is as follows 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).
– Using the battery pack that is charged for an hour after the CHARGE 
lamp goes out.
– Using Sony “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media (sold separately).
– [Quality] is set to [Fine].
– [Autofocus Mode] is set to [Automatic AF].
– Shooting once every 30 seconds.
– The flash strobes once every 2 times.
– The power turns on and off once every 10 times.
 The measurement method is based on the CIPA standard.
(CIPA: Camera & Imaging Products Association)
The table below shows the approximate total recording times using a 
memory card formatted with this camera.
The number of images that can be recorded using a 
battery pack
LCD screen modeApprox. 500 images
Viewfinder modeApprox. 450 images
Available recording time for a movie 
						

							
77
Checking the number of recordable images/recording time
Others
“Memory Stick PRO Duo” (h (hour), m (minute))
Notes• The recordable time of movies varies for the reason that the camera equipped with VBR (Variable Bit Rate) which automatically adjusts image quality depending on 
shooting scene. When you record fast-movi ng subject, the image is clearer but the 
recordable time is shorter because it spends much memory to record. The recordable 
time also vary depending on the shooting  condition or subject or setting of image 
quality/size.
 The values shown are not the continuous recording time.
 Recording time may depend on shooting conditions and the memory card used.
 When   is indicated, stop recording the movie. The temperature inside the camera  has increased to an unacceptable level.
 For details on movie playback, see page 32.
 It requires a lot of power to perform high quality movie recording or continuous  shooting using the APS-C size image sensor. Therefore, if you continue to shoot, the 
temperature inside the camera will rise, especially that of the image sensor. In such 
cases, the camera is turned off automatically since higher temperatures affect the 
quality of the images or burden the internal mechanism of the camera.
 The duration of time available for movie recording is as follows when the camera  starts recording after the power of the camera has been turned off for a while. (The  Capacity
Record 
Setting 2GB 4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB
60i 24M(FX)/50i 
24M(FX) 10 m 20 m 40 m 1 h 30 m 3 h
60i 17M(FH)/50i 
17M(FH) 10 m 30 m 1 h 2 h 4 h 5 m
24p 24M(FX)/25p 
24M(FX) 10 m 20 m 40 m 1 h 30 m 3 h
24p 17M(FH)/25p 
17M(FH) 10 m 30 m 1 h 2 h 4 h 5 m
1440×1080 12M 20 m 40 m 1 h 20 m 2 h 45 m 5 h 30 m
VGA 3M 1 h 10 m 2 h 25 m 4 h 55 m 10 h 20 h 5 m
Notes on continuous movie recording 
						

							Checking the number of recordable images/recording time
78
following values indicate the continuous time from when the camera starts recording 
until the camera stops recording.)
 The duration of time available for movie recording varies with the temperature or 
condition of the camera before you start recording. If you frequently recompose or 
shoot images after the power is turned on, the temperature inside the camera rises 
and the recording time available is shorter than the values indicated in the table 
above.
 If the camera stops recording due to the temperature, leave it for several minutes 
with the power turned off. Start recording after the temperature inside the camera 
drops fully.
 If you observe the following points, the recording time is longer.
– Keep the camera out of direct sunlight.
– Turn the camera off when it is not being used.
– If possible, use a tripod and disable the SteadyShot function.
 The maximum size of a movie file is about 2 GB. When the file size is about 2 GB, 
the recording stops automatically when [File Format] is set to [MP4], and a new 
movie file is created automatically when [File Format] is set to [AVCHD].
 The maximum continuous recording time is 29 minutes.Ambient temperatureContinuous recording time 
for movies
20°C (68°F) About 29 minutes
30°C (86°F) About 29 minutes
40°C (104°F) About 26 minutes 
						

							79
Others
Specifications
[System]
Camera Type Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera
Lens A-mount lens
[Image sensor]
Image format 23.5 mm×15.6 mm (APS-C format) CMOS image 
sensor
Total pixel number of image sensor
Approx. 16 500 000 pixels
Effective pixel number of camera
Approx. 16 100 000 pixels
[SteadyShot]
For still images System: Image sensor-shift mechanism
Effect: Approx. 2.5 EV to 4.0 EV in shutter speed 
(depending on shooting conditions and the attached 
lens)
For movies System: Electronic
[Anti-Dust]
System Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and 
image sensor-shift mechanism
[Auto focus system]
System TTL phase-detection system, 15 points (3 points cross 
type)
Sensitivity Range –1 EV to 18 EV (at ISO 100 equivalent)
AF illuminator Approx. 1 m to 5 m (3.3 feet to 16.4 feet)
[Electronic viewfinder]
Type Electronic viewfinder (color)
Screen size 1.2 cm (0.46 type)
Total number of dots 1 440 000 dots equivalent
Effective number of dots When [Viewfinder Magnifi.] is set to [Maximum]: 
1 440 000 dots equivalent
When [Viewfinder Magnifi.] is set to [Standard]: 
1 253 280 dots equivalent
Camera 
						

							Specifications
80
Frame coverage 100%
Magnification When [Viewfinder Magnifi.] is set to [Maximum]: 
1.19× with 50 mm lens at infinity, –1 m
–1 (diopter)
When [Viewfinder Magnifi.] is set to [Standard]: 
1.09× with 50 mm lens at infinity, –1 m
–1 (diopter)
Eye Point When [Viewfinder Magnifi.] is set to [Maximum]: 
Approximately 17 mm from the eyepiece, 16 mm from 
the eyepiece frame (at –1 m
–1)
When [Viewfinder Magnifi.] is set to [Standard]: 
Approximately 19 mm from the eyepiece, 18 mm from 
the eyepiece frame (at –1 m
–1)
Diopter Adjustment –4.0 m–1 to +4.0 m–1 (diopter)
[LCD screen]
Type 2.7 type TFT drive/Clear Photo LCD screen
Total number of dots 230 400 (320 × 3 (RGB) × 240) dots
[Exposure control]
Metering Cell “Exmor” CMOS sensor
Metering method 1 200-zone evaluative metering
Metering Range –2 EV to +17 EV on Multi segment, Center weighted, 
Spot modes (at ISO 100 equivalent with F1.4 lens)
ISO sensitivity (Recommended exposure index)
Still images: AUTO (ISO 100 – 3 200), ISO 100 to 
16 000 (1 EV step)
Movies: AUTO (ISO 100 – 3 200 equivalent), ISO 100 
to 3 200 equivalent (1 EV step)
Exposure compensation ±3.0 EV (1/3 EV step)
[Shutter]
Type Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane 
type
Speed range Still images: 1/4 000 second to 30 seconds, bulb
Movies: 1/4 000 second to 1/4 second (1/3 step), up to 
1/60 in AUTO mode
Flash sync speed 1/160 second
[Built-In-Flash]
Flash G.No. GN 10 (in meters at ISO 100)
Recycling time Approx. 3 seconds