Sony Nex 6 Owners Manual

							101GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexQuality
Selects the compression format of still images.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [Quality] t  desired mode.
 You cannot set this item when shooting in [Sweep Panorama] mode.
 You cannot add DPOF (print order) registration to RAW format images.
 You cannot use [Auto HDR] with [RAW] and [RAW & JPEG] images.
RAW (RAW) File format: RAW (Records using the RAW compression 
format.)
This format does not allow you to perform any digital processing 
on the images. Select this format to process images on a 
computer for professional purposes.
 The image size is fixed to the maximum size. The image size 
is not displayed on the LCD screen.
RAW+J (RAW & 
JPEG) File format: RAW (Records using the RAW compression 
format.) + JPEG
A RAW image and a JPEG image are created at the same time. 
This is suitable when you need 2 image files, a JPEG for 
viewing, and a RAW for editing.
 The image quality is fixed to [Fine], and the image size is 
fixed to [L].
FINE (Fine) File format: JPEG
The image is compressed in the JPEG format when recorded. 
Since the compression rate of [Standard] is higher than that of 
[Fine], the file size of [Standard] is smaller than that of [Fine]. 
This will allow more files to be recorded on 1 memory card, but 
the image quality will be lower.
 When images are not going to be modified using your 
computer, we recommend that you select [Fine] or [Standard].
STD (Standard)
Notes
zRAW images
A RAW format file is raw data that has not been through any kind of digital processing. 
RAW files are different from more general file formats such as JPEG files, and contain raw 
material to be processed for professional purposes.
You need the “Image Data Converter” software included on the CD-ROM (supplied) in 
order to open a RAW image recorded on this camera. With this software, a RAW image can 
be opened and converted to a common format, such as JPEG or TIFF, and you can readjust 
its white balance, color saturation, contrast, etc. 
						

							102GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexPanorama Direction
Sets the direction to pan the camera when you shoot [Sweep Panorama] images.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [Panorama Direction] t  desired mode.
 (Right) Pan the camera in the direction you set.
 (Left)
 (Up)
 (Down) 
						

							103GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexFile Format
Selects the movie file format.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [File Format] t  desired mode.
AVCHD Records 60i/50i movies, 24p/25p movies or 60p/50p movies in 
AVCHD format. This file format is suitable for viewing the 
movie on a high-definition TV. You can create a Blu-ray Disc, 
an AVCHD recording disc, or a DVD-Video disc using the 
supplied software “PlayMemories Home.”
 60i/50i movies are recorded at either 60 fields/second or at 50 fields/
second, respectively. Both 60i and 50i movies utilize the interlace 
scanning system, Dolby Digital audio, and the AVCHD format.
 24p/25p movies are recorded at either 24 frames/second or at 25  frames/second, respectively. Both 24p and 25p movies utilize the 
progressive scanning system, Dolby Digital audio, and the AVCHD 
format.
 60p/50p movies are recorded at either 60 frames/second, or at 50  frames/second, respectively. Both 60p and 50p movies utilize the 
progressive scanning system, Dolby Digital audio, and the AVCHD 
format.
MP4 Records mp4 (AVC) movies. This format is suitable for WEB 
uploads, e-mail attachments, etc.
 Movies are recorded in MPEG-4 format at about 30 frames/second, 
utilizing the progressive scanning system, AAC audio, and the mp4 
format.
 You cannot create a disc from the movies recorded in this format  using the supplied software “PlayMemories Home.”
zChecking 60i or 50i
To check if your camera is a 1080 60i-compatible device or 1080 50i-compatible device, 
check for the following marks on the bottom of the camera.
1080 60i-compatible device: 60i
1080 50i-compatible device: 50i
zPlaying movies on other devices
This camera uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 High Profile for AVCHD format recording.
Movies recorded in AVCHD format with this camera cannot be played by the following 
devices.
– Other AVCHD format compatible devices which are not compatible with High Profile
– Devices which are not compatible with the AVCHD format
This camera also uses MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Main Profile for MP4 format recording.
For this reason, movies recorded in MP4 format with this camera cannot be played on 
devices other than those that support MPEG-4 AVC/H.264. 
						

							104GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexRecord Setting
Selects the image size, frame rate, and image quality for movie recording. The higher the 
data rate (average bit-rate) per second, the higher the image quality.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [Record Setting] t  desired mode.
* 1080 60i-compatible device
** 1080 50i-compatible device
 Movies recorded using the 1080 60p/50p setting can be played back only on compatible devices.
 Movies recorded with the [60p 28M(PS)/50p 28M(PS)]/[60i 24M(FX)/50i 24M(FX)]/[24p 24M(FX)/25p 
24M(FX)] setting in [Record Setting] are converted by “PlayMemories Home” in order to create an 
AVCHD recording disc. This conversion can take a long time. Also, you cannot create a disc in the 
original image quality. If you want to keep the original image quality, store your movies on a Blu-ray 
Disc.
[File Format]: [AVCHD]Bit-rateRecording
60i 24M(FX) *
50i 24M(FX) **Maximum 24 Mbps Records high image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (60i/50i).
60i 17M(FH)*
50i 17M(FH) **Average 17 Mbps Records standard image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (60i/50i).
60p 28M(PS) *
50p 28M(PS) **Maximum 28 Mbps Records highest image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (60p/50p).
24p 24M(FX) *
25p 24M(FX) **Maximum 24 Mbps Records high image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (24p/25p). This produces a 
cinema-like atmosphere.
24p 17M(FH) *
25p 17M(FH) **Average 17 Mbps Records standard image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (24p/25p). This produces a 
cinema-like atmosphere.
[File Format]: [MP4]Bit-rateRecording
1440×1080 12M Average 12 Mbps Records movies of 1440 × 1080.
VGA 3M Average 3 Mbps Records movies of VGA size.
Notes
zChecking 60i or 50i
To check if your camera is a 1080 60i-compatible device or 1080 50i-compatible device, 
check for the following marks on the bottom of the camera.
1080 60i-compatible device: 60i
1080 50i-compatible device: 50i 
						

							105GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexWhite Balance
Adjusts the color temperature according to the ambient light conditions.
Use this feature when the color temperature of the image did not come out as you 
expected, or when you want to change the color temperature on purpose for photographic 
expression.
1
MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [White Balance]  t desired mode.
You can finely adjust the color temperature with OPTION.
To adjust the white balance to suit a specific light source, see the explanation on each mode.
 [Auto WB] is selected when using the following functions:
– [Intelligent Auto]
–[Superior Auto]
– [Scene Selection]
AWB (Auto WB) The camera automatically detects a light source and 
adjusts the color temperature.
 (Daylight) If you select an option to suit a specific light source, the 
color temperature is adjusted for the light source (preset 
white balance).
 (Shade)
 (Cloudy)
 (Incandescent)  (Fluor.: Warm White)
 (Fluor.: Cool White)
 (Fluor.: Day White)
 (Fluor.: Daylight)
 (Flash)
 (C.Temp./Filter) Adjusts the color temperature depending on the light 
source. Achieves the effect of CC (Color Compensation) 
filters for photography.
 (Custom) Allows to use the white balance setting retained by 
[Custom Setup].
 (Custom Setup) Memorizes the basic white color (Custom white 
balance).
Notes
Continued r 
						

							106GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu Index
1
MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [White Balance]  t desired mode.
2 As necessary, OPTION  t adjust the color temperature by pressing the 
top/bottom/right/left parts of the control wheel.
Or touch the graph on the screen to adjust the color temperature (NEX-
5R only).
You can adjust the color temperature towards G (green), M (magenta), A (amber) or B (blue).
1 MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [White Balance]  t [C.Temp./Filter].
2 OPTION  t select the desired color temperature by turning the control 
wheel or by touching the desired item on the screen (NEX-5R only).
The higher the number, the more reddish the image, and the lower the number, the more 
bluish the image.
3 Adjust the color temperature by pressing the top/bottom/right/left parts of 
the control wheel or by touching the graph on the screen (NEX-5R only).
Adjusting the color temperature finely
C.Temp./Filter
zEffects of lighting conditions
The apparent color of the subject is affected by the lighting conditions.
The color temperature is adjusted automatically, but you can adjust color temperature 
manually using the [White Balance] function.
Weather/
lightingDaylightCloudy FluorescentIncandescent
Characteristics 
of lightWhite 
(standard)BluishGreen-tingedReddish
Continued  r 
						

							107GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu Index
1
MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [White Balance]  t [Custom Setup].
2 Hold the camera so that the white area fully covers the AF area located in 
the center, and then press the shutter button down.
The shutter clicks and the calibrated values (color temperature and color filter) are displayed.
3To call the custom white balance setting, MENU t  [Brightness/Color] t 
[White Balance]  t [Custom].
You can finely adjust the color temperature with OPTION.
 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. If you register this 
value, the   indicator turns yellow on the recording information display. You can shoot at this point, 
but it is recommended that you set the white balance again to get a more accurate white balance value.
Custom White Balance
Notes 
						

							108GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexMetering Mode
Selects the metering mode that sets which part of the subject to measure to determine the 
exposure.
1
MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [Metering Mode]  t desired mode.
 If you set [Metering Mode] to other than [Multi], the [Face Detection] function cannot be used.
 [Multi] is selected when using the following functions:
– Movie recording
– [Intelligent Auto]
–[Superior Auto]
– [Scene Selection]
– The [Zoom] feature of the camera
– [Smile Shutter]
 (Multi) Measures light on each area after dividing the total area into 
multiple areas and determines the proper exposure of the entire 
screen (Multi-pattern metering).
 (Center) Measures the average brightness of the entire screen, while 
emphasizing the central area of the screen (Center-weighted 
metering).
 (Spot) Measures only the central area (Spot 
metering). This function is useful when 
the subject is backlit or when there is 
strong contrast between the subject and 
the background.
Place the spot metering 
circle over the subject.
Notes 
						

							109GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexFlash Comp.
Adjusts the amount of flash light in 1/3 EV steps in a range of –2.0 EV to +2.0 EV.
Flash compensation changes the amount of flash light only. Exposure compensation 
changes the amount of flash light along with the change of the shutter speed and 
aperture.
NEX-6:
1
Press the  (flash pop-up) button to pop up the flash.
2 MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [Flash Comp.]  t desired value.
Selecting higher values (+ side) makes the flash level higher and images brighter. Selecting 
lower values (– side) makes the flash level lower and images darker.
NEX-5R:
1Attach the flash and raise it.
2 MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [Flash Comp.]  t desired value.
Selecting higher values (+ side) makes the flash level higher and images brighter. Selecting 
lower values (– side) makes the flash level lower and images darker.
 You cannot use [Flash Comp.] with the following functions:
– [Intelligent Auto]
–[Superior Auto]
– [Scene Selection]
– [Sweep Panorama]
– [Bracket: Cont.]
 The higher flash effect may not be visible due to the limited amount of flash light available, 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.
Notes
zTips to adjust the brightness when shooting people
 It is important to balance the brightness of people against  the dark background in night portraits. You can adjust the 
brightness of people near the camera by changing the flash 
light intensity.
 If the subject is too far from the flash and still too dark after 
adjustment, move closer to your subject. 
						

							110GB
Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexDRO/Auto HDR
Corrects the brightness or contrast.
1
MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [DRO/Auto HDR]  t desired mode.
 You can select [DRO/Auto HDR] only in the following modes:
–[Manual Exposure]
– [Shutter Priority]
– [Aperture Priority]
– [Program Auto]
Corrects the brightness of the image (DRO: Dynamic Range Optimizer).
1 MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [DRO/Auto HDR]  t [D-Range Opt.].
2 OPTION  t desired value.
 [Auto] is selected when using the following functions:
– [Intelligent Auto]
–[Superior Auto]
– [Portrait], [Landscape], [Macro], [Sports Action] in [Scene Selection]
 When shooting with [D-Range Opt.], the image may be noisy. Select the proper level by checking the 
recorded image, especially when you enhance the effect.
 (Off) Does not use [DRO/Auto HDR].
 (D-Range 
Opt.) By dividing the image into small areas, the camera analyzes the 
contrast of light and shadow between the subject and the 
background, producing the image with the optimal brightness 
and gradation.
 (Auto HDR) Shoots 3 images with different exposures, and then overlays the 
bright area of the under exposed image and the dark area of the 
over exposed image to create an image with rich gradation. 1 
image with proper exposure and 1 overlaid image are recorded.
Notes
D-Range Opt.
 (Auto) Corrects the brightness automatically.
Lv1 – Lv5 Optimizes the gradations of a recorded image in each area of the 
image. Select the optimal level between Lv1 (weak) and Lv5 
(strong).
Notes
Continued r