Sony A 100 Manual

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Using the shooting functions
For details on the operation 1 page 60
( : The default setting)
When you press and hold the shutter button, the camera records the images continuously at a 
maximum of three images per second.
 The number of frames that can be shot continuously is indicated in the viewfinder, and when shooting 
continuously, this number decreases.
After the images have been recorded on the recording medium, the number returns to the original number, 
depending on the camera memory buffer.
 When the built-in flash is fired, images are shot after the flash has been charged.
 When [AF mode] is set to   (Continuous AF) or   (Automatic AF), the focus is set separately on 
each image. When set to   (Single-shot AF), the focus is fixed on the first image.
 The last image is displayed in instant playback.
 The number of continuous shooting images obtainable has an upper limit.
The maximum number of continuous shots
* When [Image size] is set to [M:5.6M] or [S:2.5M], the shooting speed is slightly slower when shooting 
the fourth and following images.
 These numbers depend on the writing speed of a recording medium, the condition of the subject, etc. So, 
use the table only as a guide.
Single-frame advance
 Also used as the cancel button for other drive modes.
Continuous advance (see below)
 Self-timer (page 62)
 Continuous bracket (page 62)
 Single bracket (page 63)
 White balance bracket (page 64)
Shooting continuously
Fine/Standard No limit* (Until the 
recording medium is full)
RAW & JPEG 3 images
RAW 6 images 
						

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For details on the operation 1 page 60
After you press the shutter button, the shutter will be released either about ten seconds or two 
seconds later. The 10-second self-timer is convenient when the photographer appears in a 
photo and the 2-second self-timer is convenient to reduce the camera-shake because the mirror 
is pulled up beforehand.
Check that the focus is confirmed on the subject, then press the shutter button.
( : The default setting)
 When using the 10-second self-timer, the self-timer lamp located on the front side flashes and lights up 
right before the shutter is released. The self-timer indicator located on the LCD monitor is highlighted. 
The countdown sound also starts.
 To cancel the activated 10-second self-timer, press the   (Drive) button. The self-timer is canceled 
when the power is turned off. You can also cancel it when the shooting is completed. You cannot cancel 
the 2-second self-timer in the middle.
 When there is bright lighting, a reflector or something similar behind the camera, and you press the shutter 
button without looking into the viewfinder, use the eyepiece cover attached on the shoulder strap to 
prevent unnecessary lighting from seeping through the viewfinder and affecting the exposure (page 41).
An accurate exposure setting is required for some shooting. In such cases, a photographer 
continuously shoots some images with the exposure shifted, aside from the correct exposure 
image. The camera shoots images with the exposure shifted automatically.
( : The default setting)
Using the self-timer
 (10s self-timer)After you press the shutter button, the shutter will be released 
about 10 seconds later.
 (2s self-timer)After you press the shutter button, the shutter will be released 
about 2 seconds later.
Shooting three images with the exposure shifted – Exposure Bracket
Continuous bracket
 (Bracket:0.3Ev cont.)Shoots images continuously with the exposure value shifted 
by plus or minus 0.3 step. Press and hold the shutter button 
until the recording stops.
 (Bracket:0.7Ev cont.)Shoots images continuously with the exposure value shifted 
by plus or minus 0.7 step. Press and hold the shutter button 
until the recording stops.
Correct
– direction + direction 
						

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Using the shooting functions
For details on the operation 1 page 60
( : The default setting)
 When using the flash, press the shutter button frame by frame regardless of the setting.
 The image is shot in the order of 0 (correct), - (under), and + (over). The order can be changed in [Bracket 
order] in the   Recording menu (page 87).
 The base exposure is set at the first frame in the bracket. The base exposure moves if exposure 
compensation is used.
 Normally, the focal point changes in every shooting. The focal point is fixed only in continuous bracket 
shooting when AF mode is set to [Single-shot AF] or [Automatic AF] with an still subject.
 When the flash is not used, ambient bracket shooting is performed and the shutter speed and aperture are 
changed to accommodate bracket shooting. When the flash is used, flash bracket shooting is performed 
and the flash light is changed.
 In ambient bracket shooting, the shutter speed and aperture change in program auto mode, the shutter 
speed changes in aperture priority mode, and aperture changes in shutter speed priority mode. Normally, 
the shutter speed changes in manual mode. You can change the aperture by pressing and holding the AEL 
(AE Lock) button while taking a picture.
Ambient light: Any light other than the flash light that shines on the scene for an extended period of time, 
such as natural light, a light bulb, or a fluorescent light. 
The Ev scale in bracket shooting
When bracket shooting is selected, the Ev scale is changed
 In ambient bracket shooting, the Ev scale appears in the viewfinder, too, but it does not appear in flash 
bracket shooting.
 When the bracket shooting starts, the indexes that indicate already recorded images start to disappear one 
by one.
Single bracket
 (Bracket:0.3Ev single)Shoots images frame by frame with the exposure value 
shifted by plus or minus 0.3 step. Press the shutter button 
frame by frame.
 (Bracket:0.7Ev single)Shoots images frame by frame with the exposure value 
shifted by plus or minus 0.7 step. Press the shutter button 
frame by frame.
Ambient bracket
0.3 steps
Exposure compensation 0Ambient bracket 
0.3 steps
Exposure compensation 
1.0Flash bracket
0.7 steps
Flash compensation -1.0
LCD 
monitor
Shown in the top row. Shown in the top row. Shown in the bottom row.
Viewfind er 
						

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For details on the operation 1 page 60
 When Single bracket is selected, if the shutter button is pressed halfway down and released, “br 1” appears 
for the ambient light bracket and “Fbr 1” appears for the flash bracket in the viewfinder. When bracket 
shooting starts, it indicates what number the next frame is, for instance, “br 2”, “br 3”.
Based on the selected white balance, and color temperature/CC filter, three pictures are taken 
while automatically shifting the color temperature. One shot records three frames of an image 
in the order of “an image with normal white balance”, “- side (an image with paler colors)”, 
and “+ side (an image with reddish colors.)”
( : The default setting)
*Mired: a unit to indicate the color conversion quality in color temperature filters.
 Only the image recorded last is displayed in instant playback (page 84).
White balance bracket shooting
 (Bracket: WB (L))Shifts the white balance by 10 mired* when taking a picture.
 (Bracket: WB (H))Shifts the white balance by 20 mired* when taking a picture. 
						

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Using the shooting functions
 Adjusting the exposure
You can manually shift the exposure value determined by the camera. Use this mode when you 
do not get the proper exposure, for instance, the subject and its background have high contrast 
(light and dark). 
Press the +/– (Exposure) button and turn the control dial to adjust the exposure.Toward +: Brightens an image.
0:The exposure is determined automatically by 
the camera.
Toward –: Darkens an image.
Tow a r d  – Tow a r d  +
The compensation level is displayed in the Ev scale on the LCD monitor and in the viewfinder.
 For details on the exposure t page 16
 The exposure is compensated by 1/3 of a step between ±2.0EV.
 You can check the result of the exposure compensation using the histogram display (page 74).
+/– (Exposure) button Control dial 
						

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zShooting techniques
While shooting images, the camera automatically determines the exposure. When shooting a whitish 
overall image such as a backlit subject or a snowy scene, the camera judges that the subject is bright and 
may set a darker exposure for the image. In such cases, adjustment of the exposure in the + plus direction 
is effective.
When shooting a darker overall image, the camera judges that the subject is dark and may set a brighter 
exposure for the image. In such cases, adjustment of the exposure in the – minus direction is effective.
You can try to adjust the exposure to suit your taste.
Adjust in the + direction
Adjust in the – direction 
						

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Using the shooting functions
 Locking the exposure (AE lock)
You can fix the exposure before deciding on the composition when taking a picture. This is 
effective when the metering object and focusing object are different, or when you want to 
shoot continuously while keeping the same exposure value.
1Target the subject for which you want to meter the exposure. Adjust the focus (you do not need to lock the focus.)
2Press the AEL (AE lock) button. “AEL”* lights up in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor to indicate that the exposure is locked.
* AEL: Stands for Auto Exposure Lock
3While pressing the AEL (AE lock) button, recompose the image, if necessary, and press the 
shutter button to take the picture.
 If the AEL (AE lock) button is kept down after a shot, you can continue to shoot with the same exposure 
value. The setting is canceled when the button is released.
 When the flash is fired in a mode other than shutter speed priority mode or manual mode, slow sync 
control is activated and AE Lock is performed (page 69).
 You can set the camera to keep the exposure value after releasing the AEL (AE lock) button (page 93).
 Regardless of the type of metering mode selected, you can set the camera to temporarily fix the exposure 
using the spot metering (Spot AEL) by pressing the AEL (AE lock) button (page 93).
About the Ev scale when the AEL (AE lock) button is pressed
When you lock the exposure by pressing the AEL (AE lock) button, the locked exposure value 
is set as the standard (0). After recomposing, the Ev scale displays the metered light level 
within the spot metering circle. This tells you the difference in brightness among the segments 
of the screen.
 If the light level within the spot metering circle exceeds 2.0Ev more/less than the standard value, gG 
appears at the end of the Ev scale. The gG starts flashing if the difference becomes any greater.
AEL (AE lock) buttonShutter button 
						

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Example: When the composition is determined in the scene below and the AEL (AE lock) 
button is pressed
The indicator displays are as follows when the AEL (AE lock) button is pressed.
AEL (AE lock) button is 
pressedRecompose on 1 while 
holding the AEL (AE lock) 
button downRecompose on 2 while 
holding the AEL (AE lock) 
button down
Turn the camera on 1 and 
the light level of 1 is 
displayed. The locked 
exposure (0) stays the same.
The light level of 1 is 1.3Ev 
less than the locked exposure 
(varies according to the 
recomposition of the shot)
The locked exposure is equal 
to the light level within the 
spot metering circleTurn the camera on 1 and 
the light level of 1 is 
displayed. The locked 
exposure (0) stays the same.
The light level of 1 is 1.0Ev 
less than the locked exposure 
(varies according to the 
recomposition of the shot)
2 Bright area
Spot metering circle
1 Slightly darker area
Multi-segment/Center meteringThe locked exposure
The light level within the spot 
metering circle is 0.3Ev less 
than the locked exposure 
(varies according to the 
recomposition of the shot)
Turn the camera on 2 and 
the light level of 2 is 
displayed. The arrow 
indicates 2 will white out.
Spot metering 
						

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Using the shooting functions
 Slow Sync (Shooting the dark background 
with flash)
When you shoot a portrait outdoors at night with a dark background, a normal use of flash will 
capture a clear image of the subject, but the background is out of flash range and will be too 
dark. In such a case, slow sync shooting (shooting with the flash and a slow shutter speed) 
allows you to capture a clear image of both the subject and the background.
1Pull up the built-in flash.
2Shoot with the AEL (AE lock) button pressed.
“AEL” in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor lights up to indicate the exposure is locked.
 Use of a tripod is recommended because of the slower shutter speed.
 When the flash is not used, you can fix the exposure by pressing the AEL (AE lock) button (page 67).
 In shutter speed priority mode or manual mode, slow sync shooting is not available using the AEL (AE 
lock) button.
 You can set the camera to keep the slow sync mode after the AEL (AE lock) button is released (page 93).
AEL (AE lock) buttonFlash 
						

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Depth-of-field preview
The viewfinder shows an image captured with the widest aperture. The change in aperture 
affects the sharpness of the subject image, creating a discrepancy between the sharpness seen 
in the viewfinder and in the actual picture. The preview function enables you to see the image 
with the aperture used in the actual shooting, allowing you to check the approximate sharpness 
of the subject image before the actual shooting.
Press the depth-of-field preview button after the subject is in focus.
While the button is held down, the aperture is narrowed to match the aperture value displayed in the 
viewfinder.
 About aperture and blurred images, t aperture priority mode (page 34)
 The image in the viewfinder will be darker because the aperture is narrowed (aperture value is greater.)
 The aperture value can be changed during preview.
 When the focus is not fixed and the preview button is pressed, you cannot take a picture. To take a picture, 
press the depth-of-field preview button with z lit in the viewfinder.
 With a lens equipped with a focus hold button, you can set the camera to perform the preview function 
using the focus hold button (page 93).
Depth-of-field preview
button