Sony A 200 Manual

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Shooting images
 Shooting a moving subject with various expressions 
(Shutter speed priority)
This mode is suitable to
zShoot a moving subject at a moment 
in time. Use a faster shutter speed to 
crisply shoot an instant of the 
movement.
zTrace the movement to express the 
dynamism and flow. Use a slower 
shutter speed to shoot a trailing 
image of the moving subject.
1Set the mode dial to S. 
						

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 When the shutter speed is slower, use a tripod.
 When shooting an indoor sport, select a higher ISO sensitivity.
Notes The   (Camera shake warning) indicator is not indicated in shutter speed priority 
mode.
 When using the flash, if you close the aperture (a larger F-number) by making the 
shutter speed slower, the light of the flash does not reach a distant subject.
 The higher the ISO sensitivity, the more outstanding the noise.
 When the shutter speed is one second or more, noise reduction (Long exp.NR) will 
be done after shooting (page 110). You cannot do any further shooting during the 
reduction.
2Select the shutter speed with the 
control dial.
Shutter speed
3Adjust the focus and shoot the 
subject.
The aperture is automatically adjusted to 
obtain correct exposure.
 When the camera judges that the proper 
exposure is not obtained with the 
selected shutter speed, the aperture 
value flashes. In such cases, adjust the 
shutter speed again.
Aperture (F-number)
Shooting techniques 
						

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Shooting images
 Shooting with the exposure adjusted manually (Manual 
exposure)
This mode is suitable to
zShoot with the desired exposure 
setting by adjusting both the shutter 
speed and aperture.
zUse an exposure meter.
1Set the mode dial to M.
2Rotate the control dial to adjust 
the shutter speed, and while 
pressing the   button, rotate the 
control dial to adjust the aperture.
 You can assign a function to the control 
dial with [Ctrl dial setup] (page 112). button
Shutter speed
Aperture (F-
number) 
						

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Notes The   (Camera shake warning) indicator is not indicated in manual exposure 
mode.
 When the mode dial is set to M, the ISO setting [AUTO] is set to [100]. In M mode, 
the ISO setting [AUTO] is not available. Set the ISO sensitivity as necessary.
Manual shift
You can change the shutter speed and aperture value combination without 
changing the exposure you set.
3Shoot the image after the 
exposure is set.
 Check the exposure value on the EV 
scale.
Toward +: Images become brighter.
Toward –: Images become darker.
The b B arrow appears if the set 
exposure is beyond the range of the EV 
scale. The arrow starts flashing if the 
difference becomes greater.
: Metered Manual
LCD monitor (Detailed display)
Standard value
Viewfinder
Standard value
Rotate the control dial while pressing the 
AEL button to select the shutter speed 
and aperture value combination.
AEL button 
						

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Shooting images
 Shooting trails with long exposure (BULB)
This mode is suitable to
zShoot trails of light, such as 
fireworks.
zShoot trails of stars.
1Set the mode dial to M.
2Rotate the control dial to the left 
until [BULB] is indicated.
BULB
3While pressing the   button, 
rotate the control dial to adjust 
the aperture (F-number).
 button 
						

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 Use a tripod.
 Set the focus to infinity in manual focus mode when shooting fireworks, 
etc.
 If you use a Remote Commander that is equipped with a shutter button 
lock function (not supplied), you can leave the shutter open using the 
Remote Commander.
Notes When using a tripod, turn off the Super SteadyShot function.
 The longer the exposure time, the more outstanding the noise on the image.
 After shooting, noise reduction (Long exp.NR) will be done for the same amount of 
time that the shutter was open. You cannot do any further shooting during the 
reduction.
4Press the shutter button halfway down to adjust the focus.
5Press and hold the shutter button for the duration of the 
shooting.
As long as the shutter button is pressed, the shutter remains open.
Shooting techniques 
						

							Using the shooting function
67
Using the shooting function
Selecting the focus method
There are two methods for adjusting the focus: autofocus and manual focus.
 To select the area used for focusing, set up [AF area] (page 70).
Using autofocus
1Set the focus mode switch to AF.
2Look into the viewfinder.
The subject inside the focus area comes into focus automatically (Eye-Start 
AF).
3Press the shutter button halfway 
down to check the focus and shoot 
the image.
 When the focus is confirmed, the focus 
indicator changes to z or   
(page 68).
 The sensor used for focusing in the AF 
area illuminated briefly in red 
(page 70).
Focus area sensor
Focus indicator
Shooting technique
Focus area 
						

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Focus indicator
Subjects that may require special focusing:
Using the autofocus, it is hard to focus on the following subjects. In such 
cases, use the focus lock shooting feature (page 69) or manual focus 
(page 71).
 A subject that is low in contrast, such as blue sky or a white wall.
 Two subjects at different distances overlapping in the AF area.
 A subject that is composed of repeating patterns, such as the facade of a 
building.
 A subject that is very bright or glittering, such as the sun, the body of an 
automobile, or the surface of water.
To measure the exact distance to the subject
Note 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. Focus indicator Status
z litFocus locked. Ready to shoot.
 litFocus is confirmed. Focal point moves following a moving 
subject. Ready to shoot.
 litStill focusing. You cannot release the shutter.
z flashingCannot focus. The shutter is locked.
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. 
						

							Using the shooting function
69
To deactivate the Eye-Start AF function
MENU button t  1 t [Eye-Start AF] t [Off]
 When attaching the FDA-M1AM Magnifier (not supplied) or the FDA-
A1AM Angle Finder (not supplied) to the camera, setting [Eye-Start AF] 
to [Off] is recommended because the eyepiece sensors located below the 
viewfinder may be activated.
Fn button t [Autofocus mode] t Select the desired setting
Shooting with your desired composition (Focus-lock)
1Place the subject within the AF 
area and press the shutter button 
halfway down.
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 on and the focus is locked when you 
press the shutter button halfway down. 
						

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 Use   (Single-shot AF) when the subject is motionless.
 Use   (Continuous AF) when the subject is in motion.
Fn button t [AF area] t Select the desired setting
 (Automatic AF)When you press and hold the shutter button, 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
Selecting the focus area (AF area)
Select the desired AF are 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 controller, you can adjust the focus using the spot AF 
area.
 (Spot)The camera uses the spot AF area exclusively.
 (Local)Choose the area for which you want to activate the focus 
from among nine areas with the controller during the 
shooting. To select the spot AF area, press the center of the 
controller.
AF area