Sony A 230 Manual

							Preparing the camera
11
Preparing the camera
Checking the accessories supplied
The number in parentheses indicates the number of pieces.
 BC-VH1 Battery charger (1)
 Power cord (mains lead) (1) (not 
supplied in the U.S.A. and 
Canada)
 Rechargeable battery pack NP-
FH50 (1)
 USB cable (1)
 Shoulder strap (1)
 Eyepiece cover (1) Body cap (1) (Attached on the 
camera)
 Eyecup (1) (Attached on the 
camera)
 CD-ROM (Application Software 
for α camera) (1)
 Quick Start Guide (1)
 Instruction Manual (This manual) 
(1) 
						

							12
Preparing the battery pack
When using the camera for the first time, be sure to charge the NP-FH50 
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (supplied).
The “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack can be charged even when it has not 
been fully depleted.
It can also be used when it has not been fully charged.
Charging the battery pack
1Insert the battery pack on the 
battery charger.
Push the battery pack until it clicks. 
						

							Preparing the camera
13
About charging time
 Time required to charge a fully depleted battery pack (supplied) at a 
temperature of 25°C (77°F) is as follows.
 The charging time differs depending on the remaining capacity of the 
battery back or charging conditions.
When the CHARGE lamp flashes
 The CHARGE lamp of the supplied battery charger flashes in either way:
– Fast flashing: Turns the light on and off repeatedly at the interval of 
0.15 seconds.
– Slow flashing: Turns the light on and off repeatedly at the interval of 
1.5 seconds.
2Connect the battery charger to the 
wall outlet (wall socket).
Light on: Charging
Light off: Normal charge completed
One hour after the lamp is turned off: Full 
charge completed
For customers in the U.S.A. and 
Canada
For customers in countries/regions 
other than the U.S.A. and Canada
Full charge Normal charge
Approx. 265 min. Approx. 205 min.
CHARGE lampPlug
To the wall 
outlet (wall 
socket)
CHARGE lampPower cord 
(mains lead) 
						

							14
 When the CHARGE lamp flashes fast, remove the battery pack being 
charged, and then insert the same battery pack into the battery charger 
securely again. When the CHARGE lamp flashes fast again, this may 
indicate a battery error or that a battery pack other than the specified type 
has been inserted. Check that the battery pack is the specified type. If the 
battery pack is the specified type, remove the battery pack, replace it with 
a new one or another one and check if the battery charger operates 
correctly. If the battery charger operates correctly, a battery error may 
have occurred.
 When the CHARGE lamp flashes slowly, it indicates that the battery 
charger stops charging temporarily on standby. The battery charger stops 
charging and enters the standby status automatically when the 
temperature is outside of the recommended operating temperature. When 
the temperature gets back within the appropriate range, the battery 
charger resumes charging and the CHARGE lamp lights up again. We 
recommend charging the battery pack in an ambient temperature of 
between 10°C to 30°C (50°F to 86°F).
Notes Connect the battery charger to the nearest wall outlet (wall socket).
 When charging is finished, disconnect the power cord (mains lead) from the wall 
outlet (wall socket), and remove the battery pack from the battery charger. If you 
leave the charged battery pack on the charger, battery life may be decreased.
 Do not charge any battery pack other than the “InfoLITHIUM” H series battery pack 
in the battery charger (supplied) with your camera. Batteries other than the specified 
kind may leak, overheat, or explode if you attempt to charge them, posing a risk of 
injury from electrocution and burns.
 If the battery charger is dirty, charging may not be performed successfully. Clean the 
battery charger with dry cloth, etc.
To use your camera abroad — Power sources
You can use your camera and the battery charger and the AC-PW10AM 
AC Adaptor (sold separately) in any country or region where the power 
supply is within 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.
Note Do not use an electronic transformer (travel converter), as this may cause a 
malfunction. 
						

							Preparing the camera
15
To remove the battery pack
Inserting the charged battery pack
1While sliding the battery cover 
open lever, open the battery 
cover.
2Firmly insert the battery pack all 
the way while pressing the lock 
lever with the tip of the battery.
Lock lever
3Close the battery cover.
Turn off the camera and slide the lock 
lever in the direction of the arrow. Be 
careful not to drop the battery pack.
Lock lever 
						

							16
To check the remaining battery level
Set the power switch to ON and check the level on the LCD monitor.
What is an “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack?
An “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack is a lithium-ion battery pack that has 
functions for exchanging information related to operating conditions with 
your camera.
Notes The displayed level may not be correct under certain circumstances.
 Do not expose the battery pack to water. The battery pack is not water-resistant.
 Do not leave the battery pack in extremely hot places, such as in a car or under direct 
sunlight.
Available battery packs
Only an NP-FH50 battery pack can be used with the camera. Note that the 
NP-FH30 and NP-FH40 cannot be used.
Effective use of the battery pack
 Battery performance decreases in low temperature surroundings. So, the 
time that the battery pack can be used is shorter in cold places and the 
speed of continuous shooting slows down. We recommend that you put 
the battery pack in a pocket close to your body to warm it up, and insert it 
in your camera immediately before you start shooting.
 The battery pack will run out quickly if you use the flash frequently, use 
continuous shooting often, or turn the camera on and off frequently.
Battery life
 The battery life is limited. Battery capacity decreases little by little as you 
use it more and more, and as time passes. If the battery operating time 
seems shortened considerably, a probable cause is that the battery pack 
has reached the end of its life. Buy a new battery pack.
 The battery life varies according to how it is stored and the operating 
conditions and environment in which each battery pack is used.
Battery level“Battery 
exhausted”
High  LowYou cannot shoot 
any more pictures. 
						

							Preparing the camera
17
How to store the battery pack
If the battery pack is not to be used for a long time, fully charge it and then 
fully use it up once a year on your camera before storing the battery pack in 
a dry, cool place to prolong the battery life. 
						

							18
Attaching a lens
Notes A rear lens cap is not supplied with the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM Lens Kit. When 
you store the lens without attaching it to the camera, purchase the Rear Lens Cap 
ALC-R55.
 When attaching a lens, do not press the lens release button.
 Do not use force when attaching a lens.
1Remove the body cap from the 
camera and the packaging lid 
from the rear of the lens.
 When changing the lens, quickly 
change the lens away from dusty 
locations so as to keep dust or debris 
from getting inside the camera.
Packaging lid
2Mount the lens by aligning the 
orange index marks on the lens 
and camera.
Orange index marks
3Turn the lens clockwise until it 
clicks into the locked position.
Body cap 
						

							Preparing the camera
19
To remove the lens
Note on changing the lens
When changing the lens, if dust or debris gets inside the camera and lands 
on the surface of the image sensor (the part that acts as the film), it may 
appear on the image, depending on the shooting environment.
The camera is equipped with an anti-dust function to prevent dust from 
landing on the image sensor. However, quickly change the lens away from 
dusty locations when attaching/removing a lens.
If dust or debris lands on the image sensor
Clean the image sensor using [Cleaning mode] in the   Setup menu 
(page 30).
1Press the lens release button all 
the way in and turn the lens 
counterclockwise until it stops.
Lens release button
2Replace the packaging lid on the 
lens and attach the body cap to 
the camera.
 Before you attach them, remove dust 
from them.
 When you purchase the DT 18 – 55 mm 
F3.5 – 5.6 SAM Lens Kit, purchase the 
Rear Lens Cap ALC-R55 also. 
						

							20
Inserting a memory card
Only “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” 
media, SD memory cards and SDHC memory cards can be used with this 
camera. A MultiMediaCard cannot be used with this camera.
The “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media and “Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo” 
media are referred to as the “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media and the SD 
memory card and SDHC memory card are referred to as the “SD memory 
card” in this Instruction Manual.
1Open the memory card cover.
2Insert “Memory Stick PRO Duo” 
media or an SD memory card.
 Insert the memory card until it clicks as 
illustrated.
Face side (SD memory card)
Terminal part
3Select the type of memory card 
you want to use using the memory 
card switch.
Terminal part
Face side (“Memory Stick PRO 
Duo”)