Sony A 230 Manual

							Using the shooting function
81
Fn button t [Metering mode] t Select the desired mode
 Use   (Multi segment) metering for general shooting.
Note When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, [Metering mode] is 
fixed to   (Multi segment) and you cannot select other modes.
Selecting the method for measuring the brightness of a 
subject (Metering mode)
 (Multi segment)This mode measures light on each area after dividing the total 
area into multiple areas and determines the proper exposure 
of the entire screen.
 (Center weighted)While emphasizing the central area of the screen, this mode 
measures the average brightness of the entire screen.
 (Spot)This mode measures light at or around the focus area located 
in the center of the frame.
Shooting technique 
						

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Setting ISO
Sensitivity to light is expressed by the ISO number (recommended 
exposure index). The larger the number, the higher the sensitivity.
Notes When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, ISO is fixed to AUTO 
and you cannot select other ISO numbers.
 When the exposure mode is set to P/A/S and ISO is set to [AUTO], ISO is 
automatically set between ISO 100 and ISO 400.
 The [AUTO] setting is not provided in recording mode M. If you change the 
recording mode to M with the [AUTO] setting, it is switched to [100]. Set the ISO 
according to your shooting conditions.
1Press ISO on the control button to 
display the ISO screen.
2Select the desired value with v/V on the control button.
 The larger the number, the higher the noise level. 
						

							Using the shooting function
83
Adjusting the color tones (White balance)
The color tone of the subject changes depending on the characteristics of 
the light source. The table below shows how the color tone changes based 
on various light sources, compared with a subject that appears white under 
the sunlight.
White balance is a feature that adjusts the color tone to approximate what 
you see. Use this feature when the color tone of the image did not come out 
as you expected, or when you want to change the color tone on purpose for 
photographic expression.
Notes When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, [White balance] is 
fixed to AWB (Auto WB) and you cannot select other modes.
 If the only light source available is a mercury lamp or a sodium lamp, the camera 
will not be able to acquire the accurate white balance because of the characteristics 
of the light source. Use the flash in such cases.
Fn button t [White balance] t Select the desired setting
 When [AWB] is not selected, you can fine tune the color tone with b/B 
on the control button. Adjusting it toward + turns the image reddish and 
adjusting it toward – turns the image bluish.
Weather/
lightingDaylight Cloudy Fluorescent Incandescent
Characteristics 
of lightWhite Bluish Green-tinged Reddish
Adjusting the white balance to suit a specific light source 
(Auto/Preset white balance) 
						

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 When you select   (Custom), you can register your setting (below).
In a scene where the ambient light consists of multiple types of light source, 
use of custom white balance is recommended in order to accurately 
reproduce the whiteness.
AWB (Auto WB)The camera automatically detects a light source and adjusts 
the color tones.
 (Daylight)If you select an option to suit a specific light source, the color 
tones are adjusted for the light source (preset white balance).
 (Shade)
 (Cloudy)
 (Tungsten)
 (Fluorescent)
 (Flash)
Shooting technique
Registering the color tones (Custom white balance)
1Fn button t [White balance] t 
2Select [  SET] with b/B on the control button, then press the 
center of the control button.
3Hold the camera so that the white area fully covers the focus 
area located in the center, and then press the shutter button 
down.
The shutter clicks and the calibrated values (ColorTemperature and Color 
filter) are displayed. 
						

							Using the shooting function
85
Note 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 on the LCD monitor. You can shoot at this 
point, but it is recommended that you set the white balance again to get a more 
correct white balance value.
To call the custom white balance setting
Fn button t [White balance] t  (Custom)
Note 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.
4Press the center of the control button.
The monitor returns to the recording information display with the memorized 
custom white balance setting retained.
 The custom white balance setting registered in this operation is effective 
until a new setting is registered. 
						

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Image processing
Fn button t [D-RangeOptimizer] t Select the desired setting
Notes  (Advanced) is selected when the exposure mode is set to AUTO or one of the 
following Scene Selection modes:   (Portrait),   (Landscape) or   (Macro).
 (Standard) is selected when the exposure mode is set to   (Sports Action) in 
Scene Selection.
 (Off) is selected when the exposure mode is set to   (Sunset) or   (Night 
Port./View) in Scene Selection.
 For enlarged RAW images, the effects of the D-Range optimizer other than   
(Standard) cannot be checked on the camera.
 When shooting with the D-Range optimizer, the image may be noisy.
Correcting the brightness of the image (D-Range 
Optimizer)
 (Off)No optimization.
 (Standard)When there is a sharp contrast of light and shadow between 
the subject and the background, which is common when 
shooting into the sun, the camera attenuates the contrast 
across the entire image to produce an image with proper 
brightness and contrast.
 (Advanced)By dividing the image into small areas, the camera analyses 
the contrast of light and shadow between the subject and the 
background, producing the image with the optimal brightness 
and gradation.
Selecting your desired image processing (Creative Style)
1Fn button t [Creative Style] t Select the desired setting
2When you want to adjust   (Contrast),   (Saturation), or   
(Sharpness), select the desired item with b/B, then adjust the 
value with v/V. 
						

							Using the shooting function
87
 (Contrast),   (Saturation), and   (Sharpness) can be adjusted for each 
Creative Style item.
Notes When the exposure mode is set to AUTO or Scene Selection, [Creative Style] is 
fixed to   (Standard) and you cannot select other settings.
 When   (B/W) is selected, you cannot adjust the saturation.  (Standard)For shooting various scenes with rich gradation and beautiful 
colors.
 (Vivid)The saturation and contrast are heightened for shooting 
striking images of colorful scenes and subjects such as 
flowers, spring greenery, blue sky, or ocean views.
 (Portrait)For shooting the skin color in a soft tone, ideally suited to 
shooting portraits.
 (Landscape)The saturation, contrast, and sharpness are heightened for 
shooting vivid and crisp scenery. Distant landscapes also 
stand out more.
 (Night view)The contrast is attenuated for shooting a nightscape that is 
more faithful to the real view.
 (Sunset)For shooting the beautiful red of the setting sun.
 (B/W)For shooting images in black and white monotone.
 (Contrast)The higher the value selected, the more the difference of light 
and shadow is accentuated, thus making an impact on an 
image.
 (Saturation)The higher the value selected, the more vivid the color. When 
a lower value is selected, the color of the image is restrained 
and subdued.
 (Sharpness)Adjusts the sharpness. The higher the value selected, the 
more the contours are accentuated, and the lower the value 
selected, the more the contours are softened. 
						

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The way colors are represented with combinations of numbers or the range 
of color reproduction is called “color space.” You can change the color 
space, depending on your purpose.
MENU button t  2 t [Color Space] t Select the desired 
setting
Notes Adobe RGB is for applications or printers that support color management and 
DCF2.0 option color space. Using some applications or printers that do not support 
them may result in or print images that do not faithfully reproduce the color.
 When displaying images that were recorded with Adobe RGB on the camera or non-
Adobe RGB-compliant devices, the images are displayed with low saturation.
Changing the range of color reproduction (Color Space)
sRGBThis is the standard color space of the digital camera. Use 
sRGB in normal shooting, such as when you intend to print 
out the images without any modification.
Adobe RGBThis has a wide range of color reproduction. When a large 
part of the subject is vivid green or red, Adobe RGB is 
effective.
 The file name of the image starts with “_DSC.” 
						

							Using the shooting function
89
 Selecting the drive mode
This camera has five drive modes, such as single-shot advanced, and 
continuous advanced. Use them to suit your purpose.
This mode is for normal shooting.
Note When the exposure mode is set to   (Sports Action) in Scene Selection, you cannot 
shoot single shot.
The camera records the images continuously at a maximum of 2.5 images 
per second*.
* Our measurement conditions. The speed of continuous shooting is slower, 
depending on shooting conditions.
Shooting single shot
 on the control button t  
(Single-shot adv.)
Shooting continuously
1 on the control button t 
 (Continuous adv.)
2Adjust the focus and shoot the subject.
 When you press and hold the shutter button, the recording continues. 
						

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The maximum number of continuous shots
The number of continuous shooting images obtainable has an upper limit.
Notes You cannot shoot images continuously when “0” flashes in the viewfinder. Wait 
until the indicator disappears.
 When the exposure mode is set to a Scene Selection mode other than   (Sports 
Action), you cannot shoot continuously.
 The speed of continuous shooting may be slower when the battery level is 
insufficient or at low ambient temperatures.
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.
[Self-timer(Cont.)] is convenient to prevent failure because the camera 
continuously shoots either three or five images after a 10 second pause.
To cancel the self-timer
Press   on the control button.
Fine/StandardNo limit (Until the memory card is full)
RAW & JPEG3 images
RAW6 images
Using the self-timer
1 on the control button t 
 (Self-timer) t Select the 
desired setting
 The number after   is the number of 
seconds that is currently selected.
 Select   to use the continuous self-
timer.
2Adjust the focus and shoot the subject.
 When the self-timer is activated, audio signals and the self-timer lamp 
indicate the condition. The self-timer lamp flashes quickly and the audio 
signal sounds quickly right before the shooting.