Sony Nex 7 User Manual

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Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexAspect Ratio
Sets the aspect ratio of still images.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [Aspect Ratio] t  desired mode.
 You cannot set this item when using the following functions:
– [Sweep Panorama]
– [3D Sweep Panorama]
3:2 Standard aspect ratio. Suitable for prints.
16:9 For viewing on a high-definition TV.
Note 
						

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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 using the following functions:
– [Sweep Panorama]
– [3D Sweep Panorama]
 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 monitor.
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
The RAW format file is the raw data yet to go through any kind of digital processing. A 
RAW file is different from a more common file format such as JPEG in that it is the 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 its white balance, 
color saturation, contrast, etc., can be readjusted. 
						

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Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexPanorama Direction
Sets the direction to pan the camera when you shoot 3D Sweep Panorama or Sweep 
Panorama images.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [Panorama Direction] t  desired mode.
3D Sweep Panorama
 (Right) Pan the camera from the left to the right.
 (Left) Pan the camera from the right to the left.
Sweep Panorama
 (Right) Pan the camera in the direction you set.
 (Left)
 (Up)
 (Down) 
						

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Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexFile Format
Selects the movie file format.
1
MENU  t [Image Size]  t [File Format]  t desired mode.
* 1080 60i-compatible device
** 1080 50i-compatible device
AVCHD 60i/60p *
AVCHD 50i/50p **Records 60i/50i movies or 24p/25p movies in AVCHD format, 
and 60p/50p movies. This Sony file format is suitable for 
viewing the movie on a high-definition TV. You can create a 
Blu-ray Disc, an AVCHD disc, or a DVD-Video disc using the 
supplied software “PMB.”
 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 “PMB.”
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. 
						

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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
 1080 60p/50p movies can be played back on compatible devices only.
 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 “PMB” in order to create an AVCHD disc. This 
conversion can take a long time. Also, you cannot create a disc with the original image quality. If you 
want to keep the original image quality, you must store your movies on a Blu-ray Disc.
 To watch 60p/50p or 24p/25p movies on a TV, you need a TV that is compatible with 60p/50p and 24p/
25p. If you use a non-compatible TV, the movies are converted to 60i/50i and output to the TV.
[File Format]:
[AVCHD 60i/60p]
[AVCHD 50i/50p]Average 
bit-rateRecording
60i 24M(FX) *
50i 24M(FX) ** 24 Mbps Records high image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (60i/50i).
60i 17M(FH)*
50i 17M(FH) ** 17 Mbps Records standard image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (60i/50i).
60p 28M(PS) *
50p 28M(PS) ** 28 Mbps Records highest image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (60p/50p).
24p 24M(FX) *
25p 24M(FX) ** 24 Mbps Records high image quality moves of 
1920 × 1080 (24p/25p). This produces a 
cinema-like atmosphere.
24p 17M(FH) *
25p 17M(FH) ** 17 Mbps Records standard image quality movies of 
1920 × 1080 (24p/25p). This produces a 
cinema-like atmosphere.
[File Format]: [MP4]Average 
bit-rateRecording
1440×1080 12M 12 Mbps Records movies of 1440 × 1080.
VGA 3M 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 
						

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Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu IndexISO
Sets the luminous sensitivity.
1
MENU  t [Brightness/Color]  t [ISO]  t desired setting.
• [ISO AUTO] is selected when using the following functions:
– [Intelligent Auto]
– [Scene Selection]
– [Anti Motion Blur]
– [Sweep Panorama]
– [3D Sweep Panorama]
 The larger the number, the higher the noise level.
 When the exposure mode is set to [Program Auto], [Aperture Priority], [Shutter Priority], and [ISO] is set  to [ISO AUTO], ISO is automatically set between ISO100 and ISO1600.
 You can select up to ISO3200 for movie recording. When you start recording movies with an ISO higher  than 3200, ISO becomes 3200 automatically, and returns to the previous value when recording is 
finished.
 The [ISO AUTO] setting is not provided in [Manual Exposure]. If you change the exposure mode to 
[Manual Exposure] with the [ISO AUTO] setting, it is switched to 100. Set the ISO according to your 
shooting conditions.
 (ISO AUTO) Sets the ISO sensitivity automatically.
100/200/400/800/
1600/3200/6400/
12800/16000 Sets the sensitivity to light of the imaging sensor. Higher 
sensitivities enable faster  shutter speeds and/or smaller 
apertures (larger F-values). The higher the sensitivity, the more 
image noise can become visible.
Notes
zAdjusting ISO Sensitivity (Recommended Exposure 
Index)
ISO setting (speed) is the sensitivity to light of recording media that incorporates an image 
sensor that receives light. Even when the exposure is the same, images differ depending on 
the ISO setting.
High ISO sensitivity
With high ISO sensitivity, images will be captured with an 
appropriate brightness even under insufficient exposure. 
However, increasing ISO sensitivity will cause images to 
become noisy.
Low ISO sensitivity
You can record smooth images. However, compensation for 
low ISO sensitivity will be made by slowing down the shutter 
speed. You should take camera shake or movement of subjects 
into account, too. 
						

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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]
– [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).
Note
Continued r 
						

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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.
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.
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.
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.
Adjusting the color temperature finely
C.Temp./Filter
Custom white balance
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 
						

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Table of 
contents Sample photo Menu Index 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.
Notes 
						

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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]
– [Scene Selection]
– [Prec. Dig. Zoom]
– [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.
Spot metering cross 
hairs position on the 
subject.
Notes