Choosing a Shooting Mode

For control over shutter speed and aperture (P, S, A, and M modes), rotate the auto mode selector lever to . Rotate the lever to AUTO to choose from modes suited to specific subject types, or select ADVANCED SR AUTO to let the camera automatically match the mode to the subject.

Mode P: Program AE
Mode S: Shutter-Priority AE
Mode A: Aperture-Priority AE
Mode M: Manual Exposure
Auto Mode

Mode P: Program AE

Let the camera choose shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure. Other values that produce the same exposure can be selected with program shift.

Adjust settings as follows:

Auto mode selector lever:

Shutter speed: A (auto)

Aperture: A (auto)

Confirm that P appears in the display.

If the subject is outside the metering range of the camera, the shutter speed and aperture displays will show “– – –”.

Program Shift

If desired, you can rotate the rear command dial to select other combinations of shutter speed and aperture without altering exposure (program shift).

Shutter speed

Aperture

Program shift is not available during movie recording or if the flash supports TTL auto or an auto option is selected for IMAGE QUALITY SETTING > DYNAMIC RANGE.

To cancel program shift, turn the camera off.

Mode S: Shutter-Priority AE

Choose a shutter speed and let the camera adjust aperture for optimal exposure.

Adjust settings as follows:

Auto mode selector lever:

Shutter speed: Choose a shutter speed

Aperture: A (auto)

Confirm that S appears in the display.

If the correct exposure can not be achieved at the selected shutter speed, aperture will be displayed in red. If the subject is outside the metering range of the camera, the aperture display will show “– – –”.

At settings other than 180X, shutter speed can also be adjusted in increments of 1/3 EV by rotating the rear command dial. Shutter speed can be adjusted even while the shutter button is pressed halfway.

Sensitivity and Depth of Field

If you choose a fast shutter speed when the subject is poorly lit, the camera autoexposure program will select a wider aperture. This will produce the correct exposure but may also reduce depth of field so that less of the area behind and in front of your subject appears to be in focus. To stop aperture down and increase depth of field, select a higher sensitivity.

Time (T)

Rotate the shutter speed dial to T (time) to choose slow shutter speeds for long time-exposures. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent the camera moving during the exposure.

Rotate the shutter speed dial to T.
Rotate the rear command dial to choose a shutter speed.
Press the shutter button all the way down to take a picture at the selected shutter speed. A count-down timer will be displayed while the exposure is in progress.

To reduce “noise” (mottling) in long time-exposures, select ON for IMAGE QUALITY SETTING > LONG EXPOSURE NR. Note that this may increase the time needed to record images after shooting.

Bulb (B)

Select a shutter speed of B (bulb) for long time-exposures in which you open and close the shutter manually. Use of a tripod is recommended to prevent the camera moving during the exposure.

Rotate the shutter speed dial to B.
Press the shutter button all the way down. The shutter will remain open for up to 60 minutes while the shutter button is pressed; the display shows the time elapsed since the exposure started.

Selecting an aperture of A fixes shutter speed at 30 s.

To reduce “noise” (mottling) in long time-exposures, select ON for IMAGE QUALITY SETTING > LONG EXPOSURE NR. Note that this may increase the time needed to record images after shooting.

Using a Remote Release

An optional RR-90 remote release can be used for long time-exposures. The RR‑90 connects via the Micro USB (Micro-B) USB 2.0 connector.

Alternatively, electronic releases from third-party suppliers can be connected via the microphone/remote release connector (Φ2.5 mm 3-pole mini jack).

Third-party mechanical releases connect as shown.

A confirmation dialog will be displayed when a third-party release is connected; press MENU/OK and select REMOTE for MIC/REMOTE RELEASE.

Mode A: Aperture-Priority AE

Choose an aperture and let the camera adjust shutter speed for optimal exposure.

Adjust settings as follows:

Auto mode selector lever:

Shutter speed: A (auto)

Aperture: Select and rotate the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture

Confirm that A appears in the display.

If the correct exposure can not be achieved at the selected aperture, shutter speed will be displayed in red. If the subject is outside the metering range of the camera, the shutter speed display will show “– – –”.

Aperture can be adjusted even while the shutter button is pressed halfway.

Previewing Depth of Field

When PREVIEW DEPTH OF FIELD is assigned to a function button, pressing the button stops aperture down to the selected setting, allowing depth of field to be previewed in the display.

If both AF DISTANCE INDICATOR and MF DISTANCE INDICATOR are selected in the SCREEN SETTING > DISP. CUSTOM SETTING list, depth of field can also be previewed using the depth-of-field indicator in the standard display. Use the DISP/BACK button to display standard indicators.

Depth of field

Use the AF/MF SETTING > DEPTH-OF-FIELD SCALE option to choose how depth of field is displayed. Choose FILM FORMAT BASIS to help you make practical assessments of depth of field for pictures that will be viewed as prints and the like, PIXEL BASIS to help you assess depth of field for pictures that will be viewed at high resolutions on computers or other electronic displays.

Sensitivity and Motion Blur

If you choose a narrow aperture when the subject is poorly lit, the shutter speed selected by the autoexposure program may not be fast enough to prevent motion blur. For faster shutter speeds that reduce motion blur, select a higher sensitivity.

Mode M: Manual Exposure

Alter exposure from that selected by the camera.

Adjust settings as follows:

Auto mode selector lever:

Shutter speed: Choose a shutter speed

Aperture: Select and rotate the lens aperture ring to adjust aperture

Confirm that M appears in the display. The amount the picture would be under- or over-exposed at current settings is shown by the exposure indicator; adjust shutter speed and aperture until the desired exposure is reached.

At settings other than 180X, shutter speed can also be adjusted in increments of 1/3 EV by rotating the rear command dial.

Exposure Preview

To preview exposure in the LCD monitor, select an option other than OFF for SCREEN SETTING > PREVIEW EXP./WB IN MANUAL MODE. Select OFF when using the flash or on other occasions on which exposure may change when the picture is taken.

Auto Mode

Auto mode offers options suited to particular subject types.

Adjust settings as follows:

Auto mode selector lever: AUTO

Drive dial: S (single frame)

The currently-selected scene appears in the display. Rotate the front command dial (or use the SHOOTING SETTING > SCENE POSITION item in the shooting menu) to choose from the following options:

Mode	Description
ADVANCED SR AUTO	The camera automatically optimizes settings to suit the scene.
PORTRAIT	Choose for portraits.
PORTRAIT ENHANCER	Processes portraits to give the subject a smooth, natural-looking complexion.
LANDSCAPE	Choose for daylight shots of buildings and landscapes.
SPORT	Choose when photographing moving subjects.
NIGHT	Choose for poorly lit twilight or night scenes.
NIGHT (TRIPOD)	Choose this mode for slow shutter speeds when shooting at night.
FIREWORKS	Slow shutter speeds are used to capture the expanding burst of light from a firework.
SUNSET	Choose this mode to record the vivid colors in sunrises and sunsets.
SNOW	Choose for crisp, clear shots that capture the brightness of scenes dominated by shining white snow.
BEACH	Choose for crisp, clear shots that capture the brightness of sunlit beaches.
UNDERWATER	Reduces the blue cast typically associated with underwater lighting.
PARTY	Capture indoor background lighting under low-light conditions.
FLOWER	Effective for taking more vivid shots of flowers.
TEXT	Take clear pictures of text or drawings in print.