Casio EX-M20 - 1 User manual

43
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
This section describes the basic procedure for recording an
image.
Recording an Image
Aiming the Camera
Use both hands to hold the camera still when shooting an
image. Holding the camera with one hand increases the
chance of movement, which can blur your images.
•Horizontal Hold the camera
still in both
hands, with your
arms firmly
against your
sides.
•Vertical When holding
the camera
vertically, make
sure that the
flash is above
the lens. Hold
the camera still
with both hands.
IMPORTANT!
•Make sure your fingers or the strap does not block
the flash or lens.
Flash
Lens
NOTE
•Your image will be blurred if you move the camera
when pressing the shutter release button. Press the
shutter release button carefully, taking care that
there is no camera movement. This is especially
important when available lighting is low, which slows
down the shutter speed.

44
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
3. Compose the image
on the monitor
screen.
•You can compose
images using either the
monitor screen or the
optical viewfinder.
•When using the optical viewfinder, you can turn off
the monitor screen to save power (page 25).
4. Press the shutter
release button to
record the image.
•The number of images that can be stored in memory
depends on the resolution setting you are using
(pages 52, 183).
•Depending on the distance or angle between the
subject and the camera, the image you see in the
viewfinder may not be exactly the image that is
recorded.
ON/OFF
Power button
1200
1200
1600
1600
NORMAL
NORMAL
03/12/24
03/12/24
12:58
12:58
12
12
Shutter release button
Mode selector
Recording an lmage
Your camera automatically adjusts shutter speed in
accordance with the brightness of the subject. Images you
record are stored in the camera’s built-in memory, or to a
memory card if you have one loaded in the camera.
•When an optionally available SD memory card or
MultiMediaCard (MMC) is loaded in the camera, images
are stored on the card (page 125).
1. Press the power button
to turn on the camera.
•This causes an image or
a message to appear on
the monitor screen.
2. Align the mode
selector with “ ”
(REC).
•This enters the REC
mode for image
recording.

45
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
About the REC Mode Monitor Screen
•The image shown on the monitor screen in the REC
mode is a simplified image for composing purposes. The
actual image is recorded in accordance with the image
quality setting currently selected on your camera. The
image saved in file memory has much better resolution
and detail than the REC mode monitor screen image.
•Certain levels of subject brightness can cause the
response of the REC mode monitor screen to slow down,
which causes some static noise in the monitor screen
image.
Recording Precautions
•Never open the battery cover or place the camera onto
the USB cradle while the operation/flash charge lamp is
flashing. Doing so not only causes the current image to
be lost, it can also corrupt images already stored in file
memory and even lead to malfunction of the camera.
•Never remove the memory card while an image is being
recorded to the memory card.
•Fluorescent lighting actually flickers at a frequency that
cannot be detected by the human eye. When using the
camera indoors under such lighting, you may experience
some brightness or color problems with recorded images.
•When “Auto”is selected for the ISO sensitivity setting
(page 72), the camera automatically adjusts its sensitivity
in accordance with the brightness of the subject. This can
cause some static noise to appear in images of relatively
dark subjects.
•When “Auto”is selected for the ISO sensitivity setting
(page 72), the camera raises the sensitivity and uses a
faster shutter speed. Because of this, you need to guard
against camera movement if you have flash turned off
(page 47) when recording a dimly lit subject.
•If unwanted light is shining on the lens, shade the lens
with your hand when recording the image.

46
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
Using Zoom
You can use the digital zoom feature of your camera to
zoom in on the center of an image. Performing a zoom
operation toggles the zoom factor between 1X and 4X.
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Use [] and [] to select the “REC”tab.
3. Use [] and [] to select “Digital Zoom”, and
then press [].
4. Use [] and [] to select “On”, and then
press [SET].
•Selecting “Off”disables digital zoom.
6. Record the image.
Zoom out Zoom in
5. In the REC mode, use [] and [] to change
the digital zoom factor.
[] : Zoom in.
[] : Zoom out.

47
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
IMPORTANT!
•Zoom is disabled whenever the monitor screen is
turned off (page 25).
•Using digital zoom can cause degradation of the
recorded image.
•To disable digital zoom, select “Off”for the “Digital
Zoom”setting on the “REC”tab.
NOTE
•You can use the key customization feature (page 75)
to configure the camera so the digital zoom factor
changes whenever you press [] and [] while in the
REC mode.
Using the Flash
Perform the following steps to select the flash mode you
want to use.
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Use [] and [] to select the “REC”tab.
3. Use [] and [] to select “Flash”, and then
press [].
4. Use [] and [] to select the flash mode you
want, and then press [SET].
To do this:
Have the flash fire automatically
when required (Auto Flash)
Turn off the flash (Flash Off)
Always fire the flash (Flash On)
Fire a pre-flash followed by image
recording with flash, reducing the
chance of red-eye in the image (Red-
eye reduction). Have the flash fire
automatically when required.
Select this setting:
Auto

48
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
5. Record the image.
IMPORTANT!
•The flash unit of this camera fires a number of times
when you record an image. The initial flashes are
pre-flashes, which the camera uses to obtain
information it uses for exposure settings. The final
flash is for recording. Make sure that you keep the
camera still until the shutter releases.
•Image recording may not be performed if you press
the shutter release button while the operation/flash
charge lamp is flashing amber.
NOTE
•You can use the key customization feature (pages
74, 75) to configure the camera so the flash mode
changes whenever you press [] and [], or [] and
[] while in the REC mode.
■About Red-eye Reduction
Using the flash to record at night or in a dimly lit room can
cause red spots inside the eyes of people who are in the
image. This is caused when the light from the flash reflects
off of the retina of the eye. Red-eye reduction fires a pre-
flash, which causes the irises in the eyes of any people in
the image to close. This is followed by another flash
operation when the image is actually recorded.
IMPORTANT!
Note the following important points when using red-
eye reduction.
•Red-eye reduction does not work unless the people
in the image are looking directly at the camera
(flash). Before pressing the shutter release button,
call out to the subjects so they all look at the camera.
•Red-eye reduction may not work very well if the
subjects are located far away from the camera.

49
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
Flash Precautions
Take care that your fingers do not block the flash when you
hold the camera. Covering the flash with your finger can
greatly reduce its effectiveness.
•The approximate effective range of the flash is shown
below. The flash is unable to adequately illuminate a
subject that is outside this range.
0.8 meter to 1.5 meters (2.6´to 4.9´) (ISO Sensitivity :
“Auto”)
•The flash takes anywhere from a few seconds as long as
10 seconds to attain full charge after being fired. The
actual time required depends on the battery level,
temperature, and other conditions.
•The flash does not fire during movie recording. This is
indicated by on the monitor screen.
Flash
•The flash unit may not be able to charge when battery
power is low. Low battery power is indicated by the on
the monitor screen, and when the flash fails to fire
properly resulting in poor image exposure. When these
symptoms occur, charge the camera’s battery as soon as
possible.
•When the red-eye reduction mode ( ) is selected, flash
intensity is adjusted automatically in accordance with the
exposure. The flash may not fire at all when the subject is
brightly lit.
•Using flash in combination with another light source
(daylight, fluorescent light, etc.) can result in abnormal
image colors.

50
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
Recording Macro Images
You can select either normal or macro (close-up) recording
using the selector located on the left side of the camera.
The table below describes the two settings available with
the selector.
•The distances indicated above represent the distance
from the camera’s lens surface to the subject.
1. Align the Normal ( )/
Macro ( ) selector with
“ ”.
2. Record the image.
Normal ( )/Macro ( )
selector
To do this:
Shoot normal images, at a distance of
about 1m (39.4˝) to infinity (Normal)
Shoot close-ups, at a distance of about
30cm (11.8˝) (Macro)
Select this setting:
IMPORTANT!
• Selecting the macro mode causes the indicator
to appear on the monitor screen.
• Normally, you should leave the Normal ( )/Macro
() selector setting at “ ”.
MENU

51
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
Using the Self-timer
The self-timer lets you select either a 2-second or 10-
second delay of the shutter release after you press the
shutter release button. A Triple Self-timer feature lets you
perform three consecutive self-timer operations to record
three images.
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Use [] and [] to select the “REC”tab.
3. Use [] and [] to select “Self-timer”, and
then press [].
4. Use [] and [] to select the self-timer time
you want to use, and then press [SET].
• Selecting “Off” in step 4 disables the self-timer.
• With the Triple Self-timer, the camera records a
series of three images in the sequence described
below.
1. The camera performs a 10-second countdown and
then records the first image.
2. The camera prepares to record the next image.
The amount of time required for preparation
depends on the camera’s current “Size” and
“Quality” settings, the type of memory (built-in or
card) you are using for image storage, and
whether or not the flash is charging.
3. After preparation is complete, the indicator “1sec”
appears on the monitor screen, and another
image is recorded one second later.
4. Steps 2 and 3 are repeated once more to record
the third image.
To do this:
Specify a 10-second self-timer
Specify a 2-second self-timer
Specify Triple Self-timer
Disable the self-timer
Select this setting:
10 sec
2 sec
X3
Off

52
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
5. Record the image.
• When you press the
shutter release button,
the self-timer lamp
flashes and the shutter
releases after the self-
timer reaches the end
of its countdown.
• You can interrupt an
ongoing self-timer
countdown by pressing
the shutter release
button while the self-
timer lamp is flashing.
NOTES
• The “2 sec” self-timer setting is best when shooting
with a slow shutter speed, because it helps to avoid
blurring of images due to hand movement.
• You can use the key customization feature (page 75)
to configure the camera so the self-timer setting
changes whenever you press [] and [] while in the
REC mode.
Specifying Image Size and Quality
You can specify the image size and image quality to suit
the type of image you are recording.
To specify the image size
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Use [] and [] to select the “REC”tab.
3. Use [] and [] to select “Size”, and then
press [].
4. Use [] and [] to select the setting you
want, and then press [SET].
1600 x 1200 : 1600 x 1200 pixels
1600 x 1072 (3:2) : 1600 x 1072 pixels
1280 x 960 : 1280 x 960 pixels
640 x 480 : 640 x 480 pixels
Self-timer lamp

53
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
To specify image quality
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Use [] and [] to select the “REC”tab.
3. Use [] and [] to select “Quality”, and then
press [].
4. Use [] and [] to select the setting you
want, and then press [SET].
Select this setting:
Fine
Normal
Economy
To get this:
Very high quality, but large file size
Normal quality
Small file size, but low quality
NOTES
• If you plan to make large prints of your images or
otherwise use them in applications where high-
resolution is your top priority, select the “1600 x
1200” image size.
• If you plan to send images as e-mail attachments or
otherwise use them in applications where data
economy is your top priority, select the “640 x 480”
image size.
• Selecting the “1600 x 1072 (3:2)” image size records
images with a 3:2 (vertical : horizontal) aspect ratio,
which is optimal for printing on paper with an aspect
ratio of 3:2.

54
BASIC IMAGE RECORDING
NOTE
• Use the “Fine” setting when image quality is your top
priority and file size is secondary. Conversely, use
the “Economy” setting when file size is your top
priority and image quality is secondary.
IMPORTANT!
• Actual file size depends on the type of image you
record. This means that the remaining image
capacity noted on the monitor screen may not be
exactly accurate (pages 23, 183).

55
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to
change the exposure
compensation value,
and then press [SET].
• Pressing [SET] registers
the displayed value.
[왖] : Increases the EV value. A higher EV value is best
used for light-colored subjects and backlight
subjects.
[왔] : Decreases the EV value. A lower EV value is best
for dark-color subjects and for shooting outdoors
on a clear day.
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
This chapter describes the other powerful features and
functions that are available for recording.
Exposure Compensation (EV Shift)
Exposure compensation lets you change the exposure
setting (EV value) manually to adjust for the lighting of your
subject. This feature helps to achieve better results when
recording a backlit subject, a strongly lit subject indoors, or
a subject that is against a dark background.
EV Shift Range: –2.0EV to +2.0EV
Steps: 1/3EV
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab,
select “EV Shift”, and
then press [왘].
Exposure compensation
value
EV value

56
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
• To cancel EV Shift, adjust the value until it becomes
0.0.
4. Record the image.
IMPORTANT!
• When shooting under very dark or very bright
conditions, you may not be able to obtain satisfactory
results even after performing exposure
compensation.
NOTES
• Performing an EV shift operation causes the
metering mode to switch automatically to center
weighted metering. Returning the EV shift value to
0.0 causes the metering mode to change back to
multi-pattern metering.
• You can use key customization (page 74) to
configure the camera to perform exposure
compensation whenever you press [왗] and [왘] while
in the REC mode.
Adjusting White Balance
The wavelengths of the light produced by various light
sources (sunlight, light bulb, etc.) can affect the color of a
subject when it is recorded. White balance lets you make
adjustments to compensate for different lighting types, so
the colors of an image appear more natural.
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab,
select “White
Balance”, and then
press [왘].

57
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select the setting you
want, and then press [SET].
NOTES
• Selecting “Manual” changes white balance to the
settings achieved the last time a manual white
balance operation was performed.
• You can use the key customization feature (pages
74, 75) to configure the camera so the white balance
setting changes whenever you press [왗] and [왘], or
[왖] and [왔] while in the REC mode.
When shooting under these conditions:
Normal conditions
Outdoor daylight
Shade
Incandescent light bulb
(reddish tinge)
Fluorescent light (greenish tinge)
Difficult lighting that requires manual
control (See “Adjusting White Balance
Manually”.)
Select this setting:
Auto
Manual
Adjusting White Balance Manually
Under some light sources, automatic white balance under
the “Auto” setting can take a long time to complete. Also,
the auto white balance range (color temperature range) is
limited. Manual white balance helps to ensure that colors
are recorded correctly for a particular light source.
Note that you must perform manual white balance under
the same conditions you will be shooting under. You must
also have a white piece of paper or other similar object on
hand in order to perform manual white balance.
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab, select “White Balance”,
and then press [왘].
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to
select “Manual”.
• This causes the object
you last used to adjust
manual white balance to
appear on the monitor
screen.

58
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
4. Point the camera at a white piece of paper or
similar object under the lighting conditions
for which you want to set the white balance,
and then press the shutter release button.
• This starts the white balance adjustment procedure.
The message “Complete” appears on the monitor
screen after white balance adjustment is complete.
• Dim lighting or pointing the camera at a dark colored
object while performing manual white balance
adjustment can cause the procedure to take a long
time to complete.
5. Press [SET].
• This registers the white balance settings and returns
to the REC mode.
Using the BESTSHOT Mode
Selecting one of the 15 BESTSHOT scenes automatically
sets up the camera for recording a similar type of image.
■Example Sample Scene
A white piece of paper
• Portrait • Scenery
• Night Scene • Night Scene Portrait

59
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and
then press [왘].
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to
select “
BESTSHOT”, and then
press [SET].
• This enters the
BESTSHOT mode and
displays a sample scene.
4. Use [왗] and [왘] to select the sample scene
you want, and then press [SET].
5. Record the image.
IMPORTANT!
• Sample scene number 4 is Coupling Shot scene
(page 62). Sample scene number 5 is a Pre-shot
scene (page 64).
• BESTSHOT scenes were not recorded using this
camera. They are provided as samples only.
• Images recorded using a BESTSHOT scene may not
produce the results you expected due to shooting
conditions and other factors.
• After selecting a BESTSHOT scene, you can change
to a different one by using [왗] and [왘] to scroll
through available scenes. When the one you want is
displayed, press [SET].
NOTE
• You can use the key customization feature (page 74)
to configure the camera to enter the BESTSHOT
mode whenever you press [왗] or [왘] while in the
REC mode.
Operation guidance and
the currently selected
BESTSHOT scene
appear on the display for
about two seconds after
you enter the
BESTSHOT mode this
way, or if the camera is in
the BESTSHOT mode
when you turn it on.

60
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
Creating Your Own BESTSHOT Setup
You can use the procedure below to save the setup of an
image you recorded for later recall when you need it again.
Recalling a setup you save automatically sets up the
camera accordingly.
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and
then press [왘].
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “ BESTSHOT”,
and then press [SET].
• This enters the BESTSHOT mode and displays a
sample scene.
4. Use [왗] and [왘] to
display “Register
User Scene”.
5. Press [SET].
6. Use [왗] and [왘] to
display the image
whose setup you
want to register as a
BESTSHOT scene.
7. Use [왖] and [왔] to
select “Save”, and
then press [SET].
• This registers the setup.
• Now you can use the
procedure on page 59
to select your user
setup for recording.

61
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
IMPORTANT!
• BESTSHOT user setups are located in the camera’s
built-in memory after the built-in sample scenes.
• Note that formatting the built-in memory (page 123)
deletes all BESTSHOT user setups.
NOTES
• The following are the settings that are included in a
BESTSHOT user setup: EV shift value, white
balance mode, flash mode, and ISO sensitivity.
• Note that images recorded with this camera only can
be used to create a BESTSHOT user setup.
• You can have up to 999 BESTSHOT user setups in
the camera’s built-in memory at one time.
• You can check the current setup of a scene by
displaying the various setting menus.
• When you register a BESTSHOT user setup, it is
automatically assigned a file name using one of the
formats shown below, depending on your camera
model.
EX-S20 : UES20nnn.JPE (n = 0 to 9)
EX-M20: UEM20nnn.JPE (n = 0 to 9)
■To delete a BESTSHOT user setup
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and
then press [왘].
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “ BESTSHOT”,
and then press [SET].
• This enters the BESTSHOT mode and displays a
sample scene.
4. Use [왗] and [왘] to display the user setup you
want to delete.
5. Press [왔] ( ) to delete the user setup.
• You can also delete a user setup by using your
computer to delete its file in the “SCENE” folder in
the camera’s built-in memory (page 142).

62
OTHER RECORDING FUNCTIONS
• Combined
Images
1. In the REC mode, press [MENU].
2. Select the “REC” tab, select “REC Mode”, and
then press [왘].
3. Use [왖] and [왔] to select “ BESTSHOT”,
and then press [SET].
4. Use [왗] and [왘] to select “Coupling Shot”,
and then press [SET].
Combining Shots of Two People into a
Single Image (Coupling Shot)
The Coupling Shot mode lets you record images of two
people and combine them into a single image. This makes
it possible for you to include yourself in group images, even
when there is no one else around to record the image for
you. Coupling Shot is available in the BESTSHOT mode
(page 58).
• First Image This is the part
of the image that
does not include
the person who
is recording the
first image.
• Second
Image
Making sure that
the background
of the image is
aligned correctly,
record the image
of the person
who recorded
the first image.