Sony Alpha NEX-3 User manual

4-183-855-14(1)
GB
© 2010 Sony Corporation
NEX-3/NEX-5/NEX-5C
Interchangeable
Lens Digital Camera
αHandbook
Table of contents
Sample photo search
Menu search
Index

2GB
Table of
contents
Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Notes on using the camera
How to use this handbook
Click on a button at upper right on the cover and each page to jump to the corresponding
page.
This is convenient when searching for a function you want to use.
You can jump to the pages by clicking on the page numbers mentioned in the book.
Search for information by
function.
Search for information by
sample photos.
Search for information in
a listing of menu items.
Search for information by
keyword.
Marks and notations used in this handbook
In this handbook, the sequence of
operations is shown by arrows (t).
Operate the camera in the order
indicated.
The default setting is indicated by .
Indicates cautions and limitations
relevant to the correct operation of the
camera.
zIndicates information that is useful
to know.

3GB
Table of
contents
Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Table of contents
Notes on using the camera
How to use this handbook ·····································2
Sample photo search ············································5
Identifying parts ···················································11
List of icons on the screen···································15
Basic operations
Using the control wheel and soft keys·················17
Menu search························································19
Shooting images··················································23
Playing back images ···········································26
Deleting images···················································28
Using functions with the control wheel
DISP (Display Contents) ·····································29
(Flash Mode)·····················································31
(Exposure Comp.) ··········································32
(Drive Mode) ··············································33
(Image Index) ·················································40
Using functions in the menu
Shoot Mode ·························································19
Camera································································20
Image Size ··························································20
Brightness/Color··················································20
Playback······························································21
Setup ···································································21
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4GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Connecting with other equipment
Viewing images on a TV····································123
Using with your computer··································125
Using the software·············································127
Connecting the camera to the computer ···········130
Creating a movie disc (NEX-5/5C) ····················132
Printing still images ···········································136
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting·················································137
Warning messages············································143
Others
Using the camera abroad ··································146
Memory card ·····················································147
“InfoLITHIUM” battery pack ·······························149
Battery charger··················································151
Mount Adaptor ···················································152
AVCHD format (NEX-5/5C) ·······························153
Cleaning ····························································154
Index
Index··································································155

5GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Sample photo search
“This is the scene I want to capture in a photo, but how can I do?”
You may find the answer by going through the sample photos listed here. Click the
desired sample photo.
Shooting people (page 6)
Shooting macro photos (page 7)
Shooting landscapes (page 8)
Shooting sunset/night views (page 9)
Shooting fast moving subjects (page 10)
If you click on a photo, the screen will jump to the page describing the function
recommended for shooting that kind of photo.
Refer to those descriptions in addition to the shooting tips displayed on the screen of the
camera.
Click!
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6GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Shooting people
Only the main subject is in focus by
defocusing the background (24) The same scene with different brightness
(38)
A happy smile (59) In candle light (45)
A person in front of night view (72) A moving person (68)
A group photo (36, 37) A person lit from behind (31)
24
38
59 45
72 68
36 31
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7GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Shooting macro photos
Defocusing the background (24) Adjusting the color to indoor light (69)
Flowers (43) Lowering the amount of flash light (72)
Focusing manually (53) In better brightness (32)
Preventing camera shake for indoor shots
(68)
Making food look appealing (32)
24 69
43 72
53 32
68 32
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8GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Shooting landscapes
The sky in vivid colors (32) Running water (50)
Vivid green colors (75) Colored leaves (75)
Panoramic photos (46)
Scenery with a wide range of brightness
(73)
Light outdoors shot from a dark interior (73)
Defocusing the background (24) Keeping your shot level (90)
32 50
75 75
46
73 73
24 90
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9GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Shooting sunset/night views
Holding the camera by hand (43) Trail of light (31)
Fireworks (49) Defocusing the background (24)
The same scene in different brightness (38) Preventing camera shake (36)
Shooting the red of the sunset beautifully
(43)
43 31
49 24
38
36
43
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10GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Shooting fast moving subjects
Following a moving subject (56) Expressing vigorous action (50)
With the subject approaching the camera
(53)
Capturing the best moment (35)
56 50
53 35

11GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Identifying parts
NEX-5/5C
NEX-3
See the pages in parentheses for details of
operation.
A(Playback) button (26)
BON/OFF (Power) switch
CShutter button (23)
DRemote sensor (39)
EAF illuminator/Self-timer lamp/Smile
Shutter lamp
FSpeaker
GMicrophone*
HSmart Accessory Terminal
ILens
JLens release button
KMount
LImage sensor**
MLens contacts**
* Do not cover this part during movie recording.
** Do not touch this part directly.
When the lens is removed
(NEX-5/5C/3)
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12GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
NEX-5/5C
NEX-3
A(USB) terminal (130)
BHook for shoulder strap
CHDMI terminal (123)
DLight sensor
ELCD monitor
FMOVIE button (23)
GControl wheel (17)
HSoft keys (18)
IImage sensor position mark (53)
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13GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
NEX-5/5C
NEX-3
ABattery/memory card cover
BTripod receptacle
• Use a tripod with a screw length of less than
5.5 mm (7/32 inch). You will be unable to
firmly secure the camera to tripods having
screws longer than 5.5 mm (7/32 inch), and
may damage the camera.
CImage sensor position mark (53)
DConnection plate cover
Use this when using an AC-PW20 AC
Adaptor (sold separately). Insert the
connection plate into the battery
compartment, then pass the cord through the
connection plate cover as shown below.
• Make sure that the cord is not pinched when
you close the cover.
EAccess lamp
FMemory card insertion slot
GBattery compartment
AScrew
BFlash
CConnector*
* Do not touch this part directly.
NEX-5/5C NEX-3
Flash
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14GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
On the E18 – 200 mm lens, refer to the instruction manual of the E18 – 200 mm lens
(supplied).
E18 – 55 mm F3.5-5.6 OSS (supplied with NEX-5D/5CD/5K/5CK/3D/
3K)
AHood index
BFocusing ring
CZoom ring
DFocal-length scale
EFocal-length index
FLens contacts*
GMounting index
* Do not touch this part directly.
E16 mm F2.8 (supplied with NEX-5A/5CA/3A)
AConverter index*
BFocusing ring
CLens contacts**
DMounting index
* A converter is sold separately.
** Do not touch this part directly.
Lens

15GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
List of icons on the screen
Icons are displayed on the screen to indicate the camera status.
You can change the screen display using DISP (Display Contents) on the control wheel
(page 29).
Shooting standby
Graphic display
Movie recording
Playback
A
Display Indication
P A S M
Shoot Mode
Scene Selection
Image size/Aspect ratio
of still images
RAW RAW+J
FINE STD
Image quality of still
images
100 Number of recordable
still images
Image size of movies
Memory card/Upload
123min Recordable time of
movies
100% Remaining battery
Scene Recognition icons
Flash charge in progress
AF illuminator
Does not record sound
during movie recording
Camera shake warning
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16GB
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Sample photo
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B
C
D
Overheating warning
Database file full/
Database file error
Histogram
101-0012 Playback folder – File
number
Protect
1 Print order and number
of copies
Display Indication
Menu z
Shoot Mode
Shoot. Tips z
Soft keys
Display Indication
zFocus status
1/125 Shutter speed
F3.5 Aperture value
ISO400 ISO sensitivity
±0.0 Metered manual
±0.0 Exposure compensation
Shutter speed indicator
Aperture indicator
REC 0:12 Recording time of the
movie (m:s)
2010-1-1 9:30AM Recorded date/time of
the image
12/12 Image number/Number
of images recorded in
the date or selected
folder
SteadyShot
Appears when HDR did
not work on the image.
Display Indication
Display Indication
Flash Mode/Red Eye
Reduction
Drive Mode
Focus mode
±0.0 Flash compensation
Metering Mode
Focus area mode
Face Detection
Smile Shutter
ISO
AWB
7500K G9
White Balance
Creative Style
DRO/Auto HDR
Smile detection
sensitivity indicator

17GB
Table of
contents
Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Basic operations
Using the control wheel and soft
keys
When shooting, DISP (Display Contents), (Flash Mode), (Exposure Comp.) and
(Drive Mode) functions are assigned to the control wheel. When playing back,
DISP (Display Contents) and (Image Index) functions are assigned to the control
wheel.
When you turn or press the right/left/top/bottom parts of the control wheel following the
on-screen display, you can select setting items. Your selection is determined when you
press the center of the control wheel.
The control wheel and soft keys allow you to use various
functions of the camera.
Control wheel
Soft keys Control wheel
The arrow means you can turn the control
wheel.
When options are displayed on the screen,
you can browse through them by turning or
pressing the top/bottom/left/right parts of
the control wheel. Press the center to make
your choice.
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18GB
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
The soft keys have different roles, depending on the context.
The assigned role (function) of each soft key is shown on the screen.
To use the function shown at the upper right corner of the screen, press soft key A. To
use the function shown at the lower right corner of the screen, press soft key B. To use
the function shown at the center, press the center of the control wheel (soft key C).
In this handbook, the soft keys are indicated by the icon or the function shown on the
screen.
Soft keys
In this case, soft key A works as
the [Menu] button, and soft key B
as the [Shoot. Tips] button. Soft
key C works as the [Shoot Mode]
button.
A
B
C

19GB
Table of
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Sample photo
search
Menu search Index
Menu search
You can set up the basic settings for the camera as a whole, or execute functions such as
shooting, playback, or other operations.
Allows you to select a shooting mode, such as exposure mode, panoramic, Scene
Selection.
1Press [Menu].
2Select the desired item by pressing the
top/bottom/left/right parts of the control
wheel, and then press the center.
3Following the instructions on the
screen, select the desired item and
press the center of the control wheel to
make your choice.
Shoot Mode
Intelligent Auto The camera evaluates the subject and makes the proper
settings. You can enjoy automatic shooting with the
appropriate settings.
Scene Selection Shoots with preset settings according to the subject or
condition.
Anti Motion Blur Reduces the camera shake when shooting a slightly dark
indoor scene or a telephoto.
Sweep Panorama Shoots with panoramic size.
Manual Exposure Adjusts the aperture and shutter speed.
Shutter Priority Adjusts the shutter speed to express the movement of the
subject.
Aperture Priority Adjusts the range in focus, or defocuses the background.
Program Auto Automatic shooting that allows you to customize settings,
except for the exposure (shutter speed and aperture).
[Menu]
Control wheel
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20GB
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Allows you to set shooting functions, such as continuous shooting, self-timer, and flash.
Allows you to set the image size and aspect ratio.
Allows you to make brightness settings such as metering mode, and color settings such
as white balance.
Camera
Drive Mode Selects the drive mode, such as continuous shooting,
self-timer, or bracket shooting.
Flash Mode Selects the method used to fire the flash.
AF/MF Select Selects auto focusing or manual focusing.
Autofocus Area Selects the area to be focused on.
Autofocus Mode Selects the autofocus method.
Precision Dig. Zoom Sets the digital zoom when a single focus lens is used.
Face Detection Detects people’s faces automatically, and adjusts focus and
exposure to suit the faces.
Smile Shutter Each time the camera detects a smile, the camera releases
the shutter automatically.
Smile Detection Sets the sensitivity of the Smile Shutter function for
detecting smiles.
Panorama Direction Selects the direction to pan the camera when shooting
panoramic images.
Shooting Tip List Allows you to access all shooting tips.
DISP (Display Contents) Switches the information to be displayed on the shooting
screen.
Image Size
Still
Image Size Selects the image size.
Aspect Ratio Selects the aspect ratio.
Quality Selects the compression format.
Panorama
Image Size Selects the image size.
Movie
File Format (NEX-5/5C) Selects the movie recording format, AVCHD or MP4.
Image Size Selects the image size.
Brightness/Color
Exposure Comp. Compensates for the brightness of the entire image.
ISO Sets the ISO sensitivity.
D
i
sp
l
ay
C
ontents
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