Sony DSC-F55 User manual

Digital Still
Camera
Operating Instructions
Before operating the unit, please read this manual thoroughly, and
retain it for future reference.
Manual de instrucciones
Antes de utilizar la unidad, lea detenidamente este manual de
instrucciones y consérvelo para futuras referencias.
Owner‘s Record
The model and serial numbers are located on the bottom. Record the
serial number in the space provided below. Refer to these numbers
whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. DSC-
Serial No. ________________________
3-866-309-12 (1)
DSC-F55/F55E
1999 by Sony Corporation
GB
ES

2-GB
Declaration of Conformity
Trade Name: SONY
Model No.: DSC-F55
Responsible Party: Sony Electronics Inc.
Address: 1 Sony Drive, Park
Ridge, NJ.07656 USA
Telephone No.: 201-930-6970
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Note:
This equipment has been tested and found
to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and,
if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following
measures:
— Reorient or relocate the receiving
antenna.
— Increase the separation between the
equipment and receiver.
— Connect the equipment into an outlet on
a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
— Consult the dealer or an experienced
radio/TV technician for help.
The shielded interface cable recommended
in this manual must be used with this
equipment in order to comply with the
limits for a digital device pursuant to
Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.
WARNING
To prevent fire or shock
hazard, do not expose the
unit to rain or moisture.
This symbol is intended
to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated
“dangerous voltage”
within the product’s
enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to
constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.
This symbol is intended
to alert the user to the
presence of important
operating and
maintenance (servicing)
instructions in the
literature accompanying
the appliance.
For the Customers in the
U.S.A. and CANADA
CAUTION
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO
NOT USE THIS POLARIZED AC PLUG
WITH AN EXTENSION CORD,
RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET
UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY
INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE
EXPOSURE.
You are cautioned that any changes or
modifications not expressly approved in
this manual could void your authority to
operate this equipment.
English

3-GB
N50
For the customers in the
U.S.A. and Canada
DISPOSAL OF LITHIUM ION
BATTERY.
LITHIUM ION BATTERY.
DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.
You can return your unwanted lithium ion
batteries to your nearest Sony Service
Center or Factory Service Center.
Note: In some areas the disposal of lithium
ion batteries in household or business
trash may be prohibited.
For the Sony Service Center nearest you call
1-800-222-SONY (United States only)
For the Sony Factory Service Center nearest
you call 416-499-SONY (Canada only)
Caution: Do not handle damaged or
leaking lithium ion battery.
NOTICE FOR THE CUSTOMERS
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
A moulded plug complying with BS 1363 is
fitted to this equipment for your safety and
convenience.
Should the fuse in the plug supplied
need to be replaced, a 5 AMP fuse
approved by ASTA or BSI to BS 1362, (i.e.
marked with 2or @mark) must be
used.
If the plug supplied with this equipment
has a detachable fuse cover, be sure to
attach the fuse cover after you change the
fuse. Never use the plug without the fuse
cover. If you should lose the fuse cover,
please contact your nearest Sony service
station.
Attention
The electromagnetic fields at the specific
frequencies may influence the picture and
sound of this camera.
Memory Stick
For the Customers in CANADA
This Class B digital apparatus complies
with Canadian ICES-003.
For the Customers in the
U.S.A.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
For the Customers in Germany
Directive: EMC Directive 89/336/
EEC.92/31/EEC
This equipment complies with the EMC
regulations when used under the
following circumstances:
• Residential area
• Business district
• Light-industry district
(This equipment complies with the EMC
standard regulations EN55022 Class B.)
Battery Pack
For the Customers in the U.S.A.
and Canada
THIS CLASS B DIGITAL DEVICE
COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE
FCC RULES AND THE CANADIAN
ICES-003. OPERATION IS SUBJECT
TO THE FOLLOWING TWO
CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE
MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL
INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS
DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY
INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,
INCLUDING INTERFERENCE
THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED
OPERATION.

4-GB
About the Carl Zeiss lens
This camera is equipped with a Carl
Zeiss lens which can reproduce a fine
image.
The lens for this camera was
developed jointly by Carl Zeiss, in
Germany, and Sony Corporation. It
adopts the MTF* measurement
system for camera and offers a quality
as the Carl Zeiss lens.
* MTF is an abbreviation of
Modulation Transfer Function/
Factor.
The value number indicates the
amount of light of a subject
penetrating into the lens.
• IBM PC/AT is a registered trademark
of International Business Machines
Corporation of the U.S.A.
• MS-DOS and Windows are registered
trademarks licensed to Microsoft
Corporation, registered in the U.S.A.
and other countries.
• Macintosh is a trademark licensed to
Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the
U.S.A. and other countries.
• All other product names mentioned
herein may be the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their
respective companies.
Furthermore, “™‘” and “®” are not
mentioned in each case in this manual.

5-GB
Table of contents
Parts identification .......... 7
Preparation
1 Charging the battery pack ....9
2 Installing the battery pack ..10
3 Inserting a Memory Stick.... 11
4 Setting the date and time .... 12
Recording
1 Recording still images ......... 14
2 Recording moving images
............................................... 15
Playing back
1 Playing back still images.....17
2 Playing back moving images
............................................... 18
3 Viewing images using a
personal computer ............. 21
Various ways of recording
Changing the lens orientation
– Face to face recording ........... 24
Using the self-timer ....................... 24
Selecting brightness of the flash
(FLASH LEVEL) ....................... 25
Recording images in macro..........25
Recording enlarged images
– Zoom recording.....................26
Enjoying Picture Effect.................. 26
Selecting image quality
(QUALITY) ............................... 27
Selecting image size....................... 28
Selecting recording mode
(REC MODE) ............................ 29
Adjusting exposure
(EXPOSURE) ............................. 31
Adjusting the white balance ........32
Various ways of playback
Playing back multiple images at a
time (INDEX) ............................ 33
Enlarging a part of the image
– Zoom and trimming ............. 34
Rotating image (ROTATE) ........... 35
Playing back images in a continuous
loop (SLIDE SHOW)................ 36
Preventing accidental erasure
(PROTECT) ............................... 37
Deleting images (DELETE) .......... 38
Formatting (initializing) a Memory
Stick ............................................ 40
Changing the menu setting
Changing the menu setting .......... 41
Setting the mode of each item...... 42
Using image data with
other equipment
Using the house current (mains)
.................................................... 45
Watching images on a TV screen
.................................................... 45
Printing the recorded images....... 46
Marking a print mark on an image
.................................................... 46
Additional information
Precautions ..................................... 48
Troubleshooting ............................. 50
Self-diagnosis display ................... 52
Warning and notice messages ..... 53
Specifications.................................. 54
Index ................................................ 55
GB

6-GB
Be sure to read the following before using your camera
LCD screen
The LCD screen is manufactured using high-precision technology. However, there
may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (red, blue or green in color) that
constantly appear on the LCD screen. These points are normal in the manufacturing
process and do not affect the recorded image in any way. Over 99.99 % are operational
for effective use.
Trial recording
Before you record one-time events, you may want to make a trial recording to make
sure that the camera is working correctly.
No compensation for contents of the recording
Contents of the recording cannot be compensated for if recording or playback is not
made due to a malfunction of the camera, etc.
Note on image data compatibility
Image data files recorded on Memory Sticks by your camera conform with the Design
Rules for Camera File Systems universal standard established by the JEIDA (Japan
Electronic Industry Development Association).
You cannot play back on your camera still images recorded on other equipment (DCR-
TRV890E/TRV900/TRV900E, DSC-D700) that does not conform with this universal
standard. (These models are not sold in some areas.)
Precaution on copyright
Television programs, films, video tapes, and other materials may be copyrighted.
Unauthorized recording of such materials may be contrary to the provision of the
copyright laws.
Before using your camera
This digital still camera uses a Memory Stick as a medium for recording images.
Do not shake or strike the unit
Malfunctions, inability to record images as well as inability to use Memory Sticks or
image and memory data breakdown, damage or loss may occur.
Do not get the unit wet
When taking pictures outdoors in the rain or under similar conditions, be careful not to
get the unit wet.
If moisture condensation occurs, refer to page 48 and follow instructions on how to
remove it before using.
Back up recommendations
To avoid the potential risk of data loss always copy (back up) data to disk.
Supplied accessories
AC-VF10 AC power adaptor/charger (1)
A/V connecting cable (1)
NP-F10 Battery pack (1)
DK-115 DC connecting cable (1)
Hand strap (1)
Lens cap (1)
Lens cap strap (1)
Memory Stick (4 MB) (1)
PC serial cable (1)
Power cord (1)
Sony PictureGear 3.2 Lite (1)
Operating instructions (1)
Your dealer may not handle some of the above listed accessories. Please ask the dealer for
detailed information about the accessories in your country.

7-GB
Parts identification
See pages in parentheses for more details.
Attaching the lens cap (supplied) and the hand strap (supplied).
Flash emitter (25)
Shutter button (14)
MODE selector
(PLAY/STILL/MOVIE)
(14)
Hook for hand strap
Speaker
Lens
Photocell window
for flash
Do not block when
recording.
MIC (Microphone)
Recording lamp
Access
lamp (11)
Memory Stick eject
button (11) Battery eject
switch (10)
Memory Stick cover
(11)
Tripod receptacle OPEN (BATT)
switch (10)
Make sure that the length of the tripod
screw is less than 7/32 inch (6.5 mm).
Hand strap
Lens cap strap
Lens cap
Parts identification
Be careful that the lens cap strap does not touch the projections on both sides of the
lens cap hole.

8-GB
Function of the control button
You can execute the functions by
pressing the upper, lower, left, or right
side of the control button. When an
item is selected in the menu, the color
of the item changes from blue to
yellow. To enter your selection, press
the center of the control button.
Control button
Upper side
Left
side
Lower
side
Press to
execute
Right
side
LCD BACK LIGHT switch
Normally set to ON.
Set to OFF to save the
battery if you use the
camera in bright place.
LCD BRIGHT +/–
buttons
Press to adjust the
brightness of the
LCD screen.
Slot cover for AC
power adaptor/
charger (45)
A/V OUT jack
(45, 46)
Audio is monaural.
DIGITAL I/O jack (22)
DISPLAY button
Press to display or turn
off the indicators on the
LCD screen. Control button
(Macro) button (25)
(Flash) button (25)
AUTO (no indication) is set at the
factory.
Each time you press the button, the
flash mode changes as follows:
AUTO (no indication) tforced-
flash tno flash tAUTO.
In AUTO mode, flashes automatically
according to the brightness of the
surroundings.
The subject must be 11 7/8 inches to
8 1/3 feet (0.3 m to 2.5 m) away.
POWER switch/
POWER lamp
(12)
–(Zoom)
button (26, 34)
+(Zoom)
button (26, 34)
LCD screen
(16, 19)
Flash lamp (25)

9-GB
Preparation
Charging the battery pack
To charge the battery pack, use the AC power adaptor/charger.
Your camera operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack (S series).
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
1
1Insert the battery pack in the direction of the Vmark. Slide the
battery pack in the direction of the arrow.
2Connect the power cord to the AC power adaptor/charger.
3Connect the power cord to a wall outlet.
The CHARGE lamp (orange) lights up when charging begins.
When the CHARGE lamp goes off, normal charge is completed. For full charge,
which allows you to use the battery longer than usual, leave the battery pack
attached for about one hour after normal charge is completed.
To remove the battery
pack
Slide the battery pack in the opposite
direction of the arrow as illustrated
above.
Charging time
Battery Full charge* Normal charge**
NP-F10 145 min. 85 min.
Approximate minutes to charge a
discharged battery pack using the AC
power adaptor/charger AC-VF10.
(Lower temperature require a longer
charging time.)
* Charging for about one hour after
the CHARGE lamp goes out.
** Charging just until the CHARGE
lamp goes out.
For details on battery life, see page 20.
What is “InfoLITHIUM”?
The ”InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion
battery pack which can exchange data
such as battery consumption with
compatible video equipment. This unit is
compatible with the “InfoLITHIUM”
battery pack (S series). Your camera
operates only with the “InfoLITHIUM”
battery. “InfoLITHIUM” battery packs
have the mark.
“InfoLITHIUM” is a trademark of Sony
Corporation.
1
3
2
Preparation

10-GB
Installing the battery pack
2
1Open the battery cover.
Open the cover while sliding the OPEN (BATT) switch in the direction of the
arrow.
2Install the battery pack.
While sliding down the battery eject switch, insert the battery pack with the vmark
facing toward the battery compartment.
3Close the cover.
Press the cover until it clicks.
To remove the battery
pack
Open the battery cover. Slide down
the battery eject switch, and remove
the battery pack.
Be careful not to drop the battery pack
when removing.
Battery remaining indicator
This camera shows on the LCD screen
how many minutes you can still keep on
recording or playing back images.
Auto power-off function
During recording if you leave the camera
inactivate for about three minutes while
the power is on, the camera turns off
automatically to prevent wearing down
the battery.
Auto power-off does not function when
you use the AC power adaptor/charger.
12 3

11-GB
Access lamp
Inserting a Memory Stick
“Memory Stick” is a trademark of Sony Corporation.
3
1Open the Memory Stick cover.
Slide it in the direction of the arrow mark on the cover.
2Insert the Memory Stick.
Insert it with the vmark pointing inward.
3Close the Memory Stick cover.
To remove the Memory
Stick
Open the Memory Stick cover, then
press the Memory Stick eject button.
PNote
When the access lamp lights up, be
sure not to remove the Memory Stick
or turn off the power.
LOCK
Connector
LOCK
switch
Label space
Preparation
PNote on Memory Stick
You cannot record on a Memory Stick
if the LOCK switch is set to LOCK
position.

12-GB
Setting the date and time
When you use the camera first, set the date and time. If they are not set, incorrect date
and time are recorded, and CLOCK SET screen in the step 5 appears whenever you
turn on the camera in STILL/MOVIE mode.
4
1Slide the POWER switch down to turn on the power.
The POWER lamp lights up.
2Press vof the control button.
The menu bar appears on the LCD screen.
3Select “SETUP” with the control button, then press it.
POWER switch
INDEX FILEDELETE SETUP
MENU BAR OFF
SELECT OK
BEEP
CLOCK SET
INDEX FILEDELETE SETUP
SELECT OK
/LANGUAGE
Control button

13-GB
4Select “CLOCK SET” with the control button, then press it.
5Select the desired display of the date with the control button,
then press it.
Y/M/D (year/month/day)
M/D/Y (month/day/year)
D/M/Y (day/month/year)
6Select the date and time with the control button, then press it.
The item to be changed is indicated with
v/V. Select number by pressing v/Vof
the control button, then press it to enter
the number.
After entering the number, v/Vmoves
to the next item.
When “D/M/Y” is selected, set the time
on a 24-hour cycle.
7Select “ENTER” with the control button, then press it at the
desired moment to begin clock movement.
To cancel the date and time setting
Select “CANCEL” with the control button, then press it.
1999JAN AM// :1 12 00
D/M/Y
ENTER
CANCEL
M/D/Y
Y/M/D
CLOCK SET
BEEP
CLOCK SET
INDEX FILEDELETE SETUP
SELECT OK SELECT/ADJUST OK
/LANGUAGE
1999 AM// :1 1 12 00
D/M/Y
ENTER
CANCEL
M/D/Y
Y/M/D
CLOCK SET
SELECT/ADJUST OK
1999 AM// :1 1 12 00
D/M/Y
ENTER
CANCEL
M/D/Y
Y/M/D
CLOCK SET
SELECT/ADJUST OK
1999 PM// :7 4 10 30
D/M/Y
ENTER
CANCEL
M/D/Y
Y/M/D
CLOCK SET
SELECT/ADJUST OK
Preparation

14-GB
Recording still images
To record images, slide the POWER switch down to turn on the power (The POWER
lamp lights up) and insert the Memory Stick.
Recording
1
1Set the MODE selector to STILL.
2Press the shutter button halfway down.
When AE (auto exposure), AWB (auto white balance) and AF (auto focus) are
frozen, the AE lock indicator z(green) lights up.
3Press the shutter button fully down.
The image is recorded on the Memory Stick.
PNote
When the image is recorded on the
Memory Stick, “RECORDING” appears
on the LCD screen. When this indication
appears, never shake or strike the unit.
Also, do not turn the power off, or
remove the battery pack or Memory Stick.
Otherwise, an image data breakdown
may occur and the Memory Stick may
become unusable.
MODE selector
POWER switch
Shutter button
Do not hold the camera by the LCD
screen.

15-GB
Recording moving images
To record images, slide the POWER switch down to turn on the power (The POWER
lamp lights up) and insert the Memory Stick.
2
1Set the MODE selector to MOVIE.
2Press the shutter button fully down momentarily.
The image and sound are recorded for five seconds, 10 seconds, or 15 seconds. (The
time is set at “REC TIME SET” in the menu.) (page 43)
Hold the shutter button fully down.
The image and sound are recorded until you release it.
Video mail mode: maximum 60 seconds when recording 160 ×112 size
160
Presentation mode: maximum 15 seconds when recording 320 ×240 size
320
However, the minimum recording time depends on the “REC TIME SET” setting
above.
Moving images will be softer than still images.
Checking the last recorded image (Review)
MODE selector
POWER switch
Shutter button
When you want to check the last
recorded image, press bof the control
button. The last recorded image is
displayed on the LCD screen. To
return to normal mode, press the
shutter button or select “RETURN”
with the control button, then press it.
Recording

16-GB
The indicators during recording
The indicators on the LCD screen are not recorded.
60 min
+1.0 EV REC
15sBRT
0:10
FINE 48
1600
SETUPCAMERAEFFECT
SELF
TIMER FILE
MENU BAR OFFSELECT OK
White balance indicator (32)
Image size indicator (28)/
Zoom indicator (26)
Recording mode indicator (29)
AE/Focus lock indicator (14)
Battery remaining
indicator (10)
Focus mode
indicator (25)
Flash level indicator (25)
Picture effect indicator (26)/
LCD bright level indicator* (8)/
Volume level indicator* (18)
EV level indicator (31)
Image quality indicator (27)
Number of stored images
When “FILE NUMBER” is
set to “SERIES,” the
numbers are put to files in
sequence even if the
Memory Stick is changed.
Remaining
memory capacity
indicator
Self-diagnosis
function indicator
(52)/Recording
time indicator (43)
Recording time
indicator (43)
Menu bar and
guide menu
They appear by
pressing vof the
control button and
disappear by
pressing Vof it.
* Only displayed during operation.
Self-timer indicator (24)

17-GB
Playing back still images
To play back images, slide the POWER switch down to turn on the power (The
POWER lamp lights up) and insert the Memory Stick.
Playing back
1
1Set the MODE selector to PLAY.
The last recorded image appears on the LCD screen.
“NO FILE” indicator appears on the LCD screen when there is no image.
2Press vof the control button to display the menu bar on the LCD
screen.
3Select the recorded image with the control button.
Select the button on the LCD screen with the control button, then press it.
'b: To display the preceding recorded image.
B': To display the next image.
INDEX: To display six recorded images at a time (INDEX screen).
MODE selector
POWER switch
Control button
Playing back
zWhen the menu bar is not
displayed
You can directly select the image with b
or Bof the control button.

18-GB
Playing back moving images
To play back moving images, slide the POWER switch down to turn on the power (The
POWER lamp lights up) and insert the Memory Stick.
2
1Set the MODE selector to PLAY.
The last recorded image appears on the LCD screen.
The image recorded in MOVIE mode is displayed one-size smaller than the other
normal-sized images.
2Press vof the control button to display the menu bar on the LCD
screen.
3Select the recorded moving image with the control button.
Select the button on the LCD screen with
the control button, then press it.
'b: To display the preceding recorded
image.
B': To display the next image.
INDEX: To display six recorded
images at a time (INDEX screen).
4Select the B(playback) button on the screen with the control
button, then press it.
Moving images and sound are played back.
MODE selector
POWER switch
Control button
VOL.
INDEX FILEDELETE SETUP
MENU BAR OFF
SELECT OK
160
6/8
Adjusting the volume
Select the VOL. +/– buttons on the
screen with the control button, then
adjust the volume with bor Bof it.
zWhen the menu bar is not
displayed
You can directly select the image with b
or Bof the control button, and play back
the image with zof it.

19-GB
DSC00007
60 min
640 10/48
12:00AM1999 7 4
2.0
The indicators during playback
During playback still images (STILL)
VOL.
0:10
INDEX FILEDELETE SETUP
MENU BAR OFF
SELECT OK
320
6/860 min
During playback moving images (MOVIE)/still images with sounds (VOICE)
Fast-forward/rewind buttons (18)
Zoom scaling indicator (34)
Recording mode indicator (29)
Image size indicator (28)
Image number
Remaining memory capacity
indicator
Number of stored images in Memory
Stick
Print mark indicator (46)
Protect indicator (37)
Recording date of the playback
image (12)/Menu bar and guide
menu (41)
File name
VOL. (Volume) buttons (18)
Moving image file indicator (18)
Play bar (18)
Search buttons (18)
Bis displayed during stop, and X
during playback.
Image size indicator (28)
Counter
Menu bar and guide menu (41)
Remaining memory capacity
indicator
Playback image (18)
Image number/number of stored
images in Memory Stick
Playing back

20-GB
Battery life/the number of images that can be recorded/
played back
STILL mode
Continuous recording
LCD BACK LIGHT Battery life (min.) Number of images (record/playback)
ON 50 (45) 1000 (900)
OFF 60 (55) 1200 (1100)
Continuous playing*
LCD BACK LIGHT Battery life (min.) Number of images (record/playback)
ON 65 (60) 1000 (900)
OFF 75 (70) 1200 (1100)
Approximate battery life and the number of images that can be recorded/played back
at a temperature of 77°F (25°C), 640 ×480 image size, in NORMAL recording and
STANDARD quality mode. Shooting without the flash. Numbers in parentheses
indicate the time when you use a normally charged battery.
* Playing back single image at about 3-second intervals
MOVIE mode
Continuous recording
LCD BACK LIGHT Battery life (min.)
ON 40 (35)
OFF 50 (45)
Approximate minutes that can be recorded at a temperature of 77°F (25°C) and 160 ×
112 image size. Numbers in parentheses indicate the time when you use a normally
charged battery.
• Battery life and the number of images will be decreased if you use the camera while
you repeat turning the power on/off.
• The capacity of a Memory Stick is limited. The above figures are a guide when
continuously recording/playing back while replacing Memory Sticks.
• The battery life will be shorter when you carry out recording in a cold place. When
using the battery pack in a cold place, keep it warm by putting it into your pocket
and install it in the camera just before recording.