Sony DSC S730 - Cyber-shot Digital Camera User manual

© 2007 Sony Corporation 3-281-190-11(1)
Digital Still Camera
Cyber-shot Handbook
DSC-S730
Before operating the unit, please read this
Handbook thoroughly together with the
“Instruction Manual” and the “Cyber-shot
Step-up Guide”, and retain them for future
reference.
Table of contents
Basic Operations
Using the menu
Using the Setup screen
Viewing images on a TV
Using your computer
Printing still images
Troubleshooting
Others
Index
VCLICK!
GB

2
Notes on using your camera
Notes on the types of “Memory Stick”
that you can use (not supplied)
“Memory Stick Duo”
You can use a “Memory Stick Duo” with
the camera.
“Memory Stick”
You cannot use a “Memory Stick” with the
camera.
Other memory cards cannot be used.
• For details on “Memory Stick Duo”, see
page 95.
When using a “Memory Stick Duo” with
“Memory Stick” compatible equipment
You can use the “Memory Stick Duo” by
inserting it into the Memory Stick Duo
Adaptor (not supplied).
Memory Stick Duo Adaptor
Notes on the LCD screen and lens
• The LCD screen is manufactured using
extremely high-precision technology, so over
99.99% of the pixels are operational for
effective use. However, some tiny black and/or
bright dots (white, red, blue or green) may
appear on the LCD screen. These dots are a
normal result of the manufacturing process, and
do not affect the recording.
• Exposing the LCD screen or the lens to direct
sunlight for long periods may cause
malfunctions. Be careful when placing the
camera near a window or outdoors.
• Do not press against the LCD screen. The screen
may be discolored and that may cause a
malfunction.
• Images may trail across on the LCD screen in a
cold location. This is not a malfunction.
• This camera is equipped with a power zoom
lens. Be careful not to bump the lens, and be
careful not to apply force to it.
The images used in this Handbook
The images used as examples in this Handbook
are reproduced images, and are not actual images
shot using the camera.
Black, white, red, blue
or green points

3
Table of contents
Notes on using your camera .....................................................................2
Basic techniques for better images ...........................................................6
Focus – Focusing on a subject successfully..................................................... 6
Exposure – Adjusting the light intensity ............................................................ 8
Color – On the effects of lighting....................................................................... 9
Quality – On “image quality” and “image size” ............................................... 10
Flash – On using the flash ............................................................................... 11
Identifying parts.......................................................................................12
Indicators on the screen..........................................................................14
Changing the screen display ...................................................................18
Using the internal memory ......................................................................19
Using the mode dial.................................................................................20
Shooting images easily (Auto adjustment mode) ....................................21
Shooting still images (Scene selection)...................................................25
Viewing/deleting images..........................................................................28
Using menu items ..............................................................................30
Menu items ..........................................................................................31
Shooting menu ........................................................................................32
COLOR (Color Mode): Changing the vividness of the image or adding special effects
(EV): Adjusting the light intensity
9(Focus): Changing the focus method
(Metering Mode): Selecting the metering mode
WB (White Bal): Adjusting the color tones
ISO: Selecting a luminous sensitivity
Mode (REC Mode): Selecting the continuous shooting method
(Flash Level): Adjusting the amount of flash light
(Sharpness): Adjusting the sharpness of the image
(Setup): Changing Setup items
Basic Operations
Using the menu

4
Table of contents
Viewing menu ......................................................................................... 41
(Folder): Selecting the folder for viewing images
-(Protect): Preventing accidental erasure
DPOF: Adding a Print order mark
(Print): Printing images using a printer
(Slide): Playing back a series of images
(Resize): Changing the image size of a recorded image
(Rotate): Rotating a still image
(Setup): Changing Setup items
Trimming: Recording an enlarged image
Using Setup items.............................................................................. 48
Camera.............................................................................................. 49
Internal Memory Tool......................................................................... 51
Format
Memory Stick Tool............................................................................. 52
Setup1................................................................................................ 55
Setup2................................................................................................ 56
Viewing images on a TV ......................................................................... 58
Using the Setup screen
Viewing images on a TV
Digital Zoom
Function Guide
Red Eye Reduction
Auto Review
Format
Create REC. Folder
Change REC. Folder
Copy
1
Beep
Language
Initialize
2
USB Connect
Video Out
Clock Set

5
Table of contents
Enjoying your Windows computer ...........................................................60
Installing the software (supplied).............................................................62
On the “Picture Motion Browser” (supplied) ............................................64
Copying images to your computer using the “Picture Motion Browser”...65
Copying images to a computer without “Picture Motion Browser”...........69
Viewing image files stored on a computer with the camera copying to the
“Memory Stick Duo” ................................................................................71
Using your Macintosh computer..............................................................72
Viewing “Cyber-shot Step-up Guide”.......................................................74
How to print still images ..........................................................................75
Printing images directly using a PictBridge compliant printer .................76
Printing at a shop ....................................................................................80
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................82
Warning messages..................................................................................92
Using the camera abroad — Power sources...........................................94
On the “Memory Stick Duo”.....................................................................95
On the batteries.......................................................................................97
Index........................................................................................................98
Using your computer
Printing still images
Troubleshooting
Others
Index

6
Basic techniques for better images
When you press the shutter button halfway down, the camera adjusts the focus automatically
(Auto Focus). Remember to press the shutter button only halfway down.
When focusing is difficult t[Focus] (page 34)
If the image looks blurred even after focusing, it may be because of camera shake. tSee
“Hints for preventing blur” as follows.
Focus Focusing on a subject successfully
Do not fully press
the shutter button
straight away.
Focus Exposure Color Quality
This section describes the basics so you can
enjoy your camera. It tells you how to use
various camera functions such as the mode
dial (page 20), and the menus (page 30).
Flash
Press the shutter
button halfway
down.
AE/AF lock indicator
flashing , lit/beeps
Then press the
shutter button fully
down.

7
Basic techniques for better images
Hints for preventing blur
The camera moved accidentally when you took the image. This is called “Camera
shake.” On the other hand, if the subject moved when you took the image, it is called
“subject blur.”
Camera shake
Cause
Your hands or body shake while you hold the
camera and press the shutter button, and the
entire screen is blurred.
What you can do to reduce the blurring
• Use a tripod or place the camera on a flat
surface to hold the camera steady.
• Shoot with a 2-second delay self-timer and
stabilize the camera by holding your arms
firmly at your side after pressing the shutter
button.
Subject blur
Cause
Even though the camera is steady, the subject
moves during the exposure so the subject
looks blurred when the shutter button is
pressed.
What you can do to reduce the blurring
• Select (High Sensitivity mode) in Scene
Selection.
• Select a higher ISO sensitivity to make the
shutter speed faster, and press the shutter
button before the subject moves.
Notes
Besides, camera shake and subject blur occur frequently under low-light or slow shutter speed
conditions, such as those encountered in (Twilight mode) or (Twilight Portrait mode). In that
case, shoot with the above tips in mind.

8
Basic techniques for better images
You can create various images by adjusting the exposure and the ISO sensitivity. Exposure is
the amount of light that the camera will receive when you release the shutter.
Adjusting the ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)
ISO sensitivity is a speed rating for recording media that incorporates an image sensor that
receives light. Even when the exposure is the same, images differ depending on the ISO
sensitivity.
To adjust the ISO sensitivity, see page 38.
Exposure Adjusting the light intensity
Overexposure
= too much light
Whitish image
The exposure is automatically set to the
proper value in the auto adjustment mode.
However, you can adjust it manually using
the functions below.
Adjusting EV:
Allows you to adjust the exposure
determined by the camera (page 33).
Metering Mode:
Allows you to change the part of the
subject to be measured to determine the
exposure (page 36).
Correct exposure
Underexposure
= too little light
Darker image
High ISO sensitivity
Records a bright image even in dark locations while increasing shutter speed to
reduce blur.
However, the image tends to become noisy.
Low ISO sensitivity
Records a smoother image.
However, when the exposure is insufficient, the image may become darker.
Shutter speed = Length of time the camera receives
light
Aperture = Size of the opening allowing light to pass
through
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure
Index) = Recording sensitivity
Exposure:

9
Basic techniques for better images
The apparent color of the subject is affected by the lighting conditions.
Example: The color of an image affected by light sources
The color tones are adjusted automatically in the auto adjustment mode.
However, you can adjust color tones manually with [White Bal] (page 37).
Color On the effects of lighting
Weather/lighting Daylight Cloudy Fluorescent Incandescent
Characteristics of
light
White (standard) Bluish Green-tinged Reddish

10
Basic techniques for better images
A digital image is made up of a collection of small dots called pixels.
If it contains a large number of pixels, the picture becomes large, it takes up more memory,
and the image is displayed in fine detail. “Image size” is shown by the number of pixels.
Although you cannot see the differences on the screen of the camera, the fine detail and data
processing time differ when the image is printed or displayed on a computer screen.
Description of the pixels and the image size
Selecting the image size for use (page 24)
Quality On “image quality” and “image size”
1Image size: 7M
3072 pixels × 2304 pixels = 7,077,888 pixels
2Image size: VGA(E-Mail)
640 pixels × 480 pixels = 307,200 pixels
Pixel Many pixels (Fine
image quality and
large file size)
Example: Printing in
up to A3 size
Few pixels (Rough
image quality but
small file size)
Example: An attached
image to be sent by e-
mail
3072
2304
480
640
Pixels