Sony DSC-T300 Cyber-shot® User manual

© 2008 Sony Corporation 3-288-698-11(1) GB
Digital Still Camera
Cyber-shot Handbook
DSC-T300
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.
VCLICK!
Table of contents
Basic Operations
Using the shooting
functions
Using the viewing
functions
Customizing the settings
Viewing images on a TV
Using your computer
Printing still images
Troubleshooting
Others
Index

2
Notes on using the 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 137.
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).
Notes on the battery pack
• Charge the battery pack (supplied) before using
the camera for the first time.
• You can charge the battery pack even if it is not
completely discharged. In addition, even if the
battery pack is not fully charged, you can use
the partially charged capacity of the battery pack
as is.
• If you do not intend to use the battery pack for a
long time, use up the existing charge and
remove it from the camera, then store it in a
cool, dry place. This is to maintain the battery
pack functions.
• For details on the usable battery pack, see
page 139.
Carl Zeiss lens
The camera is equipped with a Carl Zeiss
lens which is capable of reproducing sharp
images with excellent contrast.
The lens for the camera has been produced
under a quality assurance system certified
by Carl Zeiss in accordance with the quality
standards of Carl Zeiss in Germany.
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.
• If water droplets or other liquids splash on the
LCD screen and make it wet, immediately wipe
off the screen with a soft cloth. Leaving liquids
on the LCD screen surface can harm the quality
and cause a malfunction.
• 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.
• 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 this camera.
Memory Stick Duo
Adaptor
Black, white, red, blue
or green dots

3
Table of contents
Notes on using the camera .......................................................................2
Basic techniques for better images ...........................................................8
Focus – Focusing on a subject successfully..................................................... 8
Exposure – Adjusting the light intensity .......................................................... 10
Color – On the effects of lighting..................................................................... 11
Quality – On “image quality” and “image size” ............................................... 12
Flash – On using the flash ............................................................................... 14
Identifying parts .......................................................................................15
Indicators on the screen..........................................................................16
Operate the touch panel..........................................................................20
Changing the screen display ...................................................................21
Using the internal memory ......................................................................23
Shooting images (Auto Adjustment mode)..............................................24
Viewing images .......................................................................................29
Viewing still images as a slideshow ........................................................31
Deleting images.......................................................................................35
Learning the various functions – HOME/Menu........................................36
Menu items..............................................................................................39
Switching the shooting mode ..................................................................41
Shooting images using Scene Selection .................................................42
Shooting images (Program Auto mode) ..................................................46
Focus: Changing the focus method
Metering Mode: Selecting the metering mode
ISO: Selecting a luminous sensitivity
EV: Adjusting the light intensity
Basic Operations
Using the shooting functions

4
Table of contents
Shooting menu........................................................................................ 52
Image Size: Selecting the image size
Flash: Flash setting
Face Detection: Detecting the face of subject
Smile Detection: Setting the Smile Detection function
Smile Detection Sensitivity: Setting the Smile Detection Sensitivity
REC Mode: Selecting the continuous shooting method
Scene Recognition: The camera determines the scene to be shot and takes the shot
EV: Adjusting the light intensity
Metering Mode: Selecting the metering mode
Focus: Changing the focus method
White Balance: Adjusting the color tones
Underwater White Balance: Adjusting color tones during Underwater mode
Flash Level: Adjusting the amount of flash light
Red Eye Reduction: Setting the Red Eye Reduction function
DRO: Optimizing the brightness and contrast
Color Mode: Changing the vividness of the image or adding special effects
SteadyShot: Selecting the anti-blur mode
Shooting Settings: Selecting the shooting settings
Selecting the View Mode ........................................................................ 63
(Date View): Display by date
(Folder View): Display by folder
(Favorites): Displaying images registered as Favorites
Using the viewing functions

5
Table of contents
Viewing menu..........................................................................................65
(Date List): Selecting the playback date when using Date View
(Filter by Faces): Playing back images filtered to meet certain conditions
(Add / Remove Favorites): Adding/Removing Favorites
(View Mode): Switching the View Modes
(Wide Zoom Display): Displaying still images in 16:9
(Slideshow): Playing back a series of images
(Retouch): Retouching still images
(Paint): Painting on still images
(Multi-Purpose Resize): Changing the image size according to usage
(Delete): Deleting images
(Protect): Preventing accidental erasure
: Adding a Print order mark
(Print): Printing images using a printer
(Rotate): Rotating a still image
(Select Folder): Selecting the folder for viewing images
(Volume Settings): Adjusting the volume
Painting or putting stamps on still images (Paint) ...................................78
Customizing the Manage Memory feature and the Settings ...................80
Manage Memory...............................................................................81
Memory Tool — Memory Stick Tool..................................................81
Memory Tool — Internal Memory Tool .............................................83
Format
Settings.............................................................................................84
Main Settings — Main Settings 1......................................................84
Main Settings — Main Settings 2......................................................87
Customizing the settings
Format
Change REC.Folder
Create REC.Folder
Copy
Beep
Initialize
Housing
Function Guide
Calibration
Smile demo mode
USB Connect
Video Out
COMPONENT
TV TYPE

6
Table of contents
Shooting Settings — Shooting Settings 1 ........................................ 89
Shooting Settings — Shooting Settings 2......................................... 91
Clock Settings................................................................................... 92
Language Setting ............................................................................. 93
Viewing images on a TV ......................................................................... 94
Enjoying your Windows computer........................................................... 98
Installing the software (supplied) .......................................................... 100
On the “Picture Motion Browser” (supplied).......................................... 102
Copying images to your computer using the “Picture Motion Browser”....103
Copying images to a computer without “Picture Motion Browser” ........107
Viewing image files stored on a computer with the camera copying to the
“Memory Stick Duo” .............................................................................. 109
Using the “Music Transfer” (supplied)................................................... 110
Using your Macintosh computer ........................................................... 111
Viewing “Cyber-shot Step-up Guide” .................................................... 113
How to print still images........................................................................ 114
Printing images directly using a PictBridge compliant printer ............... 115
Printing at a shop.................................................................................. 118
Viewing images on a TV
Using your computer
Printing still images
AF Illuminator
AF Mode
Grid Line
Digital Zoom
Auto Orientation Auto Review

7
Table of contents
Troubleshooting.....................................................................................120
Warning indicators and messages ........................................................132
Using the camera abroad — Power sources.........................................136
On the “Memory Stick Duo”...................................................................137
On the battery pack ...............................................................................139
On the battery charger ..........................................................................140
On Cyber-shot Station...........................................................................141
Index......................................................................................................143
Troubleshooting
Others
Index

8
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 46)
If the image looks blurred even after focusing, it may be because of camera shake. tSee
“Hints for preventing blur” below.
Focus Focusing on a subject successfully
Do not fully press the shutter
button straight away.
Press the shutter button
halfway down.
AE/AF lock indicator
flashing , lit/beeps
Then press the shutter
button fully down.
Focus Exposure Color Quality
This section describes the basics so you can
enjoy the camera. It tells you how to use
various camera functions such as the HOME
screen (page 36), and the menus (page 38).
Flash

9
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
• The anti-blur function is enabled in the factory default settings so that the camera shake is reduced
automatically. However, this is not effective for subject blur.
• Besides, camera shake and subject blur occur frequently under low-light or slow shutter speed
conditions, such as those encountered in (Twilight) or (Twilight Portrait) mode. In that case,
shoot with the above tips in mind.

10
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.
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 51).
Metering Mode:
Allows you to change the part of the
subject to be measured to determine the
exposure (page 49).
Correct exposure
Underexposure
= too little light
Darker image
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:

11
Basic techniques for better images
Adjusting 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 50.
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 Balance] (page 58).
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.
Color On the effects of lighting
Weather/lighting Daylight Cloudy Fluorescent Incandescent
Characteristics of
light
White (standard) Bluish Green-tinged Reddish

12
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 image 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: 10M
3648 pixels × 2736 pixels = 9,980,928 pixels
2Image size: VGA
640 pixels × 480 pixels = 307,200 pixels
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
Pixels
Pixel

13
Basic techniques for better images
The default settings are marked with .
*1) Images are recorded in 3:2 aspect ratio, same as photograph printing paper or postcards, etc.
*2) Images fill the entire screen. Both edges of the image may be cut off when printing (page 129).
• The larger the image size, the higher the image quality.
• The higher the number of frames per second, the smoother the playback image.
Image size Usage guidelines No. of images Printing
10M
(3648×2736)
For prints up to A3+(13×19") Less
More
Fine
Rough
3:2 (8M)*1
(3648×2432)
Shoot in 3:2 aspect ratio
5M
(2592×1944)
For prints up to A4(8×10")
3M
(2048×1536)
For prints up to 10×15 cm
(4×6") or 13×18 cm(5×7")
VGA
(640×480)
Shoot at small image size
for e-mail attachments
16:9 (7M)*2
(3648×2056)
For viewing on HDTVs and
printing up to A4(8×10")
Less
More
Fine
Rough
16:9 (2M)*2
(1920×1080)
For viewing on HDTVs
Movie image size Frame/Second Usage guidelines
640(Fine)
(640×480)
Approx. 30 Shoot high quality movie for display on TV
640(Standard)
(640×480)
Approx. 17 Shoot standard quality movie for display on
TV
320 (320×240) Approx. 8 Shoot at small image size for e-mail
attachments

14
Basic techniques for better images
The eyes of the subject may come out red, or fuzzy white circular spots may appear when
using the flash. These phenomena can be reduced by taking the following steps.
The “Red-eye phenomenon”
Pupils become dilated in dark environments. Flash light is reflected off the blood vessels at the
back of the eye (retina), causing the “red-eye” phenomenon.
How can the “Red-eye phenomenon” be reduced?
• Set [Red Eye Reduction] to [On] (page 60).
• Select (High Sensitivity)*mode in Scene Selection (page 42). (The flash is turned off automatically.)
• When the eyes of the subject turn out red, correct the image with [Retouch] on the viewing menu
(page 68) or with the supplied software “Picture Motion Browser”.
The “White circular spots”
This is caused by particles (dust, pollen, etc.) floating close to the lens. When they are
accentuated by the camera’s flash, they appear as white circular spots.
How can the “White circular spots” be reduced?
• Light the room and shoot the subject without a flash.
• Select (High Sensitivity)* mode in Scene Selection. (The flash is turned off automatically.)
*Even though you selected (High Sensitivity) mode in Scene Selection, the shutter speed might be
slower under low-light conditions, or in a dark place. In that case, use a tripod or hold your arms firmly at
your side after pressing the shutter button.
Flash On using the flash
Camera Eye
Retina
Camera
Subject
Particles (dust,
pollen, etc.) in
the air

15
Identifying parts
See the pages in parentheses for details of
operation.
AZoom (W/T) lever (27)
BShutter button (25)
CMicrophone
D(Playback) button (29)
EPOWER button/POWER lamp
FFlash (28)
GLens
HSelf-timer lamp (27)/Smile Shutter lamp
(44)/AF illuminator (89)
ILens cover
ALCD screen/Touch panel (20, 21)
BHook for wrist strap/Grip
CSpeaker
DBattery insertion slot
EMulti connector
Used in the following situations:
• Making a USB connection between the
camera and the computer.
• Making a connection to audio/video input
jacks on a TV.
• Making a connection to a PictBridge
compliant printer.
FAccess lamp
G“Memory Stick Duo” slot
HBattery eject lever
IBattery/“Memory Stick Duo” cover
JTripod receptacle
• Use a tripod with a screw less than 5.5 mm
(7/32 inch) long. Otherwise, you cannot
firmly secure the camera, and damage to the
camera may occur.
Bottom

16
Indicators on the screen
Touch [DISP] on the bottom right of the
screen to change to the display selection
screen (page 21).
See the pages in parentheses for details of
operation.
When shooting still images
• The indicators are limited in (Easy
Shooting) mode.
When shooting movies
A
B
Display Indication
Battery remaining
Low battery warning (132)
Smile Detection Sensitivity
indicator/Number of
images (44)
Zoom scaling (27, 90)
Display Indication
SteadyShot (62)
• Displayed when the shutter
button is pressed halfway
down in the default settings.
Recording folder (81)
• This does not appear when
using internal memory.
96 Number of recordable
images
00:25:05 Recordable time (h:m:s)
Recording Media
(“Memory Stick Duo,”
internal memory)
AF illuminator (89)
Vibration warning
• Indicates vibration may
prevent you from shooting
clear images due to
insufficient lighting. Even if
the vibration warning
appears, you can still shoot
images. However, we
recommend that you turn on
the anti-blur function, using
the flash for better lighting
or using a tripod or other
means to stabilize the
camera (page 9).
Display Indication

17
Indicators on the screen
C
D
Scene Recognition (56)
Red-eye reduction (60)
Flash level (60)
Flash charging
Recording mode (55)
Face Detection (53)/Smile
Detection (54)
Metering Mode (49)
Focus (46)
Touch AF indicator (25)
Housing (85)
White balance (58, 59)
Color mode (61)
Display Indication
AF range finder frame (46)
Self-timer (27)
Database full (135)
DRO (61)
C:32:00 Self-diagnosis display
(132)
Histogram (22)
Display Indication
Display Indication
zAE/AF lock (25)
NR slow shutter
• When the shutter speed
becomes slower than a
certain speed in low light
conditions, the NR (Noise
Reduction) slow shutter
function is activated
automatically to reduce the
image noise.
125 Shutter speed
F3.5 Aperture value
ISO400 ISO number (50)
+2.0EV Exposure Value (51)
Macro/Close focus (28)
• Displayed when [Display
Setup] is set to [Image
Only].
Flash mode (28)
• Displayed when [Display
Setup] is set to [Image
Only].
Standby
REC
Standby a movie/Recording
a movie
0:12 Recording time (m:s)

18
Indicators on the screen
When playing back still images
When playing back movies
A
B
Display Indication
Battery remaining
Low battery warning (132)
Image size (13)
PictBridge connecting
(115)
View Mode (63)
Filter by Faces (65)
Favorites (66)
Protect (74)
Print order (DPOF) mark
(118)
Playback zoom (30)
Display Indication
Playback folder (77)
• This does not appear when
using internal memory.
8/8 Image number/Number of
images recorded in selected
folder
Playback Media (“Memory
Stick Duo,” internal
memory)
PictBridge connecting
(117)
• Do not disconnect the cable
for multi-use terminal while
the icon is displayed.
Changing folder (77)
• This does not appear when
using internal memory.
VOL. Volume (77)
C:32:00 Self-diagnosis display (132)

19
Indicators on the screen
C
Display Indication
125 Shutter speed
F3.5 Aperture value
ISO400 ISO number (50)
+2.0EV Exposure Value (51)
Metering mode (49)
Flash
White balance (58, 59)
NPlayback (29)
Playback bar
0:00:12 Counter
101-0012 Folder-file number (77)
2008 1 1
9:30 AM
Recorded date/time of the
playback image
Histogram (22)
• appears when histogram
display is disabled.

20
Operate the touch panel
This LCD screen also displays the buttons for operating the camera (touch panel).
1Turn on the camera.
During shooting: Slide the lens cover downward.
During playback: Press (Playback).
2Touch the buttons on the screen lightly with your finger.
On the touch panel buttons
•When the item you want to set is not on the screen, touch v/V/b/Bto change the page.
•You can return to the previous screen by touching [BACK] or [×].
•Touching [OK] advances to the next screen.
•To operate the touch panel, press it lightly with your finger or the supplied paint pen.
•Do not press the touch panel with any pointed object other than the supplied paint pen.
•Do not press against the LCD screen more than necessary.
•If you touch the top right of the screen during shooting, the buttons and icons will
momentarily disappear. The buttons and icons will reappear when you take your finger off
the screen.
Touch panel