A+: Fully Automatic Shooting (Scene Intelligent Auto)

Scene Intelligent Auto is a fully automatic mode. The camera analyzes the scene and sets the optimum settings automatically. It can also adjust focus automatically on either the still or moving subject by detecting the motion of the subject ().

  1. Set the Mode dial to Scene Intelligent Auto.

  2. Press the Quick Control/Set button.

    • Read the message and select [OK].

  3. Aim the camera at what you will shoot (the subject).

    • An AF point (1) may be displayed on the subject, under some shooting conditions.
    • When an AF point is displayed on the screen, aim it over the subject.

  4. Focus on the subject.

    • Press the shutter button halfway to focus.

      If Flash blinks, manually raise the built-in flash.

    • You can also focus by tapping a person's face or other subject on the screen (Touch AF).
    • Under low light, the AF-assist beam () is automatically activated if needed.
    • Once the subject is in focus, that AF point turns green and the camera beeps (One-Shot AF).
    • An AF point in focus on a moving subject turns blue and tracks subject movement (Servo AF).

  5. Take the picture.

    • Press the shutter button completely to take the picture.
    • The image just captured will be displayed for approx. 2 sec. on the screen.
    • To retract the built-in flash, push it down with your fingers.

Caution

  • Subject movement (whether subjects are still or moving) may not be detected correctly for some subject or shooting conditions.

Note

  • AF operation (One-Shot AF or Servo AF) is set automatically when you press the shutter button halfway. Even when automatically set to One-Shot AF, the camera will switch to Servo AF if subject motion is detected while you are pressing the shutter button halfway.
  • The Scene Intelligent Auto mode makes the colors look more impressive in nature, outdoor, and sunset scenes. If you do not obtain the desired color tones, change the mode to a Creative Zone mode () and select a Picture Style other than [Auto], then shoot again ().

Tips Minimizing blurred photos

  • Be careful about camera shake in handheld shots. To avoid camera shake, consider using a tripod. Use a sturdy tripod that can bear the weight of the shooting equipment. Attach the camera securely to the tripod.
  • Consider using a remote switch (sold separately, ) or wireless remote control (sold separately, ).

Troubleshooting FAQ

  • Focusing is not possible (indicated by an orange AF point).

    Aim the AF point over an area with good contrast, then press the shutter button halfway (). If you are too close to the subject, move away and shoot again.

  • Multiple AF points are displayed simultaneously.

    Focus has been achieved at all those points.

  • The shutter speed display is blinking.

    Since it is too dark, taking the picture may result in a blurred subject due to camera shake. Using a tripod, the built-in flash, or an external flash () is recommended.

  • Pictures are too dark.

    Raise the built-in flash in advance to enable automatic flash firing, in case subjects in daytime shots are backlit, or when shooting under low light.

  • Pictures taken with flash are too bright.

    Pictures may be bright (overexposed) if you shoot subjects at close range in flash photography. Move away from the subject and shoot again.

  • The bottom part of pictures taken with flash is unnaturally dark.

    Shooting subjects that are too close may make the shadow of the lens visible in your shots. Move away from the subject and shoot again. If you are using a lens hood, try removing it before shooting.

Note

  • Note the following if you are not using the built-in flash.

    • Under low light, when camera shake tends to occur, hold the camera steady or use a tripod. When using a zoom lens, you can reduce the blur caused by camera shake by setting the lens to the wide-angle end.
    • When shooting portraits under low light, tell subjects to stay still until you have finished shooting. Any movement as you shoot will make the person look blurry in the picture.

Shooting Moving Subjects

Pressing the shutter button halfway tracks moving subjects to keep them in focus.

Keep the subject on the screen as you hold down the shutter button halfway, and at the decisive moment, press the shutter button completely.

Scene Icons

The camera detects the scene type and sets everything automatically to suit the scene. An icon representing the detected scene appears in the upper left of the screen () in still photo shooting, or when you press the movie shooting button to record a movie with the Mode dial set to Scene Intelligent Auto.

Adjusting Settings

By touching icons on the screen, you can adjust settings for drive mode, image quality, Touch Shutter, and Creative Assist.

Shooting with Effects Applied (Creative Assist)

  1. Press the Quick Control/Set button.

    • Read the message and select [OK].

  2. Select an effect.

    • Use the Main dial dial to select an effect, then press the Quick Control/Set button.

  3. Select the effect level and other details.

    • Set with the Main dial dial, then press the Quick Control/Set button.
    • To reset the setting, press the AE lock button, then select [OK].

Creative Assist effects

  • [Preset] Preset

    Select one of the preset effects.

    Note that [Saturation], [Color tone 1], and [Color tone 2] are not available with [B&W].

  • [Background blur] Background blur

    Adjust background blur. Choose higher values to make backgrounds sharper. To blur the background, choose lower values. [Auto] adjusts background blurring to match the brightness. Depending on lens brightness (f/number), some positions may not be available.

  • [Brightness] Brightness

    Adjust image brightness.

  • [Contrast] Contrast

    Adjust contrast.

  • [Saturation] Saturation

    Adjust the vividness of colors.

  • [Color tone 1] Color tone 1

    Adjust amber/blue color tone.

  • [Color tone 2] Color tone 2

    Adjust green/magenta color tone.

  • [Monochrome] Monochrome

    Set the toning effect for monochrome shooting.

Note

  • [Background blur] is not available in flash photography.
  • These settings are reset when you switch shooting modes or set the power switch to Power off. To save the settings, set [Shooting: Retain Creative Assist data] to [Enable].

Saving effects

To save the current setting to the camera, tap [INFOPresetRegister] on the [Creative Assist] setting screen, then select [OK]. Up to three presets can be saved as [USER*]. After three have been saved, an existing [USER*] preset must be overwritten to save a new one.