Sony Xperia M - Using still camera settings

5MP 4:3

5 megapixel picture size with 4:3 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on non-widescreen

displays or print in high resolution.

3MP 16:9

3 megapixel picture size with 16:9 aspect ratio. A high resolution widescreen format. Has a higher

resolution than full HD. Suitable for photos you want to view on widescreen displays.

2MP 4:3

2 megapixel picture size with 4:3 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on non-widescreen

displays.

2MP 16:9

2 megapixel picture size with 16:9 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on widescreen

displays.

Flash

Use the flash to take photos when lighting conditions are poor or when there is a

backlight.

Auto

The camera automatically determines if the lighting conditions require the use of a flash.

Fill flash

Use this setting when the background is brighter than the subject. This removes unwanted dark

shadows.

Off

The flash is turned off. Sometimes photo quality can be better without the flash, even if lighting

conditions are poor. Taking a good photo without using the flash requires a steady hand. Use the self-

timer to avoid blurred photos.

Red-eye reduction

Reduces the red color of eyes when taking a photo.

Self-timer

With the self-timer you can take a photo without holding the device. Use this function to

take self-portraits, or group photos where everyone can be in the photo. You can also

use the self-timer to avoid shaking the camera when taking photos.

On (10 sec.)

Set a 10-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the photo is taken.

On (2 sec.)

Set a 2-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the photo is taken.

Off

The photo is taken as soon as you tap the camera screen.

Smile Shutter™

Use the smile shutter function to determine what kind of smile the camera reacts to

before taking a photo.

Quick launch

Use Quick launch settings to launch the camera from the lock screen. If the device is in

sleep mode of camera, press the camera key.

Launch and capture

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the first photo is captured immediately after the camera

is launched from sleep mode.

Launch only (still camera)

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the still camera is launched from sleep mode.

Launch and record video

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the first video is shot immediately after the camera

video camera is launched from sleep mode.

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Launch only (video camera)

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the video camera is launched from sleep mode.

Off

Focus mode

The focus function controls which part of a photo should be sharp. When continuous

autofocus is on, the camera keeps adjusting focus so that the area within the yellow

focus frame stays sharp.

Single autofocus

The camera automatically focuses on the selected subject. Continuous autofocus is on. Touch and hold

the camera screen until the yellow focus frame turns blue, indicating that the focus is set. The photo is

taken when you release your finger.

Face detection

The camera automatically detects up to five human faces, indicated by frames on the screen. The

camera automatically focuses on the nearest face. You can also select which face to focus on by

tapping it on the screen. When you tap the camera screen, a blue frame shows which face is selected

and in focus. Face detection cannot be used for all scene types. Continuous autofocus is on.

Touch focus

Touch a specific area on the camera screen to set the area of focus. Continuous autofocus is off. Touch

and hold the camera screen until the yellow focus frame turns blue, indicating that the focus is set. The

photo is taken when you release your finger.

This setting is only available in

Normal capturing mode.

Exposure value

Determine the amount of light in the photo you want to take. A higher value indicates an increased

amount of light.

This setting is only available in

Normal capturing mode.

HDR

Use the HDR (High Dynamic Range) setting to take a photo against strong back light or

in conditions where the contrast is sharp. HDR compensates for the loss of detail and

produces a picture that is representative of both dark and bright areas.

This setting is only available in

Normal capturing mode.

White balance

The white balance setting adjusts the color balance according to the lighting conditions.

Auto

Adjusts the color balance automatically to suit the lighting conditions.

Incandescent

Adjusts the color balance for warm lighting conditions, such as under light bulbs.

Fluorescent

Adjusts the color balance for fluorescent lighting.

Daylight

Adjusts the color balance for sunny outdoor conditions.

Cloudy

Adjusts the color balance for a cloudy sky.

This setting is only available in

Normal capturing mode.

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ISO

You can reduce image blurring caused by dark conditions or moving subjects by

increasing the ISO sensitivity.

Auto

Sets the ISO sensitivity automatically.

100

Sets the ISO sensitivity to 100.

200

Sets the ISO sensitivity to 200.

400

Sets the ISO sensitivity to 400.

800

Sets the ISO sensitivity to 800.

This setting is only available in

Normal capturing mode.

Metering

This function automatically determines a well-balanced exposure by measuring the

amount of light striking the image you want to capture.

Center

Adjusts the exposure to the center of the image.

Average

Calculates the exposure based on the amount of light striking the whole image.

Spot

Adjusts the exposure in a very small part of the image that you want to capture.

This setting is only available in

Normal capturing mode.

Image stabilizer

When taking a photo, it can be difficult to hold the device steady. The stabilizer helps you

by compensating for small movements of the hand.

Geotagging

Tag photos with details of where you took them.

On

When geotagging is turned on, the approximate geographical location is added to photos when you take

them. To use geotagging, you must enable location features from the

Settings menu. For geotags to be

added to a photo, the location must be determined before you take the photo. Your location is
determined when appears on the camera screen. When your device is searching for your position,
appears.

Off

When geotagging is turned off, you cannot view the location where you took a photo.

Auto upload

Automatically upload updates to photos to a preselected social networking service

(SNS).

Touch capture

Identify a particular focus area by touching the camera screen with your finger. The

photo is taken as soon as you release your finger. This setting is only available when

focus mode is set to touch focus.

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