Sony Alpha 100 specifications Quick response, Responsive autofocus and high speed Eye-Start system

SNY_13156_ALPHA_A4_BRO 24/7/06 10:38 AM Page 13

Quick response

Responsive autofocus and high speed Eye-Start system

Infra-red sensor positioned below the eyepiece detects when the photographer looks through the viewfinder. The LCD screen is switched off, and autofocus is activated automatically.

Responding quickly to great picture opportunities depends on more than autofocus speed and continuous shooting performance alone. The 100 is also equipped with the unique Eye-Start system that ensures focusing is complete by the time the shutter button has been released. The camera’s infra-red sensor detects when you look through the viewfinder, automatically activating autofocus. Coupled with a super-fast response time of 0.9 seconds from power-on, the 100 is always ready for action.

Grab the moment with quick-response Eye-Start system

Eye-Start AF can also be deactivated via the navigation menu.

Whether you opt to use it is up to your own personal preferences and the demands of each photographic assignment.

Focusing is completed when the camera’s lens is aimed at the subject – assuring the fastest possible response.

Four focus modes for complete control

Fast, positive focusing is easy	focus. AF-A mode selects
with four modes to suit any	automatically between two
scene and your creative	modes by assessing the scene.
preferences. AF-S (Single AF)	A DMF (Direct Manual Focus)
mode keeps focus fixed at the	mode can also be selected,
point where it’s been brought	allowing you to focus manually
into focus. AF-C (Continuous AF)	after AF is complete for fine-
mode is ideal for keeping a	tuning any scene to perfection.
moving subject in continuous

AF-S

Single-shot AF

This mode is ideal for taking photographs of scenery or still-life where the subject is stationary. After focusing with AF, focus stays fixed at that position. To focus again, press the shutter button halfway down once more.

TECHNICAL POINT

DMF

Direct Manual Focus adjustment after AF

As with AF-S, AF operation stops when focusing is complete. In this mode sharpness can be 'retouched' by manually rotating the focus ring. Convenient if you want to make final delicate focusing adjustments – for example in macro photography.

AF-A

Automatic selection of AF-C or AF-S

Is the subject still or moving? This mode automatically analyses the scene and selects either AF-C or AF-S. This gives the convenience of not having to worry about switching AF modes when taking pictures of children, pets or general snapshots.

AF-C

Continuous Autofocus

This mode is suitable for sports photography and other moving subjects. By pressing the shutter button halfway down, the subject can be continuously followed and kept in focus. Dynamic prediction control is also active in this mode.

✔High speed continuous advance shooting at up to three frames per second

✔Capture fast-moving subjects with wide focus frame AF system

Lock on to accurate focusing with those hard-to-capture subjects.

Operating Tip

Halfway and fully pressing the shutter button

The 100 features a high speed autofocus (AF) with all compatible system lenses. Continuous advance shooting allows you to shoot without interruption at up to three frames per second until the memory card is full* – even in full-resolution JPEG fine mode – so you can keep on shooting to your heart's content.

In ‘Wide focus area’ mode, the 100 automatically selects optimum sections from the nine individual focus points displayed in

the viewfinder, making it easier to capture moving subjects.

Predictive focus control dynamically predicts precise focus for moving subjects at the moment the shutter is released. This makes the 100 the perfect choice for sports and action photography. You can also focus on the centre of the frame only or select manually from one of nine focus points.

Wide focus	Focus frame	Focus frame
area mode	‘Fixed to centre’	‘Local’
Automatically	Autofocusing is	Easily selected
selects the	always performed	with the + key and
optimum from the	using only the	Spot AF button.
nine focus frames.	centre of the focus
	frame.

Operating Tips

Set the function dial on the top of the camera to ‘FOCUS’, call up using the centre Fn button, and set with the + key.

1)First, focus lock on the ship.

AF cannot focus easily on subjects with no contrast, like a blue sky. First, position the ship in the centre of the viewfinder and lock focus in AF-S mode by pressing the shutter button halfway down.

2)Modify the composition and press shutter button fully.

By keeping the button pressed halfway down, the focus will not change even if you move the camera to re-frame the composition. Press the shutter button fully to take the picture when the composition is just as you want.

‘Halfway’ means lightly touching the shutter button to activate the camera. ‘Fully’ means pressing the button all the way in one movement to operate the shutter.

White walls and bright blue, cloudless skies can be tricky subjects for any SLR camera autofocus system. Alternatively, the subject you’re focusing might be off at one extremity of the scene and not covered by the focus frame. These are times when Focus Lock can be useful, allowing you to ‘freeze’ focus on a particular point before composing your picture.

*Dependent on removable media capacity and performance. Unlimited continuous advance shooting can only be achieved in JPEG Fine or Standard quality mode and is not possible with Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo media.

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SNY_13156_ALPHA_A4_BRO SIZE: 210mm x 297mm ■ C ■ M ■ Y ■ K ■ PANTONE 1655 SNY_13156_ALPHA_A4_BRO SIZE: 210mm x 297mm ■ C ■ M ■ Y ■ K ■ PANTONE 1655