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Sony DSC-P1 Sony packs a 3 megapixel CCD and a full 3x optical zoom lens into an exceptionally compact digicam! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet DSC-P1 Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on DSC-P1 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 9/12/2000

Camera Modes and Menus
(Screen shots for this section will be available soon.)

Still Record Mode: Accessed by turning the mode dial to the Still position, this mode allows the user to capture still images. Exposure is automatically controlled, with the exception of white balance, exposure compensation, flash mode and digital telephoto. Sharpness and a variety of picture effects are also selectable, as are five Program AE modes (Twilight, Twilight Plus, Landscape, Panfocus and Spot Metering). The menu system at the bottom of the LCD screen offers the following menus and submenus:

• Self-Timer: Activates the 10 second Self-Timer mode.
• Effect:
  • Picture Effect: Enables the Solarize, Black and White, Sepia or Negative Art creative effects.
  • Date/Time: Determines whether or not the date or the date and time are imprinted on the image.
• File:
  • Format: Formats the MemoryStick.
  • File Number: Selects either Series or Normal file numbering. Series continues the numbering sequence, even if the Memory Stick is changed. Normal resets the numbering with each Memory Stick, or whenever a Memory Stick is erased.
  • Clip Motion: Enables the Clip Motion mode, which records still images and plays them back as a frame by frame animation. Size options include 160 x 120 and 80 x 72.
  • Image Size: Sets the image size to 2048 x 1536, 2048 (3:2), 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960 or 640 x 480.
  • Record Mode: Selects the compression level and file type from TIFF, Text, Voice, E-mail or Normal.
• Camera:
  • Digital Zoom: Turns the 6x Precision Digital Zoom On or Off.
  • Sharpness: Increases or decreases the in-camera sharpening from -2 to +2 (arbitrary units).
  • White Balance: Sets the camera's white balance to Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold (manual).
  • Flash Level: Increases or decreases the flash intensity, with options of High, Normal or Low.
  • Exposure: Adjusts the level of exposure compensation from -2 to +2 in 1/3 EV increments.
• Setup:
  • Demo: Activates an automated demonstration of the camera's functions. (Amaze your friends! Startle your enemies! ;-)
  • Video Out: Sets the video output signal to either NTSC or PAL timing.
  • Language: Changes the menu language from English to Japanese, or vice versa.
  • Clock Set: Sets the camera's internal clock/calendar.
  • Beep: Controls the camera's beep sound. Shutter disables the beep and only enables the shutter sound. On turns the beep sound on, and Off disables the beep.
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD brightness.

Movie Mode: Turning the mode dial to the Movie position lets the camera record up to 60 seconds of moving images with sound (depending on image size and quality, and Memory Stick space). The following menu options are available on the LCD menu screen:

• Effect:
  • Picture Effect: Enables the Solarize, Black and White, Sepia or Negative Art creative effects.
• File:
  • Format: Formats the Memory Stick.
  • File Number: Selects either Series or Normal file numbering. Series continues the numbering sequence, even if the Memory Stick is changed. Normal resets the numbering with each Memory Stick, or whenever a Memory Stick is erased.
  • Image Size: Sets the image size to 320 (HQ), 320 x 240 or 160 x 112.
  • Record Time Set: Adjusts the recording time for movies to 5, 10 or 15 seconds. Note that this is the recording time that will result from one quick press of the shutter button. Holding the shutter button down will record to the maximum length available at the image size selected. (15 seconds at high resolutions, 60 seconds at low resolution.)
• Camera:
  • White Balance: Sets the camera's white balance to Auto, Indoor, Outdoor or Hold (manual).
  • Exposure: Adjusts the level of exposure compensation from -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV increments.
• Setup:
  • Demo: Activates an automated demonstration of the camera.
  • Video Out: Sets the video output signal to NTSC or PAL.
  • Language: Changes the menu language from English to Japanese, or vice versa.
  • Clock Set: Sets the camera's internal clock.
  • Beep: Controls the camera's beep sound. Shutter disables the beep and only enables the shutter sound. On turns the beep sound on, and Off disables the beep.
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD brightness.

Play Mode: The final operating mode, Play is entered when the mode dial is set to the Play position. Users can scroll through captured images, and delete, protect, rotate or enlarge them. Images can also be viewed in an index display format. The menu at the bottom of the LCD monitor offers the following options:

• File:
  • Format: Formats the MemoryStick.
  • Rotate: Rotates still images.
  • Slide Show: Plays back still images in a slide show format. The playback interval can be set to three, five, 10 or 30 seconds, or one minute. There's also a repeat feature to set up a continuous repeat, and a cancel option.
  • Print Mark: Marks individual still images to be printed on a DPOF compatible device.
  • Protect: Write protects individual images from accidental deletion (but not from card reformatting).
• Tool:
  • Copy: Allows the user to make copies of individual images.
  • Resize: Resizes still images to 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960 or 640 x 960, with an option to cancel.
• Setup:
  • Video Out: Sets the video output signal to NTSC or PAL.
  • Language: Changes the menu language from English to Japanese, or vice versa.
  • Clock Set: Sets the camera's internal clock.
  • Beep: Controls the camera's beep sound. Shutter disables the beep and only enables the shutter sound. On turns the beep sound on, and Off disables the beep.
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the LCD brightness.
• Index: Displays six thumbnail images on the LCD screen at once.
• Delete: Deletes the currently displayed image, with an option to cancel.