Digital Camera Home > Digital Camera Reviews > Sony Digital Cameras > Sony Mavica CD1000

Sony Mavica CD1000 Sony packs a 156 megabyte CD-R into a 2 megapixel Mavica. (Wow!) Select a topic Reference: Datasheet CD1000 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 --------------------------------- 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: 7/17/2000

Camera Modes and Menus
The MVC-CD1000 has a number of operating modes, selected via the Program AE button mentioned above. Because the LCD screen displays for them are virtually identical, we won't show the different displays separately here.

Automatic Exposure (no icon): In this mode, the camera controls both aperture and shutter speed, basing the exposure on existing light levels. The user has control over exposure compensation (EV), flash, white balance and metering.

Aperture Priority: This mode allows you to select the desired aperture setting (from f/2.8 to f/11) while the camera selects the most appropriate corresponding shutter speed. As in Program AE, you still maintain control over the flash, white balance and metering mode selections.

Shutter Priority: Similar to Aperture Priority mode, you control the shutter speed (from 8 to 1/500 seconds) while the camera chooses the aperture setting. You control flash, white balance and metering mode, if desired. Note that this mode is the best to use under very dim lighting conditions, as it lets you select very long shutter times.

Twilight: In this mode, the camera selects the best aperture and shutter speed settings for dark scenes like cityscapes and fireworks. It's main action is to prevent bright objects against dark backgrounds from washing out. It preserves color in neon signs, sunsets, etc.

Twilight Plus: This mode performs the same function as Twilight mode, but also increases the camera's light sensitivity, allowing higher shutter speeds under dim conditions.

Landscape: This mode sets the camera focus to infinity for shooting far away subjects.

Panfocus: In this mode, the camera's focus is set to quickly shift from close-up to far away subjects, good for action photography.

Movie Mode: This mode allows you to capture up to a 60 second 160 x 112 or a 15 second 320 x 240 or 320 HQ movie with sound. You have all the above exposure capabilities, including the ability to change from Automatic Exposure to any of the Program AE modes.

Playback Mode: This mode allows you to review captured still images and movies on the LCD panel. An index display puts up to six images on the screen at one time for quick review.

Capture Mode Menu: Pressing the up arrow on the rocker toggle button calls up the capture menu when in Still or Movie capture modes. From there, you have the following submenus:

• Self-Timer: Activates the 10 second self-timer mode.
• Effect:
  • Date/Time: Turns the date and time LCD display on and off.
  • Picture Effect: Accesses the Solarize, Black & White, Sepia and Negative Art picture effects.
    
    
• File:
  • Disc Tool: Allows you to Initialize or Finalize the CD-R.
  • Position Sensor: Turns the camera's Position Sensor function on and off.
  • File Number: Sets the file numbering to Series or Normal.
  • Image Size: Sets the still image sizes to 1600 x 1200, 1600 (3:2), 1024 x 768 or 640 x 480. In Movie mode, sets the image size to 320 HQ (High Quality), 320 x 240 or 160 x 112.
  • Record Mode: Sets the still record mode to TIFF, Text, Voice, E-Mail or Normal. In Movie mode, allows you to change the minimum record time (in response to a quick press of the shutter button) to five, 10 or 15 seconds.
    
    
• Camera:
  • Exposure: Sets the exposure compensation from -2.0 to +2.0 in 1/3 EV increments.
  • Flash Level: Sets the flash intensity level to High, Normal or Low.
  • Sharpness: Sets the sharpness level anywhere from -2 to +2.
  • Digital Zoom: Turns the 2x digital telephoto function on and off.
    
    
• Setup:
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD displays.
  • Beep: Turns the camera's beep sound on or off.
  • Clock Set: Changes the camera date and time settings.
  • Language: Sets the menu language to English or Japanese.
  • Video Out: Sets the camera's video out signal to NTSC or PAL formats.

Playback Mode Menu: Activating the Playback menu pulls up the following submenus:

• Index: Pulls up a nine image index display.
• Delete: Deletes the currently displayed image with an option to cancel.
• File:
  • Protect: Write protects the currently displayed image.
  • Print Mark: Turns the camera's print mark on and off (date and time stamp).
  • Slide Show: Allows you to view captured images in a slide show format, as well as set up time intervals and the number of repeats.
  • Rotate: Allows you to rotate the image in 90 degree turns, counterclockwise and clockwise.
  • Disk Tool: Allows you to format or copy the disk, with an option to cancel.
    
    
• Tool:
  • Resize: Allows you to resize captured images.
    
    
• Setup:
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the brightness of the LCD displays.
  • Beep: Turns the camera's beep sound on or off.
  • Clock Set: Changes the camera date and time settings.
  • Language: Sets the menu language to English or Japanese.
  • Video Out: Sets the camera's video out signal to NTSC or PAL formats.