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Sony MVC-FD97 Sony adds a Memory Stick and USB to the FD95 - No more file-compression blues! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet MVC-FD97 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 MVC-FD97 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: 2/9/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

The MVC-FD97 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 all other exposure variables, including 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 remaining exposure options.

Shutter Priority: Similar to Aperture Priority mode, you control the shutter speed (from eight to 1/500 seconds) while the camera chooses the best aperture setting to achieve a good exposure. 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 city scapes and fireworks. It's main action is to prevent bright objects against dark backgrounds from washing out, preserving color in neon signs, sunsets, etc.

Twilight Plus: This mode performs the same function as standard 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 such as scenery and broad vistas.

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: Unlike the above exposure modes, Movie mode is accessed by turning the mode switch on the back panel. Movie mode allows you to capture up to 60 second 160 x 112 or 15 second 320 x 240 movies 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: Also accessed through the mode switch on the back panel, Playback 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, and a playback zoom function enlarges images up to 5x for closer viewing. Images can be deleted, set up for printing on DPOF devices, write protected, copied, or resized.


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. (Not available in Movie mode.)
  • Picture Effect: Accesses the Solarize, Black & White, Sepia, and Negative Art picture effects for creatively enhancing images.
    
    
• File:
  • Format: Formats the Memory Stick or floppy drive, erasing all files (even protected ones).
  • File Number: Sets the file numbering to Series or Normal.
  • Clip Motion: Activates the Clip Motion recording mode, with 160 x 120 and 80 x 72 resolution options. (Not available in Movie mode.)
  • 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 x 240 or 160 x 112. The compression setting defaults to "Fine" when a Memory Stick is being used, to normal for floppies. A 1600 x 1200 ECM option is available when saving images to a floppy disk.
  • Record Mode: Sets the still record mode to TIFF (Memory Stick only), 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:
  • Digital Zoom: Enables or disables the 2x digital telephoto. (Not available in Movie mode.)
  • Sharpness: Sets the sharpness level anywhere from -2 to +2, with zero being the default. (Not available in Movie mode.)
  • Flash Level: Adjusts the flash intensity level to High, Normal, or Low. (Not available in Movie mode.)
  • Exposure: Alters the exposure compensation from -2.0 to +2.0 in 1/3 EV increments.
    
    
• Setup:
  • Video Out: Assigns the camera's video out signal to NTSC or PAL formats.
  • Language: Changes the menu language to English or Japanese.
  • Clock Set: Sets the camera's internal date and time settings.
  • Beep: Controls the camera's beep sounds, with options of On, Off, or Shutter (only makes noise with the shutter).
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the brightness of both LCD displays.
    
    

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

• Index: Calls up a six image index display.
• Delete: Deletes the currently displayed image with an option to cancel.
  
  
  
• File:
  • Format: Formats the Memory Stick or floppy drive, erasing all images (except for write protected ones).
  • 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.
  • Print Mark: Turns the camera's print mark on and off (date and time stamp).
  • Protect: Write protects the currently displayed image (or removes write protection).
    
    
• Tool:
  • Resize: Allows you to resize captured images to the 1600 x 1200, 1024 x 960, or 640 x 480 sizes.
  • Copy: Copies the currently displayed image either from the Memory Stick to the floppy drive or vice versa.
    
    
• Setup:
  • Video Out: Assigns the camera's video out signal to NTSC or PAL formats.
  • Language: Changes the menu language to English or Japanese.
  • Clock Set: Sets the camera's internal date and time settings.
  • Beep: Controls the camera's beep sound, options are On, Off, or Shutter only.
  • LCD Bright: Adjusts the brightness of both LCD displays.