Sony RX10 II setup, tips, and tricks

Introduction

The Sony DSC-RX10 II is the best bridge camera currently available. It features a unique 1″ type stacked 20MP CMOS sensor, 4K video recording, and improved readout speed thanks to a new DRAM chip. The body design and lens specs remain in line with the RX10, including a Zeiss-branded 24-200mm equivalent F2.8 lens.

Other new features include a 40x super slow motion video mode at 960fps, an Anti-Distortion Shutter mode up to 1/32,000sec and a new 2.35 million dot XGA OLED viewfinder. Continuous shooting is boosted to 14 fps. As in the RX10, Wi-Fi and NFC are also built-in.
Although this is a relatively easy camera to use, it is still very customizable, and this might seem daunting at first. No worries, I’ve assembled a guide to the most important functions of the Sony DSC-RX10 M2, including some tips and tricks. First things fist: setting up your camera for your use and getting to know the MENU system.

Diving into the MENU system

When you switch on your camera, you’ll be asked to enter a date, time, and timezone. This setting is necessary, as all images captured will have a timestamp, making it easy to find your beloved pictures in the future.
After this is setup, press the MENU button. You’ll see a range of icons and pages.
We’ll start at page 1 of the camera Icon (this menu is called camera settings).

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 1)

 

Image size:

Large, medium or small is selectable (when you set Quality to jpeg). Set it to large for optimal quality, if SD card space is an issue, you can set it to Small.

Aspect ratio:

You can choose 3:2 (which uses the full sensor surface) or 16:9 (crop but a more broad view). Leave as is at 3:2, you can always crop your pictures later.

Quality:

Do you edit your pictures on your desktop? If so, set to RAW or RAW jpeg. A RAW file saves all information the camera pixels register during shooting and will make for better quality images if you want to edit in something like Adobe Lightroom.
A jpeg is a compressed image (available in FINE (larger) and STANDARD (smaller, less quality) which takes up less space on your SD card but is less suited for editing afterward. Jpeg images will also have in-camera noise reduction applied, something you might or might not want to take care of yourself later, depending on your use.

Image Size (Dual Rec)

Quality (Dual Rec)

Drive Mode

Drive Mode depicts the what action the camera will take when pressing the shutter.  Keep in mind that when you’re Scene Selection or Sports Action mode, Single Shooting can not be engaged.

These are the available modes:

Single Shooting

Shoots a single still image when pressing the shutter button.

Cont. Shooting

Shoots images continuously while you press and hold down the shutter button. Continuous Shooting Mode is available when you’re in Speed Panorama, Scene Selection, Auto HDR and Smile shutter.

Spd Priority Cont.

Shoots images continuously at high speed while you press and hold down the shutter button. In Speed Priority Continuous, the focus is fixed when you half-press the shutter button. However, the exposure value is adjusted for each image. By getting AEL w/ shutter in the Menu OFF, this exposure adjustment per frame is disabled.

Self-timer

Self Timer shoots an image using the self-timer after a designated number of seconds have elapsed since the shutter button was pressed. Can be set to either 2, 5 or 10 seconds.

Self-timer(Cont)

Shoots a designated number of images using the self-timer after a designated number of seconds have elapsed since the shutter button was pressed.

You have a choice between:

• 10-second timer and three consecutive images.
• 10-second timer with five consecutive images.
• 5-second timer with three consecutive images.
• 5-second timer with five consecutive images.
• 2-second timer with three consecutive images.
• 2-second timer with five consecutive images.

Cont. Bracket

Shoots images while holding the shutter button down, each with different degrees of brightness. The last shot in the series is the one shown on the screen. When the flash is used, the product performs flash bracket shooting, which shifts the amount of flash light even if Cont. Bracket is selected. Bracket shooting is unavailable in Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, Scene Selection, or Sweep Panorama. When ISO AUTO is chosen in Manual Exposure mode, the exposure is changed by adjusting the ISO value. If a setting other than ISO AUTO is selected, the exposure is changed by changing the shutter speed.

You can choose between:

• 3 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 0.3 EV
• 5 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 0.3 EV
• 9 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 0.3 EV
• 3 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 0.7 EV
• 5 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 0.7 EV
• 9 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 0.7 EV
• 3 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 1.0 EV
• 5 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 1.0 EV
• 9 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 1.0 EV
• 3 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 2.0 EV
• 5 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 2.0 EV
• 3 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 3.0 EV
• 5 consecutive images with an exposure value shifted by plus or minus 3.0 EV

Single Bracket

Shoots a specified number of images, one by one, each with a different degree of brightness.

Same choices as Cont. Bracket. The difference is that the sequence will fire only once here.

WB bracket

Shoots a total of three images, each with different color tones according to the selected settings for white balance, color temperature and color filter.

• White Balance Bracket: Lo records a series of three images with small changes in the white balance.
• White Balance Bracket: Hi records a series of three images with significant changes in the white balance.

DRO Bracket

Shoots a total of three images, each at a different degree of D-Range Optimizer.

• DRO Bracket: Lo records a series of three images with small changes in the D-Range Optimizer value.
• DRO Bracket: Hi records a series of three images with significant changes in the D-Range Optimizer value.

Bracket Settings

You can set the self-timer in bracket shooting mode, and the shooting order for exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing in these settings.

• Self Timer during Brkt: Sets whether to use the self-timer during bracket shooting. Also establishes the number of seconds until the shutter is released if using the self-timer.
• Bracket order: Sets the order of exposure bracketing and white balance bracketing.

Flash Mode

Different flash techniques can create some unique and interesting images. The default setting depends on the shooting mode, and some shooting modes don’t have all flash modes available. Another limitation is that the Wireless option cannot be used with the internal flash.

These are the Flash modes available on the RX10 II:

• Flash Off: The flash does not operate.
• Autoflash: The Flash works in dark environments or when shooting towards bright light.
• Fill-flash: The flash works every time you trigger the shutter.
• Slow Sync.: The flash works every time you trigger the shutter. Slow sync shooting allows you to shoot a clear image of both the subject and the background by slowing the shutter speed.
• Rear Sync.: The flash works right before the exposure is completed every time you trigger the shutter. Rear sync shooting allows you to shoot a natural image of the trail of a moving subject such as a moving car or a walking person.
• Wireless: When using a wireless flash, the shading effect provides a more 3D appearance to a subject than when using an attached flash. This mode is effective when you attach a remote control-compatible external flash  to the camera, and shoot with a wireless flash (sold separately), placed away from the camera.

• 

  Slow Sync. uses a slower sync speed for a good exposure of both subject and background.

Flash Compensation

Flash compensation changes the amount of flash light only. If you use Exposure compensation, this will changes both the amount of flash light along with the change of the shutter speed and aperture. Flash Compensation does not work when the shooting mode is set to Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto, [Sweep Panorama or Scene Selection.

Red Eye Reduction

Set either ON or OFF. When enabled, the flash will pre-fire once or twice to reduce the commonly know red-eye problem in photos.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 4)

Focus Area

The settings here apply to both Still Image Shooting and Movies. The different Focus Modes are one of the most significant tweaks one can do. The factory settings of a camera always intend to cover a broad range of shooting styles, but you’ll often find that a few tweaks here and there can iprove performance greatly for your particular style of shooting.

The following modes are available:

• Wide: Focuses automatically on a subject in all ranges of the image. Wide uses all available on-sensor Phase and contrast detect points. It’s useful for a broad variety of shooting styles, but might not always focus on exactly what you want. When you press the shutter button halfway down in still image shooting mode, a green square is displayed around the area that is in focus.
• Center: Focuses automatically on a subject in the center of the picture. It’s the most fundamental Focus area mode, and on a recent Sony Camera, it’s better to use the more advanced Expand Flexible spot.
• Flexible Spot: Allows you to move the AF range frame to the desired point on the screen and focus on an extremely small subject in a narrow area.
• Expand Flexible Spot: If the product fails to focus on the single selected point, it uses the focus points around the flexible spot as the second priority area to achieve focus.
• Lock-on AF: When the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down, the product tracks the subject within the selected autofocus area. Point the cursor to Lock-on AF on the Focus Area setting screen, then select the desired tracking start area using the left/right sides of the control wheel. You can move the tracking start area to the desired point by designating the area to be the flexible spot or expand flexible spot. Only selectable when in Continuous AF mode.

AF Illuminator

Only used in Still Shooting. The AF illuminator supplies a red beam of light to focus more easily on a subject in low light situations. The red AF illuminator allows the product to focus quickly when the shutter button is pressed halfway, until the focus is locked. Set to Auto (On) or Off.

You cannot use AF illuminator in movie mode, in Sweep Panorama, when Focus Mode is set to Cont. AF, or when Scene Selection is in Landscape, Sport, or Night Scene.

Exposure Comp

You can adjust the exposure in a range of –3.0EV to 3.0EV when the exposure compensation dial is set to zero. Based on the exposure value set by auto exposure, you can make the entire image brighter or darker (i.e. for Low Key Photography) if you adjust Exposure Compensation.

For Movies, you can adjust the exposure in a range of –2.0 EV to 2.0 EV.

When the exposure compensation dial is set to other than “0,” settings for the exposure compensation dial will be prioritized. For example, if you set Exposure Comp. to 3.0EV, but the exposure compensation dial is configured to 2.0EV, the “ 2.0EV” setting will be prioritized.

When you use Manual Exposure, you can compensate for the exposure only when ISO is set to ISO AUTO.

ISO Auto

Sensitivity to light is expressed by the ISO number. The larger the number, the higher the sensitivity. You can change the automatically set ISO sensitivity range for the ISO AUTO mode. Select ISO AUTO and press the right side of the control wheel, and set the desired values for ISO AUTO Maximum and ISO AUTO Minimum.

ISO Auto Min. SS

This is another important setting if you want to get the most out of your camera. If you select ISO AUTO when the shooting mode is P (Program Auto) or A (Aperture Priority), you can set the shutter speed at which the ISO sensitivity starts changing. This function is very practical for shooting moving subjects. You can minimize subject blurring while also preventing camera shake.

Available settings:

1. FASTER (Faster)/FAST (Fast): The ISO sensitivity will start to change at shutter speeds faster than the Standard setting so that you can prevent camera shake and subject blurring.
2. STD (Standard): The camera automatically sets the shutter speed based on the focal length of the lens.
3. SLOW (Slow)/SLOWER (Slower): The ISO sensitivity will start to change at shutter speeds slower than the Standard setting, so you can shoot images with less noise.
4. 1/32000―30″: The ISO sensitivity begins to change at the shutter speed you have set.

The difference in shutter speed at which ISO sensitivity starts to change between Faster, Fast, Standard, Slow, and Slower is 1 EV. Remember that when using a flash, this setting might not function as set.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 5)

ND Filter

The Sony RX10 II has a built-in ND filter that reduces lit hitting the sensor by about three stops. You can slow down the shutter speed and decrease the aperture value for a better exposure. Also ideal for shooting at large apertures in bright daylight (for a better subject-background separation) or for special effects like cloud streaks, milky waterfalls, and misty seascapes.

Settings available are:

• Auto: Automatically turns on the ND filter based on the shooting mode and brightness.
• On: Always uses the electronic ND Filter.
• Off: Disables the ND Filter.

Metering Mode

Metering mode refers to the way the camera reads the light and sets the exposure.
In multi, it considers the whole frame and sets exposure according to internal algorithms programmed in camera.

In spot or center, the camera only considers what is in that spot or the center (per example, if your subject is completely black, the camera will try to compensate by overexposing the image).

 

White Balance

You can either set the white balance to Auto, where the camera tries to guess what the neutral grey value is, use one of the preset white balance settings for different lighting conditions or customise the white balance according to your preference or using a grey card.

DRO/Auto HDR

DRO:

This stands for Dynamic range optimize and analyzes the contrast of your scene in real-time. It produces an image with optimal brightness and recovered shadow detail. You can use this function even while the subject is moving or during the continuous shooting.

Auto HDR:

(not available for RAW captures) This feature shoots 3 images with different exposures and then overlays the bright area of the under exposed image and the dark area of the over exposed image to create an image with an extended range from highlight to shadow.
The highlight detail in auto HDR is better than that in DRO and with reduced noise. The shutter is released three times, so using this function for moving subjects is not recommended.

Creative Style

The Sony creative styles can best be explained as being film emulations (as it some other camera manufacturers implement this). There are a range of styles available from vivid colour to black and white. If you’re shooting RAW, these styles are embedded, but can always be zeroed after importing them to you RAW editor of choice. Jpegs are saved with this styling applied. It is always useful to try some of these, and can be a real bost for your creativity, as you will notice that you make different images in say black-and-white as opposed to colour.

Picture Effect

Think of this menu as an Instagram app right in your camera, with all kinds of retro filters and effects. These are only available when quality is set to Jpeg (Not in RAW).

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 6)

Picture Profile

Focus Magnifier

When focussing manually or in DMF mode, you can set the camera to magnify a part of the screen so you can check focus. This sub menu allows you to select the part of the image that will be magnified during shooting.

Long Exposure NR

Set if you want the processing engine to apply noise reduction for images captured with a long exposure time. Leave it ON.

High ISO NR

Here you can select the amount of noise reduction applied to images with high ISO settings (when quality is set to jpeg). As Sony has rather aggressive noise reduction, I would chance it to Low. (if not, you run the risk of getting paint-like, smeared images at higher ISO values)

Center Lock-on AF

This is a very powerful autofocus feature. When turned ON, it allows you to track a subject. In iAuto mode, you can access this feature (when turned ON and camera is set to AF) by pressing the Center button of the multi-controller. You’ll see a square on your screen, then center your desired tracking subject and the camera will continue to track it, even when it exits your frame and reappears.

Smile/Face Detect

This is another powerful feature. It can be set to automatically detect on focus on (registered) faces and enable a function called Smile Shutter. When the latter is enabled, the camera will automatically capture an image when a smile is detected.

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 7)

Auto Dual Rec

Sets whether or not to automatically shoot still images when shooting movies. Shoots when impressive compositions, including people, are detected. This function may also record versions of the automatically shot images that have been trimmed into optimal arrangements. When a trimmed image is recorded, both the image before trimming and the cut image will be recorded.

1. Off: Auto Dual Rec is not performed.
2. On: Shoot. Frequency Low/On: Shoot. Frequency Standard/On: Shoot. Frequency High: Auto Dual Rec is carried out with the specified shooting frequency.

The positions, orientation, expressions of faces are detected in order to shoot still images with the impressive compositions. If you want to change the size or quality of still images, use Quality (Dual Rec). Even when Auto Dual Rec is set to On, you can record still images by pressing the shutter button. Not that there might be a delay in pressing the shutter button and the image actually being taken if the processor is too busy.

Soft Skin Effect

If you’re using this camera mainly for pics of friends and family, this is an excellent feature, as it will soften and smooth skin tones make you and your beloved ones look their best. (only available when quality is set to Jpeg)

Auto Obj. Framing

When enabled, the Sony RX10 M2 will automatically crop your captured image to what it deems best. Meaning it will cut the picture for a nicer composition. Only available for Jpegs, though, a nice feature if you don’t want to bother too much with the technical side of photography.

Auto Mode

1. Intelligent Auto: The camera shoots with automatic scene recognition. (RAW and JPEG)
2. Superior Auto: The camera shoots with automatic scene recognition. This mode takes clear images of dark or backlit scenes. For low-lit or backlit scenes, if necessary the camera may shoot multiple images and create a composite image, etc., to record higher quality images than in Intelligent Auto mode. (only JPEG)

Scene Selection

This is more easily controlled via the right thumb wheel when you’re in SCN mode, but you can also select the presets for different scenes (like sports or portrait) from here.

The following scenes are available: Portrait, Infant, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Backlight Portrait, Backlight, Landscape, Macro, Spotlight and Low Light.

High Frame Rate

You can select the exposure mode for HFR shooting based on the subject and effect you want. These are available:

• Program Auto
• Aperture Priority
• Shutter Priority
• Manual Exposure

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 8)

 

(MENU → Camera Settings → page 9)

Audio Rec. Level

You can adjust the audio recording level while checking the level meter. Regardless of the [Audio Rec Level] settings, the limiter always operates. Audio Rec Level is available only when the shooting mode is set to Movie. The Audio Rec Level settings are applied for both the internal microphone and the Microphone terminal input.

: Turns up the audio recording level.

−: Turns down the sound recording level.

Audio Out Timing

When using headphones, you can set echo cancelation while shooting.

1. Live (default setting): Outputs audio without delay when recording movies. Select this setting when an audio deviation is a problem during sound monitoring.
2. Lip Sync: Outputs video and audio in sync when recording movies. Select this setting to prevent undesirable variations between video and audio.

Wind Noise Reduct.

This helps reduce noise from the wind during video recording. Set to ON.

Memory Recall

Allows you to shoot an image after recalling often-used modes or camera settings registered in advance. Register shooting settings in advance by using the Memory function. If you set Memory recall after completing the shooting settings, the registered settings are given priority and the original settings may become invalid.

Memory

Allows you to register up to 3 often-used modes or product settings in the product. You can recall the settings using just the mode dial.

1. Set the product to the setting you want to register.
2. MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Memory] → desired number.

Items that can be registered:

• Shooting mode
• Shutter speed
• Camera Settings
• Optical zoom scale

To recall registered settings:

Set the mode dial to MR, then press the right/left side of the control wheel or turn the control wheel to select the desired memory number.

To change registered settings:

Amend the setting to the desired one and re-register the setting to the same mode number.

Movie

You can adjust the shutter speed or aperture value to your desired settings for recording movies. You can also check the image angle before shooting. When you adjust the aperture using the aperture ring while recording a movie, set the Aperture Click Switch to OFF. If you change the aperture value while shooting a movie with the Aperture Click Switch set to ON, the sound of the aperture ring will be recorded.

Settings:

• Program Auto: Allows you to shoot with the exposure adjusted automatically (both the shutter speed and the aperture value).
• Aperture Priority: Allows you to shoot after adjusting the aperture value manually.
• Shutter Priority: Allows you to shoot after adjusting the shutter speed manually.
• Manual Exposure: Allows you to shoot after adjusting the exposure (both the shutter speed and the aperture value) manually.

SteadyShot (stills)

Sets whether or not to use the SteadyShot function in still photography. The SteadyShot functionality will give you about two stops advantage, reducing camera shake.

SteadyShot (movie)

Sets whether or not to use the SteadyShot function while recording video. The SteadyShot functionality will give you about two stops advantage, reducing camera shake.

Color Space

You can choose between Standard and Adobe RGB. If you don’t know what this means, leave it to standard. If you do, you’ll probably set it to Adobe RGB since it has an extended color range (useful for post-processing).

Auto Slow Shutter

This function allows you to slow the shutter speed down to 1/30 of a second. When the Auto Slow Shutter feature is turned on, it helps in reducing the amount of video noise that is recorded when shooting in dark areas.

Audio Recording

Sets whether to record sounds when shooting movies. On records audio in stereo, Off does not record any sound.

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 1)

Zebra

The zebra function shows a zebra pattern on screen while shooting in any area that is in danger of highlight clipping. You can switch this OFF or anywhere in a range between 70 and 100.The Zebra Pattern is a highlight warning indicator that is common in video cameras. It does not control exposure but just warns you that your highlights are blown out. It is not recorded into the resulting image.I have it set halfway at around 75 and it is a very useful indication of correct exposure of the full image. As I capture in RAW, I am very careful not to have any highlight clipping, in order to be able to possibly fully recover highlights in Lightroom.

MF Assist

This works in conjunction with the Focus Magnifier on Page 5 of the camera settings. You might remember that you can select the area to magnify there when using manual focus (MF). MF assist will need to be turned ON if you want to use this feature.

Focus Magnif. Time

You can set how long to hold the magnified area during MF assist. 2 sec, 5 seconds or no limit. 2 seconds is how I have it set up.

Grid Line

Having a grid line on you screen is a helpful aide for the composition of your image.
The human brain is hard-wired to recognize the structure and most people find a well-composed image more eye-pleasing.
During the course of photography history, rules have been developed on how to best compose the different elements within a scene. Many landscapes you’ll see have the horizon run through the middle of the image for instance, but this is just composition at its simplest form. Many photographers with a broad understanding of these techniques go far beyond that.
A good starting point is using the in-camera grid to make your brain aware of the possibilities in composition.
The Rules of 3rds, Square and Diag square are available

Marker Display (video)

Sets whether or not to display markers set using Marker Settings on the monitor while shooting movies. Set to ON or OFF.

Marker Settings (video)

Sets the markers to be displayed while shooting movies.

Available markers:

• Center: Sets whether or not to show the center marker in the center of the shooting screen. Off / On.
• Aspect: Sets the aspect marker display. Off / 4:3 / 13:9 / 14:9 / 15:9 / 1.66:1 / 1.85:1 / 2.35:1.
• Safety Zone: Sets the safety zone display. This becomes the standard range that can be received by a general household TV. Off / 80% / 90%.
• Guideframe: Sets whether or not to display the guide frame. You can verify whether the subject is level or perpendicular to the ground.

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 2)

Audio Level Display

Sets whether to display the audio level on the screen. ON or OFF.

Auto Review

You can check the recorded image on the screen right after the shooting. You can also set the display time for Auto Review:

10 Sec/5 Sec/2 Sec: Displays the registered image on the screen right after shooting for the selected duration of time.

If you perform a magnifying operation during Auto Review, you can check that image using the magnified scale

DISP Button

Finder:

Allows you to set the screen display modes that can be selected for the viewfinder using Display Setting in shooting mode.

Menu Item Details:

• Graphic Display: Shows basic shooting information. Graphically shows the shutter speed and aperture value.
• Display All Info.: Shows recording information.
• No Disp. Info.: Does not show recording information.
• Histogram: Displays the luminance distribution graphically.
• Level: Indicates whether the product is level in both the horizontal and front-back directions. When the product is level in both directions, the indicator turns to green.

Peaking Level

Peaking Level is a manual focusing aid which works when you have your camera set to MF or DMF.

You’ll see a type of noise outlining the parts of your image where the focus lies, you can set the sensitivity to high, mid or low.

Which setting is best depends on what lens you use, as with a sharper lens it can be configured to low, while more soft lenses benefit from a medium or high setting to clearly visualise what you’re focusing on.

Monitor:

Allows you to set the screen display modes that can be selected for the monitor using (Display Setting) in shooting mode.

Menu Item Details:

• Graphic Display: Shows basic shooting information. Graphically shows the shutter speed and aperture value.
• Display All Info.: Shows recording information.
• No Disp. Info.: Does not show recording information.
• Histogram: Displays the luminance distribution graphically.
• Level: Indicates whether the product is level in both the horizontal and front-back directions. When the product is level in both directions, the indicator turns to green.
• For viewfinder: Displays information suited for shooting with the viewfinder.

Peaking Color

You can choose the color of this Peaking  between Red, white and  yellow. I have it set to red, as this contrasts nicely with most scenes you capture.

Exposure Set Guide

Sets the guide displayed when exposure settings are changed on the shooting screen.  Nice tool when you’re getting to know the functionality of your  new camera. If you’re familiar with Sony’s feature, turn it OFF.

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 3)

Live View Display

Live view display allows you to see the image you’re going to capture with the settings you have dialled in like aperture and shutter speed. Some users report easier auto-focussing in low-light when it’s turned OFF, and you’d need to turn it off when using external flashes too that can’t be used with Sony’s TTL (through the lens) functionality.

Pre-AF

When pre-AF is set to ON, the camera will continuously focus, even without half-pressing the shutter button. This can be draining to the battery, especially when using some lenses like the Zeiss Touit range. Set it to OFF.

Zoom Speed

Sets the zoom speed of the camera’s zoom lever (and the Sony remote). Experiment with what setting you like, either Slow or Fast.

Zoom Setting

The zoom feature of the product provides a higher magnification zoom by combining various zoom features. The icon displayed on the screen changes, according to the selected zoom feature. You cannot use the Smart Zoom function with movies.

1. Optical zoom range: Images are magnified within the optical zoom range of this product.
2. Smart Zoom range: Zoom images without causing the original quality to deteriorate by partially cropping an image.
3. Clear Image Zoom range: Zoom images using an image process with less deterioration. Set Zoom Setting to On: ClearImage Zoom or On: Digital Zoom first.
4. Digital Zoom range ( ) You can magnify images using an image process. When you select [On: Digital Zoom] for [Zoom Setting], you can use this zoom function.

 

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 4)

Finder/Monitor

This setting controls the method for switching the display between Electronic Viewfinder and the screen. You can also assign this function to your preferred key.

Settings:

1. Auto: When you look into the Electronic Viewfinder, the display is switched to the Electronic Viewfinder automatically.
2. Viewfinder(Manual): The screen is turned off and the image is displayed only in the Electronic Viewfinder.
3. Monitor(Manual): The Electronic Viewfinder is turned off and the image is always displayed on the screen.

Release w/o Card

Sets whether the shutter can be released when no memory card has been inserted. Useful if you don’t want to get in the situation where you’re shooting without a card. Enable or Disable.

AEL w/shutter

Auto (default setting):

Fixes the exposure after adjusting the focus automatically when you press the shutter button halfway down when Focus Mode is set to Single-shot AF.

On:

Fixes the exposure when you press the shutter button halfway down.

Off:

Does not correct the exposure when you press the shutter button halfway down. Use this mode when you want to adjust focus and exposure separately.
Note: The camera keeps adjusting the exposure while shooting in Cont. Shooting or Spd Priority Cont. mode.
Note: Operation using the AEL button is prioritised over the AEL w/ shutter settings.

Shutter Type

You can set whether to shoot with a mechanical shutter or an electronic shutter.

Possible settings:

1. Auto: The shutter type is automatically switched based on the shooting conditions and shutter speed.
2. Mechanical Shut.: Shoot with the mechanical shutter only.
3. Electronic Shut.: Shoot with the electronic shutter only.

The availability of flash shooting, shutter speed, and with or without shutter sound for each setting:

Mechanical Shutter:

• Flash
• Shutter speed: BULB to 1/3200 second
• Shutter sound: mechanical shutter sound and electronic shutter sound

Electronic Shutter:

• Flash
• Shutter speed: 30 seconds to 1/32000 second
• 2 Shutter sound: electronic shutter sound

Exp. Comp. Set

Selects if the Exposure compensation functionality ( -5 in 0.5EV or 0.3EV steps) also reduces flash power or not. Leave it to Ambient And Flash.

Reset EV Comp.

Sets whether to maintain the exposure value set using Exposure Comp. When you turn off the power when the exposure compensation dial position is set to “0”

Settings:

• Maintain: Maintains the settings of the Custom Settings.
• Reset: Resets the settings of Exposure Comp to zero.

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 5)

Face Registration

This is where you can register faces, it works only when face recogintion is set to ON (registered faces). This is an interesting functionality, as you can register faces of your subject (like at a wedding the bride and groom) and the camera will automatically detect these registered faces and give autofocus priority to them. You can register up to 8 faces (by taking a picture of them within this menu) and set a priority order.
Works well, and helps to get the right people in-focus in busy shots.

Write Date

Sets whether to record a shooting date on the still image. On or Off. The functions that can be assigned are displayed on the setup item selection screen

Function Menu Set

You can assign the functions to be called up when you press the Fn (Function) button.

Zoom Func. on Ring

Sets the zoom functions when using the manual ring to change zoom scales. The settings for [Zoom Func. on Ring] are valid only when auto-focusing/

Options:

1. Standard: Zooms in/out smoothly when you operate the zoom by turning the manual ring.
2. Quick: Zooms in/out to an angle of view corresponding to how far the manual ring has been rotated.
3. Step: Zooms in/out at certain angle steps when you operate the zoom by turning the manual ring.

MOVIE Button

Sets whether or not to activate the MOVIE button.

Available settings:

1. Always: Starts movie recording when you press the MOVIE button in any mode. (except when the mode dial is set to High Frame Rate).
2. Movie Mode Only: Starts movie recording when you press the MOVIE button only if the shooting mode is set to Movie mode.

(MENU → Custom settings (wheel) → page 6)

Dial/Wheel Lock

You can set whether the dial and wheel will be locked by pressing and holding the Fn (Function) button. You can release the locked knob/control wheel by holding the Fn (Function) button down.

(MENU – Wireless functionality – page 1)

Send to Smartphone

• You can send one or several images directly to your wireless device (phone or tablet) by pressing this button.
• You can either descide to choose which images you want to transfer from the camera or on the wireless device (via the Sony PlayMemories app, avialable for free in the apple or android store).
• You’ll have to connect the camera via WiFi first (it makes a Wifi access point), using the instruction on the A5100 screen.
• It works just like connecting to any other access point with your phone or tablet.
• You should do this as quickly as possible, just to get it out of the way.
• When your phone has wirelessly connected to the camera once and you’ve entered the password, it will remember this, and make it a lot faster to connect later.

Send to computer

You’ll need to physically connect the computer with the camera using the supplied USB cable, and you can push selected pictures to your Sony PlayMemories desktop software (installed from the CD or downloaded from their website). This can even be set up to continue pushing images after the camera has turned off.

View on TV

If you have a Wifi-enabled TV, you can see images and slideshows directly from your camera through your home wireless network.

One-touch NFC

Enables Quick, one-touch connection (as opposed to first accessing the camera’s wireless network and then navigating to the Playmemories app) with NFC (near-field communication) capable devices.

I have not tried this (as my iPhone does not have NFC) but it looks a lot easier to use.

Airplane Mode

Disables all wireless functionality, just like airplane mode does on your phone.

(MENU – Wireless functionality – page 2)

WPS Push

If your access point has the WPS button, you can register the access point to the camera quickly by pushing the WPS button.

Access Point Set

Here you can setup an access point for your camera to the internet.

It enables the Sony ILCE-5100 to directly install PlayMemories apps from the internet. Works just like setting an access point (WiFi connection) on your phone.

Edit Device Name

If you wish, you can change the name of the Device Access point) perhaps to make it easier to identify which RX10 M2 is yours in certain situations.

Disp MAC Address

You can see the MAC address of the camera here, might be useful for some advanced configuration or troubleshooting

SSID/PW Reset

Reset the name and password of the wireless network the camera creates.

Reset Network Set.

Resets all network settings.
If something does not function properly, and you want to start from scratch, can be useful.

MENU – PlayMemories settings – page 1

Application List

You’ll find The Smart remote control camera app (wich allows you to use your phone as a remote control via PlayMemories phone app for iphone and Android) and the Playmemories camera app here.

You can access your online PlayMemories account here, or create an account (once you’ve set up your camera connection with your Wifi network).

You’ll also be able to download new apps available for purchase in the Sony Playmemories online app store like the Time-lapse and smooth reflection app.

If you do not want to connect your camera to the internet, you can always install new apps (and updates) if you connect the camera with your mac or PC with the supplied USB cable, using the Sony PlayMemories desktop application.

MENU – playback options – page 1

Delete

Delete on or multiple images stored on your SD card.

View Mode

select how the camera will arrange captured images in the viewing browser.

Image Index

Select whether you want the image browser to display 12 (larger) or 30 (smaller) images per page.

Display rotation

Select whether you want the camera to automatically rotate images when you rotate the camera or not.

Slide Show

Select whether you want the camera to repeat slideshows when all pictures are viewed or not, and choose the interval between slides.

Rotate

Change the orientation of images in-camera.

MENU – playback options – page 2

Enlarge

Select an image and enlarge a portion of that image. Useful for checking details and focus.

Protect

Protect images (selectable or per date) from accidentally being erased.

Motion Interval ADJ

You can also change the interval of the image tracking.

Specify Printing

Specify Printing is a feature that allows images to be marked for printing later. Registered images are displayed with the DPOF mark (DPOF stands for Digital Print Order Format).

 

MENU – Setup – page 1

 

Monitor Brightness

Manually set the Monitor brightness (recommended leave to zero) or change to a brighter setting for Sunny Weather.

Viewfinder Brightness

Set to Auto which adapts to the lighting circumstances or manually change to your preferred setting. There is a color and greyscale chart displayed on screen to allow you to set it up to your liking.

Finder Color Temp

Chang the color temperature of the viewfinder (colder-warmer) to you liking. I don’t change anything here.

Volume settings

Change the playbak volume for recorded videe or demo’s.

Audio Signals

You can turn off audio signals like the beep when te camera achieves focus. Useful if you want a more stealthy operation (although you’ll still hear the second curtain shutter).

MENU – Setup – page 2

Title Menu

choose between tiles or a tiled front page when accessing the MENU or a direct tab style menu layout.

Mode Dial Guide

Turn the description for each shooting mode ON or OFF. Can be handy at first for a novice user to get famiar with what the different shooting modes actually do

Delete Confirm

When deleting images on yoour SD card, you’ll have to confirm every deletion (to make sure you don’t accidentaly delete anything). You can turn Off this confirmation here if you wish.

Display Quality

You can change the display quality to High or Standard. (High uses more power).

Pwr Save Time

You can set time intervals to automatically switch to power save mode. To return to shooting mode, perform an operation such as pressing the shutter button halfway down. Either 30 Min, 5 Min, 2 Min, 1 Min or 10 Sec.

PAL/NTSC mode

change to either of this broadcasting standards according to which region of the world you live in.

MENU – Setup – page 3

Demo Mode

The Demo Mode function displays the movies recorded on the memory card automatically ( for in-store demonstration purposes), when the camera has not been operated for a certain time.

TC/UB settings

The time code (TC) and the user bit (UB) information can be recorded as data attached to movies.

Possible settings:

1. TC/UB Disp. Setting: Sets the display for the counter, time code, and user bit.
2. TC Preset: Sets the time code. UB Preset: Sets the user bit.
3. TC Format: Sets the recording method for the time code.
4. TC Run: Sets the count up format for the time code.
5. TC Make: Sets the recording format for the time code on the recording medium.
6. UB Time Rec: Sets whether or not to record the time as a user bit.

HDMI settings

The HDMI settings page has a few options available for HDMI output.

• HDMI Resolution: Auto (default setting), 2160p/1080p, 1080p, 1080i.
• CTRL FOR HDMI: ON or OFF (ON allows you to operate the camera’s playback functions with a Sony BRAVIA Sync TV remote control).
• HDMI Info. Display: ON displays the shooting information on you connected TV, OFF disables this.
• TC Output: Sets whether or not to layer the time code information on the output signal via the HDMI terminal when outputting the signal to other professional-use devices. This function layers the time code information on the HDMI output signal. The camera sends the time code information as digital data, not as an image displayed on the screen. The connected device can then refer to the digital data to recognize the time data.
• REC Control: If you connect the camera to an external recorder/player, you can remotely command the recorder/player to start/stop recording using the camera. ON or OFF.

4K output Sel

You can set how to record movies and perform HDMI output when your camera is connected to external recording/playback devices.

1. Memory Card HDMI: Simultaneously outputs to the external recording/playback device and records on the camera’s memory card.
2. HDMI Only(30p): Outputs a 4K movie in 30p to the external recording/playback device without recording on the camera’s memory card.
3. HDMI Only(24p): Outputs a 4K movie in 24p to the external recording/playback device without recording on the camera’s memory card.
4. HDMI Only(25p): Outputs a 4K movie in 25p to the external recording/playback device without recording on the camera’s memory card.

USB connection

Select what will happen when you connect your camera to your PC or MAC.

• Auto: Establishes a Mass Storage or MTP connection automatically, depending on the computer or other USB devices to be connected. Windows 7 or Windows 8 computers are connected in MTP, and their unique functions are enabled for use.
• Mass Storage: Establishes a Mass Storage connection between this product, a computer, and other USB devices.
• MTP: Establishes an MTP connection between this product, a computer, and other USB devices. Windows 7 or Windows 8 computers are connected in MTP, and their unique functions are enabled for use.
• PC Remote: Uses “Remote Camera Control” to control this product from the computer, including such functions as shooting and storing images on the computer.

USB LUN setting

Improves compatibility with external devices by limiting the functions of the USB connection.
Older devices that are not able to connect to the camera might work when set to single. Otherwise use Multi.

MENU – Setup – page 4

USB Power Supply

One of the most interesting features of this camera is the ability to charge the battery via USB. This works when connected to your computer by USB, but also with a USB car charger, or even a 20,000 Mah USB battery.

This menu item sets whether to supply power via the micro USB cable when the product is connected to a computer or a USB device.

Language

Selects the language to be used in the menu items, warnings, and messages.

Date/Time Setup

Sets the date and time.

• Daylight Savings: Selects Daylight Savings.
• Date/Time: Sets the date and time.
• Date Format: Selects the date and time display format

Area Setting

Sets the geographical area where you are using the camera.

Copyright Info

You can now write copyright information onto the still images. This information is then embedded into the EXIF data. You can write both photographer and copyright owner information.

MENU – Setup – page 5

Format

Format your SD card before use, this will erase any images still on the memory card.

File Number

Number your files according to the number of shots or resets it to start from 1.

Select REC folder

Selects where the camera will store newly captured images.

New Folder

Make a new folder for easily organising events and locations. When you insert a memory card that was used with other equipment into this product and shoot images, a new folder will be automatically created.

Folder name

Choose whether to have folder names in standard form (DSC) or create a new one by date. Setting folders by date will make organizing your images easier.

Recover Image DB

If you have a storage card error, you can try to rebuild the database in order to possibly retrieve lost images

MENU – Setup – page 6

Display media info

You can check how much space is left on your SD card (have pictures in your desired quality and how many minutes of video)

Version

Check what version of the operating system your camera and lens is running. Sony sporadically releases updates with new features, so it might be worth checking if any new firmware versions are available.

Setting Reset

Fully resets the camera to factory settings.