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When you use Multipoint AF, it calculates 
the distance in three places, in the center of 
the image, and to both the left and right of 
the center, you can shoot with the auto focus 
function without being dependent on the 
composition of the image. It is useful when 
it is difficult to focus on the subject because 
it is not in the center of the frame. 

You can focus automatically using the AF 
range finder in the center of the frame.

a

b

c

9

b

B

v

V

The focus is adjusted automatically using 
the AF range finder. The color of the range 
finder frame changes from white to green. 

When you are shooting movies (MPEG 
MOVIE) and you choose Multipoint AF, the 
distance to the center of the screen is estimated 
as an average, so the AF works even with a 
certain amount of vibration. The Center AF 
automatically focuses only on the center of the 
image, so it is convenient when you want to 
focus only on what you aim at.

When you use Digital zoom or AF illuminator, 
priority AF movement is given to subjects in or 
near the center of the frame. In this case, the AF 
range finder isn’t displayed.

2048

4

2048

4

If it is difficult to focus because the subject 
is not in the center of the frame, you can 
focus in this situation using the AF range 
finder. For example, when you are shooting 
two human subjects, and there is a gap 
between them, the camera may focus on the 
background visible in the gap. In a case like 
this, use AF lock to ensure the subjects are 
in correct focus.

When you are using AF lock, you can capture 
an image with the correct focus even if the 
subject is at the edge of the frame.

a

First, the focus for the subject you are 
aiming at will be adjusted. When the 
AE/AF lock indicator stops flashing 
and stays lit, and there is a beeping 
sound, focus adjustment is completed.

b

When you hear a beeping sound, the 
image will be recorded with the proper 
focus for the human subjects.

You can carry out the AF lock adjustment 
process any number of times, as long as you do 
it before you press the shutter.

2048

F 2 . 1

5 0

4

2048

F 2 . 1

5 0

4

When shooting an image using a previously 
set distance to the subject, or when shooting 
a subject through a net or through window 
glass, it is difficult to get the proper focus 
using the automatic focus function. This is 
when use of the Focus preset is convenient.

a

.

b

The menu appears.

c

9

b

B

v

V

You can select from the following 
distance settings.
0.5m, 1.0m, 3.0m, 7.0m, 

∞ (unlimited 

distance)

Press the MENU button again, select “9”, 
then select “MULTI AF” or “CENTER 
AF”.

 (Spot light-metering) is not displayed on 

the menu of the DSC-P31 (page 61).

The focus distance settings include a small 
margin of error. Use them as guidelines only.

If you point the lens up or down, the error 
increases (DSC-P71 only).

You can add special effects to bring out the 
contrast in your images.

2048

9

4

WB

ISO

MULTI AF

CENTER AF

0.5m

1.0m

1.0m

3.0m

7.0m

∞

Like an illustration 
with clearly delineated 
bright and dark 
portions

In black and white

Colored to look like an 
old photograph

Made to look like a 
negative image

a

.

b

The menu appears.

c

b

B

v

V

In Step 3, select “OFF”

When there is reflected light, or the 
background of the subject provides a very 
high contrast, you can adjust the focus to 
that most appropriate for your subject. You 
can aim at a particular point, and meter the 
light to adjust the focus for that point.

When the place you want to focus on and the 
place you are using Spot light-metering on are 
the same, it recommended that you use Center 
AF (page 58). 

a

.

b

The menu appears.

c

b

B

v

V

The Spot light-metering aiming point 
is displayed.

d

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4

Press the MENU button again and select 
“

”  using  b/B on the control button,  

select “OFF” then using v/V. The Spot 
light-metering aiming point disappears, and 
the camera returns to normal light-
metering.

a

.

b

B

The Spot light-metering aiming point 
is displayed.

c

Press B (

) on the control button to turn 

Spot light-metering off. The Spot light-
metering aiming point disappears, and the 
camera returns to normal light-metering.

You can shoot a number of still images 
consecutively (GIF animation). Because the 
file size is small, these images are ideal for 
use on a home page, or for attaching to an e-
mail message. 

Clip Motion images are restricted to color 
levels of 256 colors and below. This is a 
characteristic of GIF format recording. For this 
reason, the image quality of some images may 
deteriorate.

The maximum number of frames you can 
shoot in one Clip Motion shot is ten. This is 
the best choice for use on a home page.

Two frames is the maximum number that 
can be shot in Clip Motion in this mode.

MOBILE mode has strict file size limits, so 
picture quality falls accordingly.

For the number of images you can record using 
Clip Motion, see page 91.

In “MOVING IMAGE” in SET UP, select 
“CLIP MOTION” (pages 55, 97).

a

b

The menu appears.

c

b

B

v

V

d

e

Press the shutter once to shoot the next 
frame, then repeat this operation until 
you have shot the desired number of 
frames. 

f

z

All of the frames will be saved in the 
“Memory Stick.” 

If you do not complete Step 6, the image will 
not be saved in the “Memory Stick.” Up to that 
point, the image is saved temporarily in the 
camera.

In Clip Motion mode, the date and time will not 
be recorded.

When you view Clip Motion images using the 
Index screen, the images may appear different 
from the actual image recorded.

GIF files made on other cameras may not 
display correctly on this camera.

In Steps 4 or 5 on the previous page, 
press  b (7)
Shot images will be played back in 
order, playback stops when the last 
image is reached.

Press the MENU button, select either 
“DELETE LAST”, or “DELETE ALL”, 
and press the center z.

Select “OK”, then press the center z. If 
you chose “DELETE LAST” in Step 

, 

repeat Steps 

 to 

 to delete the images 

in order, from the latest one shot. 

MAKING “CLIP MOTION”

Pressing the shutter once records 16 frames 
in a row. This is convenient for checking 
your form in sports, for example. You can 
set the interval between frames using the 
menu.
Before beginning the operation, select 
“MULTI BURST” in “MOVING IMAGE” 
(page 55).

a

.

b

The menu appears.

c

b

B

v

V

You can choose the between-frame 
interval from among the following.
NTSC: 1/7.5 sec., 1/15 sec., 1/30 sec.
PAL:  1/6.3 sec., 1/12.5 sec., 1/25 sec.
(For information on NTSC/PAL, see 
page 95.)

d

16 frames will be recorded as one 
image (image size: 1280 

× 960).

When you play back images recorded with this 
camera in Multi Burst mode, the 16 frames will 
be played back in order, with a fixed interval 
between them.

When the images are played back on a 
computer, the 16 frames you shot will all be 
displayed at the same time as part of one image.

When Multi Burst images are played back on a 
camera without the Multi Burst feature, the 16 
frames will all be displayed at the same time, as 
part of one image, just as they are on a 
computer.

For the number of images that can be recorded 
using the Multi Burst mode, see page 91.

In Multi Burst mode, the date and time cannot 
be displayed.

1/30

1/15

1/7.5

1/7.5

PFX

When using this mode, you cannot delete 
only certain frames. When you delete 
images, all 16 of the frames will be deleted 
at the same time.

a

.

b

z

c

z

All of the frames are deleted.

You can shoot images and save them in a 
file that is small enough to attach to an e-
mail message (see page 24 for available file 
sizes).

a

b

The menu appears.

c

b

B

v

V

d

In Step 3, select “NORMAL.”

For instructions on how to attach your images 
to an e-mail message, refer to the Help files of 
the e-mail software you are using.