Learn how to use Camera on your Sony Xperia Tablet Z. The camera in your device is equipped with the highly sensitive Exmor R sensor, which helps you capture sharp photos and videos even in low lighting conditions. From the camera, you can, for example, send your photos and videos to friends as messages, or upload them to a web service. Your device also has a front camera, which is useful for self-portraits.
Camera controls overview
- Front camera
- View photos and videos
- Take photos or record video clips
- Switch between front and main camera
- Go back a step or exit the camera
- Display all settings
- Zoom in or out
- Main camera screen
- Camera setting icons
To open the camera
- From your Home screen, tap Apps icon, then find and tap Camera icon.
To close the camera
- Press Back button from the main camera screen.
Using the still camera
There are three ways to take photos with the still camera. You can press the camera key, tap the on-screen camera button, or touch a spot on the screen.
To take a photo by touching the screen
- Activate the camera.
- To display all settings, tap Settings icon.
- Tap Touch capture and select On if it is not already selected.
- Point the camera toward the subject.
- To activate auto focus, touch and hold a spot on the screen. When the focus frame turns blue, lift your finger to take the photo.
To take a photo by tapping the on-screen camera button
- Activate the camera.
- Point the camera toward the subject.
- Tap the on-screen camera button. The photo is taken as soon as you release your finger.
To take a self-portrait using the front camera
- Activate the camera.
- Tap the icon on the top left of the screen, then find and select Front camera.
- To take the photo, tap the on-screen camera button. The photo is taken as soon as you release your finger.
To use the zoom function
- When the camera is open, press the volume key up or down to zoom in or out.
To view your photos and videos
- Open the camera, then tap a thumbnail at the top right of the screen to open a photo or video.
- Flick left or right to view your photos and videos. Videos are identified by Play icon.
To delete a photo
- Open the photo that you want to delete.
- Tap an empty area of the screen to make appear.
- Tap Bin delete icon.
- Tap Delete to confirm.
Face detection
You can use face detection to bring an off-center face into focus. The camera automatically detects up to five faces, indicated by white frames. A yellow frame shows which face has been selected for focus. Focus is set to the face closest to the camera. You can also tap one of the frames to select which face should be in focus.
To turn on face detection
- Activate the camera.
- Tap the icon on the top left of the screen, then select Normal.
- To display all settings, tap Settings icon.
- Tap Focus mode > Face detection.
To take a photo using face detection
- When the camera is open and Face detection turned on, point the camera at your subject. Up to five faces can be detected, and each detected face is framed.
- Tap the frame you want to select for focus. Do not tap if you want the camera to select focus automatically.
- A yellow frame shows which face is in focus. Tap the screen to take the photo.
Using Smile Shutter to capture smiling faces
Use Smile Shutter technology to photograph a face just as it smiles. The camera detects up to five faces and selects one face for smile detection and auto focus. When the selected face smiles, the camera automatically takes a photo.
To turn on Smile Shutter
- Activate the camera.
- To display all settings, tap Settings icon.
- Tap Smile Shutter and select a smile level.
To take a photo using Smile Shutter
- When the camera is open and Smile Shutter is turned on, point the camera at your subject. The camera selects which face to focus on.
- The face selected appears inside a green frame and the photo is taken automatically.
- If no smile is detected, tap the screen to take the photo manually.
Adding the geographical position to your photos
Turn on geotagging to add the approximate geographical location (a geotag) to photos when you take them. The geographical location is determined either by wireless networks (mobile or Wi-Fi networks) or GPS technology.
When geo-tag icon appears on the camera screen, geotagging is turned on but the geographical position has not been found. When geographical position icon appears, geotagging is turned on and the geographical location is available, so your photo can get geotagged. When neither of these two symbols appear, geotagging is turned off.
To turn on geotagging
- Activate the camera.
- Tap Settings icon, then tap Geotagging > On.
- Tap OK to agree to enable GPS and/or wireless networks.
- Check the options that you want to select under Location services.
- After you confirm your settings, press Back button to return to the camera screen.
- If geographical position icon appears on the camera screen, your location is available and your photo can get geotagged. If not, check your GPS and/or wireless network connection.
