How To Use Camera Settings – Sony Xperia Z1

Learn how to use camera settings on your Sony Xperia Z1. This function is only available in Superior auto capturing mode.

Capturing mode settings overview

Superior auto : Optimize your settings to suit any scene.
Manual : Adjust camera settings manually.
Timeshift burst : Shift back and forth in time to enjoy and share your favorite moments.
Picture effect : Apply effects to photos.
AR effect :Take photos with virtual scenes and characters.Find more information about what you see in the viewfinder.
Social live : Broadcast live video to Facebook.
Sweep Panorama : Use this setting to take wide-angle, panoramic photos. Just press the camera key and move the camera steadily from one side to the other.

Quick launch

Use Quick launch settings to launch the camera when the screen is locked.

Launch only: When this setting is activated, you can launch the camera when the screen is locked by pressing and holding down the camera key.
Launch and capture: When this setting is activated, you can launch the camera and capture a photo automatically when the screen is locked by pressing and holding down the camera key.
Launch and record video: When this setting is activated, you can launch the camera and start capturing video when the screen is locked by pressing and holding down the camera key.

Geotagging

Tag photos with details of where you took them.

Touch capture

Identify a particular focus area by touching the camera screen with your finger. The photo is taken as soon as you release your finger. This setting is only available when focus mode is set to touch focus.

Shutter sound

Choose to turn on or turn off the shutter sound when you record a video.

Data storage

You can choose to save your data either to a removable SD card or to your device’s internal storage.
Internal storage: Photos or videos are saved on the device memory.
SD card: Photos or videos are saved on the SD card.

White balance

This function adjusts the color balance according to the lighting conditions. The white balance setting icon is available on the camera screen.

Auto : Adjusts the color balance automatically to suit the lighting conditions.
Incandescent : Adjusts the color balance for warm lighting conditions, such as under light bulbs.
Fluorescent : Adjusts the color balance for fluorescent lighting.
Daylight : Adjusts the color balance for sunny outdoor conditions.
Cloudy : Adjusts the colour balance for a cloudy sky.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

Still camera settings

To adjust the still camera settings

Activate the camera.
To display all settings, tap Menu icon.
Select the setting that you want to adjust, then edit as desired.

Still camera settings overview

Resolution

Choose between several resolutions and aspect ratios before taking a photo. A photo with a higher resolution requires more memory.

20MP: 52483936(4:3)

20 megapixel resolution with 4:3 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on non-widescreen displays or print in high resolution.

8MP: 32642448(4:3)

8 megapixel resolution with 4:3 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on non-widescreen displays or print in high resolution.

8MP: 38402160(16:9)

8 megapixel resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on widescreen displays.

3MP: 20481536(4:3)

3 megapixel resolution with 4:3 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on non-widescreen displays or print in high resolution.

2MP: 19201080(16:9)

2 megapixel resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on widescreen displays.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

Self-timer

With the self-timer you can take a photo without holding the device. Use this function to take self-portraits, or group photos where everyone can be in the photo. You can also use the self-timer to avoid shaking the camera when taking photos.

On (10 s.): Set a 10-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the photo is taken.

On (2 s.): Set a 2-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the photo is taken.

Off: The photo is taken as soon as you tap the camera screen.

Smile Shutter

Use the Smile Shutter function to determine what kind of smile the camera reacts to before taking a photo.

Focus mode

The focus function controls which part of a photo should be sharp. When continuous autofocus is on, the camera keeps adjusting focus so that the area within the yellow focus frame stays sharp.

Single auto focus

The camera automatically focuses on the selected subject. Continuous autofocus is on. Touch and hold the camera screen until the yellow focus frame turns blue, indicating that the focus is set. The photo is taken when you release your finger.

Multi auto focus

The focus is automatically set on several areas of the image. Touch and hold the camera screen until the yellow focus frame turns blue, indicating that the focus is set. The photo is taken when you release your finger. Continuous autofocus is off.

Face detection

The camera automatically detects up to five human faces, indicated by frames on the screen. The camera automatically focuses on the nearest face. You can also select which face to focus on by tapping it on the screen. When you tap the camera screen, a blue frame shows which face is selected and in focus. Face detection cannot be used for all scene types. Continuous autofocus is on.

Touch focus

Touch a specific area on the camera screen to set the area of focus. Continuous autofocus is off. Touch and hold the camera screen until the yellow focus frame turns blue, indicating that the focus is set. The photo is taken when you release your finger.

Object tracking

When you select an object by touching it in the viewfinder, the camera tracks it for you.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

HDR

Use the HDR (High Dynamic Range) setting to take a photo against strong back light or in conditions where the contrast is sharp. HDR compensates for the loss of detail and produces a picture that is representative of both dark and bright areas.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

ISO

You can reduce image blurring caused by dark conditions or moving subjects by increasing the ISO sensitivity.

Auto: Sets the ISO sensitivity automatically.
50: Sets the ISO sensitivity to 50.
100: Sets the ISO sensitivity to 100.
200: Sets the ISO sensitivity to 200.
400: Sets the ISO sensitivity to 400.
800: Sets the ISO sensitivity to 800.
1600: Sets the ISO sensitivity to 1600.
3200:Sets the ISO sensitivity to 3200.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

Metering

This function automatically determines a well-balanced exposure by measuring the amount of light striking the image you want to capture.

< b>Centre: Adjusts the exposure to the centre of the image.
Average: Calculates the exposure based on the amount of light striking the whole image.
Spot: Adjusts the exposure in a very small part of the image that you want to capture.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

Image stabilizer

When taking a photo, it can be difficult to hold the device steady. The stabilizer helps you by compensating for small movements of the hand.

Note: This setting is only available in Manual capturing mode.

Preview

You can choose to preview photos or videos just after you shoot them.

Unlimited: The preview of the photo or video appears after you shoot it.
5 seconds:The preview of the photo or video apears for 5 seconds after you shoot it.
3 seconds:The preview of the photo or video appears for 3 seconds after you shoot it.
Edit: The photo or video opens for editing after you shoot it.
Off: The photo or video is saved after you shoot it, and no preview appears.

Face registration

You can register faces with the Camera application so that the viewfinder automatically focuses on these faces when they appear in the viewfinder.

Flash

Use the flash to take photos when lighting conditions are poor or when there is a backlight. The following options are available when you tap the flash icon in the camera screen:

Auto : The camera automatically determines if the lighting conditions require the use of a flash.
Fill flash : Use this setting when the background is brighter than the subject. This removes unwanted dark shadows.
Red-eye reduction: Reduces the red color of eyes when taking a photo.
Off : The flash is turned off. Sometimes photo quality can be better without the flash, even if lighting conditions are poor. Taking a good photo without using the flash requires a steady hand. Use the self-timer to avoid blurred photos.
Torch : A torch or camera light is turned on when you take photos.