How To Use Camera Settings – Sony Xperia Z2

Learn how to use camera settings on your Sony Xperia Z2. This setting is available in Normal capturing mode for White balance, ISO and etc.

Capturing mode settings overview

Superior auto icon: Optimize your settings to suit any scene.
Manual icon: Adjust camera settings manually.
Social live icon: Broadcast live video to Facebook.
Timeshift burst icon: Find the best photo from a burst of images.
AR effect icon: Take photos with virtual scenes and characters.
Info-eye icon: Find more information about what you see in your camera viewfinder.
Creative effect icon: Apply effects to photos or videos.
Sweep Panorama icon: Use this setting to take wide-angle, panoramic photos. Just tap the screen and move the camera steadily from one side to the other.
Background defocus icon: Blur the background of your photos to make your subject look sharper in comparison.
4K video icon: Take videos with 4K ultra high definition.
Timeshift video icon: Take high frame rate videos and apply slow motion effects.

Superior auto

Superior auto mode detects the conditions you are shooting in and automatically adjusts the settings to ensure you take the best photo possible.

Manual mode

Use Manual mode when you want to manually adjust your camera settings for photos and videos.

Info-eye

The Info-eye application helps you search for information about things around you using your camera viewfinder. For example, you can snap a photo of a landmark and
receive information about it right on your screen. Or you can take a photo of a book or scan a QR code and get background information instantly.

Note: Info-eye can only recognise selected landmarks or objects.

To scan a barcode or QR code using Info-eye

Activate the camera.
Tap Camera icon, then select Video icon.
Point the camera at the barcode or QR code so that the code appears in the viewfinder, then take a photo of it.
Wait for a while until the photo is analysed. To view product information, touch and hold Product details , then drag upwards.

Background defocus mode

Use your camera’s blurred background effect to make your subjects look sharper and more vivid in comparison with their background. In Background defocus mode, the camera takes two shots, identifies the background and then blurs it while keeping the subject sharp and in focus. It’s just like shooting with a digital SLR camera. You can select from three different blur variations and tune the blur level in the preview display.

AR effect

You can apply AR (augmented reality) effects to your photos and make them more fun. This setting lets you integrate 3D scenes into your photos as you take them. Just select the scene you want and adjust its position in the viewfinder.

Creative effect

You can apply different effects on your photos or videos. Add a Nostalgic effect to make photos look older, or a Sketch effect for a more fun image.

Timeshift burst

The camera takes a burst of 61 photos in a window of two seconds one second before and after you press the camera key. So you can go back and find the perfect image.

To use Timeshift burst

Activate the camera.
Tap Camera icon, then select Timeshift burst icon.
To take photos, press the camera key fully down and then release it. The photos taken appear in thumbnail view.
Scroll through the thumbnails and select the photo that you want to save, then tap Save icon.

Social live

Social live is a camera shooting mode that lets you stream video live to your Facebook page. You just need to have an active internet connection and be logged into Facebook. Videos can be up to 10 minutes long.

To broadcast live video using Social live

Activate the camera.
Tap Camera icon, then select Social live icon.
Log in to your Facebook account.
Tap Record icon to start broadcasting.
To take a photo during the broadcast, tap Camera icon.
To stop broadcasting, tap Stop icon.

Timeshift video

You can record video at the high frame rate of 120 frames per second and then apply effects so that you can play back parts or all of the video in slow motion.

Quick launch

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

Launch only
After you drag Camera icon inwards, the main camera is launched from sleep mode.
Launch and capture
After you drag Camera icon inwards, the still camera is launched from sleep mode and a photo is captured.
Launch and record video
After you dragCamera icon inwards, the video camera is launched from sleep mode and starts recording.

Geotagging

Tag photos with details of where you took them.

Touch capture

Identify a focus area, and then touch the camera screen with your finger. The photo is taken as soon as you release your finger.

Shutter sound

Choose to turn the shutter sound on or off.

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 icon
Adjusts the color balance automatically to suit the lighting conditions.
Incandescent icon
Adjusts the color balance for warm lighting conditions, such as under light bulbs.
Fluorescent icon
Adjusts the color balance for fluorescent lighting.
Daylight icon
Adjusts the color balance for sunny outdoor conditions.
Cloudy icon
Adjusts the color 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 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.

20.7MP
52483936(4:3)
20.7 megapixel resolution with 4:3 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on non-widescreen displays or print in high resolution.
15.5MP
52482952(16:9)
15.5 megapixel resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio. Suitable for photos you want to view on widescreen displays.
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 resolut
ion.
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 sec.)
Set a 10-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the photo is taken.
On (2 sec.)
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 autofocus
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 autofocus
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 backlight 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.

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.

Center
Adjusts the exposure to the center 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 appears 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.

Scene selection

Use the Scene selection feature to quickly set up the camera for common situations using pre-programmed scenes. The camera determines a number of settings for you
to fit the selected scene, ensuring the best possible photo.

SCN Off icon:
The Scene selection feature is off and you can take photos manually.
Soft skin icon:
Take photos of faces using an enhanced beauty effect.
Soft snap icon
Use for shooting photos against a soft background.
Anti motion blur icon
Use for minimizing camera shake when shooting a slightly dark scene.
Landscape icon
Use for landscape photos. The camera focuses on distant objects.
Backlight correction HDR icon
Use to improve details in high contrast shots. The built-in backlight correction analyzes the image and automatically adjusts it to give you a perfectly lit shot.
Night portrait icon
Use for portrait photos taken at night or in poorly lit environments. Due to the long exposure time, the camera must be held still or placed on a stable surface.
Night scene icon
Use when taking photos at night or in poorly lit environments. Due to the long exposure time, the camera must be held still or placed on a stable surface.
Hand-held twilight icon
Use for taking hand-held low-light photos with reduced noise and blur.
High sensitivity icon
Use for taking photos without a flash under low light conditions. Reduces blur.
Gourmet icon
Use for shooting food arrangements in bright color.
Pet icon
Use for taking photos of your pet. Reduces blur and red eyes.
Beach icon
Use for taking photos of seaside or lakeside scenes.
Snow icon
Use in bright environments to avoid overexposed photos.
Party icon
Use for indoor photos in poorly lit environments. This scene picks up indoor background lighting or candl
elight. Due to the long exposure time, the camera must be held still or placed on a stable surface.
Sports icon
Use for taking photos of fast-moving objects. Short exposure time minimizes motion blurring.
Document icon
Use for photos of text or drawings. Gives the photo increased, sharper contrast.
Fireworks icon
Use for taking photos of fireworks in all their glory.

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