Manual for α58

Basic Operations

This section provides basic information on operating the camera. Read this section first. To use the camera even more effectively, see "Advanced Operations" (page 76).

Notes on using your camera

Shooting procedure

This camera has 2 modes for monitoring subjects: an LCD screen mode using the LCD screen, and a viewfinder mode using the viewfinder.

Notes on the functions available with the camera

To check whether it is a 1080 60i-compatible device or 1080 50i-compatible device, check for the following marks on the bottom of the camera.

• 1080 60i-compatible device: 60i
• 1080 50i-compatible device: 50i

No compensation for recorded content

The recorded content cannot be compensated for if recording or playback is not possible due to a malfunction of your camera or memory card, etc.

Back up recommendation

To avoid the risk of data loss, always copy (back up) data to other media.

Notes on the LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, lens, and image sensor

• The LCD screen and electronic viewfinder are manufactured using extremely high-precision technology, so over 99.99% of the pixels are operational for effective use. However, there may be some tiny black points and/or bright points (white, red, blue or green in color) that constantly appear on the LCD screen and electronic viewfinder. These points are normal in the manufacturing process and do not affect the images in any way.
• Do not hold the camera by the LCD screen.

• Do not expose the camera to sunlight or shoot toward the sun for extended periods of time. The internal mechanism may be damaged. If reflected sunlight is focused on a nearby object, it may cause a fire.
• There is a magnet on the back and around the rotating shaft of the hinge of the LCD screen. Do not bring anything that is easily affected by a magnet, such as floppy disks or credit cards, near the LCD screen.
• Images may trail across on the screen in cold locations. This is not a malfunction. When turning on the camera in a cold location, the screen may become temporarily dark. When the camera warms up, the screen will function normally.
• The recorded image may differ from the image you monitor before recording.

Notes on recording over extended periods of time

• When you continue to shoot for a long time, the temperature of the camera rises. If the temperature reaches a certain level, the [ icon appears on the screen and the camera turns off automatically. If the power is turned off, leave the camera for 10 minutes or longer to allow the temperature inside the camera to decrease to a safe level.
• Under high ambient temperatures, the temperature of the camera rises quickly.
• When the temperature of the camera rises, the image quality may deteriorate. We recommend that you wait until the temperature of the camera drops before continuing to shoot.
• The surface of the camera may grow warm. This is not a malfunction.