The Built-in Flash

When you turn the camera on, the built-in flash is automatically set to the automatic mode. That is, when the available light is insufficient for a correct exposure, the built-in flash fires.

There are five different modes for you to use as shown below. They can be used in the A-REC mode or in the M-REC mode. Each flash setting is indicated by a special icon which is shown on the control panel and the LCD monitor.

The five flash settings

To change flash mode, press the flash setting button (see below). The icon will appear in the order shown in the above figure.

The Flash Setting Button

The default mode, as mentioned earlier, is auto-flash, which is shown as a flash icon with the word AUTO. Press the flash setting button to change the flash mode to no flash, which means the built-in flash is disabled. This mode is useful when using a flash is not suitable.

Press the flash setting button again to switch to auto flash with red-eye reduction. This is useful when shooting portraits. See the section of Red-Eye Reduction for the details. The red-eye reduction function is shown as an auto-flash plus an eye icon.

Press the flash setting button again to enter the anytime flash mode. In this mode, the built-in flash always fires. It is indicated by a flash icon on the control panel and the LCD monitor. This mode is very useful for fill flash. For example, if your are shooting backlight (i.e., a strong light source such as the sun is behind your subject), the front part of your subject could be too dark. In this case, you can use this anytime flash mode to illuminate the front part of your subject.

Press the flash setting button again to use the slow synchronization mode. This is useful when you are shooing in low light situation and wish to have a clear background. See the section of Slow Synchronization for the details. The slow synchronization mode, or slow synch for short, is indicated by a word SLOW plus a flash icon on the control panel and the LCD monitor.

A Few Important Notes

Here are a few important notes: