Sony EA50 User Manual

GETTING STARTED WITH THE SONY EA50
(Quick Reference Guide)
Getting Started
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ALWAYS BRING YOUR OWN HEADPHONES to every shoot!
•
Make sure your batteries are fully charged. Battery snaps into back of camera; to
remove battery hit battery release button near the base of the handle.
•
Always start by calibrating your LCD display for the current lighting conditions.
•
Many cinematographers prefer to shoot using the viewfinder rather than the flip-
out screen; Especially if you are shooting outdoors in bright sunlight, the snap-on
viewfinder reduces glare; also, many documentary filmmakers shooting in
uncontrolled situations find the flip-out screen problematic bgecause the subject /
bystanders can get distracted trying to look at what you’re shooting (on the other
hand, if you’re shooting yourself, the flip screen can be very handy). Your camera
kit includes a clip-on viewfinder attachment - to use the viewfinder, clip it onto the
LCD screen using the built-in clips.
•
For handheld / documentary shooting, the built-in shoulder mount provides
excellent ergonomics, allowing you to balance the camera on your shoulder for
even weight distribution and steady shooting. Release the shoulder mount by
pulling the tab underneath the camera.
•
Make sure date and time are set correctly when you power on (this is useful
metadata that is written to your clips as you record.
•
If you’re using the viewfinder, make sure the diopter ring is set correctly for your
eyesight; if you wear glasses and prefer shooting without glasses, try calibrating
the diopter for your vision (use slider on viewfinder)
•
Format your memory card before starting to record – make sure footage from
previous user is cleared off. A 32GB card will hold around two hours of footage.
To format: MENU > OTHERS > MEDIA FORMAT > MEMORY CARD > OK
•
Always shoot in manual for professional-quality recording: put IRIS, EXPOSURE
(buttons on side of camera), and ZOOM (bottom of camera, under the lens) into
manual mode before you start shooting.
•
Always check your recording format before each shoot to make sure camera is in
the right mode. Your editing system can handle a range of formats, but it is
important to make sure that you are shooting consistently in whatever format you
choose for your project (rather than mixing formats in FCP, which requires
rendering and is hypothetically problematic if you leave FCP for color correction
or layoff). A GOOD GENERAL FORMAT IS 1080 / 24P FX (1920 * 1080

Sony EA50 Specifications

General

Lens Mount	Sony E-Mount
Display	LCD
Sensor Size	1/2.88 inch
Recording Format	AVCHD
Video Resolution	1080p

Summary

Sony EA50 Getting Started Guide

Sony EA50 Camera Operation Features

Manual White Balance Setup

Procedure for setting manual white balance, including A/B presets and quick setup options for various lighting conditions.

Manual Focusing Techniques

Recommends manual focus over autofocus and explains peaking and expanded focus for visual confirmation.

Sony EA50 Exposure Control Tools

Iris Dial for Aperture Control

Guide to using the iris dial for manual aperture adjustment, detailing its relation to zoom and f-stop values.

ND Filter Usage for Lighting

Instructions for attaching and using the screw-on variable ND filter to control light and depth of field.

Understanding and Using Gain

Explains electronic gain's effect on brightness and noise, recommending manual control for best results.

Sony EA50 Audio Setup

Audio Input and Switch Configuration

Details on selecting audio inputs (internal/external XLR), phantom power, and mic/line switch settings.

Sony EA50 Picture Profile Settings

Picture Profile: KNEE Settings

Adjusts highlight roll-off to prevent overexposure, with auto and manual point settings for dynamic range.

Picture Profile: GAMMA CURVES

Explains the five gamma curve settings that determine the camera's contrast response to light.

Picture Profile: Detail Settings

Controls image sharpness, edge enhancement, and texture, with considerations for noise and softness.

Picture Profile: BLACK LEVEL

Manages video black levels for contrast and richness, cautioning against crushing blacks in shadows.

Sony EA50 In-Camera Playback

Sony EA50 Offloading and Backup Footage