Sony Xperia L - Using the video camera

Using the video camera settings

To adjust the video camera settings

1

Activate the camera.

2

Tap one of the settings icons on the screen.

3

To display all settings, tap .

4

Select the setting that want to adjust, then make your changes.

To customize the video camera settings panel

1

When the video camera is open, tap to display all settings.

2

Touch and hold the setting that you want to move, then drag it to the desired

position.

If you drag the setting outside of the settings panel, the change is canceled.

Video camera settings overview

Scenes

The Scenes feature helps you to quickly set up the camera for common situations using

preprogrammed scenes. The camera determines a number of settings for you to fit the

selected scene, ensuring the best possible video.

Off

The Scenes feature is off and you can shoot videos manually.

Soft snap

Use for shooting videos against soft backgrounds.

Landscape

Use for videos of landscapes. The camera focuses on distant objects.

Night

When turned on, light sensitivity is increased. Use in poorly lit environments. Videos of fast moving

objects may get blurred. Hold your hand steady, or use a support. Turn off night mode when lighting

conditions are good, to improve the video quality.

Beach and snow

Use in bright environments to avoid underexposed videos.

Sports

Use for videos of fast moving objects. Short exposure time minimizes motion blurring.

Party

Use for indoor videos in poorly lit environments. This scene picks up indoor background lighting or

candlelight. Videos of fast moving objects may get blurred. Hold your hand steady, or use a support.

Video resolution

Adjust the video resolution for different formats.

1280×720(16:9)

HD (High Definition) format with 16:9 aspect ratio. 1280×720 pixels.

864×480(9:5)

FWVGA format with 9:5 aspect ratio.

640×480(4:3)

VGA format with 4:3 aspect ratio.

320×240(4:3)

QVGA format with 4:3 aspect ratio.

176×144(11:9)

Use this format for recording videos that you can send to friends via MMS. The recording

time for this format is limited so that the video files can fit in a multimedia message.

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Photo light

Use the light to record videos when lighting conditions are poor or when there is a

backlight.

On

Off

Sometimes the video quality can be better without a light, even if lighting conditions are poor.

Self-timer

With the self-timer you can record a video without holding the device. Use it to record

group videos where everyone can be in the video. You can also use the self-timer to

avoid shaking the camera when recording videos.

On (10 sec.)

Set a 10-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the video begins to record.

On (2 sec.)

Set a 2-second delay from when you tap the camera screen until the video begins to record.

Off

The video begins to record as soon as you tap the camera screen.

Quick launch

Use Quick launch settings to launch the camera from the lock screen. If the device is in

sleep mode of camera, press the camera key.

Launch and capture

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the first photo is captured immediately after the camera

is launched from sleep mode.

Launch only (still camera)

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the still camera is launched from sleep mode.

Launch and record video

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the first video is shot immediately after the camera

video camera is launched from sleep mode.

Launch only (video camera)

By pressing and holding down the camera key, the video camera is launched from sleep mode.

Off

Focus mode

The focus setting controls which part of a video should be sharp. When continuous

autofocus is on, the camera keeps adjusting focus so that the area within the white focus

frame stays sharp.

Single autofocus

The camera automatically focuses on the selected subject. Continuous autofocus is on.

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 green frame shows which face is selected

and in focus. Face detection cannot be used for all scene types. Continuous autofocus is on.

Exposure value

This setting allows you to determine the amount of light in the image you capture. A higher value

indicates an increased amount of light.

White balance

The white balance setting adjusts the color balance according to the lighting conditions.

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Auto

Adjust the color balance automatically to the lighting conditions.

Incandescent

Adjusts the color balance for warm lighting conditions, such as under light bulbs.

Fluorescent

Adjust the color balance for fluorescent lighting.

Daylight

Adjust the color balance for sunny outdoor conditions.

Cloudy

Adjust the color balance for a cloudy sky.

Metering

This function automatically determines a well-balanced exposure by measuring the

amount of light striking the image that you want to capture.

Center

Adjust the exposure to the center of the image.

Average

Calculate the exposure based on the amount of light striking the whole image.

Spot

Adjust the exposure in a very small part of the image that you want to capture.

Image stabilizer

When recording a video, it can be difficult to hold the device steady. The stabilizer helps

you by compensating for small movements of the hand.

Geotagging

Tag photos with details of where you took them.

On

When geotagging is turned on, the approximate geographical location is added to photos when you take

them. To use geotagging, you must enable location features from the Settings menu. For geotags to be

added to a photo, the location must be determined before you take the photo. Your location is

determined when appears on the camera screen. When your device is searching for your position,
appears.

Off

When geotagging is turned off, you cannot view the location where you took a photo.

Microphone

Select whether to pick up the surrounding sound when recording videos.

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.

On

Off

Shutter sound

Choose whether 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.

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Internal storage

Photos or videos are saved on the device memory.

SD card

Photos or videos are saved on the SD card.

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