35Using the Basic Shooting FunctionsBasic Photography and Playback: A (Auto) ModeB Shooting When the Flash is Disabled (c) or Lighting is Dim• Use of a tripod is recommended.• The noise reduction function may be activated with some shooting conditions such as dimlighting. More time than usual is required to record pictures to which noise reduction is applied.B Note on Using the FlashWhen using the flash, reflections from dust particles in the air may appear as bright spots in pictures.To reduce these reflections, set the flash to c (off).C The Flash LampThe flash lamp indicates flash status when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.• On: Flash will fire when picture is taken.• Blinks: Flash charging. Wait a few seconds and tryagain.• Off: Flash will not fire when picture is taken.If the battery is low, the monitor display will turn off,and remain off, until the flash is fully charged.C The Flash Mode SettingThe default flash mode setting varies with shooting mode.• A (auto) mode: a (auto)• Scene: varies with the selected scene mode (A 59)• F (smart portrait): fixed at a (auto) when Off is selected for Blink proof; c (off) when On isselected for Blink proof (A 77)There are functions with which the flash cannot be enabled. See “Camera Settings that Cannot BeApplied Simultaneously” (A 78) for more information.The flash mode setting applied in A (auto) mode is stored in the camera’s memory even after thecamera is turned off.C Red-eye ReductionThis camera uses advanced red-eye reduction (“In-Camera Red-Eye Fix”).If the camera detects red-eye when a picture is taken, the affected area is processed to reduce red-eye before the picture is saved.Note the following when shooting:• More time than usual is required to record pictures.• Red-eye reduction may not produce the desired results in some situations.• In extremely rare instances, areas not subject to red-eye may be affected by red-eye reductionprocessing; in these cases, choose another flash mode and try again.
