M

Macro

Macro photography is when a closeup picture of a subject is taken by moving in close to the subject. For example, if you are using a camera model where the minimum distance to the subject is 50 cm, using macro mode allows you to move in as close as 20 cm from the subject. This distance may be even shorter depending on the camera. Macro mode is indicated as on the camera. There are also models with that allows you to move in as close as a few centimeters.

Macro Lens

Macro lenses are specially designed to shoot enlarged pictures of small subjects. They have smaller minimum focusing distances, allowing you to get closer to the subject than with regular lenses. Also, they have larger magnification ratios than regular lenses, allowing you to enlarge the subject even more. This is listed in catalogs as the Maximum Magnification.

Manual Focus (MF)

This allows you to set the focus manually. The camera's auto focus function can attain proper focus on normal subjects, but you will need to fix the focus on a certain position when taking pictures of dark or fast-moving subjects. Some camera models have a dedicated button for the manual focusing, while there are others (e.g. C-70 ZOOM) that open the focus setting screen when you hold down the OK/MENU button. There are also camera models that do not have this function.

Manual focus (MF) (DSLR)

This allows you to set the focus manually. Adjust the focusing distance by turning the focus ring on the lens. You will be able to focus manually when the AF mode is set to [MF] or to one of the [**+MF] modes. When using Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) lenses, you can turn the focus ring to focus manually even when the AF mode is set to auto focus.

Manual Mode (M)

In this mode, you can manual set the shutter speed and the aperture value. Most camera models display how much your setting combination is diffrent from the optimum exposure setting metered by the camera.

Maximum Aperture

The aperture value when the aperture is opened to the maximum. The maximum aperture is also referred to as the minimum f-number. The smaller this value is, the more light the lens lets through. Lenses with a small minimum f-number are called bright lenses or fast lenses. Brighter/faster lenses allow the use of faster shutter speeds and result in shallower depth of fields. On the other hand, such lenses have a larger diameter and are therefore larger and heavier. With most zoom lenses, the minimum f-number will vary depending on the focal length of the lens.

Memory Card

This is what you save your pictures on, and is therefore equivalent to camera film in traditionary photography. Compact digital cameras use xD-Picture Card. Some camera models allow you to use both xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash Card.

Menu

This is a collection of shooting/playback functions that are available on the camera. The menu is displayed on the monitor when you press the MENU button. The menu is further divided into items such as "SETUP" and "MODE MENU"depending on their purposes. You can use the arrow pad to select a setting.

Metering system

A function for measuring the brightness (light). You may wish to select a different metering system, depending on the size of the area in which the light is measured.

[MUSEUM]

A preset setting on the camera. It is one of the selections for the [SCENE] function. The [MUSEUM] setting can be used in situations where you do not want to bother the people around you. Not only is the flash turned off, but camera sounds such as button operation sounds and the focusing sound emitted when the shutter button is half-pressed are also turned off.

Monitor

Part on the back of the camera that displays images. You can use to display pictures that you have already taken and also as a viewfinder to frame your subjects. Some cameras with viewfinders use LCD monitors in the viewfinder.