1. Getting Started with Your Sony Alpha NEX-5N

I once read a camera guide that began with the author advising the Gentle Reader to resist the temptation to go out and take pictures until the proper amount of time had been spent Setting Up The Camera, apparently to avoid wasting electrons on shots that were doomed to failure if the arcane operational knowledge that was forthcoming wasn’t first absorbed. What universe was he from?

Relax! I fully expect that you took several hundred or a thousand (or two) photos before you ever cracked the cover of this book—for several reasons. First, and foremost, the Sony Alpha NEX-5N camera is incredibly easy to use, especially for the absolute beginner. Even the newest digital camera owner can start taking great pictures with about five seconds of effort. Just flick the power switch to On, press the metallic Menu button to the right of the display screen, select Shoot Mode on the menu, and spin the selection dial on the back of the camera to move the green Intelligent Auto icon next to the gray selection mark. And press the large silver button in the middle of the control wheel to confirm your choice.