Sony Menus Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Navigation

Sony’s menu system has a reputation for complexity. There are hundreds of settings spread across multiple tabs, and locating a specific option — especially when you are on a shoot and need it quickly — can be genuinely frustrating without understanding the structure. This guide maps the Sony menu system used on 2022-2025 cameras (A7 V, A7C II, A7R V, A6700, ZV-E10 II) so you know exactly where everything lives.

The 2022+ Sony Menu Structure

Sony redesigned its menu system in 2022, starting with the A7R V and carried forward to all subsequent models. If you have an older Sony (A7 IV, A7 III, ZV-E10 original), the structure is slightly different — this guide applies to the newer system.

The main menu has five top-level sections accessible by the top row of icons:

1. Camera Settings (camera icon): All shooting parameters — AF, exposure, drive mode, image quality, stabilization
2. Network (globe icon): Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FTP transfer, smartphone connectivity
3. Playback (triangle icon): Image review, rating, deletion, slideshow
4. My Menu (star icon): Your saved frequently-used settings
5. Setup (wrench icon): System settings — date/time, display, card format, language, battery

Camera Settings: The Most Important Section

Camera Settings is divided into numbered pages. Key locations within Camera Settings:

My Menu: Build This First

My Menu (the star icon) is the most important feature for daily use. It stores up to 30 settings shortcuts that you access instantly without navigating the full menu. Build this immediately when you get your camera.

Essential settings to add to My Menu:

• Subject Recognition AF (Eye AF toggle)
• Focus Area
• ISO AUTO Min SS
• Picture Profile (to switch between Log and standard)
• SteadyShot (to toggle Active/Standard)
• Custom Key Settings
• Format (card format — used regularly)

To add items to My Menu: Navigate to the item in the main menu → Press the OPTIONS button → Select “Add to My Menu”.

The Function Menu (Fn Button)

Pressing the Fn (Function) button opens a 12-item quick-access panel that displays directly on screen. This is separate from the main menu and designed for settings you change frequently during a shoot: drive mode, AF area, white balance, ISO, exposure compensation, metering, picture profile.

To customize the Fn menu: Camera Settings → Setup → Custom Operation → Function Menu Set. Add the settings you change most often during shooting — not settings you set once and leave.

Quick Access: The Control Wheel and Dial

Many settings are accessible without entering the menu at all:

• Shutter speed / Aperture: Front and rear dials in PASM modes
• ISO: ISO button (on top of camera) or custom button
• Exposure compensation: Rear dial in Auto/Program modes, or dedicated EV button
• AF Area switch: Joystick or control wheel direction key
• Drive mode: Drive/Self-timer button on top plate

Navigating the Menu Efficiently

Practical tips for faster menu use:

1. Use the search function: On the A7 V and A7C II, pressing the MENU button reveals a search icon at the bottom left. Tap it to search by keyword — faster than scrolling through pages.
2. Back navigation: MENU button goes back one level; pressing MENU again exits to the camera view
3. Touch navigation: The touchscreen allows direct tap-to-navigate on most current Sony cameras — faster than the joystick for deep menu items
4. Memory recall: Camera Settings 1, 2, 3 memory positions save entire settings profiles — use these to switch between photo and video configurations instantly

Camera Memory Positions (M1/M2/M3)

Sony cameras allow saving complete settings profiles to memory positions. On the mode dial: positions M1, M2, M3 (some models) recall saved configurations — every menu setting, custom button assignment, and AF configuration — instantly by turning the dial.

Suggested memory layout for hybrid shooters:

• M1: Photo mode — Standard settings, Eye AF on, 10fps burst, RAW
• M2: Video mode — S-Cinetone, 4K/25p, Active IBIS, Auto ISO video
• M3: Sports/Action — Continuous tracking, high burst rate, high ISO range

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there so many menus on Sony cameras?

Sony cameras have professional-grade feature sets — they cover stills, video, network transfer, and system configuration in a single body. The menu depth reflects genuine capability. Using My Menu and Fn Menu shortcuts means most users access fewer than 10% of the available settings regularly.

Is the Sony A7 V menu the same as the A7 IV?

The A7 V uses the newer 2022 menu architecture first introduced with the A7R V. The A7 IV uses the older tabbed system. Most settings exist in both but are organized differently.

How do I reset Sony camera settings to default?

MENU → Setup (wrench icon) → Initialize → Camera Settings Reset or Full Reset. Camera Settings Reset restores shooting parameters only; Full Reset also clears network settings and memory positions.

Where is the video recording format setting on Sony cameras?

In video mode (press the dedicated movie button or set the mode dial to video): Camera Settings → Shooting → File Format. This is separate from the still image format settings.

How do I get back to the previous menu page quickly?

Press the MENU button once to go back one level, or press the shutter button halfway to exit the menu entirely and return to the shooting screen.