Number 1. Before you take a single photo, charge the battery fully. Insert the SD card and format it in the camera. Don't just use a card that's been formatted elsewhere.

Set the date time. Then I'd immediately update these settings. Image quality. RAW plus JPEG. RAW gives you maximum editing latitude. JPEG lets you quickly review or share.

Colour space. sRGB. Unless you're printing professionally, stick with sRGB. File number continuous. This avoids the camera restarting numbering every time you format a card.

I'm at 2. Exposure mode, I'd leave it in. A. A. You'll get nearly full creative control without constantly thinking about shutter speed.

For general shooting, wide end 24mm f2.8, zoomed in, use the widest aperture available.

Path 3. Auto ISO. One of Sony's strengths. I'd set ISO auto, minimum 125, maximum 1600. Don't be afraid of ISO 800-1600 on this camera. Noise cleans up surprisingly well.

I'm at 4. Focus AF-S, flexible spot, small. This lets you choose what you're focusing on rather than letting the camera...

...get a guess.

Number 5. Drive mode, single shot.