User manual CANON POWERSHOT A540 - Reference Guide

ENGLISH DIGITAL CAMERA Photo of PowerShot A540 Advanced Camera User Guide Before Using the Camera Shooting Playback/Erasing Print/Transfer Settings Viewing Images on a TV set Troubleshooting List of Messages Appendix Advanced Camera User Guide This guide explains camera features and procedures in detail. CDI-E221-010 © 2006 CANON INC. PRINTED IN MALAYSIA Main Features Shooting Automatically adjusts shooting settings to match particular conditions Avoid the effects of camera shake or blurry subjects when shooting by using a high ISO speed Automatically detects camera orientation with an Intelligent Orientation sensor Changes specific image colors to shoot (Color Accent, Color Swap) Attaches the separately sold wide converter, tele-converter or close-up lens to shoot (PowerShot A540 only) Playback Plays movies with sound Plays back automatically using the Auto Play function Editing Records sound memos for still images Edits movies Printing Makes printing easy with the Print/Share button Also supports non-Canon brand PictBridge compliant printers Uses of Recorded Images Effortlessly transfer them to a computer with the Print/Share button In this guide, explanations are given using illustrations for PowerShot A540. 0 Conventions Used in this Guide Icons appearing below titles indicate the shooting modes in which the procedure can be used. Mode switch Continuous Shooting PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 * Unavailable shooting modes are shown grayed out. See Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 136). In this guide, the Basic Camera User Guide is referred to as the Basic Guide, and the Advanced Camera User Guide is referred to as the Advanced Guide. This mark denotes issues that may affect the camera's operation. This mark denotes additional topics that complement the basic operating procedures. You can use SD* memory cards and MultiMediaCards with this camera. These cards are collectively called memory cards in this guide. * SD stands for Secure Digital, a copyright protection system. Use of genuine Canon accessories is recommended. This product is designed to achieve excellent performance when used with genuine Canon accessories. Canon shall not be liable for any damage to this product and/or accidents such as fire, etc., caused by the malfunction of non-genuine Canon accessories (e.g., a leakage and/or explosion of a battery pack). Please note that this warranty does not apply to repairs arising out of the malfunction of non-genuine Canon accessories, although you may request such repairs on a chargeable basis. 1 Table of Contents Items marked with a are lists or charts that summarize camera functions or procedures. Handling Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Please Read. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Preventing Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Before Using the Camera ­ The Components Guide . . . 12 Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations. . . . . . . . . 15 Using the LCD Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Information Displayed on the LCD Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Using the Viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Power Saving Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Menus and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Menu List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Resetting Settings to Their Default Values. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Formatting Memory Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Changing the Recording Pixels and Compression (Still Images) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Using the Digital Zoom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Continuous Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Postcard Date Imprint Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Using the Self-Timer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Movie Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Shooting Panoramic Images (Stitch Assist) . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Program AE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Setting the Shutter Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Setting the Aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Manually Setting the Shutter Speed and Aperture . . . . . . 47 Selecting an AF Frame. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Shooting Hard-to-Focus Subjects (Focus Lock, AF Lock, Manual Focus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Switching between Metering Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 2 Adjusting the Exposure Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Adjusting the Tone (White Balance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Shooting in a My Colors Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Changing the Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Adjusting the ISO Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Switching between Flash Adjustment Settings . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Compensating the Flash Adjustment / Flash Output. . . . . . . .66 Setting the Auto Rotate Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Creating an Image Destination (Folder) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Resetting the File Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Playback/Erasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Magnifying Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Viewing Images in Sets of Nine (Index Playback) . . . . . .73 Jumping to Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Viewing Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Editing Movies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Rotating Images in the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Attaching Sound Memos to Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Automated Playback (Auto Play) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Protecting Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Erasing All Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 Print Settings/Transfer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Setting the DPOF Print Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Setting the DPOF Transfer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Viewing Images on a TV set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 When the power is turned on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 LCD monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 Shooting Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 TV monitor output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 Printing with a direct print compatible printer . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 3 List of Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Battery Handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Handling the Memory Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Using the Power Kits (Sold Separately) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Using the Lenses (Sold Separately) (PowerShot A540 only)109 Using an Externally Mounted Flash (Sold Separately). . . . . 112 Replacing the Date Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Camera Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode. . . . . . . . 136 4 Handling Precautions Please Read Test Shots Before you try to photograph important subjects, we highly recommend that you shoot several trial images to confirm that the camera is operating and being operated correctly. Please note that Canon Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and its distributors are not liable for any consequential damages arising from any malfunction of a camera or accessory, including memory cards, that results in the failure of an image to be recorded or to be recorded in a way that is machine readable. Warning Against Copyright Infringement Please note that Canon digital cameras are intended for personal use and should never be used in a manner that infringes upon or contravenes international or domestic copyright laws and regulations. Please be advised that in certain cases the copying of images from performances, exhibitions, or commercial properties by means of a camera or other device may contravene copyright or other legal rights even if the image was shot for personal use. Warranty Limitations This camera's warranty is only effective in the country of sale. If a problem arises while the camera is in use abroad, please convey it back to the country of sale before proceeding with a warranty claim to a Canon Customer Support Help Desk. For Canon Customer Support contacts, please see the customer support list supplied with your camera. 5 Camera Body Temperature If your camera is used for prolonged periods, the camera body may become warm. Please be aware of this and take care when operating the camera for an extended period. About the LCD Monitor The LCD monitor is produced with extremely high-precision manufacturing techniques. More than 99.99% of the pixels operate to specification. Less than 0.01% of the pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as red or black dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a malfunction. Video Format Please set the camera's video signal format to the one used in your region before using it with a TV monitor (p. 88). Language Setting Please see the Basic Guide (p. 3) to change the language setting. Safety Precautions Before using the camera, please ensure that you read the safety precautions described below and in the "Safety Precautions" section of the Basic Camera User Guide. Always ensure that the camera is operated correctly. The safety precautions noted on the following pages are intended to instruct you in the safe and correct operation of the camera and its accessories to prevent injuries or damage to yourself, other persons and equipment. Equipment refers to the camera, battery, battery charger (sold separately) and compact power adapter (sold separately). 6 Warnings Equipment Do not look directly into the sun or at bright light sources through the camera's viewfinder. Doing so can damage your eyesight. Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants. Accidental damage by a child could result in serious injury. · Wrist strap: Placement of the strap around the child's neck could result in asphyxiation. · Memory card: It may be swallowed accidentally. If this occurs, contact a doctor immediately. Do not attempt to disassemble or alter any part of the equipment that is not expressly described in this guide. To avoid the risk of high-voltage electrical shock, do not touch the flash portion of the camera if it has been damaged. Stop operating the equipment immediately if it emits smoke or noxious fumes. Do not allow the equipment to come into contact with, or become immersed in, water or other liquids. If the exterior comes into contact with liquids or salt air, wipe it dry with a soft, absorbent cloth. Continued use of the equipment may result in fire or electrical shock. Immediately turn the camera power off and remove the camera batteries or unplug the power code from the power outlet. Please consult your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk. Do not use substances containing alcohol, benzine, thinners or other flammable substances to clean or maintain the equipment. Do not cut, damage, alter or place heavy items on the power cord. Use only recommended power accessories. Remove the power cord on a regular periodic basis and wipe away the dust and dirt that collects on the plug, the exterior of the power outlet and the surrounding area. Do not handle the power cord if your hands are wet. Continued use of the equipment may result in fire or electrical shock. 7 Battery Do not place the batteries near a heat source or expose it to direct flame or heat. The batteries should not be immersed in water or sea water. Do not attempt to disassemble, alter or apply heat to the batteries. Avoid dropping or subjecting the batteries to severe impacts that could damage the casing. Use only recommended batteries and accessories. Use of batteries not expressly recommended for this equipment may cause explosions or leaks, resulting in fire, injury and damage to the surroundings. In the event that a battery leaks and the eyes, mouth, skin or clothing contact these substances, immediately flush with water and seek medical assistance. Disconnect the battery charger and compact power adapter from both the camera and the power outlet after recharging or when not in use to avoid fire and other hazards. Do not place anything, such as tablecloths, carpets, bedding or cushions, on top of the battery charger while it is charging. Continued use over a long period may cause the units to overheat and distort, resulting in fire. When recharging the Canon AA-size NiMH batteries, use only a specified battery charger. The compact power adapter is designed for exclusive use with this equipment. Do not use it with other products. There is a risk of overheating and distortion which could result in fire or electrical shock. Before you discard a battery, cover the terminals with tape or other insulators to prevent direct contact with other objects. Contact with the metallic components of other materials in waste containers may lead to fire or explosions. 8 Others Do not trigger the flash in close proximity to human or animal eyes. Exposure to the intense light produced by the flash may damage eyesight. In particular, remain at least one meter (39 inches) away from infants when using the flash. Keep objects that are sensitive to magnetic fields (such as credit cards) away from the speaker of the camera. Such items may lose data or stop working. Exercise due caution when screwing on the separately sold wide converter, tele-converter, close-up lens and conversion lens adapter. (PowerShot A540 only) If they loosen, fall off and shatter, the glass shards may cause injury. Cautions Equipment Be careful not to bang the camera or subject it to strong impacts or shocks that could lead to injury or damage the equipment when wearing or holding it by the strap. Do not store the equipment in humid or dusty areas. Do not allow metal objects (such as pins or keys) or dirt to contact the charger terminals or plug. Such conditions could lead to fire, electrical shock or other damage. Avoid using, placing or storing the equipment in places subject to strong sunlight or high temperatures, such as the dashboard or trunk (boot) of a car. Do not use the equipment in a manner that exceeds the rated capacity of the electrical outlet or wiring accessories. Do not use if the power cord or plug is damaged, or if not fully plugged into the outlet. Do not use in locations with poor ventilation. The above-mentioned can cause leakage, overheating or explosion, resulting in fire, burns or other injuries. High temperatures may also cause deformation of the casing. 9 Equipment When not using the camera for extended periods of time, remove the batteries from the camera or battery charger and store the equipment in a safe place. If the batteries are left inside the camera, damage caused by leakage may occur. Do not connect compact power adapters or battery chargers to devices such as electrical transformers for foreign travel because it may lead to malfunctions, excessive heat generation, fire, electric shock or injury. Flash Do not operate the flash with dirt, dust or other items stuck to the surface of the flash. Be careful not to cover the flash with your fingers or clothing when shooting. The flash may be damaged and emit smoke or noise. The resulting heat build-up could damage the flash. Do not touch the surface of the flash after taking several pictures in rapid succession. Doing so could result in burns. 10 Preventing Malfunctions Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields Never place the camera in close proximity to electric motors or other equipment generating strong electromagnetic fields. Exposure to strong magnetic fields may cause malfunctions or corrupt image data. Avoid Condensation Related Problems When moving the equipment rapidly between hot and cold temperatures, you can avoid condensation by placing the equipment in an airtight, resealable plastic bag and letting it adjust to temperature changes slowly before removing it from the bag. Moving the equipment rapidly between hot and cold temperatures may cause condensation (water droplets) to form on its external and internal surfaces. If Condensation Forms Inside the Camera Stop using the camera immediately. Continued use may damage the equipment. Remove the memory card and batteries or compact power adapter from the camera and wait until the moisture evaporates completely before resuming use. 11 Before Using the Camera ­ The Components Guide Front View a Microphone (p. 79) b AF-assist Beam (p. 24) c Red-Eye Reduction Lamp (Basic Guide p. 8) d Self-Timer Lamp (p. 37) e Viewfinder Window (p. 19) f Flash (Basic Guide p. 8) g Terminal Cover h A/V OUT (Audio/Video output) Terminal (p. 88) i DIGITAL Terminal (Basic Guide p. 19) j DC IN Terminal (Power input) (p. 108) k Ring* l Lens m Ring Release Button* * PowerShot A540 only 12 Back View Attaching the Wrist Strap Before Using the Camera ­ The Components Guide a LCD Monitor (p. 15) b Viewfinder (p. 19) c Speaker d Wrist Strap Mount e Memory Card Slot / Battery Cover Lock (Basic Guide p. 1) f Memory Card Slot / Battery Cover (Basic Guide p. 1) g Tripod Socket The LCD monitor is covered with a thin plastic film for protection against scratches during shipment. Remove it before using the camera. 13 Operation Panel a Indicators (p. 20) b Power Lamp c Power Button (Basic Guide p. 4) d Zoom Lever (p. 72, Basic Guide p. 8) Shooting: (Wide Angle)/ (Telephoto) Playback: (Index)/ (Magnify) e Shutter Button (Basic Guide p. 4) f Shooting Mode Dial (Basic Guide p. 5) g Mode Switch (Basic Guide p. 4, 11) h (Print/Share) Button (Basic Guide p. 14) i FUNC./SET (Function/Set) Button (p. 22) j MENU Button (p. 23) k DISP. (Display) Button (p. 15) l (Exposure)/ (Single Image Erase) Button (p. 54, Basic Guide p. 11) m Button n (Flash)/ (Jump)/ Button (p. 74, Basic Guide p. 8) o Button p (Macro)/ (Manual Focus)/ Button (p. 51, Basic Guide p. 10) 14 Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Using the LCD Monitor 1 Press . Playback Mode ( Standard ) The display mode changes as follows with each press. Shooting Mode ( ) Standard (No Information) Detailed (Information View) Off Detailed Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations No Information In the shooting mode, the shooting information displays for approximately 6 sec. when a setting is changed, regardless of the selected display mode. The LCD monitor on or off setting is retained even after the camera power is turned off. The LCD monitor does not shut off in the , ( , ) or mode. The LCD monitor will not switch to the detailed display in the index playback mode (p. 73). Night Display When shooting in dark conditions, the camera automatically brightens the LCD monitor to suit the brightness of the subject*, making it easier to frame the subject. * The movements of the subject will appear irregular in the LCD monitor. The recorded image will not be affected. The brightness of the image displayed in the monitor, and the brightness of the actual image recorded will be different. 15 Information Displayed on the LCD Monitor Shooting Information (Shooting Mode) *1 Spot AE Point Frame (p. 53) *1 AF Frame (p. 49) *1 Low Battery (p. 102) Zoom Magnification*1 (p. 33) Flash (Basic Guide p. 8) Red-Eye Reduction (Basic Guide p. 8) Auto Rotate (p. 67) Rec*1 Movie Recording (p. 39) Shooting Mode Grid Lines*1 (p. 25) *2 (Basic Guide p. 5 ­ 7) (p. 43) *1 *1 *2 *1 (p. 39) *2 *2 (p. 44 ­ 47) *1 Create Folder (p. 68) · Stills: Recordable Shots · Movies: Remaining Time/ Elapsed Time Shutter Speed*1 (p. 45, 47) Aperture Value*1 (p. 46, 47) ··· *1 Exposure Compensation (p. 54) *1 Macro (Basic Guide p. 10) *1 Manual Focus (p. 51) *1 AF Lock (p. 50) (Red)*1 Camera Shake Warning (p. 17) For PowerShot A530, when is displayed, the shutter speed will also display. ISO Speed (p. 65) *2 White Balance (p. 55) Drive Mode (p. 34, 37) My Colors (p. 58) Flash Exposure Compensation/ Flash Output (p. 66) Metering Mode (p. 53) Recording Pixels (p. 32, 42) Compression (Still image) (p. 32) Frame Rate (Movies)*2 (p. 42) *1 *2 16 Appears even if the LCD monitor is set to Standard display. PowerShot A540 only If the indicator blinks orange and the camera shake warning icon displays, this indicates that a slow shutter speed may have been selected due to insufficient illumination. Raise the ISO speed (p. 65) or select a setting other than (flash off), or attach the camera to a tripod or other device. Playback Information (Playback Mode) Standard Folder Number-File Number Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Shooting Date/Time WAVE Format Sound (p. 79) Protection Status (p. 81) Compression (Still Images) (p. 32) Total number of images Recording Pixels (Still Images) (p. 32) Displayed image number Movie (p. 75) 17 Detailed Histogram *1 *1 *2 *2 Recording Pixels/Frame Rate (Movies) (p. 42) Movie Length (Movies) (p. 39) Shutter Speed (p. 45, 47) Aperture Value (p. 46, 47) Flash Output (p. 66) ··· Flash Exposure Compensation (p. 66) Shooting Mode *1 (Basic Guide p. 5 ­ 7) (p. 43) (p. 39) *1 *1 (p. 44 ­ 47) *1 *2 *3 ··· Exposure Compensation (p. 54) *1 White Balance (p. 55) *3 My Colors (p. 58) ISO Speed (p. 65) Manual Focus (p. 51) Macro (Basic Guide p. 10) Metering Mode (p. 53) Recording Pixels (Still Image) (p. 32) *3 PowerShot A540 only PowerShot A530 only Appears with images taken in the Color Accent or Color Swap shooting modes. The following information may also be displayed with some images. A sound file in a format other than the WAVE format is attached or the file format is not recognized. JPEG image not conforming to Design rule for Camera File System Standards (p. 119) RAW image Unrecognized data type 18 Information for images shot on other cameras may not display correctly. Histogram Function The histogram is a graph that allows you to judge the brightness of the image. The greater the bias toward the left in the graph, the darker the image. The greater the bias toward the right, the brighter the image. If the image is too dark, adjust the exposure compensation to a positive value. Similarly, adjust the exposure compensation to a negative value if the image is too bright (p. 54). Sample Histograms Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Dark Image Balanced Image Bright Image Using the Viewfinder The viewfinder can be used to conserve power by turning the LCD monitor off (p. 15) while shooting. Shows the center of the image Viewfinder 19 Indicators The camera indicators will light or blink under the following conditions. Never do the following while the green indicator blinks. These actions may corrupt image data. - Shake or jolt the camera - Shut off the power, or open the memory card slot/battery cover Upper Indicator Green: Ready to shoot Blinking Green: Image recording/reading/erasing/transferring (when connected to a computer) Orange: Ready to shoot (flash on) Blinking Orange:Ready to shoot (camera shake warning), charging flash Lower Indicator Macro mode/Manual focus mode/AF lock mode Yellow: Blinking Yellow: Focusing difficulty (camera beeps once) 20 Power Saving Function This camera is equipped with a power saving function. The power will shut off in the following circumstances. Press the power button again to restore power. Shooting Mode Powers down approximately 3 minutes after the last control is accessed on the camera. The LCD monitor automatically turns off 1 minute* after the last control is accessed even if [Auto Power Down] is set to [Off]. Press any button other than the power button or change the camera orientation to turn the LCD monitor back on. Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Playback Mode Powers down approximately 5 minutes after Connected to a Printer the last control is accessed on the camera. * This time can be changed. The power saving function will not activate during an Auto Play or while the camera is connected to a computer. The power saving function settings can be changed (p. 26). 21 Menus and Settings Menus are used to set the shooting, playback and print settings as well as such camera settings as the date/time and electronic beep. The following menus are available. FUNC. Menu Rec., Play, Print, Set up and My Camera Menus FUNC. Menu Sets many of the functions commonly used during shooting. a b e c d a Set the mode switch to (shooting). b Press the FUNC./SET button. c Use the or button to select a menu item. · Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes. d Use the or button to select an option for the menu item. · You can select further options with the MENU button for some options. · After selecting an option, you can press the shutter button to shoot immediately. After shooting, this menu will appear again, allowing you to adjust the settings easily. e Press the FUNC./SET button. 22 Rec., Play, Print, Set up and My Camera Menus Convenient settings for shooting, playback or printing can be set with these menus. (Rec.) Menu (Set up) Menu (My Camera) Menu a e Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations b You can switch between menus with the or button when this part is selected. c d · This example shows the Rec. menu. · In playback mode, the Play, Print, Set up and My Camera menus display. a Press the MENU button. b Use the or button to switch between menus. · You can also use the zoom lever to switch between menus. c Use the or button to select a menu item. · Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes. d Use the or button to select an option. · Menu items followed by an ellipsis (...) can only be set after pressing the FUNC./SET button to display the next menu. Press the FUNC./SET button again to confirm the setting. e Press the MENU button. 23 Menu List FUNC. Menu The icons shown below are the default settings. Menu Item ISO Speed Reference Page p. 65 Menu Item Metering Mode Compression (still image) Recording Pixels (still image) PowerShot A540 : Recording Pixels/ Frame Rate (movie) PowerShot A530: p. 66 Recording Pixels (movie) Reference Page p. 53 White Balance p. 55 p. 32 Drive Mode My Colors p. 34, 37 p. 58 p. 42 +/­ (Flash)/ Flash Output Rec. Menu *Default setting Menu Item AiAF On*/Off Options Reference Page p. 49 p. 65 Basic Guide p. 8 p. 51 ­ p. 33 Basic Guide p. 5 p. 64 Flash Adjust Auto*/Manual (PowerShot A540 only) Red-Eye On*/Off MF-Point Zoom On*/Off AF-assist Beam On*/Off Digital Zoom On/Off* ([On] in standard movie mode) Off/2*­10 seconds/Hold Review 24 Save Original On/Off* Menu Item Grid Lines On/Off* Options Reference Page You can display grid lines (split into nine) to make it easier to judge the horizontal and vertical alignment of a photographic subject and to make composition easier. The lines will not be recorded in the images. p. 36 Date Stamp Off*/Date/Date & Time Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Play Menu Menu Item Auto Play Sound Memo Protect Rotate Erase all Transfer Order Reference Page p. 80 p. 79 p. 81 p. 78 p. 82 p. 86 Print Menu Menu Item Print Select Image & Qty. Select All Images Clear All Selections Print Settings p. 83 Reference Page 25 Set up Menu *Default setting Menu Item Mute Options On/Off* Reference Page Set to [On] to silence all operation sounds except for the warning sounds (Basic Guide p. 4). Adjusts the volume of the start-up sound, operation sound, self-timer sound, shutter sound and playback sound. The volume cannot be adjusted if [Mute] is set to [On]. Adjusts the volume of the start-up sound when the camera is turned on. Adjusts the volume of the operation sound that beeps when any button other than the shutter button is pressed. Adjusts the volume of the selftimer sound played 2 sec. before the shutter is released. Adjusts the volume of the sound played when the shutter releases. The shutter sound does not play when a movie is recording. Adjusts the volume of movie sounds and sound memos. p. 21 Volume Off/1/2*/3/4/5 Start-up Vol. Operation Vol. Selftimer Vol. Shutter Volume Playback Vol. Power Saving On*/Off Auto Power Down Sets whether or not the camera automatically powers down after a set period of time elapses without the camera being operated. Display Off Date/Time Format 10 sec./20 sec./ Sets the length of time before the 30 sec./1 min.*/ LCD monitor turns off when no 2 min./3 min. camera operation is performed. Basic Guide p. 3 p. 30 26 Menu Item Options p. 70 Reference Page File Numbering Continuous*/ Auto Reset Create Folder Create New Folder Check mark Creates a folder during the next (On)/ shooting session. No check mark (Off) Off*/Daily/ MondaySunday/ Monthly On*/Off You can also set a creation time. Auto Create Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Auto Rotate p. 67 Sets the units for the MF indicator distance unit (p. 51). Sets the lens retraction timing when switching from shooting mode to playback mode. Basic Guide p. 3 p. 88 See below*1. p. 29 Distance Units m/cm* / ft/in Lens Retract 1 minute*/ 0 seconds Language Video System NTSC*/ PAL Print Method Reset All Auto*/ *1The connection method with the printer can be changed. Although it is normally not necessary to change the setting, select when borderless printing an image shot in (Widescreen) mode on wide size paper using Canon compact photo printer SELPHY CP710/CP510. As this setting will be stored to memory even when the power is turned off, to print using an image size other than , return the mode to [Auto]. 27 My Camera Menu The camera's start-up image and start-up sound, operation sounds, self-timer sounds, and shutter sounds are called "My Camera settings". You can also use the supplied software to upload your computer's images and sounds to the camera. *Default setting Menu Item Start-up Image Start-up Sound Operation Sound Selftimer Sound Options When the power is turned on, the start-up image appears. When the power is turned on, a start-up sound is played. When a button other than the shutter button is pressed, an operation sound will be played. While shooting in self-timer mode, a sound will be played two seconds before the shutter releases. A sound will be played when the shutter button is fully pressed. On*/Off Shutter Sound Settings See the supplied Software Starter Guide for more information on creating and adding to the My Camera settings. A computer is required to restore the My Camera settings to the defaults. Use the supplied software (ZoomBrowser EX/ ImageBrowser) to restore the default settings to the camera. 28 Resetting Settings to Their Default Values 1 (Set up) Menu [Reset All]. See Menus and Settings (p. 23). 2 Select [OK] and press . Before Using the Camera ­ Basic Operations Settings cannot be reset when the camera is connected to a computer or to a printer. The following cannot be reset. - Shooting mode - The [Date/Time], [Language] and [Video System] options in the (Set up) menu (p. 26, 27) - White balance data recorded with the custom white balance function (p. 56) - Colors specified in the [Color Accent] (p. 61) or [Color Swap] (p. 62) modes 29 Formatting Memory Cards You should always format a new memory card or one from which you wish to erase all images and other data. Please note that formatting (initializing) a memory card erases all data, including protected images and other file types. 1 (Set up) Menu [Format]. See Menus and Settings (p. 23). 2 Select [OK] and press . To perform a low level format, use the button to select [Low Level Format] and the or button to add a check mark. You can stop formatting a card when [Low Level Format] is selected by pressing the FUNC./SET button. You can still use a card without problem when formatting is halted, but its data will be erased. Low Level Format We recommend you select [Low Level Format] when you think that the recording/reading speed of a memory card has dropped. A low level format may require 2 to 3 minutes with some memory cards. 30 Shooting Changing the Recording Pixels and Compression (Still Images) PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 1 FUNC. Menu Pixels) * Default setting. * (Recording (Compression). See Menus and Settings (p. 22). Use the or button to select recording pixel/compression settings and press the FUNC./SET button. 31 Shooting Approximate Values for Recording Pixels Recording Pixels PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 Purpose (PowerShot A540) High Printing to about A3 size (Approx. 297 x 420 mm (11.7 x 16.5 in.)) (PowerShot A530) Printing to about A4 size (Approx. 210 x 297 mm (8.3 x 11.7 in.)) (PowerShot A540) Printing to about A4 size (Approx. 210 x 297 mm (8.3 x 11.7 in.)) (PowerShot A530) Printing to about A5 size (Approx. 149 x 210 mm (5.9 x 8.3 in.)) Print postcard-size prints 148 x 100 mm (6 x 4 in.) Print L-size prints 119 x 89 mm (4.7 x 3.5 in.) Send images as e-mail Low attachments or shoot more images When printing to postcards (p. 35) Print on wide paper (Records at a 16:9 width-to-height aspect ratio. Portions not recorded are left black.) (Large) 2816 x 2112 pixels 2592 x 1944 pixels (Medium 1) 2272 x 1704 pixels 2048 x 1536 pixels (Medium 2) 1600 x 1200 pixels (Small) (Postcard Date Imprint Mode) (Widescreen) 640 x 480 pixels 1600 x 1200 pixels 2816 x 1584 pixels 2592 x 1456 pixels Approximate Values for Compression Settings Compression Superfine Fine Normal Normal Purpose Shoot normal quality images Shoot more images High Quality Shoot higher quality images See Image Data Sizes (Estimated) (p. 126). See Memory Cards and Estimated Capacities (p. 123, 124). 32 Using the Digital Zoom PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 You can shoot zoomed images using the combined digital and optical zooms. Stills: zoom up to approximately 16 times Movies (Standard): zoom up to approximately 16 times (PowerShot A540) Movies (Standard): zoom up to approximately 8.1 times (PowerShot A530) The digital zoom cannot be used when the LCD monitor is turned off. 1 (Rec.) Menu [Digital Zoom] [On]. Shooting See Menus and Settings (p. 23). 2 Press the zoom lever toward and shoot. The combined digital and optical zoom setting will display in the LCD monitor. When you press the zoom lever toward , the zoom stops when the lens reaches the maximum optical telephoto setting (when shooting still images). Press the zoom lever toward again to activate the digital zoom and further zoom the image digitally. Press the zoom lever toward to zoom out. An image will appear coarser the more it is digitally zoomed. Digital zoom can only be used in when shooting movies. Digital zoom cannot be used in ( , ) mode, or in , , or modes. 33 Continuous Shooting PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 In this mode, the camera shoots continuously while the shutter button is held down. If you use the recommended memory card*, you can shoot continuously (smooth continuous shooting) at a set shooting interval until the memory card is full (p. 123, 124). *Recommended Memory Card: Super high-speed SDC-512MSH memory card (sold separately) to which low-level formatting (p. 30) is conducted immediately before shooting. · This reflects standard shooting criteria established by Canon. Actual results may vary according to the subject and shooting conditions. · Even if continuous shooting suddenly stops, the memory card may not be full. 1 FUNC. Menu * Default setting. * (Drive Mode) See Menus and Settings (p. 22). 2 Shoot. The camera will continue to record successive images while the shutter button is held down. Recording will cease when the shutter button is released. To Cancel Continuous Shooting Follow procedure 1 to display The interval between shots lengthens when the built-in memory of the camera fills. If the flash is used, the interval between shots lengthens because the flash must charge. In ( , ) mode, is not available. 34 Postcard Date Imprint Mode PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 You can shoot images with the optimal settings for postcards by composing them inside the print area (width-to-height ratio of approximately 3:2) shown in the LCD monitor. 1 FUNC. Menu * Default setting. * (Postcard). See Menus and Settings (p. 22). Shooting The recording pixels are set to (1600 x 1200) and the compression to (Fine). When the shutter button is pressed halfway, the area that will not get printed in postcard size grays out. The digital zoom cannot be used in this mode. For printing instructions, refer to the Direct Print User Guide. 35 Embedding the Date in the Image Data You can embed the date in image data when Date Imprint Mode) is selected. (Postcard 1 (Rec.) Menu [Date & Time]. [Date Stamp] [Date]/ See Menus and Settings (p. 23). LCD monitor display : [Off] : [Date]/[Date & Time] Ensure that the camera's date/time is set beforehand (p. 26). The date stamp cannot be deleted from the image data once it has been set. 36 Using the Self-Timer PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 You can set a 10 sec. ( ) or 2 sec. ( ) delay, or a custom delay time and the number of shots ( Custom Timer), for shooting after the shutter button is pressed. 1 FUNC. Menu * Default setting. * (Drive Mode) / / . See Menus and Settings (p. 22). : 2 sec. before the shutter releases, the self-timer sound and lamp will speed up. : The self-timer sound will play when the shutter button is pressed and the shutter will release 2 sec. later. : You can change the delay time (0 ­ 10, 15, 20, 30 sec.) and number of shots (1 ­ 10) (p. 38). However, these ( , ), and settings cannot be set for modes. Shooting 2 Shoot. When the shutter button is pressed fully, the self-timer lamp will blink. When using red-eye reduction, the self-timer lamp will blink and then stay lit for the last 2 seconds. To Cancel the Self-Timer Follow procedure 1 to display . 37 Changing the Delay Time and Number of Shots ( ) 1 . See Menus and Settings (p. 22). 2 Change [Delay]/[Shots] The self-timer sound will behave as follows. - When a delay time of over 2 seconds is set, the self-timer will start playing 2 seconds before the shutter releases. - If multiple shots have been specified for the [Shots] option, the sound will play for the first shot only. If the [Shots] option is set to 2 or more shots, the following occurs. - The exposure and white balance are locked at the settings selected for the first shot. - If the flash is used, the interval between shots lengthens because the flash must charge. - The interval between shots may lengthen when the built-in memory of the camera fills. - Shooting will automatically cease if the memory card becomes full. 38 Movie Shooting PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 The following movie modes are available. For information on the recording pixels and frame rate in each mode, refer to "Recording Pixels and Frame Rates" (p. 42). The recording time will differ according to the memory card used (p. 125). Standard You can select the recording pixels and frame rate*1 and record until the memory card is full (when a super high-speed memory card is used, such as the recommended SDC-512MSH). The digital zoom can be used while shooting in this mode (p. 33). · Maximum Size: 1 GB/movie*2 Fast Frame Rate (PowerShot A540 only) Use this mode to record fast moving subjects, such as in sports photography. · Maximum Clip Length: 1 minute Compact Since the recording pixels are few and also the capacity is low, this mode is convenient for sending movies as e-mail attachments or when the memory card capacity is low. · Maximum Clip Length: 3 minutes Color Accent, Color Swap You can have only the specified color remain and change all others into black and white, or change a specified color into a different color (p. 60, 61). As with the Standard mode, you can select the recording pixels and frame rate*1 and record until the memory card is full (when a super high-speed memory card is used, such as the recommended SDC-512MSH). · Maximum Size: 1 GB/movie*2 *1 *2 Shooting The frame rate can be selected only for PowerShot A540. Even if the size of the movie data has not reached 1GB, recording may stop when a shooting time of 1 hour has elapsed. 39 1 Select a movie mode using the or button. In , or mode, you can change the recording pixels and frame rate (p. 41). For and mode procedures, see "Changing the Color" (p. 60). 2 Shoot. Pressing the shutter button halfway automatically sets the exposure, focus and white balance settings. Pressing the shutter button fully starts recording video and sound simultaneously. During shooting, the recording time and [ Rec] appear on the LCD monitor. Pressing the shutter button fully again stops recording. Recording will stop automatically under the following circumstances. - When the maximum recording time elapses - When the built-in memory or memory card becomes full You are recommended to use a memory card that has been formatted in your camera to shoot movies (p. 30). The memory card supplied with the camera may be used without further formatting. Be careful of the following while recording. - Do not touch the microphone. - Do not press any buttons other than the shutter button. The sound that buttons make will be recorded in the movie. - The camera will automatically adjust the exposure and white balance to suit the shooting conditions during recording. Please note, however, that the sounds made by the camera automatically adjusting the exposure may also be recorded. The focus and optical zoom settings remain fixed for subsequent frames at the values selected for the first frame. 40 QuickTime 3.0 or later is required to play back movies (Data type: AVI/Compression method: Motion JPEG) on a computer. QuickTime (for Windows) is included on the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk. On the Macintosh platform, this program is standard with Mac OS X or later. Changing Recording Pixels and Frame Rates (Movies) You can change the recording pixels and frame rate* when the movie mode is set to (Standard), (Color Accent) or (Color Swap). * The frame rate can be changed only for PowerShot A540. PowerShot A540 Shooting 1 FUNC. Menu Pixels) * Default setting. * (Recording (Frame Rate). See Menus and Settings (p. 22). Use the or button to select a recording pixels/frame rate and press the FUNC./SET button. PowerShot A530 1 FUNC. Menu * Default setting. * (Recording Pixels) See Menus and Settings (p. 22). Use the or button to select the recording pixels and press the FUNC./SET button. 41 Recording Pixels and Frame Rates Frame rates indicate the number of frames recorded or played back each second. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the appearance of motion. PowerShot A540 Recording Pixels Standard Color Accent Color Swap Fast Frame Rate*2 Compact* 2 Frame Rate (frames/sec.) ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ 640 x 480 pixels 320 x 240 pixels 320 x 240 pixels 160 x 120 pixels *1 *1 Default setting. *2 The recording pixels and frame rate are fixed. PowerShot A530 The frame rate is fixed. Recording Pixels Standard Color Accent Color Swap Compact *1 Default setting. Frame Rate (frames/sec.) ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ 640 x 480 pixels 320 x 240 pixels 160 x 120 pixels *1 See Image Data Sizes (Estimated) (p. 126). See Memory Cards and Estimated Capacities (p. 123). 42 Shooting Panoramic Images (Stitch Assist) PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 Stitch Assist can be used to shoot overlapping images that can later be merged (stitched) to create one panoramic image on a computer. Shooting The overlapping seams of several adjacent images can be joined into a single panoramic image. 1 Use the or direction. button to select a shooting You can select from the following two shooting directions. Left to right horizontally Right to left horizontally - 2 Shoot the first image in the sequence. The exposure and white balance are set and locked with the first image. 43 3 Compose the second image so that it overlaps a portion of the first and shoot. You can press the or button to return to the previously recorded image to retake the shot. Minor discrepancies in the overlapping portions can be corrected when the images are stitched together. 4 Repeat the procedure for additional images. A sequence may contain up to 26 images. Press the FUNC./SET button after the last shot. You cannot display the images on a TV when shooting in Stitch Assist mode. The settings for the first image are applied to the second image onward. Use PhotoStitch, a supplied software program, to merge the images on a computer. When the button is pressed, you can switch between the items which you can set. - Exposure compensation/Shooting direction selection Program AE PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture value to match the brightness of the subject. When a correct exposure cannot be obtained, the shutter speed and aperture values are shown in red on the LCD monitor when the shutter button is pressed halfway. Use the following shooting methods to obtain the correct exposure and make them show in white (PowerShot A540 only). - Using the flash - Changing the ISO speed 44 - Changing the metering method Setting the Shutter Speed PowerShot A540 When you set the shutter speed, the camera automatically selects an aperture value to match the brightness of the subject. Faster shutter speeds allow you to catch an instantaneous image of a moving subject, while slower speeds create a flowing effect and allow you to shoot without a flash in dark areas. If the aperture value is shown in red, the image is underexposed (insufficient light) or overexposed (too much light). Use the or button to adjust the shutter speed until the aperture value shows in white. The nature of CCD image sensors is such that noise in the recorded image increases at slow shutter speeds. This camera, however, applies special processing to images shot at shutter speeds slower than 1.3 seconds to eliminate the noise, thereby producing high-quality images. (However, a certain amount of processing time may be required before the next image can be shot.) The fastest shutter speed for flash synchronization is 1/500 second. The camera automatically resets the shutter speed to 1/500 second if a faster speed is selected. Shutter Speed Display The following shutter speeds can be set. 1/160 indicates 1/160 second. Also, 0"3 indicates 0.3 second and 2" indicates 2 seconds. 15" 13" 10" 8" 6" 5" 4" 3"2 2"5 2" 1"6 1"3 1" 0"8 0"6 0"5 0"4 0"3 1/4 1/5 1/6 1/8 1/10 1/13 1/15 1/20 1/25 1/30 1/40 1/50 1/60 1/80 1/100 1/125 1/160 1/200 1/250 1/320 1/400 1/500 1/640 1/800 1/1000 1/1250 1/1600 1/2000 45 Shooting Setting the Aperture PowerShot A540 The aperture adjusts the amount of light entering through the lens. When you set the aperture value, the camera automatically selects a shutter speed to match the brightness. Selecting a lower aperture value (opening the aperture) allows you to blur the background and create a beautiful portrait. A higher aperture value (closing it) brings the entire range from foreground to background into focus. The larger the aperture value, the greater the range of the image brought into clear focus. If the shutter speed is shown in red, the image is underexposed (insufficient light) or overexposed (too much light). Adjust the aperture value using the or button until the shutter speed display turns to white. Some aperture values may not be available with certain zoom positions (p. 47). In this mode, the shutter speed range with synchronized flash is 1/60 second to 1/500 second. The aperture value setting may therefore be changed automatically to match the synchronized flash speed even if its value was set previously. Aperture Value Display The larger the aperture value, the smaller the lens aperture. F2.6 F3.2 F3.5 F4.0 F4.5 F5.0 F5.5 F5.6 F6.3 F7.1 F8.0 46 Manually Setting the Shutter Speed and Aperture PowerShot A540 PowerShot A530 You can manually set the shutter speed and aperture to shoot images. When you press the shutter button halfway, the difference between the standard exposure* and the selected exposure appears on the LCD monitor. If the difference is more than ±2 stops, "­2" or "+2" appears in red. * Standard exposure levels are calculated by measuring light according to the currently selected metering mode. . Shooting If you wish to change the exposure, select shutter speed or aperture using the button, then adjust the value using the or button. If the zoom is adjusted after these values are set, the aperture value may change in accordance with the zoom position. The LCD monitor's brightness matches the selected shutter speed and aperture value. When you select a fast shutter speed or shoot a subject in a dark place, the image will always be bright if the flash is set to (Flash on, with red-eye reduction) or (Flash on). The same shutter speeds that can be set for the PowerShot A540, can also be set for the PowerShot A530. See page 45 for details. The aperture values that can be set for the PowerShot A530 are shown below. Some aperture values may not be available depending on the zoom position. For the PowerShot A540, see page 46. F2.6 F3.2 F3.5 F4.0 F4.5 F5.0 F5.5 F5.6 F6.3 F7.1 F8.0 F9.0 F10 F11 The aperture value and shutter speed change according to the zoom state (p. 48). 47 PowerShot A540 Aperture Value Maximum Wide Angle Maximum Telephoto F2.6 ­ 3.5 F4.0 ­ 8.0 F5.5 ­ 7.1 F8.0 Shutter Speed (seconds) 15 ­ 1/1250 15 ­ 1/2000 15 ­ 1/1250 15 ­ 1/2000 PowerShot A530 Aperture Value Maximum Wide Angle Maximum Telephoto F2.6 F5.6 F5.5 F11 Shutter Speed (seconds) 15 ­ 1/1250 15 ­ 1/2000 15 ­ 1/1250 15 ­ 1/2000 48