User manual POLAROID A801

User Guide a801 8.0 Megapixel Digital Camera This manual should help you understand your new product. If you have questions, call our toll-free number found on the insert with this icon: Questions? Need some help? DIGITAL QUALITY, POLAROID SIMPLICITYTM www.polaroid.com Product Overview 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Shutter button Flash Lens Power button Self-timer LED Speaker Microphone PO LA ROID DIGITAL CA M E RA 7 8. Zoom in button 9. Zoom out/ Thumbail button 10. Power LED 11. Flash LED 12. LCD Screen 13. Left button 14. Menu button 15. Wrist strap holder 16. Mode button 17. Flash / Up button 18. Self-timer / Right button 19. Delete / Down button 20. LCD screen on/ off button 21. OK button 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. Tripod mount 23. USB port 24. Battery / SD card door 22 23 24 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com Table of Contents Product Overview...........................................................................2 Table of Contents...........................................................................3 1 Getting Started ..........................................................................6 · Camera Package Contents .........................................................7 · Attaching the Wrist Strap ..........................................................8 · Installing and Removing the Battery ............................................8 · Using Your Batteries .................................................................9 · Checking the Battery Level ......................................................10 · Turning the Camera On and Off ...............................................10 2 Camera Settings........................................................................11 · Checking Camera Status ........................................................11 · Capture Modes ......................................................................11 · Playback Mode.......................................................................14 · Camera Modes .......................................................................15 · How to Navigate Menus ..........................................................15 · Setup Menu ..........................................................................16 · Setting Date and Time ...........................................................17 · Setting Auto Power Off ..........................................................18 · Setting the Beep Sound On / Off ............................................19 · Adjusting volume control .......................................................19 · Setting the Display Language .................................................20 · Setting the Date Stamp On / Off .............................................21 · Adjusting the LCD Brightness...................................................21 · Turning Sequence Number On / Off ..........................................22 · Restting to Default Settings ....................................................23 · Cancelling the Startup Image ..................................................24 · Choosing the Media for Storage ...............................................25 · Selecting the Battery Type ......................................................26 · Turning the Information Display On/Off .....................................27 3 Taking Pictures .........................................................................29 · Taking Pictures in Normal Mode ...............................................29 · Setting Flash Mode ................................................................30 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · · · · · · · Setting Self-timer ...................................................................32 Setting the Picture Resolution and Compression .........................33 Setting the Sharpness ............................................................36 Zoom Feature .......................................................................37 Specifying the Quick Review Period .........................................38 Setting Exposure Compensation ...............................................39 Setting White Balance .............................................................40 4 Recording Video Clips ................................................................41 · Recording Video Clips ............................................................41 · Setting Video Resolution .........................................................42 · Setting Exposure Compensation for Video Clips .........................43 · Setting White Balance for Video Clips .......................................44 5 Managing Pictures and Video Clips ..............................................45 · Reviewing Pictures ................................................................45 · Reviewing Pictures and Video Clip Files in Thumbnail ................45 · Magnifying & Trimming the Displayed Picture ............................46 · Playing a Video Clip on LCD Screen ..........................................46 · Protecting/Unprotecting Pictures and Video Clips ......................47 · Running a Slide Show .............................................................48 · Copy to Card ........................................................................49 · Copy from Card ....................................................................50 · Deleting Pictures or Video Clip ................................................51 6 Print Settings ............................................................................53 · About PictBridge ....................................................................53 · About DPOF .........................................................................61 7 Using the SD (Secure Digital) Card ..............................................63 · Using the SD Card ..................................................................63 · Formatting a SD card .............................................................66 8 Installing the Software onto a Computer ......................................67 · Installing the Software ............................................................67 · Software Included with Your Camera ........................................69 · Computer System Requirements...............................................70 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 9 Transferring Pictures and Video Clips to a Computer ....................71 · Before Transferring Files ..........................................................71 · Connecting to Your Computer ..................................................71 · Transferring Pictures and Video Clips to a Computer ...................72 10 Troubleshooting Problems .........................................................74 11 Getting Help ...........................................................................77 · Polaroid Online Services ..........................................................77 · ArcSoft Software Help ............................................................77 12 Appendix ................................................................................78 · Technical specifications ..........................................................78 · Storage Capacities..................................................................80 · Uninstalling Polaroid a801 Driver (PC only) ................................83 · Camera Default Settings..........................................................84 · Tips, Your Safety & Maintenance .............................................86 · Regulatory Information ............................................................87 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 1 Getting Started Thank you for selecting the new Polaroid a801 digital camera for your imaging needs. Incorporated with Polaroid's sophisticated technology, your exquisitely compact camera will offer a powerful range of high-end, easy-to-use functions. It will allow you to capture those special occasions with life-like clarity and beautiful color renditions. Outstanding features that your a801 digital camera has: · · · A high quality glass lens system for well exposed sharp pictures from 1.2m to infinity including a 4X digital zoom mode: Built-in flash with four modes (Auto, Red-eye reduction, Off and Always on) Adjust your picture's resolution for printing or emailing . · · Automatic white balance and exposure compensation to suit lighting conditions . PictBridge capability to plug-and-print your images . · Large 2.0 inch LCD screen for easier image preview and review. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Camera Package Contents First Class Postage Required Post Office will not deliver without proper postage ID DIGITAL POLARO CAME RA PO LAR OID DIGITAL CA ME RA Digital Imaging Products 201 Burlington Road Bedford, MA 01730-1434 a801 Quick Start Guide Warranty Card Skin 4 x AAA Battery USB Cable Wrist Strap The CD-ROM Includes: a801 Digital Camera Driver (PC only) ArcSoft® PhotoStudio® 5.5 (PC) /ArcSoft® PhotoStudio® 4.3 (Mac) ArcSoft PhotoPrinter® 5 (PC) /ArcSoft PhotoPrinter® 4 (Mac) Adobe® Acrobat® ReaderTM (PC&Mac) User Manual (in PDF format) Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Attaching the Wrist Strap 1 2 · Installing and Removing the Battery 1. Open the camera battery door by pushing it outwards as illustrated. 2. Insert the battery as shown. 3. Close the battery door by pressing it downwards then slide it back to lock. 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 4. To remove the battery, slide the battery lock in the direction of the arrow and the battery will eject out of the battery slot. 5. Pull the battery with your finger in the direction of the arrow. 4 5 1 2 8 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Using Your Batteries Our laboratory testing has shown that our digital camera models comply with industry standard battery consumption levels (Camera & Imaging Products Association commonly known as CIPA). All digital cameras are high drain products. For the best performance and prolonged battery life, we recommend the use of high capacity batteries designed for such applications. NOTE: It is very important that the correct battery type be chosen. Go to page 26 to make your selection. Here are some helpful hints to extend battery life considerably by limiting the following activities: · Reviewing the pictures on the LCD Screen · Using the optical viewfinder (if your camera has one) to frame the subject when taking pictures · Reduce the excessive use of the flash · Remove batteries from your camera when not in use for long periods of time. WARNING! · Batteries should be replaced by an adult. · Use recommended or equivalent type of batteries only. · Insert the batteries in the correct orientation. · Remove exhausted batteries from the camera immediately. · Do not short the supply terminals. · Please dispose of the batteries properly. These instructions should be retained for future reference. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Checking the Battery Level Check the battery power level before taking pictures. 1. Turn on the camera. 2. Check the battery power level that appears on the LCD screen. Battery power is full. Battery power is adequate. Battery power is low. Batter power is exhausted. Please replace the battery. x1.0 00001 3264x2448 · Turning the Camera On and Off 1. Press the 2. Press the (POWER) button until the (POWER) button again to Power on LED screen turns on. turn the power off. 10 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 2 Camera Settings · Checking Camera Status Turn on the camera, view the camera's LCD screen to check which camera settings are active. Those particular features whose icons are not displayed are not activated. · Capture Modes Still Image Mode 1 2 3 00001 13 12 3264x2448 4 5 6 7 8 x1.0 11 No. 1 2 3 Description Capture Mode Flash Mode Self-timer 10 9 Icon Ref. Page 15 , , 10 , 30 32 2 , Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 11 No. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Description Number of Remaining Pictures Image Resolution Compression Sharpness Internal Memory/ SD Card Battery Power Level Histogram Digital Zoom Factor White balance Exposure Compensation Value 00001 3264 X 2448 , , / , , Icon Ref. Page 33 34 36 10 X 1.0 ............ X 4.0 37 40 39 Need help with your digital camera? Call our toll-free customer service number. Look for the insert with this icon: Or visit www.polaroid.com. 1 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com Video Mode 1 640X480 No. 1 2 3 4 5 Video Mode Exposure Description Icon Ref. Page 41 43 44 White balance Record indicator Recorded Time 00:00:03 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 1 · Playback Mode 1 001-0012 3264x2448 8 00:00:06 2007/01/01 00:30 10 2007/01/01 00:30 No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Description Playback mode Protect File Number Resolution Displayed Date and time Battery Power Level Video Mode Play Time Stop Play and Pause / 00:00:06 Icon Ref. Page 14 47 100-0012.JPG 3264 X 2448 2007/01/01 00:30 22 10 1 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Camera Modes The camera has three working modes, Capture mode, Playback mode and Video mode. Pressing the mode button switches among these modes. · How to Navigate Menus Menus are used to select capture and play settings, as well as other camera settings like the Date/Time and Auto Power Off. 1. Press the button to enter Menu Settings. Press the button and press the button to enter setup settings. 2. Press the and buttons to scroll up and down through menu bars. 3. Press the button to enter. Press the to back to menu bars. 4. Press the options. 5. Press the and button Resolution 3264X2448 3072X2304 2816X2112 2048X1536 1/2 Menu Settings SETUP Date /Time Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume 1/4 buttons to select Setup Settings button to confirm your choice. 1 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Setup Menu You can change the basic settings of the camera in Capture and Video modes.Here we take the mode for an example. 1. Press the button and press the enter setup menu. button to and buttons to scroll up and 2. Press the down through menu bars. 3. Press the button to enter. Press the to back to menu bars. 4. Press the 5. Press the 6. Press the and button buttons to select options. Menu button button to confirm your choice. button to exit the setup menu. SETUP Date /Time Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume 1/4 Date /Time . 2007.01.01 12:00:00 YY.MM.DD 1 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Setting the Date and Time 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press or button to select (DATE / TIME). 3. Press the button to enter. Date /Time Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume 1/4 SETUP 4. Press the or button to select a field, such as year, month, day, hour, minute, and date format. 5. Press or button to adjust the value in the field and select the date format. 6. Press the button to confirm your choice. Date /Time . 2007.01.01 12:00:00 YY.MM.DD NOTE: · This setting is also available in (Video) mode. Need help with your digital camera? Call our toll-free customer service number. Look for the insert with this icon: Or visit www.polaroid.com. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 1 · Setting Auto Power Off The camera performs the following power save operation to conserve battery power. 1. Access the setup menu. Date /Time SETUP 2. Press the Power Off). 3. Press the 4. Press 5. Press the or or button to select (Auto Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume 1/4 button to enter. to select the desired setting. button to confirm your choice. Auto Power Off Off 1 Minute 3 Minutes 1 MINUTE / 3 MINUTES The camera is designed to switch off automatically to save battery life after the specified period of inactivity. The power saving function is not active. OFF NOTE: Auto power off is automatically disabled under any one of the following conditions: · While the camera is recording a video clip. · While the camera is running a slide show. 18 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Setting the Beep Sound On / Off The beep sound can be turned on and off in the SETUP menu. When the beep sound is turned on, the camera will beep when you press any of the buttons. SETUP 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the or button to select (Beep Sound). 3. Press the button to enter. 4. Press the or button to select the desired setting. 5. Press the button to confirm your choice. Date /Time Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume 1/4 Beep Sound Off On · Adjusting Volume Control Volume can be adjusted for beep sounds and video clips. 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the or button to select (Volume). 3. Press the button to enter. 4. Press the or button to select the desired setting. 5. Press the button to confirm your choice. SETUP Date /Time Auto Power Off Beep Sound Volume 1/4 Volume Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 1 · Setting the Display Language Under this setting, you can select the language you prefer for the LCD screen. 1. Access the setup menu. SETUP Language 2. Press the (LANGUAGE). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the or button to select Date Stamp LCD Brightness Format button to enter. or button to select the desired English Deutsch Français Español 2/4 Language button to confirm your choice. Italiano Português 1/2 Language 2/2 0 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Setting the Date Stamp On / Off Use the date stamp setting to imprint the date on your pictures. Make sure the date is correct before setting the date stamp on. 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the Stamp). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the or button to select (Date SETUP Language Date Stamp LCD Brightness Format button to enter. or button to select the desired Date / Time Date Off 2/4 Date Stamp button to confirm your choice. · Adjusting the LCD Brightness 1. Access the setup menu. This setting enables you to adjust the brightness for the LCD screen. SETUP Language 2. Press the Brightness). 3. Press the 4. Press the setting. 5. Press the or to select ICON (LCD Date Stamp LCD Brightness Format button to enter. or button to select the desired 2/4 LCD Brightness button to confirm your choice. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 1 · Turning Sequence Number On / Off The instructions below show how to select the way file numbers are assigned. SETUP 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the or (Sequence No.). 3. Press the to select ICON Sequence No. Default Setting Opening Storage Media 3/4 button to enter. button to select the Off On Sequence No. 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the button to confirm your choice. ON OFF The file numbers are reassigned to the start each time when any images are removed from the memory card or internal memory is formatted. New images recorded on the memory card with existing files are given the next available number. A file number is assigned to a recorded image and memorized and images recorded onto a memory card start from the next number. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Resetting to Default Settings Default setting can be restored by the following steps (For more guidelines, please see "Camera Default Settings" on page 84 ). 1. Access the setup menu. Sequence No. SETUP 2. Press the or (Default Settings). 3. Press the to select ICON Default Setting Opening Storage Media button to enter. button to select the 3/4 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the Default Setting Return Menu Setting To Default button to confirm your choice. Cancel OK Selecting CANCEL will cancel the operation and exit from the menu window. NOTE: Need help with your digital camera? Call our toll-free customer service number. Look for the insert with this icon: Or visit www.polaroid.com. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Canceling the Startup Image A startup animation image appears on the LCD screen for a few seconds when the camera is turned on. You may cancel displaying the startup image according to the following steps: 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the (Opening). 3. Press the or to select ICON Sequence No. Default Setting Opening SETUP button to enter. button to select the Storage Media 3/4 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the Opening Off button to confirm your choice. On Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Choosing the Media for Storage 1. Access the setup menu. You can choose your preferred media for images or video clips storage. SETUP Sequence No. 2. Press the or (Storage Media). 3. Press the to select ICON Default Setting Opening Storage Media button to enter. button to select the 3/4 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the Storage Media Auto Int. Memory button to confirm your choice. SD Card Auto Int. Memory SD Card Images and video clips are stored on SD card if present otherwise the camera selects internal memory. The images or video clips will be stored in internal memory first. The images or video clips will be stored in SD card first Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Selecting the Battery Type To ensure the camera displays battery.level correctly, set the type to match the batteries used. 1. Access the setup menu. 2. Press the or (Battery Type). 3. Press the to select ICON Battery Type SETUP button to enter. button to select the 4/4 4. Press the or desired setting. 5. Press the Battery Type Alkaline NiMH button to confirm your choice. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Turning the Information Display On/Off Press the button each time switches the LCD screen to the next display mode in the following mode. LCD Screen On/Off Button Still Image Mode 00001 3264X2448 3264X2448 00001 Press Press Press Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com Video Mode Press Press Press Playback Mode 100-0012.JPG Press 3264x2448 001-0012 Press 2007/01/01 00:30 2007/01/01 00:30 Press 001-0013 Press 001-0013 640X480 Press Press 8 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 3 Taking Pictures Before you take pictures, please read this note first: NOTE: Never remove the batteries while a picture is being saved. Doing so will prevent the current picture from being saved and may corrupt other pictures already stored on the camera's internal memory or a memory card. · Taking Pictures in Normal Mode You can take pictures at approximately 1.2m to infinity. NOTE: Most settings are saved by the camera when the power is turned off, so that the same setting is automatically available when the power is turned on again. Make sure you verify your settings when turning the camera on again. 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Frame your subject using the LCD screen. 3 Hold the camera steady and slowly press the shutter button down to take your image. 3264x2448 00012 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Setting Flash Mode Use the flash when you take pictures at night, indoors, or outdoors in heavy shadows.The camera has four flash modes (default setting is Auto Flash). Flash Range: · Normal: 1.2m (3.9 ft) to 2.0 m (6.6 ft) 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press the button to cycle through the flash settings and select the one you need. The icon (according to the flash setting you selected) will appear on the LCD screen 00001 3264X2448 0 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com The camera has four flash modes (default setting is Auto Flash). Use the flash when you take pictures at night, indoors, or outdoors in heavy shadows. Display Option Auto Description The flash fires automatically as needed. Use this setting to take most pictures. The flash does not fire. Use this setting for outdoor pictures or where flash is prohibited or may be distracting. Use when shooting toward a reflective surface, such as a window or mirror. If you do not have enough light when using this setting, your pictures will be too dark. The flash fires for every picture. Use this setting in high-contrast situations to provide flash or use it indoors in low light. The flash fires a few times before taking your picture to reduce the red-eye phenomenon. A Flash Off Always On Red-eye Reduction NOTE: · Flash modes are only used in still image shooting. · Never touch or block the flash with your fingers. Need help with your digital camera? Call our toll-free customer service number. Look for the insert with this icon: Or visit www.polaroid.com. Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com 1 · Setting Self-timer Your camera is designed with a self timer function which will allow you to take pictures with a count down of 2 or 10 seconds. 1. Press the 2. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. button to select self-timer. 00001 3264X2448 Display Option Off 2-SEC Record a single image Description Take a picture after a count down of 2 seconds Take a picture after a count down of 10 seconds 10 10-SEC 3. Capture procedures are the same as for taking a picture in the normal capture mode. See page 29 . NOTE: · This feature is only available in Still Image mode. · Place the camera on a flat surface or use a tripod when using the self-timer function Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com · Setting the Picture Resolution and Compression Picture resolution refers to the number of pixels in a digital picture. Picture quality depends on the JPEG file compression that the camera applies when the picture is taken. Higher resolution and less compression makes better quality and occupies more memory space. Smaller size and normal quality pictures are easier to email while larger size and fine quality pictures are better for printing. Resolution setting 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press the button to enter menu bar. 3. Press the (Resolution). 4. Press the or to select STILL Resolution Compression Sharpness Quick Review button to enter. button to select the Resolution 3264x2448 3072x2304 2816x2112 2048x1536 5. Press the or desired setting. 6. Press the button to confirm your choice. 1/2 Polaroid a801 Digital Camera User Guide www.polaroid.com Compression setting 1. Press the button to set the camera to Still Image mode. 2. Press the button to enter menu bar. to select ICON STILL Resolution Compression Sharpness Quick Review 3. Press the or (Compression). 4. Press the Compression button to enter. button to select the Super Fine Fine 5. Press the or desired setting. 6. Press the choice. Normal button to confirm your Need help with your digital camera?