Canon A5 User manual

We recommend that first-time users of the Canon PowerShot A5 start

by consulting the Quick Start Guide. Read this guide for additional details about

the use and functions of the Canon PowerShot A5. This guide presents

individual explanations of each camera function.

ENGLISH

2

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a Canon PowerShot

A5, the easy-to-use, compact digital camera with

a large range of functions incorporated into a

card-sized body.

Please read this guide and the Quick Start

Guide to gain maximum benefit of the high-

quality digital imaging made possible with the

PowerShot A5.

Please read the Handling and Safety

Precautions section of this guide before

attempting to use the camera.

About the LCD panel

The LCD panel incorporates extremely high-

precision technology. When the panel is in

use, minute black, red or green spots may

appear and linger. The pixels are operating at

99.99% effectiveness, and this does not

constitute a malfanction. Moreover, these

spots have no effect on the image you

record.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure that the

information contained in this manual is accurate and

complete, no liability can be accepted for any errors or

omissions. Canon Inc. reserves the right to change the

specifications of the hardware and software described

herein at any time without prior notice.

No part of this manual may be reproduced, transmitted,

transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into

any language in any form, by any means without prior

written permission of Canon Inc.

Canon Inc. makes no warranties for damages resulting

from corrupted or lost data due to a mistaken operation

or malfunction of the camera, the CompactFlash

TM

cards

(CF cards), personal computers, peripheral devices or use

of non-Canon CF cards.

Trademark Acknowledgement

Canon and PowerShot are trademarks of Canon Inc.

Adobe and Adobe Photoshop are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Apple, Macintosh and Power Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.

IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the

U.S. and other countries.

Ulead Systems, Inc. and PhotoImpact are trademarks of Ulead Systems, Inc.

Other names and products not mentioned above may be trademarks or registered

trademarks of their respective companies.

3

Table of Contents

Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category ........... 5

Handling and Safety Precautions ............................ 9

Guide to Components ........................................... 16

Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 ................... 18

Image Size and Quality Specifications ............. 18

Power On/Off Switch ........................................ 19

Power Save Function ..................................... 19

Camera Modes .................................................. 20

Display Panel ..................................................... 21

Viewfinder ........................................................ 22

Viewfinder Frame Marks ............................... 22

Indicators .......................................................... 23

Shutter Button .................................................. 24

Pressing Halfway ............................................ 24

Pressing Fully .................................................. 25

Continuous/Self-Timer (+) Button .................... 25

Flash (-) Button ................................................. 26

Macro/Jump Button .......................................... 28

LCD Button ........................................................ 29

MENU Button .................................................... 29

SET Button ........................................................ 30

Mode Dial Functions ............................................. 31

Lock ................................................................... 31

Auto Mode ........................................................ 31

Buttons Available in Auto Mode ................... 31

Program Mode .................................................. 32

Buttons Available in Program Mode ............. 32

Stitch Assist Mode ............................................. 33

What is Stitch Assist? ..................................... 33

Play Mode ......................................................... 34

Multi Mode ....................................................... 34

PC Mode ............................................................ 35

Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode ................... 36

Buttons Available in Stitch Assist Mode ........ 36

Retaking a Picture .......................................... 36

When a Sequence is Complete ...................... 36

Shooting Hints .................................................. 37

Procedures for Shooting Horizontal/Vertical

Sequences ......................................................... 38

2x2 Shot Procedures ......................................... 39

Menu Features ...................................................... 42

Record Menu .................................................. 42

Play Menu ...................................................... 42

Basic Menu Operations ..................................... 43

MENU Button ................................................. 43

+/- Buttons ...................................................... 43

SET Button ...................................................... 43

Record Menu..................................................... 44

Quality ............................................................ 44

Review ............................................................ 45

+/- (Exp.) ......................................................... 45

Reset File No. ................................................. 46

4

Table of Contents continued... 2/2

About File Numbers ....................................... 46

Play Menu ......................................................... 47

Show Info. ...................................................... 47

Slide Show ...................................................... 47

Protect ............................................................ 50

Erase ............................................................... 51

Print Mark ...................................................... 51

Setup ................................................................. 52

LCD ................................................................. 52

Beep ............................................................... 53

Power Save ..................................................... 53

Reset ............................................................... 53

Date/Time ....................................................... 53

Format ............................................................ 54

Language ....................................................... 54

Connecting to a TV ............................................... 55

Connecting to a Computer ................................... 56

Connecting to a Windows Computer .............. 56

Connecting to a Macintosh Computer ............. 56

Changing the Button Battery and Setting

the Date/Time ........................................................ 58

Changing the Button Battery ........................... 58

Setting the Date/Time ....................................... 60

Camera Maintenance ............................................ 61

Optional Accessories ............................................. 62

Soft Case ........................................................... 62

CF Cards ............................................................. 62

CF Cards and Capacities ................................. 62

PCMCIA Card Adapter ...................................... 63

CF Card Reader ................................................. 63

Digital Printer CD-200 ....................................... 63

Troubleshooting .................................................... 64

List of Message Codes ........................................... 69

List of Messages .................................................... 70

Specifications ......................................................... 71

Appendix A: Canon Battery Pack NB-5H .............. 73

Appendix B: Canon Compact Power Adapter ...... 77

Appendix C: CompactFlash™ Card ....................... 81

Index ...................................................................... 85

Canon Customer Support ..................................... 87

Ulead Customer Support ...................................... 90

5

Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category

Shooting

Flash photography with humans or animals as subjects .................................................................................................................. 26

How to aim the camera at your subject to improve the focus ......................................................................................................... 22

How to adjust the exposure setting (Exposure Compensation) ....................................................................................................... 45

How to compensate for a backlight subject ................................................................................................................................... 45

How to compensate for a subject in shadow ................................................................................................................................. 45

How to force the flash to go off .................................................................................................................................................... 26

How to press the Shutter button ................................................................................................................................................... 24

How to shoot continuous frames ............................................................................................................................................ 25, 32

How to shoot extreme close-ups with the Macro mode ................................................................................................................. 28

How to shoot moving objects (Continuous mode) ................................................................................................................... 25, 32

How to shoot multiple frames by pressing the shutter once ..................................................................................................... 26, 32

How to shoot pictures in a horizontal sequence for merging later ............................................................................................ 33, 38

How to shoot pictures in a vertical sequence for merging later ................................................................................................. 33, 38

How to shoot pictures without the red-eye effect .......................................................................................................................... 26

How to take a panorama shot ................................................................................................................................................. 33, 36

How to take a picture ................................................................................................................................................................... 31

How to stop the flash from going off ............................................................................................................................................ 26

How to use the frame marks inside the viewfinder ......................................................................................................................... 22

How to use the Self-Timer function ............................................................................................................................................... 25

How to use the viewfinder ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

Taking shots of panoramic scenes bigger than one frame .................................................................................................. 33, 37, 39

What mode should I use for everyday shots? ........................................................................................................................... 24, 31

6

What to do if the image is too bright ............................................................................................................................................ 45

What to do if the image is too dark ............................................................................................................................................... 45

Replaying Images

Connecting the camera to a computer .................................................................................................................................... 35, 56

Connecting the camera to a television ........................................................................................................................................... 55

How to change the play time of images in a slide show ................................................................................................................. 50

How to check an image immediately after shooting ....................................................................................................................... 45

How to continuously replay recorded images ................................................................................................................................. 47

How to delete marks from images in a slide show ......................................................................................................................... 49

How to load camera images onto a computer ......................................................................................................................... 35, 56

How to make a slide show with only the images you select ........................................................................................................... 48

How to play images one at a time on the LCD panel ...................................................................................................................... 34

How to scroll through images displayed on the LCD panel ............................................................................................................. 28

How to scroll to the next set of images in Multi mode ................................................................................................................... 28

How to set a slide show to continuous display ............................................................................................................................... 50

How to use the Review function .................................................................................................................................................... 45

How to view camera images on a television ................................................................................................................................... 55

How to view images on the camera LCD panel .............................................................................................................................. 34

How to view images on the camera LCD panel while shooting ....................................................................................................... 29

How to view images on a television screen .................................................................................................................................... 55

How to view images with the slide show function ......................................................................................................................... 47

How to view the date/time information for an image ..................................................................................................................... 47

Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued....2/4

7

Saving, Printing and Deleting Image Files

About image file names ................................................................................................................................................................ 46

How to change a file number ........................................................................................................................................................ 46

How to delete an unwanted image ............................................................................................................................................... 51

How to mark a file for printing ...................................................................................................................................................... 51

How to protect a file from accidental deletion ............................................................................................................................... 50

Saving an image file onto a computer ..................................................................................................................................... 35, 56

Settings

About each function ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18

About the symbols on the Mode Dial ............................................................................................................................................ 20

Changing date and time settings ............................................................................................................................................. 53, 60

How to change the date/time display format ........................................................................................................................... 53, 60

How to change error messages to another language ..................................................................................................................... 54

How to change the image quality setting and take a shot ........................................................................................................ 32, 44

How to change the image size setting and take a shot ............................................................................................................ 32, 44

How to change the LCD panel brightness ...................................................................................................................................... 52

How to reset default LCD panel, beep and Power Save settings ..................................................................................................... 53

How to select Menu options ......................................................................................................................................................... 43

How to turn the Power Save function on and off ........................................................................................................................... 53

How to turn the Review function on and off ................................................................................................................................. 45

How to turn off the beep .............................................................................................................................................................. 53

How to turn the power on and off .......................................................................................................................................... 19, 31

How to use the +/- buttons ........................................................................................................................................................... 43

Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued....3/4

8

Other Topics

About part names ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Accessories ................................................................................................................................................................................... 62

Camera components list ............................................................................................................................................................... 16

How to use the Menu button ........................................................................................................................................................ 43

How to use the Menu features .......................................................................................................................................... 29, 42, 43

How to use the Mode Dial ............................................................................................................................................................ 31

How to use the Set button ............................................................................................................................................................ 43

How to view date/time data in Play mode ...................................................................................................................................... 47

I would like to use the CompactFlash

TM

(CF) card from another camera .......................................................................................... 54

What are the available image formats? .......................................................................................................................................... 18

What are the available image sizes? .............................................................................................................................................. 18

What can be done in Auto mode? ................................................................................................................................................ 31

What can be done in Program mode? ........................................................................................................................................... 32

What do the indicator lights mean? .............................................................................................................................................. 23

What do the LCD panel messages mean? ...................................................................................................................................... 70

What do the symbols and codes displayed in the LCD mean? .................................................................................................. 21, 69

What does the orange indicator light mean? ........................................................................................................................... 23, 28

What is the meaning of the beep when the shutter button is pressed? .................................................................................... 24, 25

What is the meaning of the indicator lights beside the viewfinder? ................................................................................................ 23

What to do if you detect a problem (troubleshooting) .................................................................................................................... 64

Why the power shuts off a few minutes the camera is set down .................................................................................................... 19

Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued....4/4

9

Handling and Safety Precautions

Please ensure that you have read and understood these handling and safety precautions before you

operate your PowerShot A5 Digital Camera. Once you have read the instructions on the next few

pages, we recommend that you keep the camera with you and try each function as you read about it

in the remaining pages.

Exclusion of Liability and Warning Against Copyright Infringement (Please Read)

Exclusion of Liability

Before you shoot images of subjects of importance to you, we highly recommend that you shoot

several trial images to confirm that you are operating the camera correctly. Please note that Canon

Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and distributors of its digital cameras are not liable for any conse-

quential damages arising from any malfunction in a PowerShot camera or CompactFlash

TM

CF card

that results in the failure of an image to be recorded or to be recorded in a format that is machine

sensible.

Warning Against Copyright Infringement

Please note that PowerShot 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.

10

Safety Precautions

• Before using the camera, please ensure that you have read and understood the safety precau-

tions described below. 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.

• In the next few pages, the term “equipment” refers primarily to the camera and its power

supply accessories.

Warnings

• Stop operating the equipment immediately if it should emit smoke or noxious fumes. Failure to

do so may result in fire or electrical shock. Immediately shut off the camera’s power switch,

remove the camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket.

Confirm that smoke or fume emissions cease. Please consult your camera distributor or the

closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.

• Stop operating the equipment if it is dropped or the casing is damaged. Failure to do so may

result in fire or electrical shock. Immediately shut off the camera’s power switch, remove the

camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket. Please consult your

camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.

Handling and Safety Precautions continued....2/7

11

• Prevent the equipment from contact with, or immersion in, water and other liquids. Do not

allow liquids to enter the interior. The camera has not been waterproofed. If the exterior comes

into contact with liquid or salt air, wipe it dry with a soft, absorbent cloth. In the event that

water or other foreign substances enter the interior, immediately shut off the camera’s power

switch, remove the camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket.

Continued use of the equipment may result in fire or electrical shock. Please consult your

camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.

• To avoid the risk of high-voltage electrical shock, do not touch the flash portion of the camera if

it has been damaged. In addition, never touch internal portions of the equipment that become

exposed as a result of damage. There is a risk of high-voltage electrical shock. Please take the

first opportunity to consult your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help

Desk.

• Do not attempt to disassemble or alter any part of the equipment that is not expressly pre-

scribed in this guide. Disassembly or alteration may result in high-voltage electrical shock.

Internal inspections, alterations and repairs should be conducted by qualified service personnel

authorized by your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.

• Do not use substances containing alcohol, benzene or thinners or other flammable substances

on the equipment. The use of these substances may lead to fire or electrical shock.

• Do not cut, damage, alter or place heavy items on the power adapter cord. Any of these actions

may cause an electrical short circuit, which may lead to fire or electrical shock. Replace a broken

or damaged power adapter cord.

Handling and Safety Precautions continued....3/7

12

• Do not handle the power adapter cord if your hands are wet or moist. Handling the power

adapter cord with wet hands may lead to electrical shock. When unplugging the cord, ensure

that you hold the rigid portion of the plug. Pulling on the flexible portion of the cord may

damage or expose the wire and insulation, creating the potential for fires or electrical shocks.

• Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants. Accidental damage to the

equipment by a child could result in serious injury.

• Use of power sources not expressly recommended for this equipment may lead to overheating,

distortion of the equipment, fire, electrical shock or other hazards. Use only the recommended

compact power adapter and accessories.

• Power down the computer and unplug the power adapter cord before attempting to connect

the interface cable to avoid the risk of electrical shock.

• Be particularly careful to keep the button-sized (CR2016 lithium) batteries used in the camera

out of the reach of children. Seek medical assistance immediately if a child swallows a battery.

• Do not place the batteries near a heat source or expose them to direct flame or heat. Neither

should you immerse them in water. Such exposure may damage the batteries and lead to the

leakage of corrosive liquids, fire, electrical shock, explosion and serious injury.

• Do not attempt to disassemble, alter or apply heat to the batteries. There is serious risk of injury

due to an explosion. Immediately flush with water any area of the body or clothing that comes

into contact with the inner contents of a battery.

Handling and Safety Precautions continued....4/7

13

• Avoid dropping or subjecting the battery to severe impacts that could damage the casing. It

could lead to leakage and injury.

• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals with metallic objects, such as key holders. It could lead

to overheating, burns and other injuries. Use the supplied battery case when transporting or

storing batteries.

• 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. Discard the batteries in specialized waste facilities if

they are available in your area.

• Use of batteries not expressly recommended for this equipment may cause them to explode or leak,

resulting in fire, injury and damage to the surroundings. Use only recommended batteries and

accessories.

• Use only the recommended compact power adapter to recharge the rechargeable batteries. Use

of chargers not expressly recommended may result in overheating, distortion, fire or electrical

shock.

• Disconnect the compact power adapter from both the camera and power socket after recharg-

ing and when the camera is not in use to avoid fires and other hazards.

• The camera terminal of the compact power adapter cord is designed for exclusive use with

PowerShot cameras. Do not use the compact power adapter with other products or batteries

There is a risk of fire and other hazards.

Handling and Safety Precautions continued....5/7

14

• Do not trigger the flash in close proximity to human or animal eyes. Exposure to the intense

light produced by the flash may injure eyesight. In particular, remain at least one meter (39

inches) away from infants when using the flash.

• Do not aim the camera directly into the sun or at other intense light sources that could injure

your eyesight.

Caution

• 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. Exposure to intense sunlight and

heat may cause the batteries to leak, overheat or explode, resulting in fire, burns or other

injuries. High temperatures may also cause deformation of the casing.

• Be sure to use the compact power adapter in a well ventilated area when recharging batteries

or performing other recommended procedures.

• Do not store the equipment in humid or dusty areas. Storage in these areas could lead to fire,

electrical shock or other damage.

• Be careful when wearing or holding the camera by the strap not to bang or subject it to strong

impacts or shocks that could lead to injury or damage the equipment.

• Be careful not to cover the flash with your fingers when shooting. In addition, do not touch the

surface of the flash after taking several pictures in rapid succession. Either action could result in

burns.

Handling and Safety Precautions continued....6/7

15

Preventing Malfunctions

Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields

Never place the camera in close proximity to electric motors or other equipment generating strong

electric fields. Exposure to strong magnetic fields may cause malfunctions or corrupt image data.

Avoid Condensation Related Problems

Moving the equipment rapidly between hot and cold temperatures may cause condensation (water

droplets) to form on its external and internal surfaces. You can avoid this by placing the equipment in

a plastic bag and letting the contents adjust to temperature changes slowly before removing it from

the bag.

If Condensation Forms Inside the Camera

Stop using the camera immediately if you detect condensation. Continued use may damage the

equipment. Remove the CF card, batteries and power adapter cord from the camera and wait until

the moisture evaporates completely before resuming use.

Extended Storage

When not using the camera for extended periods of time, remove the batteries (except the button-

sized CR2016 lithium battery) and store the equipment in a safe place. Storing the camera for

extended periods with the batteries installed will run down the battery and may damage the camera.

Handling and Safety Precautions continued....7/7

16

• Autofocus (AF)

Auxiliary Light Emitter

Guide to Components

• Lens

• Strap Holder

➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 9

• Indicators

➤➤➤p. 23

• LCD panel

• Display Panel ➤➤➤p. 21

• Flash ➤➤➤p. 26

• Mode Dial ➤➤➤p. 31

• Flash (-) Button ➤➤➤p. 26

• Continuous/Self-Timer

(+) Button ➤➤➤p. 25

• LCD Button ➤➤➤p. 29

• Viewfinder ➤➤➤p. 22

• Viewfinder

➤➤➤p. 22

• Shutter Button

➤➤➤ p. 24

• Red-Eye Reduction

lamp ➤➤➤p. 26

17

Guide to Components continued....2/2

• Tripod Socket

• Macro/Jump Button ➤➤➤p. 28

• MENU Button ➤➤➤p. 29, 43

• SET Button ➤➤➤p. 30, 43

• VIDEO Terminal ➤➤➤p. 55

• CF Card Slot Cover ➤➤➤ Quick Start Guide p. 8

• Lock for CF Card Slot Cover

➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 8

• DC Coupler Cable Cover

➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 7

• Battery Cover ➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 5

• Battery Cover Lock

➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 5

• DIGITAL Terminal ➤➤➤p. 56

18

Image Size and Quality

Specifications

The PowerShot A5 can take pictures with the

following screen sizes and qualities.

Large/Fine (1024 x 768) JPEG High Quality 180 KB

Large/Normal (1024 x 768) JPEG Normal 85 KB

Small/Fine (512 x 384) JPEG High Quality 60 KB

Small/Normal (512 x 384) JPEG Normal 30 KB

CCD RAW No Compression 940 KB

• Large and small image sizes cover the

exact same scope of the photographic

subject but reproduce the images with

differing numbers of dots. On computer

monitors the large format images are

displayed at 1024 x 768 pixels, while the

small images are displayed at 512 x 384

pixels.

Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5

• The size and quality settings can be

changed before an image is shot with

the Menu feature in the Auto, Program

or Stitch Assist modes. (p. 44)

• In the Continuous mode, the default size

and quality settings are Small/Fine or

Small/Normal.

• Figures noted herein reflect standard

shooting conditions established by

Canon. Actual file sizes will vary be-

tween photographic subjects.

Size/Quality

File

Size

Compression

Format

19

Power On/Off

Switch

The camera’s power is turned on and off with

the Mode Dial. The power is off when the dial

is set to the L (Lock) position and on when set

in any other position.

Power Save Function

Shooting Modes

The camera automatically closes the lens

cover and powers down if you do not use

a camera function for approximately

three minutes.

Playback Modes

The camera automatically powers down

if you do not use a camera function for

approximately five minutes.

PC Mode

When connected to a computer, a

message is displayed on the computer

monitor if you do not use a camera

function for approximately five minutes.

If you do not use a camera function for

an additional minute, the camera

automatically powers down.

• To reactivate the camera after

powerdown, turn the Mode Dial or

press any button.

• You can deactivate the Power Save

function with the Menu feature. (p. 53)

Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued... 2/13

20

Camera Modes

The PowerShot A5 features six operating

modes that can be selected with the Mode

Dial.

: Auto Mode

Auto mode is for taking standard pictures.

The focus, exposure and white balance

settings as well as the flash are automati-

cally selected or activated by the camera.

P : Program Mode

Program mode is also for taking pictures,

but the Flash On/Off and Continuous

settings can be selected manually. The

focus, exposure and white balance settings

are automatically selected by the camera.

However, the exposure setting may also be

adjusted manually with the Exposure

Compensation function. (p. 45)

: Stitch Assist Mode

Taking pictures in this mode is helpful if you

intend to merge several images into a

single high-quality panoramic image.

Merging images is easy if you use the

PhotoStitch utility software. In this mode,

the focus, exposure and white balance

settings are automatically selected by the

camera.

PLAY : Play Mode

Play mode is for viewing images recorded

on the CF card. Images are displayed on the

LCD panel one by one.

MULTI : Multi Mode

Multi mode is for viewing multiple images

recorded on the CF card. Images are displayed

on the LCD panel in groups of nine.

PC : PC Mode

PC mode is for viewing and processing

images with a computer.

Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued... 3/13

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