Canon A450 - User Manual

5 Handling Precautions 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 l...

6 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. 62) . Language Setting Please see the Basic Guide (p. 7) to change the language setting. z Before using the camera, please ensure that you read the safety precautions descr...

7 Warnings Equipment z Do not point the camera directly at the sun or bright light sources. Doing so could damage the camera's CCD or your eyesight. z Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants. • Wrist strap: Placement of the strap around the child’s neck could result in asphyxia...

8 Battery z Do not place the batteries near a heat source or expose them to direct flame or heat. z The batteries should not be immersed in water or sea water. z Do not attempt to disassemble, alter or apply heat to the batteries. z Avoid dropping or subjecting the batteries to severe impacts that c...

9 Others z 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. z Keep objects that are sensitive to magnetic fields (...

10 z 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 z Do not operate the flash with dirt, dust or other items stuck to the su...

11 Preventing Malfunctions Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields z 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 z W...

12 Before Using the Camera—Basic Operations Using the LCD Monitor 1 Press . z The display mode changes as follows with each press. z The shooting information displays for approximately 6 sec. when a setting is changed, regardless of the selected display mode. z The LCD monitor on or off setting is r...

13 Before Usin g the Cam era—Ba sic Operatio ns 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. * Although noise may appear and the movement of the subject shown on the L...

14 Shooting Information (Shooting Mode) Information Displayed on the LCD Monitor Zoom Magnification (p. 27) • Stills: Recordable Shots• Movies: Remaining Time/ Elapsed Time Spot AE Point Frame (p. 37) AF Frame (p. 35) Low Battery (p. 83) Grid Lines (p. 20) Recording Pixels ( pp. 26 , 34 ) ISO Speed ...

15 Before Usin g the Cam era—Ba sic Operatio ns Playback Information (Playback Mode) „ Standard 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. Use the following methods t...

16 „ Detailed 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. 97) RAW imageUnrecognized data type Infor...

17 Before Usin g the Cam era—Ba sic Operatio ns The viewfinder ( Basic Guide p. 2) can be used to conserve power by turning the LCD monitor off (p. 12) while shooting. This camera is equipped with a power saving function. The power will shut off in the following circumstances. Press the power button...

18 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. z FUNC. Menu z Rec., Play, Print and Set up Menus FUNC. Menu Sets many of the functions commonly used during shooting. a Turn th...

19 Befo re Usin g the Cam e ra — B a si c Opera tio n s Rec., Play, Print and Set up Menus Convenient settings for shooting, playback or printing can be set with these menus. a Press the MENU button. b Use the or button to switch between menus. c Use the or button to select a menu item. • Some items...

20 FUNC. Menu The icons shown below are the default settings. Rec. Menu ( ) Menu List Menu Item Reference Page Menu Item Reference Page Manual Mode Basic Guide p. 10 White Balance p. 40 Special Scene Mode Basic Guide p. 11 Drive Mode p. 29 , Basic Guide p. 16 Movie Mode p. 32 My Colors p. 43 Exposur...

22 Volume Off/1/2*/3/4/5 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]. Start-up Vol. Adjusts the volume of the start-up sound when the camera is turned on. Operation Vol. Adjusts ...

24 Resetting Settings to Their Default Values 1 (Set up) Menu (Reset All). See Menus and Settings (p. 19) . 2 Select [OK] and press . z Settings cannot be reset when the camera is connected to a computer or to a printer. z The following cannot be reset.- Shooting mode- The (Date/Time), (Language) an...

25 Before Usin g the Cam era—Ba sic Operatio ns You should always format a new memory card or one from which you wish to erase all images and other data. Formatting Memory Cards Please note that formatting (initializing) a memory card erases all data, including protected images and other file types....

26 Shooting Approximate Values for Recording Pixels * Paper sizes vary according to region. Changing the Recording Pixels and Compression (Still Images) Shooting Mode 1 FUNC. Menu * (Recording Pixels) (Compression). See Menus and Settings (p. 18) . * Default setting. z Use the or button to select co...

27 Shooting Approximate Values for Compression Settings You can combine the digital and optical zoom to shoot. Compression Purpose Superfine High Quality Normal Shoot higher quality images Fine Shoot normal quality images Normal Shoot more images z See Image Data Sizes (Estimated) (p. 101) . z See M...

28 You can shoot an area of 17 x 13 mm (0.7 x 0.5 in.) at a focusing distance as close as 1 cm (0.3 in.) from the end of the lens to the subject (minimum focusing distance) at maximum wide angle.With the digital zoom set at its maximum zoom factor (approx. 4.0x), you can shoot an area of 4.2 x 3.2 m...

29 Shooting 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. 100) . * Recommended Memory Card: Super high-sp...

30 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. Postcard Mode Shooting Mode 1 FUNC. Menu (Postcard). See Menus and Settings (p. 18) . * Default setting. z The recording pixe...

31 Shooting You can display vertical and horizontal grid lines, a 3:2 print area guide, or both on the LCD monitor while shooting to help check the position of your subject. * Images are still recorded at the standard aspect ratio of 4:3. Setting the Display Overlays Shooting Mode Grid Lines Display...

32 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. 34) . • The recording time will differ according to the memory card used (p. 100) . * Even if the size of the movie data has not reached 1 G...

33 Shooting 2 Shoot. z Pressing the shutter button halfway automatically sets the exposure, focus and white balance settings. z Pressing the shutter button fully starts recording video and sound simultaneously. z During shooting, the recording time and [ z Rec] appear on the LCD monitor. z Pressing ...

34 Changing Recording Pixels You can change the recording pixels when the movie mode is set to (Standard). 1 FUNC. Menu * (Recording Pixels). See Menus and Settings (p. 18) . * Default setting. z Use the or button to select a recording pixels option and press the FUNC./SET button. Recording Pixels a...

35 Shooting The autofocus frame (AF frame) indicates the area used to set the focus. The following AF frame options are used according to the AiAF setting selected. Switching between Focusing Modes Shooting Mode (No frame) On The camera detects the subject and highlights the AF frames, from 5 availa...

37 Shooting Metering Methods Switching between Metering Modes Shooting Mode 1 (Rec.) Menu (Light Metering) */ / . See Menus and Settings (p. 18) . * Default setting. Evaluative Appropriate for standard shooting conditions, including backlit scenes. The camera divides images into several zones for me...

38 Adjust the exposure compensation to a positive value to avoid making the subject too dark when it is backlit or shot against a bright background. Adjust the exposure compensation to a negative value to avoid making the subject too bright in night shots or when shot against a dark background. To C...

39 Shooting 2 Use the or button to select the shutter speed . z The higher the value, the brighter the image and the lower the value, the darker the image. z If you press the MENU button at this point, you will return to the Exposure Compensation setting screen. z This setting is reset once the came...

40 Normally, the (Auto) white balance setting selects an optimal white balance. When the (Auto) setting cannot produce natural looking colors, change the white balance using a setting appropriate for the light source. White Balance Settings Adjusting the Tone (White Balance) Shooting Mode 1 FUNC. Me...

41 Shooting Using the Custom White Balance You can set a custom white balance to obtain the optimal setting for the shooting conditions by having the camera evaluate an object, such as a piece of white paper or cloth, or a photo-quality gray card that you wish to establish as the standard white colo...

43 Shooting You can change the look of an image when it is shot. Shooting in a My Colors Mode Shooting Mode My Colors Off Records normally with this setting. Vivid Emphasizes the contrast and color saturation to record bold colors. Neutral Tones down the contrast and color saturation to record neutr...

44 Setting the Camera to a Custom Color Mode 1 (Custom Color) . See Menus and Settings (p. 18) . 2 Use the or button to select [Contrast], [Sharpness] or [Saturation] and the or button to adjust it. z The altered color will display. 3 . z This completes the setting. If you press the MENU button at t...

45 Shooting Raise the ISO speed to use a fast shutter speed when you wish to reduce the effects of camera shake or avoid blurry subjects, or to turn the flash off when shooting in a dark area. Adjusting the ISO Speed Shooting Mode 1 FUNC. Menu * (Auto). See Menus and Settings (p. 18) . * Default set...

46 You can create a new folder at any time and the recorded images will be automatically saved to that folder. Creating a Folder the Next Time You Shoot. Creating an Image Destination (Folder) Shooting Mode Create New Folder Creates a new folder the next time you shoot images. To create an additiona...

47 Shooting Setting the Day or Time for Automatic Folder Creation. 2 Select a day for the [Auto Create] option and a time in the [Time] option . z displays when the specified time arrives. The symbol will cease to display after the new folder is created. Up to 2000 images can be saved into one folde...

48 The images you shoot are automatically assigned file numbers. You can select how the file number is assigned. File Number Reset Function Resetting the File Number Shooting Mode 1 (Set up) Menu (File Numbering) [Continuous]*/[Auto Reset]. See Menus and Settings (p. 19) . * Default setting. Continu...

49 Shooting File and Folder Numbers Recorded images are assigned consecutive file numbers starting with 0001 and ranging up to 9999, while folders are assigned numbers starting with 100 and ranging up to 999. Up to 2,000 images can be saved into a single folder. z Images may be saved to a new folder...

50 Playback/Erasing Please also see the Basic Camera User Guide (p. 18). To Cancel the Magnified Display Press the MENU button. Magnifying Images 1 Press the button. z Pressing the button makes appear, allowing you to magnify images up to a factor of 10. Pressing the button zooms out from the image....

51 Playb ack/Erasing To Return to Single Image Playback Hold down the FUNC./SET button. Viewing Images in Sets of Nine (Index Playback) 1 Hold down . z Up to nine images can be viewed at once in index playback. z Use the , , or button to change the image selection. Selected Image Movie

52 Operating the Movie Control Panel Viewing Movies Movies cannot be played in the index playback mode. 1 Display a movie and press . z Images with a icon are movies. 2 Select (Play) and press . z The movie will pause if you press the FUNC./SET button during playback. It will resume when you press t...

53 Playb ack/Erasing Images can be rotated clockwise 90° or 270° in the display. z Use the television’s controls to adjust the volume when playing a movie on a TV set (p. 62) . z The sound cannot be played in slow motion playback. Rotating Images in the Display 1 (Play) Menu . See Menus and Settings...

54 In playback mode (including single image playback and index playback), you can attach sound memos (up to 1 min.) to an image. The sound data is saved in the WAVE format. Attaching Sound Memos to Images 1 (Play) Menu . See Menus and Settings (p. 19) . 2 Use the or button to select an image to whic...

55 Playb ack/Erasing Sound Memo Panel ExitRecordPausePlayEraseSelect [Erase] in the confirmation screen and press the FUNC./ SET button. z You cannot attach sound memos to movies. z Sound memos for protected images cannot be erased.

57 Playb ack/Erasing Transition Effects You can select the transition effect used when one image is replaced by another. 3 Select [Start] and press . z The following functions are available during slide shows.- Pausing/resuming the slide show: press the FUNC./SET button - Fast forwarding/rewinding t...

59 Playb ack/Erasing Selecting Images for Playback ( – ) Select only the images that you wish to play back and save them as a slide show (Custom 1, 2 or 3). Up to 998 images can be selected. They will be played back in their order of selection. 1 Select , or and press . z Only the icon will display ...

60 Adjusting the Play Time and Repeat Settings z Play Time Sets the duration that each image displays. Choose between 3*–10 seconds, 15 seconds and 30 seconds. Displaying time can vary slightly depending on the image. * Default setting. z Repeat Sets whether the slide show stops when all the slides ...

61 Playb ack/Erasing You can protect important images and movies from accidental erasure. Protecting Images 1 (Play) Menu . See Menus and Settings (p. 19) . 2 Use the or button to select an image to protect and press . z Pressing the FUNC./SET button again cancels the setting. z You can also protect...

62 You can play back images on a television with the supplied AV cable. Viewing Images on a TV set 1 Turn off the camera and the TV. 2 Connect the AV cable to the camera’s A/V OUT terminal. z Open the terminal cover by slipping a fingernail under the edge and plug the AV cable in all the way. 3 Plug...

63 Playb ack/Erasing Erasing All Images z Note that erased images cannot be recovered. Exercise adequate caution before erasing an image. z Protected images cannot be erased with this function. 1 (Play) Menu . See Menus and Settings (p. 19) . 2 Select [OK] and press . z To exit instead of erasing, s...

64 Print Settings/Transfer Settings You can select images on a memory card for printing and specify the number of print copies in advance using the camera. The settings used on the camera comply with the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) standards. This is extremely convenient for printing on a dire...

65 Print S e tting s/Transf er S e tting s All the Images on a Memory Card 2 Use the or button to select images for printing. z Selection methods differ for the Print Type settings (p. 66) . - (Standard)/ (Both) Select an image, press the FUNC./ SET button and use the or button to select the number ...

66 Setting the Print Style After setting the print style, select the images for printing. The following settings can be selected. *Default setting z The output of some printers or photo developing services may not reflect the specified print settings. z Print settings cannot be set for movies. z Ima...

67 Print S e tting s/Transf er S e tting s You can use the camera to specify settings for images before downloading to a computer. Refer to the Software Starter Guide for instructions on how to transfer images to your computer.The settings used on the camera comply with the Digital Print Order Forma...

68 Single Images All the Images on a Memory Card 2 Select [Order] and press . z Selecting [Reset] cancels all transfer order settings. 3 Use the or button to select an image to transfer and press . z Pressing the FUNC./SET button again deselects the setting. z You can also select images in the index...

69 T roubl es h ootin g Troubleshooting Camera Camera will not operate. Power is not turned on. z Press the power button ( Basic Guide p. 8). Memory card slot/battery cover is open. z Confirm that the memory card slot /battery cover is securely closed ( Basic Guide p. 5). Batteries are loaded in the...

70 LCD monitor Nothing displays. The LCD monitor is set to not display. z Press the DISP. button to turn on the LCD monitor (p. 12) . The display darkens. The image in the LCD monitor will darken in strong sunlight or bright light. z This is a normal occurrence in devices containing CCDs and does no...

71 T roubl es h ootin g appears. This displays when using a memory card that has print settings or transfer settings set by other DPOF-compliant cameras. z These settings will be overwritten by those set by your camera (p. 64) . Noise displays./Subject’s movements are irregular. Camera automatically...

72 SD memory card or SDHC memory card is write protected. z Slide the write protect tab upward (p. 85) . Image Seen in viewfinder vs. recorded image Usually the recorded image contains more of the scene than is seen in the viewfinder. z Confirm the scope of the captured image in the LCD monitor. Sin...

73 T roubl es h ootin g Subject in recorded image is too dark. Insufficient light for shooting. z Set the flash to (Flash on) ( Basic Guide p. 13). The subject is underexposed because the surroundings are too bright. z Set the exposure compensation to a positive (+) setting (p. 38) . z Use the spot ...

74 White dots appear on the image. Light from the flash has reflected off dust particles or insects in the air. This is particularly noticeable when shooting at wide angle settings. z This is a phenomenon that occurs with digital cameras and does not constitute a malfunction. Eyes appear red. Light ...

75 T roubl es h ootin g Lens will not retract. Memory card slot/battery cover was opened with power on. z After closing the memory card slot/battery cover, turn the power on then back off ( Basic Guide p. 5). Shooting movies The recording time may not display properly or shooting may stop unexpected...

76 Playback Cannot play back. You attempted to play back images shot with another camera or images edited with a computer. z Computer images that cannot be played back may play back if they are added to the camera using the supplied software program ZoomBrowser EX or ImageBrowser. File name was chan...

77 T roubl es h ootin g Battery Batteries consumed quickly. Batteries are not the right type. z Use only unused AA-size alkaline batteries or Canon AA-size NiMH batteries (p. 83) . Battery capacity drops due to low ambient temperatures. z If shooting in a cold location, warm the batteries such as by...

78 Printing with a direct print compatible printer Cannot print The camera and printer are not properly connected. z Securely connect the camera and printer with the specified cable. The printer power is not turned on. z Turn on the printer power. The print connection method is not correct. z In the...

79 L ist of Messa ges List of Messages The following messages may appear on the LCD monitor during shooting or playback. Please refer to the Direct Print User Guide for the messages that display during a printer connection. Busy... Image is being recorded to the memory card, or the playback mode is ...

81 L ist of Messa ges Cannot rotate You attempted to rotate an image recorded in a different camera or data type, an image edited with a computer, or a movie. Incompatible WAVE A sound memo cannot be added to this image since the data type of the existing sound memo is incorrect, or the sound memo c...

83 App endix Appendix Battery Handling Battery Charge The following icon and message will display. Battery Handling Precautions z This camera uses AA-size alkaline batteries or Canon AA-size NiMH batteries (sold separately). While it is possible to use AA-size nickel-cadmium batteries, performance i...

84 z Before installing the batteries, wipe the battery terminals well with a dry cloth. If the battery terminals are soiled with oil from one’s skin or other dirt, the number of recordable images may be considerably diminished, or the amount of time the camera can be used may be reduced. z At low te...

85 App endix Handling the Memory Card SD memory card or SDHC memory card Write Protect Tab Cautions When Handling z Memory cards are high-precision electronic devices. Do not bend them, apply force to them, or subject them to shocks or vibration. z Do not attempt to disassemble or alter the memory c...

86 Formatting z Please note that formatting (initializing) an memory card erases all data, including protected images. z You are recommended to use memory cards that have been formatted in your camera. • The card supplied with the camera may be used without further formatting. • When the camera is m...

87 App endix Using Rechargeable Batteries (Battery and Charger Kit CBK4-300) This kit includes a battery charger and four rechargeable AA-size NiMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries. Charge batteries as shown below. Recharging is also possible using two batteries. • After inserting the batteries, plu...

89 App endix Using the AC Adapter Kit ACK800 It is best to power the camera with AC Adapter Kit ACK800 (sold separately) when you are using it for long periods of time or connecting it to a computer. z It takes approximately 4 hours 40 minutes for the charger to fully recharge the batteries after th...

90 High-Power Flash HF-DC1 This flash is used to supplement the camera’s built-in flash when the subject is too far away for proper illumination. Use the following procedures to affix the camera and High-Power Flash to the supporting bracket.Please read the instructions accompanying the flash along ...

91 App endix „ Batteries z Charge becomes Severely Limited If the battery usage time has considerably diminished, wipe the battery terminals well with a dry cloth. The terminals may be dirty from fingerprints. z Usage in Cold Temperatures Get a spare generic lithium battery (CR123A or DL123). You ar...

92 If the Date/Time menu appears when the camera power is turned on, the date battery charge is low and the date and time settings have been lost. Please purchase a lithium coin battery (CR1220) and replace it as follows. Replacing the Date Battery Please note that the first date battery may appear ...

93 App endix 6 Replace the coin battery cover and secure the screw with the screwdriver. 7 When the Date/Time menu appears, set the date and time ( Basic Guide p. 7). After purchasing the camera and turning on the power for the first time, although the Date/Time menu will appear, you do not need to ...

94 Camera Body Gently wipe dirt off the camera body with a soft cloth or eyeglass lens wiper. Lens First use a lens blower brush to remove dust and dirt, then remove any remaining dirt by wiping the lens lightly with a soft cloth. Viewfinder and LCD Monitor Use a lens blower brush to remove dust and...

95 App endix All data is based on Canon’s standard testing methods. Subject to change without notice. PowerShot A460/PowerShot A450 Specifications (W): Max. wide angle (T): Max. telephoto Camera Effective Pixels : Approx. 5.0 millionImage Sensor : 1/3.0-inch type CCD (Total number of pixels: Approx....

99 App endix Battery Capacity z The actual figures will vary according to the shooting conditions and settings. z Movie data is excluded. z At low temperatures, the battery performance may diminish and the low battery icon may appear very rapidly. In these circumstances, the performance can be impro...

101 App endix Movie † :Card included with the camera * Maximum movie clip length at : 3 min. The figures indicate the maximum continuous recording time. Image Data Sizes (Estimated) Recording Pixels 16MB SDC- 128M SDC- 512MSH Standard 640 x 480 pixels(10 frames/sec.) 23 sec. 3 min. 10 sec. 12 min. 1...

103 App endix Battery Charger CB-5AH/CB-5AHE (Supplied with the separately sold Battery and Charger Kit CBK4-300) *1 When charging four NB-3AH batteries *2 When charging two NB-3AH batteries loaded one on each side of the battery charger Compact Power Adapter CA-PS800 (Included with the separately s...

104 Index Numerics 3:2 Guide ................................. 31 A AC Adapter Kit ACK800............ 89 AF Frame.......................... 14 , 35 AF-assist Beam................. 20 , 72 AV Cable ................................. 62 B Battery Battery Capacity................... 99 Charging ...........

108 Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode Make settings appropriate for the shooting conditions and shoot. Function Page Recording Pixels(Still) Large z z z z – – p. 26 Medium 1 { { { { – – Medium 2 { { { { – – Small { { { { – – Postcard { { { { – – Wide { { { { – – Recording Pixels(Movie) z – p...

Shooting Playback/Erasing Print/Transfer Settings Troubleshooting List of Messages Before Using the Camera Appendix Camera User Guide Advanced Advanced Came ra User Gui d e This guide explains camera features and procedures in detail. CEL-SG3MA210 © 2007 CANON INC. ENGLISH DIGIT A L CAMERA Photo of ...