Summary of the content on the page No. 1
DIGITAL CAMERA Advanced Camera User Guide
ENGLISH
Before Using the Camera
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Print/Transfer Settings
Photo of PowerShot A640
Viewing Images on a TV set
Troubleshooting
List of Messages
Appendix
Advanced
Camera User Guide
This guide explains camera features and procedures in detail.
CDI-E238-010 © 2006 CANON INC. PRINTED IN CHINA
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Main Features Shooting Automatically adjusts shooting settings to match particular conditions Automatically detects camera orientation with an Intelligent Orientation sensor Avoid the effects of camera shake or blurry subjects when shooting by using a high ISO speed Changes specific image colors to shoot (Color Accent, Color Swap) Attaches the separately sold wide converter or tele-converter Playback Plays movies with sound Plays back automatically using the Auto Play function Editin
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Conventions Used in this Guide Icons appearing next to, or below titles indicate the shooting modes in which the procedure can be used. Mode switch Postcard Mode Shooting Mode * Unavailable shooting modes are shown grayed out. See Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 143). In this guide, the Basic Camera User Guide is referred to as the Basic Guide, and the Advanced Camera User Guide is referred to as the Advanced Guide. : This mark denotes issues that may affect the camera’s opera
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Table of Contents Items marked with a are lists or charts that summarize camera functions or procedures. Conventions Used in this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Handling Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Please Read. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Preventing Malfunctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Shooting Hard-to-Focus Subjects (Focus Lock, AF Lock, Manual Focus) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Locking the Exposure Setting (AE Lock). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Locking the Flash Exposure Setting (FE Lock). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Switching between Metering Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Adjusting the Exposure Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Adjusting the Tone (White Balance) . . . .
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Camera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 When the power is turned on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 LCD monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 Shooting Movies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
Handling Precautions Please Read Test Shots Before you try to photograph important subjects, we highly recommend that you shoot several trial images to confirm that the camera is operating and being operated correctly. Please note that Canon Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and its distributors are not liable for any consequential damages arising from any malfunction of a camera or accessory, including memory cards, that results in the failure of an image to be recorded or to be reco
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
Camera Body Temperature If your camera is used for prolonged periods, the camera body may become warm. Please be aware of this and take care when operating the camera for an extended period. About the LCD Monitor The LCD monitor is produced with extremely high-precision manufacturing techniques. More than 99.99% of the pixels operate to specification. Less than 0.01% of the pixels may occasionally misfire or appear as red or black dots. This has no effect on the recorded image and does not
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Warnings Equipment Do not look directly into the sun or at bright light sources through the camera’s viewfinder. Doing so can damage your eyesight. Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants. Accidental damage by a child could result in serious injury. • Wrist strap: Placement of the strap around the child’s neck could result in asphyxiation. • Memory card: It may be swallowed accidentally. If this occurs, contact a doctor immediately. Do not attempt to disassemble or
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Do not use substances containing alcohol, benzine, thinners or other flammable substances to clean or maintain the equipment. Do not cut, damage, alter or place heavy items on the power cord. Use only recommended power accessories. Remove the power cord on a regular periodic basis and wipe away the dust and dirt that collects on the plug, the exterior of the power outlet and the surrounding area. Do not handle the power cord if your hands are wet. Continued use of the equipment may r
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
When recharging the Canon AA-size NiMH batteries, use only a specified battery charger. The compact power adapter is designed for exclusive use with this equipment. Do not use it with other products. There is a risk of overheating and distortion which could result in fire or electrical shock. Before you discard a battery, cover the terminals with tape or other insulators to prevent direct contact with other objects. Contact with the metallic components of other materials in waste conta
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Cautions Equipment Be careful not to bang the camera or subject it to strong impacts or shocks that could lead to injury or damage the equipment when wearing or holding it by the strap. Do not store the equipment in humid or dusty areas. Do not allow metal objects (such as pins or keys) or dirt to contact the charger terminals or plug. Such conditions could lead to fire, electrical shock or other damage. Avoid using, placing or storing the equipment in places subject to strong sunlight
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Flash Do not operate the flash with dirt, dust or other items stuck to the surface of the flash. Be careful not to cover the flash with your fingers or clothing when shooting. The flash may be damaged and emit smoke or noise. The resulting heat build-up could damage the flash. Do not touch the surface of the flash after taking several pictures in rapid succession. Doing so could result in burns. Preventing Malfunctions Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields Never place the camera in close proximit
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Before Using the Camera - Basic Operations Using the LCD Monitor Press . 1 The display mode changes as follows with each press. Shooting Mode ( ) Playback Mode ( ) Standard No Information (No Information) Detailed Standard (Information View) Off Detailed The shooting information displays for approximately 6 sec. when a setting is changed, regardless of the selected display mode. The LCD monitor on or off setting is retained even after the camera power is turned off. The LCD monitor does n
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Before Using the Camera - Basic Operations Information Displayed on the LCD Monitor Shooting Information (Shooting Mode) 1 1 Digital Tele-Converter* (p. 30) * Spot AE Point Frame (p. 55) 1 2 1 Zoom Magnification* * (p. 30) * AF Frame (p. 47) 1 * Low Battery (p. 112) Flash (Basic Guide p. 15) Red-Eye Reduction (Basic Guide p. 16) Auto Rotate (p. 73) 1 Rec* Movie Recording (p. 37) Shooting Mode (Basic Guide pp. 11 – 13) 3:2 Guide (p. 36) (p.64) (p.41) 1 1 1 1 1 Grid Lines* (p. 36) * * * *
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
If the indicator blinks orange and the camera shake warning icon displays, this indicates that a slow shutter speed may have been selected due to insufficient illumination. Raise the ISO speed (p. 69) or select a setting other than (flash off), or attach the camera to a tripod or other device. Playback Information (Playback Mode) Standard WAVE Format Sound (p. 87) Folder Number-File Number Shooting Date/Time Protection Status (p. 89) Compression (Still Images) (p. 29) Recording Total
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Before Using the Camera - Basic Operations Detailed ISO Speed (p. 69) Aperture Value (pp. 45 – 46) Histogram Shooting Mode Metering Mode (p. 55) (Basic Guide pp. 11 – 13) (p. 41) (p. 37) White Balance (p. 58) (pp. 43 – 46) ** Recording Pixels/ Frame Rate (Movies) (p. 40) My Colors (p. 61) Movie Length (Movies) (p. 37) Shutter Speed (pp. 43, 46) My Colors (Playback) (p. 85) ··· Image with the My Colors effect (p. 85) Aperture Value (p. 57) Manual Focus (p. 51) Flash Output (p. 70) AF L
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Information for images shot on other cameras may not display correctly. Overexposure Warning In the following cases, overexposed portions of the image blink. - When reviewing an image right after shooting in the LCD monitor (information view) - When using the detailed display mode of the Playback mode Histogram Function The histogram is a graph that allows you to judge the brightness of the image. The greater the bias toward the left in the graph, the darker the image. The greater the bia
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Before Using the Camera - Basic Operations Power Saving Function This camera is equipped with a power saving function. The power will shut off in the following circumstances. Press the power button again to restore power. Powers down approximately 3 minutes after the last control is accessed on the camera. The LCD monitor automatically turns off 1 minute* after the Shooting Mode last control is accessed even if [Auto Power Down] is set to [Off]. Press any button other than the power butto
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
Menus and Settings Menus are used to set the shooting, playback and print settings as well as such camera settings as the date/time and electronic beep. The following menus are available. FUNC. Menu Rec., Play, Print, Set up and My Camera Menus FUNC. Menu Sets many of the functions commonly used during shooting. a b e c d • This example shows the FUNC. menu in mode. aSet the mode switch to (shooting). bPress the FUNC./SET button. cUse the or button to select a menu item. • Some items ma
