Canon A50 User Manual

Read this guide first if you are new to this camera.It describes the camera functions, setup and operating procedures.

10Read This FirstSafety Precautions•Before using the camera, please ensure that you have read and understood the safetyprecautions described below. Al

100AppendicesThe following codes may appear in the Display Panel. The significance of the message is explainedalongside.Pb: Image data is being read f

101AppendicesThe following messages may appear on the LCD Panel.Busy: Image is recording on CF card. Or image data is being read for display.CF card f

102AppendicesSpecificationsPowerShot A50Image Sensor: 1,310,000-pixel (total), 1/2.7-inch charge coupled device (effective pixels 1,250,000)Gradation

103AppendicesExposure compensation: ± 2 EVFlash: Built-in (Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Reduction)Flash Range: 6.7 in. to 11.5 ft. (0.17 to 3.5 m) (wide ang

104AppendicesCompact Power Adaptor CA-PS100/100E (sold separately in some regions)Input Voltage: AC 100 to 240 V (50/60 Hz)Rated Output: Charging: 7.2

105AppendicesSymbols2x2 (Matrix) Sequence (Stitch Assist Mode) 58, 65+/- (Exp.) 72+/- Buttons 69AAll Images 83Auto Exposure 32, 46, 7

106AppendicesLCD Panel 16Lens 15Lock (Mode Dial) 56Lock for CF Card Slot Cover 16, 24Lower Indicator 45MMacro Button 17, 52Macro Mode 52M

107Customer SupportCustomer SupportEUROPECanon (UK) Ltd.HelpdeskTel No.: 0990 143 723 (Calls may be recorded.)Fax No.: 0990 143 340 BBS No.: 0990

108Customer SupportOCEANIACanon Australia Pty. Ltd.Info-Line: (02) 9805 2864Canon New Zealand Ltd.Info-Line: 0900-522666ASIACanon Singapore Pte. Ltd.7

Art Direction: Yoshisuke Kuramoto, CDS Inc., Tokyo, JapanDesign: Sumio Koike, J-Cat Communications, Vancouver, CanadaPhotography: Hideyuki Igarashi, Y

11Read This First• Do not attempt to disassemble or alter any part of the equipment that is not expressly prescribed in thisguide. Disassembly or alte

H-IE-021-V1 0599Nixx© 1999 CANON INC. PRINTED IN JAPAN

12Read This First• Do not handle the power adapter cord if your hands are wet. Handling it with wet hands may lead toelectrical shock. When unplugging

13Read This First• Use of batteries not expressly recommended for this equipment may cause explosions or leaks, resultingin fire, injury and damage to

14Read This FirstPreventing MalfunctionsAvoid Strong Magnetic FieldsNever place the camera in close proximity to electric motors or other equipment ge

15Read This FirstGuide to Components• Viewfinder (p. 44)• Autofocus (AF) Auxiliary Light Emitter• Flash (p. 51)• Red-Eye Reduction Lamp (p. 51)• VID

16Read This FirstBack View• Viewfinder (p. 44)• CF Card Slot Cover (p. 24)• Lock for CF Card Slot Cover (p. 24)• Strap Holder (p. 27)• LCD Panel*• DC

17Read This FirstDisplay Panel•(p. 43)Operation panelIndicators •(p. 45)SET Button •(pp. 55, 69)MENU Button •(pp. 54, 69)• MACRO/JUMP Button (p. 52)•

18Camera SetupCamera SetupBattery Pack NB-5H, Compact Power AdapterCA-PS100/100E, power cords, DC CouplerDR-100A and 2CR5 lithium batteries are soldse

19Camera Setup• The battery pack requires approxi-mately 90 minutes to charge fully froma completely discharged state (ascharged with Compact Power Ad

Prepare the Camera for Use Start Taking PicturesLoad Images onto a ComputerDigital Camera Operating Steps and Reference GuidesInstall the SoftwarePowe

20Camera Setup3. Install the battery pack into the batterychamber with the terminals oriented inthe direction shown.4. Close the battery cover and sli

21Camera Setup• Make sure that the battery cover lock isin the lock position. The camera will notoperate unless the lock is secured.• Remove the batte

22Camera SetupBattery PerformanceBattery Pack NB-5H 2CR5 Lithium Batteries(Fully charged) (New, Sanyo Brand)Shooting CapacityLCD Panel On Approx. 70 s

23Camera SetupUsing the Camera with an AC Power Source• The DC output indicator on thecompact power adapter will shine redwhile in use as a DC power s

24Camera SetupInserting a CF CardFollow the procedures below to insert a CFcard into the camera.• Please note that using CF cards in thiscamera that h

25Camera Setup• Do not remove the battery or remove aCF card while the camera is writing to aCF card, erasing images or reading froma CF card.• A CF c

26Camera SetupPrecautions with CF CardsPlease note that the PC card icon may take amoment (about 1 minute) to appear on theTaskbar of certain computer

27Camera SetupAttaching the Wrist StrapA wrist strap is supplied with this camera.Follow the procedures below to attach it.1. Insert the thin part of

28Camera SetupSetting the Menu LanguageYou can change the language in whichmessages are displayed.The Language menu may appear differ-ently on cameras

29Camera SetupSetting the Date and TimeSet the correct date and time with thefollowing procedures.SET ButtonMENU Button+/- ButtonsLCD Panel1. Turn th

3Processing Images with the SoftwareOn-screen "Help"or"Using [ software name ] " On-screen Guide or PowerShot A50 Software Stater

30Camera Setup5. Press the SET button to move betweenfields and the +/- buttons to advancevalues.6. Once the settings are adjusted to yoursatisfacti

31Quick StartNow that you have the camera set up,lets jump right into picture taking.This section explains the most basicprocedures for taking, review

32Taking PicturesMode DialTaking PicturesTaking Pictures in Auto Mode1. Turn the Mode Dial to the (Auto)position.2. Look into the viewfinder and f

33Taking PicturesTwo-Stage Shutter ButtonThe camera features a two-stage shutterbutton. Press the button lightly (depress to thehalfway point) to acti

Replaying Images34LCD Panel+/- Buttons1. Turn the Mode Dial to the PLAYposition.2. Press the + button to display the nextimage or the - button to disp

35Replaying Images2. Select image (green frame) by pressingthe +/- buttons.• Display the selected image at full sizeby turning the Mode Dial to the PL

36Erasing ImagesErasing Images from a CF CardFollow the procedures below to erase animage.1. Turn the Mode Dial to the PLAY orMULTI position.2. Press

37Erasing Images• To delete all the images at once, select[All] in Step 5.• If you want to stop the erase procedure,select [Cancel].• To display the p

Detailed Guideto the FunctionsThis section provides individual explana-tions of each camera function. Read it tofind out more detail about each functi

4IntroductionThank you for purchasing a Canon PowerShot A50, the easy-to-use digital camera with a wide-anglezoom lens and a large range of built-in f

40Basic Functions• Large and Small sizes cover the exactsame scope but reproduce the imageswith differing numbers of pixels. Oncomputer monitors the L

41Basic FunctionsPower On/Off SwitchThe camera’s power isturned on and off with theMode Dial. The power isoff when the dial is turnedto the L (Lock) p

42Basic FunctionsCamera ModesThe PowerShot A50 features six operatingmodes that you select with the Mode Dial.Shooting Modes : Auto ModeAuto mode is f

43Basic FunctionsDisplay PanelThe Display panel on the camera top showsthe status of camera settings, battery levelsand the approximate number of imag

44Basic FunctionsViewfinderThe camera is equipped with an opticalviewfinder for image composition.• The field of the viewfinder will changeas the Zoom

45Basic FunctionsIndicatorsTwo indicators appear to the left of theviewfinder. These lights shine or flash toconfirm various actions and camera modesw

46ButtonsShutter ButtonThe camera features a two-stage shutterbutton.Pressing HalfwayPress the shutter button halfway to automati-cally set the focus,

47Buttons• If the LCD panel is turned off and theReview function is set to On, a previewof the photographic subject will brieflyappear in the LCD pane

48Buttonswhen these signals are on. Doing socould corrupt the image data.Focus LockPressing the shutter button halfway locks thefocus until the button

49ButtonsZoom ButtonsThe zoom can be set from wide angle, 4.3mm (35 mm film equivalent: 28 mm), totelephoto, 10.8 mm (35 mm film equivalent:70 mm). Pr

5FCC NoticeDigital Camera, Model PS1026This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Opera-tion is subject to the following two conditions: (1)

50Buttons• The icon indicates theContinuous mode. If theshutter button is pressedcontinuously, up to 15frames will be shotcontinuously until theinte

51ButtonsFlash/- ButtonProgram or Stitch Assist Mode:This button switches between the Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Flash On and Flash Offfunctions.• The a

52ButtonsPlay Mode:This button displays the previous storedimage.Multi Mode:This button selects the previously storedimage.Menu Button:This button mov

53Buttons•In Macro mode, the subject can be shotwithin a range of 6.7 to 20in. (17 to 50cm)and remain in focus.• When shooting in Macro mode, checkthe

54ButtonsLCD/VIDEO ButtonAuto Mode and Program Mode:This button turns the LCD panel on or off.Play Mode and Multi Mode:With the TV connected, this but

55ButtonsPlay Mode and Multi Mode:This button displays the Play menu. (p.68)• When a menu is already displayed onthe LCD panel, pressing the MENUbutto

56Mode Dial FunctionsThe Mode Dial allows you to select between the various shooting and playback modes featured onthe PowerShot A50.Mode Dial Functio

57Mode Dial FunctionsProgram ModeIn Program mode, you canmanually select the Singleor Continuous mode aswell as the image size and quality.• Be sure t

58Mode Dial FunctionsStitch Assist ModeWhat is Stitch Assist?The Stitch Assist mode isdesigned to make it easierto merge separate panoramic images int

59Mode Dial FunctionsPlay ModeIn Play mode, you candisplay images from the CFcard one at time on theLCD panel.• Press the + or - button to display the

6Table of ContentsRead This First ... 9Handling and Safety Precautions... 9Guide to Components ...

60Mode Dial Functionsbutton in Jump mode followed by the +button or - button displays the last orfirst set of nine images, respectively.PC ModeIn PC m

61Stitch Assist ModeSet the Mode Dial to the (Stitch Assist)position and follow the procedures below tomerge several images into one large panoramic

62Stitch Assist Mode• The Display Panel may display a lowernumber of recordable images in StitchAssist mode than in Auto or Programmode.• The CD-ROM t

63Stitch Assist ModeProcedures for Shooting Horizontal/Vertical SequencesHorizontal SequenceVertical Sequence1. Turn the Mode Dial tothe (Stitch Assi

64Stitch Assist Mode4. Orient the camera so that the secondframe overlaps a small portion of thephotographic subject of the first imageand press the s

65Stitch Assist ModeProcedures for Shooting 2x2 (Matrix) Sequences1. Turn the Mode Dialto the (StitchAssist) position.2. Select [2x2] with the +/- bu

66Stitch Assist Mode• By default, images are recorded in aclockwise direction starting from theupper right. To change the startingposition, press the

67Stitch Assist Mode6. Orient the camera so that the fourthimage will correctly overlap a portionof the third image and take the shot.After the indica

68Menu FeaturesMenus can be used to select image size and quality settings (Record menu), to select the display options,such as information formats an

69Menu FeaturesBasic Menu OperationsMenu functions are operated by the MENU,+/- and SET buttons.MENU ButtonThis button turns the menu display on or of

7Zoom Buttons ... 49Continuous/Self-Timer/+ Button ... 49Flash/- Button...

70Menu FeaturesRecord MenuPressing the MENU button in the Auto,Program or Stitch Assist mode displays theRecord menu on the LCD panel.• In Auto mode,

71Menu FeaturesSize/Quality Compression Format File SizeLarge/Fine (1280 x 960)JPEG High Quality 320 KBLarge/Normal (1280 x 960)JPEG Normal 170 KB

72Menu Features+/- (Exp.)The Exposure Compensation function allowsyou to adjust exposure settings to a variety ofsituations in which a photographic su

73Menu FeaturesWhite BalanceThe White Balance function can be set to suitthe shooting conditions when the flash is notused and an image is taken only

74Menu FeaturesIconsOn: For intentionally settingthe shutter to a slow speed.Off: Camera selects a settingautomatically.Night Scene: For night scene.•

75Menu FeaturesPlay MenuPressing the MENU button in the Play or Multimode displays the Play menu on the LCDpanel.Show/Hide Info.This function displays

76Menu FeaturesEraseThis function can be used to erase image filesfrom a CF card.• Selecting the [Single] option allows youto scroll through images wi

77Menu FeaturesRotateThe Rotate function can be used to rotate arecorded image 90˚ clockwise or counterclock-wise for playback. This allows you to pla

78Menu Features• With each successive press of the SETbutton, the image is rotated 90˚clockwise, 90˚ counterclockwise andback to its original orientat

79Menu FeaturesMark/UnmarkThis function is used to mark or unmarkimages for replay in a slide show. You cansave marked images in shows 1 to 3.• CCD RA

8Format ... 88Language... 89Other Functions...

80Menu FeaturesClear MarksThis function clears all marked data containedin shows 1 to 3.• Selecting [OK] deletes the marks.Selecting [Cancel] returns

81Menu FeaturesRepeatSelecting this option enables you to automati-cally repeat the slide show once it reaches thelast image.• When it is set to on, t

82Menu Featureseach page. The [Index] setting prints an indexof the images like a contact sheet. The [Both]setting prints both individual images and a

83Menu Features• Use the +/- buttons to scroll throughimages and the SET button to mark orunmark an image. A check markappears beside the marked image

84Menu FeaturesThe options are [Off], which omits all data,[Date], [File No.] and [Both], which prints boththe date and file number.•The date is print

85Menu FeaturesSetupSelecting the Setup option in either the Recordor Play menu displays the Setup submenu.• The [Review] and [File No. Reset]options

86Menu FeaturesDate/TimeUse this setting to adjust the camera’s dateand time settings and display formats.The factory default date style may differbet

87Menu FeaturesFile No. ResetThe method by which the camera assigns filenumbers can be selected.The file no. reset [On] setting resets the startingfil

88Menu FeaturesFormatThis function enables you to format a CF cardfor use with the camera. If the camera ceasesto operate correctly, a corrupted CF ca

89Menu FeaturesLanguageUse the Language option to change thelanguage in which messages on the LCDpanel are displayed.The Language menu may appear diff

9Read This FirstRead This FirstHandling and Safety PrecautionsPlease read the handling and safety precautions that appear in the following pages of th

90Other FunctionsConnecting to a TVYou can connect your camera to a televisionto display the images you have recorded byfollowing the procedures below

91Other Functions6. Play images using the normal proce-dures.7. When you finish viewing, turn thecamera Mode Dial to the L (Lock)position before disco

92Other Functions1. Ensure that the ModeDial is set to the L(Lock) position.2. Slide the batterycover lock to therelease positionand slide thebattery

93Other FunctionsNB-5H2CR56. Place the button battery holder (withthe new button battery installed) backinto place in the battery chamber.7. Replace t

94Other FunctionsChanging the Recording FormatThe PowerShot A50 records images in the“Design rule for Camera File system” industrystandard format. The

95AppendicesCamera MaintenanceFollow the procedures below to clean thecamera body, lens, viewfinder and LCD panelwhen they become dirty.• Never use th

96AppendicesTroubleshootingProblem Cause(s) Solution(s)• Slide the battery cover lock into thelocked position.• Install the 2CR5 lithium battery with

97AppendicesProblem Cause(s) Solution(s)• Firmly close and lock the CF card slotcover.• Replace the CF card.• Load the CF card data onto a computerand

98AppendicesProblem Cause(s) Solution(s)•The battery pack should recover if you fullycharge and fully discharge it several times.• This battery pack c

99AppendicesProblem Cause(s) Solution(s)• Set Slow Shutter to Off.• Ensure that the Flash mode is set to On.• Adjust the Exposure Compensationmode to