Canon PowerShot A420 User manual

Safety Precautions
Be sure to read, understand and follow the safety precautions below when
using the camera, in order to prevent injury, burns or electrical shock to yourself
and others.
Be sure to also read the safety precautions listed in the
Advanced Camera User Guide.
Warnings
• Do not trigger the flash in close proximity to human or animal eyes.
• Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants.
• Avoid dropping or subjecting the camera to severe impacts. Do not touch
the flash portion of the camera if it has been damaged.
• Stop operating the equipment immediately if it emits smoke or noxious
fumes.
• Do not handle the power cord if your hands are wet.
• Only use batteries recommended in this manual.
• The output terminal for the compact power adaptor is made specifically for
this camera. Do not use it with any other device.
Preparations
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Printing
Downloading Images
to a Computer
CDI-E210-010
Camera User Guide
Please Read This First
This guide explains how to prepare the camera and use its basic features.
© 2006 CANON INC.
ENGLISH
Basic
PRINTED IN CHINA

0
Flowchart and Reference Guides
The following guides are available. Refer to them as necessary according
to the flowchart below.
This icon appears for functions and notes that apply only to the
PowerShot A430.
This guide uses illustrations of the PowerShot A430.
System Map
Basic Camera User
Guide (This Guide)
• Read this first.
Advanced Camera
User Guide
Direct Print User Guide
Basic Camera User
Guide (This Guide)
Software Starter Guide
ZoomBrowser EX/
ImageBrowser
Software User Guide
For information on included
items and items sold separately
Preparations
• Installing the battery and memory
card
• Setting the date, time and language
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Handling precautions,
references to the various
shooting and playback functions
Printing
• Installing the software
• Downloading images to a
computer
• Using the software
• PDF manuals available on the Canon website.
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/information-e.html

1
Preparations
Installing the Battery and Memory Card
1Open memory card slot/battery cover.
2Insert the batteries, and insert the memory card until it clicks
into place, then close the cover.
* SD stands for Secure Digital, a copyright protection system.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Battery Handling (p. 85)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Handling the Memory Card (p. 87)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Formatting Memory Cards (p. 29)
Ensure that the memory card is correctly oriented before inserting it in
the camera. It may damage the camera if inserted incorrectly.
You can use SD* memory cards and MultiMediaCards with this camera.
These cards are collectively called memory cards in this guide.
b
ac
a
b
(–) Negative end
(+) Positive end
Front
Preparations

2
To Remove the Memory Card
Use your finger to push the memory card in until you hear a click, then
release it.
First Time Settings
Setting the Date/Time
1Press the power button.
The upper indicator blinks green.
To turn the power off, press the power
button once more.
Hold down the DISP. button, and
press the power button to turn on the
mute setting and turn off all operation
sounds except the warnings.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Using the LCD Monitor (p. 15)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Power Saving Function (p. 20)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Set up Menu (p. 25)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: My Camera Menu (p. 27)
Upper indicator Power butto
n
Preparations

3
2Select the item you wish to set
using the
W
or
X
button and
set its value using the
S
or
T
button (
a
).
3Confirm that the correct time
is displayed and press the
FUNC./SET button (
b
).
The date/time can also be set in the
Set up menu (p. 11).
Setting the Display Language
1Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (
a
).
2Hold down the FUNC./SET button (
b
) and press the MENU
button (
c
).
3Use the
S
,
T
,
W
or
X
button (
d
) to select a language and
press the FUNC./SET button (
e
).
The language can also be set in the Set up menu (p. 11).
a
b
a
b
e
c
d
Preparations

4
Shooting
1Set the mode dial to (Auto).
2Aim the camera at the subject.
Be careful not to block the flash with your finger.
3Press the shutter button lightly
(halfway) to focus.
The camera beeps twice and the
upper indicator lights green when the
camera focuses.
4Press the shutter button fully
(all the way) to shoot.
The shutter sound will play (a beep
sound for the PowerShot A420), and
the image will record.
The upper indicator will blink green
while the image is recorded to the
memory card.
The beep will sound one time if the subject is difficult to focus on.
ÎSee Basic Shooting Functions (p. 5)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide to verify the advanced shooting method.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Movie Shooting (p. 37)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Indicators (p. 19)
Lightly press
(Pressing halfway)
Upper indicator
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Shooting Hard-to-Focus Subjects (p. 47)
Pressing fully
(Pressing all the way)
Upper indicator
Shooting

5
Reviewing an Image Right After Shooting
After a shot is taken, the image appears in the LCD monitor for
approximately 2 seconds.
To override this time limit and continue displaying the image, use one of
the following methods:
z Keep the shutter button fully depressed after taking the shot.
z Press the FUNC./SET or DISP. button while the image is displayed in the
LCD monitor.*
Press the shutter button halfway again to stop displaying it.
* This operation is not available in the Stitch Assist mode (p. 6).
Basic Shooting Functions
Selecting a Shooting Mode
Use the mode dial and menu to select the Shooting modes.
Mode Dial
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Changing the Review Duration (p. 24)
ÎSee Erasing (p. 10)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Movie Shooting (p. 37)
AUTO
The camera automatically selects
settings.
MANUAL
6 modes are available with this camera.
You can manually adjust the exposure,
white balance, My Colors, shooting
panorama composition images
( , ) and other settings before
shooting.
SPECIAL SCENE
8 scene modes to shoot with the most
appropriate settings for the scene are available
with this camera.
MOVIE
Modes for shooting movies
are available with this
camera.
Shooting

6
Selecting a Shooting Mode
In the , , and modes, the same procedure is used for
selecting shooting modes. The following explanation uses the
mode as an example.
1Set the mode dial to
(
a
).
2Press the FUNC./SET
button (
b
).
3Use the
W
or
X
button to
select a shooting mode
(
c
).
4Press the FUNC./SET
button (
d
).
Mode Items
Manual
Allows you to select settings yourself,
such as the exposure compensation,
white balance or My Colors settings.
Super Macro
Allows you to take magnified shots of
subjects closer than standard Macro
mode (p. 9).
Shooting is possible when the
distance from the front of the lens to
the subject is in the following range:
1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2.0 in.) (maximum
wide angle)
Color Accent
Allows you to have only the color
specified in the LCD monitor remain
and to transform all others to black
and white.
Color Swap
Allows you to transform a color
specified in the LCD monitor into
another color.
Stitch Assist
Use this mode when taking shots that
you want to combine into a
panorama.
a
bd
c
Shooting
mode
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 31)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 42)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 43)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 40)
Shooting

7
Special Scene Mode Items
By selecting a shooting mode, you can capture scenes with optimal
shooting.
Movie Mode Items
Allows you to shoot a movie just by pressing the shutter button.
The following movie modes are available:
Standard, Compact (for sending movies as e-mail attachments), Color
Accent (for shooting in black and white except for specified colors), and
Color Swap (for changing a specified color into another).
Portrait
Blurs the background and makes a
person stand out.
Night Snapshot
Allows you to take snapshots of
people against twilight or night
backgrounds by reducing the effects
of camera shake even without using
a tripod.
Kids&Pets
Allows you to capture subjects that
move around, such as children and
pets, without missing photo
opportunities.
Indoor
Prevents camera shake and
maintains the subject's true color
when shooting under fluorescent or
tungsten lighting.
Foliage
Shoots trees and leaves - such as
new growth, autumn leaves or
blossoms - in vivid colors.
Snow
Shoots without a blue tinge and
without making people appear dark
against a snowy background.
Beach
Shoots without making people
appear dark near water or sand
where reflected sunlight is strong.
Fireworks
Captures fireworks in the sky sharply
and at an optimal exposure.
zThe shutter speed is slow in (Fireworks) mode. Always use a
tripod to avoid camera shake.
zIn (Indoor), (Kids&Pets) or (Night Snapshot) mode, the ISO
speed may increase and cause noise in the image depending on the
scene being shot.
zIn (Kids&Pets) mode, shoot with the subject at least 1 m (3.3 ft.)
away.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Movie Shooting (p. 37)
Shooting

8
Using the Zoom
The zoom can be adjusted to the following in 35 mm film equivalent terms.
PowerShot A430: 39 mm - 156 mm
PowerShot A420: 39 mm - 125 mm
Using the Flash
* Red-Eye Reduction: This feature reduces the effect of light reflecting back from the
eyes and making them appear red.
 Distance ranges for shooting with the flash are 47 cm to 3.0 m (1.5 to
10 ft.) (W) and 47 cm to 2.0 m (1.5 to 6.6 ft.) (T).
 If the LCD monitor is on when the flash begins charging, the upper
indicator will blink orange, and the LCD monitor will turn off. When
charging is complete, the upper indicator will turn off, and the LCD will
turn on again. The charge time varies depending on conditions of use
such as the remaining battery life.
Telephoto
Zooms in on the subject.
Wide Angle
Zooms out from the subject.
button
Press this button to cycle through flash settings.
(Flash settings cannot be used in some shooting modes.)
Auto
Auto with red-eye reduction*
Flash on with red-eye reduction*
Flash on
Flash off
Slow Synchro
Shooting

9
Shooting Close-Ups/Infinity Shots
(Macro): Use this mode to shoot close-ups of flowers or small items.
Image area at minimum shooting distance from end of lens to subject:
Maximum wide angle setting: 52 × 39 mm (2.0 × 1.5 in.)
(Minimum shooting distance: 5 cm (2.0 in.))
Maximum telephoto setting (PowerShot A430) : 64 × 48 mm (2.5 × 1.9 in.)
(Minimum shooting distance: 25 cm (9.8 in.))
Maximum telephoto setting (PowerShot A420) : 75 × 56 mm (3.0 × 2.2 in.)
(Minimum shooting distance: 25 cm (9.8 in.))
(Infinity): Use this mode to record subjects 3 m (9.8 ft.) away or more. Also use
this mode for compositions combining both near and distant objects.
zYou are recommended to shoot with the camera attached to a tripod or
other device if the camera shake warning icon appears.
zblinks while recharging. You can shoot after lights without
blinking.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112)
zUse the LCD monitor to compose close-ups in macro mode since
images composed with the viewfinder may be off-center.
zExposure may not be optimal when the flash is used in Macro mode.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Magnified Close-Up Shooting (p. 31)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Using the Digital Zoom (p. 32)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112)
button
When you press this button, or appears on
the LCD monitor.
To cancel the macro/infinity mode: press the
button to remove or from the display.
Shooting

10
Playback
1Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (
a
).
2Display the image you
wish to view.
Use the Wor Xbutton to select the image (b).
Use the Wbutton to move to the previous image and the Xbutton to move
the next image.
Erasing
1Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (
a
).
2Use the
W
or
X
button to
select the image you wish
to erase (
b
).
3Press the button (
c
).
4Confirm that [Erase] is
selected (
d
) and press the
FUNC./SET button (
e
).
To exit instead of erasing, select
[Cancel].
ÎSee the Advanced Guide to verify the advanced playback function.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Viewing Movies (p. 59)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Erasing All Images (p. 65)
Please note that erased images cannot be recovered. Exercise adequate
caution before erasing an image.
a
b
e
c
b
a
d
Playback/Erasing

11
Menus and Settings
Settings for shooting, playback modes or printing, or such camera settings
as the date/time and sounds are set using the FUNC., Rec., Play, Print,
Set up, or My Camera menus.
FUNC. Menu
From this menu you can specify self-timer, recording pixels, and other settings for
shooting.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Menus and Settings (p. 23)
To select an item (
a
)
Press the Sor Tbutton.
To change the setting (
b
)
Press the Wor Xbutton.
When the camera is set to shooting mode,
press the FUNC./SET button.
When you finish making
settings
Press the FUNC./SET button.
a b
Menus and Settings

12
Menus and Settings
Rec./Play/Print/Set up/ My Camera Menus
You can specify settings related to camera functions from these menus:
[ Rec. Menu], [ Play Menu], [ Print Menu], [ Set up Menu], and
[ My Camera Menu].
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Menus and Settings (p. 23)
b c
a
To switch between menus (
a
)
When the menu icon is selected, press
the Wor Xbutton.
To select an item (
b
)
Press the Sor Tbutton.
To change the setting (
c
)
Press the Wor Xbutton.
When "..." appears by an item, press the
FUNC./SET button to display the set up
screen, and then use the S,T,Wor Xbutton
to change the settings.
Press the MENU button.
Press the MENU button.
From shooting mode
From playback
mode
When you finish making
settings
Press the MENU button.
My Camera
Print
Setup

13
Printing
Connect the camera to a direct print compatible printer*1with a cable and
simply press the button.
1Connect the camera to a Canon Direct Print compatible
printer and turn on the printer's power.
*1 Since this camera uses a standard protocol (PictBridge), you can use it with other
PictBridge-compliant printers in addition to Canon-brand printers.
*2 You can also use card photo printers such as the CP-10/CP-100/CP-200/CP-300.
2Power on the camera in Playback mode. Confirm that ,
or is displayed in the upper left of the LCD monitor (
a
).
zThe button lights blue.
zThe displayed icon will vary according to the printer model.
3Select an image to print with the
W
or
X
button (
b
) and press
the button (
c
).
The button will blink blue and printing will start.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Setting the DPOF Print Settings (p. 66)
ÎSee the Direct Print User Guide
ÎSee the user guide for Your Printer
SELPHY CP Series Compact
Photo Printers*2
PIXMA Series/SELPHY DS Series
Bubble Jet Printers
Interface Cable
Canon Brand Printers
Camera
c
b
a
Printing

14
Downloading Images to a Computer
The following methods can be used to download images recorded by the
camera to a computer. Some methods, depending on the OS used, may
not be available. Please read System Requirements (p. 15) in advance.
Camera to Computer Connection
Using a Memory Card Reader
A memory card reader can be used with all the operating systems listed
above. Refer to the Software Starter Guide for details.
Supplied Software Install It Do Not Install It
Downloading Method Computer Procedure Camera Procedure Computer Procedure
Windows 98 SE zz–
Windows 2000 zz–
Windows Me zz–
Windows XP zzz
Mac OS X zzz
Computer System
Requirements
zBasic Guide (p. 15)
zSoftware Starter Guide
Connecting
the Camera to a
Computer
zBasic Guide (p. 17)
zWindows XP and
Mac OS X Users
leaflet
Downloading Images
to a Computer
zBasic Guide (p. 18, 19)
zSoftware Starter Guide
Downloading Images to a Computer

15
System Requirements
Please install the software on a computer meeting the following minimum
requirements.
OS Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
Windows Me
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows XP (including Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2)
Computer Model The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with built-in
USB ports.
CPU Pentium 500MHz or higher processor
RAM Windows 98 SE/Windows Me : 128 MB or more
Windows 2000/Windows XP : 256 MB or more
Interface USB
Free Hard Disk Space z Canon Utilities
- ZoomBrowser EX : 200 MB or more
- PhotoStitch : 40 MB or more
z Canon Camera TWAIN Driver : 25 MB or more
z Canon Camera WIA Driver : 25 MB or more
z ArcSoft PhotoStudio : 50 MB or more
Display 1,024 × 768 pixels/High Color (16 bit) or better
OS Mac OS X (v10.2–v10.4)
Computer Model The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with built-in
USB ports.
CPU PowerPC G3/G4/G5
RAM 256 MB or more
Interface USB
Free Hard Disk Space z Canon Utilities
- ImageBrowser : 200 MB or more
- PhotoStitch : 40 MB or more
z ArcSoft PhotoStudio : 50 MB or more
Display 1,024 × 768 pixels/32,000 Colors or better
Downloading Images to a Computer

16
Preparing to Download Images
Items to Prepare
z Camera and computer
z Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk supplied with the camera
z Interface cable supplied with the camera (always use the supplied interface
cable)
1Install the software.
1. Place the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk in the computer's
CD-ROM drive.
2. Click [Easy Installation].
Proceed with the installation, confirming the
contents as you proceed.
3. When the installation is finished, the
[Finish] or [Restart] button appears. Click
the one that appears.
4. When the screen returns to the desktop display, remove the Canon
Digital Camera Solution Disk from the CD-ROM drive.
Ensure that you install the software first before connecting the camera to the
computer.
Double-click the [Canon Digital Camera
Installer] icon in the CD-ROM window.
When the installer panel appears, click [Install].
Select [Easy Installation] as the setup type
and click [Next].
When the installation is finished, click [OK].
Installer panel
Installer panel
Downloading Images to a Computer

17
2Connecting the camera to a computer.
1. Use the supplied interface cable to connect the computer's USB
port to the camera's DIGITAL terminal.
With your fingernail on the left edge of the camera's DIGITAL terminal
cover, gently pull it open and plug the interface cable in all the way.
2. Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (
a
) and turn on the
power (
b
).
The camera and computer will be
able to communicate.
Always grasp the connector's sides to remove the interface cable
from the camera's DIGITAL terminal.
If the "Digital Signature Not Found" window appears, click [Yes]. The USB driver
will automatically finish installing onto the computer when you attach the camera
and open a connection.
USB Port DIGITAL Terminal
Interface Cable Interface Cable
ab
Downloading Images to a Computer

18
Downloading Images to a Computer
A window allowing you to set the preferences will appear when a
connection is established between the camera and computer.
1Select [Canon CameraWindow] and
click [OK] (first time only).
2Download the images.
zDownload the images using the camera or
the computer.
zBy default, the downloaded images are saved
into the [My Pictures] folder.
Thumbnails (small versions) of the downloaded
images will display in the ZoomBrowser EX
Main Window. By default, the downloaded
images are saved into subfolders according to
their shooting dates.
If the window to the right does not
appear, click the [Start] menu and select
[All Programs] or [Programs], followed
by [Canon Utilities], [CameraWindow],
[PowerShot - IXY - IXUS -DV 6] and
[CameraWindow].
Downloading Images
Using the Camera (p. 20)
Downloading Images Using a Computer
By default, all images that have yet to be
downloaded will download.
You can set the type of image to
download and the destination folder.
Downloading Images to a Computer