Canon PowerShot A450 Operating and maintenance manual

Preparations
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Printing
The Components Guide
Downloading Images to
a Computer
CDI-E268-010
Camera User Guide
Please Read This First
This guide explains how to prepare the camera and use its basic features.
© 2007 CANON INC. PRINTED IN CHINA
ENGLISH
Basic
Photo of PowerShot A460

The following guides are available. Refer to them as necessary according to the
flowchart below.
In this guide, the Basic Camera User Guide is called the Basic Guide, and the
Advanced Camera User Guide is called the Advanced Guide.
Flowchart and Reference Guides
For information on included items and
items sold separately
The Components Guide
Preparations
• Installing the batteries 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
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
• PDF manuals available
on the Canon website.
http://web.canon.jp/
Imaging/information-
e.html
You may not be able to achieve the
full performance of this camera with
the included memory card.

1
The Components Guide
Front View
aWrist Strap Mount
bSpeaker
cFlash (p. 13)
dAF-assist Beam (Advanced Guide p. 20)
eRed-Eye Reduction Lamp (p. 14)
fSelf-Timer Lamp (p. 16)
gMicrophone (Advanced Guide p. 54)
hViewfinder Window (Advanced Guide p. 17)
iA/V OUT (Audio/Video output) Terminal (Advanced Guide p. 62)
jLens
The Components Guide
In order to avoid dropping the camera, wear the wrist strap
when using the camera.
def
i
h
j
c
a
g
Attaching the Wrist Strap
b

2
Back View
aLCD Monitor (Advanced Guide p. 12)
bViewfinder (Advanced Guide p. 17)
cDIGITAL Terminal (p. 27)
dDC IN (power input) Terminal (Advanced Guide p. 89)
eTerminal Cover
fMemory Card Slot / Battery Cover Lock (p. 5)
gMemory Card Slot / Battery Cover (p. 5)
hDate Battery Cover (Advanced Guide p. 92)
iTripod Socket
The LCD monitor may be covered with a thin plastic film
for protection against scratches during shipment. If so,
remove the film before using the camera.
b
h
e
i
a
g
d
c
f

3
The Components Guide
Controls
aIndicators (p. 4)
bMode Dial (pp. 8, 18)
cShutter Button (p. 8)
dPower Button (p. 8)
eDISP. (Display) Button (Advanced Guide p. 12)
fMENU Button (p. 21, Advanced Guide p. 19)
gFUNC./SET (Function/Set) Button (p. 20, Advanced Guide p. 18)
h(Print/Share) Button (pp. 22, 30)
i(Macro)/ (Infinity)/ Button (p. 15)
j(Telephoto while shooting) / (Magnify in playback mode)/
Button (p. 12, Advanced Guide p. 50)
k(Flash)/ Button (p. 13)
l(Wide Angle while shooting) / (Single Image Erase) /
Button (p. 12, p. 19, Advanced Guide p. 28)
bd
e
c
i
j
a
k
f g h
l

4
Indicators
The camera indicators will light or blink under the following conditions.
• Upper Indicator
• Lower Indicator
Never do the following while the indicator blinks green.
These actions may corrupt image data.
• Shake or jolt the camera
• Shut off the power, or open the memory card slot/battery
cover
Green: Ready to shoot (camera beeps twice)/when
connected to a computer
Blinking Green: During camera startup/image recording/reading/
erasing/transferring (when connected to a
computer/printer)
Orange: Ready to shoot (flash on)
Blinking Orange:Ready to shoot (camera shake warning),
charging flash
Yellow: Macro mode/Infinity mode
Blinking Yellow: Focusing difficulty (camera beeps once)

5
Preparations
1. Installing the batteries.
1. Slide the memory card slot/battery cover lock (
a
) and press
down while opening the cover (
b
).
2. Insert the batteries.
2. Inserting the Memory Card.
1. Insert the memory card until it clicks into place.
2. Close the memory card slot/battery cover (
a
), pressing
down and sliding it until it clicks into place (
b
).
Preparations
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Battery Handling (p. 83).
Ensure that the memory card is correctly oriented before
inserting it in the camera. It may damage the camera, or
the camera may not recognize the card, if it is inserted
incorrectly.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Handling the Memory Card (p. 85).
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Formatting Memory Cards (p. 25).
b
a
Positive end (+)
Negative end (–)
a
Back
b

6
To Remove the Memory Card
Push the memory card with your finger until the memory card clicks
and then release it.
You can use SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards and
MultiMediaCards with this camera.
These cards are collectively called memory cards in this
guide.

7
Preparations
First Time Settings
Setting the Date/Time
1. Press the power button (
a
).
2. Use the or button to select an item and the or
button to change its value (
b
).
3. Confirm that the correct time is displayed and press the
FUNC./SET button (
c
).
The date and time can also be set in the Set up menu (p. 21).
Setting the Display Language
1. Turn the mode dial to (playback) (p. 18).
2. Hold down the FUNC./SET button and press the MENU
button.
3. Use the , , or button to select a language and
press the FUNC./SET button.
The display language can also be set in the Set up menu (p. 21).
The date/time setting screen will appear when the
camera power is turned on for the first time, or when the
capacity of the lithium date battery is depleted.
b
c
a
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Replacing the Date Battery (p. 92).

8
1. Press the power button.
The start-up sound will play and the
start-up image will display in the LCD
monitor.
• Pressing the power button again turns
the power off.
• Pressing the power button while
pressing and holding the DISP. button
will turn on the mute setting which will
mute all sounds except for warning sounds.
2. Turn the mode dial to (Auto).
3. Aim the camera at the subject.
4. Focus and shoot.
1. Press the shutter button halfway to focus.
When the camera focuses, the camera beeps twice and the
indicator lights green (orange when using the flash). Also, the
AF frame appears in green on the LCD monitor at the point
where the camera is focused.
Shooting
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Using the LCD Monitor (p. 12).
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Power Saving Function (p. 17).
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Set up Menu (p. 21).
Power Button
DISP. Button
Indicators

9
Shooting
2. Press the shutter button fully to
shoot.
The shutter sound will play and the image
will record. The indicator will blink green
while the image is recorded to the memory
card.
Reviewing an Image Right After Shooting
After a shot is taken, the image appears in the LCD monitor for
approximately 2 seconds.
You can continue to display images regardless of the review duration
setting with the following procedures.
• Keeping the shutter button pressed after a shot.
• Pressing the FUNC./SET or DISP. button while the image is
displayed in the LCD monitor.
To stop displaying the image, press the shutter button halfway.
ÎSee Indicators (p. 4).
ÎSee the Advanced Guide for the various shooting methods available.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Review (p. 20).
ÎSee Erasing (p. 19).

10
Selecting a Shooting Mode
1. Turn the mode dial to the desired mode (
a
).

, or modes
1.Press the FUNC./SET button (
b
).
2.Select a shooting mode using the or button (
c
).
3.Press the FUNC./SET button (
d
).
Shooting Modes
Auto
The camera automatically selects settings.
Manual
Manual
Allows you to select settings yourself, such as the exposure compensation, white
balance, My Colors or ISO speed.
Super Macro
Allows you to approach closer than in Macro mode to take larger close-ups. At
maximum wide angle, the distance from the end of the lens to the subject can range
from 1 – 5 cm (0.3 – 2.0 in.).
a
bd
c
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 28)

11
Shooting
Special
Scene
Portrait
Produces a soft effect
when photographing
people.
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
optimal exposure.
Movie
Shoots a movie when you press the shutter button.
You can set it to the (Standard) or (Compact) mode, which is convenient for
email attachments.
• The shutter speed is slow in mode. Always use a
tripod to avoid camera shake.
• In , or mode, the ISO speed may increase
and cause noise in the image depending on the scene
being shot.
• In mode, shoot with the subject more than 1 m (3.3
ft.) away from the front of the lens.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 32).

12
Using the Zoom
1. Press the or button.
You can adjust the zoom for the following focal lengths in 35mm
film equivalent terms.
PowerShot A460: 38 – 152 mm
PowerShot A450: 38 – 122 mm
Telephoto: Zooms in on the subject.
Wide Angle: Zooms out from the subject.

13
Shooting
Using the Flash
1. Press the button to cycle through flash settings.
ÎSee Setting the Red-Eye Reduction Function (p. 14).
ÎSee Setting the Slow Synchro Function (p. 14).
The option cannot be set in (Auto) mode.
You are recommended to shoot with the camera
attached to a tripod or other device if the camera shake
warning icon ( ) appears.
When the LCD monitor is on and flash recharging
begins, the indicator blinks orange and the LCD monitor
turns off. When recharging ends, the indicator turns off
and the LCD monitor turns on. The time required for flash
recharging will change depending on usage conditions
and remaining battery power.
(Auto)
(On)
(Off)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112).
ÎSee Selecting a Shooting Mode (p. 10).

14
Setting the Red-Eye Reduction Function
You can set whether the camera automatically fires the red-eye
reduction* lamp when the flash fires.
* This function reduces the red appearance of eyes when they reflect light back
from the flash.
1. (Rec.) Menu (Red-Eye) [On]*/[Off].
* Default setting.
Setting the Slow Synchro Function
The flash timing is adjusted to slow shutter speeds. This reduces the
chance that only the background will appear dark when a person is
shot against a twilight background or night scene, or when an interior
shot is taken.
1. (Rec.) Menu (Slow Synchro) [On]/[Off]*.
* Default setting.
ÎSee Menus and Settings (p. 21).
ÎSee Menus and Settings (p. 21).
Slow Synchro cannot be set in (Auto) mode.
When [Slow Synchro] is set to [On], camera shake may
become a factor. Use of a tripod is recommended.

15
Shooting
Shooting Close-ups (Macro)/Infinity Shots
1. Press the / button.
To cancel the macro mode, press the button to turn off the
or display.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Shooting Magnified Close-Ups (Super Macro) (p. 28)
Macro
Use this mode to shoot close-ups of flowers or small items.
Image Area at Minimum Focusing Distance from End of Lens to
Subject
• Maximum wide angle setting: 53 x 40 mm (2.0 x 1.5 in.)
Minimum focusing distance: 5 cm (2.0 in.)
(PowerShot A460)
• Maximum telephoto setting: 66 x 50 mm (2.6 x 2.0 in.)
Minimum focusing distance: 25 cm (9.8 in.)
(PowerShot A450)
• Maximum telephoto setting: 77 x 58 mm (3.0 x 2.3 in.)
Minimum focusing distance: 25 cm (9.8 in.)
Infinity Use this mode when the distance from the end of the lens to the
subject is 3 m (9.8 ft.) or greater.
• Use the LCD monitor to compose close-ups in macro
mode since images composed with the viewfinder may
be off-center.
• Confirm that you are within range when using the built-
in flash (Advanced Guide p. 96).
The mode cannot be set in (Auto) mode.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112).
ÎSee Selecting a Shooting Mode (p. 10).

16
Using the Self-Timer
1. FUNC. Menu * (Drive Mode) / / .
* Default setting.
• When the shutter button is pressed
fully, the self-timer lamp will blink.
When using red-eye reduction, the
self-timer lamp will blink and then stay lit for the last 2 seconds.
To cancel the self-timer, follow step 1 and select .
ÎSee Menus and Settings (p. 20).
10 sec. Self-Timer: Shoots 10 sec. after you press the shutter
button.
• 2 sec. before the shutter releases, the self-timer sound and lamp will
speed up.
2 sec. Self-Timer: Shoots 2 sec. after you press the shutter button.
• The self-timer sound beeps quickly when you press the shutter button
and the shutter releases 2 sec. later.
Custom Timer: You can change the delay time (0–10*1, 15, 20, 30
sec.) and number of shots (1–10*2) (p. 17).
• When [Delay] is set to 2 or more sec., the self-timer sound begins to
beep 2 sec. before the shutter releases. When [Shots] is set higher
than 1, the self-timer sound only beeps before the first shot.
*1 Default setting.
*2 Default setting is 3 shots.
This setting cannot be set in some shooting modes.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112).
ÎSee Selecting a Shooting Mode (p. 10).

17
Shooting
Changing the Delay Time and Number of Shots
()
1. FUNC. Menu (Drive Mode) (Custom Timer).
2. Press the MENU button.
3. Select [Delay] or [Shots] using the or button and
change the settings using the or button, then press
the FUNC./SET button.
ÎSee Menus and Settings (p. 20).
If the [Shots] option is set to 2 or more shots, the
following occurs.
- The exposure and white balance are locked at the
settings selected for the first shot.
- If the flash is used, the interval between shots
lengthens because the flash must charge.
- The interval between shots may lengthen when the
built-in memory of the camera fills.
- Shooting will automatically cease if the memory card
becomes full.

18
1. Turn the mode dial to (playback) (
a
).
The last recorded image will display.
If you have played back images
between shooting sessions however,
the last image viewed will display
(Resume Playback) instead of the
last recorded image. If the memory
card has been switched, or the
images on the memory card have
been edited with a computer, the newest image on the memory
card appears.
2. Use the or button to display the image you wish
to view (
b
).
Use the button to move to the previous image and the
button to move to the next image.
Holding the button down advances the images more rapidly, but
shows them less clearly.
Playback
ÎSee the Advanced Guide for the various playback methods available.
a
b