Canon Powershot A50 Installation instructions

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

Prepare the Camera for Use
Start Taking Pictures
Load Images onto a Computer
Digital Camera Operating Steps and Reference Guides
Install the Software
PowerShot A50 Solutions Disk(s)
Hardware Guide
(This Guide) PowerShot A50 Software Starter Guide

3
Processing Images with the Software
On-screen "Help"
or "Using[softwarename]" On-screen
Guide or PowerShot A50 Software
Stater Guide
Read This First
Camera Setup
Quick Start
Basic Functions
Buttons
Mode Dial Functions
Stitch Assist Mode
Menu Features
Other Functions
Appendices
Customer Support

4
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Canon PowerShot A50, the easy-to-use digital camera with a wide-angle
zoom lens and a large range of built-in functions incorporated into a compact, completely flat body.
Carefully read this guide and the accompanying PowerShot A50 Software Starter Guide to ensure
you obtain maximum benefit from the digital imaging possibilities offered by the PowerShot A50.
Disclaimer
• While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this guide is accurate and complete,
no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Canon Inc. reserves the right to change the specifications
of the hardware and software described herein at any time without prior notice.
• No part of this guide may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into
any language in any form, by any means, without the prior written permission of Canon Inc.
• Canon Inc. makes no warranties for damages resulting from corrupted or lost data due to a mistaken operation or
malfunction of the camera, the software, the CompactFlash™ cards (CF cards), personal computers, peripheral
devices, or use of non-Canon CF cards.
Trademark Acknowledgments
Canon and PowerShot are trademarks of Canon Inc. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation. IBM is a
registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. Macintosh and Power Macintosh are trademarks
of Apple Computer Inc in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other names and products not mentioned above may
be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright © 1999 Canon Inc. All rights reserved.
Notice: Please ensure that you read and follow the handling and safety precautions on
pages 9 to 14 of this guide before attempting to use the camera.

5
FCC Notice
Digital Camera, Model PS1026
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Opera-
tion is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This de-
vice may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15
of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide rea-
sonable protection against harmful interference in a residen-
tial installation. This equipment generates, uses and can ra-
diate radio frequency energy and , if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful in-
terference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular in-
stallation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference
to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to
try to correct the interference by one or more of the follow-
ing measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
Use of shielded cable is required to comply with class B lim-
its in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.
Do not make any changes or modifications to the equip-
ment unless otherwise specified in the manual. If such
changes or modifications should be made, you could be
required to stop operation of the equipment.
Canon U.S.A. Inc.
One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042, U.S.A.
Tel No. [phone]
THIS CLASS B DIGITAL APPARATUS MEETS ALL
REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANADIAN INTERFERENCE-
CAUSING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS.
CET APPAREIL NUMERIQUE DE LA CLASSE B RESPECTE
TOUTES LES EXIGENCES DU REGLEMENT SUR LE
MATERIEL BROUILLEUR DU CANADA.

6
Table of Contents
Read This First ..................................... 9
Handling and Safety Precautions.......... 9
Guide to Components .......................... 15
Camera Setup ....................................18
Charging the Battery Pack................... 18
Installing the Battery Pack................... 20
Using the Camera with an AC Power
Source ........................ 23
Inserting a CF Card ............................... 24
Attaching the Wrist Strap.................... 27
Setting the Menu Language ............... 28
Setting the Date and Time .................. 29
Quick Start
Taking Pictures...................................32
Taking pictures in Auto Mode............. 32
Replaying Images..............................34
Replaying Images in PLAY Mode ........ 34
Replaying Images in MULTI Mode ...... 34
Erasing Images ..................................36
Erasing Images from a CF Card ........... 36
Detailed Guide to the Functions
Basic Functions ..................................40
Image Size and Quality ...........................
Specifications ............ 40
Power On/Off Switch............................ 41
Camera Modes ...................................... 42
Display Panel......................................... 43
Viewfinder ............................................ 44
Indicators............................................... 45
Upper Indicator................................... 45
Lower Indicator................................... 45
Buttons...............................................46
Shutter Button ...................................... 46
Pressing Halfway................................. 46
Pressing Fully ...................................... 46
Rapid Shot Function............................ 47
Focus Lock .......................................... 48

7
Zoom Buttons ....................................... 49
Continuous/Self-Timer/+ Button ......... 49
Flash/- Button........................................ 51
MACRO/JUMP Button........................... 52
LCD/VIDEO Button................................ 54
MENU Button........................................ 54
SET Button............................................. 55
Mode Dial Functions ......................... 56
Lock........................................................ 56
Auto Mode............................................ 56
Program Mode...................................... 57
Stitch Assist Mode ................................ 58
Play Mode ............................................. 59
Multi Mode ........................................... 59
PC Mode ................................................ 60
Stitch Assist Mode ............................ 61
Procedures for Shooting Horizontal/
Vertical Sequences ....... 63
Procedures for Shooting 2 x 2 (Matrix)
Sequences ................... 65
Menu Features...................................68
Basic Menu Operations ........................ 69
Record Menu......................................... 70
Quality ................................................ 70
+/- (Exp.) ............................................. 72
White Balance..................................... 73
Slow Shutter ....................................... 74
Play Menu ............................................. 75
Show/Hide Info. .................................. 75
Erase ................................................... 76
Protect ................................................ 77
Rotate ................................................. 77
Slide Show .......................................... 78
Print Order .......................................... 81
Setup...................................................... 85
LCD..................................................... 85
Beep ................................................... 85
Power Save ......................................... 85
Date/Time ........................................... 86
Review ................................................ 86
File No. Reset ...................................... 87

8
Format ................................................ 88
Language............................................ 89
Other Functions.................................90
Connecting to a TV .............................. 90
Changing the Button Battery.............. 91
Changing the Recording Format ........ 94
Appendices ........................................95
Camera Maintenance ........................... 95
Troubleshooting ................................... 96
List of Message Codes ........................ 100
List of Messages.................................. 101
Specifications ...................................... 102
Index.................................................105
Customer Support ........................... 107

9
Read This First
Read This First
Handling and Safety Precautions
Please read the handling and safety precautions that appear in the following pages of this guide
and the PowerShot A50 Software Starter Guide. When you read through the remaining pages, we
recommend that you have the camera at hand to try each function as you read about the correct
handling procedures.
Please Read
Test Shots
Before you shoot images of subjects of importance to you, we highly recommend that you shoot
several trial images to confirm that you are operating the camera correctly. Please note that
Canon Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and distributors of its digital cameras are not liable for
any consequential damages arising from any malfunction of a PowerShot camera or
CompactFlash™ card (CF card) that results in the failure of an image to be recorded or to be
recorded in a format that is machine sensible.
Warning Against Copyright Infringement
Please note that PowerShot digital cameras are intended for personal use and should never be
used in a manner that infringes upon or contravenes international or domestic copyright laws
and regulations. Please be advised that in certain cases the copying of images from perfor-
mances, exhibitions, or commercial properties by means of a camera or other device may
contravene copyright or other legal rights even if the image was shot for personal use.

10
Read This First
Safety Precautions
•Before using the camera, please ensure that you have read and understood the safety
precautions described below. Always ensure that the camera is operated correctly.
•The safety precautions noted on the following pages are intended to instruct you in the safe
and correct operation of the camera and its accessories to prevent injuries or damage to
yourself, other persons and equipment.
•In the next few pages, the term “equipment” refers primarily to the camera and its power
supply accessories.
Warnings
• Do not aim the camera directly into the sun or at other intense light sources that could injure your
eyesight.
• Do not trigger the optional flash in close proximity to human or animal eyes. Exposure to the intense
light produced by the flash may injure eyesight. In particular, remain at least one meter (39 inches) away
from infants when using the flash.
• Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants. Accidental damage to the camera or
batteries by a child could result in serious injury. In addition, placement of the strap around the child’s
neck could result in suffocation.
• Be particularly careful to keep the button batteries (CR2016 lithium) used in the camera out of the reach
of children. Seek medical assistance immediately if a child swallows a battery.
• Do not use substances containing alcohol, benzene or thinners or other flammable substances on the
equipment. The use of these substances may lead to fire or electrical shock.