Canon PowerShot A530 Operating and maintenance manual

ENGLISH
Preparation
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Printing
Downloading Images
to a Computer
Basic
CDI-E220-010 © 2006 CANON INC. PRINTED IN MALAYSIA
Camera User Guide
Please Read This First
This guide explains how to prepare the camera and use its basic features.
Photo of PowerShot A540

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
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
In this guide, explanations are given using illustrations for PowerShot A540.

1
Preparations
1. Installing the batteries.
1. Slide the memory card slot/battery cover lock in the
direction of the arrow and open the cover.
2. Insert the 2 supplied AA-size alkaline batteries, or
separately sold AA-size NiMH batteries.
2. Inserting the Memory Card.
1. Insert the memory card until it clicks into place.
2. Close the memory card slot/battery cover.
Preparations
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Battery Handling (p. 102)
Ensure that the memory card is correctly oriented before
inserting it in the camera. It may damage the camera if
inserted incorrectly.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Handling the Memory Card (p. 104)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Formatting Memory Cards (p. 30)
Negative end (–)
Positive end (+)
Front

2
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 and MultiMediaCards with this camera.
These cards are collectively called memory cards in this guide.
* SD stands for Secure Digital, a copyright protection system.

3
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. 13).
Setting the Display Language
1. Set the mode switch to (playback).
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. 13).
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/time battery is depleted.
a
b
c
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Replacing the Date Battery (p. 114)

4
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. Set the mode switch to (shooting) (
a
).
3. Set the shooting mode dial to
(Auto)
(
b
) .
4. Aim the camera at the subject.
5. Focus and shoot.
1. Press the shutter button halfway to
focus.
When the camera focuses, the camera
beeps twice and the indicator lights green.
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.
Shooting
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Using the LCD Monitor (p. 15)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Power Saving Function (p. 21)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Set up Menu (p. 26)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: My Camera Menu (p. 28)
ÎSee Basic Shooting Functions (p. 5).
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Indicators (p. 20)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide for the various shooting methods
available.
Power button
a
b
Indicators

5
Shooting
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.
Basic Shooting Functions
Selecting a Shooting Mode
1. Set the shooting mode dial to the desired mode (
a
).
In the and modes, use the or button (
b
) to select
a shooting mode.
Shooting Modes
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Review (p. 24)
ÎSee Erasing (p. 11)
AUTO The camera automatically selects settings.
Image
zone
When a shooting mode appropriate for the shooting conditions is selected, the
camera automatically adjusts settings for optimal shooting.
Portrait
Blurs the background
and makes a person
stand out.
Landscape
Optimized for
shooting landscape
scenes which contain
both near and far
subjects.
Creative zone
Image zone
Auto
a
b
•[Av] and [Tv] modes only apply
to PowerShot A540.

6
Night scene
Allows you to capture human subjects against the backdrop of
an evening sky or night scene. The flash is directed at the
person and the shutter speed is slow, so both the person and
the background can be beautifully shot.
Image
zone
(Special Scene)
You can shoot with the most appropriate settings for the scene.
Snow
Shoots without a
blue tinge and
without making
people appear dark
against a snowy background.
Foliage
Shoots trees and
leaves - such as
new growth,
autumn leaves or
blossoms - in vivid colors.
Beach
Shoots without
making people
appear dark near
water or sand
where reflected sunlight is strong.
Underwater
(PowerShot A540 only)
Appropriate for shooting
images with Waterproof
Case WP-DC2 (sold
separately). This mode
uses an optimal white
balance setting to
reduce bluish tones and record images with a
natural hue. The exposure is regulated to use
the flash as little as possible.
Kids&Pets
Allows you to
capture subjects
that move around,
such as children
and pets, without missing photo
opportunities.
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.
Indoor
Prevents camera
shake and
maintains the
subject’s true color
when shooting under fluorescent or
tungsten lighting.
Fireworks
Captures fireworks
in the sky sharply
and at optimal
exposure.
Color Accent
Use this option to
have only the color
specified in the LCD
monitor remain and to
transform all others to black and white.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 60)
Color Swap
Use this option to
transform a color
specified in the LCD
monitor into another.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 60)

7
Shooting
Stitch Assist
Allows you to shoot overlapping images that can later be
merged (stitched) to create one panoramic image on a
computer.
Image
zone
Shoots a movie when you press the shutter button.
Apart from [ Standard] mode, you can also select from [ Fast Frame Rate]
(PowerShot A540 only) which is suitable for shooting sports or fast motion,
[ Compact] which is convenient for email attachments, [ Color Accent]
which has only the color specified in the LCD monitor remain and transforms all
others to black and white, and [ Color Swap] which transforms a color
specified in the LCD monitor into another color.
Creative
zone
You can freely select camera settings such as the exposure and
aperture value to suit your shooting purposes.
• The shutter speed is slow in or 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.
*PowerShot A540 only
• To shoot underwater, install the camera in Waterproof Case
WP-DC2 (sold separately).
• We recommend you use Waterproof Case WP-DC2 (sold
separately) for shooting at ski resorts or beaches.
• 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. 43)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 39)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide (p. 44 – 47)

8
Using the Zoom
1. Press the zoom lever toward or .
The zoom can be adjusted from 35 mm – 140 mm (focal length)
in 35mm film equivalent terms.
Using the Flash
1. Press the button to cycle through flash settings.
Red-eye reduction: This feature reduces the effect of light reflecting back from
the eyes and making them appear red. You can set this feature on and off in
the Rec. menu.
Auto with red-eye
reduction
The flash fires automatically and fires the red-
eye reduction lamp each time.
Auto The flash fires automatically.
Flash on with red-
eye reduction
The red-eye reduction lamp and flash always
fire.
Flash on The flash always fires.
Flash off The flash will not fire.
Wide Angle: Zooms
out from the subject.
Telephoto: Zooms in
on the subject.
Each time you press the button, the
flash settings will change.
With the red-eye reduction function on:
With the red-eye reduction function off:
Flash settings cannot be used in some shooting modes.

9
Shooting
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 lamp blinks orange and the LCD monitor
turns off. When recharging ends, the orange lamp turns
off and the LCD monitor turns on. The time required for
flash recharging will change depending on usage
conditions and remaining battery power.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Rec. Menu (p. 24)
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting
Mode (p. 136)

10
Shooting Close-ups (Macro)
1. Press the button.
To cancel the macro mode, press the button to turn off the
or display.
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
PowerShot A540:
• Maximum wide angle setting: 60 x 45 mm (2.4 x 1.8 in.)
Minimum shooting distance: 5 cm (2.0 in.)
• Maximum telephoto setting: 84 x 63 mm (3.3 x 2.5 in.)
Minimum shooting distance: 30 cm (12 in.)
PowerShot A530:
• Maximum wide angle setting: 60 x 45 mm (2.4 x 1.8 in.)
Minimum shooting distance: 5 cm (2.0 in.)
• Maximum telephoto setting: 94 x 71 mm (3.7 x 2.8 in.)
Minimum shooting distance: 33 cm (1.1 ft.)
• Use the LCD monitor to compose close-ups in macro
mode since images composed with the viewfinder may
be off-center.
• Check the range of the flash when using it in macro
mode (Advanced Guide p. 118).
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting
Mode (p. 136)
This setting cannot be set in some
shooting modes.

11
Playback/Erasing
1. Set the mode switch to (playback)(
a
) .
The last recorded image will appear in the
LCD monitor.
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 the next
image.
Holding the button down advances the images more rapidly, but
shows them less clearly.
1. In the playback mode, use the
or button to select an
image to erase (
a
) and press
the button (
b
).
2. Confirm that [Erase] is selected and
press the FUNC./SET button (
c
).
To exit instead of erasing, select [Cancel].
Playback
ÎSee the Advanced Guide for the various playback methods
available.
Erasing
Please note that erased images cannot be recovered.
Exercise adequate caution before erasing an image.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Erasing All Images (p. 82)
b
a
a
b
c

12
Settings for the shooting, playback or print modes or such camera
settings as the date/time and sounds are set using the FUNC., Rec.,
Play, Print, Set up or My Camera menu.
FUNC. Menu
This menu sets many of the common shooting functions.
a
Set the mode switch to (shooting).
b
Press the FUNC./SET button.
c
Use the or button to select a menu item.
• Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes.
d
Use the or button to select an option for the menu item.
• You can select further options with the MENU button for some
options.
• After selecting an option, you can press the shutter button to
shoot immediately. After shooting, this menu will appear again,
allowing you to adjust the settings easily.
e
Press the FUNC./SET button.
Menus and Settings
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Menu List (p. 24)
abe
d
c

13
Menus and Settings
Rec., Play, Print, Set up and My Camera
Menus
Convenient settings for shooting, playback or printing can be set with
these menus.
a
Press the MENU button.
b
Use the or button to switch between menus.
• You can also use the zoom lever to switch between menus.
c
Use the or button to select a menu item.
• Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes.
d
Use the or button to select an option.
• Menu items followed by an ellipsis (...) can only be set after
pressing the FUNC./SET button to display the next menu.
Press the FUNC./SET button again to confirm the setting.
e
Press the MENU button.
ÎSee the Advanced Guide: Menu List (p. 24)
(My Camera) Menu
• This example shows the Rec. menu.
• In playback mode, the Play, Print, Set up and My Camera menus display.
You can switch
between menus with
the or button
when this part is
selected.
(Rec.) Menu (Set up) Menu
a
b
e
dc

14
Connect the camera to a direct print compatible printer*1with a cable
and simply press the button on the camera.
1. Connect the camera to a direct print compatible printer
and turn on the printer’s power.
*1Since this camera uses a standard protocol (PictBridge), you can use it
with other PictBridge-compliant printers in addition to Canon-brand
printers.
*2You can also use card photo printers such as the CP-10/CP-100/CP-200/
CP-300.
Printing
Canon Brand Printers
SELPHY CP Series
Compact Photo
Printers*2
PIXMA Series/
SELPHY DS
Series Bubble Jet
Printers
Interface CableCamera

15
Printing
2. Turn on the power in playback mode and confirm that
, or is displayed in the upper left of the LCD
monitor (
a
).
• The button will light blue.
• The displayed icon will vary according to the printer model.
3. Select an image to print using the or 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. 83)
ÎSee the Direct Print User Guide
ÎSee the user guide for Your Printer
a
b
c

16
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. 17)
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. See the Software Starter Guide for details.
Downloading Images to a Computer
Supplied Software Install It Do Not Install It
Downloading Method Computer
Procedure
Camera
Procedure
Computer
Procedure
OS Windows 98
Second Edition (SE)
zz –
Windows 2000 zz –
Windows Me zz –
Windows XP zz z
Mac OS X zz z
Computer System
Requirements
•Basic Guide (p. 17)
• Software Starter Guide
Connecting the Camera
to a Computer •Basic Guide (p. 19)
• Windows®XP
and Mac OS X
Users leaflet
Downloading Images to
a Computer
•Basic Guide (p. 20, 21)
• Software Starter Guide

17
Downloading Images to a Computer
System Requirements
Please install the software on a computer meeting the following
minimum requirements.
Windows
Macintosh
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 500 MHz 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
• Canon Utilities
- ZoomBrowser EX 200 MB or more
- PhotoStitch 40 MB or more
• Canon Camera TWAIN Driver 25 MB or more
• Canon Camera WIA Driver 25 MB or more
• ArcSoft PhotoStudio 50 MB or more
Display 1,024 x 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
• Canon Utilities
- ImageBrowser 200 MB or more
- PhotoStitch 40 MB or more
• ArcSoft PhotoStudio 50 MB or more
Display 1,024 x 768 pixels/32,000 Colors or better

18
Preparing to Download Images
Items to Prepare
• Camera and computer
• Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk supplied with the camera
• Interface cable supplied with the camera
1. Install 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 while
reviewing installation settings.
3. When the installation is complete,
click either the [Finish] or [Restart]
button that appears.
4. Remove the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk from the
CD-ROM drive when your normal desktop screen appears.
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] and
click [Next].
When the installation is
finished, click [Exit].