Canon PowerShot SX170 IS User manual

• Make sure you read this guide, including the “Safety
Precautions” (= 13) section, before using the camera.
• Reading this guide will help you learn to use the camera properly.
• Store this guide safely so that you can use it in the future.
Camera User Guide
English
©CANON INC. 2013 CDJ-E556-010
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2
Contents
Package Contents
Before use, make sure the following items are included in the
package.
If anything is missing, contact your camera retailer.
Camera Battery Pack
NB-6LH Battery Charger CB-2LY/CB-2LYE
Wrist Strap Getting Started Warranty Card
•A memory card is not included (=
3).

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Contents
Compatible Memory Cards
The following memory cards (sold separately) can be used,
regardless of capacity.
• SD memory cards*
• SDHC memory cards*
• SDXC memory cards*
• Eye-Fi cards
* Cards conforming to SD standards. However, not all memory cards have
beenveriedtoworkwiththecamera.
AboutEye-FiCards
This product is not guaranteed to support Eye-Fi card functions
(including wireless transfer). In case of an issue with an Eye-Fi
card, please check with the card manufacturer.
Also note that an approval is required to use Eye-Fi cards in many
countries or regions. Without approval, use of the card is not
permitted. If it is unclear whether the card has been approved for
use in the area, please check with the card manufacturer.

4
Contents
Preliminary Notes and Legal
Information
• Take and review some test shots initially to make sure the
images were recorded correctly. Please note that Canon Inc., its
subsidiariesandafliates,anditsdistributorsarenotliablefor
any consequential damages arising from any malfunction of a
camera or accessory, including memory cards, that result in the
failure of an image to be recorded or to be recorded in a way
that is machine readable.
• Images recorded by the camera are intended for personal use.
Refrain from unauthorized recording that infringes on copyright
law, and note that even for personal use, photography may
contravene copyright or other legal rights at some performances
or exhibitions, or in some commercial settings.
• The camera warranty is valid only in the area of purchase. In
case of camera problems while abroad, return to the area of
purchase before contacting a Canon Customer Support Help
Desk.
• Although the LCD monitor is produced under extremely high-
precision manufacturing conditions and more than 99.99% of
thepixelsmeetdesignspecications,inrarecasessomepixels
may be defective or may appear as red or black dots. This does
not indicate camera damage or affect recorded images.
• TheLCDmonitormaybecoveredwithathinplasticlmfor
protection against scratches during shipment. If covered,
removethelmbeforeusingthecamera.
• When the camera is used over an extended period, it may
become warm. This does not indicate damage.

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Contents
Part Names and Conventions in This
Guide
Zoom lever
Shooting: <i(telephoto)> /
<j(wide angle)>
Playback: <k(magnify)> /
<g(index)>
Microphone
Lens
Strap mount
Power button
Shutter button
Mode dial
Flash
Speaker
Lamp
Tripod socket
Memory card/battery cover
DC coupler terminal cover

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Screen (LCD monitor)
<b(Exposure
compensation)> / <a
(Single-image erase)> button
Movie button
<1(Playback)> button
DIGITAL terminal
<ISO (ISO speed)> /
Up button
<e(Macro)> / <f(Manual
focus)> / Left button
Control dial
FUNC./SET button
<h(Flash)> / Right button
<Q(Self-timer)> /
Down button
<n> button
<l(Display)> button
Indicator

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 Turning the control dial is one
way to choose setting items,
switch images, and perform
other operations. Most of these
operations are also possible
with the <o><p><q><r>
buttons.
• The following camera buttons and controls are represented by
icons.
<o> Up button on back
<q> Left button on back
<r> Right button on back
<p> Down button on back

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• In this guide, icons are used to represent the corresponding
camera buttons and dials on which they appear or which they
resemble.
• Shooting modes and on-screen icons and text are indicated in
brackets.
• : Important information you should know
• : Notes and tips for expert camera use
• =xx: Pages with related information (in this example, “xx”
represents a page number)
• Instructions in this guide apply to the camera under default
settings.
• For convenience, all supported memory cards are simply
referred to as the “memory card”.
• The tabs shown above titles indicate whether the function is
used for still images, movies, or both.
Still Images : Indicates that the function is used when
shooting or viewing still images.
Movies : Indicates that the function is used when
shooting or viewing movies.

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Contents
Package Contents .................2
Compatible Memory Cards....3
Preliminary Notes and Legal
Information.............................4
Part Names and
Conventions in This Guide.....5
Table of Contents...................9
Common Camera
Operations...........................11
Safety Precautions...............13
Basic Guide.............. 19
Initial Preparations...............20
Trying the Camera Out ........31
Advanced Guide....... 37
1 CameraBasics............. 37
On/Off ..................................38
Shutter Button......................40
Shooting Modes...................41
Shooting Display Options ....42
Using the FUNC. Menu........43
Using Menus........................45
Indicator Display..................47
Clock....................................48
2 AutoMode.................... 49
Shooting with Camera-
Determined Settings............50
Common, Convenient
Features...............................59
Image Customization
Features...............................66
Helpful Shooting Features...71
Customizing Camera
Operation.............................74
3 OtherShooting
Modes........................... 78
Brightness / Color
Customization
(Live View Control)...............79
SpecicScenes ...................80
Special Modes for Other
Purposes..............................82
Image Effects
(Creative Filters) ..................84
Discreet Mode......................91
Shooting Movies in [E]
Mode....................................92
4 PMode.......................... 94
Shooting in Program AE
([P] Mode)............................95
Table of Contents

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Image Brightness
(Exposure)...........................96
Color and Continuous
Shooting.............................101
Shooting Range and
Focusing............................107
Flash..................................117
Other Settings....................121
5 Tv,Av,andMMode.... 123
SpecicShutterSpeeds
([Tv] Mode).........................124
SpecicApertureValues
([Av] Mode) ........................125
SpecicShutterSpeeds
and Aperture Values
([M] Mode)..........................126
6 PlaybackMode.......... 129
Viewing ..............................130
Browsing and Filtering
Images...............................135
Image Viewing Options......138
Protecting Images..............143
Erasing Images..................149
Rotating Images.................153
Tagging Images as
Favorites............................155
Editing Still Images............157
Editing Movies....................165
7 SettingMenu.............. 168
Adjusting Basic Camera
Functions...........................169
8 Accessories............... 183
System Map.......................184
Optional Accessories .........186
Using Optional
Accessories........................189
Using the Software ............193
Printing Images..................199
Using an Eye-Fi Card.........216
9 Appendix.................... 219
Troubleshooting.................220
On-Screen Messages........226
On-Screen Information ......229
Functions and Menu
Tables.................................233
Handling Precautions.........255
Specications.....................256
Index..................................262

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Common Camera Operations
4 Shoot
 Use camera-determined settings (Auto Mode)..................... 50
Shooting people well
I
Portraits
(=
80)
P
Against Snow
(=
81)
Matchingspecicscenes
Low Light
(=
81)
t
Fireworks
(=
81)
Applying special effects
Vivid Colors
(=
85)Poster Effect
(=
85)Fish-Eye Effect
(=
86)
Miniature Effect
(=
87)Toy Camera Effect
(=
89)Monochrome
(=
90)

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 Wheresoundandasharenotallowed(DiscreetMode) .....91
 While adjusting image settings (Live View Control).............. 79
 Focus on faces.........................................................50, 80, 111
 Withoutusingtheash(FlashOff)........................................51
 Include yourself in the shot (Self-Timer) .........................61, 82
 Add a date stamp..................................................................64
1 View
 View images (Playback Mode)............................................130
 Automatic playback (Slideshow).........................................139
 On a TV...............................................................................189
 On a computer....................................................................194
 Browse through images quickly.......................................... 135
 Erase images......................................................................149
E Shoot/ViewMovies
 Shoot movies........................................................................50
 View movies (Playback Mode)............................................130
c Print
 Print pictures.......................................................................199
 Save
 Save images to a computer................................................196

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Safety Precautions
• Before using the product, please ensure that you read the safety
precautions described below. Always ensure that the product is
used correctly.
• The safety precautions noted on the following pages are
intended to prevent injuries to yourself and other persons, or
damage to the equipment.
• Be sure to also check the guides included with any separately
sold accessories you use.
Warning Denotes the possibility of serious injury or
death.
• Donottriggertheashincloseproximitytopeople’seyes.
Exposuretotheintenselightproducedbytheashcoulddamage
eyesight. In particular, remain at least 1 meter (39 inches) away
frominfantswhenusingtheash.
• Storethisequipmentoutofthereachofchildrenand
infants.
Strap: Putting the strap around a child’s neck could result in
asphyxiation.
Date/time battery (if removable): Dangerous if swallowed. If this
occurs, contact a doctor immediately.
• Useonlyrecommendedpowersources.
• Donotattempttodisassemble,alterorapplyheattothe
product.
• Avoiddroppingorsubjectingtheproducttosevereimpacts.
• Toavoidtheriskofinjury,donottouchtheinteriorofthe
productifithasbeendroppedorotherwisedamaged.
• Stopusingtheproductimmediatelyifitemitssmoke,a
strangesmell,orotherwisebehavesabnormally.

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• Donotuseorganicsolventssuchasalcohol,benzine,or
thinnertocleantheproduct.
• Donotlettheproductcomeintocontactwithwater(e.g.sea
water)orotherliquids.
• Donotallowliquidsorforeignobjectstoenterthecamera.
Thiscouldresultinelectricalshockorre.
If liquids or foreign objects come into contact with the camera
interior, immediately turn the camera off and remove the battery
pack/batteries.
If the battery charger (for cameras that use one) becomes wet,
unplug it from the outlet and consult your camera retailer or a
Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
• Donotlookthroughtheviewnder(ifyourmodelhasone)
atbrightlightsources,suchasthesunonaclearday.
This could damage your eyesight.
• Useonlytherecommendedbatterypack/batteries.
• Donotplacethebatterypack/batteriesnearorindirect
ame.
• Ifyourcamerausesabatterycharger,notethefollowing
precautions.
-Unplugthepowercordperiodically,andusingadrycloth,
wipeawayanydustanddirtthathascollectedontheplug,
theexteriorofthepoweroutlet,andthesurroundingarea.
-Donothandlethepowercordwithwethands.
-Donotusetheequipmentinamannerthatexceedsthe
ratedcapacityoftheelectricaloutletorwiringaccessories.
Donotuseifthepowercordorplugaredamaged,ornot
fullypluggedintotheoutlet.
-Donotallowdirtormetalobjects(suchaspinsorkeys)to
contacttheterminalsorplug.

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The battery pack/batteries may explode or leak, resulting in
electricalshockorre.Thiscouldcauseinjuryanddamage
the surroundings. In the event that a battery pack leaks and
the battery electrolyte contacts eyes, mouth, skin or clothing,
immediatelyushwithwater.
• Turnthecameraoffinplaceswherecamerauseis
prohibited.
The electromagnetic waves emitted by the camera may interfere
with the operation of electronic instruments and other devices.
Exercise adequate caution when using the camera in places
where use of electronic devices is restricted, such as inside
airplanes and medical facilities.
Caution Denotes the possibility of injury.
• Whenholdingthecamerabythestrap,becarefulnotto
bangit,subjectittostrongimpactsorshocks,orletitget
caughtonotherobjects.
• Becarefulnottobumporpushstronglyonthelens.
This could lead to injury or damage the camera.
• Becarefulnottosubjectthescreentostrongimpacts.
If the screen cracks, injury may result from the broken fragments.
• Whenusingtheash,becarefulnottocoveritwithyour
ngersorclothing.
Thiscouldresultinburnsordamagetotheash.
• Avoidusing,placingorstoringtheproductinthefollowing
places:
-Placessubjecttodirectsunlight
-Placessubjecttotemperaturesabove40°C(104°F)
-Humidordustyareas

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These could cause leakage, overheating or an explosion of the
batterypack/batteries,resultinginelectricalshock,re,burnsor
other injuries.
High temperatures may deform the product.
• Theslideshowtransitioneffectsmaycausediscomfort
whenviewedforprolongedperiods.
• Whenusingoptionallenses,lenslters,orlteradapters(if
applicable),besuretoattachtheseaccessoriesrmly.
If the lens becomes loose and falls off, it may crack, and the
shards of glass may lead to cuts.
• Oncamerasthatraiseandlowertheashautomatically,
makesureyourngerisoutofthewaywhentheashis
lowered,toavoidpinchingit.
This could result in injury.
Caution Denotes the possibility of damage to the
equipment.
• Donotaimthecameraatbrightlightsources(suchasthe
sunonaclearday).
Doing so may damage the image sensor.
• Whenusingthecameraonabeachoratawindylocation,
becarefulnottoallowdustorsandtoenterthecamera.
• Oncamerasthatraiseandlowertheashautomatically,do
notpushtheashdownorpryitopen.
This may cause the product to malfunction.
• Inregularuse,smallamountsofsmokemaybeemitted
fromtheash.
Thisisduetothehighintensityoftheashburningdustand
foreign materials stuck to the front of the unit. Please use a cotton
swabtoremovedirt,dustorotherforeignmatterfromtheashto
prevent heat build-up and damage to the unit.

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• Removeandstorethebatterypack/batterieswhenyouare
notusingthecamera.
If the battery pack or batteries are left inside the camera, damage
caused by leakage may occur.
• Beforeyoudiscardthebatterypack/batteries,coverthe
terminalswithtapeorotherinsulators.
Contactingothermetalmaterialsmayleadtoreorexplosions.
• Ifyourcameraisusedwithabatterycharger,keepthe
chargerunpluggedwhennotinuse.Whenchargingthe
batterypack,donotleaveitcoveredwithaclothorput
otherobjectsonit.
Leaving the unit plugged in for a long period of time may cause it
tooverheatanddistort,resultinginre.
• Donotleavethebatterypacknearpets.
Pets biting the battery pack could cause leakage, overheating or
explosion,resultinginreordamage.
• Ifyourcamerausesmultiplebatteries,donotusebatteries
thathavedifferentlevelsofchargetogether,donotuseold
andnewbatteriestogether,anddonotinsertthebatteries
withthe+and–terminalsreversed.
This may cause the product to malfunction.
• Donotsitdownwiththecamerainyourpocket.
Doing so may cause malfunctions or damage the screen.
• Whenputtingthecamerainyourbag,ensurethathard
objectsdonotcomeintocontactwiththescreen.Alsoclose
thescreen(sothatitfacesthecamerabody),ifyourcamera
hasascreenthatcloses.

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• Donotattachanyhardobjectstothecamera.
Doing so may cause malfunctions or damage the screen.

Contents
19
Basic Guide
Basic information and instructions, from initial
preparations to shooting and playback
InitialPreparations............. 20
TryingtheCameraOut.......31

20
Contents Chapter Contents
Initial Preparations
Prepare for shooting as follows.
Attaching the Strap
Attachthestrap.
 Thread the end of the strap
through the strap hole ( ), and
then pull the other end of the
strap through the loop on the
threaded end ( ).
 The strap can also be attached
to the left side of the camera.