Polaroid A500 - 5.1MP Digital Camera User manual

5.0 Megapixel Digital Camera
a500
User Manual

FCC STATEMENT
Note
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for Class B digital devices,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. 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 following
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 limits in Subpart B of Part
15 of the FCC rules.
Do not make any changes or modifications to the equipment unless otherwise specified
in the manual. If such changes or modifications should be made, you could be
required to stop operation of the equipment.
Notice
If static electricity or electromagnetism causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart
the application or disconnect and connect the communication cable (USB, etc.) Again.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
EN-1
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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Notice
If static electricity or electromagnetism causes data transfer to discontinue midway (fail), restart
the application or disconnect and connect the communication cable (USB, etc.) Again.
This product contains electrical or electronic materials. The presence of
these materials may, if not disposed of properly, have potential adverse
effects on the environment and human health.
Presence of this label on the product means it should not be disposed of as
unsorted waste and must be collected separately. As a consumer, you are
responsible for ensuring that this product is disposed of properly. To find out
how to properly dispose of this product, please go to www.polaroid.com and
click on "Company" or call the customer service number for your country
listed in the instruction manual.
EN-2 Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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READ THIS FIRST
Trademark Information
® ®
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
®
Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Inc.
SD™ is a trademark.
Other names and products may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
Product Information
Product design and specifications are subject to change without notice. This includes primary
product specifications, software, software drivers, and user's manual. This User Manual is a
general reference guide for the product.
The product and accessories that come with your camera may be different from those described
in this manual. This is due to the fact that different retailers often specify slightly different
inclusions and accessories to suit their market requirements, customer demographics, product
and geographical preferences.
Products very often vary between retailers especially with accessories such as batteries,
chargers,
memory cards, cables, pouches, and language support. Occasionally a retailer will
unique product color, appearance, and internal memory capacity. Contact your dealer specify a
product definition and included accessories. for precise
The illustrations in this manual are for the purpose of explanation and may differ from the actual
design of your camera.
The manufacturer assumes no liability for any errors or discrepancies in this user manual.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-3

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Read and understand all Warnings and Cautions before using this product. Warnings
If foreign objects or water have entered the camera, turn the power off and
remove the batteries.
Continued use may cause an injury. Please call our friendly customer service for
assistance.
If the camera has been dropped or its case has been damaged, turn the power
off and remove the batteries.
Continued use may cause an injury. Please call our friendly customer service
for assistance.
There is no user serviceable parts; DO NOT DISSASSEMBLE!
For repair, please call our friendly customer service for assistance.
Do not use the camera in areas near water.
Take special care during rain, snow, on the beach, or near the shore.
Exposing the camera to these conditions may cause damage to it.
Do not place the camera on unstable surfaces.
This may cause the camera to fall or tilt over, causing damage.
Keep the batteries out of the reach of children.
Batteries should only be replaced by an adult. Children must be supervised by
an adult when they are replacing the batteries.
Do not use the camera while you are walking, driving or riding a motorcycle.
This may cause personal injury or result in traffic accident.
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EN-4

EN-5
Cautions
Load the batteries paying careful attention to the polarity (+ or -) of the terminals.
Loading the batteries with their polarities inverted may cause personal injury, or damage
to the surrounding areas due to the battery rupturing or leaking.
Do not fire the flash close to anyones’ eyes.
This may cause damage to the person's eyesight.
Do not subject the LCD display to impact.
This may damage the glass on the screen or cause the internal fluid to leak. If the
internal fluid contacts your eyes, rinse with fresh water.
If the fluid contacts you clothing rinse with water and seek medical attention immediately.
A camera is a precision instrument. Do not drop, strike, or use excessive force
when handling the camera.
This may cause damage to the camera.
Do not use the camera in humid, steamy, smoky, or dusty places.
This may cause fire or electric shock.
Do not remove the batteries immediately after a long period of continuous use.
The batteries may become warm and possibly cause an injury.
Do not wrap the camera or place it in cloth or blankets.
This may cause heat to build up and deform the case. Use the camera in a
well-ventilated place.
Do not leave the camera in places where the temperature may rise significantly,
such as inside a car.
This may adversely affect the case or the parts inside.
Before you move the camera, disconnect cords and cables.
Failure to do this may damage cords and cables.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-6
Using Your Batteries
Our laboratory testing has shown that our digital camera models comply with industry standard
battery consumption levels (Camera & Imaging Products Association commonly known as CIPA).
All digital cameras are high drain products. For the best performance and prolonged battery life,
we recommend the use of high capacity batteries designed for such applications.
Here are some helpful hints to extend battery life considerably by limiting the following activities:
Reviewing the pictures on the LCD Screen
Using the optical viewfinder (if your camera has one) to frame the subject when taking pictures
Excessive use of the flash
Remove batteries from your camera when not in use.
WARNING!
Batteries should be replaced by an adult.
Use recommended or equivalent type of batteries only.
Insert the batteries in the correct orientation.
Remove exhausted batteries from the camera immediately.
Do not short the supply terminals.
Please dispose of the batteries properly.
Questions?
Call our toll-free customer service number. Look for the insert with this icon:
Or visit www.polaroid.com.
These instructions should be retained for future reference.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-7
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
www.polaroid.com
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
8 Overview
8 Package Contents
9 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA
9 Front View
10 Rear View
11 LCD Monitor Display
13 GETTING STARTED
13 Preparation
14 Turning the Power On/Off
14 LED Indicators
15 Choosing the Language
15 Formatting the Memory Card
16 CAPTURE MODE
16 Capturing Images
16
17
Self-timer and Burst
Using the Flash
18 Using the Zoom Function
19 Setting the Focus
20 Setting the Scene Mode
21 Adjusting the Exposure (EV
Compensation)
22 VIDEO MODE
22 Recording Video Clips
23
Playing Back Video Clips
8 24 Playing Back Still Images
25 Thumbnail Display
25 Slideshow Display
26 Protecting Images
27 Erasing Images
28 MENU OPTIONS
28
30 Video Menu
31 Playback Menu
32 Setup Menu
34 TRANSFERRING FILES TO
YOUR COMPUTER
34 Downloading Your Files
35
36
37
38
39
40
DEFAULT SETTING
SPECIFICATIONS
APPENDIX
Possible Number of Shots
Troubleshooting
Connecting to a PictBridge
Compliant Printer
EDITING SOFTWARE INSTALLATION
PLAYBACK MODE
23
Still Image Capture Menu

EN-8
INTRODUCTION
Overview
Congratulations on your purchase of your new Polaroid digital camera.
Capturing high-quality digital images is fast and easy with this state-of-the-art smart camera.
Equipped with a 3.0-megapixel sensor, this camera is capable of capturing images with a resolution
of up to 2560 x 1920 pixels.
Package Contents
Optional Accessories(not included):
Carefully unpack your camera and ensure that you have the following items:
Digital Camera
Software CD-ROM
USB cable
Quick Start Guide
SD/SDHC memory card (We recommend the use of a memory card up to 2GB and up to 16GB
for SDHC. The use of a SD/SDHC memory card is required to capture video or still images.)
Accessories and components may vary by retailer.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-9
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA
Front View
1.
2. Shutter button
3. Power button
5. Flash
6. SD card slot
7. Taking lens
8. Focus switch
Hand strap retainer
4.
Normal mode
Macro mode
Busy LED
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6
1234
7
8

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Rear View
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9.
LCD display
10. Left / EV± button
11. Mode button
12. LED indicator
13. Menu button
14. Up / zoom in button
15. Right / flash button
20 21 22
16. Enter/Disp button
17. Down / zoom out button
18. Delete /self-timer/Burst button
19. Playback button
20. Tripod socket
21.
Battery door
USB interface
22.
9
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
10 11

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1. Camera Mode
[ ]Still Image Capture.
[ ]Video capture mode.
2. Flash mode
[ ] Auto
[ ] Always On
[ ] Off
3. Battery Power Level
[ ] Full
[ ] Medium
[ ] Low
[ ] None
4. SD Card inserted
5. Focus setting
[ ] Normal
[ ] Macro
6. Image size resolution
[5m] 2592 x 1944
[3m] 2048 x 1536
[2m] 1600 x 1200
[1.3m] 1280 x 960
[VGA ] 640 x 480
7. Image quality
[ ] Fine
[ ] Standard
[ ] Economy
8.Sharpness
[ ]Hard
[ ]Normal
[ ]Soft
LCD Display Icons
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2
9
3
7
1
8
10
4
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132
AUTO
EV
0.0
5M
12
13
13. ISO
[ ]Auto
[ ]100
[ ]200
14. Zoom value
15.
Self-timer icon
[ ] 2 sec.
[ ] 10 sec.
[ ] Burst
ISO
AUTO
100
200
Auto
2
15
9. Metering
[ ]Average
[ ]Spot
White Balance
[ ] Auto
[ ]Daylight
[ ]Cloudy
[ ]Tungsten
[ ]Fluorescent
11. EV
12.
.
10.
-2.0 to 2.0 EV in 0.3
EV increments
Number of pictures
remaining on SD card
ISO
ISO
ISO
AUTO
1.09 14
2
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EN-12
Video mode [ ]
1. Video indicator icon
2. Recording time
3. Battery level
4.
5. White Balance
6. Video resolution
7. Exposure value
8. Zoom value
Playback mode [ ]
Still image playback
1. Playback icon
2.
3.
4. Zoom value
Playback mode [ ]
Video playback
1. Playback icon
2.
3. Video playback indicator
available
SD Card inserted
Image # / Total Images
SD Card inserted
SD Card inserted
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2
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1
4
EV
0.0
3
2
1
00:00:24
640
3
2
1
5/28
AUTO
1.09
8
1.09
4

EN-13
Write protect tab Write protect state
GETTING STARTED
Preparation
1. Open the battery door as shown in the illustration.
2. Load the batteries in the correct orientation as shown.
3. Close the battery door and make sure it is locked
securely.
To prevent valuable data from being accidentally erased from an SD/SDHC memory card, you can slide the
write protect tab (on the side of the SD/ SDHC memory card) to “LOCK”.
To save, edit, or erase data on an SD/SDHC memory card, you must unlock the card.
To prevent damaging of an SD/SDHC memory card, be sure to turn off the
power when inserting or removing the SD/SDHC memory card.If inserting
or removing the SD/SDHC memory card with the power on, the camera will
automatically turn off.
Be careful not to drop the batteries when opening or closing the battery door.
Insert an SD/SDHC memory card (Optional).
1. You must insert a SD Card to record and store your VIDEOS and
PICTURES
2. Be sure to format the memory card with this camera
before its initial usage.
.
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EN-14
Turning the Power On/Off
LED Indicators
Indicators State Description/Activity
Rear view:LED indicator
Rear view:LED indicator
Front view:Self-timer indicator
Blinking red Reading/Writing files.
Charging the flash.
The self-timer function is
activated.
Blinking red
Blinking red
Questions?
Call our toll-free customer service number. Look for the insert with this icon:
Or visit www.polaroid.com.
Pressing the POWER button until the camera on.comes
To turn the power off, press the POWER button .again
To extend battery life, the power is turned off automatically when the camera has not been operated for a
fixed period of time. To resume , turn the power on again. Refer to section in this
manual titled “Auto Off” in the Setup Menu for further details.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-15
Choosing your Language
Specify which language the menus and messages are to be shown on the LCD display.
1. Press the button.
2. Select [Setup] menu with the button.
3. Select [Language] with the / buttons, and press the
button.
The Language setting screen will be displayed.
4. Select the display language with the buttons, and press /
the button.
The setting will be stored.
To exit from any menu selection, press the button.
Formatting the Memory Card
This utility formats the memory card and erases all stored images and data.
1. Press the button.
2. Select [Setup] menu with the button.
3. Select [Format] , and press the
button.
4. Select [Execute] with the / button,
and press the button to confirm.
To cancel formatting, select [Cancel] and
press the button.
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Setup
Format...
Beep
Language
Power Save
Sys. Reset
Format...
Cancel
Execute
Set:Select:
Setup
Format...
Beep
Language
Power Save
Sys. Reset
ON
En
5min
ON
En
5min

EN-16
CAPTURE MODE
Capturing Images
Your camera is equipped with a 1.8" full color LTPS-TFT LCD display to help you compose images,
playback recorded images/video clips or adjust menu settings.
1. Press the Power button to turn the on. camera
2. Compose the image on the LCD display.
Pressing the / button zooms in/out on the subject, and
the subject on the LCD display.
enlarges
3. Press the SHUTTER button to capture your image.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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▲
▲
The camera has two important features:Self-timer and Burst.
The Self-timer allows photos after a pre-defined delay time.
Burst allows consecutive shots. These functions are only available
in recording still images. These settings are disabled when the camera is turned off.
1. Press the Delete/self-timer/Burst button, Select[2S]/[10S]/[Burst] to set the delay time.
2. Compose the image on the LCD display.
3. Press the SHUTTER button to take your photograph. The photo will be taken after the timer reaches
the delay time that you pre and the camera will beep during the
you to take
you to take
selected countdown.
Self-timer and Burst

Flash mode Description
Flash Off
Auto
Always On
Use this mode in an environment where flash use is prohibited or
should the subject be too far away for the flash to have any effect.
The flash fires automatically according to the surrounding brightness
of the photographic conditions.
The flash will always fire regardless of the surrounding brightness.
Select this mode for recording images with high contrast
(subject backlit) and/or heavy shadows.
Using the Flash
The flash is designed to function automatically when lighting conditions permit the use of flash.
The camera has 3 flash modes: Off, Auto , and Always On. You can take an image using a desired
flash mode to suit your circumstances. The flash's effective range is
35.4” ~ 59.1”(0.9m~1.5m) (in the Normal mode).
The flash is disabled when the camera is set to Macro mode.
1. Press the button to turn the camera on.Power
2. Toggle until your desired flash mode appears on the LCD display.
3. Compose your scene and press the button SHUTTER
to capture your image.
The table below will help you to choose the appropriate flash mode:
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-17

Using the Zoom Function
This camera is equipped with 4x digital zoom. You can enlarge the subjects by pressing the ▲ / ▼
button.It is a useful feature, however, the more the image is magnified, the grainer the image may
become.
To capture a zoomed image, perform the following steps:
1. Press the Power button to turn the on.
2. To activate the digital zoom, press the▲ / ▼ button.
The status of digital magnification is shown on the LCD display.
3. Compose your scene and press the SHUTTER button to capture
the image.
camera
The digital magnification ranges from 1.0x to 4.0x.
Image noise (grain) may occur in the recorded image when using the digital zoom feature.
Polaroid a500 Digital Camera User Guide
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EN-18

The table below will help you choose the appropriate focus mode:
Focus mode Description
This mode is suitable for scenery and portrait shooting.
Setting the Focus
Images can be captured by sliding the focus switch to set the focus modes: [ ] macro or [ ]
normal mode. The focus range of macro mode is (9cm to 13cm); normal mode is 3.5”to 5.1”
20” to Infinity (0.5m to Infinity).
1. Press the Power button to turn the camera on.
2. Slide the focus switch to your desired focus mode.
3. Compose your scene and press the SHUTTER button.
Warning! : Your image(s) will be unsharp if you are not within the
macro focus range.
Select macro to capture close-up images. When the lens is zoomed
to its widest position you may focus objects as close as 9cm(3.5”).
If the camera is set to Macro mode, the flash is disabled.
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EN-19