Benq S1420 User Manual

S1420 Series Digital Camera User Manual

Welcome

Copyright 2010 by BenQ Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, chemical, manual or otherwise, without the prior written permission of this company.

Disclaimer

BenQ Corporation makes no representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any warranties, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, BenQ Corporation reserves the right to revise this publication and to make changes from time to time in the contents hereof without obligation of this company to notify any person of such revision or changes.

All other logos, products, or company names mentioned in this manual may be the registered trademarks or copyrights of their respective companies, and are used for informational purposes only.

WEEE directive

Disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and/or Battery by users in private households in the European Union.

This symbol on the product or on the packaging indicates that this can not be disposed of as household waste. You must dispose of your waste equipment and/or battery by handling it over to the applicable take-back scheme for the recycling of

WEEE

electrical and electronic equipment and/or battery. For more information about recycling of this equipment and/or battery, please contact your city office, the shop where you purchased the equipment or your household waste disposal service. The recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and environment.

Battery

Recycling information: See http://www.benq.com/support/recycle for details.

CE Regulatory Notice

This devise is herewith confirmed to comply with the requirements set out in the Council Directives on the Approximation of the Laws of the Member States relating Electromagnetic Compatibility (2004/108/EC); the Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC); the Restriction of The Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical And Electronic Equipment Directive (2002/95/EC), Turkish EEE Directive; the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 implementing Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to eco-design requirements for standby and off mode electric power consumption of electrical and electronic household and office equipment, and the Directive 2009/125/EC of the European parliament and of the council establishing a framework for the setting of eco-design requirements for energy-related products.

FCC Statement

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, 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.

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, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

Safety warning and notice

Before operating the camera, please make sure that you read and fully understand the content in this section. If you ignore and violate all safety warning notices indicated in this section, the camera warranty may be void. Meanwhile, not only the camera but also you and all other people and things around you may be severely damaged, injured, or even placed in danger of death.

For your safety

• Keep the camera and its accessories out of the reach of babies, toddlers, and children. In particular, small parts such as memory cards and batteries could be easily dismantled and swallowed by them.

• Use only the original accessories to avoid possible risks to health and property, and thus meet all related legal regulations.

• Do not dismantle the camera under any circumstances.

• When using the flash, do not go too close to human eyes (particularly for babies, toddlers, and children) or animal eyes. Otherwise, when the flash fires, the light may cause damage to human eyes or irritate animals.

• Batteries could explode, for instance. All batteries can cause property damage, injury or burns if a conductive material such as jewelry, keys or beaded chains touch exposed terminals. The material may complete an electrical circuit and become quite hot. Exercise care in handling any batteries, particularly when placing it inside your pocket, purse, or other container with metal objects. Do not dispose of batteries in fire as they may explode.

• To prevent electric shock, do not attempt to disassemble or repair your camera by yourself.

• Some camera models accept non-rechargeable batteries. When using these batteries, do not charge them. Otherwise, dangers such as explosion and fire may occur.

• Risk of explosion if battery is replaced by an incorrect type. Dispose of used batteries according to the instructions.

Wa rr a nt y

• Warranty is void if damage or system failure occurred due to outside factors such as collision, fire, flood, dirt, sewage, earthquake, and other force majeure events as well as incorrect usage of electricity or use of non-original accessories.

• It is the sole responsibility of the user if problems (such as data loss and system failure) occurred due to non-factory installed software, parts, and/or non-original accessories.

• Do not change the camera. Any changes to the camera invalidate the warranty.

Taking care of your camera

• Always keep the camera in the accompanying leather case or pouch for better protection against splashes, dust, and collision.

• The only way of replacing the battery and the memory card is to open the battery/card cover.

• Dispose of unwanted batteries and cameras as permitted by the laws in your countries.

• Water may cause a fire or electric shock. Therefore, store your camera in a dry place.

• If your camera becomes wet, wipe it with a dry cloth as soon as possible.

• Salt or seawater may cause severe camera damage.

• Do not drop, knock, or shake the camera. A rude behavior of using the camera may damage the internal electronic circuit board, deform the lens shape, or make the lens unretractable.

• Do not use harsh chemicals, cleaning solvents, or strong detergents to clean the camera.

• Finger grease may be left on the camera lens and will result in unclear images or videos. To avoid this problem, be sure to clean the camera lens before taking pictures or recording videos. You should also clean the camera lens on a regular basis.

• If the lens is dirty, use a lens brush or soft cloth to clean the lens.

• Do not touch the lens with your fingers.

• If a foreign substance or water gets in your camera, please turn the power off immediately and disconnect the batteries. Next, remove the foreign substance or water and send it to the maintenance center.

• Whenever there is data in the internal memory or the external memory card, you should make a backup copy to a computer or disc. So, you can have a backup solution if data loss occurs.

• If the lens cannot retract into the camera, please replace the batteries first (usually this is because of drained batteries). Then the lens should retract automatically. If the lens still cannot retract, please contact your dealer.

• Under no circumstances should you push the lens back manually as this may damage the camera.

• All original accessories are designed only for use with this camera model you purchased. Do not use these accessories with other camera models or cameras of other brands to avoid unpredictable danger or damage.

• Before initial use of a memory card, always use the camera to format the card first.

• Remember to slide the write-protect tab (if available) to the unlock position. Otherwise, all data (if any) on the memory card is protected and the card cannot be edited or formatted.

Operating environment

• Do not use or store your camera in the environments listed below:

• Direct sunlight

•Dusty places

• Next to an air conditioner, electric heater or other heat sources

• In a closed car that is in direct sunlight

• Unstable locations

• Do not use your camera outdoors when it is raining or snowing.

• Do not use your camera in or near water.

• The camera operating temperature is between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius. It is normal for the operating time to be shortened when the temperature is low.

• The capacity of your camera batteries will reduce each time it is charged/emptied.

• Storage at too high or low temperatures will also result in a gradual capacity loss. As a result, the operating time of your camera may be considerably reduced.

• It is normal for the camera to become warm during operation, because the camera casing might conduct heat.

Do not hold the camera by excessive force. Plus, be sure to protect the camera from strong impacts.

To avoid accidental falling, please attach the hand strap to the camera and always hold the camera by keeping the hand strap around your wrist.

If the battery suddenly depleted and caused the lens fail to retract, please carefully protect the lens to avoid collision and insert a battery with full power ASAP.

When the camera is not in use, always turn the power off and make sure the lens has retracted successfully before storing the camera in its case. If you do not intend to use the camera for a long time, please remove the battery from the camera and store the battery carefully.

Keep your camera away from sharp objects and avoid collision.

When the camera is not in use, please place it in a steady place. Plus, always keep your camera away from pressure or any other similar environment (for example, in a pant pocket) to avoid possible damage.

Table of Contents

Touring the camera ......................................................................... 1

Checking the package contents ........................................................................ 1

Camera ..............................................................................................................2

Front view and bottom view ................................................................................... 2

Preparing the camera for use .......................................................... 3

Charging the battery .........................................................................................4

Using multifunctional buttons ......................................................................... 5

Using an SD card ..............................................................................................6

Initial setting .................................................................................... 7

Setting language ................................................................................................7

Setting date and time ........................................................................................ 7

Operating the camera ...................................................................... 8

Capture mode .................................................................................. 9

More capture options in the Function menu ................................................10

Flash mode ......................................................................................................11

Face Tracking ..................................................................................................11

Focus mode .....................................................................................................12

Image size ........................................................................................................12

Image quality ................................................................................................... 12

Setting EV ........................................................................................................13

White Balance .................................................................................................13

ISO ...................................................................................................................14

AE metering .....................................................................................................14

Effect ................................................................................................................15

Shooting mode ................................................................................................ 16

Aperture Priority .............................................................................................21

Shutter Priority ...............................................................................................21

Manual mode .................................................................................................. 21

Drive mode ...................................................................................................... 22

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) .................................................................. 22

AF area .............................................................................................................22

AF Assist Lamp ................................................................................................23

Setting sharpness, saturation and contrast .................................................... 23

Digital Zoom ................................................................................................... 23

Date Stamp ......................................................................................................24

Instant Review ................................................................................................. 24

O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) .................................................................... 24

Smart Scene ..................................................................................................... 24

Blink Detector ................................................................................................. 25

Love Portrait ...................................................................................................25

Pre-composition .............................................................................................25

Smile Catch .....................................................................................................25

LOMO .............................................................................................................25

Fisheye .............................................................................................................26

Web Auction ...................................................................................................26

Movie Record mode settings ..........................................................................27

Battery status ...................................................................................................28

Other settings ................................................................................. 29

Playback mode ............................................................................... 31

Options for playback and editing ...................................................................32

Enlarging an image ................................................................................................32

Rotating an image .................................................................................................. 32

Viewing multiple files at a time ............................................................................. 32

Playing back video clips ......................................................................................... 33

Adjusting the playback volume ............................................................................. 33

Slideshow ................................................................................................................33

Deleting files ........................................................................................................... 34

Protecting files ........................................................................................................34

Red-eye Removal ...................................................................................................34

Voice memo ...........................................................................................................34

Photo Effect ............................................................................................................35

Trimming ...............................................................................................................36

Resizing ...................................................................................................................36

Startup image .........................................................................................................37

DPOF ......................................................................................................................37

Radial Blur .............................................................................................................. 37

Active Display ........................................................................................................38

Working with computer and AV system ...................................... 39

Bundled software ............................................................................................39

Connecting the camera to a computer ..........................................................39

Connecting the camera to an AV system ....................................................... 39

Printing images ...............................................................................................39

Printing with PictBridge ........................................................................................39

Troubleshooting and service information ................................... 41

Technical support ...........................................................................................42

Specifications ................................................................................. 43

Touring the camera 1

Tou ri n g t h e c a me r a

Checking the package contents

Carefully unpack your kit box and ensure that you have the following items.

1. User Manual or Quick Guide

2. Digital camera

3. USB cable

4. Battery

5. Hand strap

6. Software & User Manual CD

7. Leather case

8. AC power adapter

• All pictures, screen captures, and icons used in this manual are for illustration only. Actual and available products, accessories, as well as their appearance may vary depending on sales region.

• If any items are missing or damaged, contact your dealer.

• Save the packaging for future shipment or storage.

English

2 Touring the camera

7 8

Camera

Front view and bottom view

English

Rear view

1. Shutter button

2. Power button

3. Flash

4. AF Assist Lamp / Self-timer LED indicator

5. Lens

6. Microphone

7. Tripod mount

8. Speaker

9. Battery/card cover

1. LCD display

2. Status LED

3. W (Wide) - Zoom-out, turn off the Shooting mode description, or enter the thumbnail view (Playback mode)

4. T (Tele) - Zoom-in or turn on the Shooting mode description

5. USB / AV port

6. MENU button or return to the previous menu

7. Function / Delete button Activate the function menu (Capture mode) or delete photos (Playback mode)

8. Strap eyelet

9. Multifunctional buttons (including a 4-way control and a button)

10. Mode switch - Toggle among Capture (photo), Capture (movie), and Playback modes

Preparing the camera for use 3

Indicator State Description

Status LED No light The digital camera is off.

Solid green • The digital camera is ready to capture images.

Blinking green • The digital camera cannot focus.

Self-timer LED Blinking red The self-timer function is activated.

• It is normal for the camera to become warm during operation, because the camera casing might conduct heat.

• The LCD display on this camera is manufactured with sophisticated technology, and more than 99.99% of the pixels on the LCD display meet standard specifications. Yet, it is possible that less than 0.01% of the pixels on the LCD display may have some light spots or show unusual colors. This is normal and does not indicate display malfunction, nor will this affect the pictures you take with the camera.

• The LCD monitor looks darker in strong sunlight or bright light. This is not a malfunction.

• To prevent your images from being blurred while pressing the shutter button, always hold the camera steady. This is especially important when you are shooting under low lighting conditions, under which your camera may reduce the shutter speed to ensure your images are properly exposed.

• The digital camera is powering on, or is in the power-saving mode.

• The digital camera is capturing a video clip.

• The flash is charging, or the USB communication/ transfer is in progress.

Preparing the camera for use

Use only the specified battery for the camera, and always turn off the camera before removing the battery.

To install the battery:

1. Release and open the battery/card cover (A).

2. Insert the battery in the correct direction by matching the + - label on the battery slot (B).

3. Push the battery all the way down.

4. Close and lock the battery/card cover (D).

English

4 Preparing the camera for use

English

To remove the battery:

1. Release and open the battery/card cover.

2. Pull the battery out (C).

3. Close and lock the battery/card cover (D).

Charging the battery

The battery charge status affects the camera performance. To maximize the performance and the battery life, fully charge the battery using the camera and a wall outlet (or a computer), and then fully discharge it through normal use at least once.

To charge the battery via a wall outlet:

1. Turn off the camera.

2. Insert the battery into the camera.

3. Connect one end of the USB cable to the camera.

4. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the power adapter.

5. Plug in the power adapter to a wall outlet. The battery will start charging immediately.

To charge the battery via a computer:

1. Turn on the computer.

2. Turn off the camera.

3. Insert the battery into the camera.

4. Connect one end of the USB cable to the camera.

5. Connect the other end of the USB cable to your computer. The battery will start charging immediately.

You need to follow the instructions above to ensure successful charging.

Preparing the camera for use 5

• Turn off the camera before removing the battery.

• Please fully charge the Li-ion battery before using it for the first time.

• When the battery is being charged, the status LED indicator flashes in green. When the battery is fully charged, the status LED indicator is off.

• Use only the specified battery type. Using other types of battery may damage the camera and invalidate the warranty.

• Ensure that the Li-ion battery is inserted into the product with correct polarity. Incorrect polarity may damage the camera or cause fire.

• Download all pictures and remove the battery from the camera if you are going to store the camera for a long time.

• Damage caused by the use of an incorrect power adapter is not covered under the warranty.

• The battery may be warm after being charged or used. This is normal and not a malfunction.

• When using the camera in a cold environment, keep the camera and its battery warm by holding it inside your jacket or another warm protective environment.

Using multifunctional buttons

You can choose camera settings by pressing the 4-way control or the button.

1. Left/Focus:

• Scrolls left in menus.

• Toggles between different focus modes.

2. Up:

• Scrolls up in menus.

• Turns on/off Face Tracking. See "Face Tracking" on page 11 for details.

• Rotates an image. See "Rotating an image" on page 32 for details.

3. Right/Flash:

• Scrolls right in menus.

• Selects a flash mode.

4. Down:

• Scrolls down in menus.

5. : Confirms a chosen setting.

English

6 Preparing the camera for use

Using an SD card

The camera comes with internal memory for storing captured images, video clips, or audio

English

files. You can also add an SD card to store more files.

To install an SD card:

1. Make sure the camera is turned off.

2. Release and open the battery/card cover.

3. Insert an SD card in the correct direction.

4. Close and lock the battery/card cover.

To remove an SD card:

1. Make sure the camera is turned off.

2. Release and open the battery/card cover.

3. Lightly press the edge of the memory card to eject.

4. Close and lock the battery/card cover.

Before initial use of an SD card, please format the card first by pressing > >

Manage Memory > / > Format > > Yes.

Initial setting 7

Initial setting

You will be prompted to set up the language and the date and time when the camera is turned on for the first time.

Setting language

Selects the language version shown on the screen.

To select a language:

1. Press > . (Step 1 is needed only after the initial setting is done.)

SET

2. Press or to locate ,

and then press or .

3. Press , , , or to locate the language you want.

4. Press to set the language.

Polski

Română

Setting date and time

When first time using the camera or the battery has been removed from the camera for a long time, you need to set the date and time. They are used to record when a file was captured.

To set date and time:

1. Press > . (Step 1 is needed only after the initial setting is done.)

2. Press or to locate Date/Time, and then press or .

3. Press or to select date and time and date format. Press or to move to another column as needed.

4. Press to set the date and time.

English

8 Operating the camera

Optical Zoom

Digital Zoom

Operating the camera

The procedure below is a general guideline for basic operation. It is particularly useful if you

English

are new to the camera.

1. Press the Power button to turn the power on.

2. Slide the mode switch to and press > , , , or to locate

desired options (under two different tabs: and ), and then press or to make selections.

Remember to follow the on-screen display or slide to for instructions (wherever

available). Next, press corresponding buttons to access and set more options. At any time, you can cancel the current operation by pressing to return to your previous step.

3. Slide to to zoom-in or to zoom-out.

4. Press the shutter halfway to set automatic focus. Once the focus is set, the focus frame color will turn from white (unfocused) to green (focused). If the focus frame color is red and you press the shutter down, it might result in a blurred photo.

5. Press the shutter down fully to capture.

6. Release the shutter.

7. Slide the mode switch to and enter the Movie Record mode. Next, adjust the optical zoom as needed and press the shutter down to start video recording (press the shutter

again to stop video recording).

8. Slide the mode switch to and view captured images or recorded videos. You can

press , or to move to different images/videos, slide to press or to zoom-in/

out a captured image, or slide to to view 9 images on the screen.

• During zoom-in/out, there is a separator in the zoom bar between and . For best image quality, it is recommended to use optical zoom only by keeping the

magnification within and the separator.

• Flash is automatically turned off in the Movie Record mode.

• The Movie Record mode records both sound and video. The recording time is continuous, but recording will stop once the memory card space is full.

• In the Movie Record mode, sound is temporarily muted during zoom-in/out.

• At any time, you can press the Power button to turn off the camera.

• In Capture or Playback mode, press to decide what information to show on the screen.

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