We recommend that first-time users of the Canon PowerShot A5 start by
consulting the Quick Start Guide.
Read this guide for additional details about the use and functions of the Canon PowerShot A5.
This guide presents individual explanations of each camera function.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Canon PowerShot
A5, the easy-to-use, compact digital camera with
a large range of functions incorporated into a
card-sized body.
Please read this guide and the Quick StartGuide to gain maximum benefit of the highquality digital imaging made possible with the
PowerShot A5.
Please read the Handling and Safety
Precautions section of this guide before
attempting to use the camera.
About the LCD panel
The LCD panel incorporates extremely highprecision technology. When the panel is in
use, minute black, red or green spots may
appear and linger. The pixels are operating at
99.99% effectiveness, and this does not
constitute a malfanction. Moreover, these
spots have no effect on the image you
record.
While every effort has been made to ensure that the
information contained in this manual 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 manual may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into
any language in any form, by any means without 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 CompactFlash
(CF cards), personal computers, peripheral devices or use
of non-Canon CF cards.
Trademark Acknowledgement
Canon and PowerShot are trademarks of Canon Inc.
Adobe and Adobe Photoshop are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Apple, Macintosh and Power Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
U.S. and other countries.
Ulead Systems, Inc. and PhotoImpact are trademarks of Ulead Systems, Inc.
Other names and products not mentioned above may be trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
TM
cards
Table of Contents
Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category ........... 5
Handling and Safety Precautions ............................ 9
Guide to Components ........................................... 16
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 ................... 18
Image Size and Quality Specifications ............. 18
Power On/Off Switch ........................................ 19
Power Save Function ..................................... 19
Camera Modes .................................................. 20
Index ...................................................................... 73
Canon Customer Support ..................................... 75
Ulead Customer Support ...................................... 77
Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category
Shooting
Flash photography with humans or animals as subjects .................................................................................................................. 26
How to aim the camera at your subject to improve the focus ......................................................................................................... 22
How to adjust the exposure setting (Exposure Compensation) ....................................................................................................... 45
How to compensate for a backlight subject ................................................................................................................................... 45
How to compensate for a subject in shadow ...................................................................................... ........................................... 45
How to force the flash to go off .................................................................................................................................................... 26
How to press the Shutter button ................................................................................................................................................... 24
How to shoot continuous frames ................................................................................................. ........................................... 25, 32
How to shoot extreme close-ups with the Macro mode ................................................................................................................. 28
How to shoot moving objects (Continuous mode) ................................................................................................................... 25, 32
How to shoot multiple frames by pressing the shutter once ...................................................................... ............................... 26, 32
How to shoot pictures in a horizontal sequence for merging later ............................................................................................ 33, 38
How to shoot pictures in a vertical sequence for merging later ................................................................................................. 33, 38
How to shoot pictures without the red-eye effect .......................................................................................................................... 26
How to take a panorama shot ................................................................................................................................................. 33, 36
How to take a picture ................................................................................................................................................................... 31
How to stop the flash from going off ............................................................................................................................................ 26
How to use the frame marks inside the viewfinder ......................................................................................................................... 22
How to use the Self-Timer function ............................................................................................................................................... 25
How to use the viewfinder ............................................................................................................................................................ 22
Taking shots of panoramic scenes bigger than one frame .................................................................................................. 33, 37, 39
What mode should I use for everyday shots? ........................................................................................................................... 24, 31
5
Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued....2/4
What to do if the image is too bright ............................................................................................................................................ 45
What to do if the image is too dark ............................................................................................................................................... 45
Replaying Images
Connecting the camera to a computer .................................................................................................................................... 35, 56
Connecting the camera to a television ........................................................................................................................................... 55
How to change the play time of images in a slide show ................................................................................................................. 50
How to check an image immediately after shooting ....................................................................................................................... 45
How to continuously replay recorded images ................................................................................................................................. 47
How to delete marks from images in a slide show ......................................................................................................................... 49
How to load camera images onto a computer ...................................................................................... ................................... 35, 56
How to make a slide show with only the images you select ....................................................................... .................................... 48
How to play images one at a time on the LCD panel ...................................................................................................................... 34
How to scroll through images displayed on the LCD panel ............................................................................................................. 28
How to scroll to the next set of images in Multi mode ................................................................................................................... 28
How to set a slide show to continuous display ............................................................................................................................... 50
How to use the Review function .................................................................................................................................................... 45
How to view camera images on a television ................................................................................................................................... 55
How to view images on the camera LCD panel .............................................................................................................................. 34
How to view images on the camera LCD panel while shooting ....................................................................................................... 29
How to view images on a television screen .................................................................................................................................... 55
How to view images with the slide show function ......................................................................................................................... 47
How to view the date/time information for an image ..................................................................................................................... 47
6
Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued....3/4
Saving, Printing and Deleting Image Files
About image file names ................................................................................................................................................................ 46
How to change a file number ........................................................................................................................................................ 46
How to delete an unwanted image ................................................................................................ ............................................... 51
How to mark a file for printing ...................................................................................................................................................... 51
How to protect a file from accidental deletion ............................................................................................................................... 50
Saving an image file onto a computer ..................................................................................................................................... 35, 56
Settings
About each function ..................................................................................................................................................................... 18
About the symbols on the Mode Dial ............................................................................................................................................ 20
Changing date and time settings ............................................................................................................................................. 53, 60
How to change the date/time display format ........................................................................................................................... 53, 60
How to change error messages to another language ..................................................................................................................... 54
How to change the image quality setting and take a shot ........................................................................................................ 32, 44
How to change the image size setting and take a shot ............................................................................................................ 32, 44
How to change the LCD panel brightness ...................................................................................................................................... 52
How to reset default LCD panel, beep and Power Save settings ................................................................... .................................. 53
How to select Menu options ......................................................................................................................................................... 43
How to turn the Power Save function on and off ........................................................................................................................... 53
How to turn the Review function on and off ................................................................................................................................. 45
How to turn off the beep .............................................................................................................................................................. 53
How to turn the power on and off .......................................................................................................................................... 19, 31
How to use the +/- buttons ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
7
Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued....4/4
Other Topics
About part names ......................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Camera components list ............................................................................................................................................................... 16
How to use the Menu button ........................................................................................................................................................ 43
How to use the Menu features .......................................................................................................................................... 29, 42, 43
How to use the Mode Dial ....................................................................................................... ..................................................... 31
How to use the Set button ............................................................................................................................................................ 43
How to view date/time data in Play mode ...................................................................................................................................... 47
I would like to use the CompactFlash
What are the available image formats?.......................................................................................................................................... 18
What are the available image sizes? .............................................................................................................................................. 18
What can be done in Auto mode? ................................................................................................................................................ 31
What can be done in Program mode? ........................................................................................................................................... 32
What do the indicator lights mean? .............................................................................................................................................. 23
What do the LCD panel messages mean? ...................................................................................................................................... 70
What do the symbols and codes displayed in the LCD mean? ....................................................................... ........................... 21, 69
What does the orange indicator light mean? ........................................................................................................................... 23, 28
What is the meaning of the beep when the shutter button is pressed? .................................................................................... 24, 25
What is the meaning of the indicator lights beside the viewfinder? ................................................................................................ 23
What to do if you detect a problem (troubleshooting).................................................................................................................... 64
Why the power shuts off a few minutes the camera is set down .................................................................................................... 19
8
TM
(CF) card from another camera .......................................................................................... 54
Handling and Safety Precautions
Please ensure that you have read and understood these handling and safety precautions before you
operate your PowerShot A5 Digital Camera. Once you have read the instructions on the next few
pages, we recommend that you keep the camera with you and try each function as you read about it
in the remaining pages.
Exclusion of Liability and Warning Against Copyright Infringement (Please Read)
Exclusion of Liability
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 in a PowerShot camera or CompactFlash
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 performances, 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.
TM
CF card
9
Handling and Safety Precautions continued....2/7
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
• Stop operating the equipment immediately if it should emit smoke or noxious fumes. Failure to
do so may result in fire or electrical shock. Immediately shut off the camera’s power switch,
remove the camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket.
Confirm that smoke or fume emissions cease. Please consult your camera distributor or the
closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
• Stop operating the equipment if it is dropped or the casing is damaged. Failure to do so may
result in fire or electrical shock. Immediately shut off the camera’s power switch, remove the
camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket. Please consult your
camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
10
Handling and Safety Precautions continued....3/7
• Prevent the equipment from contact with, or immersion in, water and other liquids. Do not
allow liquids to enter the interior. The camera has not been waterproofed. If the exterior comes
into contact with liquid or salt air, wipe it dry with a soft, absorbent cloth. In the event that
water or other foreign substances enter the interior, immediately shut off the camera’s power
switch, remove the camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket.
Continued use of the equipment may result in fire or electrical shock. Please consult your
camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
• To avoid the risk of high-voltage electrical shock, do not touch the flash portion of the camera if
it has been damaged. In addition, never touch internal portions of the equipment that become
exposed as a result of damage. There is a risk of high-voltage electrical shock. Please take the
first opportunity to consult your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help
Desk.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or alter any part of the equipment that is not expressly prescribed in this guide. Disassembly or alteration may result in high-voltage electrical shock.
Internal inspections, alterations and repairs should be conducted by qualified service personnel
authorized by your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
• 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.
• Do not cut, damage, alter or place heavy items on the power adapter cord. Any of these actions
may cause an electrical short circuit, which may lead to fire or electrical shock. Replace a broken
or damaged power adapter cord.
11
Handling and Safety Precautions continued....4/7
• Do not handle the power adapter cord if your hands are wet or moist. Handling the power
adapter cord with wet hands may lead to electrical shock. When unplugging the cord, ensure
that you hold the rigid portion of the plug. Pulling on the flexible portion of the cord may
damage or expose the wire and insulation, creating the potential for fires or electrical shocks.
• Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants. Accidental damage to the
equipment by a child could result in serious injury.
• Use of power sources not expressly recommended for this equipment may lead to overheating,
distortion of the equipment, fire, electrical shock or other hazards. Use only the recommended
compact power adapter and accessories.
• Power down the computer and unplug the power adapter cord before attempting to connect
the interface cable to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
• Be particularly careful to keep the button-sized (CR2016 lithium) batteries used in the camera
out of the reach of children. Seek medical assistance immediately if a child swallows a battery.
• Do not place the batteries near a heat source or expose them to direct flame or heat. Neither
should you immerse them in water. Such exposure may damage the batteries and lead to the
leakage of corrosive liquids, fire, electrical shock, explosion and serious injury.
• Do not attempt to disassemble, alter or apply heat to the batteries. There is serious risk of injury
due to an explosion. Immediately flush with water any area of the body or clothing that comes
into contact with the inner contents of a battery.
12
Handling and Safety Precautions continued....5/7
• Avoid dropping or subjecting the battery to severe impacts that could damage the casing. It
could lead to leakage and injury.
• Do not short-circuit the battery terminals with metallic objects, such as key holders. It could lead
to overheating, burns and other injuries. Use the supplied battery case when transporting or
storing batteries.
• Before you discard a battery, cover the terminals with tape or other insulators to prevent direct
contact with other objects. Contact with the metallic components of other materials in waste
containers may lead to fire or explosions. Discard the batteries in specialized waste facilities if
they are available in your area.
• Use of batteries not expressly recommended for this equipment may cause them to explode or leak,
resulting in fire, injury and damage to the surroundings. Use only recommended batteries and
accessories.
• Use only the recommended compact power adapter to recharge the rechargeable batteries. Use
of chargers not expressly recommended may result in overheating, distortion, fire or electrical
shock.
• Disconnect the compact power adapter from both the camera and power socket after recharging and when the camera is not in use to avoid fires and other hazards.
• The camera terminal of the compact power adapter cord is designed for exclusive use with
PowerShot cameras. Do not use the compact power adapter with other products or batteries
There is a risk of fire and other hazards.
13
Handling and Safety Precautions continued....6/7
• Do not trigger the 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.
• Do not aim the camera directly into the sun or at other intense light sources that could injure
your eyesight.
Caution
• Avoid using, placing or storing the equipment in places subject to strong sunlight or high
temperatures, such as the dashboard or trunk (boot) of a car. Exposure to intense sunlight and
heat may cause the batteries to leak, overheat or explode, resulting in fire, burns or other
injuries. High temperatures may also cause deformation of the casing.
• Be sure to use the compact power adapter in a well ventilated area when recharging batteries
or performing other recommended procedures.
• Do not store the equipment in humid or dusty areas. Storage in these areas could lead to fire,
electrical shock or other damage.
• Be careful when wearing or holding the camera by the strap not to bang or subject it to strong
impacts or shocks that could lead to injury or damage the equipment.
• Be careful not to cover the flash with your fingers when shooting. In addition, do not touch the
surface of the flash after taking several pictures in rapid succession. Either action could result in
burns.
14
Handling and Safety Precautions continued....7/7
Preventing Malfunctions
Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields
Never place the camera in close proximity to electric motors or other equipment generating strong
electric fields. Exposure to strong magnetic fields may cause malfunctions or corrupt image data.
Avoid Condensation Related Problems
Moving the equipment rapidly between hot and cold temperatures may cause condensation (water
droplets) to form on its external and internal surfaces. You can avoid this by placing the equipment in
a plastic bag and letting the contents adjust to temperature changes slowly before removing it from
the bag.
If Condensation Forms Inside the Camera
Stop using the camera immediately if you detect condensation. Continued use may damage the
equipment. Remove the CF card, batteries and power adapter cord from the camera and wait until
the moisture evaporates completely before resuming use.
Extended Storage
When not using the camera for extended periods of time, remove the batteries (except the buttonsized CR2016 lithium battery) and store the equipment in a safe place. Storing the camera for
extended periods with the batteries installed will run down the battery and may damage the camera.
15
Guide to Components
• Shutter Button
➤➤➤p. 24
• Strap Holder
➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 9
• Lens
• Viewfinder
➤➤➤p. 22
• Indicators
➤➤➤p. 23
• LCD panel
16
• Viewfinder ➤➤➤p. 22
• Autofocus (AF)
Auxiliary Light Emitter
• Display Panel ➤➤➤p. 21
• Flash ➤➤➤p. 26
• Red-Eye Reduction
lamp ➤➤➤p. 26
• Mode Dial ➤➤➤ p. 31
• Continuous/Self-Timer
(+) Button ➤➤➤p. 25
• Flash (-) Button ➤➤➤p. 26
• LCD Button ➤➤➤p. 29
Guide to Components continued....2/2
• Macro/Jump Button ➤➤➤p. 28
• MENU Button ➤➤➤p. 29, 43
• SET Button ➤➤➤p. 30, 43
• VIDEO Terminal ➤➤➤p. 55
• DIGITAL Terminal ➤➤➤p. 56
• CF Card Slot Cover ➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 8
• Lock for CF Card Slot Cover
• DC Coupler Cable Cover
• Battery Cover ➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 5
• Battery Cover Lock
• Tripod Socket
➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 8
➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 7
➤➤➤Quick Start Guide p. 5
17
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5
Image Size and Quality
Specifications
The PowerShot A5 can take pictures with the
following screen sizes and qualities.
Size/Quality
Large/Fine (1024 x 768)JPEG High Quality 180 KB
Large/Normal (1024 x 768) JPEG Normal85 KB
Small/Fine (512 x 384)JPEG High Quality60 KB
Small/Normal (512 x 384) JPEG Normal30 KB
CCD RAWNo Compression940 KB
Compression
Format
• Large and small image sizes cover the
exact same scope of the photographic
subject but reproduce the images with
differing numbers of dots. On computer
monitors the large format images are
displayed at 1024 x 768 pixels, while the
small images are displayed at 512 x 384
pixels.
18
File
Size
• The size and quality settings can be
changed before an image is shot with
the Menu feature in the Auto, Program
or Stitch Assist modes. (p. 44)
• In the Continuous mode, the default size
and quality settings are Small/Fine or
Small/Normal.
• Figures noted herein reflect standard
shooting conditions established by
Canon. Actual file sizes will vary between photographic subjects.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued... 2/13
Power On/Off
Switch
The camera’s power is turned on and off with
the Mode Dial. The power is off when the dial
is set to the L (Lock) position and on when set
in any other position.
Power Save Function
Shooting Modes
The camera automatically closes the lens
cover and powers down if you do not use
a camera function for approximately
three minutes.
Playback Modes
The camera automatically powers down
if you do not use a camera function for
approximately five minutes.
PC Mode
When connected to a computer, a
message is displayed on the computer
monitor if you do not use a camera
function for approximately five minutes.
If you do not use a camera function for
an additional minute, the camera
automatically powers down.
• To reactivate the camera after
powerdown, turn the Mode Dial or
press any button.
• You can deactivate the Power Save
function with the Menu feature. (p. 53)
19
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued... 3/13
Camera Modes
: Stitch Assist Mode
Taking pictures in this mode is helpful if you
The PowerShot A5 features six operating
modes that can be selected with the Mode
Dial.
: Auto Mode
Auto mode is for taking standard pictures.
The focus, exposure and white balance
settings as well as the flash are automatically selected or activated by the camera.
P : Program Mode
Program mode is also for taking pictures,
but the Flash On/Off and Continuous
settings can be selected manually. The
focus, exposure and white balance settings
are automatically selected by the camera.
However, the exposure setting may also be
adjusted manually with the Exposure
Compensation function. (p. 45)
intend to merge several images into a
single high-quality panoramic image.
Merging images is easy if you use the
PhotoStitch utility software. In this mode,
the focus, exposure and white balance
settings are automatically selected by the
camera.
PLAY : Play Mode
Play mode is for viewing images recorded
on the CF card. Images are displayed on the
LCD panel one by one.
MULTI : Multi Mode
Multi mode is for viewing multiple images
recorded on the CF card. Images are displayed
on the LCD panel in groups of nine.
PC : PC Mode
PC mode is for viewing and processing
images with a computer.
20
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued....4/13
Display Panel
The Display Panel on the camera top shows
the status of camera settings, battery levels
and the approximate number of images that
can be stored in the CF card at the current size
and quality settings. Changing size and quality
settings will alter this number.
• Message codes on the Display Panel will
indicate errors or camera status. (p. 69)
Single Mode
Continuous Mode
Self-Timer Mode
Fine
Normal
CCD RAW
Large
Small
Flash On
Flash Off
Red-Eye Reduction
Macro Mode
Exposure Compensation
Beep On
Low Battery
Clock Not Set
21
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued....5/13
Viewfinder
The camera is equipped with an optical
viewfinder for image composition.
• In Macro mode (photographic subject 950 cm from the lens), the actual area
shot by the lens is slightly lower than the
area shown in the viewfinder. The closer
the camera is to the photographic
subject, the larger the difference
between these areas.
• When taking shots in Macro mode,
be sure to confirm the image composition and focus in the LCD panel.
22
Viewfinder Frame Marks
The camera focuses on the area encompassed
by the square brackets in the viewfinder’s
center. When composing images, aim the
camera so that the photographic subject is in
the middle of the viewfinder.
• Pressing the shutter button halfway locks
the focus until the button is released.
This allows you to focus on a particular
object while freely changing the image
composition. A moment after depressing
the shutter button halfway, two beeps
will sound and a green or red indicator
will light, indicating a focus lock. You are
now free to reorient the camera knowing that your target subject is in focus.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued....6/13
Indicators
Upper Indicator
Green:Ready to take picture
Two indicators appear to the left of the
viewfinder. These lights shine or flash when
the shutter button is pressed to confirm
Flashing Green:Storing to CF card
Red:Flash On mode, ready to
various actions and camera modes.
Flashing Red:Flash Off mode, insufficient
Upper Indicator
Lower Indicator
Orange:Macro Mode On
Lower Indicator
(no flash)
take picture
light (image may blur)
23
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued....7/13
Shutter Button
The camera features a two-stage shutter
button.
Pressing Halfway
Press the shutter button halfway to automatically set the focus, exposure and white balance
to the optimal setting. When the camera
finishes metering, it will beep and lock the
shutter.
Shutter Button
24
• When the camera is ready to take a shot,
the upper indicator lamp will shine
green (no flash) or red (flash) and two
beeps will sound.
• When the LCD panel is turned on, the
image will freeze for an instant.
• In the Flash Off mode, the upper
indicator will flash red when there is
insufficient light for the exposure
setting. This is a warning that hand
tremors or camera movement will blur
the image.
• In the Macro mode, the lower indicator
will shine orange.
• In the Exposure Compensation mode,
the image of the photographic subject
will appear in the LCD panel after the
second beep.
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