Polaroid A500 User Manual

www.pol aroid .com

User Guide

5.1 Megapixels Digital Camera

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Product Overview

Front View

1.

Shutter button

2.

Power button

3. Wrist Strap eyelet

4. Self-timer LED

5.

Flash

6. Viewnder

7. Lens

8. Cover for USB port

9. Microphone

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Back View

1.

LCD screen

2.

Tripod mount

3.

SD Card Slot

4.

LCD Display button

5.

Capture/ Playback mode button

6.

Menu button

7.

OK button

8.

Battery door

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1

2

4

3

1. Flash charging LED

2.

Power LED

3. Flip button

4.

Zoom out button

5.

Zoom in button

6.

Flash /Up button

7. Right button

8.

Left button

9.

Self-timer/Down button

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Table of Contents

1 Getting Started .........................................................................................8

• Camera Package Contents ....................................................................9

• Attaching the Wrist Strap .....................................................................9

• Installing the Batteries ....................................................................... 10

• Using Your Batteries .......................................................................... 10

• Turning the Camera On and Off .......................................................... 11

• Checking the Battery Level ................................................................. 11

• How to Navigate Menus .....................................................................12

2 Camera Setting .......................................................................................13

• Checking Camera Status .................................................................... 13

• Camera Mode .................................................................................... 15

• Drive Mode ....................................................................................... 16

• Setup Menu ...................................................................................... 16

• Formatting the Internal Memory .......................................................... 17

• Setting the Current Date and Time ......................................................18

• Auto Power Save Set tings ..................................................................20

• Setting the B eep Sound On/Off........................................................... 21

• Setting Frequency..............................................................................22

• Setting Display Language ...................................................................23

• Setting the Date Stamp On and Off .....................................................24

• Reset ting to Default Settings .............................................................. 25

• Turning the Information Display and LCD Screen On /Off .......................26

3 Taking Pictures........................................................................................29

• Taking a Picture ................................................................................. 29

• Setting Flash Mode ............................................................................30

• Setting Self-Timer.............................................................................. 32

• Zoom Feature ....................................................................................34

• Setting the Image Size and Quality ......................................................35

• Setting Exposure Compensation.......................................................... 37

• Setting the White Balance for Pictures.................................................38

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4 Recording Video Clips .............................................................................. 39

• Recording Video Clips ........................................................................ 39

• Setting Video Resolution.....................................................................4 0

• Setting the White Balance for Video Clips .............................................41

5 Reviewing and Managing Pictures and Video Clips....................................... 42

• Reviewing Pictures on the LCD Screen .................................................42

• Reviewing Picture and Video Clip Files in Thumbnail...............................43

• Auto Play ......................................................................................... 44

• Playing the Video Clip ........................................................................ 46

• Protect or Unprotect Picture(s) or Video Clip(s) ...................................... 46

• Deleting Picture(s) and Video (Clips) .................................................... 48

6 Print Setting ...........................................................................................49

• About PictBridge................................................................................ 49

• DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) ........................................................ 56

7 Using the SD (Secure Digital) Card ............................................................59

• Using the SD Card .............................................................................59

• To Copy Pictures and Video Clips from Internal Memory to a Memory Card. 63

8 Installing the Software Onto a Computer ....................................................64

• Installing the Software .......................................................................64

• Software Included with Your Camera ...................................................66

• Computer System Requirements .......................................................... 67

9 Transferring Pictures and Video Clips to a Computer.................................... 68

• Before You Transfer Files .................................................................... 68

• Connecting to Your Computer .............................................................68

• Transferring Pictures and Video Clips ................................................... 69

• PhotoImpression® 5 Hot Plug Function (PC Only) ...................................70

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10 Troubleshooting Problems....................................................................... 72

• Troubleshooting ................................................................................ 72

11 Getting Help..........................................................................................76

• Polaroid Online Services ..................................................................... 76

• ArcSoft Software Help .......................................................................76

12 Appendix.............................................................................................. 77

• Technical Specications ..................................................................... 77

• Capacity of SD Card .......................................................................... 79

• Uninstalling Your Camera driver (PC Only) ........................................... 81

• Camera Default Settings ..................................................................... 82

• Tips, Your Safety & Maintenance ........................................................ 83

• Regulatory Information .......................................................................83

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1 Getting Started

Incorporated with Polaroid’s sophisticated technology, your camera
has these features, which offers a powerful range of high-end, easy­to-use functions in an exquisitely compact camera. It will allow you to
capture that special occasion with life-like clarity and beautiful color
renditions.

• It is powered by a high quality 5.1 megapixels sensor and a full
color 1.7 inch color LCD

• Selectable image size and quality settings for emailing and
printing

• Built-in ash with four modes (off, auto, red-eye reduction and
force on)

• Shoot, review, print and share favorite moments in vivid clarity
and color

• SD memory card compatibility

• Enjoy PictBridge directly plug-and-print experience.

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• Camera Package Contents

Digital Camera

Quick Start Guide

Guide de Démarrage rapide

Guida Rapida
Guía Rápida de Inicio
Guia de Início Rápido

Schnellanleitung

Wrist Strap

Your Camera

USB Cable

2 x AA-size Batteries

Registration Card

Digital Imaging Pro ducts
201 Burlington Road
Bedford, MA 01730-1434

Carrying Case

Yo

ur Camera CD-ROM includes

Polaroid Digital Camera Driver (PC)

Arcsoft PhotoImpression® 5 (PC & Mac),

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ (PC & Mac)

User Guide (in PDF form

at)

Quick Start Guide

• Attaching the Wrist Strap

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• Installing the Batteries

Two AA-size batteries are supplied with the product. For a detailed
guideline on battery usage, please see “Using Your Batteries” on page 81.

1. Push the locking tab in the direction of the arrow as illustrated to

open the camera battery door.

2. Insert the batteries as shown, ensuring you follow the +/- signs

correctly.

3. Pressing the battery door inwards and then sliding the tab to lock it.

IMPORTANT NOTE :

For best performance and prolonged bat tery life, we recommend the use of

AA lithium battery.

• Using Your Batteries

IMPORTANT NOTE :

For best performance and prolonged bat tery life, we recommend the use of

AA lithium.

Limit the following activities that reduces battery life:

• Reviewing your pictures on the LCD screen.

• Using the LCD screen to take pictures (Use the optical viewnder to

frame pictures).

• Excessive use of the ash.

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WARNING!

• Batteries should be replaced by an adult.

• Do not mix different types of batteries (or new and used batteries).

• Use recommended or equivalent type of batteries only.

• Insert the batteries in the correct polarity.

• Remove exhausted batteries from the camera immediately.

• Do not short the supply terminals.

• Do not dispose the batteries in re.

• Remove batteries from the camera when not in use.

These instructions should be retained for future reference.

• Turning the Camera On and Off

Press and hold the Power button

until the LCD screen is on. The Power
LED lights up and remains on while the
camera is powered on. Press the Power
button

again to turn off the camera.

• Checking the Battery Level

Check the battery power level before taking pictures.

1.

Turn on the camera.

2.

Check the battery power level that appears on the LCD screen.

Battery power is full.

Battery power is adequate.

Battery power is low.

Battery power is exhausted.

NOTE:

The Power LED will blink when battery power is low. Please replace the batteries.

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• How to Navigate Menus

Menus are used to adjust capture and
play settings, as well as other camera
settings like the Date/ Time and Auto
Power Off.

1.

Press the

button to enter a menu bar

and press it again to exit.

2.

Press the

(left) or

(right) button to

select a menu item.

DRIVE MOD E

STIL L

VIDE O

3.

Press the

(up) or

(down) button to

select item contents.

4. Press the

button to conrm.

SETU P

FORM AT

DATE/T IME
AUTO OFF
BEEP

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2 Camera Setting

• Checking Camera Status

Turn on the camera, view the camera LCD screen to check which
camera settings are active. If a feature icon is not displayed, it means
that particular feature is not activated.

Still Image Mode

Self-timer On

Digital Zoom Status

Number of remaining
pictures

White Balance

Auto*
Daylight
Cloudy
Tungsten
Fluorescent

Flash Off
Auto Flash*
Red-eye reduction
Flash Always

Flash Mode

Capture Mode

Still Image*

Video

Quality

High*
Normal
Low

259 2 x 19 44

Image Resolution
2592 X 1944*
2304 X 1728
2048 X 1536
640 X 480

SD Card Inserted

Exposure Compensation
Value

-0.3

Battery Level

Full
Adequate
Low
Exhausted

x 3.0

* Default Setting

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Video Mode

640 x 480

00:00:03

640 x 480*
320 x 240

Resolution

Video Mode

Recording time
counter

White Balance for Video clips

Auto*
Daylight
Cloudy
Tungsten
Fluorescent

Recording Indicator

X 3.0

* Default Setting

Playback Mode

2592 x 1944

0003-0003

02/02/05

09:14

Play

Pause

Locked File

Date

Time

File Type

Folder Number/File
Number

Picture
Video Clip

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• Camera Mode

The camera has two working modes, Capture
mode and Playback mode. You can switch
between them by pressing the Capture/
Playback mode button at the back of the
camera.

Capture mode

Under this mode, you can select the image or video settings according
to the shooting environment, and take pictures or video clips under the
settings you have selected. For more details, please refer to “Taking
Pictures” on page 29 and “Recording Video Clips” on page 40.

Playback mode

This mode allows you to review and delete pictures and video clips from
the camera. For more details, please refer to “Reviewing and Managing
Pictures and Video Clips” on page 42.

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• Drive Mode

The camera has two drive modes, one for taking pictures and the other
for taking video clips.
Still Image Mode

Video Mode

You may switch between these two modes according to the following steps.

1. Set the camera to Capture mode.

2592 x 1944

0005

2. Press the

button.

3. Press the

button to select

(DRIVE

MODE).

4. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

5. Press the

button.

NOTE:

• Still Image mode is the default capture mode.

• This setting is also available in Video mode.

DRIVE MODE

STIL L

VIDEO

• Setup Menu

Setup menu can be accessed in both Still Image and Video modes.

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Press the

button.

3. Press the

(left) or

(right) button to

select

(SETUP).

SETUP

FORMAT

DATE/TIME
AUTO OF F
BEE P

4. Press the

or

button to select the desired

setting.

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• Formatting the Internal Memory

Formatting the internal memory deletes all data stored in it.

1. Set the camera to the capture mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. “FORMAT” is the current selection.

4. Press the

button.

SETUP

FORM AT
DATE/TIME
AUTO OF F
BEE P

5. Press the

(left) or

(right) button to

select “FORMAT”. Select “CANCEL” to exit

from the menu.

6. Press the

button.

REA LLY WANT TO

FORM AT?

FORM AT

CANC EL

NOTE:

• Data deleted by a format operation cannot be recovered. Make sure you
do not have any useful data currently stored in the internal memory before
you format it.

• Formatting the internal memory destroys all the pictures, even those are
protected.

• With a memory card inserted, the above operation will format the inserted
memory card only. The internal memory will not be formatted with a
memory card inserted.

• This setting is also available in Video mode.

• Do not format the internal memory while your camera is tethered via a
computer.

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• Setting the Current Date and Time

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

SETUP

FORM AT

DATE/TIME

AUTO OF F
BEE P

3. Press the

(down) button to select “DATE/

TIME”.

4. Press the

button.

DATE/TIME

DATE FORMAT

DATE SET UP

Setting the date format:

5. “DATE FORMAT” is the current selection.

6. Press the

button.

7. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

8. Press the

button.

DATE FORMAT

DD/ MM/ YY

MM/ DD/ YY
YY/M M/ DD

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Setting the date and time:

5. Press the

(down) button to select “DATE

SETUP”.

6. Press the

button.

DATE/TIME

DATE FORMAT

DATE SET UP

7. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to adjust

the value.

8. Press the

(left) or

(right) button to

switch to the next eld.

9. Press the

button.

DATE SET UP

DD/ MM/ YY

04/12/ 03

12:33 :55

EXI T

NOTE:

This setting is also available in Video mode.

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• Auto Power Save Settings

The camera performs the following power save operations to conserve
battery power.
1/3/5 MIN The camera is designed to switch off automatically to

save battery life after the specied period of inactivity.

OFF The power save feature is not activated.

You can change the power save setting according to the following steps:

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. Press the

(down) button to select “AUTO

OFF”.

4. Press the

button.

SETUP

FORM AT
DATE/TIME

AUTO OF F

BEE P

5. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

6. Press the

button.

AUTO OF F

OFF

1 MIN
3 MIN
5 MIN

NOTE:

• Auto power of f is automatically disabled under any one of the following
conditions.

- While an auto play is operating.

- While the camera’s USB port is connected to a computer or other external

devices, or while the camera is being controlled by an external device.

• This setting is also available in Video mode.

• The LCD screen automatically goes into hibernation after one minute of
inactivit y. Press any button, except the Power button, to re-activate the
LCD screen.

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• Setting the Beep Sound On/Off

When the beep sound is turned on, the camera will beep when you press
the buttons.

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. Press the

(down) button to select “BEEP”.

4. Press the

button.

SETUP

FORM AT
DATE/TIME
AUTO OF F

BEE P

5. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

6. Press the

button.

BEE P

ON

OFF

NOTE:

This setting is also available in Video mode.

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• Setting Frequency

In order to take a better indoor picture, the camera needs to be set to
suit the correct lighting frequency.

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. Press the

(down) button to select

“FREQUENCY”.

4. Press the

button.

SETUP

DATE/TIME
AUTO OF F
BEE P

FREQ UEN CY

5. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

6. Press the

button.

FREQ UENCY

50 Hz

60 hz

NOTE:

This setting is also available in Video mode.
60HZ For United States Users
50HZ For European Users

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• Setting Display Language

Under this setting, you can select the language you prefer for the LCD screen.

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. Press the

(down) button to select

“LANGUAGE”.

4. Press the

button.

SETUP

AUTO OF F
BEE P
FREQ UEN CY

LAN GUAGE

ABC

5. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

6. Press the

button.

NOTE:

This setting is also available in Video mode.

LAN GUAGE

ENGLISH

DEUT SCH
FRA NÇAI S
ESPAÑ OL

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• Setting the Date Stamp On and Off

Use the Date Stamp to imprint the date on your pictures and video clips.
Make sure the camera clock is set to the correct date before setting the
date stamp on.

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. Press the

(down) button to select “DATE

STAMP”.

4. Press the

button.

SETUP

BEE P
FREQ UEN CY
LAN GUAGE

DATE STAMP

ABC

5. Press the

(up) or

(down) button to select

the desired setting.

6. Press the

button.

DATE STAMP

ON

OFF

NOTE:

This setting is also available in Video mode.

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• Resetting to Default Settings

You can easily change all the settings you made back to the camera
default settings by the following steps.

Please refer to “Camera Default Settings” on page 80 for more details.

1. Set the camera to Still Image mode.

2. Access the Setup menu.

3. Press the

(down) button to select

“DEFAULT SETTING”.

SETUP

FREQ UEN CY
LAN GUAGE
DATE STAMP

DEFAU LT SETTING

ABC

4. Press the

button.

5. Press the

(left) or

(right) button to

select “YES”.

6. Press the

button.

RETU RN TO

DEFAU LT SETTI NG?

NO

YES

NOTE:

This setting is also available in Video mode.

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• Turning the Information Display and LCD Screen On/Off

Pressing the

button each time
switches the LCD screen to the next
display mode in the following sequence.