ENGLISH
Safety Precautions
Be sure to read, understand and follow the safety precautions below when
using the camera, in order to prevent injury, burns or electrical shock to yourself
and others.
Be sure to also read the safety precautions listed in the
Advanced Camera User Guide.
Warnings
• Do not trigger the flash in close proximity to human or animal eyes.
• Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants.
• Avoid dropping or subjecting the camera to severe impacts. Do not touch
the flash portion of the camera if it has been damaged.
• Stop operating the equipment immediately if it emits smoke or noxious
fumes.
Preparations
Shooting
• Do not handle the power cord if your hands are wet.
• Only use batteries recommended in this manual.
• The output terminal for the compact power adaptor is made specifically for
this camera. Do not use it with any other device.
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Printing
Downloading Images
to a Computer
Basic
Camera User Guide
Please Read This First
This guide explains how to prepare the camera and use its basic features.
CDI-E210-010
© 2006 CANON INC.
PRINTED IN CHINA
Flowchart and Reference Guides
The following guides are available. Refer to them as necessary according
to the flowchart below.
For information on included
System Map
items and items sold separately
Preparations
• Installing the battery and memory
card
• Setting the date, time and language
Basic Camera User
Guide (This Guide)
• Read this first.
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Handling precautions,
references to the various
Advanced Camera
User Guide
shooting and playback functions
Direct Print User Guide
Printing
• Installing the software
Basic Camera User
Guide (This Guide)
• Downloading images to a
computer
• Using the software
Software Starter Guide
ZoomBrowser EX/
ImageBrowser
Software User Guide
• PDF manuals available on the Canon website.
This icon appears for functions and notes that apply only to the
PowerShot A430.
This guide uses illustrations of the PowerShot A430.
0
Preparations
Installing the Battery and Memory Card
1
Open memory card slot/battery cover.
c
a
b
2
Insert the batteries, and insert the memory card until it clicks
into place, then close the cover.
(–) Negative end
Front
(+) Positive end
a
b
See the Advanced Guide: Battery Handling (p. 85)
See the Advanced Guide: Handling the Memory Card (p. 87)
See the Advanced Guide: Formatting Memory Cards (p. 29)
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Ensure that the memory card is correctly oriented before inserting it in
the camera. It may damage the camera if inserted incorrectly.
You can use SD* memory cards and MultiMediaCards with this camera.
These cards are collectively called memory cards in this guide.
* SD stands for Secure Digital, a copyright protection system.
1
To Remove the Memory Card
Use your finger to push the memory card in until you hear a click, then
release it.
First Time Settings
Setting the Date/Time
1
Press the power button.
The upper indicator blinks green.
To turn the power off, press the power
button once more.
Upper indicator
Power button
Hold down the DISP. button, and
press the power button to turn on the
mute setting and turn off all operation
sounds except the warnings.
See the Advanced Guide: Using the LCD Monitor (p. 15)
See the Advanced Guide: Power Saving Function (p. 20)
See the Advanced Guide: Set up Menu (p. 25)
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See the Advanced Guide: My Camera Menu (p. 27)
2
2
3
Select the item you wish to set
using the W or X button and
set its value using the S or T
button (a).
a
b
Confirm that the correct time
is displayed and press the
FUNC./SET button (b).
The date/time can also be set in the
Set up menu (p. 11).
Setting the Display Language
1
Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (a).
a
d
b
e
c
2
3
Hold down the FUNC./SET button (b) and press the MENU
button (c).
Use the S, T, W or X button (d) to select a language and
press the FUNC./SET button (e).
The language can also be set in the Set up menu (p. 11).
3
Shooting
1
Set the mode dial to
(Auto).
2
3
Aim the camera at the subject.
Be careful not to block the flash with your finger.
Press the shutter button lightly
Lightly press
(Pressing halfway)
Upper indicator
(halfway) to focus.
The camera beeps twice and the
upper indicator lights green when the
camera focuses.
The beep will sound one time if the subject is difficult to focus on.
See the Advanced Guide: Shooting Hard-to-Focus Subjects (p. 47)
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Pressing fully
(Pressing all the way)
4
Press the shutter button fully
(all the way) to shoot.
The shutter sound will play (a beep
sound for the PowerShot A420), and
the image will record.
Upper indicator
The upper indicator will blink green
while the image is recorded to the
memory card.
See Basic Shooting Functions (p. 5)
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See the Advanced Guide to verify the advanced shooting method.
See the Advanced Guide: Movie Shooting (p. 37)
See the Advanced Guide: Indicators (p. 19)
4
Reviewing an Image Right After Shooting
After a shot is taken, the image appears in the LCD monitor for
approximately 2 seconds.
To override this time limit and continue displaying the image, use one of
the following methods:
z
Keep the shutter button fully depressed after taking the shot.
Press the FUNC./SET or DISP. button while the image is displayed in the
LCD monitor.*
z
Press the shutter button halfway again to stop displaying it.
* This operation is not available in the Stitch Assist mode (p. 6).
See the Advanced Guide: Changing the Review Duration (p. 24)
See Erasing (p. 10)
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Basic Shooting Functions
Selecting a Shooting Mode
Use the mode dial and menu to select the Shooting modes.
Mode Dial
AUTO
MOVIE
The camera automatically selects
settings.
Modes for shooting movies
are available with this
camera.
MANUAL
6 modes are available with this camera.
You can manually adjust the exposure,
white balance, My Colors, shooting
panorama composition images
SPECIAL SCENE
8 scene modes to shoot with the most
appropriate settings for the scene are available
with this camera.
(
,
) and other settings before
shooting.
See the Advanced Guide: Movie Shooting (p. 37)
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5
Selecting a Shooting Mode
In the
,
, and
modes, the same procedure is used for
selecting shooting modes. The following explanation uses the
mode as an example.
1
2
3
Set the mode dial to
a
(a).
Press the FUNC./SET
button (b).
c
bd
Use the W or X button to
select a shooting mode
(c).
4
Press the FUNC./SET
button (d).
Shooting
mode
Mode Items
Manual
Super Macro
Allows you to select settings yourself,
such as the exposure compensation,
white balance or My Colors settings.
Allows you to take magnified shots of
subjects closer than standard Macro
mode (p. 9).
Shooting is possible when the
distance from the front of the lens to
the subject is in the following range:
1 to 5 cm (0.4 to 2.0 in.) (maximum
wide angle)
See the Advanced Guide (p. 31)
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Color Accent
Color Swap
Allows you to have only the color
specified in the LCD monitor remain
and to transform all others to black
and white.
Allows you to transform a color
specified in the LCD monitor into
another color.
See the Advanced Guide (p. 43)
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See the Advanced Guide (p. 42)
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Stitch Assist
Use this mode when taking shots that
you want to combine into a
panorama.
See the Advanced Guide (p. 40)
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6
Special Scene Mode Items
By selecting a shooting mode, you can capture scenes with optimal
shooting.
Portrait
Night Snapshot
Blurs the background and makes a
person stand out.
Allows you to take snapshots of
people against twilight or night
backgrounds by reducing the effects
of camera shake even without using
a tripod.
Kids&Pets
Indoor
Allows you to capture subjects that
move around, such as children and
pets, without missing photo
opportunities.
Prevents camera shake and
maintains the subject's true color
when shooting under fluorescent or
tungsten lighting.
Foliage
Snow
Shoots trees and leaves - such as
new growth, autumn leaves or
blossoms - in vivid colors.
Shoots without a blue tinge and
without making people appear dark
against a snowy background.
Beach
Fireworks
Shoots without making people
appear dark near water or sand
where reflected sunlight is strong.
Captures fireworks in the sky sharply
and at an optimal exposure.
z The shutter speed is slow in
(Fireworks) mode. Always use a
tripod to avoid camera shake.
z In
(Indoor),
(Kids&Pets) or (Night Snapshot) mode, the ISO
speed may increase and cause noise in the image depending on the
scene being shot.
z In
away.
(Kids&Pets) mode, shoot with the subject at least 1 m (3.3 ft.)
Movie Mode Items
Allows you to shoot a movie just by pressing the shutter button.
The following movie modes are available:
Standard, Compact (for sending movies as e-mail attachments), Color
Accent (for shooting in black and white except for specified colors), and
Color Swap (for changing a specified color into another).
See the Advanced Guide: Movie Shooting (p. 37)
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7
Using the Zoom
The zoom can be adjusted to the following in 35 mm film equivalent terms.
PowerShot A430: 39 mm - 156 mm
PowerShot A420: 39 mm - 125 mm
Telephoto
Zooms in on the subject.
Wide Angle
Zooms out from the subject.
Using the Flash
Auto
Auto with red-eye reduction*
Flash on with red-eye reduction*
Flash on
Flash off
Slow Synchro
button
Press this button to cycle through flash settings.
(Flash settings cannot be used in some shooting modes.)
* Red-Eye Reduction: This feature reduces the effect of light reflecting back from the
eyes and making them appear red.
Distance ranges for shooting with the flash are 47 cm to 3.0 m (1.5 to
10 ft.) (W) and 47 cm to 2.0 m (1.5 to 6.6 ft.) (T).
If the LCD monitor is on when the flash begins charging, the upper
indicator will blink orange, and the LCD monitor will turn off. When
charging is complete, the upper indicator will turn off, and the LCD will
turn on again. The charge time varies depending on conditions of use
such as the remaining battery life.
8
z You are recommended to shoot with the camera attached to a tripod or
other device if the camera shake warning icon
blinks while recharging. You can shoot after
blinking.
appears.
lights without
z
See the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112)
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Shooting Close-Ups/Infinity Shots
button
When you press this button,
or
appears on
the LCD monitor.
To cancel the macro/infinity mode: press the
button to remove or from the display.
(Macro): Use this mode to shoot close-ups of flowers or small items.
Image area at minimum shooting distance from end of lens to subject:
Maximum wide angle setting: 52 × 39 mm (2.0 × 1.5 in.)
(Minimum shooting distance: 5 cm (2.0 in.))
Maximum telephoto setting (PowerShot A430) : 64 × 48 mm (2.5 × 1.9 in.)
(Minimum shooting distance: 25 cm (9.8 in.))
Maximum telephoto setting (PowerShot A420) : 75 × 56 mm (3.0 × 2.2 in.)
(Minimum shooting distance: 25 cm (9.8 in.))
(Infinity): Use this mode to record subjects 3 m (9.8 ft.) away or more. Also use
this mode for compositions combining both near and distant objects.
z Use the LCD monitor to compose close-ups in macro mode since
images composed with the viewfinder may be off-center.
z Exposure may not be optimal when the flash is used in Macro mode.
See the Advanced Guide: Magnified Close-Up Shooting (p. 31)
See the Advanced Guide: Using the Digital Zoom (p. 32)
See the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 112)
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9
Playback
1
Set the mode dial to
a
b
(Playback) (a).
2
Display the image you
wish to view.
Use the W or X button to select the image (b).
Use the W button to move to the previous image and the X button to move
the next image.
See the Advanced Guide to verify the advanced playback function.
See the Advanced Guide: Viewing Movies (p. 59)
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Erasing
1
Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (a).
a
b
2
Use the W or X button to
select the image you wish
to erase (b).
c
e
3
4
Press the
button (c).
Confirm that [Erase] is
selected (d) and press the
d
FUNC./SET button (e).
To exit instead of erasing, select
[Cancel].
See the Advanced Guide: Erasing All Images (p. 65)
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Please note that erased images cannot be recovered. Exercise adequate
caution before erasing an image.
10
Menus and Settings
Settings for shooting, playback modes or printing, or such camera settings
as the date/time and sounds are set using the FUNC., Rec., Play, Print,
Set up, or
My Camera menus.
FUNC. Menu
From this menu you can specify self-timer, recording pixels, and other settings for
shooting.
a
b
When the camera is set to shooting mode,
press the FUNC./SET button.
To select an item (a)
Press the S or T button.
To change the setting (b)
Press the W or X button.
When you finish making
settings
Press the FUNC./SET button.
See the Advanced Guide: Menus and Settings (p. 23)
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11
Rec./Play/Print/Set up/
My Camera Menus
You can specify settings related to camera functions from these menus:
[
[
Rec. Menu], [
Play Menu], [
Print Menu], [
Set up Menu], and
My Camera Menu].
From shooting mode
To switch between menus (a)
When the menu icon is selected, press
the W or X button.
Setup a
My Camera
Press the MENU button.
Print
b
c
To select an item (b)
Press the S or T button.
To change the setting (c)
Press the W or X button.
When "..." appears by an item, press the
FUNC./SET button to display the set up
screen, and then use the S, T, W or X button
to change the settings.
From playback
mode
When you finish making
settings
Press the MENU button.
Press the MENU button.
See the Advanced Guide: Menus and Settings (p. 23)
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12
Printing
1
Connect the camera to a direct print compatible printer* with a cable and
simply press the button.
1
Connect the camera to a Canon Direct Print compatible
printer and turn on the printer's power.
Canon Brand Printers
SELPHY CP Series Compact
2
Photo Printers*
Interface Cable
Camera
PIXMA Series/SELPHY DS Series
Bubble Jet Printers
*1 Since this camera uses a standard protocol (PictBridge), you can use it with other
PictBridge-compliant printers in addition to Canon-brand printers.
*2 You can also use card photo printers such as the CP-10/CP-100/CP-200/CP-300.
2
3
Power on the camera in Playback mode. Confirm that
,
or
is displayed in the upper left of the LCD monitor (a).
z The
button lights blue.
z The displayed icon will vary according to the printer model.
Select an image to print with the W or X button (b) and press
the
The
button (c).
button will blink blue and printing will start.
b
c
a
See the Advanced Guide: Setting the DPOF Print Settings (p. 66)
See the Direct Print User Guide
See the user guide for Your Printer
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13
Downloading Images to a Computer
The following methods can be used to download images recorded by the
camera to a computer. Some methods, depending on the OS used, may
not be available. Please read System Requirements (p. 15) in advance.
Camera to Computer Connection
Supplied Software
Downloading Method
Install It
Computer Procedure
Do Not Install It
Computer Procedure
Camera Procedure
Windows 98 SE
Windows 2000
z
z
z
z
z
z
–
–
–
z
z
z
z
z
Windows Me
Windows XP
Mac OS X
z
Computer System
Requirements
zBasic Guide (p. 15)
zSoftware Starter Guide
Connecting
the Camera to a
Computer
zBasic Guide (p. 17)
zWindows XP and
Mac OS X Users
leaflet
Downloading Images
to a Computer
zBasic Guide (p. 18, 19)
zSoftware Starter Guide
Using a Memory Card Reader
A memory card reader can be used with all the operating systems listed
above. Refer to the Software Starter Guide for details.
14
System Requirements
Please install the software on a computer meeting the following minimum
requirements.
OS
Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
Windows Me
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows XP (including Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2)
Computer Model
The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with built-in
USB ports.
CPU
RAM
Pentium 500MHz or higher processor
Windows 98 SE/Windows Me
Windows 2000/Windows XP
:
:
128 MB or more
256 MB or more
Interface
USB
Free Hard Disk Space
z
Canon Utilities
- ZoomBrowser EX
- PhotoStitch
:
:
:
:
:
200 MB or more
40 MB or more
25 MB or more
25 MB or more
50 MB or more
z
z
z
Canon Camera TWAIN Driver
Canon Camera WIA Driver
ArcSoft PhotoStudio
Display
1,024 × 768 pixels/High Color (16 bit) or better
OS
Mac OS X (v10.2–v10.4)
Computer Model
The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with built-in
USB ports.
CPU
RAM
Interface
PowerPC G3/G4/G5
256 MB or more
USB
Free Hard Disk Space
z
Canon Utilities
- ImageBrowser
- PhotoStitch
:
:
:
200 MB or more
40 MB or more
50 MB or more
z
ArcSoft PhotoStudio
Display
1,024 × 768 pixels/32,000 Colors or better
15
Preparing to Download Images
Ensure that you install the software first before connecting the camera to the
computer.
Items to Prepare
z
z
z
Camera and computer
Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk supplied with the camera
Interface cable supplied with the camera (always use the supplied interface
cable)
1
Install the software.
1. Place the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk in the computer's
CD-ROM drive.
Double-click the [Canon Digital Camera
Installer] icon
in the CD-ROM window.
When the installer panel appears, click [Install].
Installer panel
2. Click [Easy Installation].
Select [Easy Installation] as the setup type
and click [Next].
Proceed with the installation, confirming the
contents as you proceed.
Installer panel
3. When the installation is finished, the
[Finish] or [Restart] button appears. Click
the one that appears.
When the installation is finished, click [OK].
4. When the screen returns to the desktop display, remove the Canon
Digital Camera Solution Disk from the CD-ROM drive.
16
2
Connecting the camera to a computer.
1. Use the supplied interface cable to connect the computer's USB
port to the camera's DIGITAL terminal.
With your fingernail on the left edge of the camera's DIGITAL terminal
cover, gently pull it open and plug the interface cable in all the way.
USB Port
DIGITAL Terminal
Interface Cable
Interface Cable
2. Set the mode dial to
(Playback) (a) and turn on the
power (b).
a
b
The camera and computer will be
able to communicate.
Always grasp the connector's sides to remove the interface cable
from the camera's DIGITAL terminal.
If the "Digital Signature Not Found" window appears, click [Yes]. The USB driver
will automatically finish installing onto the computer when you attach the camera
and open a connection.
17
Downloading Images to a Computer
A window allowing you to set the preferences will appear when a
connection is established between the camera and computer.
1
Select [Canon CameraWindow] and
click [OK] (first time only).
If the window to the right does not
appear, click the [Start] menu and select
[All Programs] or [Programs], followed
by [Canon Utilities], [CameraWindow],
[PowerShot - IXY - IXUS -DV 6] and
[CameraWindow].
Downloading Images
Using the Camera (p. 20)
2
Download the images.
z Download the images using the camera or
the computer.
z By default, the downloaded images are saved
into the [My Pictures] folder.
Downloading Images Using a Computer
By default, all images that have yet to be
downloaded will download.
You can set the type of image to
download and the destination folder.
Thumbnails (small versions) of the downloaded
images will display in the ZoomBrowser EX
Main Window. By default, the downloaded
images are saved into subfolders according to
their shooting dates.
18
Downloading Images to a Computer
The following window opens when you establish a connection between
the camera and computer. If it fails to appear, click the [Canon
CameraWindow] icon on the Dock (the bar that displays at the bottom of
the desktop).
1
Download the images
z Download the images using the camera or the computer.
z By default, all the images that have yet to be downloaded will download
to the [Pictures] folder.
Downloading Images Using the
Camera (p. 20)
Downloading Images Using a Computer
By default, all images that have yet to
be downloaded will download.
You can set the type of image to download
and the destination folder.
Thumbnails (small versions) of
the downloaded images will
display in the ImageBrowser
Browser Window. By default,
the downloaded images are
saved into folders according to
their shooting dates.
Thumbnails
19
Downloading Images Using the Camera (Direct
Transfer)
Use this method to download images using camera operations. Install
the supplied software and adjust the computer settings before using this
method for the first time (p. 16).
When communication between the
camera and computer is enabled, the
button will light blue and the
Direct Transfer menu is displayed on
the camera's LCD monitor.
At this point, images can be
transferred using camera operations.
button
If the Direct Transfer menu is not
displayed, press the MENU
button.
You can select the following methods in the Direct Transfer.
All Images
Transfers and saves all images to the computer.
Transfers and saves to the computer only the images that
New Images
have not been previously transferred.
Transfers and saves to the computer only the images with
DPOF Transfer Order settings (Advanced Guide: Setting the
DPOF Print Settings p. 69).
DPOF Trans. Images
Select & Transfer
Wallpaper
Transfers and saves single images to the computer as you
view and select them.
Transfers and saves single images to the computer as you
view and select them. The transferred images display on the
computer desktop.
20
All Images/New Images/DPOF Trans. Images
Select
,
or
(a) with the
c
a
S or T button and press the
button (b).
The images will download.
e
f bd
z
z
z
The images will download. The
button will blink blue while downloading
is in progress.
The display will return to the Direct
Transfer menu when the download is
complete.
To cancel the download, press the FUNC./SET button (f).
Select & Transfer/Wallpaper
1
Select
or
with the
S
or
T
button (a) and press the
button (b) (or the FUNC./SET button).
2
Select images to download with the W or X button (c) and
press the
z The images will download.
z The button will blink blue while downloading is in progress.
z Images can also be selected during index playback.
button
(d)
(or the FUNC./SET button).
3
Press the MENU button
(
e
).
The display will return to the Direct Transfer menu.
Only JPEG images can be downloaded as wallpaper for a computer. On the
Windows platform, the files are automatically created as BMP images.
The option selected with the
camera's power is turned off.
button is retained even when the
The previous setting will be in effect the next time the Direct Transfer
menu is displayed. If the [Select & Transfer] or [Wallpaper] option was
selected last, the image selection screen will appear immediately.
21
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