Canon Camera Powershot Sx170 Is User Manual

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Still Images
Removing All Images from a Photobook
zzFollowing the procedure in “Choosing 
a Selection Method” ( =  11 0), choose 
[Clear All Selections] and press the < m> 
button.
zzPress the  buttons or turn the 
 dial to choose [OK], and then press 
the  button.
Still ImagesMovies
Using an Eye-Fi Card
Before	using	an	Eye-Fi	card,	always	confirm	that	local	use	is	permitted	(=  2).
Inserting a prepared Eye-Fi card enables automatic wireless transfer of \
images to a computer or uploading to a photo-sharing website.
Images are transferred by the Eye-Fi card. Refer to the card’s user manual 
or contact the manufacturer for instructions on preparing and using card\
s or 
resolving transfer problems.
•	When using an Eye-Fi card, keep the following points in mind.
-
 Cards may continue to transmit radio waves even when [Eye-Fi 
trans.] is set to [Disable] (=  11 2 ). Remove the Eye-Fi card before 
entering hospitals, aircraft, or other areas where transmission is 
prohibited.
-
 When troubleshooting image transfer issues, check the card and 
computer settings. For details, refer to the card’s user manual.
-
 Poor Eye-Fi connections may cause image transfer to take a long 
time, and transfer may be interrupted in some cases.
-
 Eye-Fi cards may become hot, due to their transfer functions.
- Battery power will be consumed faster than in normal use.
- Camera operation may become sluggish. To resolve this, try 
setting [Eye-Fi trans.] to [Disable].  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Connection status of Eye-Fi cards in the camera can be checked on the 
shooting screen (in regular information display mode) or playback scre\
en (in 
simple information display mode).
(Gray) Not connectedInterrupted
(Blinking white) ConnectingNot communicating
(White) ConnectedError acquiring Eye-Fi card information*2
(Animated)Transfer in progress*1
*1 Power saving (=  21) on the camera is temporarily disabled during image transfer.
*2 Restart the camera. Repeated display of this icon may indicate a problem with the 
card.
Images labeled with a [] icon have been transferred.
Checking Connection Information
Check the access point SSID used by the Eye-Fi card or the connection 
status, as needed.
zzPress the  button, choose 
[Eye-Fi Settings] on the [3] tab, and then 
press the  button.
zzChoose [Connection info], and then press 
the  button.
zzThe connection information screen is 
displayed.
Disabling Eye-Fi Transfer
Configure	the	setting	as	follows	to	disable	Eye-Fi	transfer	by	the	card,	if	necessary.
Choose [Disable] in [Eye-Fi trans.].
zzPress the  button, choose 
[Eye-Fi Settings] on the [3] tab, and then 
press the  button.
zzChoose [Eye-Fi trans.], and then choose 
[Disable].
•	 [Eye-Fi Settings] is not shown unless an Eye-Fi card is in the 
camera with its write-protect tab in the unlocked position. For this 
reason, you cannot change settings for an inserted Eye-Fi card if 
the write-protect tab is in the locked position.  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Appendix
Helpful information when using the camera
9
Troubleshooting ............................................. 11 4
On-Screen Messages
 ..................................... 11 6
On-Screen Information
 .................................. 11 8Shooting (Information Display) ............................11 8
Playback (Detailed Information Display) ............. 11 9
Functions and Menu Tables .......................... 120Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode .......120
FUNC. Menu ....................................................... 122
4 Shooting Tab Menu...
.....................................124
3 Set Up Tab Menu
 ........................................... 127
1 Playback Tab Menu ....................................... 127
2 Print Tab Menu ............................................... 127
Playback Mode FUNC. Menu .............................. 127
Handling Precautions .................................... 128
Specifications
 ................................................. 128  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Troubleshooting
If	you	think	there	is	a	problem	with	the	camera,	first	check	the	following.	If the items below do not solve your problem, contact a Canon Customer 
Support Help Desk.
Power
Nothing happens when the power button is pressed.•	 Confirm	that	the	battery	pack	is	charged	(=  12).
•	 Confirm	that	the	battery	pack	is	inserted	facing	the	correct	way	(=  13).
•	 Confirm	that	the	memory	card/battery	cover	is	fully	closed	(=  13).
•	 Dirty battery terminals reduce battery performance. Try cleaning the terminals with a 
cotton swab and reinserting the battery pack a few times.
The battery pack runs out of power quickly.•	Battery performance decreases at low temperatures. Try warming the battery pack a 
little by putting it in your pocket, for example, ensuring that the term\
inals do not touch 
any metal objects.
•	 If these measures do not help and the battery pack still runs out of pow\
er soon after 
charging, it has reached the end of its life. Purchase a new battery pac\
k.
The lens is not retracted.•	Do not open the memory card/battery cover while the camera is on. Close \
the cover, 
turn the camera on, and then turn it off again (=  13).
The battery pack is swollen.•	Battery swelling is normal and does not pose any safety concerns. Howeve\
r, if 
battery	swelling	prevents	the	battery	pack	from	fitting	in	the	camera,	contact	a	Canon	Customer Support Help Desk.
Display on a TV
Camera images look distorted or not displayed on a TV ( =  98).
Shooting
Cannot shoot.•	In Playback mode ( =  69), press the shutter button halfway (=  22).
Strange display on the screen under low light ( =  23).
Strange display on the screen when shooting.
Note that the following display problems are not recorded in still image\
s but are 
recorded in movies.
•	 The screen may darken under bright light.
•	 The
	screen	may	flicker	under	fluorescent	or	LED	lighting.
•	 Purplish banding may appear on the screen if you compose a shot that inc\
ludes a 
bright light source.
No date stamp is added to images.•	Configure	the	[Date	Stamp	] setting (=  14). Note that date stamps are not 
added	to	images	automatically,	merely	because	you	have	configured	the	[Date/Time]	setting (=  35).
•	 Date stamps are not added in shooting modes ( =  126) in which this setting cannot 
be	configured	( =  35).
[h]	flashes	on	the	screen	when	the	shutter	button	is	pressed,	and	shooting is not possible ( =  30).
[
] is displayed when the shutter button is pressed halfway (=  30).•	 Set [IS Mode] to [Continuous] (=  64).
•	 Raise	the	flash	and	set	the	flash	mode	to	[h] (=  62).
•	 Increase the ISO speed (=  53).
•	 Mount the camera on a tripod or take other measures to keep it still. In\
 this case, you 
should set [IS Mode] to [Off] (=
  64).
Shots are out of focus.•	Press the shutter button halfway to focus on subjects before pressing it\
 all the way 
down to shoot (=  22).
•	 Make sure subjects are within focusing range ( =  130).
•	 Set [AF-assist Beam] to [On] ( =  40).
•	 Confirm	that	unneeded	functions	such	as	macro	are	deactivated.
•	 Try shooting with focus lock or AF lock (=
  59, 62).  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
No AF frames are displayed and the camera does not focus when the 
shutter button is pressed halfway.
•	 To have AF frames displayed and the camera focus correctly, try composing the 
shot with higher-contrast subject areas centered before you press the sh\
utter button 
halfway. Otherwise, try pressing the shutter button halfway repeatedly.
Subjects in shots look too dark.•	Raise	the	flash	and	set	the	flash	mode	to	[h] (=  62).
•	 Adjust brightness by using exposure compensation ( =  52).
•	 Adjust contrast by using i-Contrast ( =  54, 84).
•	 Use AE lock or spot metering (=  52, 53).
Subjects look too bright, highlights are washed-out.•	Lower	the	flash	and	set	the	flash	mode	to	[!] (=  28).
•	 Adjust brightness by using exposure compensation ( =  52).
•	 Use AE lock or spot metering (=  52, 53).
•	 Reduce the lighting on subjects.
Shots	look	too	dark	despite	the	flash	firing	(=  30).•	 Shoot	within	flash	range	(=  129).
•	 Adjust	brightness	by	using	flash	exposure	compensation	or	changing	the	flash	output	level (=  63, 68).
•	 Increase the ISO speed (=  53).
Subjects	in	flash	shots	look	too	bright,	highlights	are	washed-out.•	Shoot	within	flash	range	(=  129).
•	 Lower	the	flash	and	set	the	flash	mode	to	[!] (=  28).
•	 Adjust	brightness	by	using	flash	exposure	compensation	or	changing	the	flash	output	level (=  63, 68).
White	dots	or	similar	image	artifacts	appear	in	flash	shots.•	This	is	caused	by	light	from	the	flash	reflecting	off	dust	or	airborne	particles.
Shots look grainy.•	Lower the ISO speed (=  53).
Subjects are affected by red-eye ( =  37).•	Set [Red-Eye Lamp] to [On] (=  40) to activate the red-eye reduction lamp 
(=  4)	in	flash	shots.	Note	that	while	the	red-eye	reduction	lamp	is	on	(for	about	one second), it is not possible to shoot, because the lamp is counterac\
ting red-eye. 
For best results, have subjects look at the red-eye reduction lamp. Also try increasing 
the lighting in indoor scenes and shooting at closer range.
•	 Edit images using red-eye correction ( =
  84).
Recording to the memory card takes too long, or continuous shooting 
is slower.
•	Use the camera to perform low-level formatting of the memory card ( =  92).
Shooting settings or FUNC. menu settings are not available.•	Available setting items vary by shooting mode. Refer to “Functions Available in Each 
Shooting Mode”, “FUNC. Menu”, and “Shooting Tab Menu” (=  120 – 126).
Shooting Movies
The elapsed time shown is incorrect, or recording is interrupted.•	Use the camera to format the memory card, or switch to a card that suppo\
rts high-
speed recording. Note that even if the elapsed time display is incorrect\
, the length of 
movies on the memory card corresponds to the actual recording time (
=  91, 129).
[] is displayed and shooting stops automatically.The	camera’s	internal	memory	buffer	filled	up	as	the	camera	could	not	record	to	the	memory card quickly enough. Try one of the following measures.
•	Use the camera to perform low-level formatting of the memory card ( =  92).
•	 Lower the image quality ( =  37).
•	 Switch to a memory card that supports high-speed recording ( =  129).
Zooming is not possible.•	Zooming is not possible when shooting movies in [] mode (=  47).
Playback
Playback is not possible.•	Image	or	movie	playback	may	not	be	possible	if	a	computer	is	used	to	rename	files	or	alter the folder structure. Refer to “Software Instruction Manual”\
 ( =  100) for details 
on	folder	structure	and	file	names.  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Playback stops, or audio skips.•	 Switch to a memory card that you have performed low-level formatting on \
with the 
camera (=  92).
•	 There may be brief interruptions when playing movies copied to memory ca\
rds that 
have slow read speeds.
•	 When movies are played on a computer, frames may be dropped and audio may skip 
if computer performance is inadequate.
Sound is not played during movies.•	Adjust the volume ( =  70) if you have activated [Mute] (=  88) or the sound in 
the movie is faint.
•	 No sound is played for movies shot in [
] mode (=  47) because audio is not 
recorded in this mode.
Memor y Card
The memory card is not recognized.•	 Restart the camera, with the memory card in it (=  21).
Computer
Cannot transfer images to a computer.When attempting to transfer images to the computer via a cable, try redu\
cing the 
transfer speed as follows.
•	Press the  button to enter Playback mode. Hold the < n> button down as 
you press the  and < m
> buttons at the same time. On the next screen, press 
the  buttons to choose [B], and then press the  button.
Eye-Fi Cards
Cannot transfer images (=  111 ).
On-Screen Messages
If an error message is displayed, respond as follows.
No memory card
•	The memory card may be inserted facing the wrong way. Reinsert the memory card 
facing the correct way (=  13).
Memory card locked•	The write-protect tab of the memory card is set to the locked position. \
Switch the 
write-protect tab to the unlocked position ( =  13).
Cannot record!•	Shooting was attempted without a memory card in the camera. To shoot, insert a 
memory card facing the correct way ( =  13).
Memory card error (=  92)•	If the same error message is displayed even after you have formatted a s\
upported 
memory card (=  2) and have inserted it facing the correct way ( =  13), contact 
a Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
Insufficient	space	on	card•	 There is not enough free space on the memory card to shoot ( =  28, 42, 51, 
65) or edit images (=  82 – 84). Either erase unneeded images ( =  78) or 
insert a memory card with enough free space ( =  13).
Charge the battery (=  12)
No Image.
•	 The memory card does not contain any images that can be displayed.
Protected! (=  75)
Unidentified
	Image/Incompatible	JPEG/Image	too	large./Cannot	play	back MOV/Cannot play back MP4
•	 Unsupported or corrupt images cannot be displayed.
•	 It may not be possible to display images that were edited or renamed on \
a computer, 
or images shot with another camera.  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Cannot	magnify!/Cannot	play	back	this	content	in	Smart	Shuffle/
Cannot rotate/Cannot modify image/Cannot modify/Cannot assign to 
category/Unselectable image.
•	 The following functions may be unavailable for images that were renamed \
or already 
edited on a computer, or images shot with another camera. Note that starred (*) 
functions are not available for movies.  
Magnify* (
=
  73),	Smart	Shuffle*	(=  74), Rotate ( =  80), Favorites ( =  81), 
Edit* ( =  82 – 85), Print List* ( =  107), and Photobook Set-up* ( =  11 0).
Invalid selection range•	When specifying a range for image selection ( =  76, 79, 108), you attempted to 
choose	an	initial	image	that	was	after	the	final	image,	or	vice-versa.
Exceeded selection limit•	 More than 998 images were selected for Print List ( =  107) or Photobook Set-up 
(=  11 0 ). Choose 998 images or less.
•	 Print List (=  107) or Photobook Set-up (=  11 0 ) settings could not be saved 
correctly. Reduce the number of selected images and try again.
•	 You attempted to choose more than 500 images in Protect ( =
  75), Erase 
(=  78), Favorites (=  81), Print List (=  107), or Photobook Set-up (=  11 0 ).
Communication error•	An excessive amount of images (approx. 1,000) on the memory card preve\
nted printing 
or image transfer to a computer. To transfer the images, use a commercially available 
USB card reader. To print, insert the memory card directly into the printer card slot.
Naming error!•	The folder could not be created or images could not be recorded, because\
 the highest 
supported folder number (999) for storing images on the card has been \
reached and 
the highest supported image number (9999) for images in folders has be\
en reached. 
On the [3] tab, change [File Numbering] to [Auto Reset] (=
  92), or format the 
memory card (=  91).
Lens Error•	 This error may occur if the lens is held while it is moving, or when the\
 camera is used 
in dusty or sandy locations.
•	 Frequent display of this error message may indicate camera damage. In th\
is case, 
contact a Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
A camera error was detected ( error number)•	If this error message is displayed immediately after a shot, the image m\
ay not have 
been saved. Switch to Playback mode to check for the image.
•	 Frequent display of this error message may indicate camera damage. In th\
is case, 
write down the error number ( Exx) and contact a Canon Customer Support Help 
Desk.
File Error•	 Correct printing ( =  103) may not be possible for photos from other cameras or 
images that have been altered using computer software, even if the camer\
a is 
connected to the printer.
Print error•	 Check the paper size setting ( =  105). If this error message is displayed when the 
setting is correct, restart the printer and complete the setting on the \
camera again.
Ink absorber full•	 Contact a Canon Customer Support Help Desk to request assistance with in\
k 
absorber replacement.  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
On-Screen Information
Shooting (Information Display)
 Battery level 
(=  11 8 ) White balance 
(=  54) My Colors (=  55) Drive mode 
(=  56) Eco mode (=  90)
 Self-timer (=  33) Camera shake 
warning ( =  30) Metering method 
(=  53)
 Eye-Fi connection 
status (=  111) Still image 
compression 
(=
  64), 
Resolution ( =  36) Still images: 
Recordable shots 
(=
  129)
 Movie resolution 
(=  37) Movies: Remaining 
time (=  129)
 Digital zoom 
magnification	(=  32), Digital 
tele-converter 
(=
  59) AF frame (=  59), 
Spot AE point frame 
(=
  53)
 Focusing range 
(=  57, 58), AF 
lock (=  62), IS 
mode icon ( =  31) Shooting mode 
(=  120), Scene 
icon (=  31) Flash mode 
(=  62) Red-eye correction 
(=  37) Flash exposure 
compensation / 
Flash output level 
(=
  63, 68)
 Date stamp 
(=  35) ISO speed (=  53) i-Contrast (=  54) Exposure 
compensation bar 
(=
  52) AE lock (=  52), 
FE lock (=  63) Shutter speed 
(=  66, 67) Aperture value 
(=  66, 67) Exposure 
compensation level 
(=
  52)
 Grid lines (=  38) Zoom bar (=  28) Blink detection 
(=  39) Exposure level 
(=  67) MF indicator 
(=  58) Exposure shift bar	 Wind	filter	(=  38) Time zone (=  89) Image stabilization 
(=  64)
Battery LevelAn on-screen icon or message indicates the battery charge level.
Display Details
Sufficient	charge
Slightly	depleted,	but	sufficient
 (Blinking red) Nearly depleted—charge the battery pack soon
[Charge the battery] Depleted—charge the battery pack immediately  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Playback (Detailed Information Display)
 Movies   
(=  28, 70) Shooting mode 
(=  120) ISO speed 
(=  53), Playback 
speed (=  47) Exposure 
compensation level 
(=
  52), Exposure 
shift level (=  50) White balance 
(=  54) Histogram (=  71) Image editing 
(=  82 – 85)
 Compression (image 
quality) (=  64) / 
Resolution  
(=
  36, 37), 
MOV	(movies)
 Transferred via 
Eye-Fi (=  111 ) Battery level 
(=  11 8 ) Metering method 
(=  53) Folder number - File 
number (=  92) Current image no. / 
Total no. of images
 Shutter speed (still 
images) (=  66), 
Image quality / 
Frame rate (movies) 
(=
  37) Aperture value 
(=  66, 67), 
Image quality 
(movies) (=
  37) Flash (=  62), 
Flash exposure 
compensation 
(=
  63) Focusing range 
(=  57, 58)
 File size
 Still images: 
Resolution ( =  129) 
Movies: Playback 
time (=
  129) Protection (=  75)
 Favorites (=  81) My Colors  
(=  55, 83) Red-eye correction 
(=  37, 84)
 Shooting date/time 
(=  14) i-Contrast   
(=  54, 84)
•	 Some	information	may	not	be	displayed	when	viewing	images	on	a	TV	(=  98).
Summary of Movie Control Panel in “Viewing” ( =  70)
Exit
Play
Slow Motion (To adjust the playback speed, press the < q> buttons or turn 
the  dial. No sound is played.)
Skip Backward* (To continue skipping backward, keep holding down the < m> 
button.)
Previous Frame (For fast-rewind, keep holding down the < m> button.)
Next Frame (For fast-forward, keep holding down the  button.)
Skip Forward* (To continue skipping forward, keep holding down the < m> 
button.)
* Edit (=
  85)
c Shown when the camera is connected to a PictBridge-compatible printer 
(=
  103).
*
 Displays the frame approx. 4 sec. before or after the current frame.
•	To skip forward or back during movie playback, press the < q> buttons.  
						

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Cover 
Before Use
Common Camera 
Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Tv, Av, and M 
Mode
Functions and Menu Tables
Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode
Shooting Mode
Function D B M GK
E
IP t
Exposure Compensation ( =  52) –O O O*1–O O O O O O O O O O–O–
ISO Speed (=  53)–O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
    O O O O– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Focusing Range ( =  57, 58, 62)O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Oe / fO O O O O–O–O O–O O O O O O O OSelf-Timer (=  33)O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O] [ $O O O O O O O–O O O O O O O O O–OSelf-Timer Settings (=  34)
Delay*2O O O O O O O–O O O O O O O O O–OShots*3O O O O O O O–O O O O O O O O O– –
Flash (=  62)– – –O O O O O O O–O O O O O O– –
hO O O O O–O O–O–O O O O O O– –
Z –O–O O*4– – – – – – – – – – – – –
! – – – – – – – – – –O– – – – – –O OAv/Tv Settings (=  66)
Aperture	ValueO O– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Shutter SpeedO–O– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Program Shift (=  53) –O O O– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
*1 Settings [Dark - Light] (=
  43).
*2  Cannot be set to 0 seconds in modes without selection of the number of s\
hots.
*3	One	shot	(cannot	be	modified)	in	modes	without	selection	of	the	number	of	shots.
*4 Not available, but switches to [ Z] in some cases.
O Available or set automatically. –
 Not available.