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 ImagesMovies
Scene Icons
In [] mode, shooting scenes determined by the camera are indicated 
by the icon displayed, and corresponding settings are automatically 
selected for optimal focusing, subject brightness, and color.
Subject
Background
People Other SubjectsIcon 
Background  ColorIn 
Motion*1Shadows 
on Face*1In 
Motion*1At Close  Range
Bright
Gray
Backlit–
With Blue 
Sky
Light Blue
Backlit–
Sunsets –– Orange
Spotlights
Dark Blue
DarkTripod 
Used*2–*2–
*1
 Not displayed for movies.
*2 Displayed in dark scenes when the camera is held still, as when mounted on a tripod.
•	 Try shooting in [
G] mode (=  51) if the scene icon does not match 
actual shooting conditions, or if it is not possible to shoot with your \
expected effect, color, or brightness.
Still ImagesMovies
Image Stabilization Icons
Optimal image stabilization for the shooting conditions is automatically\
 
applied (Intelligent IS). Additionally, the following icons are displayed in  
[
] mode.
Image stabilization for still 
imagesImage stabilization for movies, 
reducing strong camera shake, 
as when shooting while walking 
(Dynamic IS)
Image stabilization for still 
images when panning*Image stabilization for slow 
camera shake, such as when 
shooting movies at telephoto 
(Powered IS)
Image stabilization for macro 
shots (Hybrid IS)No image stabilization, because 
the camera is mounted on 
a tripod or held still by other 
means
*
 Displayed when you pan, following moving subjects with the camera. When \
you follow 
subjects moving horizontally, image stabilization only counteracts vertical camera 
shake, and horizontal stabilization stops. Similarly, when you follow subjects moving 
vertically, image stabilization only counteracts horizontal camera shake.
•	To cancel image stabilization, set [IS Mode] to [Of

f] (=
  64). In this case, an 
IS icon is not displayed.  
						

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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 ImagesMovies
On-Screen Frames
A variety of frames are displayed once the camera detects subjects you ar\
e 
aiming the camera at.
•	 A white frame is displayed around the subject (or person’s face) 
determined by the camera to be the main subject, and gray frames are 
displayed around other detected faces. Frames follow moving subjects 
within a certain range to keep them in focus.
However, if the camera detects subject movement, only the white frame 
will remain on the screen.
•	 When you are pressing the shutter button halfway and the camera 
detects subject movement, a blue frame is displayed, and the focus and 
image brightness are constantly adjusted (Servo AF).
•	Try shooting in [
G] mode (=
  51) if no frames are displayed, if 
frames are not displayed around desired subjects, or if frames are 
displayed on the background or similar areas.
Common, Convenient Features
Still ImagesMovies
Zooming In Closer on Subjects (Digital Zoom)
When distant subjects are too far away to enlarge using the optical zoom\
, 
use digital zoom for up to about 64x enlargement.
1 Move the zoom lever toward 
.
zzHold the lever until zooming stops.
zzZooming stops at the largest possible 
zoom factor (before the image becomes 
noticeably grainy), which is then indicated 
on the screen.
2 Move the zoom lever toward 
 again.
zzThe camera zooms in even closer on the 
subject.
Zoom Factor  
						

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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
•	 Moving the zoom lever will display the zoom bar (which indicates 
the zoom position). The color of the zoom bar will change depending 
on the zoom range.
-
 White range: optical zoom range where the image will not appear 
grainy.
-
 Yellow range: digital zoom range where the image is not noticeably 
grainy (ZoomPlus).
-
 Blue range: digital zoom range where the image will appear grainy.
Because the blue range will not be available at some resolution 
settings (=
  36), the maximum zoom factor can be achieved by 
following step 1.
•	 Zoomed images may look grainy under some resolution settings 
(=
  36) and zoom factors. In this case, the zoom factor is shown 
in blue.
•	 Focal length when optical and digital zoom are combined is as follows (\
35mm 
film	equivalent).
28 – 1792 mm (28 – 448 mm with optical zoom alone)
•	 To deactivate digital zoom, press the < n> button, choose [Digital Zoom] 
on the [4

] tab, and then choose [Off].
Still ImagesMovies
Using the Self-Timer
With the self-timer, you can include yourself in group photos or other timed 
shots. The camera will shoot about 10 seconds after you press the shutter 
button.
1	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  button, choose []] (either 
press the  buttons or turn the 
 dial), and then press the < m> 
button.
zzOnce the setting is complete, []] is 
displayed.
2 Shoot.
zzFor Still Images: Press the shutter button 
halfway to focus on the subject, and then 
press it all the way down.
zzFor Movies: Press the movie button.    
						

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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
zzOnce you start the self-timer, the lamp 
will blink and the camera will play a self-
timer sound.
zzTwo seconds before the shot, the blinking 
and sound will speed up. (The lamp will 
remain
	lit	in	case	the	flash	fires.)
zzTo cancel shooting after you have 
triggered the self-timer, press the 
 button.
zzTo restore the original setting, choose 
[] in step 1.
Still ImagesMovies
Using the Self-Timer to Avoid Camera ShakeThis option delays shutter release until about two seconds after you hav\
e 
pressed the shutter button. If the camera is unsteady while you are pres\
sing 
the shutter button, it will not affect your shot.
zzFollow step 1 in “Using the Self-Timer” 
(=  33) and choose [[].
zzOnce the setting is complete, [[] is 
displayed.
zzFollow step 2 in “Using the Self-Timer” 
(=  33) to shoot.
Still ImagesMovies
Customizing the Self-TimerYou can specify the delay (0 – 30 seconds) and number of shots (1 –\
 10).
1 Choose [$].
zzFollowing step 1 in “Using the Self-Timer” 
(=  33), choose [$] and press the 
 button immediately.
2	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  buttons to choose 
[Delay] or [Shots].
zzPress the  buttons or turn the 
 dial to choose a value, and then 
press the  button.
zzOnce the setting is complete, [$] is 
displayed.
zzFollow step 2 in “Using the Self-Timer” 
(=  33) to shoot.
•	 For movies shot using the self-timer, [Delay] represents the delay 
before recording begins, but the [Shots] setting has no effect.
•	 When you specify multiple shots, image brightness and white balance are \
determined	by	the	first	shot.	More	time	is	required	between	shots	when	the	flash	fires	or	when	you	have	specified	to	take	many	shots.	Shooting	will	stop	automatically when the memory card becomes full.
•	 When	a	delay	longer	than	two	seconds	is	specified,	two	seconds	before	the	shot, the lamp blinking and self-timer sound will speed up. (The lamp w\
ill 
remain	lit	in	case	the	flash	fires.)      
						

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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
Adding a Date Stamp
The camera can add the shooting date to images, in the lower-right corne\
r.
However,	note	that	date	stamps	cannot	be	edited	or	removed,	so	confirm	beforehand that the date and time are correct ( =  14).
1	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  button, choose  
[Date Stamp ] on the [4] tab, and 
then choose the desired option ( =  24).
zzOnce the setting is complete, [] is 
displayed.
2 Shoot.
zzAs you take shots, the camera adds the 
shooting date or time to the lower-right 
corner of images.
zzTo restore the original setting, choose 
[Off] in step 1.
•	 Date stamps cannot be edited or removed.
•	 Shots taken without adding a date stamp can be printed with one as follo\
ws.
However, adding a date stamp this way to images that already have one may 
cause it to be printed twice.
-
 Print using printer functions ( =  103)
- Use camera DPOF print settings (=  107) to print
- Use the software downloaded from the Canon website to print ( =  100)  
						

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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
Image Customization Features
Still Images
Changing the Aspect Ratio
Change the image aspect ratio (ratio of width to height) as follows.
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
  23).
zzOnce the setting is complete, the screen 
aspect ratio will be updated.
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [].
Same	aspect	ratio	as	widescreen	HDTVs.
Same	aspect	ratio	as	35mm	film,	used	for	printing	images	at	5	x	7-inch	or	postcard sizes.Native aspect ratio of the camera screen, also used for display on stand\
ard-
definition	televisions	or	similar	display	devices,	or	for	printing	images	at	3.5	x	5-inch or A-series sizes.
Square aspect ratio.
Still Images
Changing Image Resolution (Size)
Choose from 4 levels of image resolution, as follows. For guidelines on \
how	many	shots	at	each	resolution	setting	can	fit	on	a	memory	card,	see	“Number of 4:3 Shots per Memory Card” ( =  129).
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
  23).
zzThe	option	you	configured	is	now	displayed.
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [].
Guidelines for Choosing Resolution Based on Paper 
Size (for 4:3 Images)
zz[]: For e-mailing images.A2 (16.5 x 23.4 in.)
A3 – A5 (11.7 x 16.5 
– 5.8 x 8.3 in.)
5 x 7 in.
Postcard
3.5 x 5 in.  
						

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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
Red-Eye Correction
Red-eye	that	occurs	in	flash	photography	can	be	automatically	corrected	as	follows.
1 Access the [Flash Settings] 
screen.
zzPress the  button, choose [Flash 
Settings] on the [4] tab, and then press 
the  button (=
  24).
2	 Configure	the	setting.
zzChoose [Red-Eye Corr.], and then 
choose [On] (=  25).
zzOnce the setting is complete, [ R] is 
displayed.
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [Off].
•	
Red-eye correction may be applied to image areas other than eyes (if 
the camera misinterprets red eye makeup as red pupils, for example).
•	 You can also correct existing images ( =  84).
•	 You	can	also	access	the	screen	in	step	2	when	the	flash	is	up	by	pressing	the	 button and immediately pressing the < n> button.
Movies
Changing Movie Image Quality
2 image quality settings are available. For guidelines on the maximum 
movie	length	at	each	level	of	image	quality	that	will	fit	on	a	memory	card,	see “Recording Time per Memory Card” (=  129).
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
  23).
zzThe	option	you	configured	is	now	displayed.
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [].
Image 
Quality Resolution
Frame Rate Details
1280 x 72025 fpsFor shooting in HD
640 x 480 30 fpsFor shooting in standard 
definition
•	 In [
] mode, black bars displayed on the top and bottom edges of the screen 
indicate image areas not recorded.  
						

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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
Movies
Using the Wind Filter
Distorted audio caused by recording when the wind is strong can be 
reduced. However, the recording may sound unnatural when this option is 
used when there is no wind.
zzPress the  button, choose [Wind 
Filter] on the [4] tab, and then choose 
[On] ( =
  24).
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [Off].
Helpful Shooting Features
Still ImagesMovies
Displaying Grid Lines
Grid lines can be displayed on the screen for vertical and horizontal 
reference while shooting.
zzPress the  button, choose  
[Grid Lines] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose [On] (=
  24).
zzOnce the setting is complete, grid lines 
are displayed on the screen.
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [Off].
•	Grid lines are not recorded in your shots.  
						

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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
Magnifying the Area in Focus
You can check the focus by pressing the shutter button halfway, which will 
enlarge the portion of the image in focus in the AF frame.
1	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  button, choose  
[AF-Point Zoom] on the [4] tab, and 
then choose [On] (=
  24).
2 Check the focus.
zzPress the shutter button halfway. The 
face detected as the main subject is now 
magnified.
zzTo restore the original setting, choose 
[Off] in step 1.
•	 The
	area	in	focus	will	not	be	magnified	when	you	press	the	shutter	button halfway if a face was not detected, if the person is too close 
to the camera and their face is too large for the screen, or if the 
camera detects subject movement.
•	 The display will not magnify when using the digital zoom ( =  32) or Tracking 
AF (=  60).
Still Images
Checking for Closed Eyes
[] is displayed when the camera detects that people may have closed 
their eyes.
1	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  button, choose  
[Blink Detection] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose [On] (=
  24).
2 Shoot.
zz[]	flashes	when	the	camera	detects	a	person whose eyes are closed.
zzTo restore the original setting, choose 
[Off] in step 1.
•	 When	you	have	specified	multiple	shots	in	[$] mode, this function is only 
available	for	the	final	shot.
•	 A frame is displayed around people whose eyes are closed when you have 
selected [2 sec.], [4 sec.], [8 sec.], or [Hold] in [Display Time] (
=
  41).  
						

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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
Customizing Camera Operation
Customize shooting functions on the MENU [ 4] tab as follows.
For instructions on menu functions, see “Using Menus” ( =  24).
Still Images
Deactivating the AF-Assist Beam
You can deactivate the lamp that normally lights up to help you focus whe\
n 
you press the shutter button halfway in low-light conditions.
zzPress the  button, choose [AF-
assist Beam] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose [Off] (=
  24).
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [On].
Still Images
Deactivating the Red-Eye Reduction Lamp
You can deactivate the red-eye reduction lamp that lights up to reduce re\
d-
eye	when	the	flash	is	used	in	low-light	shots.
1 Access the [Flash Settings] 
screen.
zzPress the  button, choose  
[Flash Settings] on the [4] tab, and then 
press the  button (=
  24).
2	 Configure	the	setting.
zzChoose [Red-Eye Lamp], and then 
choose [Off] (=  25).
zzTo restore the original setting, repeat this 
process but choose [On].