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Canon PowerShot A20 Canon's "value priced" 2 megapixel camera has 3x zoom, takes great pictures! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot A20 Test Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PowerShot A20 Review --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Operation & User Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Image Storage & Interface>> Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus Review First Posted: 5/10/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

Stitch-Assist Mode: Marked on the Mode dial with the dual frame, panorama symbol, this mode allows you to capture as many as 26 sequential images to be "stitched" together into a panoramic image on a computer. All of the exposure features are available, with the exception of the Auto and Red-Eye Reduction flash modes, Digital Zoom, Continuous Shooting, and the Self-Timer.

Manual Mode: Labeled on the Mode dial with a red camera symbol and an "M" next to it, Manual mode increases the user's exposure control to include White Balance and Exposure Compensation settings, as well as the Continuous Shooting drive mode.

Automatic Mode: The first Shooting mode on the Mode dial, labeled with only a red camera symbol, Automatic places the camera in complete control over exposure settings. The user maintains control over the flash, focus, self-timer, image resolution and compression, and zoom.

Playback Mode: Indicated by the traditional playback symbol on the Mode dial, Playback mode allows you to scroll through captured images, delete them, protect them, set them up for printing on a DPOF device, rotate them, enlarge them to inspect details, or view images in an automatic slide show.

Record Menu: The following menu options are available by pressing the Menu button in any Record mode:

• Resolution: Sets the image Resolution to Large (1,600 x 1,200 pixels), Medium (1,024 x 768 pixels), or Small (640 x 480 pixels).
• Compression: Determines the amount of JPEG compression, with options of Superfine, Fine, and Normal.
• Review: Sets the Instant Review function to Off, 2 seconds, or 10 seconds.
• File No. Reset: Instructs the camera to reset file numbering with each new CompactFlash card (On), or to continue in the series (Off).
• Beep: Turns the camera's beep sound on or off.
• Format: Formats the CompactFlash card, in all modes except Stitch-Assist.
• Setup: Displays the Setup menu. Pressing the Set button provides access to the Setup menu options:
  • Auto Power Down: Turns the camera's automatic shutoff feature on or off.
  • Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal clock and calendar, with a display format option.
  • Video System: Establishes the Video Out signal as NTSC or PAL.
  • Language: Changes the menu language to English, French, Japanese, German, or Spanish.

Playback Menu: This settings menu is displayed by pressing the Menu button in Playback mode:

• Single Erase: Erases the currently displayed image, or the currently selected image in the index display.
• Erase All: Erases all images from the CompactFlash card, except for write-protected ones.
• Protect: Write-protects individual images, preventing them from being accidentally erased or manipulated in any other way (except through card formatting).
• Rotate: Rotates the current image 90 or 270 degrees clockwise in the display (rotation is not saved with the image).
• Auto Play: Activates and deactivates the automatic slide show. Pressing the Set button once starts the slide show, and pressing it a second time allows you to review images one at a time.
• Print Order: Marks individual images for printing on DPOF compatible devices, also allows the user to set the layout and whether or not the date and time prints with the image. (This menu is fairly complicated and requires following instructions in the Camera User Guide very closely.)