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Canon PowerShot Pro90 IS An impressive update to the PowerShot "Pro" line, with a 10x optically stabilized zoom lens and 2.6 megapixel CCD! Select a topic Reference: Datasheet PowerShot Pro 90 Sample 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, & Hardware 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments on PowerShot Pro 90 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: 2/6/2001

Camera Modes and Menus

PC Mode: Accessed by turning the Main Dial to the crooked arrow position, this mode enables the camera to connect to a computer via a USB or serial connection.

Replaying (Playback) Mode: This mode is marked on the Main Dial with the traditional arrow playback symbol. In this mode, the user can scroll through captured images on the memory card or play back movie files. Images can also be set up for printing on DPOF devices, protected, erased, automatically played back in a slide show, enlarged for viewing, or rotated. Pressing the Menu button displays the following menu options:

• Single Erase: Erases the currently displayed image.
• Erase All: Erases all images on the memory card, except for protected files.
• Protect: Protects the currently displayed image from accidental erasure (except through card formatting). Also removes image protection.
• Rotate: Rotates the current image 90 or 270 degrees clockwise.
• Slide Show: Plays images in an automated slide show.
• Print Order: Sets up images for printing on DPOF compatible devices, designating the number of copies and whether or not to print the date and time.
  

Off: Shuts down the camera completely.

Shooting (Record) Mode: Noted on the Main Dial with a red camera symbol, this mode allows the camera to capture images and record them to the memory card. Within Record mode are 12 exposure modes, controlled by the Mode Dial:

• Movie: Records moving images with sound.
• Stitch Assist: Captures a series of images to be "stitched" together on a computer into a panoramic or larger shot.
• Black and White: Captures images in black-and-white monotones.
• Night Scene: Uses a combination of flash and slow shutter speed to capture night and twilight scenes.
• Landscape: Uses a small aperture to increase the depth of field, keeping the foreground and background in focus.
• Portrait: Uses a large aperture to decrease the depth of field, keeping the subject in focus and the background blurred.
• Pan Focus: Fixes focus for faster shooting.
• Auto: Places the camera in fully automatic exposure control, with the user only able to control flash mode, resolution size, compression, and the self-timer / continuous shooting modes.
• Program AE: Gives the user control over all exposure variables, with the exception of shutter speed and aperture.
• Shutter Speed Priority: Allows the user to set the shutter speed, from 1/1,000 to eight seconds, while the camera selects the best corresponding aperture.
• Aperture Priority: Lets the user control the lens aperture, from f/2.8 to f/8.0, while the camera sets the shutter speed.
• Manual: Provides the user with full control over all exposure variables.

Pressing the Menu button in any Record exposure mode pulls up the following menu (some items may not appear in certain shooting modes):

• Resolution: Sets the pixel resolution to Large (1,856 x 1,392 pixels), Medium (1,024 x 768 pixels), or Small (640 x 480 pixels).
• Compression: Determines the image quality setting. Choices are Superfine, Fine, and Normal.
• File Format: Sets the file format to JPEG or RAW.
• ISO Speed: Adjusts the camera's light sensitivity equivalents to 50 (default), 100, 200, 400, or Auto ISO.
• Digital Zoom: Activates the digital zoom function, with options of 2x, 4x, or Off.
• Review: Turns the image review function Off, or sets the display time to two or 10 seconds.
  
  
• File Number Reset: Resets the file numbering with each new memory card when set to On. The Off setting continues file numbering regardless of the card.
• Contrast: Adjusts the image contrast to "-," "0," or "+" (Weak, Normal, or Strong).
• Sharpness: Increases or decreases image sharpness, with settings of "-," "0," or "+."
• Saturation: Sets the amount of color saturation, with settings of "-," "0," or "+."

Set Up Menu: The Set Up Menu is available in both Record and Playback modes, and is displayed as the second page of the settings menu. Menu options are:

• Beep: Turns the camera's beep sound on or off.
• LCD Brightness: Adjusts the LCD brightness to Normal or Bright.
• Shutter Volume (Shooting): Controls the volume of the shutter noise when capturing images.
• Playback Volume: Adjusts the volume of movie sound files.
• Auto Power Down: Specifies whether or not the camera automatically shuts itself off after approximately three minutes in Record mode and approximately five minutes in Playback mode.
• Date/Time: Sets the camera's internal date and time.
• Format: Formats the CompactFlash card, erasing all files (even protected ones).
• Language: Changes the camera's menu language to English, German, French, Spanish, or Japanese (some models have more language options).
• Video System: Sets the video output signal to NTSC or PAL.