Canon camcorder DC20 User Manual

							
51
Advanced Features
More Recording Options
E
More Recording OptionsManually Adjusting the Exposure
Adjust the exposure when a subject is underexposed (for example, wh en backlit subjects 
appear too dark in the image) or overexposed (for example, when recording subjects 
under very strong light and they appear too bright or glaring in the image).
Exposure Lock
1. Set the camcorder to a record ing mode (  or  ) 
and move the mode switch to a position other than  .
Exposure cannot be adjusted in the Fireworks recording program (SCN).
2. Push the omni selector ( ) towards EXP.
• The exposure adjustment indicator   and the neutral value “±0” appear on 
the screen.
• If you operate the zoom during exposure lock, the brightness of the image may  change.
• Pushing the omni selector ( ) again will cancel the exposure lock and return the  camcorder to the previous setting.
Exposure Adjustment
During exposure lock:
Adjust ( ) the brightness of the image as required.
The adjustment range depends on the brightness of the picture at the time you locked the 
exposure.
Mode switch
Omni Selector/EXP button  
						

							
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Manually Adjusting the Focus and 
Changing the Focusing Mode
Autofocus may not work well on the following subjects. In such case, focus manually.
1. Set the camcorder to a recording mode (  or  ) 
and move the mode switch to a position other than  .
2. Adjust the zoom.
3. Push the omni selector ( ) towards FOCUS.
“MF” appears.
4. Adjust ( ) the focus as required until the image appears focused.
Pushing the omni selector ( ) again will return to autofocus.
 The camcorder will automatically return to autofocus when you move the mode 
switch to  .
 Readjust the focus when you have turned off the camcorder.
Infinity Focus
Use this function when you wish to focus on faraway subjects such as mountains or 
fireworks.
After step 2 above, hold the omni selector pushed ( ) towards FOCUS 
for more than 2 seconds.
“ ” appears.
If you operate the zoom or the omni selector ( ) during infinity focus, “ ” 
changes to “MF” and the camcorder returns to manual focusing mode.
Reflective 
surfaces Subjects with low 
contrast or without  vertical lines Fast Moving 
Subjects Through
dirty or wet windowsNight Scenes
Mode switch
Zoom lever
Omni Selector/FOCUS button  
						

							
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Advanced Features
More Recording Options
E
Changing the Focusing Mode
You can change the AF (autofocus) frame selection mode.
1. Set the camcorder to record still images ( ) and move the mode switch to a position other than  .
• The setting differs depending on the position of the mode switch. 
: 9 Point AiAF
,  : 9 Point AiAF or Center point
• The focusing mode cannot be changed in the Fireworks recording program (SCN).
2. Select ( ) the focusing mode.
• Auto selection: four framing corners will appear on the screen when making the  selection; the frame corners do not appear in the regular recording mode.
• Center point: a single focusing frame appears in the center of the screen when 
making the selection; the frame will appear in white in the regular recording mode.
You cannot select the AF frame while recording in Stitch Assist mode.
9 Point AiAF 
(Auto selection)
Depending on the shooting conditions, one or more AF 
frames out of the nine frames available are automatically 
selected and focused on.
Center point Out of the nine frames available, the center AF frame is  selected to focus. This is convenient for making sure the 
focus is exactly where you want it.  
						

							
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Recording in Widescreen
(16:9 Aspect Ratio)
The camcorder uses the full width of the CCD providing high-resolution 16:9 recording.
1. Set the camcorder to record movies ( ).
2. Press the WIDE SCR button.
• “ ” appears and the screen changes to the “letterbox” display.
• Repeatedly pressing the WIDE SCR button will toggle the screen between the Widescreen (16:9) and 4:3 aspect ratios.
 Widescreen is not available when recording in LP mode if the disc specification 
is VIDEO mode (DVD-R or DVD-RW). Selecting the LP recording mode will 
cancel the 16:9 aspect ratio.
 If you turn off the image stabilizer, you can achieve a wider horizontal angle of 
view.
 When playing back a widescreen recording on a TV, switch the TV to 
widescreen mode (refer to the instruction manual of your TV). If you play back a 
widescreen recording on a normal TV, the image appears horizontally 
squeezed. TVs with S1 terminal or Video ID-1 system switch automatically to 
widescreen mode.
WIDE SCR button  
						

							
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Advanced Features
More Recording Options
E
Using the Mini Video Light
You can turn on the mini video light (assist lamp) at any time regardless of the recording 
program.
Set the camcorder to a recording mode (  or  ) and 
press the LIGHT button.
• “ ” appears on the screen.
• Repeatedly pressing the LIGHT button will turn the mini video light on and off.
 Do not point the mini video light at people while they are driving.
 Do not stare at the mini video light for a long time.
 Do not use the mini video light close to people’s eyes.
Mini video light LIGHT button  
						

							
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Using the Flash
You can use the built-in flash for recording still images in dark places. The flash is 
equipped with the red-eye reduction function.
1. Set the camcorder to record still images ( ) and select a recording program other than Fireworks (SCN).
2. Press the   (flash) button.
• Repeatedly pressing the   button will cycle between the flash modes.
• The symbol of the selected flash mode appears on the screen. “ ” disappears after  4 seconds.
3. Press the PHOTO button, first halfway to activate the autofocus and  then fully to record the still image.
The flash fires according to the flash mode selected and the recording conditions.
Do not fire the flash close to people’s eyes.
 Do not fire the flash at people while they are driving.
 Do not fire the flash with the flash bulb covered with your hand.
The practical range of the flash is approx. 1 to 2 m (3.3 to 6.6 ft.). The range 
depends upon the recording conditions.
 The range of the flash decreases in continuous shooting mode.
 For the red-eye reduction to be effective, the subject needs to look at the assist 
lamp. The degree of reduction depends on the distance and on each individual.
 The flash will not fire in the following cases:
- When you press the EXP button in   (auto) or   (red-eye reduction) mode.
- During auto exposure bracketing.
 (auto) The flash fires automatically according to the brightness 
of the subject.
 (red-eye reduction, auto) The flash fires automatically according to the brightness  of the subject. The assist lamp lights up to reduce the 
red-eye effect.
 (flash on) The flash always fires.  (flash off) The flash does not fire. Use this setting in places where  flash photography is prohibited.
PHOTO button
Flash (flash) button
Assist lamp  
						

							
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Advanced Features
More Recording Options
E
We recommend not using the flash when the optional Wide-converter or Tele-
converter is attached. Their shadows appear on the screen.
 The flash mode cannot be selected when the exposure is locked, or after the 
first still image in Stitch Assist mode.
 The red-eye reduction mode cannot be used in Stitch Assist mode.
 About the AF-Assist Lamp:
While you press the PHOTO button halfway, if the subject is too dark the assist 
lamp may light up briefly in order to enable the camcorder to focus more 
accurately (AF-assist lamp).
- The camcorder may not be able to focus even though the AF-assist lamp is 
on.
- The brightness of the AF-assist lamp could be an inconvenience. Consider  turning off the AF-assist lamp in public places such as restaurants or theaters.  
						

							
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Using the Self-Timer
The self-timer can be used when recording still images or movies.
1. Set the camcorder to a recording mode (  or  ).
When recording movies set the camcorder to record pause.
2. Press the MENU button.
3. Using the omni selector  ( ,  ) select the [CAMERA SETUP] menu 
and then select the [SELF TIMER] option.
4. Set ( ) it to [ON] and press ( ) to save the setting.
5. Press the MENU button to close the menu.
“ ” appears.
When recording  a still image:
6. Press the PHOTO button, first halfway to activate the autofocus and 
then fully to record the still image.
The camcorder will record th e still image after a 10-second countdown (2 seconds 
when using the wireless controller). The countdown appears on the screen.
When recording a movie:
6. Press the start/stop button.
The camcorder starts recording after a 10-second countdown (2 seconds when using 
the wireless controller). The countdown appears on the screen.
 To cancel the self-timer, set the [S ELF TIMER] option in the [CAMERA SETUP] 
menu to [OFF]. Once the countdown has begun, you can also press the start/
stop button (when recording movies) or the PHOTO button (when recording still 
images) to cancel the self-timer.
 The self-timer will be canceled if you turn off the camcorder.
MENU(79)CAM ERA  SETU PSE LF T IMER
PHOTO button
Omni Selector MENU button
Start/stop button  
						

							
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Advanced Features
Changing the FUNC. Settings
E
Changing the FUNC. SettingsChanging Settings with the FUNC.
Button
Many of the camcorder’s functions can be adjusted from the menu that opens after 
pressing the FUNC. button. For a list of the settings that can be changed using this menu, 
see Available Settings List (FUNC.)  (60).
1. Press the FUNC. button.
• The menu appears.
• The symbols of the current settings are displayed on the left 
side column.
In the recording modes (  or  ):
2. Use the omni selector ( ) to select the function  you want to change.
3. Use the omni selector ( ) to move through the  available options at the bottom bar.
4. Press the FUNC. button to save the settings and  close the menu.
• The symbol of the selected option will be displayed.
• Refer to the following pages for further details on setting the 
[SET] option for the white balance function ( 63), the 
[CUSTOM] option for the image effect function ( 65), or the [MULTI-S] option for 
the digital effect function ( 73).
 The symbols of functions not available appear grayed out on the left side 
column.
 Pressing the FUNC. button at any time closes the menu.
 Refer to the relevant sections of  Editing Functions ( 85) for further details on 
the available functions when playing back movies ( ) or viewing still 
images ( ).
Omni Selector FUNC. button  
						

							
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Available Settings List (FUNC.)
Available menu items vary depending on the operation mode. Default settings are in 
boldface text. For details on each function, see the reference page. 
1 This option is available only when recording still images on the memory card  .
Recording mode: You can choose between XP (high quality), SP (standard play) or LP 
(long play).
 Recording in LP mode gives you a longer recording time; however, depending on the 
condition of the disc (long usage, imperfections, etc.) the picture and sound recorded in 
LP mode may be distorted. We recommend using the XP or SP mode for important 
recordings.
 Approximate recording times with the supplied DVD-R blank disc are as follows:
XP (high quality): 20 min., SP (standard play): 30 minutes, LP (long play): 60 minutes. 
The camcorder uses a variable bit rate (VBR) when encoding the video data so the 
actual recording times will vary depending on the content of the scenes.
 Depending on the recording mode, you might occasionally notice a brief stop of the 
picture or sound at the point where the scene changes.
Recording 
programs
PROGRAM AE,  SHUTTER PRIORITY AE, 
APERTURE PRIORITY AE
46PORTRAIT, SPORTS, NIGHT, SNOW, 
BEACH, SUNSET, SPOTLIGHT, 
FIREWORKS
Light metering 
modeEVALUATIVE , CENT.WEIGHT.AVERAGE, 
SPOT62
White balance
AUTO , DAYLIGHT, SHADE, CLOUDY, 
TUNGSTEN, FLUORESCENT, 
FLUORESCENT H, SET63
Image effect
IMAGE EFFECT OFF , VIVID, NEUTRAL, 
LOW SHARPENING,  SOFT SKIN DETAIL,  CUSTOM65
Drive mode
SINGLE , CONT.SHOOT., 
HISPEED CONT.SHOOT.,  AEB,  STITCH AST166
68
Digital effects
D.EFFECT OFF , FADER, EFFECT, 
MULTI-S, CARD MIX70D.EFFECT OFF , BLK&WHT
Recording 
modeHIGH QUALITY,  STANDARD PLAY,
LONG PLAY–
Still image 
recording
STILL I. REC OFF ,SFINE/640x480, SNORMAL/640x48078
Still image size/
quality
L1632x1224, M1280x960, S640x480 L1280x960,S640x48076SUPER FINE,  FINE, NORMAL
Menu Items
Setting OptionsCAMERA PLAY