Canon Digital IXUS 55 User Manual

							19
Before Using the Camera—Basic Operations
If the indicator blinks orange and the camera shake icon   
displays, it indicates there is insufficient illumination and a 
slow shutter speed will be selected. Raise the ISO speed 
(p. 63) or select a setting other than   (flash off), or attach 
the camera to a tripod or other device.
Playback Information (Playback Mode)
Standard
Protection Status (p. 81) WAVE Format Sound (p. 75)
Folder Number-File Number
Shooting Date/Time
Displayed image number Total number of images
Movie 
(p. 34)
Compression (Still Images) (p. 33)
Resolution (Still Images) (p. 32)
 
						

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Detailed
The following information may also be displayed with some images.
Information for images shot on other cameras may not display 
correctly. 
A sound file in a format other than the WAVE format is attached or the 
file format is not recognized.
JPEG image not conforming to Design rule for Camera File System 
Standards
RAW image
Unrecognized data type
Exposure Compensation (p. 50)
White Balance 
(p. 53)
Photo Effect (p. 56)
ISO Speed (p. 63)Flash (Basic Guide p. 9) Histogram
Macro/Infinity (Basic Guide p. 10)
My Colors 
(p. 57)
Long Shutter Mode (p. 51)
File Size Shooting Mode (pp. 35, 41, 43, 57, 
Basic Guide pp. 7, 8)
* 
Frame Rate (Movies) (p. 34)
Resolution (Movies) (p. 34)Movie Length Shown on Movies (p. 41)Resolution (Still Images) (p. 32) Metering Mode (p. 49)
 
						

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Before Using the Camera—Basic Operations
The viewfinder can be used to conserve power by turning the LCD 
monitor off (p. 15) while shooting.
Histogram Function
The histogram is a graph that allows you to judge the brightness 
of the shot image. The greater the bias toward the left in the 
graph, the darker the image. The greater the bias toward the 
right, the brighter the image.
If the image is too dark, adjust the exposure compensation to a 
positive value. Similarly, adjust the exposure compensation to a 
negative value if the image is too bright (p. 50).
Using the Viewfinder
Sample Histograms
Balanced Image Dark Image Bright Image
Shows the center of the image
Viewfinder
 
						

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The indicators light or blink when the power button or the shutter 
button is pressed.
zUpper Indicator
Green: Ready to shoot
Blinking Green: Image recording/reading/erasing/transferring 
(when connected to a computer)
Orange: Ready to shoot (flash on)
Blinking Orange: Ready to shoot (camera shake warning)
zLower Indicator
Yellow: Macro mode/infinity mode/AF lock mode
Blinking Yellow: Focusing difficulty (camera beeps once)
This camera is equipped with a power saving function. The power 
will shut off in the following circumstances. Press the power button 
again to restore power.
* This time can be changed.
zThe power saving function will not activate during a slide 
show or while the camera is connected to a computer.
zThe power saving function settings can be changed (p. 30).
Indicators
Never do the following while an indicator is lit. These actions 
may corrupt image data.
- Shake or jolt the camera
- Shut off the power, or open the memory card slot/battery 
cover
Power Saving Function
Shooting ModePowers down approximately 3 minutes after the last 
control is accessed on the camera. The LCD monitor 
automatically turns off 1 minute* after the last control is 
accessed even if [Auto Power Down] is set to [Off]. 
Press any button other than the power button or change 
the camera orientation to turn the LCD monitor back on.
Playback Mode
Connected to a Printer
Powers down approximately 5 minutes after the last 
control is accessed on the camera.
 
						

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Before Using the Camera—Basic Operations
You should always format a new memory card or one from which 
you wish to erase all images and other data. 
Low Level Format
We recommend you select [Low Level Format] when you think 
that the recording/reading speed of a memory card has 
dropped. A low level format may require 2 to 3 minutes with 
some memory cards. 
For matting Memor y Cards
Please note that formatting (initializing) a memory card 
erases all data, including protected images and other file 
types.
1 (Set up) Menu [Format].
See Menus and Settings (p. 27).
2Select [OK] and press  .
zTo perform a low level format, use 
the   button to select [Low Level 
Format] and the   or   button 
to add a check mark.
zYou can stop formatting a card 
when [Low Level Format] is 
selected by pressing the FUNC./SET button. You can still 
use a card without problem when formatting is halted, but its 
data will be erased.
 
						

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When traveling abroad, you can record images with local dates and 
times simply by switching the time zone setting if you pre-register 
the destination time zones. You can enjoy the convenience of not 
having to switch the Date/Time settings. 
Setting the Home/World Time Zones
Setting the World Clock
1 (Set up) Menu [Time Zone] .
See Menus and Settings (p. 27).
2.
3Use the   or   button to 
select a home time zone 
.
zTo set the daylight saving option, 
use the   or   button to display 
. The time will advance by 1 
hour. 
4.
 
						

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Before Using the Camera—Basic Operations
Switching to the Destination Time Zone
If you change the date and time when the World option is 
selected, the Home date and time will also change 
automatically.
5Use the   or   button to select a destina-
tion time zone .
zAs in Step 3, you can set the day-
light saving option.
6Use the   or   button to select [Home/
World], and the   or   button to select   
.
1 (Set up) Menu [Time Zone] .
See Menus and Settings (p. 27).
2Use the   or   button to 
select 
.
zTo change the destination time 
zone, use the FUNC./SET button.
Time Difference from the 
Home Time Zone
 
						

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Menus are used to set the shooting and playback settings as well 
as such camera settings as the date/time and electronic beep. The 
following menus are available.
zFUNC. Menu
zRec., Play, Set up and My Camera Menus
FUNC. Menu
This menu sets many of the common shooting functions.
Slide the mode switch to   or  .
Press the FUNC./SET button.
Use the   or   button to select a menu item.
Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes.
Use the   or   button to select an option for the menu
item.
You can select further options with the MENU button for some 
options.
After selecting an option, you can press the shutter button to 
shoot immediately. After shooting, this menu will appear again, 
allowing you to adjust the settings easily. 
Press the FUNC./SET button.
Menus and Settings
 
						

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Before Using the Camera—Basic Operations
Rec., Play, Set up and My Camera Menus
Convenient settings for shooting or playback can be set with these 
menus.
Press the MENU button.
Use the   or   button to switch between menus.
You can also use the zoom lever to switch between menus. 
Use the   or   button to select menu items.
Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes.
Use the   or   button to select an option.
Menu items followed by an ellipsis (...) can only be set after 
pressing the FUNC./SET button to display the next menu.
Press the FUNC./SET button again to confirm the setting.
Press the MENU button.
 (My Camera) Menu
• This example shows the Rec. menu.
• In playback mode, the Play menu displays.
You can switch 
between menus with 
the  or  button 
when this part is 
selected.
 (Rec.) Menu
 (Play) Menu
 (Set up) Menu
 
						

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FUNC. Menu
Rec. Menu
Menu List
Menu Item Page Menu Item Page
Shooting ModeBasic
p. 5My Colorsp. 57
Movie Modep. 41Metering Modep. 49
Exposure Compensationp. 50Compressionp. 33
Long Shutter Modep. 51Frame Rate (Movie)p. 34
White Balancep. 53Resolution (Still Image)p. 32
Photo Effectp. 56Resolution (Movie)p. 34
Menu Item Options Page/Topic
AiAF On*/Offp. 45
Self-timer
 10 seconds*/  2 
seconds/  Custom Timer 
(Delay: 0–10*, 15, 20, 30 
sec.) (Shots: 1–3*–10)
p. 39
AF-assist Beam On*/Off –
Digital Zoom On/Off*
(On in standard movie 
mode.)p. 36
Review Off/2*–10 seconds/HoldBasic Guide 
p. 6
Save Original On/Off*p. 59
Grid Lines On/Off*
You can display grid lines 
(splits screen into nine 
areas) to make it easier to 
judge the horizontal and 
vertical alignment of a 
photographic subject and to 
make composition easier. 
The lines will not be 
recorded in the images.
Date Stamp Off*/Date/Date & Timep. 38
Long Shutter On/Off*p. 51
The icons shown below are the default settings.
* Default setting