Canon G5 X Owners Manual

							61
Shooting Yourself under Optimal Settings 
(Self Portrait)
For self-portraits, customizable image processing includes skin smoothing 
as well as brightness and background adjustment to make yourself stand 
out.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Open the screen.
 z
Open the screen as shown.
3 Configure the setting.
 zOn the screen, touch the icon of the 
setting to configure.
 zChoose the desired option.
 zTo return to the previous screen, touch 
[].
4 Shoot.
(
2 )
(1 )
Applying Special Effects
Add a variety of effects to images when shooting.
 
 Shooting in Vivid Colors 
(Super Vivid)
 Still Images  Movies
 z Shots in rich, vivid colors.
 Posterized Shots (Poster Effect)
 Still Images  Movies
 zShots that resemble an old poster or 
illustration.
 ● In [] and [] modes, try taking some test shots first, to make 
sure you obtain the desired results.
 ● You can also choose the shooting mode by accessing MENU 
(= 31) ► [1] tab ► [Rec. Mode].
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							62
Shooting High-Contrast Scenes 
(High Dynamic Range)
 Still Images  Movies
Three consecutive images are captured at different brightness levels 
each time you shoot, and the camera combines image areas with optimal 
brightness to create a single image. This mode can reduce the washed-
out highlights and loss of detail in shadows that tend to occur in high-
contrast shots.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Shoot.
 z
Hold the camera steady as you shoot. 
When you press the shutter button all 
the way down, the camera will take three 
shots and combine them.
 ● Excessive motion blur or certain shooting conditions may prevent 
you from obtaining the desired results.
 ●If excessive camera shake interferes with shooting, mount 
the camera on a tripod or take other measures to keep it still. 
Additionally, you should set [IS Mode] to [Off] when using a tripod 
or other means to secure the camera ( =
 54). ●
Any subject movement will cause images to look blurry. ●There will be a delay before you can shoot again, as the camera 
processes and combines the images.
 ●[] may be displayed when you press the shutter button halfway 
in bright conditions, indicating automatic adjustment for optimal 
image brightness.
Item Details
Choose from [] or one of six levels of background 
defocusing.
Choose from five levels of brightness.
Choose from five levels of skin smoothing. Skin smoothing 
is optimized for the main subject’s face.
To use touch shutter, choose [].
 ● Areas other than people’s skin may be modified, depending on 
the shooting conditions.
 ●Try taking some test shots first to make sure you obtain the 
desired results.
 ●In [] flash mode, background defocusing is set to [] and 
cannot be changed.
 ● In [] mode, the time left before shooting is shown on the top of 
the screen when you activate the self-timer by selecting [], or 
by selecting [] and setting the time to 3 seconds or more.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							63
 ●Try taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the 
desired results.
 ●Colors will look faded on the shooting screen, but the image aging 
effect is not shown. Review the image in Playback mode to see 
the effect ( =
 105). ●
The image aging effect is not shown in movies.
Shooting with a Fish-Eye Lens Effect 
(Fish-Eye Effect)
 Still Images  Movies
Shoot with the distorting effect of a fish-eye lens.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Choose an effect level.
 z
Turn the [] ring to choose an effect 
level.
 z A preview is shown of how your shot will 
look with the effect applied.
3 Shoot.
 ● Try taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the 
desired results.
Adding Artistic Effects
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
 z
Turn the [] ring to choose an effect.
 zA preview is shown of how your shot will 
look with the effect applied.
Natural Images are natural and organic.
Art Standard Images resemble paintings, with subdued contrast.
Art Vivid Images resemble vivid illustrations.
Art Bold Images resemble oil paintings, with bold edges.
Art Embossed Images resemble old photos, with bold edges and 
dark ambiance.
Shooting with Faded Colors (Nostalgic)
 Still Images  Movies
This effect makes colors look faded and images look weathered, as in old 
photographs. Choose from five effect levels.
1 Choose [].
 z
Follow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Choose an effect level.
 z
Turn the [] ring to choose an effect 
level.
 z A preview is shown of how your shot will 
look with the effect applied.
3 Shoot.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							64
Playback Speed and Estimated Playback Time 
(for One-Minute Clips)
SpeedPlayback Time
Approx. 12 sec.
Approx. 6 sec.
Approx. 3 sec.
Movies are played back at 30 fps.
 ●The zoom is not available when shooting movies. Be sure to set 
the zoom before shooting.
 ●Try taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the 
desired results.
 ●To switch the orientation of the frame to vertical, press the [][] 
buttons in step 2. To return the frame to horizontal orientation, 
press the [
][] buttons. ● To move the frame when it is in horizontal orientation, press the 
[][] buttons, and to move the frame when it is in vertical 
orientation, press the [][] buttons. ● Holding the camera vertically will change the orientation of the 
frame.
 ●Movie image quality is [] at an aspect ratio of [] and [] at 
an aspect ratio of [] ( = 50). These quality settings cannot 
be changed.
 ● You can also move the frame by touching or dragging across the 
screen.
Shots Resembling Miniature Models 
(Miniature Effect)
 Still Images  Movies
Creates the effect of a miniature model, by blurring image areas above 
and below your selected area.
You can also make movies that look like scenes in miniature models by 
choosing the playback speed before the movie is recorded. People and 
objects in the scene will move quickly during playback. Note that sound is 
not recorded.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
 z
A white frame is displayed, indicating the 
image area that will not be blurred.
2 Choose the area to keep in focus.
 zPress the [] button.
 zMove the zoom lever to resize the frame, 
and turn the [] dial to move it.
3 For movies, choose the movie 
playback speed.
 zTurn the [] dial to choose the speed.
4 Return to the shooting screen and 
shoot.
 zPress the [] button to return to the 
shooting screen, and then shoot.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							65
Making Subjects Stand Out 
(Background Defocus)
 Still Images  Movies
You can shoot subjects so that they stand out from the background.
Two consecutive images are captured with settings optimized for 
background defocus. The background is defocused through lens effects 
and subject- and scene-based image processing.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Shoot.
 z
Hold the camera steady as you shoot. 
Two consecutive images are captured 
when you press the shutter button all the 
way down.
 zA blinking [] icon indicates that the 
images could not be processed.
 ● Excessive motion blur or certain shooting conditions may prevent 
you from obtaining the desired results.
 ●For the best results with background defocusing, try shooting 
close to the subject, and ensure ample distance between the 
subject and background.
 ●There may be a delay after shooting before you can shoot again. ●To adjust the effect level, turn the [] ring.
Shooting with a Toy Camera Effect 
(Toy Camera Effect)
 Still Images  Movies
This effect makes images resemble shots from a toy camera by vignetting 
(darker, blurred image corners) and changing the overall color.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Choose a color tone.
 z
Turn the [] ring to choose a color tone.
 zA preview is shown of how your shot will 
look with the effect applied.
3 Shoot.
Standard Shots resemble toy camera images.
Warm Images have a warmer tone than with [Standard].
Cool Images have a cooler tone than with [Standard].
 ● Try taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the 
desired results.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							66
Shooting in Monochrome
 Still Images  Movies
Shoot images in black and white, sepia, or blue and white.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Choose a color tone.
 z
Turn the [] ring to choose a color tone.
 zA preview is shown of how your shot will 
look with the effect applied.
3 Shoot.
B/W Black and white shots.
Sepia Sepia tone shots.
Blue Blue and white shots.
Shooting with a Soft Focus Effect
 Still Images  Movies
This function allows you to shoot images as if a soft focus filter were 
attached to the camera. You can adjust the effect level as desired.
1 Choose [].
 z Follow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [].
2 Choose an effect level.
 z
Turn the [] ring to choose an effect 
level.
 z A preview is shown of how your shot will 
look with the effect applied.
3 Shoot.
 ● Try taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the 
desired results.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							67
4 Shoot.
 zPress the shutter button. The flash fires 
as the camera takes the first shot.
 zThe second and third shots are now 
taken, without firing the flash.
5 Have the person stay still until the 
lamp blinks.
 zThe person you are shooting should stay 
still until the lamp blinks three times after 
the third shot, which may take up to about 
two seconds.
 zAll the shots are combined to create a 
single image.
 ● Under some shooting conditions, images may not look as 
expected.
 ●For better shots, have the person stand away from illumination 
such as street lights, and make sure the flash is raised.
 ●There will be a delay before you can shoot again, as the camera 
processes the images.
 ●To avoid blurry shots, make sure the person you shoot in steps 
4 – 5 stays still.
Special Modes for Other Purposes
Shooting Starry Skies (Star)
Shooting People against Starry Skies (Star Portrait)
 Still Images  Movies
Capture beautiful shots of people against starry skies. After initially firing 
the flash to capture the person, the camera shoots twice without flash. 
The three images are combined into a single image and processed to 
make the stars more prominent.
For details on the flash range, see “Camera” ( =
 210).
1 Choose [].
 z
Follow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [], and then 
press the [] button.
 z Press the [][] buttons or turn the [] 
dial to choose [], and then press the 
[] button.
 z Zoom is set to maximum wide angle and 
cannot be adjusted.
2 Raise the flash.
 zLift the flash with your fingers.
3 Secure the camera.
 zMount the camera on a tripod or take 
other measures to keep it still.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							68
Shooting Night Scenes under Starry Skies 
(Star Nightscape)
 Still Images  Movies
Capture impressive shots of starry skies above night scenes. Starlight in 
the image is automatically enhanced, making starry skies look beautiful.
1 Choose [].
 zFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [], and then 
press the [] button.
 z Press the [][] buttons or turn the [] 
dial to choose [], and then press the 
[] button.
 z Zoom is set to maximum wide angle and 
cannot be adjusted.
2 Secure the camera.
 zMount the camera on a tripod or take 
other measures to keep it still and 
prevent camera shake.
3 Shoot.
 ● There will be a delay before you can shoot again, as the camera 
processes the images.
 ●For easier viewing, try choosing MENU ► [2] tab ► [Night 
Display] ► [On] ( = 161) before shooting. ●
To adjust subject brightness, try changing the flash exposure 
compensation ( = 92). ●
To adjust background brightness, try changing the exposure 
compensation ( = 78). However, images may not look as 
expected under some shooting conditions, and the person should 
stay still in steps 4 – 5, which may take up to about 15 seconds.
 ● To capture more stars and brighter starlight, choose MENU 
(= 31) ► [6] tab ► [Star Portrait Settings] ► [Star Visibility] 
► [Prominent]. However, images may not look as expected under 
some shooting conditions, and the person should stay still in 
steps 4 – 5, which may take up to about 8 seconds.
 ● To make stars brighter, choose MENU ( = 31) ► [6] tab ► 
[Star Emphasis] ► [Sharp]. To emphasize the bright stars in a 
starry sky, set [Star Emphasis] to [Soft]. This setting can produce 
eye-catching shots by enlarging bright stars while de-emphasizing 
dimmer stars. To disable starlight processing, select [Off].
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							69
3 Secure the camera.
 zMount the camera on a tripod or take 
other measures to keep it still.
4 Shoot.
 zPress the shutter button all the way 
down. [Busy] is displayed briefly, and 
then shooting begins.
 zDo not disturb the camera while shooting.
 zTo cancel shooting, press the shutter 
button all the way down again. Note 
that cancellation may take up to about 
30
 seconds.
 ● If the camera runs out of battery power, shooting stops and a 
composite image created from the images up to that point is 
saved.
 ●There will be a delay before you can shoot again, as the camera 
processes the images.
 ●For easier viewing, try choosing MENU ► [2] tab ► [Night 
Display] ► [On] ( = 161) before shooting. ●
Try switching to manual focus mode ( = 85) to more accurately 
specify the focal position before shooting.
 ● For easier viewing, try choosing MENU ► [2] tab ► [Night 
Display] ► [On] ( = 161) before shooting. ●
To make stars brighter, choose MENU ( = 31) ► [5] tab ► 
[Star Emphasis] ► [Sharp]. To emphasize the bright stars in a 
starry sky, set [Star Emphasis] to [Soft]. This setting can produce 
eye-catching shots by enlarging bright stars while de-emphasizing 
dimmer stars. To disable starlight processing, select [Off].
 ● Try switching to manual focus mode ( = 85) to more accurately 
specify the focal position before shooting.
Shooting Star Trails (Star Trails)
 Still Images  Movies
Streaks created by the movement of stars through the sky are recorded in 
a single image. After determining the shutter speed and number of shots, 
the camera shoots continuously. A shooting session can last up to about 
two hours. Check the battery level in advance.
1 Choose [].
 z Follow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [], and then 
press the [] button.
 z Press the [][] buttons or turn the [] 
dial to choose [], and then press the 
[] button.
 z Zoom is set to maximum wide angle and 
cannot be adjusted.
2 Specify the duration of the shooting 
session.
 zTurn the [] ring to choose the shooting 
duration.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes  
						

							70
4 Check the brightness.
 zPress the shutter button all the way down 
to shoot a single still image.
 zSwitch to Playback mode ( = 105) and 
check image brightness.
 z To adjust brightness, turn the exposure 
compensation dial and change the 
exposure level on the shooting screen. 
Check brightness again by taking another 
shot.
5 Shoot.
 zPress the movie button. [Busy] is 
displayed briefly, and then shooting 
begins.
 zDo not disturb the camera while shooting.
 zTo cancel shooting, press the movie 
button again. Note that cancellation may 
take up to about 30 seconds.
 zThe camera operates in Eco mode 
(= 161) while shooting.
Item
Options Details
Effect
    Choose movie effects, 
such as star trails.
Shot Interval 15
 sec., 30 sec., 
1 min. Choose the interval 
between each shot.
Frame Rate
,  (NTSC),  (PAL) Choose the movie frame 
rate.
Shooting Time 60
 min., 90 min., 
120 min., Unlimited Choose the length of 
the recording session. 
To record until the 
battery runs out, choose 
[Unlimited].
Shooting Movies of Star Movement 
(Star Time-Lapse Movie)
 Still Images  Movies
By recording a time-lapse movie that combines images shot at a specified 
interval, you can create movies with fast-moving stars. You can adjust the 
shooting interval and recording duration as needed.
Note that each session takes a long time, and requires many shots. Check 
the battery level and memory card space in advance.
1 Choose [].
 z
Follow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 60) and choose [], and then 
press the [] button.
 z Press the [][] buttons or turn the [] 
dial to choose [], and then press the 
[] button.
 z Zoom is set to maximum wide angle and 
cannot be adjusted.
2 Configure movie settings.
 zPress the [] button.
 zPress the [][] buttons or turn the [] 
dial to choose an item, and then choose 
the desired option.
3 Secure the camera.
 z Mount the camera on a tripod or take 
other measures to keep it still.
P Mode
Tv, Av, M, and C Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Before Use
Index
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode /
Hybrid Auto Mode
Other Shooting Modes