Canon Powershot A2500 User Guide

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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Still Images
Shooting With Reduced Blur (Digital IS)
Shoot with minimal camera shake and subject blur. In scenes without 
people, continuously shot images can be combined to reduce camera 
shake and noise.
1 Enter [] mode.
zzFollow step 1 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
2 Shoot.
zzPress the shutter button halfway. [] is 
displayed on the left side of the screen in 
scenes without people.
zzWhen [] is displayed, press the shutter 
button all the way down. Images will be 
shot continuously, and then be combined.
zzWhen the icon is not displayed, press the 
shutter button all the way down to shoot a 
single image.
• Because the camera will shoot continuously when [] is displayed, 
hold it steady while shooting.
•
 
In some scenes, images may not look as expected.
•

 
The flash will not fire when [] is displayed, even in low-light 
conditions.
•
 
In scenes with people, the camera will shoot continuously when you 
have set the flash to [!].
• When using a tripod, shoot in [] mode.
•
 [] mode resolution is [] (2304 x 1728) and cannot be changed.
Still ImagesMovies
Brightness/Color Customization (Live View 
Control)
Image brightness or colors when shooting can be easily customized as 
follows.
1 Enter [] mode.
zzFollow step 1 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
2 Configure th e setting.
zzPress the  button to access the 
setting screen. Press the  
buttons to choose a setting item, and 
then press the  buttons to adjust 
the value as you watch the screen.
zzPress the  button.
3 Shoot.
Brightness For brighter images, adjust the level to the right, and for darker 
images, adjust it to the left.
Color For more vivid images, adjust the level to the right, and for more 
subdued images, adjust it to the left.
Tone For a warm, reddish tone, adjust the level to the right, and for a cool,\
 
bluish tone, adjust it to the left.
 
						

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3
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7
8
Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Still Images
Shooting with a Fish-Eye Lens Effect  
(Fish-eye Effect)
Shoot with the distorting effect of a fish-eye lens.
1 Choose [].
zzFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
2 Choose an effect level.
zzPress the  button, press the 
 buttons to choose an effect 
level, and then press the < m> button.
XXA 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.
Applying Special Effects
Add a variety of effects to images when shooting.
1 Choose a shooting mode.
zzFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) to choose a shooting mode.
2 Shoot.
Still ImagesMovies
 Shoot in vivid colors (Super V ivid)
zzShots in rich, vivid colors.
Still ImagesMovies
 Posterized shots (Poster Effect)
zzShots that resemble an old poster or 
illustration.
• In [] and [] modes, try taking some test shots first, to make sure 
you obtain the desired results.
 
						

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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Playback Speed and Estimated Playback Time  
(for One-Minute Clips)
Speed Playback Time
Approx. 12 sec.
Approx. 6 sec.
Approx. 3 sec.
• The zoom is not available when shooting movies. Be sure to set the 
zoom before shooting.
•
 
T
 ry taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the desired 
results.
• To switch the orientation of the frame to vertical, press the < q> buttons 
in step 2. To move the frame, press the  buttons again. To return the 
frame to horizontal orientation, press the < o> buttons.
•
 
Holding the camera vertically will change the orientation of the frame.
•

 
Movie image quality is [] when a still image resolution of [] is selected 
and [] when a still image resolution of [] is selected (= 44). These 
quality settings cannot be changed.
Still ImagesMovies
Shots Resembling Miniature Models 
(Miniature Effect)
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 [].
zzFollow step 1 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
XXA white frame is displayed, indicating the 
image area that will not be blurred.
2 Choose the  area to keep in 
focus.
zzPress the  button.
zzMove the zoom lever to resize the frame, 
and press the  buttons to move 
it.
3 For movies, choose the mo vie 
playback speed.
zzPress the  button, and then 
press the  buttons to choose the 
speed.
4 Return to th e shooting screen 
and shoot.
zzPress the  button to return to the 
shooting screen, and then shoot.
 
						

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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Still ImagesMovies
Shooting in Monochrome
Shoot images in black and white, sepia, or blue and white.
1 Choose [].
zzFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
2 Choose a color tone.
zzPress the  button, press the 
 buttons to choose a color tone, 
and then press the  button.
XXA 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.
Still Images
Shooting with a Toy Camera Effect  
(Toy Camera Effect)
This effect makes images resemble shots from a toy camera by vignetting 
(darker, blurred image corners) and changing the overall color.
1 Choose [].
zzFollow step 1 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
2 Choose a color tone.
zzPress the  button, press the 
 buttons to choose a color tone, 
and then press the  button.
XXA 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.
 
						

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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
4 Join the sub jects in the 
shooting area and look at the 
camera.
XXAfter the camera detects a new face, the 
lamp blinking and self-timer sound will 
speed up. (When the flash fires, the lamp 
will remain lit.) About two seconds later, 
the camera will shoot.
zzTo cancel shooting after you have 
triggered the self-timer, press the 
 button.
• Even if your face is not detected after you join the others in the shoot\
ing area, 
the camera will shoot about 15 seconds later
.
•
 
T
 o change the number of shots, press the < p> button, press the  
buttons to choose the number of shots, and then press the < m> button. [Blink 
Detection] (=
 37) is only available for the final shot.
Special Modes for Other Purposes
Still Images
Using the Face Self-Timer
The camera will shoot about two seconds after detecting that the face of\
 
another person (such as the photographer) has entered the shooting are\
a 
(=
 53). This is useful when including yourself in group photos or similar 
shots.
1 Choose [].
zzFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [].
2 Compose the shot and press 
the shutter button halfway .
zzMake sure a green frame is displayed 
around the face you focus on and white 
frames around other faces.
3 Press the shutter button al l the 
way down.
XXThe camera now enters shooting standby 
mode, and [Look straight at camera to 
start count down] is displayed.
XXThe lamp blinks and the self-timer sound 
is played.
 
						

							46
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3
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5
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7
8
Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Still Images
Shooting Long Exposures (Long Shutter)
Specify a shutter speed of 1 – 15 seconds to shoot long exposures. In\
 this 
case, mount the camera on a tripod or take other measures to prevent 
camera shake.
1 Choose [ N].
zzFollow steps 1 – 2 in “Specific Scenes” 
(= 40) and choose [ N].
2 Choose the shutter speed.
zzPress the  button, choose [)] in the 
menu, and choose the desired shutter 
speed (=
 25).
3 Check the exposure.
zzPress the shutter button halfway to view 
the exposure for your selected shutter 
speed.
4 Shoot.
• On-screen image brightness in step 3, when you pressed the 
shutter button halfway
, may not match the brightness of your shots.
•
 
With shutter speeds of 1.3 seconds or slower
 , there will be a delay 
before you can shoot again, as the camera processes images to 
reduce noise.
• If the flash fires, your shot may be overexposed. In this case, set the flash to 
[
!] and shoot again ( = 56).
 
						

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3
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5
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8
Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
4
P Mode
More discerning shots, in your preferred shooting style
•	 Instructions in this chapter apply to the camera when set to [ G] mode.
•	 [G]:  Program AE; AE: Auto  Exposure
•	 Before using a function introduced in this chapter in modes other than 
[G], make sure the function is available in that mode ( =
 99 –  101).
Shooting in Program AE   ([P] Mode)
 
................................ 48
Image Brightness   (Exposure Compensation)
 
..... 48
Color and Continuous   Shooting
 

.................................. 51Shooting Range and  
Focusing
 

.................................. 52
Flash
 
....

...................................... 56
Using Eco Mode
 

....................... 57
Other Settings
 
.......................... 57
4
 
						

							48
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3
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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Image Brightness (Exposure Compensation)
Still ImagesMovies
Adjusting Image Brightness  
(Exposure Compensation)
The standard exposure set by the camera can be adjusted in 1/3-stop 
increments, in a range of –2 to +2.
zzPress the  button and choose [#] 
in the menu. As you watch the screen, 
press the  buttons to adjust 
brightness ( =
 25).
XXThe	correction	level	you	specified	is	now	displayed.
zzWhen shooting movies, shoot with the 
exposure compensation bar displayed.
zzWhen shooting still images, press the 
 button to display the set exposure 
compensation amount, and then shoot.
•	You can also shoot still images with exposure compensation bar displayed.\
•	 While recording a movie, [ &] is displayed, and the exposure is locked.
Still ImagesMovies
Shooting in Program AE ([P] Mode)
You can customize many function settings to suit your preferred shooting \
style.
1 Enter [G] mode.
zzFollow	steps	1	–	2	in	“Specific	Scenes”	(
= 40) and choose [ G].
2 Customize the settings as 
desired (
= 48 –  59), and 
then shoot.
•	 If adequate exposure cannot be obtained when you press the shutter butto\
n 
halfway, shutter speeds and aperture values are displayed in orange. In this 
case, try adjusting the ISO speed (=
 50)	or	activating	the	flash	(if	subjects	are dark, 
= 56), which may enable adequate exposure.
•	 Movies can be recorded in [ G] mode as well, by pressing the movie button. 
However, some  and  settings may be automatically 
adjusted for movie recording.
•	 For details on the shooting range in [ G]
	 mode, 	 see 	 “Shooting 	 Range” 	
(

=
 104).
 
						

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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Still Images
Changing the Metering Method
Adjust the metering method (how brightness is measured) to suit shooti\
ng 
conditions as follows.
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
 25).
XXThe	option	you	configured	is	now	displayed.
Evaluative For typical shooting conditions, including backlit shots. 
Automatically adjusts exposure to match the shooting conditions.
Center 
Weighted Avg.Determines the average brightness of light across the entire 
image area, calculated by treating brightness in the central area 
as more important.
Spot
Metering restricted to within the [] (Spot AE Point frame), 
displayed in the center of the screen.
Still Images
Locking Image Brightness/Exposure  
(AE Lock)
Before shooting, you can lock the exposure, or you can specify focus and\
 
exposure separately.
1	 Deactivate	the	flash	(= 34).
2 Lock the exposure.
zzAim the camera at the subject to shoot 
with the exposure locked. With the 
shutter button pressed halfway, press the 
 button.
XX[&] is displayed, and the exposure is 
locked.
zzTo unlock AE, release the shutter button 
and press the  button again. In this 
case, [&] is no longer displayed.
2 Compose the shot and sho ot.
•	AE: Auto  Exposure
   
						

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Cover
Preliminary Notes and Legal Information
Contents:  
Basic Operations
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Smart Auto 
Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Basic Guide
Playback Mode
Still Images
Correcting Image Brightness (i-Contrast)
Before shooting, excessively bright or dark image areas (such as faces \
or 
backgrounds) can be detected and automatically adjusted to the optimal \
brightness. 	 Insufficient 	 overall 	 image 	 contrast 	 can 	 also 	 be 	 automatically 	
corrected before shooting to make subjects stand out better

.
zzPress the  button, choose 
[i-Contrast] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose [Auto] (=
 26).
XXOnce the setting is complete, [@] is 
displayed.
•	Under some shooting conditions, correction may be inaccurate or 
may cause images to appear grainy.
•	 You can also correct existing images ( = 70).
Still Images
Changing the ISO Speed
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
 25).
XXThe	option	you	configured	is	now	displayed.
Automatically adjusts the ISO speed to suit the shooting mode and 
conditions.
 Low
High For shooting outdoors in fair weather. For shooting in cloudy conditions, or at twilight.
For shooting night scenes, or in dark rooms.
•	
To view the automatically set ISO speed when the camera is set to [], press 
the shutter button halfway.
•	 Although choosing a lower ISO speed may reduce image graininess, there 
may be a greater risk of subject blurriness in some shooting conditions.\
•	 Choosing a higher ISO speed will increase shutter speed, which may reduc\
e 
subject
	
blurriness
	
and
	
increase
	
the
	
flash
	
range.
	
However,
	
shots
	
may
	
look 	
grainy

.