Canon PowerShot SX600 HS User Manual

							51
P Mode
More discerning shots, in your preferred shooting style
•	Instructions in this chapter apply to the camera in [ G] mode, with the mode switch set to [4].
•	 [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 (=
  146 – 151).
Shooting
	in	Program	AE	([P]	Mode)	............... 52
Image
	Brightness	(Exposure)	......................... 52Adjusting Image Brightness 
(Exposure Compensation) .................................... 52
Locking Image Brightness / Exposure 
(AE Lock)
 .............................................................. 53
Changing the Metering Method ............................. 53
Changing the ISO Speed ...................................... 54
Correcting Image Brightness (i-Contrast) .............. 54
Image	Colors	.................................................... 55Adjusting White Balance .......................................55
Changing Image Color Tones (My Colors) ............ 56Shooting	Range	and	Focusing	....................... 57Shooting Close-Ups (Macro) ................................. 57
Shooting Distant Subjects (Infinity) ....................... 57
Digital Tele-Converter ............................................ 57
Changing the AF Frame Mode .............................. 58
Changing the Focus Setting .................................. 60
Shooting with the AF Lock ..................................... 61
Flash	.................................................................. 61Changing the Flash Mode .....................................61
Shooting with the FE Lock .................................... 62Other	Settings	.................................................. 63Changing the Compression Ratio 
(Image Quality) ...................................................... 63
Changing the IS Mode Settings ............................ 63
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							52
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” 
(=  41) and choose [G].
2	 Customize	the	settings	as	desired	(=		5 2	–	64),	and	then	shoot.
•	If adequate exposure cannot be obtained when you press the shutter button 
halfway, shutter speeds and aperture values are displayed in orange. In this 
case, try adjusting the ISO speed (=
  54) or activating the flash (if subjects 
are dark, =  61), which may enable adequate exposure.
•	 Movies can be recorded in [ G] mode as well, by pressing the movie button. 
However, some FUNC. (=
  20) and MENU (=  21) settings may be 
automatically adjusted for movie recording.
•	 For details on the shooting range in [ G] mode, see “Shooting Range” 
(=
  156).
Image Brightness (Exposure)
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. As you watch the 
screen, press the  buttons to 
adjust brightness.
zzThe 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.
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							53
Still ImagesMovies
Locking Image Brightness / Exposure 
(AE Lock)
Before shooting, you can lock the exposure, or you can specify focus and\
 
exposure separately.
1	 Lock	the	exposure.
zzAim the camera at the subject to shoot 
with the exposure locked. With the 
shutter button pressed halfway, press the 
 button.
zz[&] 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	shoot.
•	AE: Auto  Exposure
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 
(=
  20).
zzThe 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.
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index   
						

							54
Still Images
Changing the ISO Speed
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
  20).
zzThe option you configured is now 
displayed.
AUTO Automatically adjusts the ISO speed to suit the 
shooting mode and conditions.
100, 200 Low
HighFor shooting outdoors in fair weather.
400, 800 For shooting in cloudy conditions, or at 
twilight.
1600, 3200 For shooting night scenes, or in dark 
rooms.
•	 To view the automatically determined ISO speed when you have set the ISO \
speed to [AUTO], press the shutter button halfway.
•	 Although choosing a lower ISO speed may reduce image graininess, 
there may be a greater risk of subject and camera shake in some shooting\
 
conditions.
•	 Choosing a higher ISO speed will increase shutter speed, which may reduc\
e 
subject and camera shake and increase the flash range. However, shots may 
look grainy.
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] (=
  21).
zzOnce 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 ( =  82).
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							55
Image Colors
Still ImagesMovies
Adjusting White Balance
By adjusting white balance (WB), you can make image colors look more 
natural for the scene you are shooting.
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
  20).
zzThe option you configured is now 
displayed.
Auto Automatically sets the optimal white balance for the shooting 
conditions.
Day Light For shooting outdoors in fair weather.
Cloudy For shooting in cloudy conditions, in the shade, or at twilight.
TungstenFor shooting under ordinary incandescent (tungsten) lighting 
and similarly colored fluorescent lighting.
FluorescentFor shooting under warm-white (or similarly colored) or cool-
white fluorescent lighting.
Fluorescent HFor shooting under daylight fluorescent and similarly colored 
fluorescent lighting.
Custom
For manually setting a custom white balance ( =  55).
Still ImagesMovies
Custom	White	BalanceFor image colors that look natural under the light in your shot, adjust \
white 
balance to suit the light source where you are shooting. Set the white 
balance under the same light source that will illuminate your shot.
zzFollow the steps in “Adjusting White 
Balance” (=  55) to choose [].
zzAim the camera at a plain white subject, 
so that the entire screen is white. Press 
the  button.
zzThe tint of the screen changes once the 
white balance data has been recorded.
•	 Colors may look unnatural if you change camera settings after 
recording white balance data.
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							56
Still ImagesMovies
Changing Image Color Tones (My Colors)
Change image color tones as desired, such as converting images to sepia \
or black and white.
zzPress the  button, choose [] in 
the menu, and choose the desired option 
(=
  20).
zzThe option you configured is now 
displayed.
My Colors Off –
VividEmphasizes contrast and color saturation, making images 
sharper.
Neutral
Tones down contrast and color saturation for subdued images.
SepiaCreates sepia tone images.
B/WCreates black and white images.
Positive FilmCombines the effects of Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid 
Red to produce intense yet natural-looking colors resembling 
images on positive film.
Lighter Skin Tone
Lightens skin tones.
Darker Skin ToneDarkens skin tones.
Vivid BlueEmphasizes blues in images. Makes the sky, ocean, and 
other blue subjects more vivid.
Vivid GreenEmphasizes greens in images. Makes mountains, foliage, 
and other green subjects more vivid.
Vivid Red Emphasizes reds in images. Makes red subjects more vivid.
Custom ColorAdjust contrast, sharpness, color saturation, and other 
qualities as desired (
=  56).
•	White balance ( =  55) cannot be set in [] or [] modes.
•	 With [] and [] modes, colors other than people’s skin tone may 
change. These settings may not produce the expected results with 
some skin tones.
Still ImagesMovies
Custom	ColorChoose the desired level of image contrast, sharpness, color saturation,\
 
red, green, blue, and skin tones in a range of 1 – 5.
1	 Access	the	setting	screen.
zzFollow the steps in “Changing Image 
Color Tones (My Colors)” ( =  56) to 
choose [], and then press the  
button.
2	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  buttons to choose 
an option, and then specify the value by 
pressing the < q> buttons.
zzFor stronger/more intense effects (or 
darker skin tones), adjust the value to 
the right, and for weaker/lighter effects 
(or lighter skin tones), adjust the value to 
the left.
zzPress the  button to complete 
the setting.
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							57
Shooting Range and Focusing
Still Images
Shooting Close-Ups (Macro)
To restrict the focus to subjects at close range, set the camera to [e]. 
For details on the focusing range, see “Shooting Range” (=  156).
zzPress the  button, press the  
buttons to choose [e], and then press 
the  button.
zzOnce the setting is complete, [e] is 
displayed.
•	 If the flash fires, vignetting may occur.
•	 In the yellow bar display area below the zoom bar, [e] will turn gray 
and the camera will not focus.
•	 To prevent camera shake, try mounting the camera on a tripod and shooting\
 
with the camera set to [[] (=  31).
Still Images
Shooting Distant Subjects (Infinity)
To restrict the focus to distant subjects, set the camera to [u]. For details 
on the focusing range, see “Shooting Range” ( =  156).
zzPress the  button, press the  
buttons to choose [u], and then press 
the  button.
zzOnce the setting is complete, [u] is 
displayed.
Still ImagesMovies
Digital Tele-Converter
The focal length of the lens can be increased by approximately 1.6x or 2\
.0x. 
This can reduce camera shake because the shutter speed is faster than it\
 
would be if you zoomed (including using digital zoom) in to the same z\
oom 
factor.
zzPress the  button, choose 
[Digital Zoom] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose the desired option (=
  21).
zzThe view is enlarged and the zoom factor 
is displayed on the screen.
•	 The digital tele-converter cannot be used with digital zoom 
(=
  30) or AF-point zoom (=  36).
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							58
•	The shutter speed may be equivalent when you move the zoom lever all the 
way toward  for maximum telephoto, and when you zoom in to enlarge 
the subject to the same size following step 2 in “Zooming In Closer on Subjects 
(Digital Zoom)” ( =
  30).
Still ImagesMovies
Changing the AF Frame Mode
Change the AF (auto focus) frame mode to suit the shooting conditions as 
follows.
zzPress the  button, choose [AF 
Frame] on the [4] tab, and then choose 
the desired option ( =
  21).
Still ImagesMovies
Face	AiAF
•	Detects people’s faces, and then sets the focus, exposure (evaluative 
metering only), and white balance ([] only).
•	 After you aim the camera at the subject, a white frame is displayed 
around the person’s face determined by the camera to be the main 
subject, and up to two gray frames are displayed around other detected 
faces.
•	 When the camera detects movement, frames will follow moving subjects, 
within a certain range.
•	 After you press the shutter button halfway, up to nine green frames are 
displayed around faces in focus.
•	If faces are not detected, or when only gray frames are displayed 
(without a white frame), up to nine green frames are displayed in the \
areas in focus when you press the shutter button halfway.
•	 If faces are not detected when Servo AF (=
  60) is set to [On], the 
AF frame is displayed in the center of the screen when you press 
the shutter button halfway.
•	 Examples of faces that cannot be detected:
-
 Subjects that are distant or extremely close
- Subjects that are dark or light
- Faces in profile, at an angle, or partly hidden
•	 The camera may misinterpret non-human subjects as faces.
•	 No AF frames are displayed if the camera cannot focus when you 
press the shutter button halfway.
Still Images
Choosing	Subjects	to	Focus	On	(Tracking	AF)Shoot after choosing a subject to focus on as follows.
1	 Choose	[Tracking	AF].
zzFollow the steps in “Changing the AF 
Frame Mode” (=  58) to choose 
[Tracking AF].
zz[] is displayed in the center of the 
screen.
2	 Choose	a	subject	to	focus	on.
zzAim the camera so that [] is on the 
desired subject, and then press the < q> 
button.
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
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Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
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Appendix
Index  
						

							59
zzWhen the subject is detected, the camera 
beeps and [] is displayed. Even if the 
subject moves, the camera will continue 
to track the subject within a certain range.
zzIf no subject is detected, [] is 
displayed.
zzTo cancel tracking, press the < q> button 
again.
3	 Shoot.
zzPress the shutter button halfway. [] 
changes to a blue [], which follows 
the subject as the camera continues to 
adjust the focus and exposure (Servo AF) 
(=
  60).
zzPress the shutter button all the way down 
to shoot.
zzEven after your shot, [] is still 
displayed and the camera continues to 
track the subject.
•	 [Servo AF]  (=
  60) is set to [On] and cannot be changed.
•	 Tracking may not be possible when subjects are too small or move 
too rapidly, or when subject color or brightness matches that of the 
background too closely.
•	 [AF-Point Zoom] on the [4] tab is not available.
•	 [e] and [u] are not available.
•	 The camera can detect subjects even if you press the shutter button half\
way 
without pressing the < q> button. After your shot, [] is displayed in the 
center of the screen.
Still ImagesMovies
CenterOne AF frame is displayed in the center. Effective for reliable focusing.
•	A yellow AF frame is displayed with [
] if the camera cannot focus 
when you press the shutter button halfway.
•	 To reduce the AF frame size, press the  button and set [AF Frame 
Size] on the [4] tab to [Small] ( =  21).
•	 The AF frame size is set to [Normal] when you use the digital zoom ( =  30) 
or digital tele-converter ( =  57).
•	 To compose shots so that subjects are positioned at the edge or in a corn\
er, 
first aim the camera to capture the subject in an AF frame, and then hold 
the shutter button halfway down. As you continue to hold the shutter button 
halfway, recompose the shot as desired, and then press the shutter button all 
the way down (Focus Lock).
•	 The AF frame position is enlarged when you press the shutter button halfway \
and [AF-Point Zoom] (=
  36) is set to [On].
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index  
						

							60
Still Images
Shooting	with	Servo	AFThis mode helps avoid missing shots of subjects in motion, because the 
camera continues to focus on the subject and adjust the exposure as long\
 
as you press the shutter button halfway.
1	 Configure	the	setting.
zzPress the  button, choose 
[Servo AF] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose [On] (=
  21).
2	 Focus.
zzThe focus and exposure are maintained 
where the blue AF frame is displayed 
while you are pressing the shutter button 
halfway.
•	 Focusing may not be possible in some shooting conditions.
•	 In low-light conditions, Servo AF may not be activated (AF frames 
may not turn blue) when you press the shutter button halfway. In this 
case, the focus and exposure are set according to the specified AF 
frame mode.
•	 If adequate exposure cannot be obtained, shutter speeds and 
aperture values are displayed in orange. Release the shutter button, 
and then press it halfway again.
•	 AF lock shooting is not available.
•	 [AF-Point Zoom] on the [4] tab is not available.
•	 Not available when using the self-timer ( =
  31).
Still Images
Changing the Focus Setting
You can change default camera operation of constantly focusing on 
subjects it is aimed at, even when the shutter button is not pressed. In\
stead, 
you can limit camera focusing to the moment you press the shutter button\
 
halfway.
zzPress the  button, choose 
[Continuous AF] on the [4] tab, and then 
choose [Off] ( =
  21).
OnHelps avoid missing sudden photo opportunities, because the camera 
constantly focuses on subjects until you press the shutter button halfwa\
y.
Off Conserves battery power, because the camera does not focus constantly.
 
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index
Before Use
Basic Guide
Advanced Guide
Camera Basics
Auto Mode / Hybrid 
Auto Mode
Other Shooting 
Modes
P Mode
Playback Mode
Wi-Fi Functions
Setting Menu
Accessories
Appendix
Index