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Canon PowerShot S40

A new shape, sleek design, direct support for a Canon inkjet printer, and four megapixels of resolution!

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Page 9:Camera Modes & Menus

Review First Posted: 10/1/2001

Record Menu (Red): With the exception of the Auto exposure mode, and most of the Image Zone exposure functions, the Record menu provides virtually the same options for all exposure modes. These menus are accessed by depressing the Menu button once while in Shooting mode. Following are the available settings, with notes as to which are not available in Auto mode:

  • Resolution: Sets the image size to (L) 2,272 x 1,704, (M1) 1,600 x 1,200, (M2)1,024 x 768, or (S) 640 x 480-pixel resolution (still images); 320 x 240 or 160 x 120 pixels (movies).
  • Compression: Alters the JPEG compression ratio to Superfine, Fine, or Normal (still images only).
  • File Format: Changes the file format for still images to JPEG or RAW. (n/a in Auto mode)
  • Drive Mode: Sets the capture mode to Single Shooting, Standard Continuous Shooting, High-Speed Continuous, 10-second Self Timer, or 2-second Self Timer.
  • ISO Speed: Adjusts the camera's light sensitivity to Auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 ISO film speed equivalents. (n/a in Auto mode)
  • Digital Zoom: Activates or deactivates the Digital Zoom function.
  • Spot AE Mode: Sets the Spot AE Point option to Center or AF Point. (n/a in Auto mode)
  • Review: Establishes a "quick review" time duration, with options for Off, 2, or 10 seconds.
  • File No. Reset: Options are On and Off. When this function is turned on, file naming is reset with each new CompactFlash card that is inserted into the camera.
  • Contrast: Adjusts the image contrast to -, 0, or +. (n/a in Auto mode)
  • Sharpness: Controls the amount of image sharpness to -, 0, or +. (n/a in Auto mode)
  • Saturation: Sets the amount of color saturation to -, 0, or +. (n/a in Auto mode)

Play Menu (Blue): This menu is only available in the Replay mode. It allows you to scroll through captured images; erase, protect, and rotate them; or set them up in a slide show or for printing on a DPOF compatible device. The Play menu offers the following selections:

  • Protect: Write protects the currently displayed image from accidental deletion, except by card formatting.
  • Rotate: Rotates captured images 90 or 270 degrees clockwise.
  • Erase All: Erases all images from the CompactFlash card.
  • Slide Show: Automatically plays images in a slide show format.
  • Print Order: Sets the number of images to be printed on a DPOF compatible device, as well as the number of copies.
  • Transfer Order: Sets the images to be transferred with your e-mail software.

Setup Menu (Orange): The Setup menu provides universal camera control options that remain the same in both Shooting and Replay modes, with the exception of shutter and speaker volume (see below). This menu is accessed by depressing the Menu button once and scrolling to the right with the Omni selector arrow pad. Following are the available settings:

  • Beep: Turns the camera's Beep sound On or Off.
  • LCD Brightness: Adjusts the brightness level of the LCD monitor to Normal (small sun) or Bright (large sun).
  • Shutter Volume (Shooting): Adjusts the volume of the shutter sound when an image is recorded. Volume options, which are selected by holding down the camera's shutter button, are on a scale of 1 to 5 and Off.
  • Speaker Volume (Replay): Adjusts the camera's speaker volume when listening to recorded movies. This function uses the same scale and method of selection as above.
  • Auto Power Down: Activates or deactivates the camera's automatic shutoff feature.
  • Date / Time: Sets the camera's internal clock and calendar.
  • Format: Formats the CompactFlash card, deleting all images saved on the card.
  • Language: Changes the menu language to one of 12 languages.
  • Video System: Sets the video output signal to NTSC or PAL.

My Camera Menu (Blue): This menu allows you to customize certain camera functions, including the startup image, and startup, shutter, button, and self-timer sounds.

  • Startup Image: Sets the startup image when you turn on the camera to: Black screen, Canon logo, Canon logo w / sunset, and Canon logo w / nature scene. You can also apply your own image using the Canon software.
  • Startup Sound: Sets the startup sound when you turn on the camera to: No sound, Musical tone (1), Musical tone (2), or Birds chirping. You can also apply your own sounds using the Canon software.
  • Shutter Sound: Sets the shutter sound that you hear when you depress the Shutter button (there is no shutter sound in Movie mode). Options include Beep, Shutter sound, Boing, and Bark.
  • Operation Sound: Sets the sound when any control or switch is use (except the Shutter button). Options include Beep, Loud beep, Boing, and Meow.
  • Self-Timer Sound: Sets the sound that signals you when the shutter release is two seconds away. Options include Fast beeps (1), Fast beeps (2), Telephone ring, and Howling.


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