Canon PowerShot A480 10-megapixel digital camera with 3.3X optical zoom (Red)

Recording Features
Play, Edit, and Print Functions
Battery Information
Input and Output Notes
Supplied Software

Recording Features

Compact Design With 4 Available Colors: The Canon PowerShot A480 features a new compact, simple design with smooth curved edges in 4 fun colors: Red, Blue, Silver and Black.

LCD Monitor: The Canon PowerShot A480 has a fixed 2.5" TFT, color, 115,000 pixel LCD monitor with approximately 100% picture coverage on the back panel. The high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear picture to make shooting, playback and using the camera's menu functions especially convenient. It also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light applications. When shooting in dark conditions, the camera automatically brightens the LCD monitor to suit the brightness of the subject, making it easier to frame the subject.

DIGIC III Image Processor: The PowerShot A480 features the DIGIC III Image Processor. The DIGIC III chip gives you superior image quality, faster image writing to the SD card, more efficiency to extend battery life, and higher definition for the LCD monitor.

iSAPS Technology: The iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology uses an internal database of thousands of photographs to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

10.0 Image Sensor: For optimal image quality, the camera uses a 1/2.3" CCD image sensor with approximately 10.3-million total pixels and 10.0-million effective pixels giving your shots added depth and detail.

Image Resolution/Compression: You can change the resolution and compression settings to suit the purpose of the image you are about to shoot. You can choose from the following resolutions: Large (3648 x 2736 pixels), Medium 1 (2816 x 2112 pixels), Medium 2 (2272 x 1704 pixels), Medium 3 (1600 x 1200 pixels), Small (640 x 480 pixels), Date Stamp (1600 x 1200 pixels), and Widescreen (3648 x 2048 pixels). For each resolution (except Date Stamp which is fixed at Fine), you can set the compression to Fine, or Normal. Movies can be shot with the following resolutions: 640 x 480 pixels/30 frames per sec in Standard or Long Play mode; and 320 x 240 pixels/30 sec.

Image Recording Format: The camera records still images or moving images with monaural audio. Still images are recorded in JPEG format and movies are recorded in AVI format (Image data: Motion JPEG, Audio data: Mono).

Recording Media: The PowerShot A480 records images on SD (Secure Digital), SDHC memory card, MMC (MultiMedia Card), MMCplus card, or HD MMCplus card. A 128 MB SD-card is included.

Optical/Digital Zoom: The PowerShot A480 features a 3.3x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom (total 13.2x) when shooting still images or video-clips. The focal length when using digital zoom is 37-488mm (35mm film equivalent) The digital camera allows you to adjust the Zoom between 4 settings.

• Standard: Enables shooting at zoom factors of up to 13x with digital and optical zooms combined at a focal length of 37mm to 488mm.
• Off: Enables shooting without digital zoom with a focal length of 37mm to 122mm.
• 1.4x: Digital zoom is fixed at the select zoom factor of 1.4x for a focal length of 51.8mm to 171mm enabling faster shutter speed and less chance of camera shake.
• 2.3x: Digital zoom is fixed at the select zoom factor of 2.3x for a focal length of 85.1mm to 281mm enabling faster shutter speed and less chance of camera shake

Face Detection Technology: The camera's DIGIC III chip includes Face Detection Auto Focus/Auto Exposure technology. Face Detection finds all the faces in the frame and sets the most suitable focus point. Exposure and flash are controlled to ensure proper illumination of both the faces and the overall scene, eliminating the common problem of overexposed faces. The PowerShot A480 also offers Face Detection WB (White Balance) which allows the camera to concentrate upon faces when calculating white balance for the best possible skin tones.

Motion Detection Technology: This sophisticated feature works in the background to instantly evaluate how fast your subject is moving. Then it automatically selects and sets the optimal exposure and ISO settings to keep everything looking sharp and clear. So whether you're shooting a bride walking down the aisle, a ballet recital or even a child's soccer game, you can relax and shoot with confidence knowing you've got the picture you intended.

Two-Stage Shutter Button: The camera's shutter button has two stops. To take images that are in focus, be sure to first press the shutter button lightly (halfway) to focus, then press fully and release to take the shot.

Shooting Modes: The Canon PowerShot A480 features Single, Continuous, Self-Timer shooting mode.

• Single Shot: The digital camera captures a single image each time the shutter button is fully pressed and released.
• Continuous Shooting Mode: You can use this mode to shoot successive frames while the shutter button is fully depressed. The interval depends upon shooting conditions and settings. The approximate interval is 0.8 shots per second.
• Self-Timer: The self-timer can be used to shoot a group photo that includes the photographer. The camera will activate approximately after a preset time after shutter button is pressed. You can set the time delay (0-30 seconds) and the number of shots taken (1-10 shots).

AutoFocus Modes: The camera utilizes TTL (through-the-lens) automatic focusing with two focusing methods:

• Face AiAF: The camera automatically detects the position of a face (up to 5) and uses the data to set the focus and exposure while shooting.
• Center: The camera fixes the AF frame at the center; this is recommended when the target subject is at the center of the composition.

Auto Focus Lock: The focus can be locked. After locking the focus, the focal distance will not change even when you release your finger from the shutter button.

Focus Lock: While you press and hold the camera's shutter button halfway, the focus and exposure are fixed. You can now recompose and shoot.

Magnify Focal Lock: If your press the shutter button halfway, the AF frame will magnify and you can check the focus of you shot.

Focusing Range: The camera features the following focus ranges:

• Infinity: You can shoot landscapes and far away subjects. The focusing range is 9.8- and greater from the camera.
• Macro: You can shoot and object at a close distance or even shoot extreme close-ups of it. The possible shooting range is approximately 1.2" to 1.6' at maximum wide angle and approximately 9.8" to 1.6' at maximum telephoto zoom.
• Super Macro: You can zoom in and shoot while extremely close to the subject. The possible shooting range is approximately 0.39" to 3.9" from end of the lens. Using the digital zoom will allow you to zoom in even more and shoot while close to the subject.

AF-assist Beam: The AF-assist beam will sometimes emit when the shutter button is pressed halfway to assist focusing in certain conditions, i.e. dark conditions. The AF-assist beam can be turned off. If animals are your subject, turn off the beam when shooting in the dark to avoid startling them.

Exposure Modes: In addition to the automatic setting, the PowerShot A480 offers several different exposure modes that you can choose from.

• Program AE Mode: You can select the settings for various function to suit your preferences.

• Auto Mode: The camera automatically sets exposure, shutter speed, white balance and color mode.

• Scene Mode: The camera's built-in Scene Modes allow you to shoot with the most appropriate settings for the scene.

  • Portrait: Softens the background to accentuate your subject

  • Night Snapshot: Shooting subjects against the backdrop of an evening sky or night scene without using a tripod to reduce camera shake

  • Kids & Pets: Appropriate for shooting moving subjects such as children and pets

  • Indoor: Prevents camera shake and maintains the subject's true color when shooting under fluorescent or tungsten lighting

  • Foliage: Shooting beautiful images with flowers, leaves, or trees
  • Sunset: Allows you to shoot sunsets in vivid colors
  • Snow: Shooting scenes such as snowy mountains, while preventing dark subjects and bluish backgrounds
  • Beach: For scenes by the sea, prevents dark subjects and enhances the blue of the sea
  • Fireworks: Shooting fireworks
  • Aquarium: Select the optimal ISO speed, white balance, and color balance to capture fish and other items in an indoor aquarium

• Movie: Shoots a movie when you press the shutter button.

Exposure Compensation: If you are shooting against a bright background or strong backlight, you may need to correct the exposure so that the subject doesn't come out too dark. You can set the adjustments from -2 to +2 in 1/3-stop increments.

AE Lock: When you wish to take several shots with same exposure, you can set the exposure and focus separately using the AE lock.

Long Exposures: You can set the shutter speed to a range between 1 and 15 seconds to shoot long exposures. However, you should attach the camera to a tripod to prevent the camera from moving and blurring the image.

ISO Speed: Raise the ISO speed to reduce the effect of camera shake, setting options are Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1600.

Metering Modes: You can select from the following metering modes:

• Evaluative Metering: Used for standard conditions, The area within the frame is divided into several zones and light is measured based on subject position, brightness, direct light, and backlighting
• Center-Weighted Averaging: Averages the exposure from the entire frame but places more weight on the subject at the center
• Spot: Sets the exposure to suit the subject at the center of the composition

White Balance: You can choose from the following white balance settings:

• Auto: Camera sets the white balance automatically according to shooting conditions
• Daylight: Outdoors on a bright day
• Cloudy: Overcast, shady, or twilight skies
• Tungsten: Tungsten and bulb-type 3-wavelength fluorescent lighting
• Fluorescent: Warm-white, cool-white or warm-white (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Fluorescent H: Daylight fluorescent, or daylight fluorescent-type (3-wavelength) fluorescent lighting
• Custom: Allows you to manually set the white balance and store the settings

Built-In Flash: The camera features a built-in flash with a range of approximately 12" to 9.8' at the maximum wide angle and 12" to 6.6' at the maximum telephoto zoom. You can choose from the following flash modes.

• Auto: The flash fires automatically as required by the light level

• Flash On: The flash fires with every shot

• Flash Off: The flash will not fire

• Red-Eye Correction: You can automatically correct red-eyes in images taken with the flash.
• Slow Syncrho: You can make the main subject, such as people, appear bright by having the camera provide the appropriate illumination with the flash. At the same time, you can use a slow shutter speed to brighten the background that the light from the flash cannot reach.

My Colors: Using My Colors you can easily change colors in an image when it's taken. My Colors offers several options:

• Vivid: Emphasizes contrast and color saturation to record bold colors
• Neutral: Tones down contrast and color saturation to record neutral hues
• Sepia: Brownish tint
• B/W: Black and white
• Custom Color: Adjust the contrast/sharpness/color saturation
• My Colors Off: records normally with this setting

Display Overlay: You can display vertical and horizontal grid lines, a 3:2 print area guide or both on the LCD monitor while shooting to help check the position of your subject.

Histogram Function: The histogram is a graph that allows you to judge the brightness of the 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. This features helps you set your exposure compensation.

Menu Languages: The camera allows you to select from a wide variety of menu languages, including - English, Spanish, French, German.

Lens Cap: The PowerShot A480 has a built-in electronic lens cap, it opens when you turn the camera on and closes when the camera is turned off.

Play, Edit, and Print Functions

Review: After an image is recorded, it will appear in the LCD monitor for a preset number of seconds for reviewing. You can select the review time from 2 to 10 seconds. It will also display as long as you hold the shutter button down.

Focus Check: You can magnify the area of a recorded image that was inside the AF frame or the area of a face that was detected to check the focus.

Auto Play (Slide Show): You can view images on the memory card one-by-one with the Auto Play function. Each image will display in the LCD monitor for approximately 3 seconds. You can select the transition effect displayed when switching between images.

Index Playback: This feature allows you to view 9 images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly. Movie-clips cannot be played in the index playback mode.

Jump Images: When you have a lot of images recorded onto a memory card, you can use the Jump feature to speed up your search for the image you want to view. You can choose from the following Jump functions.

• Jump 10 Images: jumps over 10 images at a time
• Jump 100 Images: jumps over 100 images at a time
• Shot Date: jumps to the firs image of each shooting date
• Movie: jumps to a movie
• Folder: jumps to the firs image of each folder

Image Magnification: When viewing a still picture in Single Image Playback mode, you can magnify the image up to 10x.

Rotating Images: You can rotate an image 90° or 270° clockwise in the LCD monitor.

Resume Playback: When playing back your images on the camera the last recorded image will display first. If you have played back images between shooting sessions however, the last image viewed will display - this is called Resume Playback. If the memory card has been switched or the images on the memory card have been edited with a computer, the newest image on the memory card appear.

Movie Playback: In addition to normal playback of your video clips the camera features slow-motion, fast-forward, rewind and frame-by-frame playback.

Volume Adjustment: You can turn "on" or "off" the sound of the camera. When the Sound is activated you can adjust the volume levels of the Start-Up, Operation, Self-Timer, Shutter, and Playback functions.

Red-Eye Correction: You can correct red eyes in already recorded images. However, red eyes may not be automatically detected in some images such as faces near the screen edge, faces that appear extremely small, larger dark or bright in relation to the overall image and faces turned to the side or at a diagonal and faces with a portion hidden which prevents the Red-Eye Correction form working.

Resizing Images: You can save images a lower recording pixel than the original image. You can change high resolution images to 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 or 320 x 240.

Erase Images: You can select and erase images one at a time or all at once. Please note that erased image cannot be recovered.

Protecting Images: The protect feature allows you to protect important images from accidental erasure.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a new standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand..

DPOF Print Settings: On your memory card, you can select which image or images you want to print and how many copies you want. This is convenient for printing images all at once, on optional Canon direct print function compliant printers, or at participating photo labs. You can use the camera to specify settings for images before transferring them to a computer. The settings used on the camera comply with the Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) standards. A maximum of 998 images can be selected per memory card, and are transferred in order from oldest to newest by shooting date.

Exif Print (Exif 2.2): The Canon PowerShot A480 conforms to "Exif Print", a worldwide standard. Vital camera settings (such as: exposure mode, white balance, exposure time) and scene data are recorded to the image file when it is captured. Printers compatible with "Exif Print" are able to use this information to produce high quality photographs, exactly the way they were intended at the time of capture. This intelligent communication process also allows the printer to correct for poor lighting or mistakes, resulting in photos that can be even better than the originals.

Battery Information

Power Requirements: The PowerShot A480 comes with 2 "AA" alkaline batteries. You can also use Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. For long periods of continuous use, or when connected to a computer, it is recommended that the camera be connected to the optional ACK800 AC Adapter kit.

Power Saving Functions: This camera is equipped with a power saving function, which can automatically turn off the power or LCD monitor.

• Power Saving During Shooting: The monitor will turn off approximately 1 minute after the camera is last operated. After about 2 more minutes, the lens will retract and the power will turn off.
• Power Saving During Playback: The power will turn off approximately 5 minutes after the camera is last operated.

Input and Output Notes

Digital Terminal: The PowerShot A480 has a mini-USB type-B 2.0 Hi-Speed terminal to allow you to connect the camera to a compatible computer or compatible printer via the supplied USB cable.

AV Output: The camera's mini-jack output allows you to connect the camera to a TV or video monitor with RCA audio and composite video input jacks using the supplied audio/video cable. You can set the video output to NTSC or PAL.

DC In: The camera features a DC input for optional AC power adapter (ACK800, sold separately).

Supplied Software

Included Software: The PowerShot A480 comes supplied with the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk Ver. 43.0 CD-ROM. It contains the following programs.

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.3 (Windows): Versatile image management software for downloading images, editing still images and movies and printing; for Windows only.
• ImageBrowser 6.3 (MAC): Versatile image management software for downloading images, editing still images and movies and printing; for MAC only.
• PhotoStitch 3.1 (Windows)/PhotoStitch 3.2 (MAC): A program for merging multiple images into dramatic panoramas.

Minimum System Requirements:

Canon Image Gateway: Canon Image Gateway is an online photo service. Registering this camera online allows you to use the various services. You can upload images to online albums and share those images by email.