Canon PowerShot A590 IS 8-megapixel digital camera with 4X optical zoom

Recording Features
Playback, Editing and Print Functions
Battery Information
Input and Output Notes
Supplied Software
Image Capacity

Recording Features

LCD Monitor: The Canon PowerShot A590 IS has a fixed 2.5" TFT, color, 115,000 pixel amorphous silicon 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.

Optical Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the camera has a "real image" optical zoom viewfinder. You can use the viewfinder while the LCD monitor is still on or turned off.

DIGIC III Image Processor: The PowerShot A590 IS 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.

Face Detection Technology: The 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 A590 IS also offer Face Detection WB (White Balance) which allows the camera to concentrate upon faces when calculating white balance for the best possible skin tones. In addition the digital camera features Face Select and Track which lets you highlight one face among several in a scene, and the camera will then concentrate on that one person, even as they move around the scene.

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.

Image Sensor: For optimal image quality, the camera uses a 1/2.5" CCD image sensor with approximately 8.3-million total pixels and 8.0-million effective pixels giving your shots added depth and detail.

Recording Media: The PowerShot A590 IS records images on SD (Secure Digital), SDHC memory card, MMC (MultiMedia Card), MMCplus card, or HD MMCplus card. A 32 MB MultiMedia Card is included.

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: WAV).

Image Resolution/Compression: You can change the resolution and compression settings to suit the purpose of the image you're about to shoot. You can choose from the following resolutions: Large (3264 x 2448 pixels), Medium 1 (2592 x 1944 pixels), Medium 2 (2048 x 1536 pixels), Medium 3 (1600 x 1200 pixels), Small (640 x 480 pixels), Date Stamp (1600 x 1200 pixels), and Widescreen (3264 x 1832 pixels). For each resolution (except Date Stamp which is fixed at Fine), you can set the compression to Superfine, Fine, or Normal. Movies can be shot with the following resolutions: Standard (640 x 480 pixels/20 frames per sec in Standard or Long Play mode and 320 x 240 pixels/30 sec), or Compact (160 x 120 pixels/15 frames per sec).

Zoom: The PowerShot A590 IS features a 4x optical zoom and a 16x digital zoom when shooting still images or video-clips The digital camera allows you to adjust the Zoom between 4 settings.

• Standard: enables shooting at zoom factors of up to 16x with digital and optical zooms combined at a focal length of 35mm to 560mm
• Off: enables shooting without digital zoom with a focal length of 35mm to 140mm
• 1.6x: digital zoom is fixed at the select zoom factor of 1.6x for a focal length of 56mm to 224mm enabling faster shutter speed and less chance of camera shake
• 2.0: digital zoom is fixed at the select zoom factor of 2.0x for a focal length of  70mm to 280mm enabling faster shutter speed and less chance of camera shake

Safety Zoom: Based on the number of recording pixels set, the Safety Zoom feature calculates the maximum zoom factor beyond which image quality will begin to deteriorate. The digital zoom will then pause at this zoom factor for a moment until you want to zoom even closer.

Optical Image Stabilizer: Canon's advanced Optical Image Stabilizer Technology corrects camera shake (common at long focal lengths and in low light) to keep your shots blur-free in any situation. The Optical Image Stabilizer uses gyroscopic sensors to detect motion and generate a corrective signal, effectively reducing camera shake. You can select from three Image Stabilizer modes.

• Continuous: You can check the effect of the IS mode on image blur on the LCD monitor since the IS mode runs continually. This makes it easier to compose images and focus on subjects.
• Shoot Only: Shoot Only IS mode is only activated when the shutter button is pressed. In Shoot Only mode, subject can be taken without concern for any unnatural movement that may appear on the LCD monitor.
• Panning: This option only stabilizes the effect of up and down camera motions on the image. This option is recommended for shooting objects moving horizontally.

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 1.4 shots per second.

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

• Face Detect: camera automatically detects the position of a face and uses the data to set the focus and exposure while shooting
• AiAF: camera automatically selects between 9 AF frames to focus on according to the shooting conditions
• Center: camera fixes the AF frame at the center; this is recommended when the target subject is at the center of the composition

Focus Lock/Safety Focus: If it becomes difficult to focus on the subject due to low contrast to the surroundings, close up and far away subjects in the same shot, or quickly moving subjects, you can choose to lock the focus or auto focus on an object at a similar distance, then shoot the picture after recomposing the shot.

AF Zoom: You can zoom the display of the AF frame to check focus when shooting or right after taking a shot.

Focusing Range: The camera features the following focus ranges:

• Normal: Use this mode when the distance from the end of the lens to the subject is 1.5' or greater.
• Macro: Use this mode to shoot close-ups of flowers or small items. You can shoot an image area of 2.3" x 1.7" at a minimum focusing distance of 2.0" when the camera's zoom is set to its wide-angle setting. You can shoot an image area of 3.0" x 2.2" at a minimum focusing distance of 12" when the camera's zoom is set to its telephoto setting.
• Manual/Easy: In Manual or Easy mode the camera can focus from 2" to infinity set at wide-angle and 12" to infinity set a telephoto
• Kids&Pets: In this mode the camera can focus from 3.3' to infinity throughout the wide-angle/telephoto setting

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.

Shooting Modes: The PowerShot A590 IS offers several different shooting modes that you can choose from using the camera's easy to use Mode Dial.

• Manual Mode: You can manually set the cameras shutter speed, aperture, ISO setting, white balance and color mode.

• Program AE Mode: The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture value to match the brightness of the scene. You cans et the ISO speed, exposure compensation and white balance.

• Program TV Mode: When you select the shutter speed, the camera automatically select an aperture value to match the brightness. Faster shutter speeds allows you to catch an instantaneous image of a moving subject, while slower speed create a flowing effect and allow you to shoot without a flash in dark areas.

• Program AV Mode: The aperture adjusts the amount of light entering through the lens. When you set the aperture, the camera automatically selects a shutter speed to match the brightness. Selecting a lower aperture value allows you to blur the background and crate a beautiful portrait. A higher aperture value brings the entire range from foreground to background into focus. The larger the aperture value, the greater the range of the image brought into clear focus.

• 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

  • Landscape: Optimized for shooting landscape scenes which contain both near and far subjects

  • 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
  • Night Scene: Allows you to capture people against the backdrop of an evening sky or night scene
  • 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. You can choose from the following movie modes.

  • Standard: Max recording time 1 hour or 4 GB

  • Compact: Small file size for e-mail, max clip length 3 minutes

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.

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

Flash Settings: You can make detail flash settings to fit the shooting condition.

• Flash Modes: 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
• Flash Exposure Compensation: Flash exposure compensation can be adjusted in the range of -2 to +2 stops in 1/3-stop increments. You can combine the flash exposure compensation with the camera's exposure compensation function for balance exposure of the background when shooting with a flash.
• Flash Output: The flash output can be controlled in three steps, up to Full when shooting.
• Red-Eye Correction: Automatically searches for and correct red eyes in the image when the flash fires.
• Red-Eye Lamp: This feature reduces the effect of light reflecting back from the eyes and making them appear red.
• Safety FE: The camera automatically changes the shutter speed or aperture value when the flash fires to avoid overexposing and blowing out the highlights in the scene.

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

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

Self-Timer: The self-timer starts when the shutter button is pressed. The delay time can be set to 10 seconds, 2 seconds, or custom. In the custom mode the timer options are 0-10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, and 30 seconds, and you can choose to take from 1 to 10 shots.

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, and French.

Lens Cap: The PowerShot A590 IS has a built-in electronic lens cap, it opens when you turn the camera on and closes when the camera is turned off.

Playback, Editing and Print Functions

Auto Rotate: The camera is equipped with an intelligent Orientation sensor that detect the orientation of an image shot with the camera held vertically and automatically rotates the image to the correct orientation when viewing it on the LCD monitor.

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.

Auto/My Category: If you set Auto Category to "On", images are automatically sorted into preset categories as they are recorded. The preset categories include - People, Scenery and Events. If you set the camera to My Category, you can choose which images go into the following categories - People, Scenery, Events, My Category 1-3 and To Do.

Intelligent 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.

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 nine 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
• My Category: jumps to the first image of each folder sorted by the Auto Category or My Category feature

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.

Focus Check Display: Focus Check display allows you to check the focus of image taken and allows you to easily check facial expressions and whether a subject's eyes are closed.  This feature can be set to allow you to check the focus of an image taken right after shooting the subject.

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.

Sound Memos: In playback mode you can attach sound memos up to 60 seconds to an image. The sound data is saved in WAV format.

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.

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

Print & Share Button: A new dedicated Print & Share button right on the camera makes direct printing on a Canon Card Photo or Direct Photo Printer easier than ever. Enjoy a full range of print features, including ID Photo Print in 28 sizes, and a Movie Print function that lets you print multiple stills from a recorded movie on a single sheet. The Print & Share feature is compatible with Canon CP, SELPHY or PIXMA photo printers as well as any PictBridge compatible photo printer.

Direct Print Function: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a CP-series printer that supports the Direct Print function. You can also connect the camera directly to certain Canon Bubble Jet printers. In this way, you can make prints directly from the camera without ever having to hook it up to a computer.

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.

DPOF Transfer Order: 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.

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.

Exif Print (Exif 2.2): The Canon PowerShot A590 IS 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 A590 IS 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.

• Auto Power Down: the camera power turns off approximately 3 minutes after the last record control is accessed on the camera or 5 minutes after the last playback control is accessed on the camera
• Display Off: the LCD monitor automatically turns off after the specified period of time if not control is access on the camera regardless  of the Auto Power Down setting; pressing any button other than the power button or change the camera orientation to turn the LCD monitor back on

Input and Output Notes

Digital Terminal: The PowerShot A590 IS has a USB 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 A590 IS comes supplied with the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk Ver. 33.0 CD-ROM. It contains the following programs.

• ZoomBrowser EX 6.1 (Windows): downloads, displays, organizes and edits your recorded images
• ImageBrowser 6.1 (MAC): downloads, displays, organizes and edits your recorded images
• TWAIN Driver 6.9: driver for Canon brand cameras
• PhotoStitch 3.1: use to merge still images to make panoramas

Minimum System Requirements:

Image Capacity

Estimated Image Capacity of memory cards: