PowerShot S120 Support

FAQs & troubleshooting

Switching Shooting Modes and Scene (SCN) Modes (PowerShot S120)

Content Id: 8201911300

Solution

Switching to Auto (Smart Auto) Mode
Switching to Hybrid Auto Mode
Switching to other Shooting Modes
Switching to [P] Mode
Switching to Tv, Av, M, or C Mode

The procedure for switching shooting modes is explained below.

Switching to Auto (Smart Auto) Mode

For fully automatic selection of the optimal settings for specific scenes, simply let the camera determine the subject and shooting conditions.

1. Press the power button to turn the camera on.

2. Set the mode dial to ⋖ ⋗.

Aim the camera at the subject. The camera will make a slight clicking noise as it determines the scene.

・Icons representing the scene are displayed in the upper left of the screen.

・Frames displayed around any detected subjects indicate that they are in focus.

Switching to Hybrid Auto Mode

You can make a short movie of the day just by shooting still images. The camera records 2 – 4-second clips of scenes before each shot, which are later combined in a digest movie.

1. Press the power button to turn the camera on.

2. Set the mode dial to ⋖ ⋗.

As the camera records 2 – 4-second clips of scenes before each shot, aim the camera at subjects about four seconds before shooting still images for more impressive digest movies

Some camera sounds will be muted. Sounds are not played when you press the shutter button halfway or trigger the self-timer.

Caution

Battery life is shorter in this mode than in [

] mode, because digest movies are recorded for each shot.

A digest movie may not be recorded if you shoot a still image immediately after turning the camera on, choosing [

] mode, or operating the camera in other ways.

Camera operating sounds will be recorded in digest movies.

Switching to other Shooting Modes

Shoot more effectively in various scenes, and take shots enhanced with unique image effects or captured using special functions.

1. Press the power button to turn the camera on.

2. Set the mode dial to one of the modes within the area shown in the image below.

The setting procedure for ⋖Scene⋗ () mode is shown here for the purposes of illustration. ⋖Creative Filter⋗ () mode can also be set by using the procedure explained.

3. Press the ⋖FUNC./SET⋗ () button to access the setting screen.

4. The following screen appears.

Press the ⋖ ⋗⋖⋗ buttons or turn the ⋖Control dial⋗ to choose [Shooting Mode].

If the settings have not been changed, [Portrait] () is set by default.

Press the ⋖FUNC./SET⋗ () button to access the setting.

Press the ⋖⋗⋖ ⋗ buttons or turn the ⋖Control dial⋗ to choose the desired [Shooting Mode].

Press the ⋖FUNC./SET⋗ () button.

5. The following screen appears.

If the setting for the desired [Shooting Mode] is displayed in the upper left of the LCD screen, the setting is complete.

The available shooting modes are listed below.

Mode Dial	Scene		Shooting mode	Effect
	Shooting in Various Conditions	Shoot portraits	[Portrait] ()	Take shots of people with a softening effect.
		Shoot evening scenes without using a tripod	[Handheld NightScene] ()	•Beautiful shots of evening scenes or portraits with evening scenery in the background, without the need to hold the camera very still (as with a tripod).
		Shoot evening scenes without using a tripod	[Handheld NightScene] ()	•A single image is created by combining consecutive shots, reducing camera shake and image noise.
		Shoot underwater	[Underwater] ()	•Natural-colored shots of sea life and underwater scenery, when you use an optional waterproof case
		Shoot underwater	[Underwater] ()	•This mode can correct white balance and match the effect of using a commercially available color-compensating filter
		Shoot with snowy backgrounds	[Snow] ()	Bright, natural-colored shots of people against snowy backgrounds.
		Shoot fireworks	[Fireworks] ()	Vivid shots of fireworks.
	Adding Effects and Shooting	Shoot in vivid colors	[Super Vivid] ()	Shots in rich, vivid colors.
		Posterized shots	[Poster Effect] ()	Shots that resemble an old poster or illustration.
		Shooting High-Contrast Scenes	[High Dynamic Range] (HDR)	Three consecutive images are captured at different brightness levels each time you shoot, and the camera combines image areas with optimal brightness to create a single image. This mode can reduce the washed-out highlights and loss of detail in shadows that tends to occur in high-contrast shots.
		Shooting with Faded Colors	[Nostalgic] ()	This effect makes colors look faded and images look weathered, as in old photographs. Choose from five effect levels.
		Shooting with a Fish-Eye Lens Effect	[Fish-eye Effect] ()	Shoot with the distorting effect of a fish-eye lens.
		Shots Resembling Miniature Models	[Miniature Effect] ()	Creates the effect of a miniature model, by blurring image areas above and below your selected area.
		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.
		Shooting with a Soft Focus Effect	[Soft Focus Effect] ()	This function allows you to shoot images as if a soft focus filter were attached to the camera. You can adjust the effect level as desired.
		Shooting in Monochrome	[Monochrome] ()	Shoot images in black and white, sepia, or blue and white.
		Auto Shooting after Face Detection	[Smart Shutter] ()	The camera can be set to shoot after detecting a smile [Smile Detection], wink [Wink Self-Timer], or the face of another person after they have entered the shooting area [Face Self-Timer]
		Shooting Starry Skies	[Star] ()	You can shoot night scenes under starry skies [Star Nightscape], star trails [Star Trails], or shoot movies of star movement [Star Time-Lapse Movie].
	Shooting Various Movies	Shooting Movies	[Movie] ()	You can lock or change image brightness before shooting to make movement look smoother.
	Shooting Various Movies	Shooting Super Slow Motion Movies	[Super Slow Motion Movie] ()	You can shoot fast-moving subjects for playback later in slow motion.

Caution

Please review the additional information for the shooting modes listed below.

Additionally, try taking some test shots first, to make sure you obtain the desired results.

[Handheld NightScene] ()

Subjects appear larger compared to other modes.

Because the camera will shoot continuously, hold it steady while shooting.

[Handheld NightScene] (), [Underwater] ()

shots may look grainy because the ISO speed is increased to suit the shooting conditions.

[Fireworks] ()

Mount the camera on a tripod or take other measures to keep it still and prevent camera shake. Additionally, you should set [IS Mode] to [Off] when using a tripod or other means to secure the camera

[Miniature Effect] ()

The zoom is not available when shooting movies. Be sure to set the zoom before shooting.

[Smile Detection] ()

Switch to another mode when you finish shooting, or the camera will continue shooting each time a smile is detected.

[Star Nightscape] (), [Star Trails] () [Star Time-Lapse Movie] ()

Optical zoom is set to maximum wide angle and cannot be adjusted.

[Star Trails] ()

If the camera runs out of battery power, shooting stops and a composite image created from the images up to that point is saved.

[Star Time-Lapse Movie] ()

If the camera runs out of battery power or memory card space, shooting stops and a movie created from the images up to that point is saved.

Maximum available shooting duration varies depending on free space on the memory card.

[Super Slow Motion Movie] ()

Zooming is not available during recording, even if you move the zoom lever.

Focus, exposure, and color are determined when you press the movie button.

Switching to [P] Mode

More discerning shots, in your preferred shooting style.

1. Press the power button to turn the camera on.

2. Set the mode dial to ⋖⋗.

Customize the settings as desired, and then shoot.

Caution

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 or activating the flash (if subjects are dark), which may enable adequate exposure.

Movies can be recorded in ⋖

⋗ mode as well, by pressing the movie button. However, some ⋖

⋗ and ⋖

⋗ settings may be automatically adjusted for movie recording.

Switching to Tv, Av, M, or C Mode

Take smarter, more sophisticated shots, and customize the camera for your shooting style.

1. Press the power button to turn the camera on.

The settings that can be made in each mode are explained below:

Tv Mode... Set your preferred shutter speed before shooting. The camera automatically adjusts the aperture value to suit your shutter speed.

Av Mode... Set your preferred aperture value before shooting. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to suit your aperture value.

M Mode... Set your preferred shutter speed and aperture value to obtain the desired exposure.

C mode...Save commonly used shooting modes and your configured function settings for reuse. To access saved settings later, simply turn the mode dial to [C].

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