The interface of the S70 is identical
to the interface of the S60, yet another of the many features
these two cameras have in common. This is an interface that has
seen a bit of updating with the newest Canon cameras, but which
is essentially the same as has been used on a wide number of
Canon cameras. The camera functions are controlled via two separate
menu systems, the first being the menu
which overlays a menu of the most commonly needed settings, the
second providing a menu that is composed of 3 sections, the first
of which corresponding to the camera's current mode.
Of the three sections that make up the recording and playback menus, one
section offers access to Setup options:
Mute: ON or OFF. Silences all camera sounds.
Volume: serves to adjust the volume from 1 to 5 levels
or off, for:
Start-up.
Operation.
Self-timer.
Shutter.
Playback.
LCD Brightness: to adjust the LCD monitor's brightness
(Normal or Bright).
Power Saving: determines the delay after which the
camera will shut down the monitor if there is no activity (10,
20, 30 seconds, or 1, 2, 3 minutes).
Date/Time: sets the time and date on the camera and
the date format.
Format: serves to format a memory card or microdrive.
The capacity of the card in use is displayed in the menu
next to the format option.
File No. Reset: ON or OFF. When On, images start
to be numbered from 1 again.
Auto Rotate: ON or OFF. When on, images captured
vertically are rotated automatically during playback (this
option is independent of the rotate option offered in the
Playback menu).
Distance Unit: selects the distance units used when
the camera is set to manual focus (metres or feet).
Video System: sets the video out signal, NTSC or
PAL.
The Canon PowerShot S70 shares its manual with the S60. Instructions
and explanations are clear and every function of the camera is
covered.
Software
Two discs are included with the
S70. The most critical is Canon's Digital Camera Solution
Disk, which contains all the necessary drivers for both
Windows and Macintosh as well as Canon's ZoomBrowser
EX, PhotoRecord, Photo Stitch and Remote
Capture.
ZoomBrowser (shown at right) presents photos as thumbnails. Placing
the mouse cursor over any one photo magnifies it, making it easier to see
if this is the desired image.
ZoomBrowser is the primary tool
to see all photos, including RAW shots, and to launch a number
of applications, including the RAW file converter. The RAW file
converter can be used to adjust or alter the photographic settings
that were recorded as part of the RAW image file. In addition,
ZoomBrowser can be used to do some simple editing to images once
it has been double-clicked in the index window. Adjustments for
brightness, contrast, and saturation can be made, and so can
the colour balance using the controls over the RGB components
of the photo.
ZoomBrowser also serves to access other programs that are part of the Canon
Digital Camera Solution disc. One of these is Remote Capture,
a program that makes it possible to control the camera from the computer
while it is connected via USB. Remote Capture (shown at left) serves to
control most photographic parameters, including the shooting mode, white
balance and flash and even the position of the zoom.
PhotoRecord, another application
called up by ZoomBrowser, serves to organize and create album
page layouts that can be printed. And PhotoStitch serves
to assemble series of images captured with the S70 into panoramic
images.
The second CD contains ArcSoft
Camera Suite 2.1 which is composed of two programs: PhotoStudio
5.5 and VideoImpression 2, for all
Windows versions from 98 SE up to XP; and Photostudio 4.3 and VideoImpression
1.6, for Macintosh OS 9.x and X.
PhotoStudio allows image editing and printing, offering some functions
that are different from those of ZoomBrowser. VideoImpression, as its name
indicates, allows editing the video clips recorded with the S70.
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Interface & Software
menu
which overlays a menu of the most commonly needed settings, the
second providing a menu that is composed of 3 sections, the first
of which corresponding to the camera's current mode.
