Howdy Canon SX20 IS owners! Looking for a downloadable or printable version of the SX20 IS manual? In this post you’ll find a couple quick links for the PowerShot SX20 IS User Guide along with some download instructions. Here you go…
You can instantly download the official Canon SX20 IS user guide by clicking here (this PDF manual is provided by Canon).
If you’d rather download the manual from Canon’s official website, just go to the SX20 IS resource page located here: www.usa.canon.com
- Once you’ve accessed the SX20 IS resource page, scroll down to the “Guides & Manuals” section.
- Locate the one labeled “PowerShot SX20 IS Camera User Guide“.
- Then click on the PDF link to download the manual instantly to your computer.
Those of you who don’t know what a PDF is, it’s basically a digital document that you can view instantly on your computer. Most computers come pre-installed with Adobe Reader which is a free software program used to display PDF documents. Just Google “Adobe Reader” to find the latest version available on Adobe’s website.
Written by Moose on Friday, May 21, 2010
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I have the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and have used it many times. Now I cannot get the macro function turned on. Pressing the round button to the left (over the macro icon) does nothing. Does this mean I should send it for repair or is there something else I should try?
my LCD screen wont work when i flip it over to use it i have hit the display button and no luck any idea whats going on
I misplaced the disc for my Power Shot SX20IS. I love the camera and wish to obtain another. Or, is there a PDF on lne I can access? Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Earl
Hello, my SX20 flash, have only one option: Automatic. If I press the flash button (after reading carefully the manual), I only see the automatic set. Are I doing something wrong, or have I a software problem?
Thank You!
2 QUESTIONS:
My SX20 doesn’t record video well at all.
1) I’ve tried class 4 to 10 SD cards and 2 to 4 GB range. Playback on pc and on camera itself is an annoying jerking motion…help?
2) I want a detachable bounce flash to use as master and slave flash…..is there on avail for this camera?
Hello,
I have a canon powershot sx20is , how can I get a good shot in sports mode, becue my pictures come out blurry? Is there something I’m doing wrong?
in some of my photo’s (not all) the corners are blackened almost like a border. there is nothing obstrusting the lense. any ideas on how i can prevent this from happening.
Probably the plastic shade over the lens is attached
@ shannon
It is because of the hood. when you zoom and take pictures usually d hood obstructs.
Memory card error message displayed, went and bought a new memory card, same message displayed, Dont know what to do
Low level formating the memory card may solve the problem.its im the manual.
Cannon Power shot XS20 is
Camera shuts down {off} after 10 min. regardless of new batteries?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
In vermoed dat uw camera op de spaarstand staat. Via het tabje met het gereedschap kan dat worden uitgezet.
I am having problems with my Canon PowerShot SX20 camera and right before Christmas. When I turn it on it says memory card error. I change the memory card but it still says it. I am going nuts as I do not know what to do and I def want my camera for Christmas. I have only had this camera for 1 year and 3 months
Hi,
It seems that my camera has some dead pixels, as I have a white spot that appears at the same place on all my pictures (unfortunately, right in the middle of the pictures). It is small, but nevertheless annoying.
Is there a way to fix this problem?
Thanks,
Luc
Have you checked the lens itself?
i have problem with a canon sx20is;it doesn’t recognize 2 or 4 or 16 gb sd cards;i think there is a mechanical problem;i think the lever do’t step inside notch to create condition that card is inside; it said; memory card error; it’s very difficult to see inside the hole where stay card;i think it is dangerous to demount myself camera but in ploiesti there is not a good specialist for this; if you have a suggestion please help me; thank you
My computer isn’t detecting my camera all of a sudden. Never had problems with it before. Had it about 2yrs and just now my computer doesn’t recognize it. I can’t even find it under “Computer.” Is there a way to fix it? I don’t think I have the CD-ROM that came with the camera anymore. Or is there another way to get my pics on my computer?
I know this might sound like a stupid question, but did you remember to turn your camera on?
I bought a SX20IS on Ebay. I don’t have any accessories. What do I need?
Camera newbie here, I have a Canon PowerShot SX20IS.
How can I tell when batteries are getting low? I don’t want to miss the great shot with low battery…
the camera slows down or wont turn on. its best to keep a spare in your purse or bag
I like to take pics at concerts.Only setting so far that works decent is sports setting but flash does not work in this setting.Any suggestions I’m not the greatest photographer.
camera will not turn on after instaling new batteries
we changed the batteries tried to turn on camera it would not turn on. checked batteries cover etc anybody any ideas.please
was wondering how to turn my LCD screen back on, it will only let me look through the eye part to see everything??
Keep pressing the display button at the right bottom
A Newbie to the digital camera world. I love my SX20 IS but i haven’t be able to figure out how to take action shots indoors that aren’t blurred. Most turn out but as many don’t but still would like to fix the problem if possible.
Thank You –
TeddyMakwa
I’m trying to take a close up shot of an expensive diamond ring. Am indoors with artifical lighting (office). What would be the best setting to use to maximise the clarity, colour & detail etc please. Thanks a heap from an amateur photographer.
how to cancel the date/time that appears on my photos
I know how to change the date/time but want to turn off that feature
Hello Moose,
I just bought an SX20 a week ago and am trying out many of the features. The most advanced camera I have used to date is the Sony Cybershot (which takes great photos).
I am perplexed by the color accent. I have recently found a photo on Flickr that was made with an SX10. I feel sure that the SX20 must be able to do this, but I can’t figure out how. I have studied page 103 of the manual to no avail.
I am enclosing the link to the photo. Flickr gives all the settings for each photo, but I really don’t understand what I am looking for. I must admit that I haven’t had a chance to use my camera in such picturesque surroundings!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43153185@N00/5648176896/
Many thanks for you help.
That photo was touched up in Photoshop
I have another query, I was at a wedding yesterday, i was taking photo’s as you do and at times I was unable to take pictures quickly.. After having taken a photo the camera would not let me shoot again for about 4 or 5 seconds approx, i would press the button and nothing would happen.
There was a professional camera man at the event too so I asked him about this issue, he wasnt too sure but said it could be that the internal flash takes times to recycle.
Those who had DSLR’s at the wedding were way ahead of me with there continuous shooting. Is this delay a flaw in the SX20IS? Missed a few good shots due to this.
i didn’t see a response to this…cause i have the same beef about that happening…Lesa
turn off the preview (it lets you look at the pic you have just taken ) in the menu thats whats stopping the next pic …
regards rob
Hi i need to know how mto set my canon powershot sx20 is to black and white from the camera but i cant find it anywhere – Zara
Hi..I have the same camera and just figured it out myself. I have the dial at the top of the camera set to Tv, and then you touxh the function set button and scroll down to the second icon from the top called My colors and then scoll across the bottom of your lcd screen and you have several options (my colors, vivid, neutral, sepia, black and white etc) hope this helps. You should try the sepia, it gives the brown tones like old fashioned photos. Hope this helps you.
Hi Moose!
I have the SX20is. When I turn the flash off and take pictures they come out blurry. not sharp at all. What could I be doing wrong?
Also.. where is the setting to hold down the camera button to do multi-burst?
Howdy Shak,
You’re not doing anything wrong…you’re just experiencing the difficulty of shooting in low light. Cameras need light in order to correctly expose a photo. When shooting in low light, the camera will do two things to get an accurate exposure…
1. Lengthen the shutter speed to allow more light into the camera. Longer shutter speeds will effectively lead to both camera shake and subject blur.
2. Increase the ISO or digital film sensitivity. Increased ISO numbers mean more image noise, also known as film grain.
You got two options for shooting low light images without flash…
For motionless subjects, you can leave the ISO set to 100 and mount your SX20IS to a tripod. This will allow you to get your hands off the camera to ensure sharp results.
For subjects that move, you’ll have to increase the ISO until you get a fast enough shutter speed to freeze subject movement. Generally speaking you need a shutter speed around 1/125 for portraits and 1/500+ for sports or fast movement.
You can enable continuous burst mode inside the SX20IS menu system by navigation to the ‘Drive Mode’ option. Reference page 75 of the manual for more info.
Happy shooting!
- Moose
Many thanks for the desriptive reponse Moose! :)
I have another query, I was at a wedding yesterday, i was taking photo’s as you do and at times I was unable to take pictures quickly.. After having taken a photo the camera would not let me shoot again for about 4 or 5 seconds approx, i would press the button and nothing would happen.
There was a professional camera man at the event too so I asked him about this issue, he wasnt too sure but said it could be that the internal flash takes times to recycle.
Those who had DSLR’s at the wedding were way ahead of me with there continuous shooting. Is this delay a flaw in the SX20IS? Missed a few good shots due to this.
Moose,
Great site. I downloaded some software for my son’s fisherprice camer and since that time whenever I plug in my Powershot SX20 IS the download program does not appear and I can’t find it anywhere on my computer. Is there a way I can download that program again. It made managing pictures between the camer and computer so easy. Currently I have to use the Microsoft camera download wizard and it is so much more difficult to use.
Thanks Moose!
I was wondering how to find the frame by frame setting on the camera when shooting video. Hopefully it shows the time as well as the frame number. thx :)
Ennair,
You can advance frame by frame in playback…refer to page 112 of the manual. Best of luck!
- Moose
Can anyone tell me how to get the camera back to ISO 3200!
I had the setting there for a while and can’t get it back. It took the nest pictures at that setting. I’ve had three other people try to figure it out and still no luck.
JP,
Rotate the mode dial to SCN and then use the wheel to select ISO 3200. Happy shooting!
- Moose
Hi,
When i shoot in the auto mode, I feel the pictures are low in contrast. Same happens if I switch to manual mode and have the exposure meter set at middle.
If i take these pictures to a photo editor and increase the contrast, the pictures look natural.
What could be wrong with my camera or the way i am taking pictures. This happens specifically when i am taking pictures in strong sunlight [even if the sun is behind the camera]
Thanks
kghosh
KG,
Shoot me a link to some of your images and I’d be glad to help you out.
- Moose
hi i have a canon power shot SX20 IS camera and i was wondering if it had the setting where a photo can be black and white but you can add colour to a certain part for example make the eyes blue and the rest of the photo black and white? thank you
Taryn,
Yes, on page 103 of the manual it references the ‘Color Accent’ feature. This will allow you to keep the color in your subjects eyes, while everything else is black and white. Best of luck!
- Moose
for some reason I’m having trouble pulling up the user guide, which i assume are the complete instructions on using this camera. the small “getting started” booklet is not very helpful.
From now on, I’ll buy no products that come withouit good instructions.
Bill,
If you’re having problems downloading the PDF manual, make sure your computer has Adobe Reader installed. You can download Adobe Reader for free at the Adobe website.
You can also call Canon support in your country and they can mail you a printed manual.
- Moose