Canon PowerShot point-and-shoot cameras have several options for taking photographs, all of which help you control the conditions under which a photo is taken. A feature that many casual photographers look for in a point-and-shoot camera is a self-timer, which controls a delay between when the shutter button is pressed and when the camera shoots the picture.
Self-timer Uses
The most common reason to use the self-timer on a Canon PowerShot camera is to include yourself in a photograph. A 10-second delay after you press the shutter button gives you time to put yourself in the picture. You can also use the self-timer to reduce camera shake caused by the act of pressing the shutter button, particularly if conditions dictate that the shutter speed will be slow. Although it doesn't take much effort to press the shutter button, any camera shake can blur the image.
Delay Options
The Canon PowerShot self-timer allows you to set both the length of the delay before the shutter is triggered and the number of pictures the camera will take after the delay. The maximum delay is 30 seconds. You can set the camera to take up to 10 pictures after the delay.
Timer Settings
The navigation button on the back of many Canon PowerShot cameras has clock symbol on it, indicating the self-timer feature. Press the down navigation button to access the self-timer settings screen. On cameras without a self-timer button, press the "Func./Set" button to access the main menu. Press the navigation buttons to highlight the clock symbol and access the self-timer settings.
Shooting with the Self-Timer
Set the camera on a steady surface or tripod, and frame the picture. Hold the camera in your hands to frame the picture if you are attempting to reduce camera shake and don't want to use a steady surface. Press the shutter button halfway to focus, and then press it fully to start the timer. The camera takes the picture after the set delay.
Tags: shutter button, Canon PowerShot, after delay, camera shake, access self-timer
