Top 20 Canon PowerShot S51S Digital Camera Questions & Answers

Although you can copy images from your computer to your camera, the camera will be unable to display them, so it is a pointless exercise.

If you were using autofocus for this, it is probable that there was insufficient contrast for the camera to maintain focus, causing it to 'hunt' for a viable focus point. Next time you try, set the lens / camera combination to manual focus, at the hyperfocal distance for the aperture you are using.

You may view/download the manual at Canon PowerShot S51S Digital Camera User Manuals Guides

hi , check the image setting on the camera if it is kept of burst mode , change it back to single frame shooting, hope this helps

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

I hope you received some help already by this time. However, just for other readers shake, your issues has to do with your camera's settings. There are two things that initially determine the quality of pictures and these are: 1. Exposure and 2.Shutter speed I believe your pictures are dark because settings on your camera feature a combination of fast shutter-speed with a lower value of aperture. Try adjusting those or shoot with a pre-programmed mode under different lighting conditions.

Check my tip to your first question.

Hi Tony, I note you modified your question twice on this problem. I offered some tips for you on the first question so check if that helps. My tips are based on experience. I believe it is a mater of under-exposure on your pictures and you can correct it if you do a correct combination on the settings. Get hold of a manual of your camera and check all its capabilities. There may be a few features in your camera you are not familiar with yet - so check.

In the manual you can read how to set Tv, fro 15 seconds to 1/3200 second and lots of settings in between. every time half the time of the former one. It is on Pag. 63 , 64 and 65. The camera does not have Bulb. (press the shutter once to open the shutter and after some time press a second time to close the shutter.

What's the question? Are you asking about a lens or a driver? You don't need a driver in order to use your camera. The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Try these procedures.

Hi Kris - If the camera worked before changing the batteries, but now it doesn't; check the batteries for proper insertion. If just one battery was installed incorrectly, the camera will not power up. Also, check the charge of the batteries. If even a single dead battery was included in the mix of new batteries, the camera will not power up either.If all these conditions check out ok, the problem may be related to defective hardware (power switch, lens, etc.). When the camera is powered on, it goes through a quick self test. If any of these self tests fail, the camera shuts off immediately. This will often require that the camera be evaluated professionally. Hopefully, you'll find the problem is battery related.

Are the pictures taken by the camera also black? If so, a stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras (particularly for the S2 through S5 IS model cameras). The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

I know that you've also tried the tiny locking slide switch on the side of the card? But if so, the next thing to try is the lock switch in the camera itself. See the "toothpick fix" in this link.

Time to start using a card reader.

If the camera displays Memory card error, No Memory Card, or takes an abnormally long time to write an image to the memory card, when a memory card is inserted or any of the above error messages, make sure that the card is inserted properly. For SD card, make sure that the card lock switch is in the correct position and not stuck in-between.Try formating the memory card ,if after formatting the card in the camera the error persists, try another memory card. If this occurs with only the one card it is likely that the memory card is defective, if the error persists over more than one card the camera may require service.

From page 156 of the "Advanced Camera User Guide":

The file name could not be created because there is an image with the same name as the folder that the camera is attempting to create, or the highest possible file number has already been reached. In the Set up menu, set [File Numbering] to [Auto Reset]; alternatively, save all the images you with to retain onto a computer, then reformat the memory card. Please note that formatting will erase all the existing images and other data.

Hi. I was in a live session with you earlier. What happened were you disconnected? If yes then please click on the re-connect with eagle 338 link on the right hand side of the chat window. And I hope you have seen the article that I have linked to about imagesensor problems. Since it is under warranty, shipping it to Canon is the way to go.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.