Tips for the Canon PowerShot A710IS

The A710 has a macro mode for close-up photos.Jill Fromer/Photodisc/Getty Images

The Canon PowerShot A710IS is a beginner-level point-and-shoot camera. It offers the benefits of digital photography, such as instant photo review, without the high price tag of more advanced models. Although the A710IS' design makes it easy to use out of the box, you can immediately improve your shooting by using some of its less obvious features.

Continuous Shooting

The A710IS is capable of shooting up to 1.7 images per second, which can help you when you are shooting high-action subjects. Instead of timing the photo, you can simply hold the shutter button before a potential moment. To turn on continuous shooting, rotate the shooting dial to a mode other than "AUTO" and press the "Func." button. Navigate to the "Drive Mode" setting, which is the third from the top, and use the left and right arrow buttons to highlight the continuous mode, which looks like multiple frames. Press the "Func." button to apply the changes. Press and hold the shutter button to take photos until the memory card is unable to keep up.

This model has a dedicated "macro" mode for extreme close-ups. This mode lowers the required focusing distance of the camera so you can shoot subjects less than half an inch away. To use macro mode, press the "macro" button, which has an icon of a flower, on the back of the camera. Place the subject close to the lens and rotate the zoom dial to place the zoom out of range of the yellow bar on the liquid-crystal display screen.

When you are shooting in lowlight environments or shooting in movie mode, you may have difficulty keeping the camera steady even with the built-in image stabilization. An unsteady camera is a trademark of amateur work and makes viewing the file less appealing. You can stabilize your camera with a tripod. The A710IS has a standard tripod mount on the bottom that will fit most models. Screw in the tripod and place it where you would normally be standing. A stabilized camera on a tripod will prevent any accidental camera shake and produce still scene frames in video mode, allowing viewers to focus on the content.