digital still cameras

If you're familiar with your camera's options and settings, and you're the sole user of the camera, you'll probably want to leave all settings the way they are when you turn the camera off, so they'll be set the same way when you use the camera again. However, if you share the camera with others, or if the camera is new/unfamiliar to you, you may want to reset the camera's settings to its factory defaults. This way you'll know you haven't inadvertantly inherited settings you or someone else made when they previously used the camera.

Canon Rebel Default Settings

Press the Menu button and navigate (with the Jump button) to Setup menu #2, then down to "Clear Settings." You'll get two sets of default options: One to clear settings and one to clear functions. Clearing the settings resets options such as ISO, image resolution and compression, drive and metering mode, and exposure compensation. Clearing the functions resets custom functions such as mirror lockup, exposure level increments, and auto-focus assist beam (these are items you might have set earlier through the Custom Functions menu item). To be sure you've reset the camera completely, clear both the settings and functions.

Canon PowerShot G5 and Pro1 Default Settings

On the Canon PowerShot G5 and Pro1 cameras, you can easily restore the factory default settings by pressing the Menu button on the back of the camera for 5 seconds or longer.

When you get the "Reset settings to default?" prompt, use the right arrow on the Omni Selector button to select OK. Then press the Set button to restore the default settings. Now all you need to do is change the resolution and compression settings. On the PowerShot G5 and Pro1, go into camera mode for taking pictures, and then set the resolution by pressing the FUNC button.

Use the Omni Selector to scroll down to the bottom entry in the list for resolution. Then press the right or left arrows on the Omni Selector dial to move between and select one of the four or five settings:

• M2 or M3 for 1024 x 768 (recommended)

And press the FUNC button again to save the setting.

Next set the compression by again pressing the FUNC button.

Use the Omni Selector to scroll down to the second entry from the bottom in the list for compression.

Then press the right or left arrows on the Omni Selector dial to move between and select one of the three settings:

• The middle setting (Fine), which is recommended

And press the FUNC button again to save the setting.

Finally, turn the Mode dial on the top of the camera until the word AUTO (in green) lines up with the black line to the left of the dial.

Now if you want, you can personalize the menu settings or switch to a manual mode of shooting.

Canon PowerShot G1 Default Settings

On the Canon PowerShot G1 there's no simple way to reset all of the factory default settings. Instead you need to use the Menu to check all the settings for Record and Set Up.

To do this, first turn the outer ring of the dial on top of the camera from Off to the red camera icon.

Then press the Menu button on the back of the camera.

Use the down arrow on the Omni Selector dial to scroll down and select the items in the Record Menu. Then use the right and left arrows on the Omni Selector to scroll through and select a setting for each menu item.

Here are the recommended default settings for the Record Menu:

Now use the up arrow on the Omni Selector dial to scroll to the very top above the the menu selections, and then use the right arrow to select the Set up Menu.

Use the down arrow on the Omni Selector dial to scroll down and select the items in the Set Up Menu. Then use the right and left arrows on the Omni Selector to scroll through and select a setting for each menu item.

Here are the recommended default settings for the Set Up Menu:

When you're all done, press the Menu button again to preserve the settings.

Finally, turn the Mode dial on the top of the camera until the word AUTO (in green) lines up with the black line to the left of the dial.

Now if you want, you can personalize the menu settings or switch to a manual mode of shooting.