User manual
User Manual Critique
Robert L. Jordan, Sr
ENG/221
February 14, 2011
Janet Chappell
User Manual Critique Canon PowerShot SX130 IS
I. Introduction
The user manual I have chosen to critique is from Canon Inc. for the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS camera, a digital camera with High Definition capabilities. It can shoot in 720p HD video with stereo sound. The SX130 also has a large 3 inch LED screen with high resolution and a wide viewing angle. It also has a 12 X digital zoom for perfect pictures from close ups to wide angle shots of the whole gang. Advanced Smart Auto detects and analyzes faces, brightness, colors, distance and movement, then selects an appropriate setting based on 28 predefined shooting situations. The complete manual can be found at http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0300003855/04/PSSX130IS_CUG_EN_03.pdf .
II. Document Organization
This user manual has 180 pages divided into ten chapters. The first five chapters explain the basic use of the camera and the final five chapters expand on that knowledge by showing advanced functions. The first five chapters cover such topics as getting started, learning more about your camera, shooting with commonly used functions, choosing settings yourself, and getting more out of your camera. The last five chapters concern more advanced topics such as using various functions for shooting movies, using the various playback and editing functions, printing, customizing camera settings, and useful information such menus, and information displayed on the screen. Canon.com (2011) III. Layout
The user manual utilizes a two columns page layout to display the Table of Contents and a single column format with graphics to display the rest of the manual.
IV. Use of Visuals
The user manual liberally uses visuals in the form of graphics to illustrate key points, demonstrate and explain difficult passages. They are very helpful in terms of showing what needs to be done. There are virtually visuals on practically every page.
V. Written Instructions
The written instructions are very well written. The use of technical terms is kept to a bare minimum. They are concise and to the point without being wordy. It is very easy to follow these instructions because they explain without over explaining, or the use of highly technical terms.
VI. Overall Appearance
The user manual has a clean crisp appearance with all elements in their proper place. The written instructions and accompanying graphics are well thought out and concisely worded. They are formatted with the end user in mind.
VII. Conclusion
This manual is very well written. It uses graphics liberally to instruct and demonstrate key points. This manual is simple enough for a child to understand. It uses concise crisp language to instruct and guide.
References
Canon.com http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/ 