ivDo not dropThe product may malfunction if subjectedto strong shocks or vibration.Keep dryThis product is not waterproof, and maymalfunction if immersed in water or ex-posed to high levels of humidity. Rustingof the internal mechanism can cause irrepa-rable damage.Avoid sudden changes in temperatureSudden changes in temperature, such asoccur when entering or leaving a heatedbuilding on a cold day, can cause conden-sation inside the device. To prevent con-densation, place the device in a carryingcase or a plastic bag before exposing it tosudden changes in temperature.Keep away from strong magnetic fieldsDo not use or store this device in the vicin-ity of equipment that generates strongelectromagnetic radiation or magneticfields. Strong static charges or the mag-netic fields produced by equipment such asradio transmitters could interfere with themonitor, damage data stored on thememory card, or affect the products inter-nal circuitry.Do not touch the shutter curtainThe shutter curtain is extremely thin andeasily damaged. Under no circumstancesshould you exert pressure on the curtain,poke it with cleaning tools, or subject it topowerful air currents from a blower. Theseactions could scratch, deform, or tear thecurtain.Handle all moving parts with careDo not apply force to the battery-chamber,card-slot, or connector covers. These partsare especially susceptible to damage.Cleaning When cleaning the camera body, use ablower to remove dust and lint, then wipegently with a soft, dry cloth. After usingyour camera at the beach or seaside, wipeoff any sand or salt using a cloth lightlydampened with pure water and then dryyour camera thoroughly. In rare in-stances, static electricity produced by abrush or cloth may cause the LCD displaysto light up or darken. This does not indi-cate a malfunction, and the display willshortly return to normal. When cleaning the lens and mirror, re-member that these elements are easilydamaged. Dust and lint should be gen-tly removed with a blower. When usingan aerosol blower, keep the can vertical(tilting the can could result in liquid beingsprayed on the mirror). If you do get afingerprint or other stain on the lens,apply a small amount of lens cleaner to asoft cloth and wipe the lens carefully. See Technical Notes: Caring for YourCamera for information on cleaning theCCD.Storage To prevent mold or mildew, store thecamera in a dry, well-ventilated area. Ifyou will not be using the product for longperiods, remove the battery to preventleakage and store the camera in a plasticbag containing a desiccant. Do not, how-ever, store the camera case in a plasticbag, as this may cause the material to de-teriorate. Note that desiccant graduallyloses its capacity to absorb moisture andshould be replaced at regular intervals. Do not store the camera with naphtha orcamphor moth balls, close to equipmentthat produces strong magnetic fields, orin areas subject to extremes of tempera-ture, for example near a space heater orin a closed vehicle on a hot day.Caring for the Camera and Battery