Among the features that can be enabled for supported camera models are the following:

• Shooting in RAW / DNG (Fast SD card is beneficial)
• Live histogram
• Always visible battery indicator
• manual settings for many parameters that would not be available otherwise
• Zebra mode
• Shutter speeds from 1/40.000 to 64 seconds
• Scripting interface (uBasic & LUA)
• Games (sokoban & reversi)
• Bracketing
• Timelapse Videos over weeks or months with external power supplies & eye-fi wireless sd cards
• Motion detection with response times of just 60ms or less
• a lot more

The most interesting aspect of the development kit is that the new functionality is gained by loading files from a memory card which does not modify the original firmware of the digital camera.

It also means that it is possible to reset the camera by shutting it down and firing it up again. International users can download the most recent builds from the CHDK-SVN autobuild listing. It has to be noted that each supported camera and each firmware of that digital camera needs its own build.

The first step in the process is to check if the camera is running a compatible firmware. The easiest way to check is to read the CHDK for Dummies guide which explains that and more.

The same guide contains information on how to use CHDK with a compatible camera. It is not that complicated but may take some time on the first run. Again, check the guide or a connected user forum if you have questions about the process.

Users with compatible Canon digital cameras can add useful features to their cameras this way.

The benefits of using the so called Canon Hacker’s Development Kit, which is Open Source by the way, are manifold. Among other features pictures can be saved in RAW format, videos can be recorded with a length of up to 1 hour, faster shutter speeds, longer exposure time, additional data display on the LCD and more.

If you would like to try this you need to make sure that your digital camera is supported. Many Canon Powershot and Canon Digital Ixus models are supported right now. You’ll also need a SD card and a SD card reader to add the files of the firmware to the SD card.

Now you simply download the appropriate firmware, put it on the SD card and do the following to manually load the new firmware.

• Start the Camera in Play mode
• Press the Menu button and select “firm update”, say yes when asked if you want to update. Remember it’s not permanent
• The Camera will reboot and if everything worked fine you will run the new firmware
• If the camera hangs it is not compatible with this firmware. Remove the batteries then and place them in again.

The FAQ on the developers homepage contains information on how to load the new firmware automatically once you checked that it is working correctly.