DC-1088
USER MANUAL
Package Contents:
Argus DC-1088 Digital Camera
User Guide
USB Cable
Wrist Strap
Installation CD
3 AAA Batteries
Table of Contents
Safety And General Information .......................3
Getting To Know Your Camera .........................5
Before Using The Camera ................................7
Operating The Camera .....................................7
Installing The Software ...................................12
Downloading Photos .......................................13
Frequently Asked Questions ...........................15
Specification ....................................................16
2
Safety and General Information
Thank you for purchasing the Argus DC-1088.  
Please read this manual carefully before using 
the camera and follow the instructions to avoid 
any damage that could be caused by improper 
operation.
We built in a 4X16Mb SDRAM memory in this 
camera.  When you install the driver in your 
computer, you can connect your camera to your 
computer with a USB cable, the computer will 
automatically detect a new portable device and 
now you can download or copy the photos 
saved to the memory to your computer.
Caution
The software CD-ROM packaged with the 
camera is designed to be used with a personal 
computer only.  Do not attempt to play this 
CD-ROM on a stereo or CD player as this may 
cause damage to both the disc and the CD 
player.  
Before Using Your Camera 
Use your camera to shoot several trial images 
before taking pictures of important subjects to 
ensure proper operation. 
Any loss caused by the malfunction of this 
product (such as costs of photography or loss of 
benefit generated by the photography) is not the 
responsibility of Argus Camera Company and no 
compensation will be given for it. 
3
Copyright Information
Unless agreed by the rightful owner, pictures 
taken with this digital camera cannot be used in 
violation of copyright law.  Moreover, when there 
is a “No Photography” restriction in place, you 
cannot record any performance, improvisation, 
or exhibit even for personal use.  Any transfer of 
pictures or memory cards with data must be 
conducted under the constraints of copyright 
law.
Caution when using the camera
This product consists of intricate electrical parts. 
To ensure the camera photographs normally, do 
not drop or hit the camera when taking pictures.  
Avoid using or placing the camera in the 
following locations:
1. Damp and dusty places.
2. Sealed vehicles or other places exposed to 
direct sunlight or subject to extremely tempera-
tures.
Do not open the battery cover when the power is 
on as this may cause a loss of images.
If the camera has gotten wet, immediately turn 
the power OFF and remove the batteries.  
This camera is a precision electronic device.  Do 
not attempt to service this camera yourself.  
Opening or removing the cover may expose you 
to dangerous voltages or other risks.  Further, 
avoid exposing this camera to direct sunlight as 
doing so could cause a fire.  Do not attempt to 
dry it with an external heat source.
4
How to maintain your camera
1. If the lens, LCD display, or viewfinder is dirty, 
use the accompanying cleaning cloth to wipe the 
surface clean.  Avoid touching these areas with 
your fingers.
2. When not in use, keep the camera in its 
carrying case, otherwise you risk scratching the 
lens, LCD display or viewfinder.
Getting To Know Your Camera
10
9
8
11
12
Digital Camera
6
5
4
7
13
1
2
3
1  Power on/off  8. Operation-on light
2. UP 
 
3. DOWN 
4. Charge light 
5. LCD 
6. Viewfinder 
7. Lens
9. Flash
10. Shutter Button
11. Strap holder  
12. USB port 
13. Battery cover
 
5
Button
Shutter Button
This button has two functions:
Shoot - Press this button for more than 1 
second to take pictures.
Select - During mode change, press this 
button to confirm the selected function.
ON/OFF button:
Press this button to turn the camera on.  
Press again to turn the camera off.
Note: The camera turns off after 60 seconds 
of inactivity. 
LCD Icon Display
SXGA
VGA HQ
LCD Display
           Flash mode
           Self-timer - delayed snap shot
           Burst mode - takes 3 continuous pictures
           Hi/Low quality: 
            *LQ: compression ration is ON
            *HQ: compression is OFF
  AVI   Video mode (frame rate is about 8 fps)
           Battery status - displays the battery 
condition
50/60  Eliminates the flicker effect on the image
           Deletes the last picture taken
           Deletes all the pictures taken
           Memory is full
SXGA Resolution 1280 x 1008
 VGA   Resolution 640 x 480
6
Operating the Camera
Press the mode button to change the settings 
of the camera.  The mode setting cycles by 
pressing the Up and Down button.
 
SXGA
H Q
s ta ndby s ta te
fla s h light s etting
Down             Up
ima ge qua lity
SXGA
dele te choos e
ima ge s iz e
freque ncy s etting
s e lf mode s e tting
ca pture  mode
Flash Mode
 
 
                    or  
 
 
 
 or
Press the UP/Down button and select “      “.  
Change the setting by pressing Up and Down 
to make  the selection and press the shutter 
button to confirm.
          - AUTO mode: the flash fires whenever 
there is insufficient brightness
          - ON mode: the flash fires everytime a 
picture is taken.
           - OFF mode: the flash does go off.
7
Note: When flash is charging,  “          ” will blink 
on the LCD display. If the battery is low and the 
flash is on AUTO or ON mode, the “        “ will 
blink on the LCD display and the camera will not 
take picture.
Image Quality  
 
 
HQ
 
or
 
HQ
Press the UP/Down button and select LO/HI.  
Change the mode by pressing Up or Down to 
make the selection and press the shutter button 
to confirm.
Image Size 
 
 
SXGA
 
or
 
VGA
Press the UP/Down button and select the 
SXGA/VGA.  Change the mode by pressing the 
Up or Down to make the selection and press 
the shutter button to confirm.
8