Is CHDK safe to use on a Canon compact for timelapse, and can it be removed easily?
Asked 8/4/2011
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2 answers
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I want to shoot timelapse with a Canon PowerShot A590 IS. Unlike some DSLRs, it can’t be controlled the way I’ve used gphoto2 over USB on another camera, so CHDK seems like the main option.
How safe is CHDK in practice? Does it make permanent changes to the camera, and is it easy to go back to the original setup if I don’t want to use it anymore? I’m mainly interested in whether it’s mature and reliable enough for features like timelapse and RAW capture.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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As you can see right on the main CHDK wiki - "Temporary – No permanent changes are made to the camera." You also can find very detailed information in the FAQ here.
Basically - Yes you are hacking your camera. So things can happen that the original manufacturer did not intend(if this wasn't true, you wouldn't want it anyways). But the chances of any permanent damage to your camera are near 0.
Technically CHDK is not firmware. It does not permanently reside on the camera. You can remove it, and go back to your factory default settings and firmware without any issues. Overall - install away!
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
CHDK is generally considered low-risk for supported Canon compact cameras. It is loaded from the SD card at startup and does not replace or permanently overwrite the camera’s original firmware. In normal use, going back is simple: start the camera without the CHDK card or disable loading it, and the camera uses its factory firmware as usual.
That said, CHDK does give access to functions and behaviors Canon didn’t officially intend, so there is always some risk if you use advanced features carelessly. But for common uses like timelapse and enabling RAW capture, users commonly report it working well and without lasting issues.
So the practical answer is: yes, there is a way back, and permanent damage is very unlikely. As long as you use the correct CHDK build for your exact camera/firmware version and follow the installation instructions carefully, it is generally a safe way to add timelapse features to a Canon compact.
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