Canon Powershot SD550 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Beige)
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- About this item
- 7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints 2.5-inch LCD display; optical viewfinder; 3x optical zoom Shoot high-quality movies at up to 60 frames per second with Fast Frame Rate Movie Mode DIG!C II Image Processor for faster processing, vibrant colors, and excellent image quality 16 shooting modes including My Color settings for customization while shooting
Product Description Canon Sd550 Digital Elph Camera From the Manufacturer As the Powershot flagship, the Powershot SD550 maintains the style and sophistication for which Powershot is renowned--the elegant 'perpetual curve' design returns. And as ever, the functionality behind this new Powershot model is as stunning as the camera itself. The cameras boasts DIGIC II processing, and a massive 2.5-inch LCD. The Powershot SD550 has 7.1-megapixel resolution and comes with 3x optical zoom.Style statement Each Canon Powershot is a statement in style, and the Powershot SD550 is no exception. The sleek lines and graceful feel of the Powershot SD550's all-metal perpetual curve body embraces Powershot luxury.Large LCD with wide viewing angle The camera features an oversize 2.5-inch LCD display, while retaining all key controls and preserving a sleek and slim body. The large LCD with wide viewing angle makes it easier to view and share images and movies during playback. The big LCD also makes it easier for the user to frame their shot and view menus, and is adjustable to 15 levels of brightness. New slide show functions allow review of images with stylish and contemporary transition effects applied in camera to create impressive slide shows with minimum user effort.UA elements and megapixels for bigger prints The Powershot SD550 operates with 7.1-megapixel resolution, which can give photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints. The Powershot SD550 lens is constructed with 7 elements in 5 groups and includes two Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical (UA) elements for true-to-life colors and crisp, high-contrast images.DIGIC II Processor The SD550 features DIGIC II--Canon's renowned processor that ensures images have superb resolution and color quality, as well as giving improved camera performance overall. With 9-point AiAF, the camera automatically focuses on the subject, even when it is off-center. iSAPS intelligence ensures that the camera assesses the scene and adjusts the settings to achieve the optimum results. Three methods of exposure control can be selected, evaluative, center-weighted, and spot, and the ISO can be set to Auto, 50, 100, 200, or 400. For rapid downloading of images, the Powershot SD550 utilizes a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface.Shooting modes and special effects The Powershot SD550 covers a wide range of photographic situations by providing users with 15 or 14 different shooting modes, respectively. A selection can be made from Auto, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, and Night Snapshot modes, or from the scene modes that now include an underwater setting, allowing users to take full advantage of the optional Waterproof Case WP-DC80 (not included--must be purchased separately). Underwater mode adjusts the white balance specifically for underwater shots, allowing capture of the most authentic colors and minimizing any blue cast. My Colors allows the expansion of creativity in digital photography. Special effects such as Color Swap or Custom Color, which allows users to select their preferred color balance for any given shot, can be performed in-camera and viewed on the LCD while shooting stills and movies. These effects could previously only be achieved using PC software after shooting.Intelligent orientation sensor The Powershot SD550's Intelligent Orientation Sensor recognizes when the camera is rotated from horizontal to vertical, automatically rotating stored images for correct playback. To help keep the camera level with the horizon and to assist with image composition, users can also opt to display gridlines on their LCD. Other user interface options have been enhanced or added, including the new world time zone display. This allows the user to set home and destination country time zones, as well as animated displays and improved warnings for camera shake. The camera menu can also be displayed in 22 different languages.More than just photos The Powershot SD550 records high quality VGA movies; users can select between VGA and QVGA at 30 or 15 frames per second. Continuous filming is available until the file size has reached 1 GB or 60 minutes--whichever is reached first. A fast frame rate of 60 frames per second is available, allowing for slow-motion playback. Digital zoom can be employed whilst shooting, and for added effect, My Colors may also be used. Compact Movie mode, or QQVGA (160 x 120/15 frames per second), is designed to make sharing movies via e-mail as simple as possible.Printing images When used in combination with Canon's new Compact Photo Printer Selphy CP710 and Canon's Ink and Paper Set (KP-108IP), prints can be produced for just 30 euro cents each. Printing via a Selphy CP Compact Photo Printer also allows the user to print handy ID prints and movie prints. When connected to the latest range of PictBridge compatible PIXMA printers (also released today) image enhancement is possible with functions including Noise Reduction and Vivid Photo as well as the new Face Brightener feature. Printing of images without having to connect to a PC is made simpler via the Print/Share button, which also acts as an easy upload button for Windows XP and Mac OS X.Comprehensive software The Powershot SD550 comes bundled with the following Canon software:ZoomBrowser EX 5.5, PhotoRecord 2.2 (Windows), ImageBrowser 5.5 (Macintosh): For easy image download, storage and retrieval, as well as management of image layout and printing. PhotoStitch 3.1: Creates stunning panoramas and can be used with Windows and Macintosh. Movie Edit Task: For editing and enhancement of movie footage. Also included is PhotoStudio, the photo manipulation software by ArcSoft. Purchasers of the Powershot SD550 are eligible for membership of Canon iMAGE Gateway, where they can upload images and customize their camera settings. The bundled software supports Windows 98 (SE), ME, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/3) and Macintosh OS X v10.2-v10.3. The camera supports PTP for driverless transfer to supported Windows XP or Macintosh OS X.What's in the box PowerShot SD550 body, Lithium battery pack NB-3L, battery charger CB-2LU, 32 MB SD memory card SDC-32M, wrist strap WS-700, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable IFC-400PCU, audio-video Cable AVC-DC300
Reviews
D**E
Excellent Choice of Camera
I got this one for 350+ after all the rebates and promotions. After carefully looking at all others in the same range, I had shortlisted it down to 2. The Casio Exilim z750 and this one. I was also considering the SD500 or the SD450 but they had either a smaller LCD or no viewfinder. The 550 won over the Exilim for the one reason that you have to carry around the cradle for the Exilim everywhere and for this one you dont. Now below are the Pros and Cons of the SD550:Pros:- Excellent output for the VIDEO & Pictures (REALLY Great pictures in all lightings.)- Powerful flash- Scene modes are very useful/handy- Menus are quite intutive and easy to use with one hand- Extremely good design, size and shape- Big bright screen- Has a Viewfinder (Very handy when low on battery or when precision is required)- Fast shutterspeed- Power Consumption is also low so battery lasts long.- Direct A/V outputs to connect to TV/VCR/DVD-recorder- Excellent design/Very small and sleek.- Very big LCD with excellent display.Cons:- Cannot be charged directly. The battry needs to be removed!! (big disadvantage).- No USB streaming to use it as a web-cam- Software not that great- Date stamp only on postcard size pix (Another BIG Disadvantage. I can't believe Cannon does not provide this simple basic function).- For some scene shots like 'fireworks', camera has to be extremely still, else image is blurred- Cant' be sure if you'll get Gold or Silver color thr Amazon (I wanted silver and got GOLD)- No internal memory but comes with a 32mb card free (which is basically useless)- 7 megapixel is an overkill, but you can always adjust the resolution for regular pictures and save the high resolution capabilities for important occasions where you might need a bigger print.- Sound quality not great for Video recordings and especially playback on the camera (But then again its not a camcorder). Also it records only 1 minute videos max.It is a bit pricey, but still its the best thing around in that size.
B**3
Incredible compact digital camera!
After having owned five Nikon Coolpix cameras in a row (the latest being the Coolpix 7900), I got tired of the Nikon's inability to shoot in low-light conditions, and their incredible lag times in autofocusing and start-up. So I did my research and found very favorable reviews for the Canon SD series, especially in low-light situations. I have two infant daughters, and I've lost many a good photo to blur from poor autofocus with the Nikons. Not any more! The SD550 is an incredible camera. The pictures are razor sharp, the camera is extremely ergonomic, battery life appears impressive, uses industry standard SD memory, and comes with a compact battery charger (not the silly bricks like the Nikon Coolpix chargers). Most of all, it will almost always find focus very quickly in situations that choke the Coolpix. I did a side by side comparison in two situations: a kitchen with 320 watts of light bulbs on, and a living room with a single 60 watt bulb. The Coolpix could NOT find focus in either situation, no matter what I did. It's AF assist light is just too tepid. The SD550, however, locked focus instantly. It also has a very generous LCD size that puts other compacts to shame. My wife also has a Coolpix which she was using for supplemental photography at events, but it really sucked -- almost all her shots were blurry due to poor focus. I am getting rid of her Coolpix and getting her one of these! One last thing: the SD550 has some good scene modes, including one called Pets & Kids. With little ones running around, it's a great preset mode with instant focus and exposure lock, so you don't miss those moments. I only wish I had invested in Canon years ago.Update: I ditched my wife's Coolpix and got her the SD550. Now we own two of them. How's that for a recommendation!
S**K
Great little camera
The majority of the other reviews have hit it spot on. This camera is easy to use and takes a great picture under almost every condition. It's fast, and light and very portable.There some drawbacks though.The fact that the camera doesn't come with any sort of case is a crime. This camera is made to be portable, but without some sort of protection the LCD screen is easily susceptible to damage. I bought a case separately (a leather case made by canon for this model) that works great, but something like that should come with the camera. Especially for the price.There is no battery life indicator. Like not coming with a case, this is a simple addition that would have added great value to the camera. By the time you get the low batery warning you have only about 10 minutes of battery time left. Less if you take pictures, and probably less than a minute if you're using the flash.The one condition I've had trouble getting a good picture in is night-time in large environments (and outside). It's tough to get the lighting and focus correct at the same time. I've gotten in focus pictures with incorrect lighting, and out of focus pictures with perfect lighting, just never both correct at the same time. Under any other condition though, I've have little to no trouble getting the exact shot I wanted.There is no manual focus (this adds to the above problem as well). What this usually means is you'll have to have it refocus itself multiple times on occasion when it decides to focus in on something other than your intended object. It doesn't always focus on what's in the center. The picture turns out great in the end, but sometimes that extra 5-6 seconds gets annoying.Other than the above mentioned things, this camera works like a dream and does everything you'd expect and want from a small snapshot camera. I highly recomend it, and I know that my next digital camera will probably be a Canon.
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