Canon EOS 550D User manual

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+ntroduction
The EOS REBEL T2iiEOS 550D is a high+performance, digital single+
lens reflex camera featuring a fine-detail CMOS sensor with 18.0
effective megapixels, DIGIC 4, high+precision and high+speed 9-point
AF, approx. 3.7 fps continuous shooting, Live View shooting, and Full
HD (Full High+Definition) movie shooting.
The camera is highly responsive for shooting at anytime, provides many
functions fitted for advanced shooting, and offers many other features.
Take Test Shots to Familiarize Yourself with the Camera
With a digital camera, you can immediately view the image you have
captured. While reading this manual, take a few test shots and see how
they come out. You can then better understand the camera.
To avoid botched pictures and accidents, first read the Safety Warnings
(p.233, 234) and Handling Precautions (p.12,13).
Testing the Camera Before Use and Liability
After shooting, playback and check whether the images have been
properly recorded. If the camera or memory card is faulty and the
images cannot be recorded or downloaded to a computer, Canon
cannot be held liable for any loss or inconvenience caused.
Copyrights
Copyright laws in your country may prohibit the use of your recorded
images of people and certain subjects for anything but private
enjoyment. Also be aware that certain public performances, exhibitions,
etc, may prohibit photography even for private enjoyment.
This camera is compatible with SD memory cards, SDHC memory
_'_ cards, and SDXC memory cards, This manual will refer to all these
_C cards as just "card."
* The camera does not come with a card for record+rig images.
Please purchase it separately,

Item Check List
Before starting, check that all the following items have been included
with your camera. If anything is missing, contact your dealer.
Buttery Pack Buttery Charger
Camera LP°E8 LC°E8fLC-E8E*
(with eyecup and body uap) (with protective cover)
Wide Strup _nterface cubic Stereo AV Cubic
EW°100DB tl_ AVC-DC400ST
EOS DiGiTAL Software Instruction Camera
Solution Disk MunuuJ hstruction Manual
(Software) (this booklet)
* Battery Charger LC-E8 or LC-E8E is provided. (The LC-E8E comes with a
power cord.)
® If you purchased a Lens Kit, check that the lens is included.
® Depending on the Lens Kit type, the lens instruction manual might also be
included.
® Be careful not to lose any of the above items.

Conventions Used in this Manual
Icons in this Manual
<_> Indicates the Main Dial.
<AV> <_> Indicates the <_:_> cross keys.
<_> Indicates the setting button.
G4, 66, (_10, ©16 Indicates that the respective function remains
active for4 sec., 6 sec., 10 sec., or 16 sec.
respectively after you let go of the button.
* Inthis manual, the icons and markings indicatin9 the camera's buttons, dials,
andsettings correspond to the icons andmarkings on the camera and onthe
LCD monitor.
_]_ : Indicates a function which can be changed by pressing the
<MENU> button and changing the setting.
¢_ : When shown on the upper right of the page, it indicates that the
function is available only in the Creative Zone modes (p.20).
(p.**) : Reference page numbers for more information.
: Tip or advice for better shooting.
? : Problem-solving advice.
@ : Warning to prevent shooting problems.
: Supplemental information.
Basic Assumptions
_ All operations explained in this manual assume that the power switch
has already been set to <ON> (p.27).
_ It is assumed that all the menu settings and Custom Functions are
set to the default.
_ For explanatory purposes, the instructions show the camera attached
with an EF=S18=55mm f/3.5=5.6 IS lens.
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Chapters
For first4ime DSLR users, Chapters 1 and 2 e×pJain the camera's
basic operations and shooting procedures.
introduction 2
Camera basics,
Getting Started 23
Basic Shooting and image PJayback 4s
Fully automatic shooting for different subjects.
Creative Shooting 59
Basic shooting features for specific types of subjects.
Advanced Shooting 77
4' ,Advanced shooting features,
Shooting with the LCD Monitor (Live View Shooting} 107
8 ShootingMovie, 123
7 ,andy_eato,e, 137
Convenient menu-based functions,
image Playback 155
9Printing images 175
10 Cu,tomi,ingtheCame,a 18,
11 *efe_enoe =1
End Pages: Quick Reference Guide and 8oftware 8tart Guide 243
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Contents
Item Check List .................................................................................................. 3
Conventions Used in this Manual ...................................................................... 4
Chapters ............................................................................................................ 5
Contents at a Gtance ....................................................................................... 10
Handling Precautions ...................................................................................... 12
Quick Start Guide ............................................................................................ 14
Nomenclature .................................................................................................. 16
Charging the Battery ....................................................................................... 24
Installing and Removing the Battery ................................................................ 26
Turning on the Power ...................................................................................... 27
Setting the Date and Time ............................................................................... 29
Selecting the Interface Language .................................................................... 30
Installing and Removing the SD Card ............................................................. 3I
Attaching and Detaching a Lens ..................................................................... 33
About the Lens Image Stabilizer ...................................................................... 35
Basic Operation ............................................................................................... 36
_} Using the Quick Control Screen ................................................................ 38
Menu Operations .................................................................................. 40
Formatting the Card ......................................................................................... 42
Switching the LCD Monitor Display ................................................................. 44
[:::::]Fully Automatic Shooting ........................................................................... 46
[:::::]Full Auto Techniques ................................................................................. 48
_:_ Disabling Flash .......................................................................................... 49
_'_Shooting Portraits ....................................................................................... 50
Shooting Landscapes ................................................................................ 5I
_ Shooting Close-ups .................................................................................... 52
_.. Shooting Moving Subjects ......................................................................... 53
Shooting Portraits at Night ......................................................................... 54
_} Creative Auto Shooting ............................................................................. 55
Image Playback ......................................................................................... 58

Contents
P:ProgramAE................................................................................................60
lSO:ChangingtheISOSpeed.........................................................................62
UsingtheBuilt-inFlash................................................................................64
AF:ChangingtheAFMode.............................................................................66
mSelectingtheAFPoint...............................................................................68
MF:ManualFocusing...................................................................................69
ContinuousShooting..................................................................................70
®UsingtheSelf-timer....................................................................................71
SettingtheImage-recordingQuality.................................................................72
_.[,_SelectingaPictureStyte..........................................................................75
Tv:ActionShots.............................................................................................78
Av:ChangingtheDepthofField....................................................................80
DepthofFieldPreview..................................................................................82
M:ManualExposure.......................................................................................83
A@EP:AutomaticDepth-of-FieldAE................................................................85
E_3ChangingtheMeteringMode.....................................................................86
Av__ SettingExposureCompensation.......................................................87
AutoExposureBracketing................................................................................89
_[,_.CustomizingaPictureStyle.....................................................................91
_s.RegisteringaPictureStyle.......................................................................94
SettingtheColorSpace...................................................................................96
%AELock......................................................................................................97
%FELock.......................................................................................................98
WE}:SettingtheWhiteBalance.......................................................................99
wB
+,oWhiteBatanceCorrection.........................................................................10!
AutoLightingOptimizer..................................................................................103
LensPeripheralIlluminationCorrection.........................................................104
PreventingCameraShake.............................................................................106
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Contents
Shooting with the LCD Monitor ............................................................... 108
Shooting Function Settings ........................................................................... 111
Using AF to Focus ......................................................................................... 1I3
Focusing Manually ......................................................................................... 120
_ Shooting Movies ...................................................................................... 124
Shooting Function Settings ........................................................................... 130
Handy Features ............................................................................................. 138
Silencing the Beeper .................................................................................. 138
Card Reminder ........................................................................................... 138
Setting the Image Review Time ................................................................. 138
Setting the Auto Power-off Time ................................................................. 139
Adjusting the LCD Monitor Brightness ....................................................... 139
FiIe Numbering Methods ............................................................................ 140
Auto Rotation of VertJcat images ................................................................ 142
DiSR Checking Camera Settings ................................................................ 143
Rever_ing the Camera to the Default Settings ............................................ 144
Preventing the LCD Monitor from Turning off Automatically ...................... 146
Changing the Shooting Settings Screen Color ........................................... 146
Setting the Flash ........................................................................................... 147
'I:_ Automatic Sensor Cleaning ................................................................... 150
Appending Dust Deiete Data ......................................................................... 15I
Manual Sensor Cleaning ............................................................................... 153
_ Searching for images Quickty .............................................................. 156
_/(_ Magnified View .................................................................................... 158
Rotating the Image ................................................................................... 159
_ Enjoying Movies ...................................................................................... 160
%iraPtaying Movies ........................................................................................ 162
Editing the Movie's First and Last Scenes ............................................... 164

Contents
SlideShow(AutoPlayback)...........................................................................165
ViewingtheImagesonTV.............................................................................167
BProtectingImages....................................................................................170
ErasingImages.........................................................................................171
DISRShootingInformationDisplay................................................................I73
PreparingtoPrint...........................................................................................176
f_ Printing ...................................................................................................... 178
Trimming the Image .................................................................................... 183
_ Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) ........................................................... 185
Direct Printing with DPOF .............................................................................. 188
Setting Custom Functions .............................................................................. 190
Custom Function Settings .............................................................................. 192
Registering My Menu ..................................................................................... 198
Setting Copyright Information ......................................................................... I99
When Autofocus Fails .................................................................................... 202
Using a Household Power Outlet ................................................................... 203
Remote Control Shooting ............................................................................... 204
External Speedlites ........................................................................................ 206
Using Eye-Fi Cards ........................................................................................ 208
Function Availability Table according to Shooting Modes .............................. 210
Menu Settings ................................................................................................ 212
System Map ................................................................................................... 216
Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................... 218
Error Codes .................................................................................................... 224
Specifications ................................................................................................. 225
Index .............................................................................................................. 237
N_a'
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Contents at a Glance
® Shoot automatically _,_po45 - 57 (BasicZonemodes)
_ Shoot continuously ,_ p,50, 53, 70 (_ Continuous shooting)
_Takea picture of yourself in a group ,_ po71 (® Self-timer)
® Freeze the action
® BJur the action @ p.78 (Tv Shutter-priorityAE)
® BJur the background
® Keep the background in sharp focus _? poS0 (Av Aperture-priorityAE)
® Adjust theimage brightness (exposure),_;_,p.87 (Exposurecompensation)
® Shoot in low Hght @ p.46, 62, 64 (_ Flashphotography)
® Shoot without flash _ po49 (_ FlashOff)
® Photograph fireworks at night @ po84 (Bulbexposure)
_ Shoot while viewing the LODmonitor @ po108 (_ LiveViewshooting)
® Shoot movies ,,,;_,pot24 (',_, Movie shooting)
¢_ Shoot with image effects
matching the subject
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_'_ p.75 (Selecting a Picture Style)