Canon EOS 550D User manual

E
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
E
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
The “Quick Reference Guide” and “Software Start Guide” are
provided at end of this manual.
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The EOS REBEL T2i/EOS 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.
Introduction
This camera is compatible with SD memory cards, SDHC memory
cards, and SDXC memory cards. This manual will refer to all these
cards as just “card.”
*The camera does not come with a card for recording images.
Please purchase it separately.
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Before starting, check that all the following items have been included
with your camera. If anything is missing, contact your dealer.
* 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.
Item Check List
Battery Pack
LP-E8
(with protective cover)
Battery Charger
LC-E8/LC-E8E*
Interface cable Stereo AV Cable
AVC-DC400ST
EOS DIGITAL
Solution Disk
(Software)
Software Instruction
Manual
Camera
Instruction Manual
(this booklet)
Wide Strap
EW-100DB III
Camera
(with eyecup and body cap)
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Icons in this Manual
<6> : Indicates the Main Dial.
<V> <U> : Indicates the <S> cross keys.
<0> : Indicates the setting button.
0, 9, 7, 8: Indicates that the respective function remains
active for 4 sec., 6 sec., 10 sec., or 16 sec.
respectively after you let go of the button.
* In this manual, the icons and markings indicating the camera’s buttons, dials,
and settings correspond to the icons and markings on the camera and on the
LCD monitor.
3: Indicates a function which can be changed by pressing the
<M> button and changing the setting.
M: 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 <1> (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.
Conventions Used in this Manual
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For first-time DSLR users, Chapters 1 and 2 explain the camera’s
basic operations and shooting procedures.
Chapters
Introduction
Camera basics. 2
Getting Started 23
Basic Shooting and Image Playback
Fully automatic shooting for different subjects. 45
Creative Shooting
Basic shooting features for specific types of subjects. 59
Advanced Shooting
Advanced shooting features. 77
Shooting with the LCD Monitor (Live View Shooting)
107
Shooting Movies 123
Handy Features
Convenient menu-based functions. 137
Image Playback 155
Printing Images 175
Customizing the Camera 189
Reference 201
End Pages: Quick Reference Guide and Software Start Guide
243
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2
1
Introduction 2
Item Check List.................................................................................................. 3
Conventions Used in this Manual ...................................................................... 4
Chapters............................................................................................................ 5
Contents at a Glance....................................................................................... 10
Handling Precautions ...................................................................................... 12
Quick Start Guide ............................................................................................ 14
Nomenclature .................................................................................................. 16
Getting Started 23
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 ............................................................. 31
Attaching and Detaching a Lens ..................................................................... 33
About the Lens Image Stabilizer...................................................................... 35
Basic Operation............................................................................................... 36
QUsing the Quick Control Screen ................................................................ 38
3Menu Operations .................................................................................. 40
Formatting the Card......................................................................................... 42
Switching the LCD Monitor Display ................................................................. 44
Basic Shooting and Image Playback 45
1Fully Automatic Shooting........................................................................... 46
1Full Auto Techniques................................................................................. 48
7Disabling Flash.......................................................................................... 49
2Shooting Portraits....................................................................................... 50
3Shooting Landscapes................................................................................ 51
4Shooting Close-ups .................................................................................... 52
5Shooting Moving Subjects......................................................................... 53
6Shooting Portraits at Night ......................................................................... 54
CCreative Auto Shooting ............................................................................. 55
xImage Playback......................................................................................... 58
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Contents
4
3Creative Shooting 59
d: Program AE................................................................................................60
Z: Changing the ISO Speed .........................................................................62
DUsing the Built-in Flash ................................................................................64
E: Changing the AF Mode .............................................................................66
SSelecting the AF Point ...............................................................................68
MF: Manual Focusing ...................................................................................69
iContinuous Shooting ..................................................................................70
jUsing the Self-timer ....................................................................................71
Setting the Image-recording Quality.................................................................72
ASelecting a Picture Style ..........................................................................75
Advanced Shooting 77
s: Action Shots .............................................................................................78
f: Changing the Depth of Field ....................................................................80
Depth of Field Preview..................................................................................82
a: Manual Exposure.......................................................................................83
8: Automatic Depth-of-Field AE................................................................85
qChanging the Metering Mode.....................................................................86
OySetting Exposure Compensation.......................................................87
Auto Exposure Bracketing................................................................................89
ACustomizing a Picture Style .....................................................................91
ARegistering a Picture Style.......................................................................94
Setting the Color Space ...................................................................................96
AAE Lock ......................................................................................................97
AFE Lock.......................................................................................................98
B: Setting the White Balance .......................................................................99
2White Balance Correction.........................................................................101
Auto Lighting Optimizer..................................................................................103
Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction .........................................................104
Preventing Camera Shake .............................................................................106
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5
8
6
7
Shooting with the LCD Monitor (Live View Shooting) 107
AShooting with the LCD Monitor ............................................................... 108
Shooting Function Settings ........................................................................... 111
Using AF to Focus......................................................................................... 113
Focusing Manually......................................................................................... 120
Shooting Movies 123
kShooting Movies...................................................................................... 124
Shooting Function Settings ........................................................................... 130
Handy Features 137
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
File Numbering Methods ............................................................................ 140
Auto Rotation of Vertical Images ................................................................ 142
BChecking Camera Settings................................................................ 143
Reverting 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
fAutomatic Sensor Cleaning ................................................................... 150
Appending Dust Delete Data......................................................................... 151
Manual Sensor Cleaning ............................................................................... 153
Image Playback 155
HISearching for Images Quickly.............................................................. 156
u/yMagnified View.................................................................................... 158
bRotating the Image................................................................................... 159
kEnjoying Movies ...................................................................................... 160
kPlaying Movies ........................................................................................ 162
XEditing the Movie’s First and Last Scenes ............................................... 164
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Contents
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10
9
Slide Show (Auto Playback)...........................................................................165
Viewing the Images on TV .............................................................................167
KProtecting Images ....................................................................................170
LErasing Images .........................................................................................171
BShooting Information Display ................................................................173
Printing Images 175
Preparing to Print ...........................................................................................176
wPrinting......................................................................................................178
Trimming the Image ....................................................................................183
WDigital Print Order Format (DPOF) ...........................................................185
Direct Printing with DPOF ..............................................................................188
Customizing the Camera 189
Setting Custom Functions ..............................................................................190
Custom Function Settings ..............................................................................192
Registering My Menu .....................................................................................198
Setting Copyright Information.........................................................................199
Reference 201
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
End Pages: Quick Reference Guide and Software Start Guide 243
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Contents at a Glance
Shooting
Shoot automatically Îp.45 - 57 (Basic Zone modes)
Shoot continuously Îp.50, 53, 70 (iContinuous shooting)
Take a picture of yourself in a group Îp.71 (jSelf-timer)
Freeze the action
Blur the action Îp.78 (sShutter-priority AE)
Blur the background
Keep the background in sharp focus Îp.80 (fAperture-priority AE)
Adjust the image brightness (exposure) Îp.87 (Exposure compensation)
Shoot in low light Îp.46, 62, 64 (D Flash photography )
Shoot without flash Îp.49 (7Flash Off)
Photograph fireworks at night Îp.84 (Bulb exposure)
Shoot while viewing the LCD monitor Îp.108 (ALive View shooting)
Shoot movies Îp.124 (kMovie shooting)
Image Quality
Shoot with image effects
matching the subject Îp.75 (Selecting a Picture Style)
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