Canon PowerShot A550 User manual

CDI-E281-010
C&IlOll
© 2007 CANON INC, PRINTED IN MALAYSIA
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Before Using the Camera
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
IPrint/Transfer Settings
IList of Messages
Camera User Guide
This guide explains camera features and procedures in detail.
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PktBddge DIRE_TBUBBLEJEt
PRINT DIRECt

• Plays movies with sound
• Plays back automatically
using the Auto Play
Editing
• Records sound memos
for still images
Printing
• Makes printing easy with
the Print/Share button
oAIso supports non-
Canon brand PictBddge
compliant printers

IConven,'onsUse,'n,"'sGu',e
Icons appearing next to, or below titles indicate the shooting
modes in which the procedure can be used.
• Unavailable shooting modes are shown grayed out.
See Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 119).
•In this guide, the Basic Camera User Guide is referred to as the
Basic Guide, and the Advanced Camera User Guide is referred
to as the Advanced Guide.
O: This mark denotes issues that may affect the camera's
operation.
: This mark denotes additional topics that complement the
basic operating procedures.
[_ ou can use SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards
and MuItiMediaCards with this camera. These cards
are collectively called memory cards in this guide.
Use of genuine Canon accessories is recommended.
This product is designed to achieve excellent performance when
used with genuine Canon accessories. Canon shall not be liable
for any damage to this product and/or accidents such as fire, etc.,
caused by the malfunction of non-genuine Canon accessories
(e.g., a leakage and/or explosion of a battery pack). Please note
that this warranty does not apply to repairs adsing out of the
malfunction of non-genuine Canon accessories, although you
may request such repairs on a chargeable basis.

Table of Contents
Items marked with a -k are lists or charts that summarize camera
functions or procedures.
Please Read ....................................... 5
Safety Precautions .................................. 6
Preventing Malfunctions ............................. 11
Using the LCD Monitor .............................. 12
Information Displayed on the LCD Monitor .............. 13
Using the Viewfinder ............................... 16
Power Saving Function ............................. 17
Menus and Settings ................................ 18
Menu List ........................................ 20
Resetting Settings to Their Default Values ............... 24
Formatting Memory Cards ........................... 25
Changing the Recording Pixels and Compression (Still Images) 26
Using the Digital Zoom/Digital Tele-Converter ........... 28
_;_ Continuous Shooting ............................. 31
Postcard Mode .................................... 32
Embedding the Date in the Image Data ............... 33
Setting the Display Overlays ......................... 34
_n Movie Shooting ................................. 35
Selecting an AF Frame .............................. 39
Shooting Hard-to-Focus Subjects (Focus Lock, AF Lock)...40
Locking the Exposure Setting (AE Lock) ................ 42
Locking the Flash Exposure Setting (FE Lock) ........... 43
Switching between Metering Modes .................... 43
Adjusting the Exposure Compensation ................. 44
Shooting in Long Shutter Mode ....................... 45
2

Adjusting the Tone (White Balance) ................... 47
Shooting in a My Colors Mode ....................... 49
_] Adjusting the ISO Speed ........................ 52
Setting the Auto Rotate Function ..................... 53
Creating an Image Destination (Folder) ................ 54
Resetting the File Number .......................... 56
Q. Magnifying Images .............................. 58
_m_Viewing Images in Sets of Nine (Index Playback) ...... 59
Jumping to Images .............................. 60
Viewing Movies ................................... 61
Rotating Images in the Display ....................... 63
Attaching Sound Memos to Images ................... 64
Automated Playback (Auto Play) ..................... 65
Protecting Images ................................. 66
Viewing Images on a TV Set ......................... 67
Erasing All Images ................................ 68
Setting the DPOF Print Settings ...................... 69
Setting the DPOF Transfer Settings ................... 74
Camera ......................................... 76
When the power is turned on ........................ 77
LCD monitor ..................................... 77
Shooting ........................................ 79
Shooting Movies .................................. 83
Playback ........................................ 84
Battery .......................................... 85
TV monitor output ................................. 86
Printing with a direct print compatible printer ............ 86

BatteryHandling................................... 91
HandlingtheMemoryCard.......................... 93
UsingthePowerKits(SoldSeparately)................. 95
UsinganExternallyMountedFlash(SoldSeparately)...... 99
ReplacingtheDateBattery......................... 101
CameraCareandMaintenance...................... 103
Specifications.................................... 104
4

Handling Precautions
Test Shots
Before you try to photograph important subjects, we highly
recommend that you shoot several trial images to confirm that the
camera is operating and being operated correctly.
Please note that Canon Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and its
distributors are not liable for any consequential damages adsing
from any malfunction of a camera or accessory, including memory
cards, that results in the failure of an image to be recorded or to be
recorded in a way that is machine readable.
Warning Against Copyright Infringement
Please note that Canon digital cameras are intended for personal
use and should never be used in a manner that infringes upon or
contravenes international or domestic copyright laws and
regulations. Please be advised that in certain cases the copying of
images from performances, exhibitions, or commercial properties
by means of a camera or other device may contravene copyright or
other legal rights even if the image was shot for personal use.
Warranty Limitations
This camera's warranty is only effective in the country of sale. If a
problem arises while the camera is in use abroad, please convey it
back to the country of sate before proceeding with a warranty claim
to a Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
For Canon Customer Support contacts, please see the
customer support list supplied with your camera.

Video Format
Please set the camera's video signal format to the one used in your
region before using it with a TV monitor (p. 67).
Language Setting
Please see the Basic Guide (p. 8) to change the language setting.
•Before using the camera, please ensure that you read the safety
precautions described below and in the "Safety Precautions"
section of the Basic Camera User Guide. Always ensure that the
camera is operated correctly.
• The safety precautions noted on the following pages are intended
to instruct you in the safe and correct operation of the camera and
its accessories to prevent injuries or damage to yourself, other
persons and equipment.
• Equipment refers to the camera, battery, battery charger (sold
separately) and compact power adapter (sold separately).

!!!!!!!!!!!i!!!!i!!!!_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!__i_;_!_!!!!!!!!!!i!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Do not point the camera directly at the sun or bright light
sources.
Doing so could damage the camera's CCD or your eyesight.
•Store this equipment out of the reach of children and infants.
Wrist strap: Placement of the strap around the child's neck could
result in asphyxiation.
Memory card: It may be swallowed accidentally. If this occurs,
contact a doctor immediately.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or alter any part of the
equipment that is not expressly described in this guide.
• To avoid the risk of high-voltage electrical shock, do not
touch the flash portion of the camera if it has been
damaged.
• Stop operating the equipment immediately if it emits smoke
or noxious fumes.
• Do not allow the equipment to come into contact with, or
become immersed in, water or other liquids. If the exterior
comes into contact with liquids or salt air, wipe it dry with a
soft, absorbent cloth.
Continued use of the equipment may result in fire or electrical
shock, immediately turn the camera power off and remove the
camera batteries or unplug the battery charger or compact power
adapter from the power outlet.
Please consult your camera distributor or the closest Canon
Customer Support Help Desk.

• Do not use substances containing alcohol, benzine,
thinners or other flammable substances to clean or
maintain the equipment.
•Do not cut, damage, alter or place heavy items on the power
cord.
•Use only recommended power accessories.
•Remove the power cord on a regular periodic basis and
wipe away the dust and dirt that collects on the plug, the
exterior of the power outlet and the surrounding area.
•Do not handle the power cord if your hands are wet.
Continued use of the equipment may result in fire or electrical
shock.
•Do not place the batteries near a heat source or expose
them to direct flame or heat.
•The batteries should not be immersed in water or sea water.
•Do not attempt to disassemble, alter or apply heat to the
batteries.
•Avoid dropping or subjecting the batteries to severe
impacts that could damage the casing.
•Use only recommended batteries and accessories.
Use of batteries not expressly recommended for this equipment
may cause explosions or leaks, resulting in fire, injury and damage
to the surroundings. In the event that a battery leaks and the eyes,
mouth, skin or clothing contact these substances, immediately
flush with water and seek medical assistance.
•Disconnect the battery charger and compact power adapter
from both the camera and the power outlet after recharging
or when not in use to avoid fire and other hazards.
•Do not place anything, such as tablecloths, carpets,
bedding or cushions, on top of the battery charger while it
is charging.
Leaving the units plugged in for a long period of time may cause
them to overheat and distort, resulting in fire.

• When recharging the Canon AA-size NiMH batteries, use
only a specified battery charger.
•The compact power adapter is designed for exclusive use
with this equipment. Do not use it with other products.
There is a risk of overheating and distortion which could result in
fire or electrical shock.
•Before you discard abattery, cover the terminals with tape
or other insulators to prevent direct contact with other
objects.
Contact with the metallic components of other materials in waste
containers may lead to fire or explosions.
•Do not trigger the flash in close proximity to human or
animal eyes. Exposure to the intense light produced by the
flash may damage eyesight.
In particular, remain at least one meter (39 inches) away from
infants when using the flash.
•Keep objects that are sensitive to magnetic fields (such as
credit cards) away from the speaker of the camera.
Such items may lose data or stop working.

• Be careful not to bang the camera or subject it to strong
impacts or shocks that could lead to injury or damage the
equipment when wearing or holding it by the strap.
•Do not store the equipment in humid or dusty areas.
•Do not allow metal objects (such as pins or keys) or dirt to
contact the charger terminals or plug.
Such conditions could lead to fire, electrical shock or other
damage.
•Avoid using, placing or storing the equipment in places
subject to strong sunlight or high temperatures, such as the
dashboard or trunk (boot) of a car.
•Do not use the equipment in a manner that exceeds the
rated capacity of the electrical outlet or wiring accessories.
Do not use if the power cord or plug is damaged, or if not
fully plugged into the outlet.
•Do not use in locations with poor ventilation.
The above-mentioned can cause leakage, overheating or
explosion, resulting in fire, bums or other injuries. High
temperatures may also cause deformation of the casing.
• When not using the camera for extended periods of time,
remove the batteries from the camera or battery charger
and store the equipment in a safe place.
If the batteries are left inside the camera, damage caused by
leakage may occur.
•Do not connect compact power adapters or battery
chargers to devices such as electrical transformers for
foreign travel because it may lead to malfunctions,
excessive heat generation, fire, electric shock or injury.
10

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• Do not operate the flash with dirt, dust or other items stuck
to the surface of the flash.
•Be careful not to cover the flash with your fingers or
clothing when shooting.
The flash may be damaged and emit smoke or noise. The resulting
heat build-up could damage the flash.
• Do not touch the surface of the flash after taking several
pictures in rapid succession.
Doing so could result in bums.
•Never place the camera in close proximity to electric motors
or other equipment generating strong electromagnetic
fields.
Exposure to strong magnetic fields may cause malfunctions or
corrupt image data.
•When moving the equipment rapidly from a cold place to a
hot place, you can avoid condensation by placing the
equipment in an airtight, resealable plastic bag and letting it
adjust to temperature changes slowly before removing it
from the bag.
Moving the equipment rapidly from a cold place to a hot place may
cause condensation (water droplets) to form on its external and
internal surfaces.
•Stop using the camera immediately.
Continued use may damage the equipment. Remove the memory
card and batteries or compact power adapter from the camera and
wait until the moisture evaporates completely before resuming use.
11

BeforeUsing the Camera - Basic Operations
i_iP_ss,,,_,_..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
iiiii_i_ili_:_•Thedis_;i_ymodechangesas,ollowswitheachpress,
Shooting Mode (a) Playback Mode (_)
_1_ Standard FI_ No Information
I (No(NoInformation) / !
| Detailed | Sta dard
e(Informai_,_n View)_(Infor_ _De ledt!i
The shooting information displays for approximately 6 sec.
when a setting is changed regardless of the selected
d,sp,aymode
•The LCD monitor on or off setting is retained even after the
camera power is turned off.
• The LCD monitor does not shut off in the =m mode.
• The LCD monitor will not switch to the detailed display while
in index playback (p. 59).
Night Display
When shooting in dark conditions, the camera automatically
brightens the LCD monitor to suit the brightness of the subject*,
making it easier to frame the subject.
*Although noise may appearandthe movement ofthe subject shown onthe
LCD monitor may appear somewhatjagged,there is no effect on the
recordedimage. The brightness of the image displayedin the monitor, and
the brightness of the actual image recordedwill bedifferent.
12

Shooting Information (Shooting Mode)
[[] Digital Tele-Converter (p. 28) ][_
Zoom Magnification (p, 28) I /
_SafetyZoom (p. 28) ___._ IF-
L
:2 Guide (p. 34)
Mode
_ (Basic Guide pp, 11 - 13)
[] [] [] (p. 35)
[]...B
Exposure Compensation (p. 44)
m'"_ Long Shutter Mode (p 45)
DDD[]m[]
White Balance (p. 47)
[] [] [] _ []My Colors (p. 49 _,
r_ [] [] Metering Mode (p. 43)
[] [] _ Compression
(Still image) (p. 27)
WF_m
Frame Rate (Movies) (p. 38)
mmm_mr_[]m[][]
[] Recording Pixels (pp. 26, 38)
[](Red) .2 Camera Shake (p. 141
] Spot AE Point Frame (p 44)
[] AF Frame (p. 39)
Macro (Basic Guide p. 16)
•..1_ *_ ISOSpeed (p. 52)
[] Low Battery (p. 91 )
Flash (Basic Guide p. 14)
[] [] [] _i_ [] Drive Mode
). 31, Basic Guide p. 17)
[]E_ Auto Rotate (p. 53)
ORec Movie Recording (p. 35)
Create Folder (p. 54)
--, Stills: Recordable Shots
•Movies:Remaining
Time/Elapsed Time
_) (p. 37
I[]Flash*_/ .
I_-atter Speed .1 (p. 104)/
Aperture Value _
"1 Displays when then shutter button is
pressed halfway. Since the camera
automatically readjusts for the optimal
settings when using the flash, settings
displayed in shooting information may
differ from the actual settings.
*2 Displays when then shutter button is
pressed halfway.
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o:
13

displays, it indicates there is insufficient illumination and a
slow shutter speed will be selected. Shoot using the following
methods.
- Raise the ISO speed (p. 52).
- Select a setting other than _ (flash off).
- Attach the camera to a tripod or other device.
Playback Information (Playback Mode)
aStandard
{ [_] WAVE Format Sound (p, 64) ]
FolderNumber-File Number
_played image number
_gDate/Time
pejProtection Status (p. 66) )
ImD[m
Compression (StillImages)
_ording Pixels(StillImages)(_ 261
Movie (p, 61) J
14

• Detailed
gram (p, 16)
Shutter Speed (p. 104)
Aperture Value
Shooting Mode
[]mD[][][_[]mD[]
[] _ (Basic Guide pp. 11 - 13)
Exposure Compensation (p. 44)
_]DDU_m[]
_hite Balance (p. 47)
m [] [] [] []My Colors (p. 49)
J
_L'_..._ ISO Speed (p, 52)
[][][][][][_
Recording Pixels/Frame Rate
(Movies) (p, 38)
Movie Length (Movies) (p, 38)
[] Macro (Basic Guide p, 16)
_[]m Metering Mode (p, 43)
Recording Pixels (Still Image) (p, 26)
(3
3
The following information may also be displayed with some images.
I
A sound file in a format other than the WAVE format is
_3 attached or the file format is not recognized. __.
JPEG image not conforming to Design rule for Camera File n
'_ System Standards (p. 105) ._O
[] RAW image
Unrecogn zed data type o
Information for images shot on other cameras may not display
correctly.
15

Histogram Function
The histogram is a graph that allows you to judge the brightness
of the image. The greater the bias toward the left in the graph, the
darker the image. The greater the bias toward the dght, the
brighter the image.
If the image is too dark, adjust the exposure compensation to a
positve value. Simtady, adjust the exposure compensalon to a
negative value if the image is too bright (p. 44).
Sample Histograms
Dark Image Balanced Image Bright Image
The viewfinder (Basic Guide p. 2) can be used to conserve power
by turning the LCD monitor off (p. 12) while shooting.
I
I
Viewfinder
t Shows the center of the image
16

This camera is equipped with a power saving function. The power
will shut off in the following circumstances. Press the power button
again to restore power.
Shooting Mode Powers down approximately 3 minutes after the
last control is accessed on the camera. The LCD
monitor automatically turns off I minute* after the
last control is accessed even if [Auto Power
Down] is set to [Off]. Press any button other than
the power button or change the camera
orientation to turn the LCD monitor back on.
Powers down approximately 5 minutes after the
last control is accessed on the camera.
Playback Mode
Connected to a
Printer
*This time can be changed,
• The power saving function will not activate during a slide
show (Auto Play) or while the camera is connected to a
computer.
• The power saving function settings can be changed (p. 23).
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Menus are used to set the shooting, playback and print settings as
well as such camera settings as the date/time and electronic beep.
•FUNC. Menu
• Rec., Play, Print and Set up Menus
FUNC. Menu
Sets many of the functions commonly used during shooting.
®
III I
4, 4,
This example shows the FUNC. menu in _).
_Set the shooting mode dial to the shooting mode you want
to use.
Press the FU NCJSET button.
_Use the ,_ or €button to select a menu item.
• Some items may not be setectabie in some shooting modes.
(_ Use the _, or _ button to select an option for the menu
item.
• You can select further options with the MENU button for some
options.
• After selecting an option, you can press the shutter button to
shoot immediately.
(_ Press the FU NC./SET button.
18