Canon SD550 - PowerShot Digital ELPH Camera User manual

Preparations
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Printing
Downloading Images
to a Computer
CDI-E192-010 XX05XXX
Camera User Guide
Please Read This First
This guide explains how to prepare the camera and use its basic features.
© 2005 CANON INC. PRINTED IN JAPAN
ENGLISH
Basic
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The following guides are available. Refer to them as necessary
according to the flowchart below.
Flowchart and Reference Guides
System Map
Basic Camera User
Guide (This Guide)
• Read this first.
Advanced Camera
User Guide
Direct Print User Guide
Basic Camera User
Guide (This Guide)
Software Starter Guide
ZoomBrowser EX/
ImageBrowser
Software User Guide
• PDF manuals available
on the Canon website.
http://web.canon.jp/
Imaging/information-
e.html
For information on included
items and items sold separately
Preparations
• Charging the battery
• Installing the battery and memory
card
• Setting the date, time and language
Shooting
Playback/Erasing
Menus and Settings
Handling precautions,
references to the various
shooting and playback functions
Printing
• Installing the software
• Downloading images to a
computer
• Using the software
In this guide, the Basic Camera User Guide is called the Basic Guide,
and the Advanced Camera User Guide is called the Advanced Guide.
Also, "battery" refers to the battery pack.
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1. Charging the Battery.
Charge the battery before use under the following circumstances.
• When using the battery for the first time.
• When the "Change the battery pack" message displays.
1. Insert the battery into the battery charger.
2. Plug the battery charger (CB-2LU) into a power outlet, or
attach the power cord to the battery charger (CB-2LUE) and
plug it into a power outlet.
• Battery charger model names and types vary by region.
The charge indicator will light red while the battery is charging. It
will change to green when the charge is complete. Charging
takes approximately 95 minutes.
Preparations
To protect the battery and prolong its life, do not charge it
for longer than 24 hours continuously.
See the Advanced Guide: Battery Handling (p. 105)
Charge Indicator
For CB-2LU For CB-2LUE
Align these symbols
Preparations
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2. Installing the Battery.
1. Slide the lock release switch in the direction of the arrow
( ), and open the memory card slot/battery cover ( ).
2. Push the battery lock in the direction of the arrow as shown
( ) and insert the battery until it locks.
To remove the battery, push the battery lock in the direction of
the arrow ( ) and hold it while pulling the battery out.
3. Inserting the Memory Card.
1. Insert the memory card until it clicks into place.
2. Close the memory card slot/battery cover.
Ensure that the memory card is correctly oriented before
inserting it in the camera. It may damage the camera if
inserted incorrectly.
See the Advanced Guide: Handling the Memory Card (p. 107)
See the Advanced Guide: Formatting Memory Cards (p. 23)
Battery Lock
Back
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To Remove the Memory Card
Use a finger to push the memory card in until you hear a click, then release
it.
You can use SD* memory cards and MultiMediaCards with this camera.
These cards are collectively called memory cards in this guide.
*SD stands for Secure Digital, a copyright protection system.
Preparations
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First Time Settings
Setting the Date/Time
1. Press the power button ( ).
2. Use the or button to select an item and the or
button to change its value ( ).
To set the daylight saving option, use the or button to
display .
3. Confirm that the correct time is displayed and press the
FUNC./SET button ( ).
The date and time can also be set in the Set up menu (p. 13).
Setting the Display Language
1. Turn the mode dial to (playback).
2. Hold down the FUNC./SET button and press the MENU
button.
3. Use the , ,or button to select a language and
press the FUNC./SET button.
The display language can also be set in the Set up menu (p. 13).
• A rechargeable lithium battery is built into the camera to
save such settings as the date/time. This battery charges
when the main battery is in the camera. When you pur-
chase the camera, place the main battery in it for approx-
imately four hours or use AC Adapter Kit ACK900 (sold
separately) to charge the lithium battery. It will charge
even if the camera is turned off.
• The date/time settings may be lost after approximately
three weeks if you remove the main battery. Reset the
date/time settings if this occurs.
See the Advanced Guide: Setting the World Clock (p. 24).
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1. Press the power button.
The start-up sound will play and the start-
up image will display in the LCD monitor.
• Pressing the power button again turns
the power off.
• To switch to the setting that mutes all
sounds (except for the warning sound),
press and hold the DISP. button while pressing the power button.
2. Turn the mode dial to (Auto).
3. Aim the camera at the subject.
4. Focus and shoot.
1. Press the shutter button
halfway to focus.
When the camera focuses, the
camera beeps twice and the
indicator lights green.
2. Press the shutter button fully to
shoot.
The shutter sound will play and
the image will record. The
indicator will blink green while the
image is recorded to the memory
card.
Shooting
See the Advanced Guide: Using the LCD Monitor (p. 15)
See the Advanced Guide: Power Saving Function (p. 22)
See the Advanced Guide: Set up Menu (p. 29)
See the Advanced Guide: My Camera Menu (p. 31)
See Basic Shooting Functions (p. 6).
See the Advanced Guide: Indicators (p. 22).
See the Advanced Guide for the various shooting methods
available.
Power button
Indicators
Shooting
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Reviewing an Image Right After Shooting
After a shot is taken, the image appears in the LCD monitor for
approximately 2 seconds.
You can continue to display images regardless of the review duration
setting with the following procedures.
• Keeping the shutter button pressed after a shot.
•PressingtheFUNC./SET button while the image is displayed in the LCD
monitor.
To stop displaying the image, press the shutter button halfway.
Basic Shooting Functions
Selecting a Shooting Mode
1. Turn the mode dial to the desired mode ( ).
In the , and modes, press the FUNC./SET button
( ) and use the or
button to select a shooting mode
( ), then press the FUNC./SET button ( ).
Shooting Modes
See the Advanced Guide: Review (p. 28).
AUTO
The camera automatically selects settings.
MANUAL
Manual
Allows you to
select settings
yourself, such as
the exposure
compensation,
white balance or
photo effect.
My Colors
Allows you to
change the image
colors easily with 9
modes.
See the
Advanced Guide
(p. 58) .
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MANUAL
Digital Macro
Allows you to shoot when the distance from the lens (at
maximum wide angle) to the subject is within 5 – 50 cm (2.0
in. – 1.6 ft.).
The subject can be shown larger than in standard macro
mode because the camera trims the image edges and
zooms in with the digital zoom.
Stitch Assist
Allows you to shoot overlapping images that can later be merged (stitched) to
create one panoramic image on a computer.
SPECIAL
SCENE
Portrait
Blurs the
background and
makes a person
stand out.
Night
Snapshot
Allows you to take
snapshots of
people against
twilight or night
backgrounds by
reducing the effects
of camera shake
even without using
a tripod.
Kids&Pets
Allows you to
capture subjects
that move around,
such as children
and pets, without
missing photo
opportunities.
Indoor
Prevents camera
shake and
maintains the
subject's true color
when shooting
under florescent or
tungsten lighting.
Foliage
Shoots trees and
leaves—such as
new growth,
autumn leaves or
blossoms—in vivid
colors.
Snow
Shoots without a
blue tinge and
without making
people appear dark
against a snowy
background.
Beach
Shoots without
making people
appear dark near
water or sand
where reflected
sunlight is strong.
Fireworks
Captures fireworks
in the sky sharply
and at optimal
exposure.
Underwater
Appropriate for shooting images with Waterproof Case
WP-DC80 (sold separately). This mode uses an optimal
white balance setting to reduce bluish tones and record
images with a natural hue. The exposure is regulated to use
the flash as little as possible.
See the Advanced Guide (p. 44).
Shooting
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Using the Zoom
1. Press the zoom lever toward or .
The zoom can be adjusted from 37 mm – 111 mm (focal length) in
35mm film equivalent terms.
Wide Angle: Zooms
out from the subject.
Telephoto: Zooms in
on the subject.
MOVIE
Shoots a movie when you press the shutter button.
You can select from four modes: [Standard], [Fast Frame Rate] suitable for sports
or fast motion, [Compact] convenient for email attachments and [My Colors]
which allows you to change color effects.
•The shutter speed is slow in mode. Always use a tripod
to avoid camera shake.
•In , , , or mode, the ISO speed may
increase and cause noise in the image depending on the
scene being shot.
• In mode, shoot with the subject 1 m (3.3 ft.) or more from
the end of the lens.
•To shoot underwater, install the camera in Waterproof Case
WP-DC80 (sold separately).
•We recommend you use Waterproof Case WP-DC80 for
shooting at ski resorts or beaches.
See the Advanced Guide (p. 42).
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Using the Flash
1. Press the button to cycle through flash settings.
Flash settings cannot be used in some shooting modes.
You are recommended to shoot with the camera attached
to a tripod or other device if the camera shake warning
icon appears.
See the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each
Shooting Mode (p. 128).
Auto
Auto with red-eye
reduction
Flash on with red-
eye reduction
Flash on
Flash off
Slow synchro
Red-eye reduction
This feature reduces the effect of light
reflecting back from the eyes and
making them appear red.
Slow synchro
The flash timing is adjusted to a slow
shutter speed, allowing you to shoot
night scenes.
Shooting
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Shooting Close-Ups/Infinity Shots
1. Press the / button to switch modes.
To cancel the macro/infinity mode: press the / button to
remove or from the display.
These settings cannot be set in some shooting modes.
Macro
Use this mode to shoot close-ups of flowers or small items.
Image Area at Minimum Shooting Distance from End of Lens to Subject
• Maximum wide angle setting: 56 × 42 mm (2.2 × 1.7 in.)
Minimum shooting distance: 5 cm (2.0 in.)
• Maximum telephoto setting: 105 × 79 mm (4.1 × 3.1 in.)
Minimum shooting distance: 30 cm (1.0 ft.)
Infinity
Use this mode to record subjects 3 m (10 ft.) or more from the end of
the lens.
•Use the LCD monitor to compose close-ups in macro
mode since images composed with the viewfinder may
be off-center.
•The exposure may not be optimal when the flash is used
in macro mode in the range of 5 – 30 cm (2.0 in. – 1.0 ft.).
See the Advanced Guide: Functions Available in Each
Shooting Mode (p. 128).
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1. Turn the mode dial to (playback).
The last recorded image will appear in the
LCD monitor.
2. Use the or button to display
the image you wish to view.
Use the button to move to the previous image and the
button to move the next image.
Holding the button down advances the images more rapidly, but
shows them less clearly.
1. In the playback mode,
use the or button
to select an image to
erase ( ) and press
the button ( ).
2. Confirm that [Erase] is
selected and press the FUNC./SET
button ( ).
To exit instead of erasing, select [Cancel].
Playback
See the Advanced Guide for the various playback methods
available (p. 69)
Erasing
Please note that erased images cannot be recovered.
Exercise adequate caution before erasing an image.
See the Advanced Guide: Erasing All Images (p. 82).
Playback/Erasing
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Settings for the shooting or playback modes or such camera settings as
the date/time and sounds are set using the FUNC., Rec., Play, Set up or
My Camera menu.
FUNC. Menu
This menu sets many of the common shooting functions.
Turn the mode dial to , , or .
Press the FUNC./SET button.
Use the or button to select a menu item.
• Some items may not be selectable 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. After shooting, this menu will appear again,
allowing you to adjust the settings easily.
Press the FUNC./SET button.
Menus and Settings
See the Advanced Guide: Menu List (p. 28).
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Rec., Play, Set up and My Camera Menus
Convenient settings for shooting or playback can be set with these menus.
Press the MENU button.
Use the or button to switch between menus.
• You can also use the zoom lever to switch between menus.
Use the or button to select a menu item.
• Some items may not be selectable in some shooting modes.
Use the or button to select an option.
• Menu items followed by an ellipsis (...) can only be set after
pressing the FUNC./SET button to display the next menu.
• Press the FUNC./SET button again to confirm the setting.
Press the MENU button.
See the Advanced Guide: Menu List (p. 28).
(My Camera) Menu
• This example shows the Rec. menu.
• In playback mode, the Play menu displays.
You can switch
between menus
with the or
button when this
part is selected.
(Rec.) Menu
(Play) Menu
(Set up) Menu
Menus and Settings
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Connect the camera to a direct print compatible printer*1 with a cable and
simply press the button on the camera.
1. Connect the camera to a Direct Print compatible printer
and turn on the printer's power.
Turn the mode dial to (playback) mode and turn on the
camera's power.
*1 Since this camera uses a standard protocol (PictBridge), you can use it with other
PictBridge-compliant printers in addition to Canon-brand printers.
*2 You can also use card photo printers such as the CP-10/CP-100/CP-200/CP-300.
Printing
Canon Brand Printers
SELPHY CP Series
Compact Photo Printers*2
PIXMA Series/SELPHY DS
Series Bubble Jet Printers
Interface Cable
Camera
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2. Confirm that , or is displayed in the upper left
of the LCD monitor ( ).
• The button will light blue.
• The displayed icon will vary according to the printer model.
3. Use the or button to select an image to print ( ) and
press the button ( ).
The button will blink blue and printing will start.
See the Advanced Guide: DPOF Print Settings (p. 83).
See the Direct Print User Guide
See the user guide for your printer
Printing
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The following methods can be used to download images recorded by the
camera to a computer. Some methods, depending on the OS used, may
not be available. Please read System Requirements (p. 17) in advance.
Camera to Computer Connection
* Please also see the Windows XP and Mac OS X Users leaflet.
Using a Memory Card Reader
A memory card reader can be used with all the operating systems listed
above. See the Software Starter Guide for details.
Downloading Images to a Computer
Supplied Software Install It Do Not Install It
Downloading Method Computer
Procedure
Camera
Procedure
Computer
Procedure
OS Windows 98
Second Edition (SE) –
Windows 2000
–
Windows Me –
Windows XP 
Mac OS X 
Computer System
Requirements
•Basic Guide (p. 17)
•Software Starter Guide
Connecting the Camera to
a Computer
•Basic Guide (p. 19)
•Software
Starter Guide*
Downloading Images to
a Computer
•Basic Guide (pp. 20–21)
•Software Starter Guide
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System Requirements
Please install the software on a computer meeting the following minimum
requirements.
Windows
Macintosh
OS
Windows 98 Second Edition (SE)
Windows Me
Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
Windows XP (including Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2)
Computer Model
The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with built-in USB
ports.
CPU
Pentium 500 MHz or higher processor
RAM
Windows 98 SE/Windows Me 128 MB or more
Windows 2000/Windows XP 256 MB or more
Interface
USB
Free Hard Disk
Space
• Canon Utilities
- ZoomBrowser EX 250 MB or more
(Including the PhotoRecord printing program)
- PhotoStitch 40 MB or more
• Canon Camera TWAIN Driver 25 MB or more
• Canon Camera WIA Driver 25 MB or more
• ArcSoft PhotoStudio 50 MB or more
Display
1,024 x 768 pixels/High Color (16 bit) or better
OS
Mac OS X (v10.2–v10.3)
Computer Model
The above OS should be pre-installed on computers with built-in USB
ports.
CPU
PowerPC G3/G4/G5
RAM
256 MB or more
Interface
USB
Free Hard Disk
Space
• Canon Utilities
- ImageBrowser 200 MB or more
- PhotoStitch 40 MB or more
• ArcSoft PhotoStudio 50 MB or more
Display
1,024 x 768 pixels/32,000 Colors or better
Downloading Images to a Computer
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Preparing to Download Images
Items to Prepare
• Camera and computer
• Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk supplied with the camera
• Interface cable supplied with the camera
1. Install the software.
1. Place the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk in the
computer's CD-ROM drive.
2. Click the Digital Camera Software
[Install] button and click [Next].
3. Select [Easy Installation] as the
setup type and click [Next].
Proceed with the installation while
reviewing installation settings.
4. When the installation is complete,
select [Yes, I want to restart my
computer now.] and click [Finish].
5. Remove the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk from the
CD-ROM drive after restarting.
Ensure that you install the software first before connecting the
camera to the computer.
Double-click the [Canon Digital Camera Installer] icon
in the CD-ROM window.
When the installation is
finished, click [OK].
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