Polaroid A550 User manual

DIGITAL QUALITY, POLAROID SIMPLICITY™ www.polaroid.com
User Guide
a550 5.0 Megapixel Digital Camera

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Product Overview
1. Shutter button
2. Flash
3. Power button
4. Self-timer LED
5. Speaker
6. Lens
7. Microphone
7
6
4
3
2
1
5
8. Flash / Up button
9. Zoom out/ Thumbnail button
10. LCD Screen
11. Mode button
12. Scene Mode / Left button
13. Erase / Down button
14. Menu button
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
15. Zoom in button
16. Flash LED
17. Power LED
18. Wrist strap holder
19. Self-timer / Right button
20. LCD screen on / off button
21 OK button

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22. Tripod mount
23. USB port
24. Battery / SD card door 22
23
24

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Table of Contents
1 Getting Started ................................................................................. 7
• Camera Package Contents............................................................... 8
• Attaching the Wrist Strap................................................................ 9
• Installing and Removing the Battery.................................................. 9
• Using Your Battery ........................................................................10
• Checking the Battery Level.............................................................10
• Turning the Camera On and Off ......................................................11
2 Camera Setting ................................................................................12
• Checking Camera Status ................................................................12
• Camera Modes..............................................................................15
• How to Navigate Menus.................................................................15
• Setup Menu..................................................................................16
• Setting the Current Date and Time ..................................................18
• Setting Auto Power Off .................................................................19
• Setting the Beep Sound On / Off.....................................................20
• Selecting the Frequency ................................................................20
• Setting the Display Language..........................................................21
• Setting the Date Stamp On / Off .....................................................21
• Restoring Default Setting Settings...................................................22
• Switching the Information Display and LCD Screen On and Off ...........23
3 Taking Pictures ................................................................................25
• Taking Pictures in Normal Mode......................................................25
• Setting Flash Mode .......................................................................26
• Setting the Image Size and Quality ..................................................28
• Setting Exposure Compensation for Pictures.....................................31
• Setting White Balance for Pictures...................................................32
• Taking Pictures in Different Scene Shooting Modes... ........................33
• Setting Self-timer ..........................................................................34
• Zoom Feature ...............................................................................35

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4 Recording Video Clips .......................................................................36
• Recording Video Clips ...................................................................36
• Setting Video Image Size ...............................................................37
• Setting White Balance for Video Clips..............................................38
5 Managing Pictures and Video Clips ....................................................39
• Reviewing Pictures ........................................................................39
• Playing the Video Clip....................................................................40
• Protecting or Unprotecting the Selected Picture or Video Clip..............40
• Runing a Slide Show......................................................................41
• Deleting Picture(s) and Video Clip(s) ................................................44
6 Print Setting ....................................................................................45
• About PictBridge ...........................................................................45
• About DPOF .................................................................................53
7 Using Memory .................................................................................55
• Using memory ..............................................................................55
• Formatting Memory .......................................................................58
• Copying Pictures, Video Clips to Memory Card ................................59
8 Installing the Software Onto a Computer .............................................60
• Installing the Software ..................................................................60
• Software Included with Your Camera...............................................62
• Computer System Requirements .....................................................63
• PhotoImpression® 5 Hot Plug Function (PC Only)...............................64
9 Transferring Pictures and Video Clips to a Computer.............................66
• Before Transferring File..................................................................66
• Connecting to Your Computer ........................................................66
• Transferring Pictures and Video Clips...............................................67
10 Troubleshooting Problems................................................................68
• Troubleshooting ............................................................................68
11 Getting Help ..................................................................................72

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• Polaroid Online Service ..................................................................72
• ArcSoft Software Help...................................................................72
12 Appendix.......................................................................................73
• Technical Specifications.................................................................73
• Capacity of SD Card......................................................................75
• Uninstalling Polaroid Digital driver (PC Only) .....................................78
• Camera Default Settings ................................................................79
• Tips, Your Safety & Maintenance....................................................80
• Regulatory Information...................................................................81

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1 Getting Started
Incorporated with Polaroid’s sophisticated technology, your camera has these
features, which offers a powerful range of high-end, easy-to-use functions in an
exquisitely compact camera. It will allow you to capture that special occasion
with life-like clarity and beautiful color renditions.
Your camera has these features:
• A glass lens system for well exposed sharp pictures from 3.3 feet (100 cm)
to infinity. Your camera has 4X digital zoom modes
• Built-in flash with four modes (Auto, Red-eye reduction, Off and Flash
Always on)
• Adjust your picture’s resolution for printing or emailing
• White balance, exposure compensation to suit lighting conditions
• Experience PictBridge capability to plug-and-print your images

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• Camera Package Contents
First Class
Postage
Required
Post Ofce will
not deliver
without proper
postage
Digital Imaging Products
201 Burlington Road
Bedford, MA 01730-1434
The CD-ROM includes
Polaroid Digital Camera driver (PC)
Arcsoft PhotoImpression® 5 (PC & Mac)
ArcSoft PhotoPrinter® 5 (PC)
/ArcSoft PhotoPrinter® 4 (Mac)
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ (PC & Mac)
User Guide (in PDF format)
Skin
Quick Start Guide
USB Cable
Wrist Strap
3 X AAA Battery
a550 Warranty Card
a550
Quick Start Guide
Guide de Démarrage rapide
Guida Rapida
Guía Rápida de Inicio
Guia de Início Rápido
ML 0403
Part no.: OM837657 R1
Printed in China
Schnellanleitung

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• Attaching the Wrist Strap
1 2
• Installing and Removing the Battery
1. Open the camera battery door by pushing it outwards as illustrated.
2. Insert the battery as shown.
3. Close the battery door by pressing it downwards then slide it back to lock.
1 2 3
a
bab
+
__
4. To remove the battery, slide the battery lock in the direction of the arrow
and the battery will eject out of the battery slot.
5. Pull the battery with your finger in the direction of the arrow.
4 5
a
b
+
__

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• Using Your Battery
Limit the following activities that reduces battery life:
• Reviewing your pictures on the LCD screen.
• Excessive use of the flash.
WARNINGS!
• Battery should be replaced by an adult.
• Insert the battery with the correct polarity.
• Remove exhausted battery from the camera immediately.
• Do not short the supply terminals.
• Please dispose the battery properly.
• Remove battery from the camera when not in use.
• Batteries life varies depends on the camera usage.
These instructions should be retained for future reference.
• Checking the Battery Level
Check the battery power level that appears on the LCD screen before shooting.
Battery power is full.
Battery has adequate power.
Battery power is low.
Batter power is empty.
Batter power is exhausted
NOTE:
• When battery power is exhausted, the icon appears on the LCD screen
and the camera will turn off automatically. Please replace the batteries
immediately.
• We recommend user to use Ni-mh rechargeable battery for better battery
performance.

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• Turning the Camera On and Off
1. Press the button until the Power
On LED screen turns on.
2. Press the button again to turn off
the camera.
IMPORTANT!
All operations, including taking pictures and video clips, and adjusting settings for
shooting and playback, are performed while the camera is powered on.

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2 Camera Setting
• Checking Camera Status
Turn on the camera and view the camera LCD screen to check which camera
settings are active. Those particular features whose icons are not displayed are
not activated.
Still Image Mode
Image Size
2592 x 1944*
2048 x 1536
1600 x 1200
640 x 480
Full
Adequate
Low
Empty
Exhausted
2592X1944
x3.0
9999
Capture Mode
Flash Mode
Auto*
Red-eye Reduction
Flash Off
Flash Always On
Self-timer
Off*
2 SEC
10 SEC
Number of Pictures
That Can Be Taken
Battery Capacity
Storage Media
Digital Zoom Status
Auto*
-Night Portrait
-Sunset
-Surf & Snow
-B & W
Scene Mode /Left
Key Setting
-0.5
* Default Setting

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2592X1944
x3.0
9999
10
-0.5
Quality
White Balance
- Daylight
- Cloudy
- Tungsten
- Fluorescent
- Auto*
Exposure
- High*
- Normal
- Low
* Default Setting

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Video Mode
x3.0
Record Indicator
- Record
- Stop Remaining Time
640 x 480
01:00:00
Playback Mode
Locked File
Play Indicator
Folder number / File number
Date
Time
Play
Pause
2592X1944
10:01
03/07/07
9999-9999
File Type
Still Image le
Video le

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• Camera Modes
The camera has three working modes,
Capture mode, Playback mode and
Video mode. Pressing the mode button
switches among the Capture mode,
Playback mode and Video mode.
• How to Navigate Menus
Menus and function bars are used to adjust capture and play settings, as well as
other camera settings like the Date / Time, Auto Off, and so on.
Press the button to enter the menu and press the right button to enter a
submenu. Use the up and down buttons to scroll up and down, and use the
left and right buttons to scroll left and right. Use the button to confirm
your choice. The currently selected option will be accessed and takes effect
immediately.

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• Setup Menu
The Setup menu can be accessed in all two working modes to customize your
camera settings. Here we take the mode for an example.
1. Press the button to access the
main menu. Image Size
Quality
Exposure
White Balance
Still
2. Press the s or button to select the
Setup option.
Format
Date/Time
Auto Off
Beep
Setup
1/2

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3. Use the and buttons to select a Setup option and then press the
button to enter the next submenu for that particular option.
Page 20
Page 21
Page 21
Page 22
Frequency
Language
Date Stamp
Default Setting 2/2
Setup
Format
Date/Time
Auto Off
Beep
Setup
1/2
Page 58
Page 18
Page 20
Page 19

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• Setting the Current Date and Time
1. Follow the guidelines in “Setup Menu” on page 16
to access the Setup menu.
2. Select the Date/Time option using the or
button.
3. Press the button to access the Date/Time
submenu.
Setting the date format
4. Press the or button to select “Date Format”.
5. Press the button.
6. Press the or button to select the desired
setting.
7. Press the button.
OK
Date Setup
05/ 03 / 2007
00:00:01
Format
Date/Time
Auto Off
Beep
Setup
1/2
Date/Time
Date Format
Date Setup
OK
Date Format
DD/MM/YY
MM/DD/YY
YY/MM/DD
Date/Time
Date Format
Date Setup
Setting the date and time
4. Press the or button to select “Date Setup”.
5. Press the button.
6. Press the or button to adjust the value in the
field.
7. Press the button to switch to the next field.
8. Press the button.

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• Setting Auto Off
The camera is equipped with a power saving operation to conserve battery
power.
You can change the power saving setting with the following steps:
1. Follow the guidelines in “Setup Menu” on page 16
to access the Setup menu.
2. Select the Auto Off option using the or button.
3. Press the button to access the Auto Off
submenu.
4. Specify the automatic power off period using the
or button. Press the button to confirm your
choice and exit from the menu window, and press
the s button to give up confirmation and return
previous.
Format
Date/Time
Auto Off
Beep
Setup
1/2
OK
Auto Off
Off
1 Min
3 Min
5 Min
1 Min / 3 Min/ 5 Min The camera is designed to switch off automatically
to save battery life after the specified period of
inactivity.
Off The power saving function is not active.
NOTE:
Auto power off is automatically disabled under any one of the following
conditions:
• While the camera is recording a video clip.
• While the camera is running a slide show.
• While the camera is connecting to PC, printer.

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• Setting the Beep Sound On / Off
The beep sound can be turned on and off in the Setup menu. When the beep
sound is turned on, the camera will beep when you press the buttons.
1. Follow the guidelines in “Setup Menu” on page 16
to access the Setup menu.
2. Select the Beep Sound option using the and
button.
3. Press the button to access the Beep submenu.
Beep
On
Off
Setup
Format
Date/Time
Auto Off
Beep
4. Select On Or Off using the and button. Press
the button to confirm your choice and exit from
the menu window, and press the s button to give
up confirmation and return previous.
• Selecting the Frequency
The correct frequency for your indoor shooting scence makes the effect of
photos better.
1. Follow the guidelines in “Setup Menu” on page 16
to access the Setup menu.
2. Select the Frequency option using the or
button.
3. Press the button to access the Frequency
submenu.
4. Select the frequency of your own country using the
and button. Press the button to confirm
your choice and exit from the menu window, and
press the s button to give up confirmation and
return previous.
Frequency
50 Hz
60 Hz
Setup
Frequency
Language
Date Stamp
Default Setting
NOTE:
50 HZ For European users
60 HZ For United States users