Canon PowerShot A550 Assembly instructions

DIGITAL CAMERA Advanced Camera User Guide

Before Using the Camera

Shooting

Playback/Erasing

Print/Transfer Settings

Troubleshooting

List of Messages

Appendix

Advanced

ENGLISH

Camera User Guide

This guide explains camera features and procedures in detail.

Main Features

Shooting

zAvoid the effects of camera shake or blurry subjects when

shooting by using a high ISO speed

zAutomatically adjusts shooting settings to match particular

conditions

zAutomatically detects camera orientation with an Intelligent

Orientation sensor

Playback

zPlays movies with sound

zPlays back automatically

using the Auto Play

Editing

zRecords sound memos

for still images

Printing

zMakes printing easy with

the Print/Share button

zAlso supports non-

Canon brand PictBridge

compliant printers

Uses of Recorded Images

zEffortlessly transfer them to a computer with the Print/Share

button

Conventions Used in this Guide

Icons appearing next to, or below titles indicate the shooting

modes in which the procedure can be used.

: This mark denotes issues that may affect the camera’s

operation.

: This mark denotes additional topics that complement the

basic operating procedures.

You can use SD memory cards, SDHC memory cards

and MultiMediaCards 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 arising out of the

malfunction of non-genuine Canon accessories, although you

may request such repairs on a chargeable basis.

• Unavailable shooting modes are shown grayed out.

Postcard Mode

Shooting Mode

See Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode (p. 119).

zIn 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.

Shooting/ Playback Mode

Table of Contents

Items marked with a 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

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

Conventions Used in this Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Handling Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Before Using the Camera – Basic Operations . . . . . . . . 12

Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26



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

Magnifying Images. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

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

Playback/Erasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Print Settings/Transfer Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

List of Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Battery Handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Handling the Memory Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Using the Power Kits (Sold Separately) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Using an Externally Mounted Flash (Sold Separately). . . . . .99

Replacing the Date Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Camera Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Functions Available in Each Shooting Mode . . . . . 119



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 arising

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 sale 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.

Please Read

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.

zBefore 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.

zThe 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.

zEquipment refers to the camera, battery, battery charger (sold

separately) and compact power adapter (sold separately).

Camera Body Temperature

If your camera is used for prolonged periods, the camera body

may become warm. Please be aware of this and take care when

operating the camera for an extended period.

About the LCD Monitor

The LCD monitor is produced with extremely high-precision

manufacturing techniques. More than 99.99% of the pixels

operate to specification. Less than 0.01% of the pixels may

occasionally misfire or appear as red or black dots. This has no

effect on the recorded image and does not constitute a

malfunction.

Safety Precautions

Warnings

Equipment

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.

Battery

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.

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