Canon Powershot SD550 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Beige)

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.2 x 1 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000AYKUUQ
• Item model number: SD550 Digital ELPH
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (149 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,190 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 22, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

As the Powershot flagship, the Powershot SD550 maintains the style and sophistication for which Powershot is renowned--the elegant 'perpetual curve' design returns. And as ever, the functionality behind this new Powershot model is as stunning as the camera itself. The cameras boasts DIGIC II processing, and a massive 2.5-inch LCD. The Powershot SD550 has 7.1-megapixel resolution and comes with 3x optical zoom.

Style statement
Each Canon Powershot is a statement in style, and the Powershot SD550 is no exception. The sleek lines and graceful feel of the Powershot SD550's all-metal perpetual curve body embraces Powershot luxury.

Large LCD with wide viewing angle
The camera features an oversize 2.5-inch LCD display, while retaining all key controls and preserving a sleek and slim body. The large LCD with wide viewing angle makes it easier to view and share images and movies during playback. The big LCD also makes it easier for the user to frame their shot and view menus, and is adjustable to 15 levels of brightness. New slide show functions allow review of images with stylish and contemporary transition effects applied in camera to create impressive slide shows with minimum user effort.

UA elements and megapixels for bigger prints
The Powershot SD550 operates with 7.1-megapixel resolution, which can give photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints. The Powershot SD550 lens is constructed with 7 elements in 5 groups and includes two Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical (UA) elements for true-to-life colors and crisp, high-contrast images.

DIGIC II Processor
The SD550 features DIGIC II--Canon's renowned processor that ensures images have superb resolution and color quality, as well as giving improved camera performance overall. With 9-point AiAF, the camera automatically focuses on the subject, even when it is off-center. iSAPS intelligence ensures that the camera assesses the scene and adjusts the settings to achieve the optimum results. Three methods of exposure control can be selected, evaluative, center-weighted, and spot, and the ISO can be set to Auto, 50, 100, 200, or 400. For rapid downloading of images, the Powershot SD550 utilizes a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface.

Shooting modes and special effects
The Powershot SD550 covers a wide range of photographic situations by providing users with 15 or 14 different shooting modes, respectively. A selection can be made from Auto, Manual, Portrait, Landscape, and Night Snapshot modes, or from the scene modes that now include an underwater setting, allowing users to take full advantage of the optional Waterproof Case WP-DC80 (not included--must be purchased separately). Underwater mode adjusts the white balance specifically for underwater shots, allowing capture of the most authentic colors and minimizing any blue cast.

My Colors allows the expansion of creativity in digital photography. Special effects such as Color Swap or Custom Color, which allows users to select their preferred color balance for any given shot, can be performed in-camera and viewed on the LCD while shooting stills and movies. These effects could previously only be achieved using PC software after shooting.

Intelligent orientation sensor
The Powershot SD550's Intelligent Orientation Sensor recognizes when the camera is rotated from horizontal to vertical, automatically rotating stored images for correct playback.

To help keep the camera level with the horizon and to assist with image composition, users can also opt to display gridlines on their LCD.

Other user interface options have been enhanced or added, including the new world time zone display. This allows the user to set home and destination country time zones, as well as animated displays and improved warnings for camera shake. The camera menu can also be displayed in 22 different languages.

More than just photos
The Powershot SD550 records high quality VGA movies; users can select between VGA and QVGA at 30 or 15 frames per second. Continuous filming is available until the file size has reached 1 GB or 60 minutes--whichever is reached first. A fast frame rate of 60 frames per second is available, allowing for slow-motion playback. Digital zoom can be employed whilst shooting, and for added effect, My Colors may also be used. Compact Movie mode, or QQVGA (160 x 120/15 frames per second), is designed to make sharing movies via e-mail as simple as possible.

Printing images
When used in combination with Canon's new Compact Photo Printer Selphy CP710 and Canon's Ink and Paper Set (KP-108IP), prints can be produced for just 30 euro cents each. Printing via a Selphy CP Compact Photo Printer also allows the user to print handy ID prints and movie prints.

When connected to the latest range of PictBridge compatible PIXMA printers (also released today) image enhancement is possible with functions including Noise Reduction and Vivid Photo as well as the new Face Brightener feature.

Printing of images without having to connect to a PC is made simpler via the Print/Share button, which also acts as an easy upload button for Windows XP and Mac OS X.

Comprehensive software
The Powershot SD550 comes bundled with the following Canon software:

• ZoomBrowser EX 5.5, PhotoRecord 2.2 (Windows), ImageBrowser 5.5 (Macintosh): For easy image download, storage and retrieval, as well as management of image layout and printing.
• PhotoStitch 3.1: Creates stunning panoramas and can be used with Windows and Macintosh.
• Movie Edit Task: For editing and enhancement of movie footage. Also included is PhotoStudio, the photo manipulation software by ArcSoft.

Purchasers of the Powershot SD550 are eligible for membership of Canon iMAGE Gateway, where they can upload images and customize their camera settings.

The bundled software supports Windows 98 (SE), ME, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/3) and Macintosh OS X v10.2-v10.3. The camera supports PTP for driverless transfer to supported Windows XP or Macintosh OS X.

What's in the box
PowerShot SD550 body, Lithium battery pack NB-3L, battery charger CB-2LU, 32 MB SD memory card SDC-32M, wrist strap WS-700, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable IFC-400PCU, audio-video Cable AVC-DC300

Product Description

From its elegantly curved profile to its superb functionality, the ultra-compact PowerShot SD550 Digital ELPH rightfully owns the top spot in the Digital ELPH line. The camera's significant design achievement is matched by advanced imaging technology, for photography that makes as big an impact as the camera itself. Now equipped with an eye-opening 2.5 inch LCD screen.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

552 of 566 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Improvements over SD500 - read on:, September 15, 2005

By	Mediahound (SF Bay Area, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I like this little digital camera. It does everything a point and shoot digital camera should do and more. For me, a point and shoot camera should be small and light so that it can conveniently go with me everywhere. That's the power of any point and shoot camera actually. It goes with you in your daily life and subsequently you get shots that you could not get with other larger cameras either because it would be too conspicous, or too inconvenient to carry with you. This is the snapshot ethic. I'm a professional photographer and I carry this little pocket camera with me everywhere because I can't carry my pro SLR with me all the time and not have it feel like a burden on my shoulder.

You might be tempted to instead buy the cheaper and slightly older Canon SD500 since it has the same megapixel rating and looks very similar. There are however some pretty good improvements in the SD550:

-a larger LCD screen (very nice)
-better movie mode (SD500 put an annoying hissing/whining sound into the movie)
-better battery lid latch design
-better internal software (the display actually displays words and symbols such as "continuous mode" "single shot" "Macro" and not just the symbols alone.

A NOTE ABOUT CASE COLOR:
The SD550 comes in both Silver (called Grey on the box) or Champagne Gold. You will need to inquire with the vendor what color they stock or if you have a choice. Some of the vendors may be a bit useless in this respect so watch out-you may end up receiving a case color that you did not want. In my opinion, the Champagne Gold color is very ugly. Silver is much more attractive, even if you have to go to a local store to buy it.

This camera is easy and fun to use and I can even shoot a long movie (up to 20 something minutes at the lower resolution with a 1GB card). Some cameras (Casio) only let you shoot a short 8 second movie. The movie mode is quite usable with quality video and audio.

Another cool feature is that the automatic orientation sensor works when you are reviewing images. Try reviewing images and rotating the camera around-the image will always stay right side up on the LCD screen!

To conclude, I am happy with this camera because it does everything a small point and shoot digital camera should do, yet it is quite small, light, feels sturdy (metal case) and has very pleasant ergonomics both with regard to the layout of the controls as well as to the on screen menu functions. Color, sharpness and resolution are all impressive for a camera this size.

276 of 284 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best ultra-compact I've seen yet., September 17, 2005

By	Just Say Yo (Studio City, CA) - See all my reviews

I have owned several digital cameras over the past 3 years. Canon is a brand that never disappoints. This camera is no exception. I have a Canon 20D digital SLR I use with an external flash. I use it almost everyday. Stunning quality, but those of you who have kids know that this is a quite a monster to carry around on a day-to-day basis.

I needed something that I could pop into a bag and go without feeling like I was sacrificing quallity. The SD550 is the solution.

The Digic II processor enables fast focusing and thereby reduces "shutter lag." Fewer lost moments.

Easy menu/function navagation.

The flash is amazingly adequate despite it's smallish appearance. Adequate illumination up to 15'.

Great in-cam screen. Largest in its class (2.5").

Many custom settings for the novice to the the pro.

Movie mode is awesome for a camera of this size.

Cons are:

You will need to spend an additional 60-90 bucks to get a practical memory card. They supply a 32MB card that is good for about a dozen hi-res pics (or fewer).

Still no case included. Coach makes a nice one for about 30 bucks.

Conclusion:
I know I am an early adopter but I am sure this camera will be a best seller. I hope your results are comparable.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I like them small - and pocketable, December 26, 2005

By	Manish Laxmikant - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Update: I'm not as hot about the durability of this product. Canon service has been nice enough to fix this every time I send it in, but it's been to the shop THREE times during its one year warranty, and has stopped working again. I might have been unfortunate enough to get something with an irreparable defect. I like it WHEN it works, but otherwise I am now a bit afraid to go for these. The S400 I had before this was way more reliable than this frequent flyer to the service center. I'd shoot out a couple of stars if I could, but I can't when updating a review.

I love the results that a digital SLR produces, especially in low light. Make no mistake, a digital SLR is way better at 400 ASA than any of these point-and-shoots.
BUT how often do you see a photo opportunity, and have your digital SLR ready to capture it? By the time you pull that one out of the carry case, this camera is done with the shot, the moment has passed, the SLR is only now ready, and victory belongs to the one who actually got to take a picture.
Points to note:
- Size. This fits into my front left pocket with my wallet. I can draw the camera and shoot within seconds at any time. And it's solidly built, even the screen remains clear and scratch free. I wouldn't stick it with coins and keys though.
- Fast power up. This camera is ready by the time I'm pointing. I used to hit the power button on my S400 as it came out of my pocket, but this one powers up almost instantaneously so you need no such tricks.
- USB 2.0 - with a 2GB card that I don't like to erase often, this is very important.
- Gravity-flip. If you have a portrait shot to view, rotate the camera 90 degrees and the picture uses the full screen. To get the right side up, the older generation of cameras would play back portraits in a wide screen, wasting a lot of screen space.
- Perfectly placed controls. Don't be fooled by touch-screen controls like the Sony 3" screen camera has. Sony designs its product controls like people have nothing better to look at than the camera itself. Canon allows you to feel what you need when taking the shot and places nice solid buttons in the right places. Even for my huge clumsy fingers.
- I like the 2.5" screen for playing back photos, particularly for older people who otherwise would need reading glasses. I also use the camera as a digital photo wallet, 2GB SD card gives you plenty of room.
- 640x480 video capture is nice. Again, you may not have a camcorder ready in your pocket but this camera will fit nicely. Not for production movies, but hey when you want to capture a spontaneous moment...
- Fast ASA switching in Manual mode. I can live with some noise at 400 ASA when the moment is important. I usually like 200 ASA indoors, the quality is reasonable. Sometimes I want to use the 50 ASA high-quality capture, and I don't have to dig deep into the menus to set this. It's one-touch
- I hate using the flash, so for me it's important to see the right details (shutter speed, ASA, flash status) Canon has the display planned very intuitively.
- I used to be a Nikon fan until the digital elphs came along. Canon has winners here, and I like the SD 550 best of all.
- Convenient battery size and life - about a day's worth of good usage, or days of casual usage. I got the Lenmar equivalent as a spare battery, and I'm never out of power. The charger is very quick and I usually have a fully charged battery at all times, often a charged spare as well. Note that Canon increased its battery capacity because the Lenmar offered more mAh when the S400 was in fashion. Battery beats having to deal with AA or AAA cells.
- Compatibility. This works perfectly with iPhoto, and I like that. I have never used their built-in software.

Do make sure you get the biggest SD capacity you can afford. Trust me.