The new Canon PowerShot A550 digital camera is a 7.1 megapixel model with a 4x optical zoom lens and a 2-inch LCD screen. It features Canon's renowned DIGIC II image processor for crisp, vibrant images, responsive performance, and low power consumption. Replacing last year's popular PowerShot A530 digital camera, the new model offers not only higher resolution and a bigger LCD screen, but also better battery life, compatibility with MMC, SD and SDHC memory cards, and an enhanced movie mode that can record 30 fps VGA clips. Operating this camera is even easier than before with a redesigned mode dial featuring five of Canon's most popular Special Scene modes for easier access, as well as standard fully automatic settings. The PowerShot A550 digital camera retains many hallmark A-series features, including an optical viewfinder and a comfortable handgrip, making it ergonomically friendly for comfortable handling while providing yet another option for viewing the subject and saving battery power while shooting.
Technical Specifications for Canon Powershot A550
Image Sensor (CCD)
Camera Effective Pixels Approx. 7.1 million pixels, 1/2.5-inch type
Colour Filters Primary color filters (Bayer type)
Lens
Focal Length (35 mm film equivalent) 4x zoom: 35 (W) – 140 (T) mm
Focusing Range Normal: 45cm (1.5 ft.) – infinity
Macro: 5 - 45 cm (2.0 in. – 1.5 ft.) (W), 33 - 45 cm (1.1 – 1.5 ft.) (T)
Super Macro: -
Image Stabilizer (IS) System
Imaging Processor DIGIC II
Viewfinder Real-image optical zoom viewfinder
LCD Monitor Type: 2.0-inch type, color LCD (Effective pixels: Approx. 86,000 pixels)
Features: -
Focus AiAF (9-point), and AF (1-point*)
* Fixed to center
Metering System Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot*
* Fixed to center
Exposure Compensation ± 2 stops in 1/3-stop increments
ISO Speed Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/ 100/ 200/ 400/ 800
(Standard Output Sensitivity, Recommended Exposure Index)
White Balance Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
Shutter
Type Mechanical shutter and electronic shutter
Speeds 15- 1/2000 sec
Aperture
Type Circular type
f/number f/2.6 / f/7.1 (W), f/5.5 / f/14.0 (T)
Flash
Modes Auto, on, off
Range Normal: 45 cm – 3.5 m (W), 45 cm – 2.2 m (T) (1.5 – 11 ft. (W), 1.5 – 7.2 ft. (T))
Macro: 30 – 45 cm (W), 33 – 45 cm (T) (12 in. – 1.5 ft. (W), 1.1 – 1.5 ft. (T))
(ISO speed: Auto)
Main Features FE lock
Shooting Specifications
Shooting Modes Auto, Camera M (Manual), Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Special Scene*, Movie
* Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks
Digital Zoom Still images: Approx. 4.0x (up to approx. 16x in combination with the optical zoom)
Movies: Approx. 4.0x (up to approx. 16x in combination with optical zoom)
Safety Zoom, Digital tele-converter
My Colours My Colors Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, Black & White, Custom*
Continuous Shooting Approx. 1.7 shots/sec. (Large and Fine)
Number of Images Shot (CIPA) Approx. 140 images (alkaline), Approx. 500 images (NiMH)
Recording Specifications
Recording Media SD memory card, SDHC memory card, MultiMediaCard
File Format Design rule for camera file system, DPOF (Version 1.1) compliant
Data Type Still Images: Exif 2.2 (JPEG)
Movies: AVI (Image data: Motion JPEG, Audio data: WAVE (Monaural))
Audio: Sound memos: WAVE (Monaural)
Number of Recording Pixels
Still Images
Large: 3072 x 2304,
Medium 1: 2592 x 1944,
Medium 2: 2048 x 1536,
Medium 3: 1600 x 1200,
Small: 640 x 480,
Postcard date imprint: 1600 x 1200,
Widescreen: 3072 x 1728
Movies
Standard: 640 x 480 (30/15 fps) / 320 x 240 (30/15 fps)
Fast Frame Rate: 320 x 240 (60 fps)
Compact: 160 x 120 (15 fps)
Playback Specifications
Main Features
Still Images
Index, magnified, advancing and reversing through magnified images, jump, auto rotate, rotate, histogram, sound memos, auto play, resume
Movies
Special playback
Direct Print PictBridge, Canon Direct Print, Bubble Jet Direct
Display Languages 25 languages (Models for Japanese market available in 2 languages (Japanese and English))
Interface USB 2.0 Hi-Speed (mini-B)*, Audio/Video output
* MTP, PTP supported
Power Source 2 AA Alkaline batteries, 2 AA rechargeable NiMH batteries (NB4-300)
AC Adapter Kit ACK800
Dimensions
(excluding protrusions) 91.2 x 64.0 x 43.1 mm (3.59 x 2.52 x 1.70 in.)
Weight (camera body only) Approx.160g (5.64 oz.)
