Manage updates with the Download AppCanon PowerShot A550
Manufacturer: Canon Part number: 1775B001
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- This camera's low price tag and solid performance can help you forget that it doesn't have many bells or whistles.
Read more
Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Canon PowerShot A550 price range: $299.99
- Reviewed by: Will Greenwald
- Reviewed on: 02/11/2007
- Released on: 02/15/2007
The good: Responsive performance; slightly above-average lens.
The bad: Images plagued with artifacts and fringing; small LCD.
The bottom line: This camera's low price tag and solid performance can help you forget that it doesn't have many bells or whistles.
User reviews
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HUGE amount of bang for your buck.
by starkruzr on February 10, 2007
Pros: 4x optical zoom, manual features galore, tiny
Cons: Flash could be stronger
Summary: I don't think Will Greenwald paid much attention when he was reviewing this camera. It is CHOCK FULL of manual features including manual focus, manual shutter speed and aperture, ...
Summary: I don't think Will Greenwald paid much attention when he was reviewing this camera. It is CHOCK FULL of manual features including manual focus, manual shutter speed and aperture, and white balance setting. This is a GREAT small camera that functions great either as a small point-and-shoot or a manual shooter which lets you explore different composition options. The body is solid and feels well put-together. I can't recommend this camera enough.
8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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An excellent upgrade from older PowerShot Cameras
by Suescheff on February 21, 2007
Pros: Easy to use, Lots of settings
Cons: Print Quality, Small LCD
Summary: I previously used a Canon PowerShot A520, 5 MP. I was happy with it until it decided to take a leap from the table and break. I love the PowerShot'...
Summary: I previously used a Canon PowerShot A520, 5 MP. I was happy with it until it decided to take a leap from the table and break. I love the PowerShot's feel and look, so I was lucky to find a newer upgrade to the line.
Everything about the camera is pretty much the same as the A520, but the resolution on printed pictures is better and I find the shutter time to be better. These cameras have a solid result every time. Great zoom. The extra 2 MP gives you a little push into great. I would recommend the Canon line, especially this A550 over any other brand in this price range. What a deal!5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Less Creative Controls
by Alphavision on April 14, 2007
Pros: higher pixel rate, SD card, less power requirements
Cons: very little manual control, poor performance in low light
Summary: I got this camera as a replacement (with some extra cost, obviously!) to my old PowerShot A70 which had a CCD problem. I compare the performance to A70 with A550 ...
Summary: I got this camera as a replacement (with some extra cost, obviously!) to my old PowerShot A70 which had a CCD problem. I compare the performance to A70 with A550 and see that A70 was far better in many ways (only exception is the 7.1 pixel rate compare to 3.2 of A70). This camera is OK for day light outdoor shots. Performance in low light / night is poor compared to some of the other models in the same range. Though there is a manual mode, the camera allows you to control very little manually. I do not see any advantage in this camera other than the higher pixel rate and pixel rate along cannot do any magic.
4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Easy to Use, Great Pictures
by keltnera on March 7, 2007
Pros: Price, Picture Quality, Great Video, Lots of Features
Cons: Some strange lines from indoor lighting, none other than that
Summary: My Sony DSC-P92 finally gave out after 6 years of punishment. While the Sony was built well, many drops and much picture taking by my 4 and 6-year-old, I was ...
Summary: My Sony DSC-P92 finally gave out after 6 years of punishment. While the Sony was built well, many drops and much picture taking by my 4 and 6-year-old, I was never quite satisfied with the picture quality so I decided to try another brand. While I photograph constantly, I'm very much a novice. I just want to be able to point and click and not mess with any manual controls. However, the A550 has many more features than my old P92. So far, the Canon A550 has not disappointed. Right out of the box and taking a few snaps without reading any directions, the picture quality is much, much better than my old Sony P92. The build feels to be of similar quality, heavy and solid feeling. It fits in the hand well. While the LCD is a little smaller than other models at 2.0", it is very clear. I almost didn't buy it because I wanted a bigger LCD screen. The video is outstanding with no effort on my part and battery life is great (2 AA batteries). I am very happy with my purchase.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Terrible with flash and motion
by PsyKat on August 11, 2008
Pros: Fine LCD display, somewhat compact, does video, easy pull-trigger zooming
Cons: Incapable of taking shots of anything even slightly moving, occasional slow loading times when using flash, harsh flash lighting- makes it too obvious it was being used
Summary: Given the amount of money it costs, I would suggest looking for something a bit better than this. You can set the ISO speed and hold the camera as still ...
Summary: Given the amount of money it costs, I would suggest looking for something a bit better than this. You can set the ISO speed and hold the camera as still as you want, but taking pictures of moving things simply will not turn out. The flash is also ridiculously obtrusive. You're much better off even shining a flashlight at your subject than using this.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Price vs. Performance Leader
by P_Iturralde on May 5, 2007
Pros: Sharp 7.1 MP 4x Optics, Manual Options, Size & 9pt Focusing
Cons: No image stablizer, but for the price, that's OK.
Summary: I agree w/starkruzr review, to access the Manual Mode, just rotate the Top Dial counter-clockwise from AUTO to "M". You can change: 1) Exposure +/- 2 (F-Stops); 2) White ...
Summary: I agree w/starkruzr review, to access the Manual Mode, just rotate the Top Dial counter-clockwise from AUTO to "M". You can change: 1) Exposure +/- 2 (F-Stops); 2) White Balance (Auto, Day light, Cloudy, Tungston, etc.); 3) Colors (Off, Vivid, Neutral ... Custom); and Focusing Mode (Evaluative (9pt), Center weighted, Spot). With these options, you have more options then just the factory AUTO mode. Another improvement is the Digital Zoom circuitry, where for example, taking pictures above the 4x Optical Zoom is still clear and not pixelated even up to the 16x Zoom Max. option. FYI: My old & larger Olympus C-4000 3x Digital Zoom was mostly fuzzy & pixelated rendering it completely useless. So, Canon has done a great job combining both Optics & Digital Zoom features together to give the consumer real usable relatively clear picture Zoom options. Of course 16x Optical is the better route, but for the price, Canon's relatively clear up to 16x Digital Zoom allows you to get up-close & personal to your object or distant subject, should you choose to do so. All photo's can be previewed on the bright 2" LCD screen, just zoom-in to check the sharpness of your shots. For those that need more Flash support, you can use the Canon High-Power Flash HF-DC1 - PowerShot Flash Accessory (Maximum distance 23 ft./7m at ISO 100, f/2.8).
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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great value for money
by lskong on March 20, 2007
Pros: lot of controls
Cons: no underwater casing? c'mon!
Summary: should be a good piece of equipment for those wanting to start learning more about photography. it offers many controls that point & shoot digicams at this price don't ...
Summary: should be a good piece of equipment for those wanting to start learning more about photography. it offers many controls that point & shoot digicams at this price don't usually allow.
would have made an ideal underwater camera for amateur divers but canon doesn't sell an underwater casing for it! i don't understanding marketing....2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Not a good camera if you take night or action pics.
by white1972 on November 5, 2009
Pros: High quality photos for a budget camera.
Easy to use.Cons: This camera doesn't capture action well at all.
It is virtually impossible to get a photo in the dark or low light even on night setting.
If you want to get pictures in club setting, forget this one completely. Won't happen.
The delay is too long.Summary: If you are wanting a budget camera for taking pics of your friends during the day, pose pics are great quality. If you want to catch your kids in their ...
Summary: If you are wanting a budget camera for taking pics of your friends during the day, pose pics are great quality. If you want to catch your kids in their sporting events, buy a different camera. If you want to take concert pics or evening pics, forget this camera. You will not get the shot. If you want to get photos of items at a distance, do not buy this camera, again you will not get the shot.
It's a comfortable camera that is sturdy enough to handle an accidental drop, but it is far from a high quality camera. If you are buying it for the cost, you will get your money's worth. If you are buying to get those memory shots, splurge and get something a bit higher quality.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Good Pix, but you can't tell from the blurry LCD
by straussaz on June 14, 2007
Pros: Good features, Optical viewfinder, Good battery life
Cons: Very long shutter lag, poor LCD resolution
Summary: I purchased the A550 primarily for its compact size and optical viewfinder. I do lots of hiking and backpacking and any LCD washes out in the outdoors. The camera takes ...
Summary: I purchased the A550 primarily for its compact size and optical viewfinder. I do lots of hiking and backpacking and any LCD washes out in the outdoors. The camera takes very good pictures of stationary scenes, but any movement in moderate light tends to blur. Shutter lag is extremely slow. Frame a slow-walking horse's head, press the shutter and you get a picture of the horse's tail.
The A550 was to replace a Nikon Coolpix3200 which has a smaller, but higher-resolution, LCD. The bigger A550 LCD has such poor resolution I can't tell if I should keep the picture or take another. I'm sticking with the Coolpix and have taken the A550 back to the dealer.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Easy to learn to use
by topsss on April 28, 2007
Pros: Good clear pictures, fast cycling, easy to hold
Cons: Might as well not have a LCD outside, doesn't work
Summary: I would have thought Canon would put a much better LCD on this camera. All of their test should have showed them the LCD on this camera didn't work ...
Summary: I would have thought Canon would put a much better LCD on this camera. All of their test should have showed them the LCD on this camera didn't work in daylight. The camera is priced right and does a lot of things.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Canon
- Part number: 1775B001
- Description: Easy-to-use and easy-to-hold, the PowerShot A550 gives you 7.1 Megapixels, a 4x optical zoom lens, an ISO 800 feature for expanded low-light shooting and a DIGIC II Image Processor with iSAPS technology for beautiful pictures and great performance. Plus, there's even a Fast Frame Rate Movie Mode. Power is never a problem, because the A550 uses standard "AA" batteries. Great features at a great price - it's what makes the A550 such an amazing camera.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Resolution 7.1 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 7,400,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 7,100,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 1/2.5"
- Optical Zoom 4 x
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) Qty 5
- Digital Video Format AVI
- Image Recording Format JPEG
- AV Interfaces Composite video/audio
Exposure & White Balance
- Light Sensitivity ISO 800,
ISO 100,
ISO 200,
ISO 80,
ISO 400,
ISO auto - Exposure Metering Evaluative,
Center-weighted,
Spot - Exposure Modes Program,
Automatic,
Manual - Shooting Programs Snow,
Beach,
Indoor,
Foliage,
Kids & pets,
Fireworks,
Macro,
Portrait mode - Special Effects Vivid,
Black & White,
Sepia,
Neutral,
Custom Effect - White Balance Automatic,
Presets,
Custom - White Balance Presets Daylight,
Tungsten light,
Fluorescent,
Cloudy,
Fluorescent light (daylight) - Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 15 sec
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- X-sync Speed 1/500 sec
Lens System
- Type 4 x x Zoom lens - 5.8 mm - 23.2 mm - F/2.6-5.5
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 35 - 140 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Min Focus Range 17.7 in
- Macro Focus Range 2 in - 17.7 in
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 5 groups / 7 elements
- Features Aspherical lens,
Built-in lens shield Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Fill-in mode,
Slow synchro,
Auto mode,
Flash OFF mode,
Red-eye reduction - Features AF illuminator
- Effective Flash Range 1 ft - 11.5 ft
Additional Features
- Continuous Shooting Speed 1.7 frames per second
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec,
10 sec - Additional Features Digital image rotation,
Audio recording,
16:9 widescreen mode,
AF lock,
DPOF support,
RGB primary color filter,
Safety zoom,
Digital tele-converter,
AE lock,
Auto power save,
Histogram display,
Camera orientation detection,
PictBridge support,
Direct print Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Optical - Real-image zoom
Display
- Type 2 in LCD display
- Resolution 86,000 pixels
- Display Features Built-in
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB,
1 x Composite video/audio output
Software
- Software Canon ZoomBrowser EX,
Drivers & Utilities,
Canon ImageBrowser System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support MS Windows 98 SE,
MS Windows XP,
MS Windows 2000,
Apple Mac OS X 10.2 - 10.4,
MS Windows ME - Peripheral Devices USB port,
SVGA monitor,
CD-ROM drive Miscellaneous
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
- Included Accessories USB cable,
Wrist strap,
Audio / video cable Battery
- Supported Battery AA
- Supported Battery 2 x AA Alkaline battery ( Included )
Memory / Storage
- Memory Card Slot SD card
- Supported Memory Cards SDHC Memory Card,
MultiMediaCard,
SD Memory Card - Included Memory Card 16 MB
- Image Storage Super-fine JPEG 3072 x 1728 : 6 VA - With 16MB card,
Fine JPEG 3072 x 1728 : 10 VA - With 16MB card,
Normal JPEG 3072 x 1728 : 21 VA - With 16MB card,
Super-fine JPEG 3072 x 2304 : 4 VA - With 16MB card,
Fine JPEG 3072 x 2304 : 7 VA - With 16MB card,
Normal JPEG 3072 x 2304 : 16 VA - With 16MB card,
Super-fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 5 VA - With 16MB card,
Fine JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 10 VA - With 16MB card,
Normal JPEG 2592 x 1944 : 21 VA - With 16MB card,
Super-fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 9 VA - With 16MB card,
Fine JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 16 VA - With 16MB card,
Normal JPEG 2048 x 1536 : 33 VA - With 16MB card,
Super-fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 14 VA - With 16MB card,
Fine JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 26 VA - With 16MB card,
Normal JPEG 1600 x 1200 : 50 VA - With 16MB card,
Super-fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 56 VA - With 16MB card,
Fine JPEG 640 x 480 : 88 VA - With 16MB card,
Normal JPEG 640 x 480 : 138 VA - With 16MB card - Video Capture AVI - 640 x 480 - 7 sec - With 16MB card,
AVI - 640 x 480 - 11 sec - With 16MB card,
AVI - 320 x 240 - 22 sec - With 16MB card,
AVI - 320 x 240 - 43 sec - With 16MB card,
AVI - 160 x 120 - 107 sec - With 16MB card Dimensions & Weight
- Width 3.6 in
- Depth 1.7 in
- Height 2.5 in
- Weight 5.6 oz
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
- Labs information All values are expressed in seconds. Please visit our <ref type="link" url="http://reviews.cnet.com/Labs/4520-6603 7-1014358-1.html">labs information page</ref> for information on how digital cameras are tested.
- CNET Labs Flash shot to shot time 4.9
- CNET Labs Shot to shot time typical 1.7
- CNET Labs Shutter lag bright 0.5
- CNET Labs Shutter lag dim 1.2
- CNET Labs Typical burst speed 1.6
- CNET Labs Wake up time 1.5
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Canon products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Canon
- Address:
One Canon Plaza, Lake Success, NY 11042 - Phone: 516-328-5000
- Email: mediacontact@cusa.canon.com
