Canon PowerShot SD550

Reviewed January 2006

Interface & Software

Interface

The PowerShot SD550/IXUS 750 brings few modifications to the usual Canon interface. Camera settings, superimposed on the periphery of the monitor's image, are indicated using icons that are readily understandable. And when the shutter release is pressed halfway, the shutter speed, but not the aperture, is indicated on the lower part of the monitor.

As with other recent Canon cameras, in playback the way the camera displays the image on the monitor is linked to the orientation sensor. The image is presented horizontally when the camera is held horizontally, and vertically when the camera is held vertically. However, data superimposed on the monitor if any, is always presented horizontally.

The same holds true for the SD550's menu system which is also typical of Canon cameras. The Function menu is used to present the most commonly accessed options superimposed on the monitor's image, and its contents are directly related to the capture mode in use. While the Main menu system continues the 3-part concept, with the first part presenting mode-specific options, the second part containing Setup options common to all modes, and the third part, also common to all modes, designed to personalize the camera's behaviours to some extent.

The Setup section of the menu contains the greatest number of options of all the menu's parts:

• Mute: On or Off, turns off all sounds produced by the camera.
• Volume makes it possible to adjust the volume of all the sounds over a range of 1 through 5 or Off:
  • Start-up Volume,
  • Operations Volume,
  • Self-timer Volume,
  • Shutter Volume,
  • Playback Volume.
• LCD Brightness: makes it possible to adjust the brightness of the screen over 14 steps.
• Power Saving: Auto Power Down (On or Off), controls if the camera powers down when inactive; Display Off serves to set the delay until the LCD monitor turns off automatically (10, 20, 30 seconds or 1, 2, 3 min).
• Time Zone: makes it possible to set an additional time zone while travelling so photos captured in that time zone are time/date stamped correctly.
• Date/Time: serves to set the internal clock and calendar.

• Clock Display: sets the length of time the clock remains on the screen (between 1 and 3 seconds) when the FUNC. SET button has been pressed for more than a second.
• Format: to format a memory card, which will erase all images and movies even if they have been protected. In addition, a "Low-Level" option is available to refresh a memory card, and bring back its read-write speed to its original speed.

• File Numbering: Auto Reset or Continuous. Decides whether or not image file numbers restart at 1 every time a memory card is formatted or a new card is used, or simply increment.
• Create Folder serves to Create a New Folder into which images will be saved, or Auto Create a new folder Daily, Monday — Sunday, or Monthly using names based on the date.
• Auto Rotate: On or Off. Automatically rotates images in playback so that they are shown the right way up.
• Language: English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Greek, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, Korean or Japanese.
• Video System: decides the video out signal, NTSC or PAL.
• Reset All: returns the cameras settings to their original values, with the exception of the date and time, menu language, video out, custom white balance, and colour mode choice.

The SD550 is supplied with a number of printed manuals:

• An abridged guide that serves to provide a quick introduction to basic camera functions.
• A detailed manual that provides in-depth information about the SD550's operation.
• A system card that details all the parts supplied with the camera, and provides an overview of all optional components for the camera.
• A detailed guide about printing using a PictBridge, Exif Print, DPOF, Direct Print or Bubble Jet Direct compatible printers.
• A start-up guide for the software bundled with the camera.

All these guides are well-written and easy to understand, and cover every aspect of the SD550.

Software

As it is sold in North America, the DS550 is supplied with a single CD entitled Canon Digital Camera Solution Disk (version 25.0). The disc contains programs for both Windows and Macintosh:

ZoomBrowser is first and foremost an image viewer. but it also serves as an access point to other programs that are already on the computer, or PhotoRecord, a program that serves to create albums and photo pages.

ZoomBrowser's primary role is to simplify and streamline image organization and selection. Image folders can be selected in the left window pane of the program, while their contents are shown in the right window pane, with, if desired, the shooting data and a histogram.

In addition, an image selected in the browser can be double-clicked to open it in an editing widow where its colour, tone, saturation, brightness and contrast can be adjusted.

In addition ZoomBrowser can be used to create slide shows with a myriad possible transition effects; or e-mail selected photos at a reduced size; or print photos, create index prints, or layout prints.

As noted earlier, PhotoRecord, one of the programs Canon includes on the disc, is able to create complex photo album pages which, when printed, can be placed directly into a binder.

PhotoStitch, designed to assemble a series of photos captured using the Stitch Assist mode into a panoramic image, is another program that can be launched directly from ZoomBrowser.

ArcSoft's PhotoStudio, on the other hand, is launched separately, but it, or another program, can be selected as the image editor ZoomBrowser calls up when editing is required. PhotoStudio offers powerful functions such as layering and lasso tools that permit selective editing of parts of an image, which are reminiscent of those of Photoshop.