Canon Power Shot A550 Review

The Canon Power Shot A550 is one of the low priced models available in the Canon stable, yet power packed with a host of features. With a retail price tag of $199.99, it leaves the photographers almost breathless both in terms of quality as well as performance. It also doubles up as an excellent item for gift purpose even for a 10 year old. It is simple to operate and allows for easy switching between the auto and the manual mode with the press of a single button. The zoom works really well and alerts the photographer if the image is blurred.

The inbuilt optical zoom is supported by digital zoom providing way for high-resolution images coupled with excellent image quality and colors. The preset shooting modes like night, kids and pets etc. renders it suitable for assisting novice photographers in various shooting situations and light conditions.

Though the Canon Power Shot A550 is affordable its 16 MB memory card calls for an immediate replacement with purchase. A550 is not equipped with the face detection technology leaving room for photographers to work upon the focusing. Canon A550 requires regular batteries instead of the rechargeable ones being offered in many Power Shot models today.

Though it permits longer battery life but makes the camera bulky at the same time. The 2.0-inch LCD screen is noticeably smaller with low resolution for compact digital cameras. The controls are rather unorganized and complicated with different settings in different modes making navigation difficult.

Though A550 is not as compact and chic for a digital camera, it offers real value for money for starters in the photography field. A550 is one camera that suits the entire family, from young to old. Its energy saving and true to life color features makes it highly sought after in its category.

Product Description

Easy-to-use and easy-to-hold, the Power Shot A550 gives you 7.1 Mega pixels, 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.

Three movie modes including 30 fps VGA and 60 fps Fast Frame Rate Power on the go with two AA-size batteries (for long-term value, we advise use of rechargeable AA batteries) Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with Canon CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers Focal Length – 5.8-23.2mm f/2.6-5.5 (35mm film equivalent – 35-140mm) Digital Zoom – 4x ISO Sensitivity – Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800 equivalent Shooting Modes – Auto, Camera M, Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks) Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Movie Maximum Still Resolutions – 3,072 x 2,304 (Large), 3,072 x 1,728 (Wide screen) Movie resolutions – 640 x 480 / 320 x 240 (30 fps/15 fps) available up to 1GB or 60 minutes, 320 x 240 (1 min. at 60 fps), 160 x 120 (3 min. at 15 fps) Battery output capability – Still Image – approx. 140 shots (AA-size Alkaline Battery, LCD screen On), approx. 500 shots (AA-size Ni-MH Battery); we advise rechargeable NiMH battery Built-in multimode electronic-flash Unit Dimensions (W x H x D) 3.59 x 2.52 x 1.70 in./91.2 x 64.0 x 43.1mm; Weight Approx. 5.64 oz. / 160g (camera body only)

Product Details

Product Dimensions: 3.6 x 2.5 x 1.7 inches ; 5.6 ounces

Technical Details
7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
4x optical zoom; 2.0-inch LCD display
16:9 Widescreen mode for full-screen viewing on widescreen TVs and computer monitors
Three movie modes including 30 fps VGA and 60 fps Fast Frame Rate
Stores images on SD, SDHC, or MMC memory cards (16MB MMC card included); powered by 2 AA-size batteries (2 alkaline batteries included)

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