Thank you for buying the Pentax Optio 550 Digital Camera. Please read this manual before using the camera in order to get the most out of all the features and functions. Keep this manual safe, as it can be a valuable tool in helping you to understand all the cam- era’s capabilities.
• If the camera emits smoke or a strange smell, or in the event of any other irregularity, stop using the camera immediately, remove the battery or disconnect the AC adapter and contact your nearest Pentax service center. Continued use of the camera may result in fire or electric shock.
(such as at a wedding or dur- ing travelling). Pentax is not responsible for consequential damages (costs incurred as a result of taking pictures, loss of benefits that were to be obtained through taking pic- tures) arising from failure of this product.
To users of this camera • There is a possibility that recorded data may be erased or that the camera may not function correctly when used in surroundings such as installations generating strong electromagnetic radiation or magnetic fields. • The liquid crystal panel used in the LCD display is manufactured using extreme- ly high precision technology.
Contents FOR SAFE USE OF YOUR CAMERA ·····················································1 Care to be Taken During Handling ···························································2 Contents ···································································································4 Contents of the Operating Manual ···························································7 Checking the Contents of the Package ····················································8 Name of Parts ··························································································9 Names of Operating Parts ····································································10 Getting Started ············································································11 Attaching the Strap ··························································································11 Powering the Camera ······················································································12 Charging the Battery ··············································································12...
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Setting the Sensitivity ·············································································49 Setting the Instant Review time (Instant Review) ··································50 Setting the Image Sharpness (Sharpness) ············································51 Setting the Color Saturation (Saturation) ···············································52 Setting the Image Contrast (Contrast) ···················································53 Taking Pictures ·································································································54 Letting the Camera Set the Exposure (Program Mode) ························54 Setting the Aperture Value (Aperture Priority Mode) ·····························55 Setting the Shutter Speed (Shutter Priority Mode) ································56 Setting the Exposure Manually (Manual Exposure Mode) ·····················57...
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Viewing Images with your PC ·······································································104 About the included software ·································································104 System environment ············································································104 Installing the software ··········································································105 Displaying and copying images using ACDSee™ ·······························112 Joining panorama images using ACD photostitcher ····························113 Disconnecting the camera from your computer ···································116 Viewing Images with your Macintosh ····························································118 About the included software ·································································118 System environment ············································································118 Installing the software ··········································································118...
Contents of the Operating Manual This Operating manual contains the following chapters. Getting Started This chapter explains what you need to do after purchasing the camera before you start taking pictures. Be sure to read it and follow the instructions. Quick Start This chapter explains the simplest way to take pictures and play back images.
Checking the Contents of the Package Camera Optio 550 USB cable I-USB7 (∗) 3D Image Viewer O-3DV1 Digital Camera Operating Manual To ensure the best performance from your camera, please read the Operating Manual before using the camera. Operating Manual this manual About items marked with ( ∗...
Name of Parts Front Back Remote control receiver Shutter release button Self-timer lamp Power switch Autofocus window Speaker Viewfinder Built-in flash Microphone Lens Viewfinder LCD monitor Strap lug Terminal cover USB/AV output terminal DC input terminal Battery lock lever Battery chamber/card cover Tripod socket...
Names of Operating Parts Guide indications A guide to available button operation is displayed on the LCD monitor during operation. The buttons are indicated as shown below. Four-way controller ( ) Four-way controller ( ) Four-way controller ( ) Four-way controller ( ) Menu/Fn button Shutter release button Diopter adjustment lever...
Powering the Camera Charging indicator Battery charger Charging the Battery When using the camera for the first time or when the [Battery depleted.] message is displayed, charge the battery. Connect the AC plug cord to the battery charger. Plug the AC plug cord into the power outlet. Place the battery in the charger with the label facing up.
Battery chamber card cover Installing the Battery Install the battery provided. When using the camera for the first time, charge the battery before installing. Slide the battery chamber/card cover in the direction indi- cated by the arrow to open the battery chamber/card cover.
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Number of recordable images : Approx. 400 (when 50% shooting Playback time * The description above is based on Pentax measuring conditions and may vary depending on capture mode and shooting conditions. Caution Generally, battery performance is temporarily deteriorate as temperature decreases.
Terminal cover Using the AC Adapter (optional) If you intend to use the LCD monitor for a long time or connect the camera to a PC, use of the AC adapter D-AC7 (optional) is recom- mended. Make sure that the camera is turned off and opening the terminal cover.
Memory Card/MultiMedia card. To take pictures in TIFF format, use a card with a capacity of 32MB or more. • The above table is based on standard shooting conditions specified by PENTAX and may vary depending on the subject, shooting conditions, capture mode, SD Memory Card, etc. SD Memory Card/...
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• The data on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard may be erased in the fol- lowing circumstances. Pentax does not accept any liability for data that is erased • when the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard is mishandled by the user.
Turning the Camera On and Off Press the power switch. The camera will turn on. When the camera is turned on the lens cover opens and the lens extends. Press the power switch again to turn the camera off. Card Check When the camera is turned on, it auto- matically performs a card check.
Adjusting the Viewfinder If the subject through the viewfinder are hard to see, you can adjust the diopter in the range of –3 m Aim the camera at the bright subject. While looking through the viewfinder, move the diopter adjustment lever to the left or right until the subject appears in the sharpest focus.
Initial Settings If the initial settings screen appears when you turn the camera on, follow the procedure below to set the display language, Home Town, DST, video output format and current date and time. If the date and time that appear at the bottom right of the LCD monitor when you turn the camera on for the first time is not the current time, follow the instructions for “Changing the Date/Time”...
Setting the Home Town You can choose the city (Home Town) in which you will use the camera. Press the four-way controller ( to select the desired city (Home Town). Press the four-way controller ( ). The screen for setting the next item will be displayed. •...
Setting the Date and Time Set the current date and time. Use the four-way controller ( to change the month. Press the four-way controller ( ). and below the day. Use the four-way controller ( to change the day and press the four-way controller ( ).
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When you have finished the settings, press the OK but- ton when the clock reaches 00 seconds. The camera is ready to take a picture. When you set date and time except the initial settings, press the OK button again after pressing the OK button when the clock reaches 00 seconds to return to capture mode.
Viewfinder Viewfinder LCD monitor For the simplest procedure to take still pictures: The flash fires automatically depending on the light conditions. Press the power switch. The camera will turn on. Set the mode dial to Confirm the subject and shoot- ing information on the LCD monitor.
Press the shutter release button. The image will be displayed on the LCD monitor for 2 seconds (Instant Review) and recorded on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard. (The green and red lamps on the right of the viewfinder blink alternately while the image is being recorded on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard.) Using the Shutter Release Button The shutter release button works in a two-step action.
Playing Back Still Pictures LCD monitor LCD monitor Playing Back Images You can display the still picture. Press the Playback button after taking a picture. The image taken will be displayed on the LCD monitor. Playing Back Previous or Next Images Still images can be played back one at a time, proceeding either forward or backward.
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Erasing the image displayed on the LCD monitor While the image is displayed, you can erase it by pressing the ton (The Delete screen will be dis- played.), press the four-way controller ( ) to select [Delete], and then pressing the OK button. Press the Playback button or press the shutter release button halfway to return to shooting status.
How to View the Recorded Images Images taken with the Optio 550 camera are recorded on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard. You can view the images recorded on the card on the camera itself, trans- fer them to your PC and print them out.
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Viewing images on a PC You can view recorded images and edit them on the PC just by connecting the camera to the PC with the USB cable and downloading the images (you need to install the USB driver if you are using Windows 98).
Common Operations Changing the Mode Capture mode is for taking pictures and voice recording. Playback mode is for playing back or erasing images and sound. Switching Between Capture Mode and Playback Mode To change from Capture mode to Playback mode, press the •...
Using the Button Functions Capture Mode Diopter adjustment lever Adjusts the viewfinder for optimum clarity. ( p.19) button Changes the flash mode. ( p.42) button Changes the shooting mode as follows. Using the self-timer ( p.77) Using the remote control unit ( p.78) Continuous shooting ( p.79)
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Playback button Switches to Playback mode. ( Four-way controller ( Changes the EV compensation in modes other than Changes the shutter speed in Four-way controller ( Adjusts the focus in Sets the aperture value in Sets the shutter speed in Selects the type of filter in Selects Picture mode in OK button...
Playback Mode button Protects the image from erasure. ( p.99) DPOF button Sets the DPOF data for printing pictures. ( p.101) button Deletes the image. ( p.96) Zoom / button displays nine images at once. ( p.94) Press – in normal mode to change the size of the Zoom Display image, displayed on the LCD monitor.
Using the Menus When you press the Menu/Fn button, the menus are displayed on the LCD monitor. You can set functions, save the settings, and change the camera settings on these menus. How to Set the Menus When you are making settings from a menu, a guide to opera- tion is displayed on the LCD monitor.
Example of menu operation Menu/Fn button Rec.Mode] menu Rec. Mode Recorded Pixels 2592 1944 Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area Wide AE Metering Sensitivity Auto Exit MENU Rec. Mode Recorded Pixels 2592 1944 Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area Wide AE Metering Sensitivity Auto...
Menu List Rec.Mode] Menu Item Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity Auto Bracket Digital Zoom Instant Review Interval Shoot Fast Fwd Movie 3D Mode Memory Sharpness Saturation Contrast USER Please refer to pages 142 to 144 for List of Menu Default settings and the adjustable [Rec.
Playback] Menu Item Resize For changing the size of images Trimming For trimming images Alarm For setting the alarm to ring at specified time Slideshow Recorded images are played successively. Set-up] Menu Item Format For formatting the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard For adjusting the beep sound when a button is pressed Sound For setting the button operation, start-up, shutter sounds and volume.
Taking Pictures Displaying Shooting Information (Capture Mode) You can display information on the LCD monitor when shooting. The display mode can be changed by pressing the Display but- ton. Display On Shooting information is displayed. q Flash mode w Drive mode e Focus mode r Capture mode t AF area y Number of images can be taken...
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