One of the most interesting high-tech product developments of recent years is the ultra-compact digital camera and Canon has pretty much dominated that very popular market niche since the first Digital Elph micro-cams hit store shelves. Canon's newest Digital Elph, the Powershot SD550, provides 7 megapixel resolution, a fully retractable 3X optical zoom, a tough as nails stainless steel body, a 2.5 inch LCD screen, and point & shoot ease of use --- all stuffed into a package small enough to be dropped into a shirt pocket (or small purse) and taken anywhere.
At first glance the SD550 appears (with the exception of its new 2.5 inch LCD and slightly re-designed user interface) identical to the SD500. Like its predecessor the SD550 is built around Canon's second-generation DIGIC (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) II processor, which efficiently combines power management, image processing, and most primary camera functions (Auto Exposure, White Balance, JPEG compression, and Sensitivity) in one chip. DIGIC II image files are also optimized for sharp resolution, balanced contrast, lower noise, and bright colors.
NUTS & BOLTS LCD/Viewfinder The SD550 features a real image coupled (zooms with the lens) tunnel style optical viewfinder. The optical viewfinder is pretty squinty and only covers about 85% of the image frame. It is bright and useable, but there's no diopter correction for eyeglasses wearers.
The most prominent difference between the SD550 and the SD500 is the SD550's new 2.5 inch LCD screen (the SD500 had a 2.0 inch LCD screen). The new larger LCD is brighter than its predecessor, color accurate, fluid, and gains "up" (automatically brightens) in dim lighting. The LCD info display provides shooting mode, exposure compensation setting, white balance setting, ISO setting, flash setting, the light metering option selected, and resolution/compression data, but neither the aperture nor shutter speed selected by the SD550's AE (auto exposure) system.
The LCD screen (which shows almost 100 per cent of the frame) is more accurate for framing and composition than the tiny optical viewfinder, but full time LCD use will rapidly drain the SD500's tiny battery. In Playback mode, a histogram display provides a graphic readout of the tonal distribution in captured images (to help evaluate dynamic range), which is helpful in determining over or under exposure (allowing the image to be re-shot), but a live histogram would have been better.
Zoom Lens The SD550 features the same f2.8-4.9/37-111mm (35mm equivalent) all-glass 3X zoom lens that graced the SD500. When the camera is powered up, the lens automatically telescopes out from the camera body. When the camera is powered down the lens is fully retracted into the camera body and a built in lens cover slides into place to protect the front element of the lens.
Zoom operation is fast, smooth, and fairly quiet. Minimum focusing distance (in Macro mode) is 2 inches, but the zoom is locked at the wide-angle position. Macro shooters should be careful when shooting close-ups in Digital Macro mode because the digital zoom (which usually only kicks in after the maximum telephoto setting has been exceeded) is enabled for close-ups, which seems like Rube Goldberg engineering (since using digital zoom causes a noticeable decrease in image quality) and that's kind of self defeating in a situation where maximum resolution is the goal.
The SD550's zoom exhibits noticeable barrel distortion (straight lines bow out from the center) at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, some minor softness in the corners, and very minor pin cushioning (straight lines bow in toward the center) at full telephoto. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is above average at the wide-angle end of the zoom range (especially at maximum aperture).
Auto Focus The SD500's 9 focus point AiAF (Advanced intelligent Auto Focus) system quickly analyzes what's in front of the camera and automatically decides which of the 9 AF points is closest to the primary subject (utilizing closest subject priority) and then locks focus on that AF point. Savvy shooters can manually line up a specific AF focus point with the most important element in the image (like the face or eyes in a head and shoulders portrait). Users can turn AiAF off (via the Record menu) and the SD550's AF system defaults to the center AF point for traditional looking landscapes, classic portraits, group shots, etc. The SD550 also provides an AF assist beam for quicker and more accurate focusing in dim/low light.
Flash The SD550's built-in multi mode flash provides auto, auto with red-eye reduction, flash on (with red-eye reduction – for portrait fill), flash on (fill), slow synch, and flash off settings. Maximum flash range (according to Canon) is 9 to 15 feet, which seems a bit optimistic --- 6 to 10 feet is probably more realistic. Anything beyond 10 feet is going to be fairly dark, unless shot against light colored backgrounds with lots of ambient lighting. The flash takes needs 8-10 seconds to recharge after a full power shot.
Flash coverage is a bit uneven for macro/close-up shooting and at the wide-angle setting, which is bad news for bugs & flowers shooters and those looking for a good bar/party/event camera. The good news is that the SD550 can use Canon's nifty HF-DC1 External Slave Flash, which I still haven't been able to evaluate.
Memory Media The SD550 utilizes SD (Secure Digital) memory media to save captured images. SD cards are substantially smaller (and generally faster) than the CompactFlash (CF) media used in earlier Canon micro-cams. Canon includes a 32MB starter card.
Image File Format(s) JPEG
Connectivity USB 2.0 and A/V out
Power The SD550 recycles the NB-3L rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack designed for the SD500. Realistically Micro-cam batteries (since they must be very small) can't store as much power as larger batteries. Based on my (admittedly unscientific) tests a fully charged NB-3L should be good for 120 – 150 exposures (full time LCD use, occasional flash use, and moderate to heavy review). Micro-Cam users rarely resort to the optical viewfinder and most of them will insist on reviewing every image they shoot, so mileage may vary substantially. Shooters who plan on using the SD550 during extended trips or for daylong shooting sessions are encouraged to purchase a back up battery. The included charger needs about an hour and a half to juice the NB-3L back up to full power.
EXPOSURE Canon's Digital Elph models are wildly popular with an incredibly broad range of shooters. This is due (at least in large part) to the Digital Elph mystique (the cameras are stylish, small enough to be pocketable, incredibly easy to use, and they provide consistently excellent performance). The SD550 continues that worthy tradition, providing users with a remarkably simple and highly sophisticated auto exposure system that provides an amazingly broad range of exposure options including Full Auto, Scene modes (Portrait, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets, Indoor, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, and Underwater), Manual mode (which is actually Programmed AE mode since the camera always controls aperture and shutter speed settings), Movie mode, and Stitch Assist mode.
Canon's exclusive iSAPS (Intelligent Scene Analysis based on Photographic Space) technology produces consistently exceptional exposures in all scene modes. The camera instantly matches the scene in front of the lens with an on board database of known scene types and then compares that information with the specific scene's subject distance, white balance, contrast range, lighting, and color (just before the image is recorded) to determine the best exposure. The SD550's auto exposure system does more than just average exposure data so images are consistently very good, noticeably better than average.
Movie Mode The Canon SD550 provides aspiring
auteurs with four Movie mode options. Standard movie mode (either 640x480 or 320x240 resolution and run rates of either 30fps or 15fps, up to 1GB), Fast Frame Rate (320x240 resolution @ 60fps for up to 60 seconds), Compact movie mode (160x120 resolution @ 15 fps for up to three minutes), and My Colors movie mode (either 640x480 or 320x240 resolution @ either 30fps or 15fps, up to 1GB). Focus and the (optical) zoom setting are locked with the first frame. Movies can be edited in-camera (in Playback mode) and then previewed – users can opt to save the edited video clip, the original video clip, or both.
Metering The SD550's (default) evaluative metering system (the camera's DIGIC II processor divides the image frame into zones and separately evaluates each zone to determine the best overall shutter speed/aperture combination) consistently renders accurate exposures in all but the most difficult lighting situations. A Spot metering option biases exposure on a small area at the center of the frame (useful for back lit, off center, and high/low contrast subjects) and the center-weighted option allows savvy users to create traditional looking landscapes and classic portraits.
White Balance The SD550's White balance system provides an adequate selection of color balance settings including TTL Auto, daylight, cloudy, tungsten, two fluorescent modes, and a custom mode. The SD550's auto WB setting produces a slight but consistent warm colorcast. Overall color is bright, slightly over saturated, and hue accurate.
Sensitivity TTL Auto, and user selected settings for 50, 100, 200, and 400 ISO (35mm equivalent).
In-Camera Image Adjustment The SD550's
My Colors function provides nine creative color options: Positive Film (mimics slide film color, saturation, and contrast), Lighter Skin Tone, Darker Skin Tone, Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, Vivid Red, Color accent (shifts images to B&W, except for one user selected color), color swap (allows users to switch one color for another), custom color (users can adjust color balance for red, green, blue, and skin tones /-2 arbitrary steps in 1 step increments), and Photo effects (vivid or neutral color saturation, low sharpening, sepia, and B&W). Shooters can also adjust Exposure compensation ( /- 2EV in 1/3 EV increments) or opt for the extended exposure times (1-15 seconds) in the Long Shutter mode.
DESIGN, CONTROLS, & ERGONOMICS The SD550 is a virtual clone of the SD500, a stylish ultra compact point & shoot digicam with a tough stainless steel body that makes it a great choice for anyone who wants a camera that can be taken along anywhere and used easily by just about anyone. The SD550 provides an almost perfect balance between the physical constraints of miniaturization and the creative/technical design limits imposed by form and function. The re-designed user interface is intuitive and uncomplicated with logical and easily accessed controls. Most users will have no difficulty using the SD550 right out of the box. The SD550 (like it's predecessors) will appeal to travelers, gadget guys/gals, hikers/bikers, casual photographers, and family photographers who value style, compact size, super fast operation, and point & shoot ease of use.
Technical Specifications Resolution: 7 megapixels (3072X2304)
Lens: f2.8-4.9/37-111mm (35mm equivalent) all-glass zoom
Viewfinders: Real-image optical & 2.5" LCD
Auto Focus: TTL AiAF nine-point autofocus system
Exposure: Auto
Metering: Evaluative, Center-Weighted, or Spot
Exposure Compensation: Yes /- 2 EV in 1/3 EV increments
White Balance: TTL auto and presets for daylight, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent, fluorescent H, and custom (manual)
Sensitivity: Auto and ISO 50, 100, 200, & 400 (35mm equivalents)
Memory Storage Media: SD cards
Image File Format: JPEG
Connectivity: USB 2.0 & A/V out
Power: Rechargeable NB-3L Lithium-ion battery
Included 32MB SD card, NB-3L lithium-ion battery, battery charger, wrist strap, AV/USB cables, software CD-ROM, user's manual, and software manual (both printed).
Optional Canon WP-DC70 waterproof case, Canon HF-DC1 external slave flash, AC/DC adapter, and soft camera case.
In the Field/Handling & Operation The weather here in north-central Kentucky has been pretty typical for this time of year with (mostly) cool gray rainy days and frosty nights. My Friend (who sells new and used digital and analog photographic equipment) showed up on the prettiest Saturday afternoon we've had in a couple of weeks with a brand new Canon Powershot SD550. Since both of us loved the snazzy little SD500 we've been pretty jazzed to check out its successor (the SD550 isn't technically a replacement for the SD500, since both the SD500 and SD400 will remain in the Canon inventory).
We usually start our camera tests with a color/white balance test we've developed over the past couple of years. We set up a home made macro stage (a large cardboard box with the top and front panels cut away) and spread out a collection of brightly colored plastic "kiddie" beach toys on white photo background paper. We shoot the brightly colored red, green, blue, purple, orange, and yellow plastic shapes and then evaluate color accuracy.
The SD550's White Balance system handled the test pretty well, though we both noticed a slight but consistent warmish colorcast. The SD550's colors were noticeably over saturated with hot reds and very bright blues. The SD550's performance in this test was identical to the color tests we'd done last Spring with the SD500.
After we finished with our color tests, we headed for Louisville's unofficial arboretum at Cave Hill Cemetery. The old cemetery (chartered in 1848) is filled with trees and bushes (in addition to thousands of 19th century grave markers, hundreds of mausoleums, and a rustic groundskeeper's cottage) so autumn tends to start early at Cave Hill and linger for week or two after fall color has peaked everywhere else. Cave Hill has scores of varieties of native hardwood trees in addition to dozens of varieties of rare and exotic trees from all over the temperate world.
We drove around slowly, looking for patches of fall color among the thousands of bushes, trees, and shrubs. We found some nice patches of color including a huge old Chinese Ginkgo that's been growing at Cave Hill since before the Civil War. We shot an old weather-grayed and time-tilted native limestone grave marker surrounded in ankle deep bright yellow Ginkgo leaves and did a couple of circuits around the old cemetery's small central lake photographing families feeding the resident ducks, Canada Geese, and Swans.
After we finished up at Cave Hill we headed for Cherokee Park and followed the scenic loop (which winds through a couple miles of steep hillsides covered with old growth trees on both sides of Beargrass Creek). The area along the creek was packed with runners, bikers, and dog walkers. It looked like everyone was out enjoying the beautiful fall weather. We spent about an hour just circling around and stopping whenever anything interesting caught our attention.
The SD550 is absolutely fantastic in good light, rendering virtually every outdoor scene beautifully. We shot people having fun, dogs having fun, and a couple of striking old trees in full fall color before the light started to fade and we called it a day. One of the secrets of famous landscape photographers is to choose a couple interesting local subjects and shoot them year-round under every sort of lighting and in every kind of weather.
Sunday morning was even prettier than Saturday afternoon, so we headed downtown to shoot some action at Louisville's Extreme Park. Local skateboarders congregate at the park day and night to hone their moves. The Park is a photographer's dream with stunning visual opportunities (the colorfully clad boarders stand out beautifully against the light colored concrete) and the bowls and pipes are perfectly placed for getting incredible action shots of daredevil boarders "catching some air" in gravity defying leaps (although the surrounding area is a good example of first stage urban blight).
We've been to the Extreme Park many times to shoot the boarders and I knew we'd have to move in very close because the SD550's 3X zoom wouldn't give us enough reach to stand off (at a safe distance) and still get frame filling shots. Skateboarders love showing off, our local daredevils actually line up politely and zoom directly at you, one at a time. We spent about two hours trying to freeze some absolutely fearless young athletes in mid air (while trying to avoid getting nailed when they wiped out right in front of us). The SD550's 9-point AiAF auto focus system and DIGIC II processor are very fast and we were able to capture a couple of decent mid air shots. My friend caught one mid air tableau with the boarder (arms and legs flailing) flying off in one direction and his un-tenanted board shooting off in another.
PERFORMANCE Image Quality After reviewing the images we'd shot over the course of our SD550 test we both agreed that the outdoor images were consistently well exposed (we didn't shoot anything indoors) and the image quality was nothing short of amazing (for such a tiny camera). Exposure is generally quite accurate, but highlights are often blown out in contrasty scenes. Images are consistently sharp, without the visible over sharpening and edge enhancement effects often seen in upper tier high-resolution digicams. ISO 50 images are essentially noise free and ISO 100 images are also excellent. Noise levels begin to rise noticeably after ISO 100 (for consumer level digicams more megapixels plus higher ISO sensitivity settings equals more noise). ISO 200 images are still acceptable, but show a visible loss of detail due to pattern noise. ISO 400 images are so noisy they look a bit soft, which makes them almost useless. The SD550's color is bright (more like slide film than print film), slightly over saturated, and hue accurate.
Timing/Shutter Lag The SD550 is very fast, conspicuously quicker than most of its competition. The boot-up cycle, shutter lag, shot to shot times (between 1.0 and 1.5 seconds), and write to card times are all faster than average. With pre-focus shutter lag basically disappears and from scratch the SD550 requires less than half a second to lock focus and trip the shutter.
A Few Concerns Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is higher than average at the wide-angle end of the zoom range (especially at maximum aperture) and corners are a tiny bit soft across the board. The SD550 (like all micro-cams) has red-eye issues. With cameras this small it is not possible to physically separate the flash and the zoom sufficiently to avoid having the lens and flash on (essentially) the same plane. Battery life is only acceptable and ISO 400 images are much too noisy.
Conclusion I bought my first 35mm camera (a used Mamiya-Sekor 1000 DTL) about thirty years ago. Over the past thirty years I've seen an amazing evolution in the science of photography. Cameras today are much more likely to be digital than film and they provide features that old time photographers only dreamed about. Between us, my friend and I have almost fifty years of hands on experience with over a thousand cameras (digital and film), hundreds of lenses (zoom and prime), scores of flash units, dozens of tripods, and a truckload of assorted photographic accessories. Technology is wonderful (although it can isolate careless photographers from their subjects), but job one is still image quality and the super capable little SD550 delivers consistently excellent images.
Should SD500 owners rush to unload their cameras on e-bay so they can buy an SD550? Absolutely not, the two cameras are much more alike than they are different. Those who've been waiting for SD500 prices to drop will now have to face a harder decision – save a few bucks on a discounted SD500 or kick up a little extra dough and get the SD550.
Recommended without reservation.
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The observations, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions provided in my digital camera reviews are based on more than 30 years experience as a photographer and extensive
hands on testing of each of the cameras reviewed. I receive no compensation from DCR.com for your visit or any subsequent purchase you may make. You can return to epinions at any time (either open the link in a new window or hit your back button). The Canon Powershot SD500 and the Canon Powershot A520 posts were submitted as text only reviews and the images that illustrate those two posts were shot by a DCR.com staffer.
For definitive advice on How to Choose a Digital Camera please see my (updated) review:
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