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Digital Camera Reviews and Ratings By manufacturer:
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The Canon Powershot SD550 (also known as the Canon IXUS 750) is a 7.1 megapixel digital camera with a 3x Optical Zoom lens and 2.5 inch LCD. It features DIGIC II processing, SD card and cool feature that rotates the image when you display it depending upon the angle that you held the camera when taking the photo (this is handy stuff).
The Canon Powershot SD550/IXUS 750 will retail for $499 (USD). Learn more about it in a news release announcing it and it's sibling - the Canon Powershot SD450 (IXUS 55).
Get the Latest Price on the Canon Powershot SD550
Steves Digicams have posted a review of the Canon Powershot SD550 Digital ELPH where they write - 'Image quality when using Large SuperFine mode is excellent. Just about every image we captured was sharp with almost perfect exposure every time. Colors are nicely saturated and when shooting people shots, skin tones are very natural. The ISO sensitivity is adjustable from 50, 100, 200, 400 or the camera can control it Automatically. Noise is absent from ISO 50 shots. At ISO 100, only a slight amount of noise is detectable in shadow areas, and at ISO 200 shadow noise becomes more noticeable. At ISO 400 noise becomes noticeable in highlight areas, but the images are quite usable. If you shoot night pictures you'll appreciate the "Long Shutter" option that gives you access to shutter speeds ranging from 1to 15 seconds. To insure the best possible image, Noise Reduction is automatically applied when the shutter speed is 1.3 second or longer. In addition to an excellent automatic white balance there are presets for sunny, cloudy, incandescent, fluorescent, fluorescent H (daylight temperature) and a one-push custom setting for use with a white or grey card. '
CNET reviews the Canon PowerShot SD550 and writes - 'A slightly more expensive version of the PowerShot SD500, which remains in Canon's product lineup, the Canon PowerShot SD550 comes with a larger 2.5-inch LCD and a new finish. Like its sibling, it has an exterior design that combines form and function more elegantly than any point-and-shoot we've ever tested. A Digic II-powered image-processing system enables the PowerShot SD550 to snap a limitless stream of 7-megapixel photos at a respectable clip, its start-up time is tops in its class, and it delivers decent photos when compared to its competition.'
DP Review has reviewed the Canon PowerShot SD550 digital camera and give it a 'recommended' badge of approval. They write about the SD550 by saying - 'Okay, so the SD550 hardly breaks new ground, and - coming only six or seven months after the SD500 it replaces - I'd have been surprised if it was. In most respects this is good news; the SD500 was a little gem of a camera (and the best IXUS / ELPH yet), and the SD550 is just that little bit better. Image quality is excellent (for a camera in this class), it's fast, responsive and reliable, and it is one of the few cameras on the market today that has a true 'luxury' feel to it, such is the quality of its build and materials.'
Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot SD550 and writes - 'Canon's ELPH line of digital cameras have consistently offered good image quality, user-friendly design, and excellent build quality, and the new Canon PowerShot SD550 is no exception. While it's not actually that much smaller than the previous CompactFlash-based SD550 model, it feels a lot smaller, thanks no doubt to its sleek, curving body design. When it comes to picture taking, while actual exposure control remains automatic, the ability to adjust ISO, White Balance, and access longer shutter times significantly increases the camera's shooting range. Thanks to its high-speed DIGIC-II processing chip, it's also very responsive for a subcompact digital camera, and its movie capability goes far beyond what I'm accustomed to seeing from subcompact digicam models. '
Cameras.co.uk reviews the Canon IXUS 750 digital camera and writes - 'The one point that really strikes me with the images I have produced with the IXUS 750 is the clarity and sharpness of them. This says a lot about the quality of the lens. The colours are very strong too.... The Canon IXUS 750 is a very impressive digital camera. The images are really pin sharp and the build quality of the camera is equally impressive. At current pricings levels this camera certainly comes at a hefty premium. This is a very high quality digital camera nonetheless. '
DC Views reviews the Canon SD550 / IXUS 750 and writes - 'Apart from our minor qualms about the tiny optical viewfinder, which is a bit awkward to use and only shows about 80% of the image area, the Canon SD550 is a welcome addition to the range of Digital Elphs. Its ultra compact size ensures you can take it with you wherever you go. Canon's famed durability and robustness will guarantee years of picture taking pleasure and its stylish appearance and good performance make it an excellent choice for the photographer who wants an easy to use point-and-shoot camera. Add to this that apart from excellent photo quality it has got a very good movie mode and there is no doubt that you get a lot of camera for your money. Just remember to wear that wrist strap.'
Lets Go Digital reviews the Canon Digital IXUS 750 Digital Camera and writes - 'The Canon IXUS concept has been very well designed. IXUS products have been available since 1996. This evolution now leads to the Canon Digital IXUS 750 and one wonders how much more can be done. The IXUS 750 has got a nice, large monitor that is easily to operate and gives superb results. On top of all this, the camera is an absolute beauty to look at. It should be obvious that I am very satisfied with the results of the Canon Digital IXUS 750. The camera truly exceeds the expectations. This makes the Canon IXUS 750 suitable for both the trendy photographer and anyone interested in a good, decent compact camera. Recommended! '
PhotographyBLOG reviews the Canon Digital Ixus 750 and writes - 'On the face of it the Canon Digital IXUS 750 is a pretty run-of-the-mill digital camera. A 3x optical zoom lens, 7 megapixel sensor, large 2.5 inch LCD screen - on first sight, it doesn't seem to offer anything different to a lot of other, cheaper cameras. And in terms of features, this assessment is an accurate one. What the Canon Digital IXUS 750 does offer, however, to make it stand out from the crowd is an undeniable sense of quality. No other digital camera that I've reviewed has the same level of sheer luxury as this one, in terms of design, finish, ease-of-use and images. It will impress your friends with its looks and take any hard-knocks that you subject it to.'
Trusted Reviews has reviewed the Canon IXUS 750 and writes - 'There�s no doubt that the Canon Digital IXUS 750 is a great little camera. It is compact, superbly well made and simply oozes style. It also takes a damn fine picture. However the inflated price compared to other equally impressive models from other manufacturers makes it an expensive luxury.'
BIOS reviews the Canon IXUS 750 and writes - 'There are three things that strike you about the IXUS 750 (PowerShot ELPH SD550 in the US): its compact size; solid and robust design; and the large 2.5-inch screen which occupies most of the camera's rear. The fact that the camera offers a capture resolution of 7.1-Megapixels (3072x2304 pixels) is also impressive.'
Megapixel reviews the Canon SD550 / IXUS 750 and gives it a great rating of 9.2 out of 10. They write - 'Like the SD500, the SD550 is remarkable if only for the fact that it is so small and yet captures such a large image. With its 7.1 megapixel resolution, the SD550's photos can easily be printed out to an 7.5 x 10 inch (20 x 25 cm) size at 300 dpi, ensuring a smooth continuous image.... The SD550 is a well-built and versatile compact camera. It offers both simplicity of use when set to the Auto shooting mode or one of its 9 Scene modes, and the capability to capture more complex images when set to the Manual mode. Furthermore, it offers an excellent image quality when photos are captured using the Superfine compression level and the maximum 7-megapixel resolution. And now, at the same price as last Fall's SD500, the SD550 adds a 2.5 inch LCD monitor: that's a good deal.'
Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, today announces two new additions to its Digital IXUS range - the Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55. As the Digital IXUS flagship, the Digital IXUS 750 maintains the style and sophistication for which Digital IXUS is renowned. The elegant ‘perpetual curve’ design returns and is available in two stunning finishes – Silver Grey and Satin Beige . Featuring a new interpretation of the iconic ‘box and circle’ design, the Digital IXUS 55 has a unique starburst design radiating from the lens ring, and is finished in silver-white palladium plating on stainless steel.
Photoxels has posted a review of the Canon PowerShot SD550 Digital ELPH where they write - 'The Canon PowerShot SD550 produces very good to excellent image quality -- and that is the main criteria that users would (should) be mostly concerned with. Add in fast operations with no practical shutter lag, fast and precise AF that works in low-light, accurate exposure metering, and one of the most elegant and beautifully designed body on a digital camera -- and you can't go wrong if you are looking for a take-anywhere ultra compact digital camera. Why not check it out online or at your favourite camera retail store?'
As ever, the functionality behind these new Digital IXUS models is as stunning as the cameras themselves. Both cameras boast DIGIC II processing, and a massive 2.5“ LCD. The Digital IXUS 750 has 7.1 Megapixels, while the Digital IXUS 55 features 5.0 Megapixels. Both digital cameras come with 3x optical zoom.
Style statement
Each Canon Digital IXUS is a statement in style, and the Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 are no exception. The sleek lines and graceful feel of the Digital IXUS 750’s all-metal perpetual curve body embraces IXUS luxury. In a new twist on the ‘box and circle’ design, the designers of the Digital IXUS 55 have progressed the concept even further by adding a radiantly brilliant ring around the lens, producing a starburst effect.
Large LCD with wide viewing angle
Both cameras feature an oversize 2.5” LCD display - while retaining all key controls and preserving sleek and slim bodies. The large LCD with wide viewing angle makes it easier to view and share images and movies during playback. The big LCD also makes it easier for the user to frame their shot and view menus, and is adjustable to 15 levels of brightness. New slide show functions allow review of images with stylish and contemporary transition effects applied in camera to create impressive slide shows with minimum user effort.
UA elements and Megapixels for bigger prints
The Digital IXUS 750 operates with 7.1 Megapixels, which can give detailed A2 prints, while with 5.0 Megapixels, the Digital IXUS 55 can produce quality photo prints to A3 size. The Digital IXUS 750 lens is constructed with 7 elements in 5 groups, and the Digital IXUS 55 lens is constructed with 6 elements in 5 groups. Each camera lens includes two Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical (UA) elements for true to life colours and crisp, high contrast images.
DIGIC II Processor
Both new Digital IXUS models features DIGIC II – Canon’s renowned processor ensures that the images recorded have superb resolution and colour quality, as well as giving improved camera performance overall. With 9-point AiAF, the cameras automatically focus on the subject, even when it is off-centre. iSAPS intelligence ensures that the cameras assess the scene and adjust the settings to achieve the optimum results. Three methods of exposure control can be selected; evaluative, centre-weighted, and spot; and ISO can be set to Auto, 50, 100, 200 or 400. For rapid downloading of images, the Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 and utilise a USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface.
Shooting modes and special effects
The Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 cover a wide range of photographic situations by providing users with 15 or 14 different shooting modes, respectively. A selection can be made from Auto, Manual, Portrait, Landscape and Night Snapshot modes, or from the scene modes that now include an underwater setting, allowing users to take full advantage of the optional Waterproof Case (WP-DC80) for the Digital IXUS 750, or All Weather Case (AW-DC50) for the Digital IXUS 55. Underwater mode adjusts the white balance specifically for underwater shots, allowing capture of the most authentic colours and minimising any blue cast.
My Colors allows the expansion of creativity in digital photography. Special effects such as Color Swap or Custom Color, which allows users to select their preferred colour balance for any given shot, can be performed in-camera and viewed on the LCD while shooting stills and movies. These effects could previously only be achieved using PC software after shooting.
Intelligent orientation sensor
The Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55’s Intelligent Orientation Sensor recognises when the camera is rotated from horizontal to vertical, automatically rotating stored images for correct playback.
To help keep the camera level with the horizon and to assist with image composition, users can also opt to display gridlines on their LCD.
Other user interface options have been enhanced or added, including the new world time zone display. This allows the user to set home and destination country time zones, as well as animated displays and improved warnings for camera shake. The camera menu can also be displayed in 22 different languages.
More than just photos
The Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 record high quality VGA movies – users can select between VGA and QVGA at 30 or 15 fps. Continuous filming is available until the file size has reached 1GB or 60 minutes – whichever is reached first. A fast frame rate of 60 fps is available, allowing for slow motion playback. Digital zoom can be employed whilst shooting, and for added effect, My Colors may also be used. Compact Movie mode, or QQVGA (160 x 120/15fps), is designed to make sharing movies via email as simple as possible.
Printing images
When used in combination with Canon’s new Compact Photo Printer SELPHY CP710 and Canon’s Ink and Paper Set (KP-108IP), prints can be produced for just 30 euro cents each. Printing via a SELPHY CP Compact Photo Printer also allows the user to print handy ID prints and movie prints.
When connected to the latest range of PictBridge compatible PIXMA printers (also released today) image enhancement is possible with functions including Noise Reduction and Vivid Photo as well as the new Face Brightener feature.
Printing of images without having to connect to a PC is made simpler via the Print/Share button, which also acts as an easy upload button for Windows XP and Mac OS X.
Comprehensive software
The Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 come bundled with the following Canon Software:
* ZoomBrowser EX 5.5, PhotoRecord 2.2 (Windows), ImageBrowser 5.5 (Macintosh): For easy image download, storage and retrieval, as well as management of image layout and printing.
* PhotoStitch 3.1: Creates stunning panoramas and can be used with Windows and Macintosh.
* Movie Edit Task: For editing and enhancement of movie footage.
Also included is PhotoStudio, the photo manipulation software by ArcSoft.
Purchasers of both the Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 are eligible for membership of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY , where they can upload images and customise their camera settings.
The bundled software supports Windows 98 (SE), ME, 2000 (SP4), XP (SP1/3) and Macintosh OS X v10.2-v10.3. Both cameras support PTP for driverless transfer to supported Windows XP or Macintosh OS X.
Accessories
The Digital IXUS 750 can be accessorised with a Waterproof Case (WP-DC80), and ACK900 for mains power. Accessories for the Digital IXUS 55 include an All Weather Case (AW-DC50), and AC Adapter Kit (ACK-DC10). Stylish soft cases, befitting each camera’s design, are also available (Digital IXUS 750: DCC-70 and SC-DC20 and Digital IXUS 55: DCC-60). Both the Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 are compatible with SD and MMC memory cards. The Digital IXUS 750 and Digital IXUS 55 come complete with 32 MB and 16 MB Canon SD cards respectively.
Posted by Darren in our Canon category on August 22, 2005