Pentax 550 User Manual

Digital Camera

Operating Manual

To ensure the best performance from
your camera, please read the Operating
Manual before using the camera.

Installing the image processing software

z

Turn your Macintosh on.

x

Insert the CD-ROM (S-SW7) into the CD-ROM drive.

c

Double-click the CD-ROM (S-SW7) icon.

v

Double-click the [Master Installer] icon.

b

Double-click the [Master Installer] alias icon.

The PENTAX Software Installer screen will appear.

n

Click the applicable language.

The screen for selecting the soft­ware you want to install will be
displayed.

 Install ACDSee™

When you have installed ACDSee™, you can edit recorded
images on your Macintosh.

m

Click [ACDSee™].

The Setup screen will appear.
Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the registration
information and install the software.
When installation is finished, reboot your Macintosh.

Playback/Erasing

119

Displaying and copying images using ACDSee™

z

Turn your Macintosh on

x

Make sure the camera is turned off and connect it to
your Macintosh with the USB cable.

Make sure that there is an SD Memory Card/MultiMedia
Card in the camera.

c

Playback/Erasing

Turn your camera on.

Your camera can be found on the
desktop as [untitled]. You can
change the folder name.

v

Click the [ACDSee™] folder on the hard drive.

b

Double-click the [ACDSee™] program icon.

n

Open the camera folder.

Camera images can be found in [untitled (or the name on
the volume label on the SD Memory Card/MultiMedia Card,
if there is one)] → [DCIM] → [XXXPENTX]. (XXX is a 3-digit
number.)

m

Select the image you want to view from the list.

Double-click the selected image to enlarge it to full-screen
display.

120

,

memo

Copy the image to your Macintosh.

Refer to the operating manual for your Macintosh for instructions
on copying or moving files.
Before editing an image, copy it to your Macintosh first.

If there is a volume label on the SD Memory Card/MultiMedia
Card, the name on the volume label will be displayed instead of
[untitled]. If the card is unformatted, the manufacturer and type
of card may be displayed.

Disconnecting the camera from your Macintosh

z

Drag the [untitled (or the name on the volume label on
the SD Memory Card/MultiMedia Card, if there is one]
folder on the desktop to Trash.

x

Unplug the USB cable from your Macintosh and camera.

Playback/Erasing

121

MEMO

122

Editing/Settings

Editing Images

Four-way controller

OK button
Menu/Fn button

Changing the Image Size

By changing the size and quality of a selected image, you can
make the file smaller than the original. After changing the size,
the image can be saved as a new image or written over the
original image.

z

Press the Menu/Fn button.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The [ Playback] menu will be displayed.

c

Press the four-way controller () to select [Resize].

v

Press the four-way controller ().

The Resize screen will be displayed.

100-0020100-0020

Editing/Settings

MENU

b

Use the four-way controller ( ) to choose the image
you want to resize.

OK

OkExit OkExit

123

memo

n

m

,

.

⁄0
⁄1

⁄2

• Movie pictures cannot be resized.

• You cannot select a larger size than that of the original

• You cannot select a higher quality level than that of the origi-

• TIFF images cannot be resized.

Editing/Settings

Press the OK button.

Select resolution

and quality

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level

MENU

640×480

Press the four-way controller () to select [Recorded
pixels].

Press the four-way controller ().

The frame will move to [Quality Level].

Press the four-way controller () to select [Quality
Level].

Press the OK button.

Press the four-way controller () to select [Overwrite]
or [Save as].

Press the OK button.

The image will be resized.

image.

nal image.

100-0020100-0020

OK

OkExit OkExit

124

Trimming Images

You can trim part of a picture and save it as a separate image.

z

Press the Menu/Fn button.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The [ Playback] menu will be displayed.

c

Press the four-way controller () to select [Trimming].

v

Press the four-way controller ().

The image that can be trimmed.

b

Choose the image you want to trim with the four-way
controller (

n

Press the OK button.

The trimming screen will be dis­played.

m

Trim the image.

 Operations available on the Trimming

screen.

Zoom/ / button : Changes the size of the

Display button : Switches between horizontal

Four-way controller

Menu/Fn button : Returns to the screen for

,

Press the OK button.

.

Select the quality level after trim­ming with the four-way controller

).

(

⁄0

Press the OK button.

The trimmed image will be saved as
a separate image.

).

MENU OK

Exit OK

Exit OK

image

and vertical

() : Moves the trimming position

up, down, right and left

selecting an image to be
trimmed

Select image quality

Quality Level

MENU

SizeSize

DISP

RotateRotate

100-0020100-0020

100-0020100-0020

OK

Editing/Settings

OkExit OkExit

• Movie pictures cannot be trimmed.

memo

• You cannot select a higher quality than that of the original
image.

• TIFF images cannot be trimmed.

125

Camera Settings

How to recall [ Set-up] menu

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

Four-way controller

OK button
Menu button

Formatting a SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard

Formatting will delete all the data on the SD Memory
Card/MultiMediaCard.

1/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB
Wide

Auto

OK

Ok

Caution

Editing/Settings

126

• Do not remove the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard
while the card is being formatted. The card may be dam­aged and become unusable.

• SD Memory Cards/MultiMedia Cards formatted on a PC
or device other than the camera cannot be used. Be sure
to format the card with the camera.

• Formatting will delete protected data too.

z

Select [Format] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The Format screen will be displayed.

c

Select [Format] with the four-way controller ().

v

Press the OK button.

Formatting will start. When formatting is completed,
the camera is ready to capture or play back images.

MENU

Exit

Set-up

mm.dd.yy

1/ 1/2003

Off

English

OK

Ok

Twice

Format
Sound
Date Style
Date Adjust
World Time
Language/

1/3

Changing the Sound Settings

You can change the volume of the start-up sound, shutter sound
and operation sounds. You can also change the type of each
sound.

Changing the volume

z

Select [Sound] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The Sound screen will be displayed.

c

Use the four-way controller () to
change the volume.

v

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to capture or
play back images.

Sound

Volume
Start-up Sound
Shutter Sound
Operation Sound 1

MENU

Exit

1
1

OK

Ok

Editing/Settings

127

How to recall [ Set-up] menu

Four-way controller

OK button
Menu/Fn button

1/3

Changing the type of start-up, shutter or operation sound

z

Select [Sound] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The Volume screen will be displayed.

c

Press the four-way controller () to select [Startup
Sound] and choose [1], [2], [3] or [off] with the four-way
controller (

v

Change the [Shutter sound] and [Operation Sound] in

).

the same way.

b

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

Editing/Settings

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

Exit

2592 1944

AWB
Wide

Auto

OK

Ok

128

MENU

Exit

Set-up

mm.dd.yy

1/ 1/2003

Off

English

OK

Ok

Twice

Format
Sound
Date Style
Date Adjust
World Time
Language/

1/3

Setting the Date Style

You can set the style in which the date is displayed on the cam­era. Choose [mm/dd/yy], [dd/mm/yy] or [yy/mm/dd].

z

Select [Date Style] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller () to change the date
style.

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images with
the selected date style.

The style in which the time is displayed is set by [Date Adjust].

memo

Editing/Settings

129

How to recall the [ Set-up] menu

Changing the Date/Time

You can change the initial date and time settings.

z

Select [Date Adjust] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The date screen will be displayed.

See “Setting the Date and Time” (p.22) for the setting proce­dure.

Setting the World Time

Editing/Settings

The city and time selected in “Initial Settings” (p.20) serve as the
Home Time setting.
You can display the time in a city other than the Home Time city
(World Time) when shooting or playing back.

z

Select [World Time] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The World Time screen will be dis­played.

Four-way controller

OK button
Menu/Fn button

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

1/3

World Time

NYC
TYO

MENU

Exit

Exit

04:18
17:18

2592 1944

AWB
Wide

Auto

OK

OK

Ok

Ok

130

Format

Twice

Sound
Date Style
Date Adjust
World Time
Language/

1/3

c

Switch (On) and (Off) with the four-way con-

 ).

troller (

On

Off

v

Press the four-way controller ().

Set-up

mm.dd.yy

1/ 1/2003

Off

English

MENU

Exit

: The time in the country selected in World Time will be

displayed.

: The time in the country selected in Home Time will be

dis-played.

OK

Ok

If New York is selected as the world time city, then the
cross-shaped line is located in New York on the world map,
and then indicates the current time in New York (NYC).

b

Use the four-way controller () to select the World Time
city and press the four-way controller (

n

Select [DST] On ( ) or Off with the four-way controller

).

(

m

Press the four-way controller ().

).

Tokyo (TYO) is selected as the Home Time city [ ] at first.

,

Repeat steps band nto change the Home Time city
and DST setting.

.

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images with
the time in the selected city.

Editing/Settings

See p.141 for the list of cities and code names.

memo

131

How to recall the [ Set-up] menu

Four-way controller

OK button
Menu/Fn button

Changing the Display Language

You can change the language in which the menus, error mes­sages, etc. are displayed.

z

Select [Language] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller () to select the language.

The menus will be displayed in selected language.

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take or play back images.

Changing the Video Output Format

Editing/Settings

You can select the output format (NTSC or PAL) for taking or
playing back images on a TV monitor.

z

Select [Video Out] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller () to change the video
output format.

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take or play back images.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

Exit

1/3

2592 1944

AWB
Wide

Auto

OK

Ok

132

MENU

Exit

Set-up

mm.dd.yy

1/ 1/2003

Off

English

OK

Ok

Twice

Format
Sound
Date Style
Date Adjust
World Time
Language/

1/3

Changing the Start-up Screen

You can display an image recorded with the camera as the
welcome screen when the camera is turned on.

z

Select [Start-up Screen] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The Start-up screen will be dis­played.

Start-up Screen

Opening screen

MENU

Exit

c

Use the four-way controller () to select (On) or

(Off).

The start-up screen is displayed.
The start-up screen is not displayed.

v

Press the DPOF button.

b

Use the four-way controller () to choose the image
you want to display as the start-up screen.

n

Press the OK button three times.

The camera is ready to take or play back images.

Once the start-up screen has been set, it will not be erased

memo

even if the original image is deleted or the SD Memory
Card/MultiMediaCard is formatted. To delete the start-up screen,
reset the setting. (☞p.138)

DPOF

Image

OK

Ok

Editing/Settings

133

How to recall the [ Set-up] menu

Four-way controller

OK button
Menu/Fn button

LCD Power Saving (Sleep Timeout)

You can set the LCD monitor to turn off automatically when no
operation is performed for a fixed time.

z

Select [Sleep Timeout] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller () to select [30 sec], [1
min], [2 min] or [Off].

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take or play back images.

• This function will not work in Playback mode and using the

memo

USB cable and when the camera is operated by optional AC

Editing/Settings

adapter.

Setting Auto Power Off

You can set the camera to turn off automatically when no opera­tion is performed for a fixed time.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

Exit

1/3

2592 1944

AWB
Wide

Auto

OK

Ok

134

z

Select [Auto Power Off] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller () to select [3 min],
[5 min] or [Off].

MENU

Exit

Set-up

mm.dd.yy

1/ 1/2003

Off

English

OK

Ok

Format

Twice

Sound
Date Style
Date Adjust
World Time
Language/

1/3

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

• The menu screen turns off 1 minute after the last operation.

memo

• The Auto Power Off function will not work when the USB
cable is connected.

Setting the Quick Delete Function

When the Quick Delete function is set to On, the Delete screen
will be displayed when [Delete] or [Delete All] is selected.

z

Select [Quick Delete] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller () to select [On] or [Off].

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

Setting the Quick Zoom Function

When the Quick Zoom function is set to On, images can be dis­played at maximum magnification simply by pressing the Zoom
button once during zoom playback.

Editing/Settings

z

Select [Quick Zoom] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Use the four-way controller to () select [On] or [Off].

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

135

How to recall the [ Set-up] menu

Registering Functions

You can register the functions you use most frequently on the
four-way controller. The functions can then be set directly by
pressing the four-way controller, without displaying the
[Rec.Mode] menu.

Registering a function

z

Select [Fn Setting] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The Fn Setting screen will be displayed.

c

Use the four-way controller () to choose the key
where you want to register a function.

Editing/Settings

v

Use the four-way controller () to choose the function
you want to register.

If you do not want to register a function, select Off.

b

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

Four-way controller

OK button

Menu/Fn button

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

Exit

1/3

2592 1944

AWB

Wide

Auto

OK

Ok

136

• Only one function can be registered on each key of the four-

memo

way controller.

• You can choose from the following 11 functions: Recorded
Pixels, Quality Level, White Balance, Focusing Area, AE
Metering, Sensitivity, Digital Zoom, Instant Review,
Sharpness, Saturation and Contrast.

MENU

Exit

Set-up

mm.dd.yy

1/ 1/2003

Off

English

OK

Ok

Twice

Format
Sound
Date Style
Date Adjust
World Time
Language/

1/3

Retrieving a function

z

Enter the Capture mode and press
the Menu/Fn button and the four­way controller key (

) on

which a function is registered at
the same time.

x

Press the four-way controller

) while pressing the Menu/Fn button to change

(
the setting.

c

Release the Menu/Fn button.

The setting is saved and the camera is ready to take the
picture.

Checking the status

z

Press the Menu/Fn button and the
Display button at the same time.

The function settings will be dis­played.

White Balance

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area Wide

AWB

2592 1944

AWB

Editing/Settings

137

How to recall the [ Set-up] menu

Four-way controller

OK button

Menu/Fn button

Adjusting the Focus Limit

You can choose whether or not to limit the movement of the
lens when shooting normally and in macro mode.

z

Select [Focus Limiter] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller () to select [On] or [Off].

c

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

Resetting to Default Settings (Reset)

You can reset all the settings other than the date and time, lan-

Editing/Settings

guage, Video output format, world time and date style.

z

Select [Reset] on the [ Set-up] menu.

x

Press the four-way controller button ().

The Reset screen will be displayed.

c

Use the four-way controller () to select [Reset].

v

Press the Playback/OK button.

The camera is ready to capture or play back images.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels
Quality Level
White Balance
Focusing Area
AE Metering
Sensitivity

MENU

Exit

1/3

2592 1944

AWB

Wide

Auto

OK

Ok

138

Setting the Alarm

You can set the alarm to ring at a specified time and display a
selected image.

DPOF button

Four-way controller

OK button

Menu/Fn button

Checking the Alarm

z

Press the Menu/Fn button.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The [ Playback] menu will be displayed.

c

Press the four-way controller () to select [Alarm].

v

Press the four-way controller ().

The list of alarms will be displayed.
Active alarms are indicated by .

b

Press the OK button twice.

If any alarms are enabled, the camera will be turned off and
the alarms will be set.

Alarm

1 Once

2

3 Off

MENU

Exit

Everyday

5:30AM

7:30AM

12:00PM

OK

Ok

Editing/Settings

Setting the Alarm

z

Press the Menu/Fn button.

x

Press the four-way controller ().

The [ Playback] menu will be displayed.

c

Press the four-way controller () to select [Alarm].

139

v

memo

Press the four-way controller ().

The list of alarms will be displayed.

b

Press the four-way controller () to select alarm 1-3.

n

Press the four-way controller ().

The screen for setting the alarm
mode and time will be displayed.

Four-way controller ()

Four-way controller ()

m

Press the DPOF button.

,

Press the four-way controller () to select the image to
be displayed when the alarm rings.

.

Press the OK button.

⁄0

Press the OK button 3 times.

The camera will turn off.

Turning the Alarm Off

When the camera is turned off and the set time is reached, the

Editing/Settings

alarm will ring for one minute .
The camera will turn off automatically when the alarm has fin­ished ringing.

• To stop the alarm ringing, press any button.

• If the Snooze function is set to On, the alarm will ring 5 times
at 5-minute intervals.

• To cancel the Snooze function, press the Menu/Fn button and
OK button at the same time.

Selects the item.

Changes the setting.

Alarm

1 Once

2

3 Off

MENU

Exit

Alarm 1

MENU

Exit

5:30AM

Everyday

7:30AM

12:00PM

Once 5:30AM

DPOF

Image

OK

Ok

OK

Ok

140

Caution

The alarm will not ring when the camera is turned on.

Appendix

List of City Names

Refer to following list of city and code names for setting the world time.

Code

PPG
HNL Honolulu DXB Dubai
ANC Anchorage KHI Karachi
YVR Vancouver KBL Kabul
SFO San Francisco MLE Male

LAX Los Angeles DEL Delhi
YYC Calgary CMB Colombo
DEN Denver KTM Kathmandu
MEX Mexico City DAC Dacca

CHI Chicago RGN Rangoon

MIA Miami BKK Bangkok
YTO Toronto KUL Kuala Lumpur
NYC New York VTE Vientiane
SCL San Diego SIN Singapore
CCS Caracas PNH Phnom Penh
YHZ Halifax SGN Ho chi Minh
BUE Buenos Aires JKT Jakarta
SAO Sao Paulo HKG Hong Kong

RIO Rio de Janeiro PER Perth
MAD Madrid BJS Beijing
LON London SHA Shanghai
PAR Paris MNL Manila

MIL Milan TPE Taipei

ROM Rome SEL Seoul

BER Berlin ADL Adelaide

JNB Johannesburg TYO Tokyo

IST Istanbul GUM Guam
CAI Cairo SYD Sydney

JRS Jerusalem NOU Noumea

MOW Moscow WLG Wellington

JED Jeddah AKL Auckland

City names

Pagopago

Code

THR

City names

Tehran

Appendix

141

List of Menu Default Settings

 [ Rec.Mode] Menu

Item Default Setting
Recorded Pixels 2592×1944 ( : 320×240)
Quality Level
White Balance AWB (Auto)
Focusing Area Wide
AE Metering
Sensitivity Auto
Auto Bracket —
Digital Zoom On
Instant Review 2 sec
Interval Shooting —
Fast Fwd Movie Off
3D Mode Parallel
Memory —
Sharpness Normal
Saturation Normal
Contrast Normal
USER

 [ Playback] Menu

Item Default Setting
Resize —
Trimming —
Alarm
Slideshow 3 sec (3 sec. intervals)

Appendix

[

]

Off

142

 [ Set-up] Menu

Item Default Setting
Format —
Sound —
Date Style mm/dd/yy
Date Adjust 2003/01/01
World Time Off
Language/ English
Start-up Screen On
Video Out NTSC
Sleep Timeout 1 min
Auto Power Off 3 min.
Quick Delete Off
Quick Zoom Off
Fn Setting —
Focus Limit On
Reset —

Appendix

143

Adjustable [Rec.Mode] Menu Items by Shooting Mode

: Changes are reflected in all camera operations

: Only default setting is reflected in camera operations;
changes are invalid

Item

memo

Appendix

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

• Settings for items marked with an [] can be changed on the
menu screen, but the change will not be reflected in camera
operations.

• In mode, only the settings marked with an [] can be
changed in the registered mode.


 


 
 


 
 

 
 
 
 
 

320×240



144

Messages

Messages such as the following may be displayed on the LCD monitor
during camera operation.

Memory card full

No image & sound

Camera can not display
this image.

No card in camera.

Battery depleted.

Memory card error.

This card is not formatted.

Image recording.

Data being recorded.

Changing setting

Formatting

The SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard
memory is full and no more images and
sound can be saved. Insert a new SD
Memory Card/MultiMediaCard or delete
unwanted images. (p.16, p.96)
Change the quality/size and try again. (p.43,
p.44)

There are no images and sound on the SD
Memory Card/MultiMediaCard to playback.

You are trying to play back an image in a
format not supported by this camera. You
may be able to display it on another brand
of camera or PC.

There is no SD Memory
Card/MultiMediaCard in the camera. (p.16)

The battery is exhausted. Charge the NiMH
batteries using a battery charger or replace
with new batteries. (p.12, p.13)

Shooting and playback are impossible due
to a problem with SD Memory Card/
MultiMediaCard. Try displaying on a PC.

The SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard you have insert­ed is unformatted or has been formatted on a PC or
other device and is not compatible with the camera.

The image/voice recording is being recorded
on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard.

The movie picture is being recorded on the
SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard.

The protect setting or DPOF setting is
being changed.

The SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard is being
formatted.

Appendix

145

Deleting

Image folder could not be
created.

This card is not formatted.

Compression error

Image protected

Appendix

The image is being deleted.

The largest file number is assigned to an
image and no more images can be saved.
Insert a new SD Memory
Card/MultiMediaCard or format the SD
Memory Card/MultiMediaCard. (p.126)

The SD Memory Card/MultiMedia Card you
have inserted is unformatted, or has been
formatted on a PC or other device and is
not compatible with this camera. (p.126)

Compression of the image you captured
has failed. Change the recorded pixels or
quality levels, and take a picture again.

The movie picture is being recorded.Data being recorded

The image you are trying to delete is a pro­tected image. (p.99)

The alarm has been enabled.Alarm set

146

Troubleshooting

Problem

Power will not
come on

No image on the
LCD monitor

Shutter will not
be released

Zoom does not
work

Cause

Battery is not installed

Battery is installed
incorrectly

Battery power is low

LCD monitor is set to
OFF

Connected to PC by
USB cable.

Camera is connected
to TV

Image is displayed but
is hard to see

Flash is charging

No available space on
SD Memory
Card/MultiMediaCard

Recording

Super Macro mode has
been set.

Remedy

Check battery is installed.
If not, install battery.

Check orientation of battery.
Reinsert battery with the label
towards front of camera. (p.13)

Insert a charged battery or use the
AC adapter.

Press Display button to turn LCD
monitor on. (p.38)

When connecting to PC, LCD
monitor is always On.

LCD monitor remains off while
camera is connected to TV.

Image on LCD monitor may be
hard to see when taking pictures
outside in sunlight.

When flash lamp blinks red, flash
is charging and no pictures can be
taken. Lamp lights red when
charging is completed.

Insert SD Memory Card/
MultiMediaCard with available
space or delete unwanted images.
(p.16, 96)

Wait until recording is finished.

The zoom is disabled in this
modes.

Appendix

147