Pentax Optio 550 User Guide

Digital Camera

Operating Manual

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

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 camera’s capabilities.

Regarding copyrights

Images taken using the Optio 550 that are for anything other than personal enjoyment cannot be used without permission according to the rights as specified in the Copyright Act. Please take care, as there are even cases where limitations are placed on taking pictures even for personal enjoyment during demonstrations, industrial enterprise or as items for display. Images taken with the purpose of obtaining copyrights also cannot be used outside the scope of use of the copyright as laid out in the Copyright Act, and care should be taken here also.

Regarding trademarks

• The SD logo is a trademark.

• PENTAX is a trademark of PENTAX Corporation.

• Optio is a trademark of PENTAX Corporation.

• All other brands or product names are trademarks of registered trademarks of their respective companies.

• This product supports PRINT Image Matching II.

When used in combination, PRINT Image Matching II enabled digital still cameras, printers and software help photographers to produce images more faithful to their intentions. Copyright 2001 Seiko Epson Corporation. All Rights Reserved. PRINT Image Matching is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.

FOR SAFE USE OF YOUR CAMERA

Sufficient attention has been paid to the safety of this product but please pay particular attention to the warnings indicated by the following symbols during use.

Warning

These symbols indicate that it is possible that the user may experience serious difficulties if the warnings are not heeded.

Caution

These symbols indicate that it is possible that the user may experience minor or middling difficulties or physical difficulties if the warnings are not heeded.

Warning:

• Do not attempt to take the camera apart or remodel the camera. High voltages are present within the camera, and there is therefore a danger of electric shocks.

• If the inside of the camera should become exposed as a result of, for example, the camera being dropped, please do not under any circumstances touch such exposed portions, as there is a danger of receiving an electric shock.

• Wrapping the strap of the camera around your neck is also dangerous, please take care that small children do not hang the strap around their necks.

• To avoid the risk of it being swallowed by mistake, keep the SD Memory Card out of the reach of small children. Seek medical attention immediately if accidentally swallowed.

• Use an AC adapter that are of the power and voltage specified for exclusive use with this product. The use of an AC adapter other than that specified exclusively for use with this product may cause fire or electric shocks.

• 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.

• Discontinue use of the AC adapter during thunderstorms. This can cause a fire or electrical shock.

Caution:

• Never try to disassemble, short the battery. Also, do not dispose of the battery in fire, as it may explode.

• Remove the battery from the camera immediately if it becomes hot or begins to smoke. Be careful not to burn yourself during removal.

• Some portions of the camera heat up during use, so please take care, as there is a risk of low temperature burns if such portions are held for long periods of time.

• Do not place your finger on the flash when it is discharging as there is a risk of burns.

• If any of the battery leakage should come in contact with your eyes, do not rub them. Flush your eyes with clean water and get medical attention immediately.

• If any of the battery leakage should come in contact with skin or clothes, wash the affected areas thoroughly with water.

Care to be Taken During Handling

• Do not clean the product with organic solvents such as thinner or alcohol benzene.

• Places of high temperature and humidity should be avoided. Particular care should be taken regarding vehicles, which can become very hot inside.

• Storing the camera where pesticides and chemicals are handled should be avoided. Remove from case and store in a well-ventilated place to prevent the camera from becoming moldy during storage.

• Do not use the camera where it may come in contact with rain, water or any other liquid, because the camera is not weather, water, or liquid resistant. Should the camera get wet from rain, splashing water, or any other liquid, wipe it off immediately with a dry soft cloth.

• Ensure that the camera is not subjected to substantial vibrations, shocks or pressure. Place the camera on a cushion for protection when the camera is subjected to the vibrations of a motorbike, car, or ship, etc.

• The liquid crystal display will become black at temperatures of approximately 60°C (140°F) but will return to normal when normal temperatures are returned to.

• The response speed of the liquid crystal display becomes slow at low temperatures. This is due to the properties of the liquid crystal and is not a fault.

• Remove dust from the lens and viewfinder using a blower or clean off dust using a lens brush.

• Periodic checks are recommended every 1 to 2 years in order to maintain highperformance.

• When the camera has not been used for a long time, confirm that it is still working properly, particularly prior to taking important pictures (such as at a wedding or during 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 pictures) arising from failure of this product.

• If the camera is subjected to rapid temperature changes, condensation may form on the inside and outside of the camera. Therefore put the camera in a bag or plastic bag, and take the camera out when the difference in temperature has subsided.

• The temperature range in which the camera can be used is 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).

• Avoid contact with garbage, dirt, sand, dust, water, toxic gases, salt, etc. as this may cause damage to the camera. If rain or drops of water get onto the camera, please wipe dry.

• Refer to “Precautions When Using an SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard” (p.17) regarding the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard.

• Be sure to use the rechargeable lithium-ion battery D-LI7 provided for this camera. If you use any other battery the camera may be damaged or malfunction.

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. Although the level of functioning pixels is 99.99% or better, you should be aware that 0.01% or fewer of the pixels may not illuminate or may illuminate when they should not. However, this has no effect on the recorded image.

• There is a possibility that the illustrations and the display screen of the LCD

monitor in this manual are different form the actual product.

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 Installing the Battery ··············································································13

Using the AC Adapter (optional) ····························································15 Installing the SD Memory Card/ MultiMediaCard ·······························································································16 Turning the Camera On and Off ······································································18 Adjusting the Viewfinder ··················································································19 Initial Settings ··································································································20

Setting the Display Language ································································20

Setting the Home Town ··········································································21

Setting the D.S.T. Mode ··········································································21

Setting the Date and Time ·····································································22

Quick Start ····················································································24

Taking Still Pictures ·························································································24 Playing Back Still Pictures ···············································································26

Playing Back Images ··············································································26

Playing Back Previous or Next Images ··················································26 How to View the Recorded Images ·································································28

Common Operations ···································································30

Changing the Mode ··························································································30 Using the Button Functions ··············································································31

Capture Mode ························································································31

Playback Mode ·······················································································33 Using the Menus ·····························································································34

How to Set the Menus ············································································34

Menu List ································································································36

Taking Pictures ············································································38

Displaying Shooting Information (Capture Mode) ············································38 Setting the Shooting Functions ········································································40

Selecting the Focus Mode ·····································································40

Selecting the Flash Mode ······································································42

Selecting the Recorded Pixels ·······························································43

Selecting the Quality Levels ···································································44

Adjusting the Color Balance according to Lighting (White Balance) ·····45

Changing the AF Area (Focusing Area) ·················································47

Setting the Light Metering Range to Determine the Exposure

(AE Metering) ·························································································48

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 Selecting the Picture Mode According to the Shooting ························59 Scene (Picture mode) ············································································59 Taking Movie Pictures (Movie Picture Mode) ·········································61 Taking Panorama Pictures (Panorama Assist Mode) ·····························63 Taking Stereo Pictures (3D Image Mode) ··············································65 Taking Pictures with Digital Filters (Digital Filter Mode) ·························70 Using Preset Function Settings (User Mode) ········································72 Recording Sound (Voice Recording Mode) ············································73 Using the Zoom ······················································································74 EV Compensation ··················································································76 Using the Self-Timer ··············································································77 Using the Remote Control Unit (optional) ··············································78 Continuous Shooting ··············································································79 Taking Pictures at Fixed Intervals (Interval Shooting) ····························80 Superimposing One Picture on Top of Another (Multiple Exposure Mode) ······································································82 Automatically Changing the Shooting Conditions (Auto bracket) ··········84 Taking Fast Forward Movie Pictures (Fast Fwd Movie) ·························86

Saving the Settings (Memory) ··········································································87

Saving the Menu Items (Memory) ··························································87 Registering Functions in User Mode ······················································88

Playback/Erasing ·········································································89

Playing Back Images and Sound ····································································89

Playing Back Still Pictures ······································································89 Zoom Display ·························································································89 Adding a Voice Memo ············································································90 Playing Back Movie Pictures ··································································91 Playing Back Sound ···············································································92 Playing back Shooting Information (Playback Mode) ·····························93 Nine-image Display ················································································94 Slideshow ·······························································································95

Erasing Images ·······························································································96

Erasing a Single Image or Sound ··························································96 Erasing All Images ·················································································98

Protecting Images from Deletion (Protect) ·············································99 Viewing Images on a TV ················································································100 Setting the Printing Service (DPOF) ·····························································101

Printing Single Image ···········································································101

Printing All Images ···············································································103

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 Displaying and copying images using ACDSee™ ·······························120 Disconnecting the camera from your Macintosh ··································121

Editing/Settings ·········································································123

Editing Images ·······························································································123

Changing the Image Size ·····································································123 Trimming Images ··················································································125

Camera Settings ····························································································126

Formatting a SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard ··································126 Changing the Sound Settings ······························································127 Setting the Date Style ··········································································129 Changing the Date/Time ······································································130 Setting the World Time ·········································································130 Changing the Display Language ··························································132 Changing the Video Output Format ·····················································132 Changing the Start-up Screen ·····························································133 LCD Power Saving (Sleep Timeout) ····················································134 Setting Auto Power Off ·········································································134 Setting the Quick Delete Function ·······················································135 Setting the Quick Zoom Function ·························································135 Registering Functions ··········································································136 Adjusting the Focus Limit ·····································································138 Resetting to Default Settings (Reset) ···················································138

Setting the Alarm ···························································································139

Checking the Alarm ··············································································139 Setting the Alarm ·················································································139 Turning the Alarm Off ···········································································140

Appendix ····················································································141

List of City Names ·························································································141 List of Menu Default Settings ········································································142 Adjustable [Rec.Mode] Menu Items by Shooting Mode ································144 Messages ······································································································145 Troubleshooting ·····························································································147 Optional Accessories ·····················································································150 WARRANTY POLICY ····················································································151 Main Specifications ·······················································································152

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. Use it if you want to start taking pictures straightaway. It also tells you how to use the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard.

 Common Operations

This chapter explains common operations such as the functions of the mode dial and buttons, and how to use the menus. For more details, refer to the respective [Taking Pictures], [Playback/Erasing] and [Editing/Settings] chapters.

 Taking Pictures

This chapter explains the various ways of capturing images and how to set the relevant functions.

 Playback/Erasing

This chapter explains how to play back images on the camera or on a TV and how to delete images.

 Editing/Settings

This chapter explains how to edit images and set the camera-related functions.

 Appendix

This tells you about the messages displayed on the LCD monitor and what to do in the event of trouble.

The meanings of the symbols used in this Operating manual are explained below.

☞

memo

Caution

indicates the reference page number for an explanation of the related operation.

indicates information that is useful to know.

indicates precautions to be taken when operating the camera.

The icons above the title show the Capture modes, that can activate the function.

Contents of the Package

Checking the Contents of the Package

Camera

Optio 550

Lithium-ion battery

D-LI7

Battery charger

(D-BC7) (∗)

(Rechargeable) (∗)

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.

AV cable

I-AVC7 (∗)

Software (CD-ROM)

S-SW7

AC plug cord

D-C02 (∗)

Strap

O-ST5 (∗)

Operating Manual

this manual

About items marked with (

∗)

∗ Items marked with (∗) are also available as optional accessories. For other option-

al accessories, refer to the list on page 150.

✽ Type of AC plug cord

D-CO2A Australia / D-CO2B United Kingdom / D-CO2E Europe / D-CO2H Hong Kong / D-CO2J Japan / D-CO2K Korea / D-CO2U North America, Canada

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

Diopter adjustment lever

/ button

DPOF button

Power switch

Shutter release button Mode dial

Zoom / / button

/ button

Playback button

OK button

Four-way controller

)

(

Display button

Status lamp (green)

Flash lamp (red)

Menu/Fn button

 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



Zoom / / button (Only for digital zoom and magnified playback)

DISPLAY button



DPOF button





button

OK button

Getting Started

Attaching the Strap

Pass the narrow end of the strap through the strap lug and pass the other end through the loop.

Getting Started

Powering the Camera

memo

Charging indicator

Getting Started

Charging the Battery

When using the camera for the first time or when the [Battery depleted.] message is displayed, charge the battery.

z Connect the AC plug cord to the battery charger. x Plug the AC plug cord into the power outlet. c

v When charging is completed, remove the battery from the

•

• The charging time may vary depending on the ambient tempera-

• When the battery reaches the end of its service life, the time

Caution

Battery

To power outlet

Battery charger

Place the battery in the charger with the label facing up.

The charging indicator lights red while the battery is charging and changes to green when charging is completed.

battery charger.

The time required for full charge is about 180 minutes maximum. The appropriate ambient temperature range for charging the battery is 0°C-40°C (32°F to 104°F).

ture and charging conditions.

that the camera can be operated becomes shorter even when the battery is fully charged. In this event, replace the battery.

• Always charge the battery after purchasing or when it has not been used for a long time.

• Use the Battery charge D-BC7 to charge the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery D-LI7 only as the charger may overheat or be damaged.

•

If the battery is inserted correctly but the charging indicator fails to light, the battery may be faulty. Replace with a new battery.

AC plug cord

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Battery chamber card cover

Installing the Battery

Install the battery provided. When using the camera for the first time, charge the battery before installing.

z Slide the battery chamber/card cover in the direction indi-

cated by the arrow to open the battery chamber/card cover.

x Insert the battery with the label facing towards the lens

while using the side of the battery to press the battery lock lever in the direction indicated by the arrow.

When you have inserted the battery, check that it is firmly secured by the battery lock lever.

c Close the battery chamber cover.

To remove the battery, release the battery by using your finger to press the battery lock lever in the same direction as when you inserted the battery, and pull the battery out.

If you intend to use the camera continuously for a long period, use of the AC adapter D-AC7 (optional) is recommended. (

Caution

• The rechargeable lithium-ion battery D-LI7 is exclusively for powering this camera. If you use any other battery the camera may be damaged or malfunction.

• Do not remove the battery when the camera is turned on.

• If you do not intend to use the camera for a long time,

remove the battery.

• If the camera is left without the battery for a long time, the date setting will be reset.

• Insert the battery correctly. If the battery is incorrectly oriented, it may cause malfunction.

Battery

Battery lock lever

p.15)

☞

Getting Started

● Approximate Operating Time (when the D-LI7 battery is fully charged)

Number of recordable images:Approx. 400 (when 50% shooting

uses flash, LCD monitor ON)

Playback time : Approx. 210 min.

* 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. When the camera is used in a cold environment, keep this product warm by holding it in some protection against cold or inside the clothes. Battery performance once deteriorated due to low temperature will be recovered when the batteries are returned to room temperature.

● Battery Level Indicator

You can check the battery level by the symbol displayed on the LCD monitor.

(lit green) : Adequate power remains.

↓

(lit green) : Battery is running low.

↓

(lit yellow) : Battery is running very low.

↓

(lit red) : Battery is exhausted.

↓

[Battery depleted.] : After the message is displayed,

the camera will turn off.

AC adapter

To power outlet

Terminal cover

AC plug cord

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 recommended.

z Make sure that the camera is turned off and opening the

terminal cover.

x Connect the DC terminal on the AC adapter to the DC

input terminal on the camera.

c Connect the AC plug cord to the AC adapter. v Plug the AC plug cord into the power outlet.

Getting Started

Caution

• Make sure that the camera is turned off when connecting or disconnecting the AC adapter.

• Make sure that the AC plug cord and connecting cord are inserted securely. If the cord becomes disconnected while you are taking pictures, the data may be lost.

• When using the AC adapter D-AC7, be sure to read the operating manual accompanying the AC adapter.

Installing the SD Memory Card/ MultiMediaCard

Getting Started

SD Memory Card/ MultiMediaCard

Battery chamber/ card cover

MultiMediaCards and the SD Memory Card can be used with this camera. Captured images or recorded voice are recorded on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard. Make sure that the camera is turned off before inserting or removing the SD Memory Card/ MultiMediaCard.

Open the battery chamber/card cover.

Rotate the card with the surface of the card having the  symbol facing towards the lens and with the pin-connector edge of the card towards the slot and insert fully until it clicks.

If the card is not inserted correctly, images and voice memos may not be recorded properly.

Close the battery chamber/card cover.

To remove the card, eject the card by pressing it in the direction indicated by the arrow, and pull it out.

 Approximate Number of Recordable Images and

Recorded pixels/Quality levels

Quality levels

Recorded pixels

2592 × 1944 Approx. 4 Approx. 8 Approx. 14

2048 × 1536 Approx. 7 Approx. 12 Approx. 18

1600 × 1200 Approx. 11 Approx. 20 Approx. 27

1024 × 0768 Approx. 25 Approx. 45 Approx. 56

0640 × 0480 Approx. 53 Approx. 82

• The above table indicates the number of images when using a 16MB SD Memory Card.

• As TIFF data is uncompressed, it cannot be stored on a 16MB SD 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.

Best Better Good

()()()

Approx. 100

Movie images

(320 × 240)

Approx. Approx.

40sec. 30min.

voice

recording

 Precautions When Using a SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard

• Make sure that the camera is turned off before opening the battery chamber/card cover.

• The SD Memory Card is equipped with a write-protect switch. Setting the switch to [LOCK] protects the existing data by prohibiting recording of new data, deletion of existing data or formatting of the card.

• The SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard formatted by the other equipment than this camera cannot be used for PC, etc. Formatting must be done by this camera.

• Care should be taken if you remove the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard immediately after using the camera, as the card may be hot.

• Do not remove the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard or turn the camera off while data is being recorded on the card or transferred to PC using USB cable as this may cause the data to be lost or the card to be damaged.

• Do not bend the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard or subject it to violent impact. Keep it away from water and store away from high temperature.

• Be sure to format unused SD Memory Card/multimedia cards or SD Memory Card/multimedia cards that have been used on another camera. Refer to “Formatting a SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard” (p.126) for instructions on formatting.

• Never remove the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard during formatting as this may cause the card to be damaged and become unusable.

• The data on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard may be erased in the following circumstances. Pentax does not accept any liability for data that is erased

• when the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard is mishandled by the user.

• when the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard is exposed to static electricity or

electrical interference.

• when the card has not been used for a long time.

• when the card is ejected, the AC adapter is disconnected or the battery is

removed while the data on the card is being accessed.

• The SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard has a limited service life. If it is not used for a long time, the data on the card may become unreadable. Be sure to make a backup of important data on a PC.

• Avoid using or storing the card where it may be exposed to static electricity or electrical interference.

• Avoid using or storing the card in direct sunlight or where it may be exposed to rapid changes in temperature or to condensation.

Write-protect switch

Getting Started

Turning the Camera On and Off

Power switch

Getting Started

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 automatically performs a card check. If no SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard has been inserted, appears on the LCD monitor. And if the write-protect switch is set to LOCK, will be displayed instead of

, and the images or sound cannot be recorded.

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

000000

02/20/200302/20/2003

11:19 11:19

Adjusting the Viewfinder

Viewfinder

If the subject through the viewfinder are hard to see, you can adjust the diopter in the range of –3 m–1to +1 m–1(per meter).

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.

For easy adjustment, point the camera at a subject with clearly defined outlines.

Getting Started

memo

Initial Settings

Getting Started

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” (p.130) to set the correct date and time.

Setting the Display Language

You can choose the language in which the menus, error messages, etc. are displayed from the following: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.

Power switch

Four-way controller OK button Display button Menu button

Turn the camera on.

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

The default setting is English.

Press the four-way controller ().

Initial settings

Language/

Exit

City DST

English

NYC

The screen for setting the next item will be displayed.

• You can change the setting after it has been made. Refer to “Changing the Display Language” (p.132).

Setting the Home Town

memo

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.

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

memo

• You can change the setting after it has been made. Refer to “Setting the World Time” (p.130).

Initial settings

Language/

Exit

Setting the D.S.T. Mode

You can choose whether or not to display the (Daylight Saving Time) mode.

Use the four-way controller () to select or .

The default setting is (Off).

Press the four-way controller ().

The screen for setting the next item will be displayed.

• You can change the setting after it has been made. Refer to “Setting the World Time” (p.130).

Initial settings

Language/

Exit

City DST

English

NYC

English

NYC

Getting Started

Setting the Date and Time

Set the current date and time.

Use the four-way controller () to change the month.

Getting Started

Date Adjust

01 / 01 / 2003

0 : 00

Press the four-way controller ().

 and  will be displayed above

and below the day.

Use the four-way controller () to change the day and press the four-way controller (

and  will be displayed above



).

and below the year.

Repeat Step cto change the [year] [hour] and [minutes].

Use the Display button to select the 12-hour or 24-hour display format.

Exit

Date Adjust

02 / 01 / 2003

Exit

Date Adjust

02 / 20 / 2003

Exit

Date Adjust

02 / 20 / 2003

Exit

Date Adjust

02 / 20 / 2003

Exit

DISP

0 : 00

DISP

0 : 00

DISP

0 : 00

DISP

11 : 19 PM

DISP

12/24

memo

When you have finished the settings, press the OK button 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.

• For an accurate time setting, when you have finished the settings, press the OK button when the clock reaches 00 seconds.

• When the initial settings screen is displayed, you can cancel the settings operation and switch to Capture mode by pressing the MENU/Fn button. If this is done, the initial settings screen will be displayed next time you turn the camera on.

• You can change the settings after they have been made. Refer to “Changing the Date/Time” (p.130).

Getting Started

Quick Start

memo

Taking Still Pictures

Shutter release button

Mode dial

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

Focus Area

Power switch

200200

02/20/200302/20/2003

11:19 11:19

ViewfinderViewfinder

Quick Start

LCD monitor

Zoom / / button

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 shooting information on the LCD monitor.

The focus area in the middle of the LCD monitor indicates the zone of automatic focusing.You can change the size of the subject by pressing the Zoom button.

: makes the subject bigger.

: makes the subject smaller.

You can check the size of the subject by looking through the viewfinder.

As there is no focus area in the viewfinder, be sure to check the focusing area 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.

 Press halfway

When the shutter release button is pressed lightly (halfway), the focus and exposure are locked. They remain locked while the button is pressed halfway, and the shutter speed and aperture are displayed on the LCD monitor. You can find the following information on the LCD monitor, the status lamp and the flash lamp.



Autofocus area

If the subject is in focus, the frame will light green. If the subject is out of focus, the frame will not appear.



Focus

status lamp & Flash status lamp

status Focus status lamp (green) Flash status lamp (red) lit Subject is in focus Flash is charged blink Subject is out of focus Flash is charging

You cannot take a picture while the flash is charging.

 Pressed down fully

The picture is taken.

Instant Review

The Instant Review default setting is 2 seconds. During this time you can delete the image by pressing the button (The [Delete] menu will be displayed.), and selecting [Delete], and then pressing the OK button. To start recording a voice memo, press the OK button during Instant Review. Press the OK button again to stop recording.

Quick Start

Setting the Instant Review Time

☞

p.50

Quick Start

Playing Back Still Pictures

LCD monitorLCD monitor

Quick Start

Playback button

Four-way controller

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.

Press the Playback button after taking a picture.

An image will be displayed on the LCD monitor.

Press the four-way controller ().

displays the previous image.

displays the next image.

Erasing the image displayed on the LCD monitor

While the image is displayed, you can erase it by pressing the button (The Delete screen will be displayed.), 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.

• When you turn the camera on while pressing the Playback

memo

button, the camera turns on in Playback Only mode. As the lens does not extend in Playback Only mode, this feature is useful when you want to pass the camera to someone and show them the picture you have just taken. To switch to the Capture mode, turn the camera off and then turn it on again.

• You can enlarge the image displayed on the LCD monitor by pressing the Zoom/ / button.

• When the screen is changed to the playback screen, the image with the largest file number will be displayed first.

• In the case of movie pictures, the first frame will be displayed.

• If there are no images stored, the [No image] message will be displayed.

Delete Cancel

File No.

100-0020100-0020

OkExit OkExit

Quick Start

Zoom Display Adding a Voice Memo ☞p.90

☞

p.89

Quick Start

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, transfer them to your PC and print them

Quick Start

out.

Viewing images on the camera

One of the advantages of a digital camera is that it enables you to view your pictures immediately after you have taken them.You can check the composition and focus and take the picture again if you are not satisfied.

p.100

☞

p.89~p.95

Playing Back Images and Sound

Viewing images on a TV

If you want to show your pictures to friends, you can display them on your TV monitor. To view images on your TV, connect the camera to the TV with the AV cable.

Viewing Images on a TV

☞

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). Or you can remove the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard from the camera and transfer the data to your PC using a card reader. If you use a laptop computer, you can transfer the image data by fitting the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard into the card adapter and inserting the card adapter into the card slot.

☞

p.104

p.101

☞

p.118

Viewing Images with your PC Viewing Images with your Macintosh

Printing images by a printing service

Prints of images recorded on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard can be ordered in the same way as with conventional photographs by taking the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard to a store that performs printing. The number of prints can be specified and dates can be included in the prints if DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) is set before taking the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard to a store that performs DPOF printing.

Setting the Printing Service

Quick Start

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

Playback button.

• To change from Playback mode to Capture mode, press the

Playback button or the shutter release button halfway.

Selecting the Capture Mode

Common Operations

Turn the mode dial so that the mark is on

or .

Manual exposure

Shutter priority

Aperture priority

Program

Picture

Movie picture

Panorama

Digital filter

User modeUser

Voice recording

You can set the shutter speed and aperture manually.

You can set the shutter speed manually, and the aperture is set automatically.

You can set the aperture manually, and the shutter speed is set automatically.

The shutter speed and aperture are set automatically when taking still pictures.

You can select a shooting mode from 9 modes according to the scene you are taking.

This mode is for taking moving images. (Sound can also be recorded.)

This mode is for taking panorama pictures.

This mode is for taking 3D pictures.

This mode is for taking pictures using a variety of filters such as red, blue and green.

The functions are set in advance and the settings are enabled whenever the camera is turned on.

This mode is for recording sound.

p.57

p.56

p.55

p.54

p.59

p.61

p.63

p.65

p.70

p.72

p.73

Using the Button Functions









 









Capture Mode



Diopter adjustment lever

Adjusts the viewfinder for optimum clarity. (



button

Changes the flash mode. (







button

Changes the shooting mode as follows. Using the self-timer ( Using the remote control unit ( Continuous shooting ( Multiple exposure shooting ( Interval shooting ( *When the Capture mode is set to , continuous shooting, multiple exposure shooting and Interval shooting mode will be skipped.

button

Changes the focus mode. (

Zoom button

Changes the size of the subject. (

☞

p.80)

p.77)

p.79)

☞

p.82)

p.40)

p.42)

p.78)

☞

p.74)

☞

Common Operations

p.19)

Common Operations



Playback button

Switches to Playback mode. (



Four-way controller ()

Changes the EV compensation in modes other than and

p.76)

☞

Changes the shutter speed in mode. (



Four-way controller ()

Adjusts the focus in mode. ( Sets the aperture value in Sets the shutter speed in mode. ( Selects the type of filter in mode. ( Selects Picture mode in mode. (



OK button

Sets the selected menu item. ( When pressed in mode, the function on the four-way controller (



Display button

Changes the information displayed on the LCD monitor. (

☞



Menu/Fn button

Displays the active menus in Capture mode and retrieves the functions registered on the four-way controller. (

) reverts to the function set by the mode dial.

p.38)

☞

and

☞

p.30)

p.41)

☞ ☞

☞

p.34)

p.57)

☞

mode. (☞p.57, 55)

p.56)

p.70) p.59)

p.34, 137)

☞







 









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. (☞p.89)



Playback button (☞p.30) Switches to Capture mode.



Four-way controller ()

Displays images one by one. (☞p.26)



OK button

Saves the function selected by the menu item. (☞p.34) When pressed in Normal Playback mode, the voice memo starts, and when pressed again, the voice memo stops. (☞p.90) When pressed in Zoom Display or Nine-image Display mode, changes to Normal Playback mode. (☞p.89, 94)



Display button

Changes the information displayed on the LCD monitor. (☞p.93)



Menu/Fn button

Displays the active menus in Playback mode. (☞p.34)

Common Operations

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 operation is displayed on the LCD monitor.

Press the Menu/Fn button.

Common Operations

The menu screen will be displayed. The selected area will be underlined in green.

Press the four-way controller ().

Use the four-way controller () to select the menu screen.

Use the four-way controller () to select an item.

Use the four-way controller () to move the frame up or down.

Use the four-way controller () to change the setting.

’

If there is a select screen, use the four-way controller ( to move to the select screen.

Press the OK button.

The settings will be saved and the screen will return to capture or playback status. If the menu screen is not exited, press the OK button again.

)

Caution

• If you press any buttons except the OK button before press the OK button and leave the menu screen, any changes to setting will not be saved.

• Even if you press the OK button and leave the menu screen, if you remove the battery before turning off the camera or do not otherwise turn off the camera correctly, any changes to setting will not be saved.

Example of menu operation

Rec. Mode

Wide

AWB

Auto

2592 1944Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/3

Menu/Fn button

[ Rec.Mode] menu

Rec. Mode

2592 1944

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

AWB Wide

Auto

Exit

[ Playback] menu

Playback

Resize Trimming Alarm Slideshow 3sec

Off

Exit

[ Set-up] menu

Set-up

Format Sound Date Style mm/dd/yy

1/ 1/2003

Date Adjust World Time Language/

1/3

Off

English

Exit

Common Operations

’

Rec. Mode

Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/3

Select screen

Interval Shoot

Interval

Number of Shot

Start Time

Exit

2592 1944Recorded Pixels

AWB Wide

Auto

1min 10sec

0hr 0min

Rec. Mode

2592 1944Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

AWB Wide

Auto

Exit

Rec. Mode

Auto Bracket Digital Zoom Instant Review Interval Shoot Fast Fwd Movie 3D Mode

2/3

To the next screen

memo

2sec

Off

Parallel

Exit

• If you press the shutter release button halfway and move the camera to Capture mode, any changes to the setting will not be saved.

• When you display the menu from Capture mode, the [ Rec. Mode] menu will be displayed, and when you display the menu from Playback mode, the [ Playback] menu will be displayed.

Menu List

 [ Rec.Mode] Menu

Item Description Reference

Recorded Pixels For selecting the size of recorded pixels. p.43

Quality Level

White Balance

Focusing Area For changing the Area of the autofocus.

AE Metering

Common Operations

Sensitivity For setting the sensitivity.

Auto Bracket

Digital Zoom For taking digital zoom pictures.

Instant Review

Interval Shoot For taking pictures specified interval of time.

Fast Fwd Movie

3D Mode For taking 3D pictures.

Memory

Sharpness For setting the sharpness.

Saturation For setting the saturation.

Contrast

USER

Please refer to pages 142 to 144 for List of Menu Default settings and the adjustable [Rec. mode] menu items by shooting mode.

For selecting the image compression rate.

For adjusting the color balance according to lighting.

For setting the metering method to determine the exposure.

For setting the shooting conditions such as exposure, saturation and sharpness.

For setting the instant review time.

For delaying the frame rate when taking movie pictures (so that the movie appears speeded up when played back)

For saving the shooting function settings when the camera is turned off.

For setting the contrast.

For setting the functions registered in User mode.

p.44

p.45

p.47

p.48

p.49

p.84

p.75

p.50

p.80

p.86

p.65

p.87

p.51

p.52

p.53

p.88

 [ Playback] Menu

Item Description Reference

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 Description Reference

Format For formatting the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard

Sound

Date Style For setting the date style

Date Adjust For adjusting the date and time

World Time For setting the world time

Language/

Start-up screen For setting the Start-up screen when the camera is turned on

Video Out For setting the video output format

Sleep Timeout

Auto Power Off For turning off the power automatically.

Quick Delete

Quick Zoom

Fn Setting For registering a function on the four-way controller.

Focus Limiter

Reset For returning the camera settings to defaults

For adjusting the beep sound when a button is pressed For setting the button operation, start-up, shutter sounds and volume.

For changing the language in which menus and messages are displayed

For setting the power saving function

When this option is turned on, the Delete screen is displayed with [Delete] or [All Images] selected.

For playing back images at the maximum zoom size with the Zoom button pressed only once.

For switching between limiting and not limiting lens movement during normal shooting and macro shooting.

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Common Operations

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 button.

Display On

Shooting information is displayed.

Histogram Display

The brightness distribution of the image is displayed.

Taking Pictures

The x-axis shows the brightness (darkest at the left end and brightest at the right end) and the y-axis shows the pixel numbers.

Grid Display

The grid is displayed. This is useful for composing detailed pictures.

q Flash mode w Drive mode e Focus mode r Capture mode t AF area y Number of images can be taken u Data & time i Battery indicator

q Recorded pixels w Quality level e White balance r AE metering t Sensitivity y Histogram

• When the focus mode is set to Autofocus mode, the AF area frame is displayed.

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➞

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035035

2592

AWB

AUTO

56 4

Go to next page

Display Off

No shooting information is displayed.

• The AF area in autofocus mode is displayed.

• If any of the modes are changed such as Flash mode, the mode you have changed is displayed for a few seconds.

LCD Monitor Off

Turn off the LCD monitor. (The LCD monitor is not turned off in Playback mode.)

➞

Caution

Display On

The LCD monitor does not turn off in mode.

Saving the Display Mode ☞p.87

Taking Pictures

Setting the Shooting Functions

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Selecting the Focus Mode

 Focus Mode

(No icon)

Autofocus mode The camera is focused on the subject in the autofo-

Taking Pictures

Macro mode

Super macro mode This mode is used when the distance to the subject

Infinity-landscape mode

Move focusing area The position of the autofocus area is changed.

Manual focus mode

Press the or button in Capture mode.

The focus mode changes each time the button is pressed and the set focus mode is displayed on the LCD monitor. The camera is ready to take the picture in the set focus mode.

cus area when the shutter release button is pressed halfway. Use this mode when the distance to the subject is more than 60 cm (1.97 ft).

This mode is used when the distance to the subject is approx. 15 cm – 65 cm (0.5 ft – 2.13 ft).

is approximately 2 cm – 65 cm (0.8 inch – 2.13 ft).

This mode is used for taking distant objects.

Adjust focus manually by the four-way controller ().

• The default setting of the focus mode is [Autofocus mode].

• When the Movie picture mode is selected, (☞p.61) the position of the autofocus area cannot be changed.

• The zoom is fixed in the wide-angle position in Super Macro mode.

• If you use the flash in Macro mode, the image may be overexposed or a dark area may appear at the bottom right of the picture.

• The flash does not discharge in Super macro mode.

If you take a picture while looking through the viewfinder

Caution

when the focus mode is set on Macro or Super Macro, the range of the resulting picture will differ from what was seen in the viewfinder. Be sure to check the image on the LCD monitor.

Manual Focus

When the mode is set on and press the four-way controller (), the central portion of the picture is enlarged to full screen on the LCD monitor. Adjust the focus with the four-way controller while looking at the image on the monitor.

For distant focus

For closer focus

After the focus is set, press any buttons except the four-way con-

) or take a finger off from the four-way controller ( ),

troller ( the screen returns to the normal display two seconds later.

• Keep pressing the four-way controller () will move the

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focusing position rapidly.

• The central portion of picture is also enlarged in the Digital zoom mode except at maximum magnification.

Taking Pictures

Saving the Focus Mode

☞

p.87

memo

Selecting the Flash Mode

(No icon)

Auto flash

Flash Off

Flash On

Taking Pictures

Auto flash + Red-eye Reduction

Flash On + Red-eye Reduction

• The [Auto flash] and [Auto flash + Red-eye Reduction] modes cannot be selected when the Capture mode is set to .

• The flash is off when the Capture mode is set to , continuous shooting, infinity-landscape, fireworks in picture mode or super macro mode.

• The flash discharges once before the main flash as supplementary light for AE metering.

• In [Auto flash + Red-eye Reduction] and [Flash On + Red-eye Reduction] modes, the flash discharges once to make the pupils of the subject’s eyes smaller shortly before the main flash discharges to take the picture.

Press the button in Capture mode.

The flash mode changes each time the button is pressed and the icon is displayed on the LCD monitor. The camera is ready to take the picture in the set flash mode.

The flash discharges automatically depending on the light conditions.

The flash will not discharge.

The flash discharges.

This mode reduces the phenomenon of red eyes caused by the light from the flash being reflected in the subject’s eyes. The flash discharges automatically.

This mode reduces the phenomenon of red eyes caused by the light from the flash being reflected in the subject’s eyes.The flash will discharge regardless of lighting conditions.

Status of the Focus Status Lamp and Flash Status Lamp

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☞

Saving the Flash Mode

☞

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Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Selecting the Recorded Pixels

You can choose the number of recorded pixels from [2592 × 1944], [2048 × 1536], [1600 × 1200], [1024 × 768] and [640 × 480].

Select [Recorded Pixels] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the size.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

• The recorded pixels is fixed at 320 × 240 pixels in the movie

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picture mode.

• If you select a large size, the picture may appear distinct when it is printed out.

• Selecting a small size reduces the volume of data. This is useful for attaching images to E-mail or posting them on a website.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

2592 1944

AWB

Wide

Auto

Taking Pictures

Selecting the Quality Levels

memo

You can choose the image compression rate.

TIFF



BEST

Taking Pictures



BETTER



GOOD

Select [Quality Level] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the image quality.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

• If you selected TIFF, the recorded pixels is fixed at 2592 ×

1944.

• If you select TIFF when the recorded pixels has been set to other than [2592 × 1944], the size is automatically changed to [2592 × 1944].

• 3D image mode, multiple exposure mode and auto bracket mode are not available when TIFF is selected.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

The image is recorded as uncompressed data.

The quality is better and there is a high volume of image data.

Standard level

The quality is good and there is a low volume of image data.

Rec. Mode

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

White Balance

AWB

-D

Exit

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Adjusting the Color Balance according to Lighting (White Balance)

You can take pictures in natural colors by adjusting the white balance according to the light conditions at the time of shooting.

Automatic

Daylight

Shade

Tungsten Light

Fluorescent Light

Manual

*The color temperature (°K) is approximate and does not indicate the precise color.

Select [White Balance] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Press the four-way controller ().

The white balance screen will be displayed.

Use the four-way controller () to select the setting.

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Saving the White Balance

The camera adjusts the white balance automatically.

Use this mode when taking pictures outside in sunlight.

Use this mode when taking pictures outside in the shade.

Use this mode when taking pictures under electric or other tungsten light.

Use this mode when taking pictures under fluorescent light. Choose the type of fluorescent light from W (white (4200°K)*), N (neutral white (5000°K)*) and D (daylight (6500°K)*).

Use this mode when taking pictures by adjusting the white balance manually.

p.87

☞

Taking Pictures

Selecting the Type of Fluorescent Light

Select [ ] on the White Balance screen.

Use the four-way controller () to choose “W”, “N” or “D”.

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Manual Setting

Select [ ] (manual) on the white balance screen.

Point your camera at a blank sheet of paper so that it fills the screen.

Taking Pictures

Press the Display button.

The white balance is automatically adjusted, [Complete] is displayed on the LCD monitor and the display returns to the menu screen.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

White Balance

AWB

Exit

White Balance

AWB

1/3

DISP

-D Adjust

Exit

x c

Changing the AF Area (Focusing Area)

You can change the angle of the autofocus area.

Wide

Normal range

Spot

The autofocus range becomes smaller.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/3

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Select [Focusing Area] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the setting.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

picture.

The AF area does not appear in the viewfinder. Always check

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the focusing area on the LCD monitor.

Rec. Mode

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Taking Pictures

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Setting the Light Metering Range to Determine the Exposure (AE Metering)

You can choose which part of the screen to use to measure the brightness and determine the exposure.

The exposure is determined by the entire screen. The exposure is determined mainly by the center of the screen.

The exposure is determined by the small area in the center of the screen only.

Rec. Mode

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Taking Pictures

Multi segment Center-weighted

Spot

Select [AE Metering] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the metering mode.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Saving the AE Metering Method

☞

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Rec. Mode

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Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Setting the Sensitivity

You can select the Sensitivity to suit the brightness of the surroundings.

 Sensitivity

Auto

The camera sets the speed automatically.

• As the lower Sensitivity produces sharp images with little or

100

200

400

z x

no noise, but the shutter speed will be slower in low light conditions.

• As the higher Sensitivity uses faster shutter speed in low light conditions to reduce camera shake.

Select [Sensitivity] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the Sensitivity.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Taking Pictures

[Auto] cannot be selected in manual exposure mode.

Saving the Sensitivity

☞

p.87

x c

Setting the Instant Review time (Instant Review)

You can choose the Instant Review time from 0.5sec., 1sec., 2sec., 3sec., 4sec., 5sec. or OFF (no display).

Select [Instant Review] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Taking Pictures

Use the four-way controller () to change the display time.

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/3

Rec. Mode

Auto Bracket Digital Zoom Instant Review Interval Shoot Fast Fwd Movie 3D Mode

Exit

2/3

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

2sec

Off

Parallel

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

Setting the Image Sharpness (Sharpness)

You can choose whether you want the image to have sharp or soft outlines.

Select [Sharpness] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the setting from [Normal] to [Hard (+)] or [Soft (–)].

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Rec. Mode

Memory Sharpness Saturation Contrast USER

3/3

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Taking Pictures

x c

Setting the Color Saturation (Saturation)

You can set the color saturation.

Select [Saturation] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Taking Pictures

Use the four-way controller () to change the setting from [Normal] to [Hard (+)] or [Soft (–)].

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/3

Rec. Mode

Memory Sharpness Saturation Contrast USER

Exit

3/3

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

x c

Setting the Image Contrast (Contrast)

You can set the image contrast.

Select [Contrast] on the [ Rec.Mode] menu.

Use the four-way controller () to change the setting from [Normal] to [Hard (+)] or [Soft (–)].

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/3

Rec. Mode

Memory Sharpness Saturation Contrast USER

Exit

3/3

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Taking Pictures

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F2.8

1/250 F2.8

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Letting the Camera Set the Exposure (Program Mode)

Taking Pictures

The camera automatically sets the shutter speed and aperture for taking still pictures. However, you can select other functions such as the flash mode or continuous shooting mode.

Set the mode dial to .

Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken.

Using the Shutter Release Button Playing back images ☞p.26

☞

Aperture

p.25

Shutter speed

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Caution

Setting the Aperture Value (Aperture Priority Mode)

In this mode the aperture value is set manually and the camera automatically sets the shutter speed.

Set the mode dial to .

Use the four-way controller () to change the aperture value.

 Makes the aperture larger.

(Reduces the aperture value.)

 Makes the aperture smaller.

(Increases the aperture value.)

Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken.

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

Aperture value

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Taking Pictures

Playing Back Still Pictures

☞

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The aperture value will be saved when the camera is turned off.

• When the focus mode is set to manual, the four-way controller () becomes the manual focus button and cannot be used to change the aperture value. To change the aperture value, press the OK button once and then use the fourway controller () to change the value.

• The exposure is not appropriate when the shutter speed is displayed in orange on the LCD monitor.

Setting the Shutter Speed (Shutter Priority Mode)

memo

In this mode the shutter speed is set manually and the camera

Taking Pictures

automatically sets the aperture value.

Set the mode dial to .

Use the four-way controller () to change the shutter speed.

 Increases the shutter speed.  Reduces the shutter speed.

Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken.

Shutter speed

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

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Playing Back Still Pictures

☞

p.26

The set shutter speed will be saved when the camera is turned off.

Caution

• When the focus mode is set to manual, the four-way controller () becomes the manual focus button and cannot be used to change the shutter speed. To change the shutter speed, press the OK button once and then use the four-way controller () to change the value.

• The exposure is not appropriate when the aperture value is displayed in orange on the LCD monitor.

Setting the Exposure Manually (Manual Exposure Mode)

You can set the shutter speed and aperture value manually.

Set the mode dial to .

Use the four-way controller to change the shutter speed and aperture value.

 Increases the shutter speed.  Reduces the shutter speed.  Makes the aperture larger.

(Reduces the aperture value.)

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

Aperture Shutter speed

 Makes the aperture smaller.

(Increases the aperture value.)

If the combination of shutter speed and aperture value do not give an appropriate exposure, a warning will be displayed.

(Lit)

(Blinking)

(Lit)

If the deviation from the appropriate exposure is between –0.3 EV and –2.0 EV, will light, and if between +0.3 EV and +2.0 EV will light, and the value will be displayed.

If the picture is underexposed at a setting lower than –2.0 EV,

blinks, and if overexposed at a setting higher than +2.0 EV, blinks.

Metering is not possible.

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Taking Pictures

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Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken at the set shutter speed and aperture value.

The shutter speed and aperture value will be saved when the camera is turned off.

Caution

Taking Pictures

Playing Back Still Pictures

• EV compensation is not available in this mode.

• When the focus mode is set to manual, the four-way controller (

) becomes the manual focus button and cannot

be used to change the aperture value. To change the aperture value, press the OK button once and then use the fourway controller (

• The [Auto flash] and [Auto flash + Red-eye Reduction] flash modes cannot be selected.

) to change the value.

☞

p.26

Selecting the Picture Mode According to the Shooting Scene (Picture mode)

You can select the Picture mode according to the shooting scene.

Picture mode

There are nine available modes in Picture mode.

Landscape

Night-Scene Mode

Flower Enables to take flower photos bright in color.

Portrait

Surf & Snow

Autumn Colors

Sunset

Fireworks Enables you to take bright photos of fireworks.

Tex t

Enables to take landscape photos with bright colors.

Enables you to take dark scenes such as night views.

Enables to take portraits with spatial effect, by emphasizing the person.

Enables to take clear photos at dazzling places like beaches and snow covered mountains.

Enables you to take colorful photos of trees in autumn.

Enables to reproduce beautiful colors for sunrise and sunset photos.

Enables you to take clear photos of text.

Taking Pictures

Set the Mode dial to .

Press the four-way controller

) to select the required mode.

(

Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken.

Playing Back Still Pictures

☞

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• The picture mode will be saved when the camera is turned

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off.

• The flash is disabled in Fireworks mode and the focus is fixed at infinity.

Caution

Taking Pictures

• When the focus mode is set to manual, the four-way con-

troller () becomes the manual focus button and cannot be used to change the picture mode. To change the

picture mode, press the OK button once and then use the four-way controller (

) to change the mode.

• To avoid camera movement in Night-scene, Sunset and Fireworks mode, you are recommended to fix the camera on a tripod.

Taking Movie Pictures (Movie Picture Mode)

This mode enables you to take moving images. The maximum length of one motion picture is approximately 10 minutes. Sound can be recorded at the same time.

Set the mode dial to .

2 431

The following information will be displayed on the LCD monitor.

Flash OFF



Movie Picture mode icon



Remaining shooting time



Remaining number of sets



Press the shutter release button.

Shooting will start. You can change the size of the image using the Zoom button.

makes the image bigger.

makes the image smaller.

Press the shutter release button.

Shooting will end. The remaining shooting time will be displayed.

•12SEC•12SEC

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Taking Pictures

Keeping the shutter release button pressed

If you keep the shutter release button pressed for more than one second, pictures will be taken for as long as you keep the button pressed. Shooting stops when you take a finger off from the shutter release button.

Caution

Taking Pictures

Playing Back Movie Pictures

• The flash will not discharge in Movie Picture mode.

• Continuous shooting, interval shooting and multiple exposure shooting are not possible in Movie Picture mode.

• The LCD monitor cannot be turned off in Movie Picture mode.

• Focusing Area mode is not available in Movie Picture mode.

• When shooting in Movie Picture mode, only the digital zoom can be operated.

☞

p.91

Taking Panorama Pictures (Panorama Assist Mode)

The ACD photostitcher is only for the English version and the Japanese version. You can take a number of images and join them together to form a panorama picture. The panorama software (ACD photostitcher) provided with the camera is necessary for joining the images.

Set the mode dial to .

Use the four-way controller to choose the direction in which the images will be joined.

 Joins the images at the left.  Joins the images at the right.  Joins the images at the top.  Joins the images at the bottom.

The example shows the images when  is selected.

Take the first picture.

Press the shutter release button to take the first image. The right edge of the image is displayed in transparent form on the left of the LCD monitor.

Set shift directionSet shift direction

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Taking Pictures

Move the camera to the right and take the second picture.

Repeat the above procedure to take the third and subsequent pictures.

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memo

Press the OK button.

The screen returns to Step z.

To cancel Panorama assist mode, change to another mode.

Caution

Taking Pictures

• The camera cannot join the images. Use the panorama software (ACD photostitcher) provided with the camera.

• Continuous shooting, Multiple Exposure mode and interval shooting are not possible in Panorama assist mode.

• A computer running Windows is necessary for joining images. (The ACD photostitcher software provided with the camera is not supported by Macintosh.)

Taking Stereo Pictures (3D Image Mode)

You can take 3D pictures using the LCD monitor and view them by the parallel method or cross method (p.67). If you print out the 3D pictures and look at them through the 3D image viewer provided, the image will appear in three dimensions.

Select the 3D mode

The default setting is [Parallel]. If you do not need to switch to [Cross], go to Step b.

Press the Menu/Fn button.

The [ Rec. Mode] menu will be displayed.

Press the four-way controller () to select [3D Mode].

Use the four-way controller () to select [Parallel] or [Cross].

To view the picture with the 3D image viewer, select [Parallel]. You can also view it without the image viewer.

Press the OK button.

The 3D image mode screen appears again.

Rec. Mode

Auto Bracket Digital Zoom Instant Review Interval Shoot Fast Fwd Movie 3D Mode

2/3

Exit

2sec

Cross

Taking Pictures

Off

Taking pictures

Taking Pictures

memo

Set the Mode dial to .

The screen for taking the first picture appears in the middle of the LCD monitor.

Take the first picture.

Hold the camera so that the subject

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is in the middle of the screen, and press the shutter release button.

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The picture is displayed in the left half screen of the LCD monitor. The

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right half screen is for taking the second picture.

Move the camera to right without changing your stance.

Take the second picture.

Make sure that the subject is in the middle of the right half of the screen and press the shutter release button. When you have taken the second picture, the screen returns to Step n.

Press the Playback button.

The LCD monitor displays both the left and right images.

• The 3D image mode is not available when TIFF is selected for the image quality.

• To cancel the 3D image mode, press the Menu/Fn button or change the 3D image mode to another Capture mode.

• A clear three-dimensional effect will not be achieved if the two images are taken in widely different positions (heights) or are not straight. When taking a person, you are recommended to ask your model to stay as still as possible and to take the second picture as quickly as you can. It is easier to take the pictures if you use a tripod or appropriate base.

• As a guide, the camera should be moved about 1/40 of the distance between the camera and the subject. For example, if the subject is 3m away, the distance the camera should be moved will be 3m÷40=7.5cm. However, as the way people see three-dimensional images differs from person to person, there is no need to be too concerned. Refer to the table below for a simple guide to how far to move the camera.

Distance to subject

Camera movement

0.1 m

0.5 cm

0.3 m

1 cm

0.5 m

1.5 cm

1 m

2.5 cm

3 m

7.5 cm

5 m

13 cm

 Viewing 3D pictures by the parallel method and cross

method

As our eyes are positioned about 6 – 7 cm apart, there is a very slight deviation between what we see with our right eye and what we see with our left eye. The difference is processed by our brain to produce a three-dimensional image. This principle is applied to taking and viewing 3D pictures. 3D pictures can be viewed by the parallel method where the left and right lines of vision are virtually parallel, as when looking at a distant scene, or the cross method where the left and right lines of vision are crossed, as when you cross your eyes. A certain amount of practice may be necessary to view 3D pictures without using the viewer.

 How to Assemble the 3D Image Viewer

Assemble the 3D image viewer supplied with the camera as shown below.

Taking Pictures

 How to view 3D pictures using the 3D image viewer

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Print out the pictures so that they are about 11cm or 12cm wide and place the divider of the 3D image viewer in the middle of the two.

Taking Pictures

Caution

As the distance between the left and right eyes differs from person to person, some people may have difficulty obtaining a three-dimensional effect even when looking at prints that are the same size. It may be especially difficult if the pictures are very large or very small. Try different sizes until the right effect is achieved.

• Never look at the sun through the 3D image viewer.

• Do not leave the 3D image viewer where it is exposed to direct sunlight as this may lead to fire.

 Example of a 3D picture

Taking Pictures

Taking Pictures with Digital Filters (Digital Filter Mode)

You can take pictures using digital filters. The filters consist of color filters such as red, blue and green, a soft filter that produces a fuzzy effect.

Taking Pictures

● Color filters

Eight colors, black-and-white, sepia, red, pink, violet, blue, green and yellow, are provided for the color filters. When you select a color filter in the Digital Filter mode, the display on the LCD monitor is filtered with the selected color, and the pictures are taken in that color.

● Soft Filter

Pictures taken with the soft filter have a fuzzy effect.

z Set the Mode dial to . x Use the four-way controller () to select a digital filter

you want to use.

c Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken.

Playing back still pictures ☞p.26

Caution

When the focus mode is set to manual, the four-way controller (

) becomes the manual focus button and cannot be

used to change the filter. To change the filter, press the OK button once and then use the four-way controller ( change the filter.

) to

Taking Pictures

Using Preset Function Settings (User Mode)

By setting the mode dial to , the preset shooting mode and functions are activated, enabling you to take pictures immediately with your own camera settings.

Taking Pictures

z Set the mode dial to .

x Press the shutter release button.

The picture will be taken.

Registering Functions in User Mode Playing back images ☞p.26

☞

p.88

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

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Recording Sound (Voice Recording Mode)

memo

You can record sound. The recordable time is displayed on the LCD monitor according to how much space is available on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard.

z Set the mode dial to .

The recordable time is displayed on the LCD monitor.

 Remaining time  Recording time

x Press the shutter release button.

Recording starts. The self-timer lamp and flash status lamp blink during recording.

c Press the shutter release button.

Recording stops. The remaining recordable time is displayed.

Playing back sound

Sound is saved in WAVE monaural files.

☞

p.92

0:29: 55

0:29:55

00:00

StartStart

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Taking Pictures

Using the Zoom

198

You can use the zoom to take pictures in tele or wide mode.

Taking Pictures

Press the Zoom button in Capture mode.

makes the subject larger

(Wide):

makes the subject smaller

(Tele):

When the digital zoom function is disabled, you can take pictures at up to 5× magnification using the optical zoom. When the digital zoom is enabled, you can further enlarge the subject to a maximum magnification equivalent to 20×.

Zoom bar

198198

Digital zoom range

198

Saving the Zoom Position

☞

Digital Zoom

p.87

Enabling the Digital Zoom Function

Press the Menu button in Capture mode.

The [ Rec.Mode] menu will be displayed.

Press the four-way controller () to select [Digital Zoom].

Use the four-way controller () to select [On].

Press the OK button.

The camera is ready to take a picture.

Rec. Mode

Auto Bracket Digital Zoom Instant Review Interval Shoot Fast Fwd Movie 3D Mode

Exit

2/3

2sec

Off

Parallel

Caution

Saving the Digital Zoom Function Setting

☞

p.87

• When you turn the LCD monitor off, the digital zoom is disabled even if the digital zoom function is set to On.

• When shooting an image using the digital zoom function, the image will be blurred.

• When using the digital zoom function, the camera movement may occur due to high magnification. Use the tripod to prevent it.

Taking Pictures

EV Compensation

You can take pictures that are intentionally over exposed or under exposed.

Taking Pictures

Press the four-way controller () in Capture mode.

Four-way controller ()

decreases the EV compensation to a negative (–) level

Four-way controller ()

increases the EV compensation to a positive (+) level

The set level is displayed on the LCD monitor.

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

EV compensation level

–1.0–1.0

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Saving the EV Compensation

• If you press

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played on the LCD monitor will go off after two seconds.

 or  one time, or set to ± 0, the set level dis-

☞

p.87

memo

Using the Self-Timer

The picture will be taken 10 seconds after the shutter release button is pressed.

Press the button in Capture mode to display on the LCD monitor.

Press the shutter release button.

The self-timer is engaged and the self-timer lamp lights. The picture is taken approximately three seconds after the selftimer lamp starts to blink.

Taking Pictures

Playing Back Images and Sound

• If you turn the LCD monitor on, the second count will be displayed.

• To cancel the self-timer, press the shutter release button halfway while the second count is displayed.

☞

p.89

Using the Remote Control Unit (optional)

You can take pictures using the remote control F (optional).

z Press the button in Capture

mode to display on the LCD

Taking Pictures

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monitor.

The self-timer lamp will blink and the camera is ready to take pictures.

Press the shutter release button on the remote control unit.

The self-timer lamp will blink rapidly and the picture will be taken after approximately three seconds.

Playing Back Images and Sound

• The buttons on the camera can be used in the same way.

• Please ensure that the remote control unit is no more than 5 meters away from the front of the camera.

• When taking pictures against the light, the distance at which the remote control unit operates may be reduced.

• To take a picture immediately after pressing the shutter release button on the remote control unit, press the button in step z to display on the LCD monitor.

☞

p.89

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

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 Life of the Battery for the Remote Control Unit

A signal can be sent from the remote control unit to the camera approximately 30,000 times. If the battery needs changing, contact your nearest Pentax customer service center. (A charge is made for replacing the battery.)

Continuous Shooting

Pictures are taken continuously while the shutter release button is pressed.

z Press the button in Capture

mode to display on the LCD monitor.

The mode will change to Continuous Shooting mode.

x Press the shutter release button.

Pictures will be taken continuously while the shutter release button is pressed. Shooting stops when you take a finger off from the shutter release button.

Playing Back Still Pictures

The interval will vary according to the [Recorded Pixels] and

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[Quality Level] setting.

Caution

• The flash will not discharge in Continuous Shooting mode.

• Continuous shooting is not available for Movie Picture, Panorama assist mode and 3D Image modes.

☞

p.26

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

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Taking Pictures

z x

Taking Pictures at Fixed Intervals (Interval

In this mode still pictures are taken automatically at a fixed interval.

Press the button in Capture mode to display

Taking Pictures

on the LCD monitor.

Press the shutter release button.

Interval shooting will start with the following settings.

• Interval 0min 10sec

• Number of shot 02

• Start time 0hr 0min

When shooting is finished, the camera turns off automatically.

Setting the interval, number of shot, and start time

Press the Menu/Fn button in Capture mode.

The [ Rec.Mode] menu will be displayed.

Press the four-way controller () to select [Interval Shoot].

Press the four-way controller ().

The Interval Shooting menu will be displayed and [Interval] will be framed.

Shooting)

Interval Shoot

Interval

Number of Shot

Start Time

Exit

1min 10sec

0hr 0min

memo

Set the interval time.

1. Press the four-way controller ().

 will be displayed above and below the minutes.

2. Use the four-way controller () to change the minutes, then press ().

 will be displayed above and below the seconds.

3. Use the four-way controller () to change the seconds, then press ().

4. Press the four-way controller (). The frame will move to [Number of shoot].

Use the four-way controller () to select the number of pictures, then press ().

The frame will move to [Start Time].

Set the time to start shooting.

1. Press the four-way controller ().

 will be displayed above and below the hours.

2. Use the four-way controller () to change the hours, then press .

 will be displayed above and below the minutes.

3. Use the four-way controller () to change the minutes, then press .

Press the OK button twice.

Playing Back Still Pictures ☞p.26

Interval shooting can be set at intervals of 10 seconds to 4 minutes

• in units of 1 second, and intervals of 4 minutes to 99 minutes in units of 1 minute. Intervals of less than 10 seconds cannot be set.

•

The number of pictures can be set in the range of 2 to 99 pictures.

• The start time can be set between 0 min. and 23 hr. 59 min. in units of 1 minute.

• If the start time is set to 0 min., the first picture will be taken as soon as the shutter release button is pressed.

• If you press the power switch on during standby, the remaining number of pictures and interval time will be displayed on the LCD monitor. If you press the Menu/Fn button, the message “Stop interval shooting?” will be displayed. To cancel interval shooting, press the OK button.

•

If the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard runs out of memory space, interval shooting stops and the camera turns off automatically.

Caution

Interval shooting is not possible in mode.

Taking Pictures

Superimposing One Picture on Top of Another (Multiple Exposure Mode)

You can superimpose a new image on top of an image already recorded.

When images have been recorded

Taking Pictures

Press in Capture mode to switch to Multiple Exposure mode.

Choose Base Image

The screen for selecting the base image will be displayed.

Use the four-way controller ()

to choose the base image and press the OK button.

The selected image will appear in transparent form on the LCD monitor.

Aim the camera at your subject and choose the exposure method with the four-way controller (

).

Priority is given to the brighter image. Priority is given to the darker image. The average exposure is obtained.

Press the shutter release button.

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

Exposure method

The Instant Review screen will be displayed and you will be asked whether you want to continue shooting. If you select [Continue] and press the OK button, the picture you have just created will be played back enabling you to add another image. The combined picture will be saved as a new file.

100-0038100-0038

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OkExit OkExit

When there are no recorded images

Press in Capture mode to switch to Multiple Exposure mode.

A message will appear on the LCD monitor informing you that the camera is ready to take the base image. Take the base image. When you have taken the base image, it will appear in transparent form on the LCD monitor.

Aim the camera at your subject and choose the exposure method with the four-way controller (

).

Priority is given to the brighter image. Priority is given to the darker image. The average exposure is

1/250

1/250 F2.8

F2.8

Exposure method

obtained.

Press the shutter release button.

Base Image ShootingBase Image Shooting

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198198

Taking Pictures

Caution

Playing Back Still Pictures

• Multiple exposure is not possible in Movie Picture mode, Panorama assist mode or 3D mode.

• Continuous shooting is not possible in Multiple Exposure mode.

• The LCD monitor cannot be turned off in Multiple Exposure mode.

☞

p.26

xcvbn

Rec. Mode

Recorded Pixels Quality Level White Balance Focusing Area AE Metering Sensitivity

1/3

m z

Automatically Changing the Shooting Conditions (Auto bracket)

You can take pictures automatically with three different exposure, white balance, sharpness, saturation and contrast settings.

Taking Pictures

Press the Menu/Fn button in Capture mode.

The [ Rec. Mode] menu will be displayed.

Press the four-way controller () to select [Auto Bracket].

Press the four-way controller ().

[Applied Photo] screen to select the bracket setting will be displayed.

Use the four-way controller () to select the conditions for bracket shooting.

If you selected [Sharpness],

Auto Bracket

Applied Photo Bracket Amount

[Saturation] or [Contrast], skip to step m.

Press the four-way controller () to select [Exp. Bracket] or [White Balance].

Go to [Bracket Amount].

Use the four-way controller () to set the bracketing steps.

Exit

Auto Bracket

Applied Photo Bracket Amount

Exit

2592 1944

AWB Wide

Auto

Exp.Bracket

± 0.3

Exp.Bracket

± 0.3

memo

Press the OK button.

The Bracket mode is set.

Press and hold down the shutter release button.

Auto bracket shooting starts. When shooting is finished, a message will be displayed asking whether you want to continue shooting or not. To continue shooting in auto bracket mode, select [Continue] and press the OK button.

Playing Back Still Pictures

• Check the pictures you have taken using the Playback mode.

• If you set auto bracket when you set the Continuous shooting mode, continuous shooting will be canceled.

• The auto bracket setting will be canceled by pressing the Menu/Fn button or OK button.

• Auto bracket mode is not available when TIFF is selected for the image quality.

☞

p.26

Taking Pictures

xc v

Taking Fast Forward Movie Pictures (Fast Fwd Movie)

This mode lets you take movie pictures at a delayed frame rate so that when you play the movie back, the action appears speeded up.

Taking Pictures

Press the Menu/Fn button in Capture mode.

The [ Rec.Mode] menu will be displayed.

Press the four-way controller () to select [Fast Fwd Movie].

Use the four-way controller () to choose [Off (×1)], [×2], [×5], [×10], [×50] or [×100].

Press the OK button.

Press the shutter release button.

Shooting in Fast Forward Movie

Rec Mode

Auto Bracket Digital Zoom Instant Review Interval Shoot Fast Fwd Movie 3D Mode

2/3

mode starts.

Press the shutter release button.

Shooting in Fast Fwd Movie mode ends.

Exit

2sec

Parallel

Playing Back Movie Pictures

• Off (

memo

×1) is the normal setting for movie pictures (15 frames

per second). Each time ×2 or ×5 is selected, the number of

☞

p.91

frames taken per second is reduced to 1/2 or 1/5.

• As movie pictures are normally played back at the rate of 15 frames per second, movies taken at ×2 are played back twice as fast and movies taken at ×5 are played back five times as fast.

• Sound cannot be recorded.

Saving the Settings (Memory)

memo

Saving the Menu Items (Memory)

You can choose whether you want the set values to be saved when the camera is turned off. If you select [On], the settings will be saved in the status they were in immediately before the camera was turned off. If you select [Off], the settings will be reset to the defaults when the camera is turned off.

Item Description

Flash White Balance

EV Compensation

Digital Zoom

AE Metering

Sensitivity

Focus Mode The focus mode setting is saved. Zoom Position The zoom position setting is saved.

MF Position The focus position set by Manual Focus is saved. DISPLAY The LCD monitor display mode is saved. File No.

The flash mode setting on the button is saved. The [White Balance] setting on the [ Rec.Mode]

menu is saved. The set EV compensation value is saved. The [Digital Zoom] setting on the [ Rec.Mode] menu

is saved. The [AE Metering] setting on the [ Rec.Mode] menu

is saved. The [Sensitivity] setting on the [ Rec.Mode] menu is

saved.

The file number is saved. If a new SD Memory Card/ MultiMediaCard is inserted, the sequential file number is assigned.

• Menu items not included in [Memory] will also be saved in the settings selected on the menus for each function when the camera is turned off.

• The zoom position setting in the digital zoom range will not be saved even if [Zoom Position] is set to On in [Memory].

• The Auto Bracket setting is not saved.

• [Memory] can be set separately in User mode and other shooting modes.

Default Setting

Off

Off Off Off

Off

Taking Pictures

Press the Menu/Fn button in Capture mode.

Press the four-way controller

) to select [Memory].

(

Press the four-way controller ().

[Memory] menu will be displayed.

Use the four-way controller () to select the item.

Use the four-way controller () to switch [On] and [Off].

Press the OK button twice.

The camera is ready to take the picture.

Registering Functions in User Mode

Taking Pictures

By setting the mode dial to and setting the shooting functions, the functions and shooting mode are registered in User mode.

● Functions that can be set in User mode

Default

Function

Recorded Pixels

Quality Level p.44

White Balance AWB p.45

Focusing Area Wide p.47

AE Metering p.48

Sensitivity Auto p.49

Auto Bracket* — p.84

Digital Zoom [On] p.75

2592×1944

Setting

(Auto)

Ref.

p.43

Rec. Mode

Memory Sharpness Saturation Contrast USER

Exit

3/3

Memory

Flash On White Bal. EV Compensation Digital Zoom AE Metering Sensitivity

Exit

1/2

Function

Instant Review* 2s (2 sec) p.50

Interval Shoot* — p.80

Fast Fwd Movie [Off] p.86

3D Mode* Parallel p.65

Memory — p.87

Sharpness Normal p.51

Saturation Normal p.52

Contrast Nor mal p.53

USER —

Default Setting

Off Off On Off Off

Ref.

• For the USER mode, you can choose from the following six

memo

modes: program, manual exposure, aperture priority, shutter priority, picture or digital filter mode.

• Settings made for functions marked with an asterisk (*) are reflected in other modes as well as User mode.

Playback/Erasing

Playing Back Images and Sound

Playing Back Still Pictures

See “Playing Back Still Pictures” (p.26, 27).

Zoom Display

You can display images magnified up to 8 times. A guide to operation is displayed on the LCD monitor during magnification.

Enter the Playback mode and choose the image you want to magnify with the four-way controller (

Press / on the Zoom/ / button.

The image will be magnified (1× to 8×).

Playback/Erasing

).

1.1X

 The following operations can be performed while the magni-

fied image is displayed.

Four-way controller () : Moves the position to be magnified

Zoom / / button ( ) : Makes the image larger

Zoom / / button ( ) : Makes the image smaller

Display button : Turns the guide marks on/off

Press the OK button.

Zoom playback will end.

memo

Caution

If you set [Quick Zoom] in the [ Set-up] menu to On, when the Zoom/ / button ( / ) is pressed in Step x, the image will be magnified eight times.

Movie pictures cannot be magnified.

Adding a Voice Memo

You can add a voice memo to a recorded image.

Enter the playback mode and choose the image to which you want to add a voice memo with the four-way controller (

If the image has no voice memo, the screen for recording a voice memo is

Playback/Erasing

memo

displayed on the LCD monitor.

Press the OK button.

Recording starts. You can record for up to 30 seconds.

Press the OK button.

Recording stops.

Press the four-way controller ().

Play back the recorded voice memo.

Press the four-way controller ().

Playback stops.

• A voice memo cannot be added to protected ( ) images.

• is displayed on the LCD monitor next to images with a voice memo.

).

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zxc

Playing Back Movie Pictures

You can play back Movie pictures. A guide to operation is displayed on the LCD monitor during playback.The sound is played back at the same time.

Enter the Playback mode and choose the movie picture you want to play back with the four-way controller (

Press the four-way controller ().

Playback will start.

 The following operations can be per-

formed during playback.

Four-way controller (): Reverse

Four-way controller (): Forward

Four-way controller (): Pause

Zoom/ / button ( ): Increases the volume

Zoom/ / button ( ): Reduces the volume Display button: Changes the Display mode

 The following operations can be performed while Pause is

engaged.

Four-way controller (): Frame reverse Four-way controller (): Frame forward Four-way controller (): Releases the Pause function Display button: Changes the Display mode

Press the four-way controller ().

Movie playback will end.

Press the Playback button.

The camera will return to Capture mode.

playback

).

100-0019100-0019

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Playback/Erasing

Playing Back Sound

You can play back the recording you made in Voice Recording mode.

Playback/Erasing

 The following operations can be performed during playback.

v zxc

Enter the Playback mode and choose the recording you want to play back with the four-way controller (

Press the four-way controller ().

playback time

Playback will start.

Recording time

Four-way controller (

): Rewinds and plays back the

recorded sound

Four-way controller (

): Advances and plays back

the recorded sound Zoom/ Zoom/

Press the four-way controller ().

/ button ( ): Increases the volume / button ( ): Reduces the volume

Sound playback will end.

Press the Playback button.

The camera will return to the Capture mode.

).

00:00:0000:00:00 00:12:3500:12:35

100-0001100-0001

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Playing back Shooting Information (Playback Mode)

You can display shooting information on the LCD monitor. Use the Display button to change the information displayed.

Display On Playback information is displayed.

 Folder No.  File name  Protect icon  Four-way controller operation guide  Date & time  Battery indicator

Histogram Display

The brightness distribution of the image is displayed. The x-axis shows the brightness (darkest at the left end and brightest at the right end) and the y-axis shows the number of pixels.

 Histogram  Recorded pixels  Quality level  White balance  AE metering  Sensitivity  Aperture value  Shutter speed

Display Off

No playback information is displayed.

➞

1/125

1/125 F2.6

F2.6

➞

Display On

100-0019100-0019100-0020100-0020

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11:19 11:19

100-0021100-0021

2592

AWB

100

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6 5

321

Playback/Erasing

Nine-image Display

memo

You can display nine images at the same time.

Enter the Playback mode and choose an image with the four-way controller (

Press / on the Zoom button / .

Nine images will be displayed with

Playback/Erasing

the selected image in the center. Choose an image with the four-way controller (). When ten or more images have been recorded, if you press the fourway controller () while the bottom right image is selected, the next nine images will be displayed, and if you press the four-way controller () while the top left image is selected, the previous nine images will be displayed. Similarly, if you press the four-way controller () while an image on the top row is selected, the previous nine images will be displayed, and if you press the four-way controller () while an image on the bottom row is selected, the next nine images will be displayed.

Press the OK button.

The screen will return to single-image display of the selected image.

).

Selected image

Sound files are displayed in .

zcv

memo

b x

Slideshow

You can play back all the images on the SD Memory Card/MultiMediaCard continuously.

Enter the Playback mode and choose the image with which to start the slideshow with the four-way controller

).

(

Press the Menu/Fn button.

The [ Playback] menu will be displayed.

Select [Slideshow] with the fourway controller (

Use the four-way controller ()

).

to change the playback interval.

Choose from the following: 3 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 20 sec, 30 sec.

Press the OK button.

Playback will start at the set interval.

• If you press the four-way controller, or any buttons such as the Menu/Fn button during continuous playback, the slideshow will stop.

• The slideshow will continue until you press any button.

• Movie pictures and pictures with a voice memo will be played through to the end before the next picture is played back, regardless of the set playback interval.

Resize Trimming Alarm Slideshow

Exit

Playback

Off

3sec

Playback/Erasing

Erasing Images

memo

All ima

Erasing a Single Image or Sound

Enter the Playback mode and choose the image or sound you want to erase with the four-way controller

).

(

Press the button.

Playback/Erasing

The Delete screen will be displayed.

Select [Delete] with the four-way controller (

Press the OK button.

).

• You can also delete images from Instant Review (p.25).

• You cannot erase protected images (with the symbol).

• If [Quick Delete] is set to On in the [ Set-up] menu, Step c

can be omitted.

Delete Cancel

All ima

ges & soundsAll images & sounds

100-0020100-0020

OkExit OkExit

Erasing a Voice Memo

If an image has a voice memo, you can erase the voice memo without erasing the image.

Enter the Playback mode and choose the image with the voice memo that you want to erase with the four-way controller (

Press the button.

).

The Delete screen will be displayed.

Select [Sound Delete] with the four-way controller (

Press the OK button.

Select [Delete] in step c above to erase both the image and

memo

the voice memo.

).

100-0020100-0020

Sound Delete

Delete Cancel

All images & soundsAll images & sounds

OkExit OkExit

Playback/Erasing

Erasing All Images

You can erase all the images/sound at once.

Playback/Erasing

Caution

• Once erased, images/sound cannot be restored.

• Protected images/sound cannot be erased.

Enter the Playback mode and press the button twice.

The Delete screen will be dis-

Delete all images & sounds

on the memory card?

played.

Select [Delete All] with the fourway controller (

Press the OK button.

If [Quick Delete] is set to On in the [Set-up] menu, step x can

memo

be omitted.

).

Delete All

Cancel

100-0020100-0020

OkExit OkExit

Pentax Optio 550 User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual