Canon EOS 550D User manual

0

+ntroduction

The EOS REBEL T2iiEOS 550D is a high+performance, digital single+

lens reflex camera featuring a fine-detail CMOS sensor with 18.0

effective megapixels, DIGIC 4, high+precision and high+speed 9-point

AF, approx. 3.7 fps continuous shooting, Live View shooting, and Full

HD (Full High+Definition) movie shooting.

The camera is highly responsive for shooting at anytime, provides many

functions fitted for advanced shooting, and offers many other features.

Take Test Shots to Familiarize Yourself with the Camera

With a digital camera, you can immediately view the image you have

captured. While reading this manual, take a few test shots and see how

they come out. You can then better understand the camera.

To avoid botched pictures and accidents, first read the Safety Warnings

(p.233, 234) and Handling Precautions (p.12,13).

Testing the Camera Before Use and Liability

After shooting, playback and check whether the images have been

properly recorded. If the camera or memory card is faulty and the

images cannot be recorded or downloaded to a computer, Canon

cannot be held liable for any loss or inconvenience caused.

Copyrights

Copyright laws in your country may prohibit the use of your recorded

images of people and certain subjects for anything but private

enjoyment. Also be aware that certain public performances, exhibitions,

etc, may prohibit photography even for private enjoyment.

This camera is compatible with SD memory cards, SDHC memory

_'_ cards, and SDXC memory cards, This manual will refer to all these

_C cards as just "card."

* The camera does not come with a card for record+rig images.

Please purchase it separately,

Item Check List

Before starting, check that all the following items have been included

with your camera. If anything is missing, contact your dealer.

Buttery Pack Buttery Charger

Camera LP°E8 LC°E8fLC-E8E*

(with eyecup and body uap) (with protective cover)

Wide Strup _nterface cubic Stereo AV Cubic

EW°100DB tl_ AVC-DC400ST

EOS DiGiTAL Software Instruction Camera

Solution Disk MunuuJ hstruction Manual

(Software) (this booklet)

* Battery Charger LC-E8 or LC-E8E is provided. (The LC-E8E comes with a

power cord.)

® If you purchased a Lens Kit, check that the lens is included.

® Depending on the Lens Kit type, the lens instruction manual might also be

included.

® Be careful not to lose any of the above items.

Conventions Used in this Manual

Icons in this Manual

<_> Indicates the Main Dial.

<AV> <_> Indicates the <_:_> cross keys.

<_> Indicates the setting button.

G4, 66, (_10, ©16 Indicates that the respective function remains

active for4 sec., 6 sec., 10 sec., or 16 sec.

respectively after you let go of the button.

* Inthis manual, the icons and markings indicatin9 the camera's buttons, dials,

andsettings correspond to the icons andmarkings on the camera and onthe

LCD monitor.

_]_ : Indicates a function which can be changed by pressing the

<MENU> button and changing the setting.

¢_ : When shown on the upper right of the page, it indicates that the

function is available only in the Creative Zone modes (p.20).

(p.**) : Reference page numbers for more information.

: Tip or advice for better shooting.

? : Problem-solving advice.

@ : Warning to prevent shooting problems.

: Supplemental information.

Basic Assumptions

_ All operations explained in this manual assume that the power switch

has already been set to <ON> (p.27).

_ It is assumed that all the menu settings and Custom Functions are

set to the default.

_ For explanatory purposes, the instructions show the camera attached

with an EF=S18=55mm f/3.5=5.6 IS lens.

4

Chapters

For first4ime DSLR users, Chapters 1 and 2 e×pJain the camera's

basic operations and shooting procedures.

introduction 2

Camera basics,

Getting Started 23

Basic Shooting and image PJayback

4s

Fully automatic shooting for different subjects.

Creative Shooting 59

Basic shooting features for specific types of subjects.

Advanced Shooting 77

4' ,Advanced shooting features,

Shooting with the LCD Monitor (Live View Shooting} 107

8 ShootingMovie, 123

7 ,andy_eato,e, 137

Convenient menu-based functions,

image Playback 155

9 Printing images 175

10 Cu,tomi,ingtheCame,a 18,

11 *efe_enoe =1

End Pages: Quick Reference Guide and 8oftware 8tart Guide 243

5

Contents

Item Check List .................................................................................................. 3

Conventions Used in this Manual ...................................................................... 4

Chapters ............................................................................................................ 5

Contents at a Gtance ....................................................................................... 10

Handling Precautions ...................................................................................... 12

Quick Start Guide ............................................................................................ 14

Nomenclature .................................................................................................. 16

Charging the Battery ....................................................................................... 24

Installing and Removing the Battery ................................................................ 26

Turning on the Power ...................................................................................... 27

Setting the Date and Time ............................................................................... 29

Selecting the Interface Language .................................................................... 30

Installing and Removing the SD Card ............................................................. 3I

Attaching and Detaching a Lens ..................................................................... 33

About the Lens Image Stabilizer ...................................................................... 35

Basic Operation ............................................................................................... 36

_} Using the Quick Control Screen ................................................................ 38

Menu Operations .................................................................................. 40

Formatting the Card ......................................................................................... 42

Switching the LCD Monitor Display ................................................................. 44

[:::::]Fully Automatic Shooting ........................................................................... 46

[:::::]Full Auto Techniques ................................................................................. 48

_:_ Disabling Flash .......................................................................................... 49

_'_Shooting Portraits ....................................................................................... 50

Shooting Landscapes ................................................................................ 5I

_ Shooting Close-ups .................................................................................... 52

_.. Shooting Moving Subjects ......................................................................... 53

Shooting Portraits at Night ......................................................................... 54

_} Creative Auto Shooting ............................................................................. 55

Image Playback ......................................................................................... 58

Contents

P:ProgramAE................................................................................................60

lSO:ChangingtheISOSpeed.........................................................................62

UsingtheBuilt-inFlash................................................................................64

AF:ChangingtheAFMode.............................................................................66

mSelectingtheAFPoint...............................................................................68

MF:ManualFocusing...................................................................................69

ContinuousShooting..................................................................................70

®UsingtheSelf-timer....................................................................................71

SettingtheImage-recordingQuality.................................................................72

_.[,_SelectingaPictureStyte..........................................................................75

Tv:ActionShots.............................................................................................78

Av:ChangingtheDepthofField....................................................................80

DepthofFieldPreview..................................................................................82

M:ManualExposure.......................................................................................83

A@EP:AutomaticDepth-of-FieldAE................................................................85

E_3ChangingtheMeteringMode.....................................................................86

Av__ SettingExposureCompensation.......................................................87

AutoExposureBracketing................................................................................89

_[,_.CustomizingaPictureStyle.....................................................................91

_s.RegisteringaPictureStyle.......................................................................94

SettingtheColorSpace...................................................................................96

%AELock......................................................................................................97

%FELock.......................................................................................................98

WE}:SettingtheWhiteBalance.......................................................................99

wB

+,oWhiteBatanceCorrection.........................................................................10!

AutoLightingOptimizer..................................................................................103

LensPeripheralIlluminationCorrection.........................................................104

PreventingCameraShake.............................................................................106

7

Contents

Shooting with the LCD Monitor ............................................................... 108

Shooting Function Settings ........................................................................... 111

Using AF to Focus ......................................................................................... 1I3

Focusing Manually ......................................................................................... 120

_ Shooting Movies ...................................................................................... 124

Shooting Function Settings ........................................................................... 130

Handy Features ............................................................................................. 138

Silencing the Beeper .................................................................................. 138

Card Reminder ........................................................................................... 138

Setting the Image Review Time ................................................................. 138

Setting the Auto Power-off Time ................................................................. 139

Adjusting the LCD Monitor Brightness ....................................................... 139

FiIe Numbering Methods ............................................................................ 140

Auto Rotation of VertJcat images ................................................................ 142

DiSR Checking Camera Settings ................................................................ 143

Rever_ing the Camera to the Default Settings ............................................ 144

Preventing the LCD Monitor from Turning off Automatically ...................... 146

Changing the Shooting Settings Screen Color ........................................... 146

Setting the Flash ........................................................................................... 147

'I:_ Automatic Sensor Cleaning ................................................................... 150

Appending Dust Deiete Data ......................................................................... 15I

Manual Sensor Cleaning ............................................................................... 153

_ Searching for images Quickty .............................................................. 156

_/(_ Magnified View .................................................................................... 158

Rotating the Image ................................................................................... 159

_ Enjoying Movies ...................................................................................... 160

%iraPtaying Movies ........................................................................................ 162

Editing the Movie's First and Last Scenes ............................................... 164

Contents

SlideShow(AutoPlayback)...........................................................................165

ViewingtheImagesonTV.............................................................................167

BProtectingImages....................................................................................170

ErasingImages.........................................................................................171

DISRShootingInformationDisplay................................................................I73

PreparingtoPrint...........................................................................................176

f_ Printing ...................................................................................................... 178

Trimming the Image .................................................................................... 183

_ Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) ........................................................... 185

Direct Printing with DPOF .............................................................................. 188

Setting Custom Functions .............................................................................. 190

Custom Function Settings .............................................................................. 192

Registering My Menu ..................................................................................... 198

Setting Copyright Information ......................................................................... I99

When Autofocus Fails .................................................................................... 202

Using a Household Power Outlet ................................................................... 203

Remote Control Shooting ............................................................................... 204

External Speedlites ........................................................................................ 206

Using Eye-Fi Cards ........................................................................................ 208

Function Availability Table according to Shooting Modes .............................. 210

Menu Settings ................................................................................................ 212

System Map ................................................................................................... 216

Troubleshooting Guide ................................................................................... 218

Error Codes .................................................................................................... 224

Specifications ................................................................................................. 225

Index .............................................................................................................. 237

N_a'

9

Contents at a Glance

® Shoot automatically _,_po45 - 57 (BasicZonemodes)

_ Shoot continuously ,_ p,50, 53, 70 (_ Continuous shooting)

_ Takea picture of yourself in a group ,_ po71 (® Self-timer)

® Freeze the action

® BJur the action @ p.78 (Tv Shutter-priorityAE)

® BJur the background

® Keep the background in sharp focus _? poS0 (Av Aperture-priorityAE)

® Adjust theimage brightness (exposure),_;_,p.87 (Exposurecompensation)

® Shoot in low Hght @ p.46, 62, 64 (_ Flashphotography)

® Shoot without flash _ po49 (_ FlashOff)

® Photograph fireworks at night @ po84 (Bulbexposure)

_ Shoot while viewing the LODmonitor @ po108 (_ LiveViewshooting)

® Shoot movies ,,,;_,pot24 (',_, Movie shooting)

¢_ Shoot with image effects

matching the subject

10

_'_ p.75 (Selecting a Picture Style)

® Make a Jarge-size print of the picture ,_ [3.72 (_L, _L, _)

_ Take many pictures ,,7,po72 (iS, _S)

_ Change the point of focus ,,i_[3.68 (m AFpointselection)

_ Shoot a moving subject ,,,;_,[3.53, 67 (AJServoAF)

_, View the images with the camera ,_ [3,58 (_ Playback)

_ Search for pictures quickty ,_ [3,156 (_ Indexdisplay)

®_Prevent important images

from accidentaI deIetion ,,_,[3.170 ([_ Imageprotect)

_ DeJete unnecessary images _,_[3ot7t (_ Delete)

_; View the images on a TV set ,@,[3.167 (VideoOUT)

®_Set the LCD brightness ,,,;_,[3.139 (LCDbrightness)

_; Print pictures easily _,_[3.175 (Directprinting)

11

Handling Precautions

Camera Care

_ This camera is a precision instrument. Do not drop it or subject it to physical

shock.

¢_The camera is not waterproof and cannot be used underwater. If you

accidentally drop the camera into water, promptly consult your nearest

Canon Service Center. Wipe off any water droplets with a dry cloth. If the

camera has been exposed to salty air, wipe it with a well-wrung wet cloth.

¢_Never leave the camera near anything having a strong magnetic field such

as a magnet or electric motor. Also avoid using or leaving the camera near

anything emitting strong radio waves such as a large antenna. Strong

magnetic fields can cause camera misoperation or destroy image data.

¢_Do not leave the camera in excessive heat such as in a car in direct sunlighL

High temperatures can cause the camera to malfunction.

¢_The camera contains precision electronic circuitry. Never attempt to

disassemble the camera yourself.

¢_Use a blower to blow away dust on the lens, viewfinder, reflex mirror, and

focusing screen. Do not use cleaners that contain organic solvents to clean

the camera body or lens. For stubborn dirt, take the camera to the nearest

Canon Service Center.

¢_Do not touch the camera's electrical contacts with your fingers_ This is to

prevent the contacts from corroding. Corroded contacts can cause camera

misoperation.

¢_If the camera is suddenly brought in from the cold into a warm room,

condensation may form on the camera and internal parts. To prevent

condensation, first put the camera in a sealed plastic bag and let it adjust to

the warmer temperature before taking it out of the bag.

¢_If condensation forms on the camera, do not use the camera. This is to avoid

damaging the camera. If there is condensation, remove the lens, card and

battery from the camera, and wait until the condensation has evaporated

before using the camera.

¢_If the camera will not be used for an extended period, remove the battery

and store the camera in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Even while the

camera is in storage, press the shutter button a few times once in a while to

check that the camera is still working.

¢_Avoid storing the camera where there are corrosive chemicals such as a

darkroom or chemical lab.

¢_If the camera has not been used for an extended period, test all its functions

before using it. If you have not used the camera for some time or if there is

an important shoot coming up, have the camera checked by your Canon

dealer or check the camera yourself and make sure it is working properly.

12

Handling Precautions

LCO Monitor

® Although the LCD monitor is manufactured with very high precision

technology with over 99.99% effective pixels, there might be a few dead

pixels among the remaining 0.0!% or less pixels. Dead pixels displaying

only black or red, etc. are not a malfunction. They do not affect the images

recorded.

® If the LCD monitor is left on for a prolonged period, screen burn-in may occur

where you see remnants of what was displayed. However, this is only

temporary and will disappear when the camera is left unused for a few days.

® In low or high temperatures, the LCD monitor display may seem slow or it

might look black. It will return to normal at room temperature.

Cards

To protect the card and its recorded data, note the following:

® Do not drop, bend, or wet the card. Do not subject it to excessive force,

physical shock, or vibration.

® Do not store or use the card near anything having a strong magnetic field

such as a TV set, speakers, or magnet. Also avoid places prone to having

static electricity.

® Do not leave the card in direct sunlight or near a heat source.

® Store the card in a case.

® Do not store the card in hot, dusty, or humid locations.

Lens

After detaching the lens from the camera, attach the lens Contacts

caps or put down the lens with the rear end up to avoid

scratching the lens surface and electrical contacts.

Cautions During Prolonged Use

If you use continuous shooting, Live View shooting, or

movie shooting for a prolonged period, the camera may

become hot. Although this is not a malfunction, holding the

hot camera for a long period can cause slight skin burns.

About smear adhering to the front of the sensor

Besides dust entering the camera from outside, in rare cases lubricant from the

camera's internal pants may adhere to the front of the sensor. In case visible

spots still remain after the automatic sensor cleaning, having the sensor cleaned

by a Canon Service Center is recommended.

13

Quick Start Guide

Insert the battery. (p.26)

Tochargethe battery,see page24

Attach the lens. (p.33)

Align the lens' white or red index with

the camera's index in the matching

color.

Set the Jens focus mode switch

to <AF>. (p,331

Open the slot cover and

insert a card. (p.311

With the card's UabeNfacing you,

insert it into the slot.

r switch to <ON>.

27)

When the LCD monitor displays the

Date/Time setting screen, see page

29.

14

Quick Start Guide

Set the Mode DiaJ to <0> (FUJI

Auto). (p.46)

All the necessary camerasettings will

be set automatically.

Focus the subject. (p.37)

Look through the viewfinder and aim the

viewfinder center over the subject.

Press the shutter button halfway, and

the camera will focus the subjec[.

If necessary, the built-in flash will pop-

up automatically.

Take the picture. (p.37)

Press the shutter button completehy to

take the picture.

Review the pictuce. (p.138)

The captured image will be displayed

for approx. 2 sec. on the LCD monitor.

T0 display the image again, press the

[_j> button (p.58).

® The shooting settings displayed on the LCD monitor will turn off

when your eye nears the viewfinder eyepiece.

® To shoot while looking at the LCD monitor, see page 107.

® To delete an image, see 'Erasing Images" (p.171).

15

Nomenclature

The names in bold indicate the parts mentioned up until the "Basic

Shooting and Image Piayback" section,

Mode D[a_ d_t4_:_f_ash/AF-assist beam

Power ew_teh

<iS0> ISO speed --

setting button (p,62)

Red-eye

(p,64t147)

(p,33)

} Lens mount i_dex {p,33)

(p,206)

p_ane

mark (p,52)

mour_t

(p,23)

(p,134)

Mirror (p,106,153)

Contacts

Body cap (p,33)

Lens lock p

........Lens re_eaee button

(p.34}

bu_on (p,82)

16

Nomenclature

Eyecup (p,205) ....................

Vie,a_inde r eyepie_:e

se_ings d_sp_ay

bu_on

(p,44A10,126,

143,173)

button (p,40)

LCD monffor

(pA0,139)

< Av[_> Aperture/

Exposure compensation

button (p,83t87)

Tripod

<_t_ > Qu_ek Contro_ button/S

Direct pdnt button (p,38/181 )

<_> Settin(

<_t¢-> Cross keys (p,40)

<_& WB> White batance selection button (p.99)

<V _;_-> Picture Style selection button (p35)

....................Dioptde adjustment knob (p,36)

<_> Live View shooting/

Movie shooting button

(p,108t124)

<,,X-t_-% > AE lock,'

FE lock button/

Index/Reduce button

(p.97/98/156/158,183)

AF point selectiont

Magnify button

(p_68t158,183)

Speaker

(p,162)

cover(p,31)

(p,203)

larep (p.32)

Battery compartn'lent

cover release _ever (p,26)

compartment cover

(p,26)

:@> Erase button (p,171)

17

Nomenclature

Shooting Settings DispJay

Exposure levelindicator Aperture

Exposure compensation amount (p,87) /_ Main DiaJ pointer (p77)

AEB range (p,89) speed (p,62)

Shutter s exposure

compensation (p.88)

PictureStyle (p,75) --

Shooting mode --

Image_recording --

quality (p,72)

L Large/Fine

a_L LargetNormal

M MediumtFine

Auto

_÷: Daylight

1_, Shade

•IL Cloudy

;_ Tungsten light

White fluorescent light

Flash

_o_ Custom

#B White balance correction (p,101 >

White balance bracketing (p,102)

Eye-Fi transmission status* (p,208) --

Batte_ check (p.28> --

* Displayed if an Eye-Fi card is used.

(p,194)

Auto Lighting

Optimizer (p,103)

ip.70,71 )

E] S_ng_e shooting

Continuous

shootb_ 9

_@ Seff-t_med

Remote contro_

®2 Seif4imer:2 sec

Oc Seff-4[rner:

Continuous

-- Shots remaining

-- Shots remaining during

WB bracketing

-- Se_f4imer countdown

-- Bulb exposure time

-- Metedng mode (p.86>

[_] Evaluative me_dng

C_ Partial metering

8-3 Spot metering

[3 Center*weighted

average metering

-- AF mode (p,66)

ONE SHOT One_Shot AF

At FOCUS Ai FocusAF

AI SERVO AI Servo AF

MF Manual Focusing

The display willshow only the settings currently applied.

18

Nomenclature

V+ewfinder information

Spot metering circle m _AF point activation indicator <->

AEB in-progress

<_>

Improper FE lock

warning

<_H> High+speed sync

(FP flash)

<_> FE lock/

FEB in-progress

<_>

compensation

[]

<BO>

ISO speed

<_B>

White balance

correction

I> FOCBIS

eonf_rmat_on

1_9ht

burst

--< 8/W > Monochrome shooting

-- ISO speed

Highlight tone pnedty

Exposure compensation amount

AEB range

Red-eye reduction lamp-on indicator

Shutter speed --

FE tock (FEL)

Busy (buSY)

Bu_t°in flash re_!y_!_n 9 (_ buSY)

Card fa_ warning (FULL)

Card error warning (Err)

No card warning (Card)

The display will show only the settings currently applied,

19

Nomenclature

Mode Dial

The Mode Dial includes the Basic Zone modes, Creative Zone modes,

and Movie shooting mode.

Creative Zone

These modes give you more control for

shooting various subjects.

P : Program AE (p.60)

Tv : Shutter-priorityAE (p.78)

Av : Aperture-priority AE (p.80)

M : Manual exposure (p.83)

A-DEP: Automatic depth-of4ield

AE (p.85)

Basic Zone

All you do is press the shutter button.

Fully-automatic shooting suiting the

subject.

[:_: Full Auto (p.46)

_: Creative Auto (p.55)

2O

Image Zone

: Flash Off (p.49)

_'_ : Portrait (p.50)

: Landscape (p.51)

:Close-up (p.52)

_: Sports (p.53)

: Night Portrait (p.54)

_,,. Movie shooting

(p.123)

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