Latest Canon PowerShot A550 Review by Good Gear Guide (added June 06 ’07)

Canon’s PowerShot A550 Review Roundup includes summaries from all main digital camera expert reviewers as they become available, company specification sheet, videos, owners manual, videos, Digital Camera Tracker’s unique review conclusion thermometer, and sample photos taken with the Canon PowerShot A550.

Features include:

• 7.1 Megapixels
• 4x optical zoom
• DIGIC II, iSAPS and 9-point AiAF
• Redesigned Shooting Mode dial
• 30fps VGA movies with sound
• 2.0” LCD with dedicated Playback button

DCT Conclusion Thermometer - Canon PowerShot A550

Good Gear Guide
Digital Camera Info
DigicamReview
ITReviews
ImagingResource
Cameras.co.uk
Steve’s Digicams
DCRP
CEN
PCMag
Pocket-lint
KenRockwell
Steve’s Digicams
CNET

Read More Canon PowerShot A550 Reviews

Good Gear Guide - 6/6/2007 - reviews the Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “In our final test for image noise, the A550 also impressed with a low score of .70% at ISO 100. Most entry-level compact cameras score closer to .9%, so this is a great result. We saw no signs of noise in our test shots; everything was smooth and clean. The noise scaled about as we expected with higher sensitivities, and even at ISO 400 the shots were quite useable. At ISO 800 the noise becomes a little more colourful and thus more prominent, but even then, most people should be perfectly satisfied with its 4×6in-sized photos.”

Digital Camera Info - 5/24/2007 - reviews the Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “With a $199 price tag, amazing performance can’t be expected from the A550. It does, however, meet the basic requirements of an adequate digital camera: it can take a picture when you want, where you want, and how you want. It doesn’t have much shutter lag, has a 4x optical zoom lens to get closer to subjects, a decent burst mode for action sequences, and is small enough to be toted around.

Sure, the A550 has its drawbacks – but most seem to be connected to the price tag. The poor LCD resolution and boring design are shortcuts Canon took to be able to provide a standard digital camera for $199. With that in mind, the PowerShot A550’s pictures aren’t going to blow anyone away, but it will serve basic point-and-shooters just fine.”

DigicamReview - 5/7/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “The Canon Powershot A550 7.1 megapixel digital camera with a 4x optical zoom lens and a 2″ display is not especially exciting, but it does its job well in a very wide range of situations. The camera has a good range (ISO 80-800) of ISO settings. It has excellent responsiveness and a good selection of manual options, and is capable of taking good photos. The Canon PowerShot A550 is well worth considering - there are very few digital cameras that offer these options and features at this price.”

ITReviews - 4/26/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “This is a well-featured, compact digital camera at just a touch over £100. It’s easy to use as a first-time digital compact, but has the specification to stay with you until you reach enthusiast level. It’s crying out for a higher-capacity memory card, though, and still needs work on its control buttons.”

ImagingResource - 4/17/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “As we’ve come to expect from Canon’s A-series, the PowerShot A550 is a great little digicam. Fairly frill-free, the Canon A550 still takes great shots with its 7-megapixel sensor. It has a satisfying 4x zoom, and is quite easy to use. The A550’s no-nonsense mode dial is backed up by a simple Function menu; and though you can dig deeper with the main menu, you’ll find fewer settings there than on other Canon models. In my opinion, less is more when it comes to a camera meant for the mass-market.”

Cameras.co.uk - 4/16/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “Although one of the slightly more expensive entry level digital cameras the Canon Powershot A550 is well worth the extra money. When it comes to picture quality it has the edge over all the other cameras I have reviewed to date in this category. Recommended.”

Steve’s Digicams - 4/6/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “I was very pleased with Canon’s PowerShot A560. If offers great image quality, class leading performance, and has an exposure mode for everyone, all with a very appealing price tag of only US$229 or less! The only downfall to this model, or any “A” series model for that matter, is the slow flash recharge time. That said, I feel this will make a great camera for kids going off to collage, proud parents (or grandparents), or the eBay junkie of the family, etc.”

DCRP - 3/25/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “The Canon PowerShot A550 is a very good entry-level digital camera, and one that I can recommend easily. I’m going to do something a little unusual, though: I’m going to recommend that you pay $30 more for its big brother, the PowerShot A560. Why? For the speed and improved photo quality of the DIGIC III processor, a larger/sharper LCD, longer movie record times, and a tool that ends the annoying redeye problem that has plagued the A-series cameras for some time. Whichever camera you end up choosing, you’ll get a well designed body, good photo quality, and plenty of point-and-shoot features (with a few manual controls thrown in for good measure).”

CEN - 3/16/2007 - has a first impressions review of the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “The Canon PowerShot A550 although at the entry level of Canon’s A line of PowerShot digital cameras, has all the features that make it more than entry level. While it has the ubiquitous Auto mode, which enables you to just point and shoot without havaing to make adjustments, it also sports a manual mode, giving you the capability to have virtually total control of your shots. Zoomed out to maximum? just set the camera to manual and crank the ISO to 800 for a better shot with less shake. Don’t want to fiddle with controls to shoot a portrait or night shot? just select those modes and shoot. There is a lot more to the camera than just the auto mode. Most folks don’t go beyond auto, which is fine, but it is nice to know that there are other modes, including manual, to help you get the best shots. The A550 is priced at $199 and comes with a one year warranty.”

PCMag - 3/16/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “As an inexpensive point-and-shoot, the Canon PowerShot A550 isn’t perfect, but it delivers quality shots and good performance.”

Pocket-lint - 3/9/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “The Canon PowerShot A550 has enough resolution and that’s it, enough. Any more and the noise issues would overwhelm the otherwise nice performance and prevent some reasonably large prints from being made. Noise is ugly at higher ISOs but the camera’s nice lens (but with odd barrel distortion effects) holds detail and because the noise processing is less at the lower ISOs the camera manages to hold onto that detail – for the most part at least.”

KenRockwell - 2/27/2007 - reviews the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and writes, “The A550 has everything I use, and more. The only thing missing, compared to my favorite and more expensive SD700, is slimmer size, image stabilization for use in dim light without flash, an included rechargeable Li-Ion battery (the A550 uses regular AAs), and a perfectly fine 2″ LCD instead of a 2.5″ LCD, and the panoramic stitch assist mode.”

Steve’s Digicams - 2/20/2007 - has reviewed the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and they write, “Canon’s PowerShot A550 has a lot to offer. With robust performance, great image quality, easy to use exposure modes, 7-megapixels of resolution, a 4x optical zoom lens, and great ergonomics, the A550 is sure to be a very popular model for 2007. The A550 won’t hurt the pocket book either, with a “sweet” price tag of US$199 or less!”

CNET - 2/12/2007 - has reviewed the 7.1 megapixel Canon PowerShot A550 and they write, “The good: Responsive performance; slightly above-average lens. The bad: Images plagued with artifacts and fringing; small LCD. The bottom line: This camera’s low price tag and solid performance can help you forget that it doesn’t have many bells or whistles.”

Canon PowerShot A550 Sample Photos

[Sample Photos at Digital Camera Info]
[Sample Photos at DigicamReview]
[Sample Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]
[Sample Photos at DCRP]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at Steve's Digicams]

Canon PowerShot A550 Videos

Canon PowerShot A550 Spec Sheet

[Canon PowerShot A550 Spec Sheet at Canon]

Canon PowerShot A550 Owners Manual

[Canon PowerShot A550 Owners Manual]

Canon PowerShot A550 Initial Press Release

Canon today updates its bestselling PowerShot range with three affordable new models – the PowerShot A450, PowerShot A460 and PowerShot A550. Replacing the PowerShot A420 and PowerShot A430 respectively, the entry-level PowerShot A450 and PowerShot A460 add improved specifications while retaining the point-and-shoot simplicity of their predecessors. The 7.1 Megapixel PowerShot A550 replaces the PowerShot A530 and incorporates several new design features for enhanced ease of use.

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