A Quick Introduction to the Olympus D-550 Zoom Digital Camera

Contents of the Olympus 550 Digital Camera Kit

An Olympus 550 Digital Camera
AC adapter for the camera
Battery charger
SmartMedia card reader
Documentation
CD
Four batteries in the camera Four extra batteries

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How to Supply Power to the Camera

A] Battery power

Each camera kit includes eight AA rechargeable batteries. The batteries may be found in the battery charger and/or in the camera itself. There is no guarantee the batteries will be charged when the camera is checked out. You may also choose to use your own AA batteries instead of the rechargeable ones. Do not put non-rechargeable batteries in the battery charger. (For more information, see FAQ Concerning the Battery Chargers.)

• How to insert the batteries into the camera if they are not already there.
  • Make sure the camera's shutter is closed. This will turn the camera off.
  • To open the battery compartment:
    • First turn the camera upside down.
    • Slide the battery compartment lock on the battery compartment cover to unlock it (see Figure III).
    • Slide the long rectangular panel towards the end of the camera in the direction specified by the arrow and lift it up to open (see Figure III).
  • Insert four AA batteries according to the diagram outside the battery chamber, so the batteries' poles are pointing the correct way.
  • Gently push the cover down, slide it back into place, and lock it.

• How much battery life does the camera have?
  • Open the shutter. This will turn on the camera.
  • Check the small battery indicator that will briefly appear on the small monitor on the back of the camera.
  • The number of bars in the battery icon signify the amount of charge the battery has.
    • Full green bars in the battery icon indicate the batteries are fully charged.
    • One red bar in the battery icon indicate the batteries need to be replaced or recharged, if possible.
    • If the icon is empty, the camera will turn off after about 12 seconds and the batteries need to be replaced or recharged, if possible.

B] AC adapter

You can also supply power to the camera with electricity instead of batteries, using the AC adapter.

• Locate the AC-in jack on the side of the camera.
• Plug the connector end of the AC adapter into the AC-in jack.
• Plug the other end of the AC adapter into a power outlet.
• AC adapter cords included in this kit are approximately 8 feet long.

• Open the front sliding cover to reveal the lens. When you open the sliding cover, the lens will extend. If the camera does not turn on, the sliding cover may not be completely open, you may have inserted the batteries incorrectly or batteries may need to be recharged.
• After the camera is turned on, check the monitor on the back of the camera.
  • This is the control panel, which displays several important items, including:
    • The recording mode, which indicates the resolution of the picture (see How Many Pictures Can be Taken for details)
    • The battery icon, which indicates the remaining amount of battery power (see Section [A]: Battery power for details)
    • The shooting mode(next to the battery icon). This defaults to P(program auto). Other shooting modes include portrait, landscape, night scene, self portrait, and movie.
    • The number, which indicates how many pictures you can take.
• If nothing appears on the LCD monitor when you turn on the camera, press the monitor button located next to the monitor.
• To turn the monitor off, press the monitor button again.

A] How many pictures can be stored in the camera

The number of pictures the camera can store varies depending on two factors: the resolution quality selected and the storage media's capacity--the SmartMedia card, which holds up to 32 MB. The higher the resolution, the sharper the image, and the more space it will take up in the camera's storage space. For printing the pictures, a higher resolution is preferable. For posting the pictures on the web, a lower resolution is acceptable. If you are unsure, simply choose a higher resolution.

• The 550 zoom camera offers five recording modes. Any mixture of these modes can be taken. Consult the following chart for the number of pictures that can be taken at each resolution with the 32 MB SmartMedia card contained in this camera kit:
  
  

  Record Mode	Description	Resolution		Compression	File Format	Number of images storable on the card
  						32MB
  TIFF	This is the highest quality mode and images are saved as uncompressed data. This is the good mode for printing or image processing.	1984 x 1488		Uncompressed	TIFF	3
  		1600 x 1200				5
  		1280 x 960				8
  		1024 x 768				13
  		640 x 480				33
  SHQ	This is the super high quality mode. Use this mode when you want to print out an image with high quality or on large paper.	1984 x 1488		Low Compression	JPEG	15
  HQ	This is the high quality mode. Use this mode when you want to edit the image or print out an image on postcard size paper.	1984 x 1488		Normal	JPEG	43
  SQ	This is the standard quality mode. Use this mode when you want to attach images to an email or view them on the computer.	1600 x 1200	HIGH	*	JPEG	23
  			NORMAL			64
  		1280 x 960	HIGH			36
  			NORMAL			99
  		1024 x 768	HIGH			55
  			NORMAL			153
  		640 x 480	HIGH			132
  			NORMAL			331
  3:2	This mode perserves the 3:2 ratio of 35mm film. The pictures can be printed at a photo lab without cropping the photo.	1984 x 1312	TIFF	Uncompressed	TIFF	4
  			HIGH	*	JPEG	17
  			NORMAL			48

  * HIGH uses low compression/NORMAL uses standard compression
  
  

B] To set the resolution

• Turn on the camera (see How to Turn On the Camera above).
• On the back of the camera, press the menu button . This should pull up a menu on the color LCD display.
• Press the left arrow button once to go to the resolution menu..
• Use the up and down arrow buttons to highlight the resolution of your choice (TIFF, SHQ, HQ, SQ, or 3:2).
• If you select TIFF, SQ, or 3:2, use the right arrow to make further selections.
• Press the round OK button to select the resolution.
• Press the OK button multiple times to exit the menu.

You can change the resolution between pictures, but the pictures with higher resolution will take up more space on the storage media. In other words, the more pictures you take at a higher resolution, the fewer low resolution pictures you will be able to take. Usually, the number of remaining pictures for a higher resolution will not be affected by a lower resolution picture that was taken, though it still takes up space on the storage media.

• Turn on the camera (see How to Turn On the Camera above).
• The number of remaining pictures that can be taken will flash briefly on the LCD monitor.
  • When the number is zero, no pictures can be taken. You will need to download or delete pictures.
  • If the LCD displays the error message , you should follow instructions on Downloading Pictures from a Digital Camera to a PC or Downloading Pictures from a Digital Camera on a Mac if you are near a computer.Otherwise, you will need to follow the instructions on Reformatting the card (under IX. How to Erase a Picture) and all pictures currently on the camera will be lost.
• Look through the viewfinder on the back of the camera, and position the digital camera so the desired subject is within the viewfinder.
• If you prefer to use the color LCD monitor to compose the shot, press the monitor button .
  • Move the camera until the desired picture is displayed in the color LCD monitor.
  • This method is more likely to result in shaky pictures, and may also reduces battery life.
• To focus:
  • Hold the large silver shutter button on top of the camera halfway down and wait for the green light next to the view finder to become steady.
• Once your picture is set and focused, completely press down on the shutter button.
  • The green light will turn off and you will hear a click and a beep.
  • While the camera is recording, the LCD screen will be black and no other operations can be performed. Do not turn off the camera during recording.

B] To zoom in or out

• Use the silver button with a raised ridge to the right of the shutter button that has the letter 'W' and 'T' on it (the zoom lever).
  • To zoom in, push the lever towards T (tight).
  • To zoom out, push the lever towards W (wide).

C] To use the flash

• Make sure the camera shutter is open and the LCD monitor is on.
  • To turn on the LCD monitor, press the monitor button .
• To change between flash modes, press the right arrow button.
• The flash setting is displayed on the LCD monitor under the resolution quality.
• If no flash icon appears, the flash is set to automatically fire as needed.
  • A lightning bolt inside a circle signifies that the flash will not fire even if light is low.
  • An eye symbol signifies the red-eye reduction flash.
  • A lightning bolt icon signifies the flash will fire regardless of lighting conditions.
• Press the monitor button again to turn off the monitor when done with setting flash.

How to Turn Off the Camera

When you are finished taking pictures, you should turn off the camera to conserve battery power.

• To turn the camera off, close the lens cover halfway until it just touches the lens. Do not push the barrier into the lens. The lens will retract into the camera.
• Once the lens retracts fully, close the barrier the rest of the way. You will not lose any pictures you have taken when you turn off the camera. The pictures will be retained in the SmartMedia card even if the power is off, the AC adapter is not plugged in, or the batteries are taken out.
• Once you have closed the lens, you can then close the flash by pushing it down.

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How to View a Captured Picture

• Once you have taken a picture, close the front lens cover.
  • Press the monitor button on the back of the camera.
  • The most recent picture you have taken will be displayed in the color LCD monitor.
  • The picture number, the remaining battery power, and the resolution at which the picture was taken should also be displayed briefly.
• To scroll through the pictures you have captured:
  • Use the left and right arrow buttons to advance forward or backward a single picture.
  • The up and down arrow buttons can be used to jump to the 10th image ahead or back.
  • Make sure you wait until a picture is fully displayed before continuing.
• To protect your pictures from accidental deletion:
  • Select the picture you want to protect by scrolling through the pictures you have captured.
  • Press the menu button .
  • Press the right arrow button to select the MODE MENU.
  • Use the up and down arrow buttons to select the PLAY tab on the left side of the tab, then press the right arrow button.
  • Use the up and down arrow buttons to select the key icon, then press the right arrow button.
  • Use the up and down arrow buttons to select the ON option, then press the menu button.
    • To unlock the picture, select OFF option, then press the menu button.
  • Press the menu button again to close the menu.
  • A green key icon should then be displayed on the LCD display panel where the picture is being viewed; this locks the image into the camera's memory so it cannot be deleted.
• To view multiple images in a grid at once:
  • Make sure the lens cover is closed, then press the monitor button .
  • Push the zoom lever towards W.
    • You can still use the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the pictures.
  • To select only one picture from the several being displayed, scroll until you select the desired picture, then push the zoom lever towards T. This will display the currently selected picture at full size.
    
• To exit display mode and return to taking pictures:
  • Press the monitor button to turn off the display, open the lens barrier, and resume taking pictures.
  • Your pictures will be saved in the camera's SmartMedia card until you erase them.
• The LCD display uses a great amount of battery power. You might want to have extra batteries on hand in case they need to be replaced, or plug in the camera while viewing captured pictures to save battery power.
  

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How to Erase a Picture

Do not attempt to erase while a picture is being written. Wait until the camera is done writing the picture, then erase.

• If you have locked a picture, that picture cannot be erased. A picture is locked if there is a green key symbol in the upper right corner.
  • To remove lock, view or select the picture on the color display and follow the steps outlined above under "To protect your pictures from accidental deletion."
    
• To erase one picture at a time:
  • Close the front lens cover and press the monitor button .
  • Scroll through the pictures and select the one you want to delete.
  • Press the menu button .
  • Press the down arrow button to select ERASE .
  • You will then be prompted for confirmation.
  • Press the up arrow button to select YES, then press the menu button.
    • This will permanently erase your picture. You will not be able to get it back later.
  • If you decide not to erase the image, or accidentally selected the wrong image, use the up and down buttons to select NO, then, press the menu button .
• To erase all pictures at once:
  • Make sure the camera shutter is closed and the LCD monitor is on.
  • Press the menu button .
  • Press the right arrow button to select the mode menu.
  • Use the up and down arrow buttons to select the CARD tab, then press the right arrow button.
  • Press the right button again to enter the Card Setup menu.
  • Use the up and down arrow buttons to elect the ALL ERASE option and press the OK button.
  • Press the up arrow button to select YES, then press the OK button.
    • This will permanently erase all your unlocked pictures. You will not be able to get them back later.
  • To cancel the action, press the monitor button on the back of the camera.
• Reformatting the card:
  • Note: This option should only be used when you cannot erase any pictures and the card is full. It will permanently erase pictures and movies, including any that are locked. You will not be able to get them back later. If you do not want to lose any pictures stored on the camera, and you are near a computer, follow the steps on How to Download a Picure on a PC or How to Download a Picture on a Mac. If you do not have access to a computer, you must choose between being able to take new pictures (but losing the ones on the card), or keeping the pictures stored on the card (but not being able to take additional pictures).
• Make sure the camera shutter is closed and the LCD monitor is on.
• Press the menu button .
• Press the right arrow button to select the MODE MENU.
• Use the up and down arrow buttons to select the CARD tab, then press the right arrow button again to get to the FORMAT screen.
• Use the up arrow buttons to select YES. The camera will produce a beeping sound, and it will say "CAUTION: ERASING ALL." Press the OK button.
• The screen will show the camera's progress reformatting the card in a bar alongside the word BUSY. Do not press any buttons on the camera at this time.
• To cancel the action anytime before you confirm the reformatting of the card, press the monitor button on the back of the camera.

How to Shoot a Short QuickTime Movie

• To set the camera to movie mode:
  • Open the lens and turn on the LCD screen by pressing the monitor button .
  • Press the left arrow button.
  • Use the left and right arrow buttons to select the movie icon .
    • The subject is displayed on the monitor.
• To shoot the movie:
  • Position the subject in the picture frame.
  • Fully press down the shutter button and release.
  • When you want to stop shooting, press the shutter release button once more.
    • The camera will stop movie shooting and the green light beside the viewfinder will blink.
    • Shooting can continue when the green light beside the viewfinder goes out.
  • You may repeat this multiple times.
• How much time do I have left to shoot the movie?
  • The memory gauge will appear in the lower left corner of the LCD screen when you start shooting.
    • The gauge level rises as you continue to shoot.
    • If the gauge level reaches the top, the memory is full and the camera will automatically stop shooting.
  • The remaining seconds count will appear to the right of the memory gauge. It indicates how many seconds of shooting you have left.
    • If the count drops to 0, the camera will automatically stop shooting.
• To play a movie:
  • Close the lens and turn on the LCD screen by pressing the monitor button .
  • If you took multiple movies, the display will show a frame of the most recent movie by default.
  • Use the left and right arrow buttons to advance forward or backward to scroll through the movies you have taken.
  • Press the menu button once you have selected the movie you want to play.
  • Press the up arrow button to select MOVIE PLAY.
  • Use the up and down arrow to select MOVIE PLAYBACK, then press the OK button.
    • The movie starts playing and when the movie reaches the end, the display automatically returns to the beginning of the movie.
  • To exit after viewing the movie:
    • Press the menu button to enter the MOVIE PLAYBACK menu.
    • Use the up and down arrow to select EXIT, then press the OK button to return to the MOVIE PLAY menu.
    • Press the left arrow button to exit the MOVIE PLAY menu.
• To erase a movie:
  • Follow the instructions on how to erase a picture.

How to Download a Picture on a PC

How to Download a Picture on a Mac

• Rebecca Levine
• Knapp Media & Technology Center
• Date Created: March 11, 2004
• Last Modified: April 29, 2004