Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in Digital Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Digital Cameras
This camera is well designed with a sturdy casing. It has excellent features, including a very useful macro function. It is possible to take pictures quickly when requiring fast multiple shots - almost as fast as a good digital SLR. Images are true in colour and the in-camera viewing has excellent magnification. I have not found any trouble with "noise" on the images. It is quick and easy to delete unwanted images. The instruction manual is easy to follow. Even though this model has been on the market for several years, it was technically advanced when first introduced and still remains ahead of many current compact digital cameras. Always remember, the quality of the camera is more important than having masses of megapixels and at 5.1 megapixels, it's not bad, even by today's standards! It acts as a good back-up camera when not wanting to take out a digital SLR and all the additional lenses, etc. In my opinion, even though this camera has been around for several years, it still deserves a 5* rating.Read full review
On my 75th birthday, all my friends contributed to what I was looking for - really decent "bridge" digital camera. Five year's later I was looking for a second camera more easily carried but really robust, having a viewfinder with eye correction and capable of manual operation when needed. Various reputable reviews reported most favourably on the Optio 550 and, having used a Pentax MX for years, I looked and found one in good condition apart from "noise when being swithced on and the lens being extended" Because of this honest comment, I got the camera at a very acceptable price. By adding a couple of layers of cellotape the lens' barrels I eliminated the noise and now have exactly what I was looking for. The 550 is prctically foolproof with almost a 100% success rate in producing good pics - it lives in my car all the time and only occaisionally has to be fed a couple of quality AA cells.Read full review
I was presented with the 550 in 2003 upon my retirement from UK to Australia. I have found it a sturdy accurate camera with the eye viewer a blessing in the bright sunlight. Point and shoot is easy and for the professional you can set the speed and get an auto F stop and vice versa. 3D, colour filters, stitching and movies, Sound recording, the list goes on. On holiday I click away and spend the time in the returning aircraft to trim, delete or adjust my holiday piccies. All then transferred to PC and transmitted to those interested. I still use an 256mb chip and clear it regularly. It suits me and is far better than these new phone cameras. This posted in 2012
Despite having owned a no. of cameras, canon, etc. and have a Contax digital, when my Optio 550 broke (dropped it!), I missed it so much, no other camera, not even another Optio with all its megapixels would do.....I had to have another 550, with its friendly wake-up noise. So, now I have another one, I am happy again. It has enough megapixels (I only take family photos, and piccies to put on eBay!), and is just so easy to change settings, and get it so it takes the right photo in any weather/light conditions, without messing about for 3 hrs! I love my Optio 550!!!xxx
I got this s/hand on eBay and it's mighty fine for slipping into the pocket. The main feature for me is the startling quality of the pics - I took some recently at a steam railway in the Forest of Dean and was amazed at the depth of colour and the sharpness of the image. One thing I particularly like is not having to worry about a lens cap - when the lens retracts it's covered by thin outer petal plates, so no need for a pouch or anything like that. Buy also a spare rechargeable battery for when the one in the camera inevitably conks out just as you need it (eBay China vendors sell them for peanuts) and also treat yourself to a remote for £1.99 from those same oriental folk :-)