Canon 550D PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Canon EOS 550D? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Canon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the 550D offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Canon EOS 550D below.
In any case, the 550D (called Canon T2i in some regions) is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera was revealed to the public on February 8th, 2010, which means that, as of today, the camera is 5390 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Canon 600D as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Canon's instruction manual for the 550D
The camera's instruction manual is 260 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the 550D is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Canon EOS 550D manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Canon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Canon 550D manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Canon EOS 550D
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your 550D by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Canon 550D is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
Canon 550D FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the 550D.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the Canon 550D?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Canon 550D to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Canon equipped the 550D with the DIGIC 4 image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Canon 550D?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Canon EOS 550D?
Canon mentions a shutter rating of 100 000 actuations for the 550D. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the 550D over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Canon 550D?
Canon embeds the number of shutter actuations in the camera firmware. You can check the number of shots that your 550D has taken up to now by using a third-party app, as described on the Canon 550D shutter count page.
Does the Canon 550D feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Canon 550D for flash photography?
The 550D's flash sync speed is 1/200 sec.
Which battery does the Canon 550D use?
The camera gets its power from the Canon LP-E8 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Is there a vertical grip available for the Canon 550D?
Yes, Canon offers the BG-E8 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.
Further reading
How does the 550D stack up against available alternatives? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Canon EOS 550D.
Camera Model | Canon 550D | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | |
Camera Lens | Canon EF mount lenses | |
Launch Date | February 2010 | |
Launch Price | USD 699 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | APS-C Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 22.3 x 14.9 mm | |
Sensor Area | 332 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 26.8 mm | |
Crop Factor | 1.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 17.9 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 5 184 x 3 456 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 4.31 μm | |
Pixel Density | 5.39 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 6 400 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 100 - 12 800 ISO | |
Image Processor | DIGIC 4 | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 66 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22.1 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.5 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 784 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.54x | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | No touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 3.7 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Canon LP-E8 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 440 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
129 x 98 x 62 mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 2.4 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 530 g (18.7 oz) |
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