I i n d ex VPC-SX550EX VPC-SX550 INSTRUCTION MANUAL English Digital Camera MANUEL D’INSTRUCTIONS Français Appareil photo numérique MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES Español Cámara Digital Important notes This manual explains how to safely operate the VPC-SX550EX and VPC-SX550. Any information regarding only one of these products will be labeled as such. Please read these instructions carefully before using the digital camera.
Warning TO PREVENT THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE FOR AMERICAN USERS This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
FOR CANADIAN USERS This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
BEFORE READING THE MANUAL IBM PC, PowerPC and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Apple, Macintosh and QuickTime are registered trademarks of Apple Computer Inc. Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. CompactFlash is a trademark of SanDisk Corporation and handed over to CFA (CompactFlash Association). All other company and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.
I i n d ex CONTENTS USING YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA SAFELY AND CORRECTLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 CHECKING THE INCLUDED ACCESSORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 PREPARATION USING THE HAND-STRAP AND SOFT CASE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 QUICK START FOR CAPTURING IMAGES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PARTS NAMES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
USING YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA SAFELY AND CORRECTLY WARNING Concerning the Digital Camera ■ Do not use the digital camera if it makes a strange noise, emits a strange odor, or if smoke comes out from it If the digital camera is used under these conditions, it may cause a fire or electric shock. Immediately turn off the digital camera, remove the batteries, and wait to make sure no more smoke comes from the digital camera. Then take it to the dealer for service.
WARNING ■ Do not use during a storm To avoid the risk of being struck by lightning, do not use the digital camera during a thunderstorm. In particular, if used in an open field, you have an increased chance of being struck by lightning. Quickly seek refuge in a place that will protect you from lightning. ■ Do not place on an unstable surface The digital camera may fall, resulting in damage to the digital camera or injury.
WARNING ■ Concerning the Batteries Concerning the supplied nickel metal hydride batteries Follow all the warnings indicated below to prevent the batteries from leaking, overheating, exploding, catching fire, or becoming damaged. Use only the supplied battery charger for recharging. Do not remove or puncture the external wrapping. Do not install with the polarities ((+) and (–)) inverted. Do not heat the batteries or throw them in a fire.
General precautions Use the nickel metal hydride batteries supplied with the digital camera. Manganese batteries cannot be used, as they have a short battery life and may overheat, causing damage to the digital camera. Do not use a recharged battery together with a discharged battery. Do not use nickel metal hydride batteries together with Ni-Cd batteries, or batteries of different types or different brands at the same time.
WARNING Concerning the Supplied Battery Charger Warning! Do not attempt to recharge non-rechargeable batteries. For indoor use only. The appliance is not intended for use by young children or infirm persons without supervision. Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
■ Keep the battery charger out of the reach of children Children may place the batteries or other small components in their mouth or perform some other such unforeseeable action. If swallowed, consult a physician immediately. ■ Do not damage the power cord Do not place heavy objects on the power cord. Do not place the power cord near a heat source. Do not excessively bend the power cord, modify it, or secure it with staples. Doing so may damage the power cord and cause a fire or electric shock.
CAUTION Concerning the Digital Camera ■ Cautions when carrying the digital camera Do not walk around holding the digital camera by the hand-strap. It may hit other objects and get damaged. When walking around, hold the digital camera in your hand or place it in a pocket. Be careful not to drop the digital camera or subject it to strong shocks. Make sure direct sunlight does not hit the digital camera lens, as that may damage the internal parts.
Concerning the Accessories ■ Cautions concerning the use of the AC adaptor Use only the specified AC adaptor (model VAR-G4EX for the VPC-SX550EX, and model VAR-G4U for the VPC-SX550) with your digital camera. Do not use an AC adaptor other than the one indicted here, designed for specific use with your digital camera. If an AC adaptor other that the specified one is used, it may damage the digital camera and cause a fire or electric shock.
CAUTION ■ Cautions when cleaning the lens If the lens gets dirty, use a commercially available air blower or a cleaning cloth for photographic equipment to clean it. ■ Cautions when not using the digital camera Close the lens cover whenever you are not using the digital camera. ■ When not using the digital camera for a long period Remove the batteries. However, when the batteries are removed for a long time, the digital camera functions may begin to not work properly.
■ Cautions concerning magnetism Do not place credit cards, bank cards, floppy disks, or other items that may be damaged by magnetic fields near the speaker. Data may be lost or the magnetic strips on cards may be damaged. Speaker ■ Cautions concerning data storage It is recommended that any important data be copied onto a separate media (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or MO disk). Stored data may be lost (or corrupted) in cases such as those listed below.
CHECKING THE INCLUDED ACCESSORIES Open the box and check that all the accessories listed below are included. The page numbers listed next to the part names are the page numbers where that part is explained in detail.
USING THE HAND-STRAP AND SOFT CASE Attach the supplied hand-strap to the digital camera to aid in carrying. Also, when you are not using the digital camera, put it in the soft case for protection. Attaching the Hand-strap Bend the looped extremity of the strap and slip it through then strap holder on the digital camera. Using the Soft Case Slide the hand-strap into the opening on the side of the case for carrying the digital camera. It can also be worn on a belt or the like.
QUICK START FOR CAPTURING IMAGES Now that you have purchased a new digital camera, it is time to try and capture some images and then view them with the LCD monitor. Although your digital camera is packed with many useful and convenient functions, here is just a simple explanation of how to capture and view images. Afterward, carefully read the rest of this manual to get the most out of your digital camera. Recharging the batteries (see page 21) Recharge the supplied batteries before use.
Installing the batteries and card (see pages 24, 25) 3 Insert the batteries. Use the batteries recharged in step 1 above. Make sure the polarity ((+) and (–)) of the batteries is as indicated in the battery compartment. 1 Open battery compartment cover on digital camera bottom. 2 Insert batteries. 3 Close battery compartment cover. 4 Push cover in the direction shown by arrow until it clicks. 4 Insert the card. Use the card supplied with your digital camera.
QUICK START FOR CAPTURING IMAGES Capturing images (see page 56) Now that preparation is completed, your digital camera is ready to capture images. Here we will capture still images, but your digital camera can take sequential shots and even film video clips. 5 PLAY CAMERA MONITOR OFF Main switch Turn the selector dial to v. Lens cover 6 Set the main switch to “CAMERA.” 7 Open the lens cover. Selector dial An image appears in the LCD monitor. 8 Point the camera lens to the subject.
Viewing the image (see page 79, 81) Now let’s take a look at the images you’ve captured. 11 Set the main switch to “PLAY.” The image you captured shows up in the LCD monitor. Press d or c on the arrow button to display the images stored before and after the current image. PLAY CAMERA MONITOR OFF Main switch Arrow button 12 When finished, set the main switch to “MONITOR OFF” or “CAMERA” and close the lens cover. Your digital camera turns off.
PARTS NAMES The page numbers listed next to the part names are the page numbers where that part is explained in detail. Front Shutter release button [pages 28, 56, 57, 78] Flash [page 64] Microphone [pages 66, 96] Self-timer indicator [page 67] Viewfinder [page 56] Speaker œ For listening to sound recordings Battery compartment Lens cover cover [pages 27, 28] [page 24] Card slot cover [pages 25, 26] Tripod stand hole [page 67] Connectors Terminal cover Slide downward and open.
Rear Main switch [pages 56, 57, 79] Selector dial [page 29] Stand-by indicator [pages 27, 56, 65] info button [page 37] MODE button [page 30] Arrow button [page 40] Viewfinder [page 56] LCD monitor [pages 31, 57, 81] Accessing indicator [page 26] Hand-strap holder [page 14] SET button [page 40] use, the area around the LCD monitor may become warm. This is * During normal and does not indicate a malfunction.
PREPARATION OF BATTERIES Use the supplied (or sold separately) AA nickel metal hydride batteries to power the digital camera. You can also use AA Ni-Cd batteries, but they will not last as long as the AA nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries. However, if you do not have access to these batteries, you may use alkaline batteries and capture images using the viewfinder (see page 56). Also note that the duration of operation provided by the alkaline batteries will be very short.
4 5 When finished (the recharge indicator turns off), unplug the power cord from the power outlet. Remove the batteries from the battery charger.
PREPARATION OF BATTERIES Using the Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries Properly Periodically clean with a dry cloth the terminals of the nickel metal hydride batteries ((+) and (–)) and the terminals located in the battery compartment of the digital camera. Do not touch the battery terminals or the terminals in the battery compartment of the digital camera with your bare hands. Doing so will allow contaminants from your hands to adhere to the terminals and oxidize and increase the contact resistance.
Installing the Batteries 1 Set the main switch to “MONITOR OFF” or “CAMERA.” PLAY 2 3 CAMERA MONITOR OFF Main switch Close the lens cover. Open the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the digital camera. Push the button on the compartment cover and slide it outward to open it. 4 Insert two recharged nickel metal hydride batteries in the battery compartment. Make sure the polarity ((+), (–)) of the batteries is as indicated in the battery compartment.
INSTALLING AND REMOVING THE CARDS The images and audio recordings recorded by your digital camera are stored on the data storage card installed in the digital camera. You must install a card before you can capture images. For more information on handling the cards, see “Cautions when handling the CompactFlash or microdrive” on page 12 and “Cautions when using the microdrive” on page 131. Before using the supplied CompactFlash card or an unused card, format it using the digital camera (see page 118).
Removing a Card 1 Set the main switch to “MONITOR OFF” or “CAMERA.” PLAY 2 3 Close the lens cover. Make sure the accessing indicator is not flashing, then open the card slot cover on the bottom of the digital camera. CAMERA MONITOR OFF Main switch Card slot cover If the accessing indicator is lit or flashing, then the digital camera is writing to the card. Never remove the card at this time. Accessing indicator Eject button 4 Stand up the eject button.
TURNING THE POWER ON/OFF Turning the Power On Follow the steps indicated below when capturing images or when playback images on the LCD monitor. To capture images 1 2 Set the main switch to “MONITOR OFF” or “CAMERA.” CAMERA MONITOR OFF “MONITOR OFF”: To not use the LCD monitor. PLAY “CAMERA”: Main switch To use the LCD monitor. Open the lens cover. The power is turned on. PLAY The stand-by indicator lights green in the viewfinder window.
Turning the Power Off 1 Set the main switch to “MONITOR OFF” or “CAMERA.” PLAY CAMERA MONITOR OFF Main switch 2 Close the lens cover. The power turns off. PLAY The stand-by indicator turns off. Main switch CAMERA MONITOR OFF If the main switch was set to “CAMERA,” the LCD monitor turns off.
DISPLAYING THE SETTING SCREEN AND OPTION SETTING SCREEN For both shooting and playback, there is a Setting Screen and an Option Setting Screen. These screens allow you to perform various settings and operations (see pages 31 to 36). Displaying the Setting and Option Setting Screens 1 Set the main switch to “CAMERA” or “PLAY.” CAMERA: PLAY: To display a Shooting Setting Screen or the Shooting Option Setting Screen. PLAY To display a Playback Setting Screen or the Playback Option Setting Screen.
4 Press the MODE button. The setting screen selected in step 3 appears. When the selector dial is set to W for playback, then the Still Image Playback Setting Screen appears. When the selector dial is set to Y or X, a 9-image display appears for image selection of steps 3 (see page 80). If this screen appears, press the SET button and then the MODE button. For how to operate the setting screens, see “SETTING SCREEN BASIC OPERATIONS” on page 40.
SHOOTING SETTING SCREENS Still Image Shooting Setting Screen * All the icons never appear at the same time. 19 1 Resolution menu [page 51] :: 1360 x 1024-pixel resolution icon ]: 1024 x 768-pixel resolution icon 4: 640 x 480-pixel resolution icon 2 Compression menu [page 53] D: FINE icon (low compression) 8 9 Exposure correction icon [page 68] F G Exposure correction bar [page 68] H Main switch setting Red when the main switch is set to “CAMERA.
Sequential Shot Shooting Setting Screen * All the icons never appear at the same time. 19 1 Resolution menu [page 51] B: Auto shooting mode icon E: Manual shooting mode icon Compression menu [page 53] D: FINE icon (low compression) G: NORM icon (moderate compression) 3 Sequential shot speed menu [page 58] [: 0.03-second interval icon Only appears when the resolution is set to 4. !: 0.06-second interval icon Only appears when the resolution is set to 4. ": 0.
SHOOTING SETTING SCREENS Video Clip Shooting Setting Screen * All the icons never appear at the same time. 1 8 Zoom icon [page 69] Only appears when the resolution is set to 2 or 0. Exposure correction bar [page 68] Compression menu [page 53] 9 F D: FINE icon (low compression) Only appears when the resolution is set to 2.
Shooting Status Display Area After you exit the Shooting Setting Screen, the status of the digital camera and card are displayed in this shooting status display area. For a more detailed view of the setting status, change to the Information Screen (see pages 37 to 39). * All the icons never appear at the same time. 56 1 2 Remaining recording time available [page 61] 6 Display shows the remaining minutes and seconds when recording a video clip. 7 3 Appears when shooting with macro focus.
PLAYBACK SETTING SCREEN Still Image, Sequential Shot, and Video Clip Playback Setting Screens * All the icons never appear at the same time. 1 2 3 4 5 9-image display icon [pages 83, 84, 85] Protect mode icon [page 105] Erase mode icon [page 106] s: Edit video clip icon [pages 101, 103] Not displayed for the Sequential Shot Playback Setting Screen. Copy icon [page 108] * Not displayed for the Still Image Playback Setting Screen.
OPTION SETTING SCREEN Shooting Option Setting Screen AUDIO REC CLOCK SET BEEP DISCHARGE LANGUAGE REFORMAT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Audio recording [page 77] Date and time setting [page 41] Card reformatting [page 118] Main switch setting Red when the main switch is set to “CAMERA.
INFORMATION DISPLAY (info BUTTON) The Information Screen allows you to check the current settings while shooting. Also, during playback, you can check what the settings were during shooting. Information Screen During Shooting 1 Put the digital camera in the shooting/recording status. For still image shooting, see page 57. For sequential shot shooting, see page 58. For video clip shooting, see page 60. For audio recording, see page 77. 2 Press the info button. The Information Screen appears.
Sequential Shot and Video Clip Shooting Information Screen * All the icons never appear at the same time. 1 2 Resolution setting [page 51] 3 4 Shutter operation setting [pages 58, 60] Sequential shot speed setting (only appears for sequential shot shooting) [page 58] 00:24 15f 19 Auto/manual shooting setting [page 55] For manual shooting E, the settings for manual shooting appear.
INFORMATION DISPLAY (info BUTTON) Information Screen During Playback Displaying the shooting settings during playback. 1 Display the image or audio file for playback. For still images, see page 81. For sequential shots, see page 84. For video clips, see page 85. For audio recordings, see page 88. 2 Press the info button. The Information Screen appears. ■ To exit the Information Screen, press the info button again.
SETTING SCREEN BASIC OPERATIONS At the setting screens, use the arrow button and SET button to perform the desired settings. The selected menu or icon will change to reverse video or turn orange in color. To enter or exit the setting screens, see “DISPLAYING THE SETTING SCREEN AND OPTION SETTING SCREEN” on page 29. SET button Arrow button Lightly press d, c, l, or j on the arrow button to move in the direction of that arrow. Basic Button Operations To select a menu: Press j to select the upper display.
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME The digital camera will record the date and time an image or audio recording is taken so that you can display them during playback. Therefore, before capturing images, make sure the correct date and time are set. Main switch Selector dial MODE button LCD monitor Arrow button SET button Example: To set the clock to August 28, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. 1 2 Display the Shooting Option Setting Screen (or Playback Option Setting Screen) (see page 29).
3 Set whether to display the date during playback. 1 Press the SET button. The current setting turns orange. 2 Press j or l to select “ON” or “OFF.” DISP [ON]: Displays the date during playback. DISP [OFF]: Does not display the date during playback. 3 Press the SET button. Setting of whether to display the date during playback is completed. To set the clock, perform steps 4 through 6 below.
SETTING THE DATE AND TIME 5 1 2 Set the desired date display format. Press l to select the display format. Press the SET button. The date format turns orange. 3 Press j or l to select the desired display format. Y/M/D: Year/month/day M/D/Y: Month/day/year D/M/Y: Day/month/year 4 Press the SET button. This completes the date display format setting. 6 Select “EXIT” and press the SET button. The date and time setting is completed and you return to the Option Setting Screen.
REMAINING BATTERY CHARGE INDICATION When using the nickel metal hydride batteries, the remaining battery charge can be checked on the LCD monitor. Make sure to check this indicator before capturing an image. For an indication of the possible length of time for battery operation, see “Battery Operation” on page 128. 1 Set the main switch to “CAMERA” and open the lens cover. Set the selector dial to anything other than P. 2 PLAY CAMERA MONITOR OFF Press the info button.
REMAINING BATTERY CHARGE INDICATION NOTE The remaining battery charge indicator will give an accurate indication of the remaining charge only when the supplied nickel metal hydride batteries are used. The indication will not be accurate if you are using Ni-Cd batteries. For optimum performance, only use Sanyo nickel metal hydride batteries. If you are using Ni-Cd batteries, the possible operation time will be much shorter.
CHECKING THE REMAINING NUMBER OF IMAGES, VIDEO RECORDING TIME, AND AUDIO RECORDING TIME The images, video clips, and audio recordings you take are stored on the card installed in the digital camera. If a card is not loaded into the digital camera or if the card is full, capturing or playing back images will not be possible. Make sure to check the status of the card in the digital camera before capturing images.
CHECKING THE REMAINING NUMBER OF IMAGES, VIDEO RECORDING TIME, AND AUDIO RECORDING TIME Checking the Remaining Audio Recording Time 1 Display the Shooting Option Setting Screen (see page 29). Select “AUDIO REC.” AUDIO REC CLOCK SET BEEP DISCHARGE LANGUAGE REFORMAT Press the SET button. Remaining recording time (min:sec) Set the selector dial to P.
CONCERNING IMAGE AND AUDIO DATA STORAGE Saving the Images Captured with Your Digital Camera Saving the images to a computer Requires: Computer connecting cable (supplied), commercially available personal computer Advantages: The images are saved as data on the computer hard disk. They can then be processed or edited, sent over a network or the Internet, etc. Print out in high quality with a digital print service Take your image data to digital print services centers for digital cameras (see page 109).
CONCERNING IMAGE AND AUDIO DATA STORAGE Video clips data Data format: QuickTime Movie format File name structure: VCLPoooo.mov The “oooo” represents a sequential number assigned automatically. Audio recording data Data format: WAVE format File name structure: SUNDoooo.wav The “oooo” represents a sequential number assigned automatically. Configuration of Directories for the Stored Data MISC (Location of DPOF files) ROOT DCIM 100SANDS * SANY0001.