On the right side of the camera (from the back) is a small door
behind which you will find the combined USB & A/V connector
and DC-IN (for optional AC adapter). While the design of this door
could still be refined it is far better than that found on other
digital cameras.
Take note manufacturers like Canon who still choose to place rubber
connector covers on the outside of the camera body.
Lens
The lens must be one of the Optio 550's biggest assets, offering
buyers five times optical zoom lens in a compact five megapixel
digital camera is an attractive proposal indeed. This however also
means that this little lens has a lot to live up to. It provides
an equivalent focal length range of 37.5 to 187.5 mm. Maximum aperture
at wide angle is F2.8, at telephoto F4.6 (not bad considering the
focal length). On the downside the lens does take a rather lethargic
3.4 seconds to extend (actual power up is slightly longer).
Base / Tripod Mount
On the base of the camera is a plastic (groan) tripod mount which
is located too close to the front of the camera and the battery
/ storage compartment door. The proximity of the tripod mount to
the front of the camera means that it tips forwards when tightened
on a tripod.
Flash
In the top right corner of the front of the camera is the flash
unit, it has a quoted range of 5.2 m (17.1 ft) at wide angle and
3.2 m (10.5 ft) at telephoto, ISO was not specified.
Box Contents
Supplied in the box are:
Pentax Optio 550
16 MB Secure Digital (SD) card
Battery Pack D-LI7 (1800 mAh)
Battery Charger D-BC7
Wrist strap
USB Cable
Video Cable (A/V)
3D Image Viewer
CD-ROM (Driver, Appl. software)
Manual