Comments on: Let’s dig a ST550(TL225) fresh review

By: KatrinaS

KatrinaS — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:08:45 +0000

Hi .. i’ve had the camera for a few days too and realized i always accidently touch the screen when i take self pictures .. ~
i really like the picture quality and beauty shot mode but i do have a huge problem with the battery life, compared to my previous camera (canon ixus 80IS) the battery is not reliable @ all as well as the meter and because i’m always smily the picture usually just captures before my friends are ready…. is there a way i could switch off the auto smile detection ?? (if not i’ll have to learn how to smile when everyone is ready 0_0~

By: SAMMY

SAMMY — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:09:10 +0000

Hello, Jerry.
Thank you for your interests about ST550.
At first, nowdays many of digital cameras are getting smaller than past and that is what happen for our Micro SD card. Because our camera has been smaller compare to previous products, the memory card had to be smaller than before too.
Secondly, ST550 has big 3.5″ LCD display, so you may feel uncomfortable to take self-shot. In my case, I changed the way of grabbing. When you take self-shot, just grab the edge of camera and put an index finger on the shutter. This is the best way for me.
Thirdly, you can choose a suitable mode between “Auto” and “Smart Auto” Mode. Both modes are different. If you think “Auto” is better, you should use “Auto” mode. But maybe other people can think “Smart Auto” is better. It depends on types of people.
At last, ST550’s battery life is not short as you think. From the recent investigation for battery, ST550’s battery is not that much behind compare to other compact cameras. When you turn on the front LCD screen, the battery goes down faster than when it’s off mode.
Thank you for your opinion.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:27:55 +0000

I’ve only had the camera a few days now. A bit disappointing that it won’t take SD memory which is laying around everywhere. Instead requires micro SD so had to order special card.

Have found the touch screen to be a mixed blessing. Nice when you’re behind the camera but if you’re trying to hold the camera and take self pictures your fingers will certainly “touch” the screen and screw up the settings. It’s almost impossible to hold the camera and take a picture of yourself without touching the screen.

It has an “auto” and a “smart auto” setting. I found the auto almost always takes better pictures than smart auto. That’s counter intuitive.

Battery drains very quickly. The manual says about 90 min. but we found if you’re taking pictures and looking at them it dies much quicker than that.