If you own a Canon sd550--I have questions --No apeture/Shutter speed control ?

[OverRunWithSons]

I have an older Canon S45 which has many shooting modes, plus I can use modes for Apeture control, or shutter speed Priority. I was all set to buy the SD550, until I read it does NOT have these features, just a bunch of settings -that does it all for you. I also prefer to use the lower ISO settings when I use my camera (sometimes 50), and sometimes higher shutter speeds so I will not have to use a tripod. Can someone tell me --who has this camera, when you use Automatic setting, what ISO is usually used, and or shutter speeds? I am afraid of not having control of this --if the light is not perfect indoors or low light outside, I am assuming then very high ISO's will automatically be used and pictures will be grainy. If I am all wrong about this, please explain. Thanks

[Juan Zas]

By design philoshophy, the SD cameras are very compact & automatic (you can play in M Mode a little bit, what I use a lot BTW) but THERE IS NOT any real MANUAL MODE, in other words, you can not play with Shutter Speed vs. FStop independently. Fstop is normal fixed (zoom dependent). But you get good quality photos. Also the noise over ISO 400 is little high in these cameras (respecting to my lovely 350D, small sensor), but you can handle.

You have SCENIC modes, where many situations can be achieved correctly.

In the called manual mode, you can select:
1 - the ISO,
2 - No flash, or kind of flash operation
3 -the WB
4 - The EV compensation
5 - The metering mode: Evaluative, Center Weighted, Spot

I hope this help you to take a decission, but if you want FULL Manual mode, then you must look to de S or A series (I think)

[OverRunWithSons]

What is the ISO set at in Auto mode? Is it always the same or changes? I have a Canon 4MP camera, I also have a Rebel XT -but getting tired of the bulk, and often just leave it at home, so want something that takes GREAT CRSIP clear pics. What was you saying about Manual setting, I can not use the flash--can red eye reduction be used in Manual setting? Thanks for the help!

[NateSD]

I'm considering buying this camera after "downgrading" from a G3, which I loved for all the manual modes, but hated for its size. I really enjoyed keeping the shutter open for night photography and absorbing all the light I could get with my G3 (excuse my photography ignorance) but is this possible with the sd550?

Any thoughts?