Announced on 5 January 2010, the EasyShare M550 was an entry-level model in Kodak's final generation of M-series compacts, leaning on the company's one-button Share upload to YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and the Kodak Gallery as its headline feature.
It combines a 12MP 1/2.3-inch CCD with a 5x zoom covering a usefully wide 28-140mm equivalent range, framed on a 2.7-inch LCD. Maximum image size is 4000x3000 pixels, ISO spans 64-1000, video records at VGA resolution, and a spread of scene modes handles the automation. Power comes from a proprietary rechargeable lithium-ion battery and images store to SD cards.
The 28mm-equivalent wide end distinguishes it from earlier budget Kodaks that started at 35mm, helping with interiors and group shots. Otherwise it is a simple social-snapshot camera with modest video, no manual control and straightforward menus that suit first-time users.
As with all late EasyShare models the proprietary battery is the weak point - confirm it holds charge and a charging option is present. The Share button's upload services have long since changed or closed, so treat that feature as decorative; check the LCD surface and zoom mechanism as usual.