Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Best Settings for Photos and Video
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The quick answer
For everyday Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 photos, I start with 16MP resolution, Best image quality, AiAE metering, Multi AF, automatic white balance and the Normal color effect. I usually turn continuous autofocus, HDR and digital zoom off. For regular video, I use 1080p at 30fps with the Normal effect.
Those are my starting points, not rules for every situation. Here's what each setting does, where to find it and when you might want to change it.
Watch my complete FZ55 settings walkthrough.
My Kodak FZ55 settings at a glance
| Setting | My everyday starting point |
|---|---|
| Photo resolution | 16MP, 4608 × 3456 |
| Photo quality | Best |
| Exposure metering | AiAE |
| Continuous AF | Off; half-press the shutter to focus |
| AF area | Multi AF |
| Drive mode | Single |
| HDR / white balance | HDR off / Auto white balance |
| Color effect | Normal |
| Face detection | On |
| Digital zoom / date imprint | Off / off |
| Video | 1080p at 30fps, Normal effect |
Where to find the settings
- Turn the camera on. Press Mode and select a photo mode to start with photos.
- Press the menu button beside the Mode button. Use the direction buttons to choose a setting and press SET to confirm.
- In the photo menu, move to the additional settings for options such as image quality and digital zoom.
- For video, press Mode, select Movie Mode, and open its menu separately.
Some options depend on the selected shooting mode. If you can't find a setting, switch modes and check the FZ55 user manual on Kodak PIXPRO's support page.
Set photo resolution to 16MP and quality to Best
Choose 16MP (4608 × 3456) for the largest 4:3 photos the FZ55 offers. Then open the additional photo settings and set Quality to Best. The camera saves JPEGs; the Best setting uses a higher-quality compression setting, which generally creates larger files.
The 16MP option gives you the most pixels to work with if you crop later. A smaller image or a different aspect ratio can still be useful when you prefer that framing or want smaller files. Resolution and JPEG quality are separate choices, so check both.
Choose AiAE exposure metering
I leave exposure metering on AiAE for most everyday scenes. It considers different parts of the image to choose an exposure, which makes it a convenient place to start. It won't guarantee that every highlight or shadow is correctly exposed, especially in a high-contrast scene.
- AiAE: an all-purpose choice for the overall scene.
- Spot: meters a small area in the center of the frame.
- Center: gives emphasis to a larger central area.
One correction to my video: I describe the spot meter as movable, but the FZ55 manual specifies a small area at the center. Metering controls brightness; it is separate from the autofocus area. In Program AE, try exposure compensation when a bright sky or dark subject makes the result too light or too dark.
Set up autofocus for everyday photos
Continuous AF: off
I usually leave continuous autofocus off. Half-press the shutter to focus, check the focus indication, then press the rest of the way to take the photo. This avoids having the camera repeatedly search for focus while I'm carrying it and can save battery.
Try continuous AF when your subject is moving and you're preparing for a shot, but don't expect this compact camera to track action like a modern sports camera. It may hunt, make focusing noise or use more battery.
AF area: Multi AF
I use Multi AF most of the time because the camera can choose a focus area across the frame. If it keeps choosing the wrong subject, switch to Single AF, place the focus area on what matters and half-press to focus. Object tracking is another option to try for a moving subject, though it can lose track.
Continuous AF and Multi AF are different settings. Continuous AF concerns ongoing focusing; Multi AF selects how the camera chooses a focus area. I use Multi AF with continuous AF off.
Face detection: on
I leave face detection on for casual photos of people. It helps the camera prioritize a detected face, but it isn't foolproof, so check focus and take another shot when the moment matters.
Drive mode: single, continuous or time-lapse
For normal street and everyday photography, I leave the drive mode on Single. Switch to Continuous Shot when a short sequence gives you a better chance of catching the moment, or try the 3 Shots option for a small burst. These modes don't guarantee sharp photos of fast action, especially in dim light.
The time-lapse option can capture still images at selected intervals. Keep the camera stable, allow for battery and card space, and assemble the images in editing if you want a time-lapse video.
HDR, white balance and color effects
- HDR: off. I prefer the regular look on this camera and usually leave HDR off. Try it on a high-contrast scene and compare the results. Editing a JPEG can adjust shadows and highlights, but can't always recover detail that wasn't captured.
- White balance: Auto. This is my usual choice. If a scene looks too orange or blue, try a preset that matches the light, such as Daylight or Cloudy, and compare the result.
- Color effect: Normal. I prefer a normal-color file and add a look later if I want one. Black-and-white and sepia effects are fun, but they're baked into the JPEG; you can't restore the original color from that file.
Other photo settings I change
- AF assist beam: off. I find the light distracting, so I turn it off. It can help the camera focus in a dark setting, so leave it on if that matters more to you.
- Digital zoom: off. Use the 5x optical zoom first. Digital zoom enlarges the image and can reduce detail. I prefer keeping the full photo and cropping afterward when needed. Optical zoom is not a guarantee of identical sharpness at every focal length.
- Date imprint: off. I don't want the date permanently visible on the photo. Turn it on if you like that look, and make sure the camera's date is correct.
- Quick review: off. I usually review photos through playback when I want to see them. Choose a short review time if you prefer the image to appear immediately after each shot.
Best Kodak FZ55 video settings
Press Mode → Movie Mode, then open the movie menu. For normal clips, I use 1920 × 1080 at 30fps, AiAE metering and the Normal color effect. I also turn digital zoom and the AF assist beam off in the movie settings.
| Video setting | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 1080p 30fps | My everyday choice for the camera's highest standard video resolution. |
| 720p 60fps | Use for smoother motion or footage you plan to slow in an editor, with less resolution than 1080p. |
| 640 × 480 at 120fps, high-speed movie | For a stronger slow-motion effect, with a major resolution tradeoff. Test it before relying on the footage. |
On a 30fps timeline, 60fps footage can be played at half speed. The 120fps high-speed mode is a separate, low-resolution option, so test how your camera saves and plays it before planning an edit. None of these settings turns the FZ55 into a 4K camera.
I like this camera most for simple daylight photos. Its video is fine for casual clips, but in my FZ55 review I found its video and built-in microphone less impressive than its photos. Give it good light and steady support when possible.
Memory card for the FZ55
My video description links to this SanDisk Extreme PRO 128GB SD card. Kodak's current FZ55 specifications list full-size SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512GB; the linked card is a full-size 128GB SDXC card. Check the listing's selected capacity before buying, since retailer options can change.
Back up existing files before formatting a card in the camera, because formatting erases them. A card gives you room for photos and videos, but setting Quality to Best and recording more video will use space faster.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Kodak FZ55 settings for beginners?
Start with 16MP, Best quality, AiAE metering, Multi AF, Auto white balance and Normal color. Leave continuous AF and digital zoom off, then adjust as you learn what your scenes need.
Why are my FZ55 photos blurry?
Half-press the shutter and confirm focus before taking the shot. In low light, camera shake or subject movement can also blur a photo even if the camera focused correctly. Try brighter light, hold the camera steady, reduce zoom or use flash when appropriate. For close subjects, try Macro mode rather than expecting normal focus to work at every distance.
Does the FZ55 record 4K?
No. Kodak lists 1080p at 30fps as its highest standard movie resolution. The 120fps high-speed option is 640 × 480, not 4K or 1080p.
Can I change exposure manually?
Yes. The FZ55 has a Manual mode with aperture, shutter speed and ISO adjustments. Program AE lets you adjust ISO and exposure compensation while the camera sets shutter speed and aperture. The available range and behavior depend on the setting and shooting mode.
Keep reading
Watch more camera tutorials on Adam Harig on YouTube.