Product Description: The Canon PowerShot A650 IS with 12.1 megapixels offers unparalleled resolution for a compact camera, while the powerful 6x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer Technology and Face Detection all deliver clear, blur-free images in low light and all zoom ranges. Exposure Controls - Program AE, Shutter Speed-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual; AE Lock, Safety Shift, Auto ISO Shift ISO Sensitivity - Auto, High ISO Auto, ISO 80/100/200/400/800/1600 Shoot pictures in the Widescreen Resolution Option (4000x2248) to view them full screen on your widescreen TV or Computer monitor! Built-in flash controls - Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro Shooting Modes - Auto, P, Av, Tv, M, C, Portrait, Landscape, Special Scene (Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Night Scene, Aquarium, Underwater, Indoor, ISO 3200), Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Stitch Assist, Movie Self-Timer - 2-sec./10-sec., Custom Up to 1.2fps Continuous Shooting SD/SDHC, MultiMediaCard (MMC), MMC Plus, HC MMC Plus Card Slot A 32MB SD Card is included, however we suggest purchasing an Optional 2GB Memory card. It will allow you to store a lot more Video and images, as well as take advantage of the camera's high Resolution abilities. Interfaces - USB2.0, A/V out (NTSC/PAL) Print directly to Canon CP/SELPHY Compact and PIXMA Photo Printers or any PictBridge compatible printer via included USB cable without a computer! Powered by 4x AA Alkaline or Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries (Up to 2x more shots with optional Ni-MH batteries) Approximate Unit Dimensions - (WxHxD) 4.41 x 2.67 x 2.21; Unit Weight - 10.58 oz (Body only without memory card and batteries)
Good camera but This is a good little camera. I bought it to upgrade my ancient A70, which I liked except for its postage stamp lcd. My main complaint about the camera is the price, and that's why I don't give it a higher rating. It was selling for under $300 in the early summer. I watched the price rise to over $400, looked around, and bought it elsewhere for $350 by a supplier who hadn't apparently caught on to the price increase. The $475 that it's selling for today is way too much; you can get an excellent digital slr, the Canon Rebel XSi for $650! Anyone know why the price increased?
Pro: Great Canon interface and controls. Lots of great manual controls. Good videos with sound. I like and use the neat hinge on the lcd. Lcd size is sufficient. Histograms on the photo playback. Good optical and digital zoom with a little color-coded bar on the lcd that tells you when you're zoom is getting into an area where your photos could suffer from camera shake. Image stabilization.
Cons: Overpriced. The 12 megapixels is overkill. If you need great resolution, why not get a slr with a good lens? I shoot at 5 or 8 mp. Narrow range of aperture compared to a slr. At the small end, it only goes to f8. You can stop it down to f2.8--not bad, I suppose. Photos are noisy at higher ISO numbers.
When I was shopping I recall seeing other point-and-shoot Canons for quite a bit less. You might have to drop down a few megapixels, give up image stabilization, and/or the lcd hinge. Sorry, I don't recall the model numbers, but it might be worth looking around. If I were to do it over, I'd buy a less expensive super compact and a Rebel xsi.
No Problems I have had no problems so far with this camera. I particularly like the increased resolution on the LCD. It makes it easier to see if the pic was out of focus. I also have found that pictures in low lighting have been coming out well using the ISO feature. The 6x optical zoom is also great for this type of camera. 12.1 Mega pixels allows you to take a picture and zoom way in on details without losing resolution. Make sure you have at least a 2mb card if you plan to shoot regularly at 12.1.
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA - Poor manufacturing and poor customer service! I have had this camera for 9 months now and yes-it takes great pictures and the swivel LCD screen is wonderful to see what you are photographing in tough to shoot areas. HOWEVER, after 6 months of owning this camera, the lens started getting stuck outside the body, the shutter would not close, and the inside of the lens attracted condensation. I live in a very hot and humid environment (Southern Japan) and the camera would do this every time it got humid, which is almost every day. I persisted on because it took such great pictures. After 9 months, the LCD screen went black and the whole camera stopped working. I sent it in to Canon for repair since it is under warranty and they refuse to repair the camera. First they told me it was "beyond economically repair" to fix the camera. With further calling and questioning, they instead told me that due to "water damage" they would not repair the camera because I "misused" the device - new excuse. I have never had water near my camera, let alone ever dropped or misused it in any way. I am a doctor and use this camera for patient documentation and occasional personal use. Apparently, my mistake was living in an environment with "extreme conditions" which is what humidity is to Canon Cameras and what they replied after further argument. SO MORALE OF THE STORY is DO NOT buy this camera if you live in a humid environment or even want a camera you can depend on with great customer service in case something does happen. I am very displeased with the company and their lack of support for their products and in maintaining customer loyalty. I am switching to SONY cameras now, which are rated higher by Consumer Reports anyways. Take my advice, don't waste you time because Canon will do that for you if you do buy this camera.
Amazing This is my first experience with a Canon product and I'm really impressed. That's hard to say for a Nikon guy who has used everything from an F2 to a D1x professionally for over 30 years.
I've only had the camera for a couple of weeks, but the A 650 has done most things very well and its relatively easy to figure out. I bought it for the rotating display but its overall performance has been great. I have been using an ancient Nikon 990 all this time because I love the low angles you can get from its "twist body" design. The display on the A650 allows me to do the same thing. The software is fast and easy to use.
My only complaint so far, and this could be due to inexperience with the camera, is that the image stabilization is not great and the video tends to over expose. These are tiny problems for a generally terrific product.
Canon A650 Review The Canon A650 has some features that take a bit of getting used to. Particularly the ISO, the Image Stabilizer, 'noise' at high settings. There was also a glitch in the software, the photos didn't properly download from the camera. This aside, the A650 allows me to shoot in other than perfect conditions and get very good shots.
The most interesting feature is a good zoom lens that allows crisp pictures at a good distance. Also, I have not had any of my pictures wash out even in really bright sunlight.
As I learn more about the features of the camera and the individual settings in different conditions,I am sure the end product is going to look better and better.
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