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If you can find one of these exceptional cameras at a good price I highly recommend it. While the image quality is very good it didn't deliver the high contrast images of the A620 -- but this seems true of most cameras of increased resolution. With an extended 6X lens and a remarkably steady IS this camera is about fun as it gets. If you find the A620 used (since they are discontinued) at a decent price, buy it.The vendor (dennissg) I got mine from was excellent, with quick shipping, including fresh high quality batteries, and all the books and cords. While later models have larger LCDs they are not articulated.
The camera was like new, for only $325. Compared with my old A620, the A650 is a little larger and heavier -- for the jacket pocket only. Now, you have to buy the new G11 to get an articulating LCD. In my opinion the Canon A650 was the pinnacle of Canon's A series. The A650 doesn't offer DSLR versatility, it's as close as you will get on a P&S camera.
It's all plastic, but it's really hard to find anything very bad about it.
Low light performance isn't too shabby either, though with a zoom in low light, the aperture won't go low enough to get any respectable results without using the built-in flash, which I would advise against. This is all right if you intend to do mostly daytime or tripod shooting, but if you are interested in low-light, handheld, and zoomed shots, even the built-in IS probably won't save your photograph. For lower shutter speeds, the IS can compensate for up to three stops of camera shake. The (1) Bulk of the camera, (2) Less than great battery life, and (3) Poor high-ISO performance are all potential drawbacks of this camera.(1) Bulk of the cameraPlainly put, for a point and shoot, this camera is big. A lot of point and shoots like to inflate their zoom range with digital zoom, but the A650 legitimately has a 6x optical zoom. This is a trade-off for the good lens quality and faster recycle times.(2) Less than great battery lifeThe battery life on this camera is another of my complaints.
The trade off is a smaller screen than you might normally find on a point-and-shoot, and this isn't helped by a crappy optical viewfinder. But on the whole, the tilt-and-swivel more than makes up for the reduced dimensions of the 2.5" screen.(3) Good zoom length with ISFor a point and shoot, it's nice to see some useful zoom length, optically speaking. If you are looking for the one thing that makes this camera great, image quality is it.(2) Ease of useThe controls on this camera are fairly simple. Many great features set this camera apart from the pack, though the camera itself isn't without a few downsides as well.Several of the good things about this camera include (1) Image quality, (2) Ease of use, (3) Good zoom length with IS.(1) Image qualityThe image quality of this camera is, in my opinion, its best characteristic. This is an incredibly useful feature especially at longer zooms, where the image is more prone to blur.However, the A650 is not without downsides either. Weighing in at almost a half-pound without batteries, this camera, while no dSLR, is not the sprightliest chicken on the farm.
Then, the batteries will drain fairly quickly over the course of a day if you are doing a decent amount of shooting. Few point and shoots, if any, can match the level of clarity that this camera offers. If you don't use the LCD, there is great potential for battery conservation, but you will then have to compose with the optical viewfinder, which is honestly a joke.(3) Poor high-ISO performanceWhile one might expect poor high ISO performance in terms of much increased noise in most cameras, this camera, while hitting 1600 ISO, gets into very noticeable noise levels anywhere past 400 ISO. To begin with, it takes 4 AA batteries to get this thing running (however, they are AA, which is nice because you don't have to deal with some proprietary battery and charger), which doesn't help with weight at all. This is almost to be expected in a point and shoot, but nonetheless disappointing.In conclusion, the Canon A650 is a worthy camera to be used as a primary camera. This means all 12.1 megapixels can be utilized at 6x zoom and that is certainly a nice feature.
Although at high ISO, noise gets to be a problem, for the most part the image quality of the A650 is impeccable. Some nice features include a dedicated ISO shortcut button, exposure compensation, and of course, the tilt-and-swivel screen. Coupled with this is the image stabilization. However, as a compact supplement for a dSLR or for someone desiring a light, portable camera, one might want to want to look elsewhere as its bulk disqualifies the A650 from the compact range. Great image quality and nice controls place it a step ahead of the competition. This camera, though now discontinued, sat upon the top of the A-series line when it was released.
The screen allows photos from above ones head, down low, sides, self-portraits, or virtually any other position a photographer can thing of. It won't do well in a small pocket, though it may fit into jacket pockets and the like.
Image quality & versatility is, in one word - stunning. So why was it stopped. 4-AA batteries looks a bit power hungry, but I do not complain when I look at the picture quality. To have a 12.1MP resolution, with Digic-III processing, fantastic Canon optics and a swivel screen - at a very reasonable price tag is like a dream come true. Is it because it was perceived as a threat - that may cannibalize their low end SLR & movie-cameras.
Too bad Canon took it off the shelves during its infancy - still wondering 'why'. Surprisingly can zoom in the video mode (though captures some step-like sound noise from the mechanism, probably due to the sensitive microphone included).RAW is not supported, but apart from that no reason to complain. Gives some so called non-Canon SLR's a run for their price tag. Anybody who knows about that - please let me know too :)I came to know Canon had some issues about a particular batch of A650's in the US market and had to do a partial product recall, but the ones elsewhere had no such problems. One of the best Canon camera's in its versatility, yet having a reasonable price.
It offers capabilities to adjust shutter speed, aperture and focus in the manual mode. I would rather take good pictures in less quantities, rather than lots of pictures of obscure quality.Wonder why Canon stopped this model.
I will admit that before purchasing the camera I checked out the reviews and they hold up. I appreciate his integrity at how he handles his customers. It has been a pleasure.JC I had purchased a used camera from Ben and had some problems with it so I sent it back and received another one.Ben was great with taking care of the situation. He provided extra items for the camera at no cost and paid for all the shipping. Good Job Ben.
I started my digital photo hobby with a Sony Cybershot (very good for beginners or just occasional use). It also helped that it was on sale for around $350.00, when I finally made up my mind.Vickie Smith I have never owned a Cannon Camera. I wanted an affordable up grade in features and this camera had it all.
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