Canon PowerShot A650IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
List Price: $349.99
Details
- 6x copy-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD display
- 21 shooting modes, including 9 deliberate scene modes; Print/Share button
- Countenance Detection technology and in-camera red-eye fix
Description
Canon's bloody popular A Series reaches a milestone with the PowerShot A650 IS, its new top-of-the-band camera. 12.1 megapixels offers unparalleled resolution for a compressed camera, while the powerful 6x optical zoom with Visual Image Stabilizer Technology delivers clear, blur-release images in low light and all through the zoom range. Hallmark A Series value includes Canon's latest era DIGIC III Image Processor with enhanced Face Recollection Technology, ISO 1600 and Red-eye Correction for sharp, superior quality images.Customer Reviews
One of the nicest cameras before moving to a ReflexI've been using it for 2 years and I absolutely like the pictures I get. In manual mode you can set everything as you would with a Reflex. And if you induct the CHDK software you can even save in raw mode and enable dividend features (be sure to read the instructions first). The 12 MPx sensor means you can harvest part of a picture while keeping a high resolution. The 6x analogic zoom level if not continuos is very good and up to 12x you almost don't see you're in digital mode. As most of the packed cameras the real difference with a Reflex is the quality of pictures at higher ISOs. Up to 200 Dialect right good, from 400 the grain is visible, above 400 it's estimable only if you care to have a memory. The tilting viewer was one intrinsic requirement for me and is especially useful when you want to take pictures from an firsthand point of view or for self pictures.
Get the better of of Canon's A-series
In my perception the Canon A650 was the pinnacle of Canon's A series. While later models partake of larger LCDs they are not articulated. Now, you have to buy the new G11 to get an articulating LCD. The A650 doesn't proposition DSLR versatility, it's as close as you will get on a P&S camera. With an outspread 6X lens and a remarkably steady IS this camera is about fun as it gets. Compared with my old A620, the A650 is a teensy-weensy larger and heavier -- for the jacket pocket only. While the cast quality is very good it didn't deliver the high diverge images of the A620 -- but this seems true of most cameras of increased immutability. It's all plastic, but it's really hard to find anything very bad encircling it. If you find the A620 used (since they are discontinued) at a not bad price, buy it.
The vendor (dennissg) I got mine from was excellent, with dexterous shipping, including fresh high quality batteries, and all the books and cords. The camera was like new, for sole $325. If you can find one of these exceptional cameras at a good rate I highly recommend it.
Distinguished camera with some drawbacks
This camera, for all that now discontinued, sat upon the top of the A-series line when it was released. Numerous great features set this camera apart from the get rid of, though the camera itself isn't without a few downsides as well. Diverse of the good things about this camera include aspect quality, ease of use, and good zoom length with IS. Anyhow, the A650 is not without downsides either. The bulk of the camera, smaller amount than great battery life, and poor high-ISO effectuation are all potential drawbacks of this camera.
The image quality of this camera is, in my notion, its best characteristic. Although at high ISO, noise gets to be a difficulty, for the most part the image quality of the A650 is impeccable. Few idea and shoots, if any, can match the level of clarity that this camera offers. Low delicate performance isn't too shabby either, though with a zoom in low fall on, the aperture won't go low enough to get any respectable results without using the built-in scintillate, which I would advise against. If you are looking for the one thing that makes this camera glaring, image quality is it.
The controls on this camera are fairly mere. Some nice features include a dedicated ISO shortcut handle, exposure compensation, and of course, the tilt-and-swivel screen. The qualify allows photos from above ones head, nap low, sides, self-portraits, or virtually any other position a photographer can reaction of. The trade off is a smaller screen than you might normally understand on a point-and-shoot, and this isn't helped by a crappy optical viewfinder. But on the complete, the tilt-and-swivel more than makes up for the reduced dimensions of the 2.5" movies.
For a point and shoot, it's nice to see some useful zoom period, optically speaking. A lot of point and shoots like to inflate their zoom reach with digital zoom, but the A650 legitimately has a 6x optical zoom. This means all 12.1 megapixels can be utilized at 6x zoom and that is surely a nice feature. Coupled with this is the image stabilization. For lessen shutter speeds, the IS can compensate for up to three stops of camera wriggle. This is an incredibly useful feature especially at longer zooms, where the materialization is more prone to blur.
Plainly put, for a point and shoot, this camera is big. Weighing in at all but a half-pound without batteries, this camera, while no dSLR, is not the sprightliest chicken on the farmhouse. It won't do well in a small pocket, though it may fit into jacket pockets and the like. This is a work-off for the good lens quality and faster recycle times.
The mobile life on this camera is another of my complaints. To begin with, it takes 4 AA batteries to get this fixation running (however, they are AA, which is nice because you don't be struck by to deal with some proprietary battery and charger), which doesn't support with weight at all. Then, the batteries will drain adequately quickly over the course of a day if you are doing a decent amount of shooting. If you don't use the LCD, there is important potential for battery conservation, but you will then have to formulate with the optical viewfinder, which is honestly a joke.
While one capability expect poor high ISO performance in terms of much increased crash in most cameras, this camera, while hitting 1600 ISO, gets into bloody noticeable noise levels anywhere past 400 ISO. This is all propriety if you intend to do mostly daytime or tripod shooting, but if you are interested in low-inconsequential, handheld, and zoomed shots, even the built-in IS probably won't lay your photograph. This is almost to be expected in a point and throw, but nonetheless disappointing.
In conclusion, the Canon A650 is a worthy camera to be in use accustomed to as a primary camera. Great image quality and nice tiller place it a step ahead of the competition. However, as a compact complement for a dSLR or for someone desiring a light, portable camera, one effectiveness want to want to look elsewhere as its bulk disqualifies the A650 from the solid range.
Brilliant camera if you do not mind the bulk over picture quality!
One of the get the better of Canon camera's in its versatility, yet having a reasonable price. Too bad Canon took it off the shelves during its dawn - still wondering 'why'!
To have a 12.1MP resolution, with Digic-III processing, splendid Canon optics and a swivel screen - at a very reasonable price tag is like a mirage come true. It offers capabilities to adjust shutter hightail it, aperture and focus in the manual mode. Surprisingly can zoom in the video style (though captures some step-like sound blasting from the mechanism, probably due to the sensitive microphone included).
RAW is not supported, but singly from that no reason to complain. Image quality & versatility is, in one brief conversation - stunning! Gives some so called non-Canon SLR's a run for their price tag.
4-AA batteries looks a bit power thirsting, but I do not complain when I look at the picture quality. I would to some extent take good pictures in less quantities, rather than lots of pictures of veiled quality!
Wonder why Canon stopped this model? Is it because it was perceived as a foreboding - that may cannibalize their low end SLR & movie-cameras?
Anybody who knows here that - please let me know too :)
I came to know Canon had some issues prevalent a particular batch of A650's in the US market and had to do a partial product disavow, but the ones elsewhere had no such problems. So why was it stopped?
Careful!!
I had purchased a occupied camera from Ben and had some problems with it so I sent it stand behind and received another one.Ben was great with taking care of the lay of the land. He provided extra items for the camera at no cost and paid for all the shipping. I worth his integrity at how he handles his customers. I will admit that in the forefront purchasing the camera I checked out the reviews and they hold up. Skilled Job Ben!! It has been a pleasure.
JC
