Home > Consumer Reviews > Canon PowerShot A650 IS Digital Camera - Silver (12.1MP, 6x Optical Zoom) 2.5" LCD

I may not know the difference between my pixels and ISOs, but have always been able to recognize a great camera (and picture) when I see one - don't ask me how. Aesthetically, this camera looks and feels very solid indeed, but is nowhere near as big as some reviewers have suggested (in fact, it's just as compact as my former great purchase from amazon - a Fujifilm with 7 million pixels). It is slightly heavier, however, but what do you expect after loading a product with 4 AA batteries? Also, although packed with countless features (most of which I will probably never use), it is remarkably easy to operate (and if I find it easy to operate, you should consider it really easy). The swivel-type reversible LCD screen is quite an attractive feature too, and folds away very neatly either way.

Regarding the pictures, I have only taken a few indoor ones so far, but they have been fantastic - whether on the LCD screen or when trasferred to the laptop.

The Marketplace seller, "Warehouse-deals" (which I didn't know was a subsidiary of amazon itself), is also to be commended, and not for the first time. On at least two occasions now, they've sent me brand new (yes, brand new) items even though they were described as "Used-like new." In this case, the only "defect" turned out to be an oval coffee-like stain on the edge of the box, which they described as "damage" to the outer packaging.

I've been using the A650 IS for about 8 months now for all sorts of photography from holiday snaps, cityscapes, landscapes, portrait work, macro, indoor and out and I find it particularly hard to fault it anywhere. Clearly is suffers the same limitations you expect from any compact camera with a single lens but for the job it's designed for it's perfect.

I chose this camera based on the larger CCD size which should produce a crisper shot when not shooting at full resolution. Of course, it also allows for the massive 12MP max too which is a nice to have but far from essential, I keep this camera fixed in at 8MP, its second setting. Lack of raw mode is one possible flaw with such a full featured camera so beware of that if you want to shoot raw, personally I don't need it. Another possible criticism is the size, it's not a small compact but it is pocket sized, if you want small and sleek go check out other non-Powershot ranges.

The images are first class, I would encourage any potential buyer to check out some of the independent professional reviews and look at their superb sample pics. As far as I'm concerned it's up there with the best in this class. Really very happy I bought and wouldn't hesitate in getting another one. It's a massive step up from my old Powershot A70 which it replaces. I use it with a 2GB Sandisk Extreme III SD card which is faultless with the camera too.

I'm now on my 3rd A650 and all seem to have a problem with the sensor. In many of my photos there is an obvious purple/pink band right in the middle of the photo. My current one is going back for a refund and I will only buy another when I'm certain Canon have fixed the problem.

The other reviewer doesn't seem to understand prices.

While we're making suggestions, how about selling an EOS Mk-III DS for a tenner?

This is the 12.1MP upgrade to the 10MP a640, *with* image stabilisation.

Seems to have most, if not all the features of the G7, plus the flip out screen that many people complained was missing from the G7.

Apart from RAW, the A650 looks to be almost the equal of the new G9.
I'm going to have a tough time choosing between the two.

To other reviewer - there are plenty of cameras in the price range you're keen on, which will be an upgrade to your current camera. Just not this one. Do you see?

Have not been disappointed with this excellent camera takes great shots in all light conditions. You can over push the optical zoom ending up with a grainy finish so this needs to thought out when taking long shots.
This is my third in the range, started with a G1 and then a G2. Both have battery problems so the conversion of the A650 to ordinary batteries solves this completely.
Very real pity that they have now taken off the 360 degree viewfinder on the next models, it is a real advantage to have when shooting at all angles and the main reason I bought this camera. So buy this A650 as it is the last of a dyeing breed