I just upgraded from the Canon Powershot A630 to this model, the A650. They're very similar; I loved my A630, and I now love my A650. The best features, in my opinion, are the rotating LCD screen (some the best angles are difficult to get without it) and the flexibility between manual and point-and-shoot functions. I can take it on an outing with friends and snap away, or I can take it to my art studio and take well-balanced photos with manual aperture and focus settings which turn out more than well enough to post online and sell pieces. The shape of the camera is fantastic. I have smaller hands, but even when my friends take pictures, they remark on how easy it is to hold compared to normal P&S models. I love that it takes AA batteries. I have rechargeables, and I keep an extra set of 4 regular batteries in my camera case in case those die before I can charge them again. If those die... well, I can run to a nearby drugstore and buy some more to last the trip. No need to be without a camera because Lithium-Ion batteries are so expensive to get a second one and hard to keep their charge after a few months. The wrist strap is definitely useful. I was leaning over a bridge once to get a picture, sure enough it slipped out of my hand, but voila -- the thing was attached to my wrist, and no harm done. Someone tried to snatch the camera out of my hand once, too, and it prevented the theft. Much better than my previous cameras. Less-good-things: Two of my favorite shooting modes from the A630 are gone! The Color Accent and Color Swap modes were so much fun to play with and created some very interesting photographs. Sure, I could make the pictures look the same on my computer with Photoshop, but it was fun to have instant results with a purple flower standing out from a black-and-white background, or see what a painting would look like if all the reds were blues. Not the most essential elements, but I'll miss them nonetheless. It's not the best in low-light settings, and fairly close to terrible in low-light + high-shutter-speed situations. If you need that, get a digital SLR. This won't satisfy you at all, even with its high ISO capabilities. Like a previous reviewer, I've noticed the flash is uneven sometimes. The top of the frame isn't as well-lit as the bottom. But it's not very noticeable except when the subject is a certain distance away. I, too, would have to test to figure out exactly what that distance is. It's certainly bulkier than most fashionable cameras of today, but it still fits in my purse when I want it to, as long as it's not a tiny purse. The features are well worth the bulk, in my opinion.Read full review
Camera takes excellent pictures. High enough resolution to enlarge most prints and not worry about it becoming grainy. camera is easy to use and has a ton of extra features. (read manual to make sure you understand how to use them) Printer prints text superb. Pictures are good as well. having the Memory card slots available for pictures makes printing easier. Overall this package was a superb deal
If you're searching for a high quality, compact, point-and-shoot camera then look no further than the Canon A650 IS. This camera is so versatile that it blurs the line between point-and-shoot and professional grade photo equipment. It even gives the option of utilizing wide angle/telephoto lenses and/or filters through the use of an optional lens adapter tube. Capturing a scene at over 12 mega-pixels, this camera delivers crisp, clean images that you can blow up to portrait size without degradation of the picture. The myriad of functions built into the A650 allow you to explore your more creative side, while at the same time, it is so simple to use that it lives up to the phrase 'point and shoot.'
This is the last of the Canon PowerShot cameras with a fully articulated screen and a viewfinder. It's a terrific little camera with some good upgrades from the previous model. Image clarity is superb, very easy to use, has many modes to help get the best photos. Very versatile, small and lightweight.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I've had one for several years. It finally wore out. The headaches I have had with this camera, is that: The 'serial number' is only stenciled on, that the times I've had to turn the camera in for repair --- noted below --- the S/N had worn off, that the repair center decided that even though the camera was in for the SAME problem, they could not 'trace' the number so they charged the full 'repair' rate, after the second turn-in. That problem: for some reason, there have been 'scratches' on the "INSIDE" of the lens, as if when zooming, the two sides slightly rub each other, causing a few scratches. The repair center noted not 'scratches', just 'dirt' inside ... which should not happen anyway ... charging for the repairs once it was out of warranty. (As noted, not having a S/N after it wore out, they could not check history of the one I do have.) On occasion, the lens shutter did not close fully, as well. EXCELLENT camera otherwise.Read full review
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