Canon PowerShot A650IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

I've enjoyed taking pictures ever since I was a kid. I'm not a pro by any means but I do get some amazing shots at times. Now those times are way more frequent since the purchase of this incredible Canon Powershot A650IS!I nabbed this beauty when it was first released and went through the whole purple fringe issue for the recall. Amazon took it back no problems and later when the new batches came out that didn't have the light leak issues, I reordered it from here again because I simply fell in love with the camera.I had taken it on a trip to Colorado and used it extensively capturing photos and videos from the airplane, at Rocky Mountain National Park, and various other places. The outdoor shots were amazing, I was able to take a picture of an elk from a far distance away (perhaps 100yards) using the 6x optical zoom.What was great also was that after I snapped the shot, I could preview it using the zoom lever (pardon my non-technical names for actual parts) to zoom in and out on different sections of the image. Then I can navigate within that photo with that round function dial to see different parts...this worked great because I was able to see just how focused or not the elk was in the photo! It brought the image of the animal closer to my eyes at that moment than with me physically looking at it.That zoom lever is great for previewing the images in thumbnail size instead of image by image. I actually didn't know the camera could do that and discovered it by accident...but I'm sure the manual I thumbed through mentioned it somewhere!Video quality was actually very decent for a digital camera when using the standard mode, not the smaller emailable size. I was able to capture video in lower light conditions that I thought would be impossible. This of course isn't some super great video camcorder but it does an adequate job for those moments you like a small video too along with pictures.I recently took the camera to the circus and was able to capture some very nice shots! When I got home, I used the included AV cables to hook my camera up to the tv and was able to show the rest of the family instantly what they had missed out on, both pictures and videos came out well, except for the emailable smaller mode for video, they were not good at all but that's low quality to save space.Speaking of space, I am using a 2gb card and if you're going to be doing photos and videos, you may want to take along a spare...and buy a larger hard drive for your computer because you can't help but snap here and there and film this or that, this camera is fun to use and everyone I've shown the pictures to were impressed by what they saw.Another outstanding quality is the use of the 4 AA batteries! That alone saved me from the heartache and embarrassment of forgetting to recharge my camera batteries. I was in such a rush getting ready to go to the circus with my little niece that I forgot to check my battery status. After two pictures, my camera shut off because of low battery. I didn't think to bring a spare set so I ventured out to look for batteries. Luckily I asked one of the circus vendors if they sold batteries and he ended up just giving me a set of 4 AA batteries which of course saved the day! You can't do that with a proprietary battery just anywhere *cough cough sony*.The flip and swivel screen is very handy and I love that I can close it up to protect my lcd screen from damage and smudges!The included canon software works fine and I like the zoom browser's ability to show the full image specs of each photo I capture on the side panel.Taking stitched photos takes a little practice but I did manage to get some nice panoramic mountainscapes.I have uploaded a few photos in the customer image gallery that I thought would be helpful, the more recent ones being the pictures I took in macro view! I was really impressed with how close I could get and still get a focused photograph showing all the details!With 12 megapixels, you can crop til your heart's content and still retain a lot of the details that otherwise with other cameras be blurry.I have also figured out through playing with the custom settings how to capture the murals I paint in the dark! It's nearly impossible to capture photos of my artwork because I do ceiling murals of the starry night sky and those glow in the dark stars does not emit a ton of light and have to be seen in a dark setting. With this camera, I was able to tinker with settings my older camera didn't have and thus capturing actual photos of my work without manually manipulating them digitally! I'm a happy gal with this camera!I do notice that the processing time in low light conditions will take a bit longer between shots. I'm not sure if that's due to the camera processor or the SD card I use. I've heard the speed of the card would make a difference but I haven't venture as far to the better cards yet.In the end, I highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants one that will not only take amazing photos in auto mode but also have the freedom to use other settings to suit ones needs! It's a lovely solid feeling camera that fits well in my hands and has given me new found inspiration to photography again, perhaps it will do the same for you!

the outside of the camera was in good shape, a few small scratches thats hardly visible. however the screen area was very dirty not sure what it was but it took me a while to clean it, but after it was cleaned it looked fine.the function was good, havent found any kind of problems so far for the last couple month or so. except the lcd area. when im done adjusting the light and color through the lcd screen and when i take the shot it turns a bit different. the color changes than the one i have adjusted to before snapping it. its not so huge that it messes everything up, but it more close to the brightes/color becoming darker like. it bothers me, but i can work around it since its off by a little.

The Canon A650IS is a small digicam that is easy to use and takes reasonably good pictures. I bought it as a "grab-and-go" camera for when I don't want to lug along my DSLR and lenses. If you are a DSLR owner, then you're probably spoiled by your main camera. As such, it is not fair to compare it to the A650 IS - it's an apples and oranges comparison. With this in mind, the Canon A650IS is a bargain for what it does: 12MP, 6X zoom, AA batteries, articulating LCD. It can take an 8Gb SDHC card so you'll have plenty of room for stills and movies. As with virtually ALL small digital cameras, noise levels above ISO 200 are quite annoying, but there is software out there that can reduce this noise. My one pet peeve with this camera is that you need to open the battery door to take out the SD card.The camera does its best work in good daylight. It's one of the better small digicams out there, and I've tried quite a few.Now here's something you won't read in most reviews of the Canon A650IS - this camera is a bit "dumbed-down". That is to say, it's distant cousin, the Canon G9, has more flexibility even though it has the virtually the same optics and sensor. I guess that Canon can thereby sell a cheaper camera by intentionally not providing what it provides in the G9. BUT inquisitive photographers can make their Canon A650IS into a camera that,for example, shoots RAW, has a live histogram, bracketing, and has a full-time battery indicator. In this light, the A650 IS, a solid small camera as sold, becomes even more worth the price of admission. This information is on the internet for any enthusiast to find, as I did (and there are NO warranty issues to do this).

these cameras had a manufacturing defect, they let light into the camera.I believe they do not make this model anymore.mine was taken back, and a complete refund was given.I was very happy with the service given to me.

I just recieved the Canon A650is. My first impression is CHEAP.it is not well made, the technology is there but the exterior does not inspire. I have not had it long enough to critique its performance.Returned camera, good pics bad build