Customer Reviews
Best place to buy from...... 
2008-07-07
Before I go on about how wonderful this camera is, you should know that RITZ CAMERA is the place from which you should buy it! I might sound as though I'm doing a commercial, but honestly, I do NOT work for Ritz Camera - I'm simply a consumer who did my homework before making a purchase, and was Very pleased to learn that Ritz Camera gives you FREE CLASSES on how to use all of the functions on this camera, PLUS they gave me a mail-in rebate for a free photo printer, free paper & other stuff!! ....The classes are invaluable in order to get the most out of this fine camera! I mean, sure, it's very easy to use - you just point 'n click. BUT, keep in mind, there are 21 different settings for taking the best pics in different places! This depends on the distance of your subject, and the amount of light, and whether or not your subject is moving quickly or standing still, and depending what sorts of colors are in-frame & what's in the background, etc. So, even though this camera will take fantastics pics in the first place, an educated user will know how to capture the absolute Best picture, every time! And, as long as you're gonna buy a camera which has all of those funny-looking symbols on the dial - hey, you may as well learn how to take advantage of em, right?! ......Oh, and even though my local Ritz Camera shop didn't have this particular model in-stock, they were able to get it from their warehouse in 3 days, no additional cost! ...I called around to 3 other stores (ie: Wal-mart, Sears and Staples), and none of them could match the deal I got from Ritz Camera. Although their prices were all about the same, they either didn't have this camera in-stock, couldn't order it, did not offer free stuff with it, and none of them offered free classes! So, obviously, I'm highly impressed with the way Ritz Camera does business -- they really go the extra mile for their customers! Highly recommended!! ....Now, about this camera - what more can I say which other buyers haven't already said?? It's absolutely wonderful! I previously owned a Canon Powershot A620 (which has a mexapixel rate of 7.1), and I loved that so much, I knew that I wanted to buy another Powershot - I simply wanted to upgrade the megapixel rate (and, of course, still have a camera which has the flip-open viewer, opposed to the stationary LCD screen). So, basically, this is the same camera as the one I was using but it has a significantly higher megapixel rate, plus it has 6x optical zoom instead of 4x. ...Overall, this is an Awesome upgrade, and highly recommended!!! Once you see the photos that this camera is capable of producing, there's no going back!
A little disappointed 
2008-07-05
I also own a Canon Powershot 2.1MP and love it. For a 2.1 the pictures are impressive, focus is crisp and overall images look to be from a much better (more resolution) camera. The Powershot A650IS 12.1 Mpix is somewhat of a disappointment. When zooming the image stabilization is just not able to take care of vibration. If I use a tripod it is better but overall compared to my older Canon I am disappointed. I bought this for the point and shoot and the 6X optical zoom but it looks like I will have to use a tripod. I frequently get images that are not perfectly focused and if I really zoom in when reviewing, there seem to be spots across the image as if the image sensor quality is not too good. I did notice that my first camera is heavier and was made in Japan as opposed to the new one that is lighter and made in China. For $300 it is hard to get a 12.1 w/6x zoom but I'm not overwhelmed with the quality of the image. I may need to work with the manual settings to get a better image.
Great camera, easy and flexible 2008-06-29
I previously had G5 and G1 cameras, and believe this one is an overall improvement on both. Canon confused me with their choice of product lineage - this A650 feels more like the follow-on camera to the G series than the current G9. I treasure the flip-out-over LCD for its flexibility and protection. With the self-capping lens I can slip it in a (large) pocket where I couldn't with the G5. It only lacks raw file capability to make it better than the G series, but with 12 mega-pixels the jpeg images have more detail than my old 5mp raw files did.
I haven't analyzed the feature details but the A650 feels easier to use, and display features like a large display of the mode as you switch to it makes it very user friendly. Its especially helpful using the camera underwater (see review of WP-DC18 housing) as you can be sure of the selected mode without having to look at the top of the camera.
I was starting to use the G5 less and less as it was awkward to carry around - this camera will be with me all the time and the shots so far are excellent. Underwater color correction works OK but as it is a compromise (different depths have varying light characteristics) I'll still be working on them in photoshop. Where it came in especially useful was in movies - I don't have post-processing video software that will do color correction.
Overall, a great pocket camera (cargo pocket, not shirt pocket!)
Perfect 2008-06-28
the A650IS is great I use it mainly as a point and shoot and it does prefectly the detail in the pictures is great I take a lot of flower pictures in my own yard. some of the comments i got back were about
a dandelion that they did not know it was that beautiful. great point and
shoot easy to use. I had an olympus 750 and the control buttons were
2 close together for my fingers the cannon does not have that problem
Canor PowerShot A650IS 2008-06-25
When my old Canon camera needed repair, I decided to get a new one instead. I'm so happy that I did. I love this camera!
Canon A650 IS good selected 2008-06-18
12.1-megapixel effective recording * 2-1/2" swiveling, flip-out LCD screen * real-image optical zoom viewfinder * 6X optical zoom (4X digital/24X total zoom) * optical image stabilizer * top JPEG resolution: 4000 X 3000 *
GORGEOUS DETAILED PICS 
2008-06-16
I almost wanted to return this camera. First I didn't like the color it produced even though I should because it's the natural thing. I just felt like the other cameras I took pictures with had brighter images. Well after finally reading the manual I figured out how to change the setting to vivid color (you need to do this in the program mode). Now I also take my pictures in program mode rather than auto. The colors are super bright and I love it.
Second, my PC was taking too long to load the pictures and to load them to Shutterfly was an eternity. After reading the manual, I realized I could change the megapixel setting to 8MP and even 4MP. I now take my pictures at 8MP (since I don't plan on making enlargements).
The zoom is OUTSTANDING!!!! I take pictures of things as if I was right there next to things and it focuses nice. Sometimes if I'm in a hurry I'll get blurred images but it's rare.
The light leak issue was not a problem since I bought it from Amazon and the serial # was past all that.
I previously had an A620. The reason why I bought this camera because I loved my A620 to DEATH. We went on vacation and the lens fell in a puddle of water and that was the end of it. SAD SAD DAY!! I still miss that camera because it took PERFECT pictures and the megapixel was 7.1 which was ideal for me. It's nice to see the A650IS has the same features as the A620 that I loved and some nice improvements (zoom, image stabilization, etc.)
I love the speed on these Canon Powershots. You don't miss that special moment because you have to wait for your camera to be ready. The battery life on these cameras are also superb to a lot of other manufacturers. These were some peeves with a camera we were using in the time mine broke and replaced it. The A650's battery life is INCREDIBLE!!! Lasts a long time.
I recommend this camera but be sure to read the manual. There are a lot of great things you can change on it. For example, changing it to vivid color and the megapixels to 8MP made all the difference in the world for me.
650 IS is a very good camera. 2008-06-13
Very good camera with one draw-back. I purchased the A650 IS as an upgrade to my great 7.1 mega pixel Canon A620. I used the A650 IS on a recent China trip where I took more than 1000 photos. The 650's new features- image stabilization, adjustable ISO, 6X zoom, 12.1 mega pixels and larger LCD view screen all worked well. The only shortcoming is the photos contain slightly more digital noise that those from the A620 particularly in low light situations. Taking side-by-side photos with the two cameras confirm this as well. Still, it is a very nice camera and I'm happy with the additional features.
Promising but... 2008-06-13
I have been trying this machine for two weeks now and I should say that i am not satisfied with the camera. The problem here is noise. Lots of it. I have an old Canon A60.FOr comparison, I took the same scene with same iso with both cameras (indoor) with a small tripod. The a650is has noise even at iso 100. The A60 produces much cleaner image to my surprise.
I liked the macro performance though.
Featurewise the a650is has lots of features in it. The swivel screen is great, and the 6x optical zoom, however what is the use of 6x optical zoom if you dont produce clean images. The startup time is ok, but the zooming speed is much slower than an S3 or s5.
Maybe I am too much accustomed to my a60 , and it needs some time testing but for the time being I dont get the quality images i have paid for.
Outstanding 2008-06-11
I read a great many reviews before choosing this camera. The praise is entirely justified. I would not add mine, except to assure any reader that this is a splendid choice, with results I would have expected only from the most expensive models. (As for the "light leak" problem, my camera has a serial number well beyond the affected range. If you order from a trusted source -- mine came directly from Amazon -- you should be clear of it.)
