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Excellent condition. used with Minor superficial wear. Barely bone. Camera only, nothing else. Fully tested and fully functional. Camera is operated with 4 AA batteries not included.
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Canon PowerShot A650IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 117 ratings

$239.00
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Purchase options and add-ons

Compatible Mountings Canon RF, Canon EF
Photo Sensor Technology CCD
Supported File Format RAW, JPEG
Image Stabilization Optical
Maximum Focal Length 210 Millimeters
Optical Zoom 6 x
Expanded ISO Minimum 80
Brand Canon
Model Name Canon PowerShot A650IS
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution 12.1 MP

About this item

  • 12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
  • 6x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD display
  • Face Detection technology and in-camera red-eye fix
  • 21 shooting modes, including 9 special scene modes; Print/Share button
  • Powered by 4 AA-size batteries (4 alkaline batteries included); stores images on SD memory cards (32MB memory card included)
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Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Canon's extremely popular A Series reaches a milestone with PowerShot A650IS, its new top-of-the-line camera. 12.1-megapixel resolution offers unparalleled resolution for a compact camera, while the powerful 6x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer Technology delivers clear, blur-free images in low light and all through the zoom range. Hallmark A-series value includes Canon's latest-generation DIGIC III Image Processor with enhanced Face Detection Technology, ISO 1600, and red-eye correction for sharp, superior-quality images. More Features for Less
Top-of-the-line A-series model with upgraded features and exceptional value.

The PowerShot A650IS is equipped with many of Canon's latest features, such as DIGIC III Image Processor, Optical Image Stabilizer Technology that automatically detects and corrects camera shake and shooting modes to capture any scene perfectly. In addition, the A650IS is compatible with optional shooting accessories such as wide-angle and telephoto converter lenses.

Top-Level Core Specifications
12.1-megapixel resolution with Canon DIGIC III Image Processor and high-quality 6x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer for exceptional image quality.

The PowerShot A650IS is Canon's first A-series camera to feature 12.1 megapixels of resolution. With this easy-to-use, compact camera, you can capture images and blow them up to poster size with no pixilation. Take part of an image and enlarge it for professional creative effects.

DIGIC III Image Processor
With DIGIC III, your images boast superior quality, the camera operates at top efficiency and battery life is enhanced. What's more, DIGIC III enables Canon's Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction to give you better, more true-to-life people shots. Simply press the Shutter Button halfway down, and the camera automatically pinpoints the faces in the scene and chooses the ideal focus point. The camera controls exposure settings and flash to keep every face looking bright and natural. Red eyes can be corrected during playback.

iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC III Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.

6x Optical Zoom Lens with Optical Image Stabilizer
The long, powerful, genuine Canon 6x optical zoom will take you right up close to get just the shot you want. Canon's advanced Optical Image Stabilizer Technology corrects camera shake (common at long focal lengths and in low light) to keep your shots blur-free in any situation. Optical Image Stabilizer uses gyroscopic sensors to detect motion and generate a corrective signal, effectively reducing camera shake.

See the Image Beautifully with a Wide Viewing Angle
Optical viewfinder plus large high-quality 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD screen for flexible viewing at low and high angles.

The camera's 2.5-inch vari-angle LCD screen gives you the big picture, whether you're shooting, reviewing, or showing off your images. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear picture and wide viewing angle to make shooting, playback, and using the camera's menu functions especially convenient. Clear and bright, it also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light. The vari-angle design lets you swivel the LCD screen 180 degrees to the front of the camera and display either a mirror image or a non-reversed image so you can shoot from just about any position.

2.5-Inch Vari-Angle LCD Screen
Canon technology maximizes quality and performance.

Genuine Canon Face Detection Technology sets the focus, exposure, and flash automatically, leaving you free to compose a group, capture an unguarded moment, or coax the perfect smile.

DIGIC III features Face Detection technologies, giving the you best possible results in any shooting situation. Face Detection AF/AE sets the focus point and exposure for the faces of your subjects. Face Detection FE adjusts the flash to correctly illuminate your subject to provide the best balance between your subject and the overall scene, eliminating the common problems of over- and underexposed faces.

Red-eye Correction detects and corrects red-eye during playback. In unusual cases where red-eye is not automatically detected, it can easily be corrected manually during playback mode.

The PowerShot A650IS features ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater shooting flexibility.

Easy to Operate for Beautiful Photos
Easy-to-use Mode Dial with a wide range of shooting modes from fully manual to fully automatic; including night snapshot mode, which reduces image blur in low-light shooting.

This is the digital camera that takes care of you, so you never have to worry about anything. Just turn the simple Mode Dial and instantly you can handle any shooting condition. Choose from Auto for most situations, Manual when you're feeling creative, Movie, or Special Scene for superb shots in Night, Snow, Indoor, or Beach settings, among others.

21 Shooting Modes, Including 9 Special Scene Modes

Shooting Modes
Advanced presets for the best possible photos under certain conditions.

Auto
The camera chooses all the settings so you can concentrate on your subject.

P Program
Access advanced exposure compensation features while shooting mostly automatically.

Av Aperture-priority
You define the aperture to either isolate your subject or have clarity throughout the entire picture, and the camera will choose the corresponding shutter speed.

Tv Shutter-priority
You select the shutter speed to stop or blur action, and the camera finds the appropriate aperture. With slow exposure times, Canon's noise reduction system activates to ensure low image noise.

Manual
The ultimate in creative control, you set both aperture and shutter speed manually.

C Custom
Define and store your own settings to achieve the effects you prefer.

Portrait
The camera sets a large aperture, focusing the subject and artistically blurring the background to make your subject "pop."

Landscape
For front to back sharpness, the camera sets a small aperture.

Kids and Pets
Reduced focusing time freezes fast-moving subjects, so you won't miss those special shots.

Night Snapshot
Get natural-looking pictures with brighter backgrounds and subjects lit by flash.

Stitch Assist
Build awe-inspiring panoramas by neatly aligning sequential images.

Movie
Shoot in VGA (640 x 480 at 30 frames per second [fps]/30 fps LP), QVGA (320 x 240 at 30 fps) for up to 1 hour or 4GB), or QQVGA (160 x 120 at 15 fps) for up to 3 minutes.

Special Scene Modes

Foliage
Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms.

Snow
Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint.

Beach
Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces.

Fireworks
Grab brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks.

Night Scene
For impressive sunset or nightlife shots, the camera properly exposes the background and uses slow-sync flash for the subject.

Aquarium
Achieve proper flash-free exposure and natural hues at indoor aquariums.

Underwater
Capture underwater images with reduced backscatter effect. (Note: Optional waterproof case WP-DC18 required for shooting any underwater images. Case not included--must be purchased separately.)

Indoor
Reduce blur and improve color accuracy when shooting handheld indoors.

ISO 3200
Expands the user's ability to shoot in dark settings without using the flash.

The Complete Print Solution
Print/Share Button for easy direct printing and downloading, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with select PIXMA Photo Printers, CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers.

The PowerShot A650IS's Print/Share button makes direct printing easier than ever. Simply connect the A650IS to a Canon CP, SELPHY, or PIXMA Photo Printer or any PictBridge compatible photo printer, press the lighted Print/Share button, and print! Also use the Print/Share button to transfer images to a computer (Windows and Macintosh).

Print your own ID photos in 28 different sizes or use the Movie Print function to output multiple stills from a recorded movie on a single sheet with a Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printer.

What's in the box:
Canon PowerShot A650IS digital camera, AA-size alkaline battery (x 4), 32MB SD memory card SDC-32M, wrist strap WS-DC4, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable IFC-400PCU, AV cable AVC-DC300

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

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


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Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5
117 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the image quality, quality, zoom, tilt and swivel of the digital camera. For example, they mention that it makes decent pictures, it's a great camera for any situation, and that the zoom is more than adequate. They appreciate the versatility of the tilt and slide screen. Customers are also impressed with the ease of use, saying that it'll be easy to use complete manual control.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

36 customers mention36 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the image quality of the camera. They mention that it takes decent pictures, has good shots, and produces astonishing pictures. The detail in the pictures is great, and the photos are priceless. The optical zoom allows you to take great pictures at a distance. Overall, most are happy with the additional features and the various picture modes.

"...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..." Read more

"...Its relatively wide-angle lens provides a great image, the color depth is spectacular whether shooting at 3MP/5MP/12MP, the rotating viewscreen..." Read more

"...The video capability of this camera is terrific, which was a big consideration for me. I want to use video for blogging and hobby purposes...." Read more

"...Returned camera, good pics bad build" Read more

21 customers mention16 positive5 negative

Customers like the quality of the digital camera. For example, they say it's a great all-around camera, the best mid-range camera, and a perfect take-anywhere camera.

"...Overall, a great pocket camera (cargo pocket, not shirt pocket!)" Read more

"...After four years and 5000 photos.. I must say it is an excellent camera.. A little bit heavier (As I expected of a Camera with 4 AA Batteries)...." Read more

"Excellent small camera for serious photographers who don't always want to carry something larger...." Read more

"these cameras had a manufacturing defect, they let light into the camera.I believe they do not make this model anymore...." Read more

16 customers mention14 positive2 negative

Customers like the zoom of the digital camera. For example, they mention it's more than adequate, the 6x optical zoom is kinda sweet, and the zoom lever is great for previewing the images in thumbnail size. They also appreciate the increased resolution on the LCD and the high pixel count. The high resolution allows the full zoom with good optical results, and it works great for photos and videos.

"...That zoom lever is great for previewing the images in thumbnail size instead of image by image...." Read more

"...The zoom works very well. A plus is the swivel LCD screen. I have two daughters that act up when they see the camera...." Read more

"...I can take over 10,000 photos, too. It's awesome with the Zoombrowser software. Just hook up the cable and dowload your photos...." Read more

"...this in mind, the Canon A650IS is a bargain for what it does: 12MP, 6X zoom, AA batteries, articulating LCD...." Read more

13 customers mention13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the versatility of the tilt and swivel screen. They say it's very handy and they love that they can close it up to protect their LCD. They also say the variable angle screen lets them take shots that they just could not make with any standard camera.

"...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!..." Read more

"...You can use the camera at virtually any angle, which if you're feeling creative, is a huge plus, especially if you're old like I am and not quite as..." Read more

"...Its relatively wide-angle lens provides a great image, the color depth is spectacular whether shooting at 3MP/5MP/12MP, the rotating viewscreen..." Read more

"...The zoom works very well. A plus is the swivel LCD screen. I have two daughters that act up when they see the camera...." Read more

12 customers mention12 positive0 negative

Customers find the camera easy to use. They mention it's simple and portable, with complete manual control. They also say the camera does a great job incorporating manual operation, allowing tons of creative freedom. Customers also say that the manual is well-written.

"...The A650 makes it easy for me to get pictures of my toddler grandchild at her level, not five feet up!..." Read more

"...This camera is easy to use out of the box, though in a few hours of reading, the camera can be utilized to its fuller extent...." Read more

"...First, it is easy to use. If you don't want to read the instruction book then set to automatic and start taking pictures. The zoom works very well...." Read more

"...I just set it to "auto" usually and go. The manual is really well-written, in my opinion...." Read more

14 customers mention8 positive6 negative

Customers are mixed about the portability of the digital camera. Some mention it's a bit heavy on the side but it can still fit in the pocket. They say it'll fit well in their hands and is a great compact camera for those who love photography. However, some customers feel it'd be a better choice if it was lighter and smaller.

"...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..." Read more

"...It is also a bit heavy, coming in at just under a pound...." Read more

"...But it's not too bulky if I reallywanted to take pictures on such a trip. It'd fit in my fishing vest's pockets...." Read more

"...And it is a lot easier to carry around with you then a DSLR...." Read more

13 customers mention9 positive4 negative

Customers are mixed about the shutter speed of the camera. Some mention that it has a good shutter speed for this category, the software is fast and easy to use, and the flash recharges quickly. However, some say that the processing time in low light conditions will take a bit longer between shots, and that the software does slow your computer down.

"...Camera is fast. But I don't like flash charge time and autofocus speed compared to SLR...." Read more

"...Recycle time for the flash is decent. Shutter speed/lag isn't bad. I've mostly taken indoor shots sofar and I've had it for close to a month...." Read more

"...I do notice that the processing time in low light conditions will take a bit longer between shots...." Read more

"...It is quick to turn on and shoot when there is something you want to catch. Good job Canon!! The A650IS is a great camera...." Read more

10 customers mention6 positive4 negative

Customers are mixed about the memory of the digital camera. Some mention that it gives them the option of changing the file size, it can take an 8Gb SDHC card so they'll have plenty of room for stills and movies, and that it has a bigger sensor size than other models. However, others say that it's heavy and big compared to other models and that the memory capability is great.

"...Next, the memory capability is great, too. I am running a 16GB Class 6 Transcend card, and I can record over 1.5 hours of HD video!..." Read more

"...The camera is somewhat on the large side and the pocket you put it in had best be large...." Read more

"...It can take an 8Gb SDHC card so you'll have plenty of room for stills and movies...." Read more

"...A650 is really bulky camera. It's heavy and big compared to A710. You won't carry it in your pocket...." Read more

Impressive camera that captures amazing photos
5 Stars
Impressive camera that captures amazing photos
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!
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2008
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!
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive camera that captures amazing photos
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2008
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!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2008
Alright, I originally ran across this camera on Best Buy's website, where it was listed as of April 08 as "Coming Soon" with a list price of $350. Not wanting to wait until whenever "soon" might be, I took a look on Amazon, and sure enough, the camera had been listed here since November 07! And, for less than $300! I had previously owned a Canon PowerShot camera at 5MP and was extremely happy with it, so I figured I would be happy with this one, and the other reviews here certainly backed that up. When the A650is finally arrived, I was blown away! My earlier PowerShot had the rotating viewscreen, but that is where the similarities ended (other than the overall layout of buttons/icons common to all PowerShot cameras). This camera is simply the best you will find before getting into the high-end, high-priced DSLR cameras. Its relatively wide-angle lens provides a great image, the color depth is spectacular whether shooting at 3MP/5MP/12MP, the rotating viewscreen allows one to get shots from very odd angles that would be impossible with a fixed viewscreen (not to mention that it allows the user to hide the viewscreen so as to avoid scratches when the camera is not in use). As for the zoom, the 6x optical is impressive by itself, but add to that the 4x digital -for a total 24x zoom- and the distances at which one can take detailed photos are often mindboggling. This is enhanced further by a couple layers of image processing handled by the camera's onboard computer, which though the tiniest bit slower than some other cameras, is so powerful as to take my admittedly somewhat shaky hands and the expected image static caused by shooting at extreme zoom and clarify the final image stored on the memory card (SD/SDHC) to near-pristine quality. Regarding memory, it is important to note that this camera IS SDHC (High Capacity) compatible, a feature I highly recommend taking advantage of as any image taken at the full 12MP is likely to range in size from 2 to 4 megabytes; to that end a  SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III SDHC Card with MicroMate USB 2.0 Reader (SDSDRX3-4096-A21, Retail Package)  combo is a worthwhile investment as the 4GB card will store nearly 2000 images at 12MP and the card reader allows one to move images off a card and onto a computer without draining the camera's batteries (4xAA) in the process. Better still, even with the camera and memory combo together, the total price beats Best Buy's price for the camera alone! In the end, this is an extremely powerful, very affordable camera which will serve all but professional photographers beautifully for a very long time.
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