Mini-review: PowerShot A650 IS; almost a G.

[MrChad]

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1108/1481/2768240259_large.jpg

The Canon PowerShot A650 IS debuted in the fall of 2007. This has been the primary non-SLR camera at our house since it’s debut. This is primarily my wife’s camera but I’ve had plenty of opportunity to use this great little camera. I really enjoy this camera, so while very late and moot to many - here is my take on this little camera.

The A650 IS for the most part is an A-series version of the G-series camera, and to the best of my knowledge is the last time Canon basically did so. The A650 IS shares it’s lens with the G7 and G9 PowerShots, and shares the same 1/1.8" 12.1 MP CCD with the G9 camera.

The analogy I find useful is that the A650 IS is comparable to the G9 in the same way the original Digital Rebel (300D) was comparable to the Eos 10D. The A650 IS is a software feature and build level lower then the G9, but not by much. The front half of the silver shell is metal. The grip and back are plastic.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1108/1481/2768240260_large.jpg

The A650 IS lacks a flash hot shoe, a few custom settings, and the ability to shoot RAW. However, like how the Digital Rebel could accept the EF-S lenses the A650 IS has an articulated LCD screen, something that has not returned to the G-series until the current G11 model. Like the G9 ISO3200 is an option via the SCN modes, but only as an MJPEG.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/1108/1481/2768240261_large.jpg

Handling of the A650 IS is pretty good. It has a hefty feel in-hand, made all the more balanced if you use 4x rechargeable AA NiHM batteries. But even using 2500mAh type they only last about a week to several days. For the biggest performance life I recommend AA Lithium batteries. I can get months of use from Lithiums in the A650 IS. I often will use the AA Lithiums from my 580EX II in the A650 IS after the AAs are showing some performance drop in the flash gun, the A650 will function for a long time on flash cycled AAs.

The AA power source has pro’s and con’s but however you feel, I enjoy the option for our vacation camera. I rarely ever worry about a dead battery with the availability of AAs so prevalent on the road.

The button layout is superb, I can easily set the mode dial for shooting priority, and set ISO and exposure compensation off the back panel in seconds. Even the flash is easy to adjust. I especially love the choice of AF modes and Tv/Av Safety shift features - just as found on my Eos DSLRs. I actually have the C mode on the A650 IS set to Tv 1/125 with Safety shift On and Auto ISO - I find this to be a very good go to setup for me.

I have actually enjoyed using the little A650 IS so much I have begun my own quest for a great Pocket camera I could take with me when I leave the house for travel alone. I usually need to leave the A650 IS at home as my wife uses the A650 for snap shots or small videos of our young daughter through out the day.

The problem is the world of Canon PowerShots has changed a great deal since 2007 and it hasn’t changed much at all. I’ve looked at buying a new G-series for myself several times. But the feature set of the A650 IS has kept me from pulling the trigger, it’s such a great little camera that if I add yet another PowerShot to our stable I’d like the camera to be even more special. Perhaps the new S90 and G11 will change that for me, but until I get to spend more time with either the A650 IS will be my non-SLR of choice. The camera is no longer sold new by Canon; however, if you are looking for a top-line A series I would suggest you look no further then to find one of these used.

If you do buy one used be sure to check for the service notice. Some early A650 IS models had a light leak on the case, ours did. And Canon will repair the case free of charge. The service center for PowerShot models is in IL, so I was lucky enough to walk ours in for service.

[Minniesmum]

Nice overview-I have this camera and use it nearly every day- in fact more than my DSLR. Stilll trying to figure out how to install CHDK to enable Raw and other functions...

[MrChad]

Nice overview-I have this camera and use it nearly every day- in fact more than my DSLR. Stilll trying to figure out how to install CHDK to enable Raw and other functions...

I've not yet tried to install the CHDK, I'm afraid of messing up the camera. We use ours a good bit as well. Though to be honest I'm not sure how much more useful RAW would be for noise. For challenging WB I currently use a WiBal pocket card as needed indoors.

[Minniesmum]

I know what you mean about messing up the camera by trying to install CHDK. Ive given up as I couldnt even make the SD card bootable.... I like this cam so much would be a shame to change it.

[seadude]

I got the a650 since 2007 from costco and I love it, use it all the time between me and my wife... the 1/1.7 ccd is huge for compact camera...and iso400 performance is quite good. just recently I upgraded to GF1 and wife now leave the a650 in her purse all the time.

btw, where can I get some more info about CHDK. Thanks.

[MrChad]

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

[MrChad]

Well, she died after a trip to Europe and back the lens fails to retract now. Fault error. A canon online estimate is $99 minimum to repair. I think I'll let her die, she was a trooper for the last four years.

This was my wife's camera and with a new G12 running almost $500 now. I think we will be looking for a new budget DSLR for her.

[Phoenixkh]

My wife "inherited" my A640 a few years ago. Someone on a bicycle knocked it out her hand while she was taking a photo and damaged it. I sent it off to Canon for repair and they lost it. My mistake for sending it in for repair right after Christmas.

It's already a long story but... to make it shorter, I ended up buying a G12 for my camera and found a used A640 for my wife. We are both taking great photos and are having a blast.

So not quite an A650 story... but close.

[HyperYagami]

Well, she died after a trip to Europe and back the lens fails to retract now. Fault error. A canon online estimate is $99 minimum to repair. I think I'll let her die, she was a trooper for the last four years.

This was my wife's camera and with a new G12 running almost $500 now. I think we will be looking for a new budget DSLR for her.

obviously a nice candidate for CLP.

[MrChad]

I've already ordered the replacement for the camera, this was my wife's actually so it is being replaced with a Nikon D3100. She wanted a starter DSLR this go around, something small, and I wasn't too impressed with the current Rebel T3 for the coin.

How does one go about CLP on a 4 year old P&S? I have CPS but that doesn't cover a P&S.

[HyperYagami]

How does one go about CLP on a 4 year old P&S? I have CPS but that doesn't cover a P&S.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=948785

[MrChad]

Thank you HyperYagami,

I called Canon CLP a few weeks back they offered few refurb. choices at the time, my only real option was an SX120 IS for around $120. I wasn't thrilled by this camera as a substitute for the A650 IS, perhaps the noise and such is better on the newer P&S but I have a feeling it's not. They could have also offered a refurb. G11 but they didn't have any in-stock, and an S90 wasn't an option I was told.

Anyhow, after having the A650 IS setting in my office for a few weeks now I bit the bullet and mailed her off to Canon for repair. Time to wait and see if it can be fixed.

The PowerShot repair center is now in Newport News VA. Hope the recent fire damage isn't an issue. :)

The wife now has her own DSLR so this puppy will be my pocket camera if it can be repaired.

[MrChad]

Surprisingly Canon still stocks A650 IS parts :D IT LIVES AGAIN!

I sent our broken A650 IS in for repair near the end of the July for a lens fault error per the above thread. The camera showed up at my office yesterday with a brand new lens unit working perfectly from Canon's VA center, $99 bucks later.

Awesome, no need to upgrade for a G-series just yet - sorry Canon. I was able the check the shutter count (picture actuations) per a CDHK link. I was shocked the old lens failed to retract with just under 3000 actuations on the camera. Seems pretty low to me, I hope the repair lasts more then 3000 snaps the second time around.

Anyone ever use the CDHK RAW hacks, can one really load the RAW files in a program like Aperture or LightRoom as if the camera really had RAW like a G9?

[denncald]

I don't use CHDK, but lots of other Powershot users have. I assume someone with actual experience will get around to posting an answer. In the meantime, here is information from the CHDK site;

Activate RAW
Go Record mode.
Press Alt.
Press Menu
Highlight Save RAW.
Press FUNC SET and you'll see this [•]
Press Alt for exit.
Your screen will now show 'RAW' and a number. This number is the amount of RAW shots that you could take with your available free card space. Note that this number is far below the number of normal shots that Canon info tells you is possible, since RAW files are larger. Trust the CHDK number now.
CHDK RAW in the real World
CHDK generates a 10 bit non standard RAW file; few commercial programs support this format yet. But you can always convert your CHDK_RAW files to a standard DNG or TIFF file by using this program: DNG4PS-2 and read DNG4PS2 for more information. If you don't have any preference yet, give PhotoLine a try, it already supports CHDK_RAW files. Lately, some people have proclaimed good results with Raw Therapee and UFRaw
Latest version of XnView also supports CHDK's RAW.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_for_Dummies (scroll down to find the above info)

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK (CHDK Homepage)

Dennis

[MrChad]

Wow, that looks like a lot of extra work just to de-code a powershot RAW file for use in Aperture or LR. I think I'll just shoot a Super Fine L-JPEG and hope I expose for the highlights and white balance properly. :D

[Jon]

I believe that people have had success just using ACR from within PhotoShop or LR to open the CHDK RAW files, same as with CR2, NIF or other RAW formats.

[MrChad]

I finally gave it go and downloaded and ran the CDHK from my SD card on the A650 IS. I was unable to get either file extension .CRW or .CR2 to load from this camera in either PS CS5.5 or Aperture 3.0. So to have to download another RAW developer just for these files is counter productive toward the work flow I have today with my other cameras.

I'm also not terribly happy with having to reload CDHK every time I power-off my camera. The battery level hack was nice and having access to the shutter count was cool but that's about it. The other features more like gimmicks then useful add ons.

I'm going to pass on using CDHK as a tool for now, perhaps if the PowerShot was my only camera but it's not.

[MrChad]

I'm going to have to change my opinion of CDHK 100% now. I was able to find a menu option for setting the RAW files to save as .DNG (Adobe files). Wow, that finally works for opening the photos in PS CS5.5. - it took some work to get it to function however.

The added amount of detail you can extract from the files is pretty impressive, especially at the higher ISO. Noise is still there but you can clean it up pretty well compared to the JPEG's quite nicely. I'm going to have to flip-flop 100% and say CDHK is very much a worth while upgrade on the A650 IS provided you can get it to work.

I have found a few glitches in my case though.
First, it won't work in the SCN mode such as ISO3200 the file is corrupted.
Second, it takes a long time to save a DNG file, if speed is needed after you take your shot skip using the CDHK option.
Third, it was very glitchy for me to get it to work on the card, I can't lock the card per the Wiki but I did get it to work. I also have to manually delete the RAW files - you can't format the card with the hackware on it else you loose the hack. And delete all files only erases the JPEG's not the DNG-RAW files.

Else, if you want to extract more detail/IQ from the A650 IS the hack is useful but not without issue. Like I said, it's buggy.

The files also are too corrupted-buggy to work in Apple's Aperture 3.0 which is a bummer it's my main program for workflow. I'll assume the files will open in LR since they open PS/Adobe RAW.

Regards.

[denncald]

You might also see if Adobe's DNG converter can change it to a standard DNG, then you would be able to use it in Aperture...maybe.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/extend.displayTab2.html

Dennis

[MrChad]

You might also see if Adobe's DNG converter can change it to a standard DNG, then you would be able to use it in Aperture...maybe.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/extend.displayTab2.html

Dennis

I believe this is only supported if the Camera has an actual native RAW format. Since the A650 IS (CDHK) is not a real RAW format per se it won't be convertable.

As I've said I have no issue opening the files in PS CS5 from the card itself, I just can't import the files to Aperture 3 for direct use. I'll just stick with using the DNG RAW hack selectively as needed for detail/IQ shots. The A650 IS isn't my go to camera just my pocket camera.

[j0sephchan]

I just saw one used in a store for $60. How does this shoot compared with the sx130? Can anyone out there post some comparison pics?

[MrChad]

For $60 buy it you could resell this camera to someone like KEH or Adorama and turn a profit regardless.