Auto Mode (7.5)
With the exposure mode dial set to AUTO, the camera controls all exposure parameters using evaluative metering. The user has very little control, being able to influence or select only the high ISO, self timer, flash off, display modes, resolution and compression, and the AF frame mode (including Face Detection). This is “point-and-shoot” at its purest.
With the exposure mode dial set to P (“Program AE”), the camera again tries to set all exposure parameters. However, in this mode it allows more influence from the user, who can additionally set the exposure compensation, ISO, white balance, drive mode, picture color effects, flash compensation, program shift, AE and FE Lock, manual focus, flash modes, and AF frame mode.
Movie Mode (7.0)
The Movie mode is accessed by the mode dial. It records Motion JPEG images and WAVE monaural audio to an AVI video file, for up to 60 minutes or 4 GB or until the memory is full.
The basic movie resolution is 640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second (fps). A smaller 320 x 240 mode is also available at 30 fps. The 160 x 120 mode is geared toward producing short, small e-mail-friendly videos.
Control options available in Movie mode include white balance, self-timer, and My Colors. Optical and digital zoom are both disabled in the Movie mode, which means you’ll have to physically move closer to your subjects for close-ups.
In Playback mode, movies can be reviewed with VCR-like control. Clips can be played back in slow motion or by frame.
Given the limitations of digital cameras (internal microphone, limited memory, limited formats, low video and audio compression, etc.) you are not going to film the Great American Movie with this camera. Get a real digital camcorder for that. This is for hacks, viral videos, and vacation footage.
Overall, the Canon PowerShot A650 IS’s Movie mode offers a lot of control, but could be improved by allowing for optical zoom.
Drive / Burst Mode (5.75)
In Continuous Drive mode, the camera can take up to 1.2 fps (Large Fine quality) if the shutter button is held down. The flash is functional, which is a plus, but the frame rate is very slow. The 12-megapixel Fujifilm F50fd offers a snappier 2 fps rate.
The camera offers 2-second, 10-second, and customizable self-timers.
Playback Mode (7.0)
The Playback mode is accessed by pushing the switch on the camera’s back to the blue arrow icon. The Playback mode offers a variety of display, editing, and organizing options. The menus are as follows:
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Playback menu
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Auto Play
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Plays a slideshow of the images
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Red-Eye Correction
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Corrects red-eye
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Resize
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Reduces image size: 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480, 320 x 240
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Sound Memo
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Adds sound to a selected image
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Protect
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Prevents image from being deleted
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Rotate
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Rotates images either 90 or 270 degrees
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Erase all
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Erases all images on the memory card
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Transfer Order
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Select images to be transferred to the computer
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Transition
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Applies transitions to slideshow
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Direct Print menu
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Print
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Select Images & Qty.
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Set number of images to be printed
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Select All Images
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Set one print per image
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Clear All Selections
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Clear selections
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Print Settings
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Set specific print settings
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Setup menu
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Mute
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On, Off
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Volume
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Adjust the volume for various camera operations
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Start-up Image
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On, Off
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Power Saving
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Date/Time
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Set the date and time
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Format
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Format the memory card
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File Numbering
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Continuous, Auto reset
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Create Folder
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Specify when the camera should create folders
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Auto Rotate
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On, Off
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Distance Units
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m/cm, ft/in
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Lens Retract
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0 sec., 1 min.
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Language
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Select language
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Video System
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NTSC, PAL
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Print Method
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Reset All…
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Reset settings to default
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There are four display options when the camera is in Playback mode: image only, standard (the default), detailed, and focus check.
The standard display shows basic information overlaid on the selected image. Clockwise from the top right, this information includes: a ratio showing the relative position of the current image within the total number of images in memory; the image’s frame number; the date and timestamp of the image; and the image resolution and compression quality.
In the detailed display, the image is shown at reduced size in the top left of the screen. A histogram appears below it, which shows the brightness distribution within the image. An icon identifying the image resolution and compression quality appears at the lower left. A more complete set of image information is displayed along the right margin: a ratio showing the relative position of the current image within the total number of images in memory; the image’s frame number; the shutter speed and aperture at which the picture was taken; the amount of exposure and flash compensation applied; the white balance setting; the file size, number of pixels, and image dimensions; and the date and timestamp of the image.
The focus check display shows the selected at reduced size at the top left, with a small center rectangle outlined. This center rectangle is shown magnified at the bottom right. The relative position of the frame within the total number of frames in memory is shown as a ratio at the top right. An icon identifying the image resolution and compression quality is at the bottom left. Pressing the zoom lever enters a mode where the magnified view can be resized and repositioned within the overall image. The enlarged view is made bigger. The zoom lever allows you to zoom it in and out, and the outline rectangle in the overview image expands and contracts to show the size of the enlarged view within it. The arrow keys on the navigation ring allow the enlarged view to be moved around within the overall image. Pressing the menu key exits this navigable and zoomable magnified view.
When the jump button is pressed in Playback mode, an onscreen control pops up that allows one to skip through images. By using up and down arrows on the navigation ring, one can choose to jump over the next 10 images, or 100 images, or to the first image of the next shooting date, or to the first image in the next folder, or to the next movie (if any). Pressing the left and right arrows on the navigation ring executes the selected jump. A bar graph in the control shows the relative position of the current image within the overall set of images in memory. Pressing the menu key removes the control from the display.
Images can be displayed individually or in groups of nine and magnified up to 10x to check for focus and fine details. When displayed with focus check, frames appear around faces so users can easily magnify each face to check for focus and closed eyes.
The auto play option in the playback menu shows images in a slideshow. Audio can be added to the selected image by choosing the sound memo option from the menu.
Movies can be reviewed with VCR-like control, including slow motion and ability to view movies frame by frame.
Custom Image Presets (7.75)
The 12 preset image modes, in the Scene or Image Zone, are selected via the Record mode dial. Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, and Kids and Pets are located on the mode dial. The remaining Scene modes are accessed by turning the mode dial to the SCN position. They are: Night, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, and ISO 3200.
The Canon A650 IS provides basic Scene modes as well as a few fun extras, such as Foliage and Aquarium. Though some cameras offer more, this cameras offers plenty to choose from.
