Build and handling
To the eye, the EOS 650D appears very similar to the 600D. Both are made from a lightweight polycarbonate with a smooth exterior and compact build. Textured rubber grips are in all the right places for a secure hold, although I do find the main handgrip on the new camera a little shallow, and with a heavier lens attached it can be a little tiring to hold. As such, I would like to see a deeper grip and grooves for fingers. However, with the 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens attached (launched at the same time as the camera), the 650D is very well balanced.
For an upper-entry-level camera, the 650D packs a high number of direct controls on the top and rear of its body. By and large, the shooting modes on offer are there to see. Like most Canon DSLRs, the camera has a four-way D-pad instead of a control wheel, for white balance, AF, drive mode and picture style, while ISO has its own control on the top-plate. Exposure compensation is next to the thumb pad and when used with the top dial makes exposure adjustments very fast.
Rather than a scene mode menu, each of the seven scene types has its own place on the rather crowded shooting mode dial, along with PASM, no flash, auto and creative auto. This last option presents basic exposure controls in simple language for beginners, with a slider to adjust background blur, and direct control over flash, drive mode and picture style. The number of controls is rather limited and exposure selection is no quicker in this mode. It does, however, slim down the options in the main menu to make navigation quicker.
Being so like the 600D, it is easy to forget that the 650D’s LCD screen offers touch functionality. One can take it or leave it, although I find it very useful. For those who feel otherwise, the camera handles just as well as the 600D. The most noticeable difference between the two cameras is that the on/off switch now includes the option for the video mode, which on the 600D is on the shooting-mode dial. Also on the top of the 650D is a stereo mic, although its microphones are close together inside the flash-unit arms.
For compatible flashguns with a slave function, the built-in flash (GN 13m @ ISO 100) can be used as a Speedlite transmitter with a max sync of 1/200sec.
Images: This scene is captured using the 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens, which is capable of sharp results and capturing a high level of detail
