Canon EOS 650D Review: The Ultimate DSLR Camera for Photography Enthusiasts

The Canon EOS 650D is a powerful DSLR camera with advanced features and exceptional image quality. This camera is designed for photography enthusiasts who are looking for a professional-grade device that delivers high-quality images and videos. In this comprehensive review, we'll take a closer look at the Canon EOS 650D and its key features.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Canon EOS 650D article cover photo

Key Features

Aug 20 2012

Announced

18 megapixels

Resolution

BrandCanon
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight575g
MSRP$849USD

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Overview of the EOS 650D

If you're an avid photographer, you know that finding the perfect camera is crucial. The Canon EOS 650D is an excellent choice for those who want to take their skills to the next level. This powerful DSLR camera is equipped with advanced features that allow you to capture stunning images and videos. From its high-resolution sensor to its fast autofocus system, the Canon EOS 650D is a true gem in the world of photography. In this review, we'll explore the key features of this camera and why it's a top choice for photography enthusiasts.

Canon EOS 650D Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Canon EOS 650D camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High resolution APS-C sensor
Fast autofocus system
Vari-angle touchscreen LCD display
Full HD video recording
Low-light performance
Compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses
User-friendly menus
Compact and lightweight design
Built-in wireless connectivity

Cons

No weather sealing
Limited dynamic range
No headphone jack for audio monitoring
Slightly outdated image processor
Video recording limited to 29 minutes and 59 seconds
Higher price point compared to entry-level DSLRs
No option for in-camera image stabilization
Limited ISO range compared to newer models

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Canon EOS 650D

Weather sealed
Dimensions133 x 100 x 79mm
Weight575g
Thickness79mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Canon EOS 650D is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderOptical (pentamirror)
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Canon EOS 650D very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

EOS 650D includes a optical (pentamirror) viewfinder with no electronic viewfinder of resolution with a coverage of 95% and a magnification of 0.53x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Canon EOS 650D has a 18MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 18 pixels. Canon EOS 650D has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Aug 20 2012

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 25600
Max resolution5184 x 3456 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

62 / 102

Color Depth

21.7 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

11.2 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

722 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Canon EOS 650D camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the EOS 650D is below average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life440 shots
Battery ModelLP-E8
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Canon EOS 650D supports SD/SDHC/SDXC with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Canon EOS 650D uses the LP-E8 model of battery pack. This is rated for 440 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Canon EOS 650D has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Canon EOS 650D boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Canon EOS 650D includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 9 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Canon EOS 650D?

The Canon EOS 650D features a CMOS sensor

Is the Canon EOS 650D weather sealed?

No the EOS 650D does not have weather sealing.

When was the Canon EOS 650D announced?

The Canon EOS 650D was announced on Aug 20 2012

Does the Canon EOS 650D have in-body image stabilization?

No the EOS 650D does not have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Canon EOS 650D?

The EOS 650D has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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