Canon PowerShot A650 Wide Angle Samples
Some may find the 35mm wide end of the Canon Powershot A650 limiting, but with the quick-change bayonet mount, adding a wide converter only takes seconds. With a wide conversion lens you can easily change the existing 35mm to as wide as 23.1mm. (To calculate the effect a wide converter will have on the A650, multiply the power of the conversion lens by the focal length of the A650s lens - i.e. the Raynox 6600 is .66x, multiply .66 x 35mm = 23.1mm.)
The Canon A650 has a focal range of 7.4mm to 44.4mm, or the 35mm film equivalent of 35mm to 210mm. The camera records actual focal length, a number between 7.4mm and 44.4mm To convert actual focal length to film equivalent, multiply by 4.73. We've listed focal lengths in 35mm film equivalents because that's what most users are familiar with.
The Canon A650 wide-angle samples below were taken using the Lensmate 58mm lens adapter and a variety of wide converters. The first image shows the full wide setting, and the second shows the lens at the full telephoto end of the zoom to show how the conversion lens performs as a zoom lens. (With the exception of the Sony and Raynox .66x lenses, see explanation with respective samples below).
We used architecture for the sample shots to show barrel distortion clearly. This is a worst case scenario for wide angle converters. In a natural landscape setting, even the worst barrel distortion may go unnoticed. Additionally, this type of barrel distortion can be usually be corrected in post processing if necessary.
These samples were taken with the Canon G7 since the Canon A650IS and the Canon G7/9 have identical built-in lenses.
A650 Native Wide (no conversion lens) Click on any thumb to see full size image |
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A650 native wide |
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A650 and Raynox HD-7000PRO .7x 58mm This new Raynox converter is an excellent match for the A650. While the Canon converter just edges it out for corner sharpness, it's got a lot going for it. Full zoom range without vignetting, lower barrel distortion and a wider field of view than the Canon lens, as well as being lighter and more compact.Has front thread (82mm) for filters. There will be a small amount of vignetting when Click on any thumb to see full size image |
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Raynox HD-7000PRO .7x |
Raynox HD-7000PRO .7x |
A650 and Canon WC-DC58B .75x 58mm This is the converter designed for the A650. Very good overall image quality. Click on any thumb to see full size image |
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Canon WC-DC58B .75x |
Canon WC-DC58B .75x |
A650 and Raynox HD-6600PRO .66x 58mm The Raynox HD 6600PRO 58, though not without limitations, has some advantages over the others that makes it an attractive option. Even though there is some vignetting at the full wide setting, it disappears in one zoom step away from full wide, which is still wider than the Canon and Sony lenses and about the same as the Raynox HD 7000PRO. The lowest barrel distortion of the group makes it the best candidate for architectural work. It's also the lightest (half the weight of the Canon) and most compact. 6.9 oz. See more below. Click on any thumb to see full size image |
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Raynox 6600 58mm .66x |
Raynox 6600 58mm .66x |
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The image left shows max zoom with the converter attached. Though you probably wouldn't mount a wide converter to use the telephoto end of the zoom, the zoom lens of the A650 will contact the rear element of the HD 6600PRO if fully zoomed to telephoto.
Though built-in safety features shut down the camera when this occurs, and the contact is between the plastic surrounding the front of the zoom lens and rear element of the 6600, you should avoid this "crash" if possible. Has filter threads, though filters will cause vignetting at full wide setting. |
Raynox 6600 58mm .66x |
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A650 and Sony VCL-DH0758 58mm .75x The Sony falls somewhere in the middle of pack - decent image quality, slightly more barrel distortion than the others. Click on any thumb to see full size image |
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Sony VCL-DH0758 58mm .75x |
Sony VCL-DH0758 58mm .75x |
