Canon 650D

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Ollie
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Hi all,

My 650D arrived a few days ago and I havent really had the chance to test it properly, ive took a few photos just in the house and I have to say the images coming from it are very good; in terms of colour, detail, etc.

One issue im having though is how cheap and poorly made it feels, I know its supposed to be a lightweight and small body but it just feels really cheap to me but I cant put my finger on why. The buttons seem cheap when you press them, theres no resistances at all (im not sure if thats a bad thing or not) but it certainly feels different. The shutter sounds cheap, I dont really know how to explain it but it just sounds really plastic-y, similar to that of the mechanical shutter on my V1.

Im not too sure what to think of it, if it was cheap and it felt cheap that would be fine but its not that cheap at all! Its certainly more expensive than the Nikon equivalents (D3200 and D5100) which feel much better made and feel like they could take a bit of roughing up, not that I plan on doing it but it feels like a camera rather than a toy.

Anyone else think the same? Anyone think it matters much? It might be just because its different to what im used to?
 
I recently got a 650d and yes it is on the light side but for me that was what i was looking for. As for shutter noise I was used to the clunk on the old Nikon D100 I had borrowed and let me tell you that thing weighs more than the 650D with my 70-300 IS lens attached.

My only real gripe with it is the kit lens as that does feel really cheap and plasticy and would fall apart the first time you knock it. All that said thought i think i have taken over a 1000 photos with and its not put a foot wrong.
 
The kit lens if fine, its the second one if owned and is a decent performer. I think im used to Nikon bodies/lenses though as their lenses are much chunkier and feel better built.
With regards to the shutter it feels too snappy, I can feel it move my hand when I take a shot which normally isnt a huge issue but in low light it might be, with other cameras the shutter seemed kind of cushioned and a bit dampened which meant it was quieter too.
 
I've got a 5D MkIII and a 7d and I bought the wife a new 650D when they first came out and I don't find the 650 feels flimsy or cheap. The build quality isn't as good as the 5D MkIII, then again not a lot betters the 5D build, but the buttons feel similar to the 7D and the shutter sound is just a noise, who really cares what it sounds like. I've got my 5D MkIII on silent shutter and I like it that way.

I've used her 650D a few times and I really like it, if it had a rear dial and top screen I would have one instead of my 7D, the ISO handling is excellent and the Jpegs SOOC are superb quality.

I've never had a Nikon, but I've borrowed one for the odd time and while I don't remember the body number it didn't feel any better than the 550D I had at the time and certainly no better than the 650D. When I shoot with the 650D I usually turn the screen inwards though, and occasionally check the histagram, as I don't get on with the touchscreen very well. But that's only from lack of practice with using the screen and nothing to do with the screen itself.
 
I don't like the feel of the canon xxxd bodies at all, the low end Nikons definitely feel better built.

That said, the specs of the Canons is generally better, the devil is in the detail.

It seems Canon takes the build quality out to reach the cheap prices and Nikon sacrifice features.

At the end of the day it is a 'cheap' camera, they have to save the money somewhere, otherwise we'd all be walking around with £299 5d IIIs.
 
Not sure "build quality" can be compared to the "feel". The xxxD units certainly aren't fragile.
I've had a 450D with around 75,000 actuations, dropped, banged off walls, splashed with salt water and yes it LOOKS worn on the outside but still works fine.
500D ive had was similar
My current 550D has done about 20,000 and still fine.

All of that is in a desert and sea (including underwater) environment. They may not be as bomb proof as the top end ones but they're not fragile either.

(as to why i use the xxxD bodies, they're lighter, smaller for travelling, smaller in an underwater housing and that for me is very useful with the travelling i do with restrictive luggage and bag numbers).
 
Phil V said:
I don't like the feel of the canon xxxd bodies at all, the low end Nikons definitely feel better built.

That said, the specs of the Canons is generally better, the devil is in the detail.

It seems Canon takes the build quality out to reach the cheap prices and Nikon sacrifice features.

At the end of the day it is a 'cheap' camera, they have to save the money somewhere, otherwise we'd all be walking around with £299 5d IIIs.
Click to expand...

I guess this is right, I suppose corners have to be cut somewhere to make the lower models less expensive, I suppose I can't complain too much when image quality and features mean more to me than build quality. I look after all my gear anyway, if it was any tougher than I wouldn't look after it less. For me cost and performance are two big factors, one of the reasons I use Canon is because the lenses are cheaper. When comparing my Nikon 35mm f1.8 and Canon 50mm f1.8 you can see the extra ~£80 for the Nikon simply goes on better build quality; not worth it for me!
 
gnirtS said:
Not sure "build quality" can be compared to the "feel". The xxxD units certainly aren't fragile.
I've had a 450D with around 75,000 actuations, dropped, banged off walls, splashed with salt water and yes it LOOKS worn on the outside but still works fine.
500D ive had was similar
My current 550D has done about 20,000 and still fine.

All of that is in a desert and sea (including underwater) environment. They may not be as bomb proof as the top end ones but they're not fragile either.

(as to why i use the xxxD bodies, they're lighter, smaller for travelling, smaller in an underwater housing and that for me is very useful with the travelling i do with restrictive luggage and bag numbers).
Click to expand...

No need for the defensive, I'm not knocking them, but anyone who's handled low end Canons and Nikons can feel the difference. Two points of note here, I'd much rather have a cheaper feeling Canon than a Nikon if I had to be careful about what lenses I could use. And I've had a 300d from launch, not particularly well looked after but still looks great and works as well as it did when new.
 
I don't find my 650d to feel cheap or poorly built but I can see why people used to more solid materials would feel that way about newer/lighter materials.

The buttons feel fine to me, I don't really care how much resistance there is when I press them as long as they're responsive and they are.

As for the touchscreen... Every camera should have one imo and they probably will eventually. I don't want it to replace dials and buttons but it's an awesome addition to have.
 
DITTO to the above, my only gripe is it should have an electronic level. Mike
 
Just waiting for delivery of new 650D, after reading the above posts I hope I'm not going to be too disappointed with the build quality, the last EOS I owned was a 40D.
I've ordered it with the kit lens as it was only £40 more and I've never used any of the cheaper lenses so am quite intrigued as to what it can do :thumbs:

Looking at a Tamron 70-300 Vr to go with it atm
 
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