Nice camera, but....

[axlastro]

I really wanted to like this camera, but there are a few really bad issues with it that spoil it.

1. Af is not accurate with faster glass - everything under 2.8 is a hit and miss with this camera, even in perfect light and center point at the eye of the model, it can misfocus pretty easily. Other people I know had the same issues.

2. The grip has started to turn white after just 6 months. That's really bad...

3. The battery life is just terrible. I need a spare or a grip...

4. The controls are awkwardly placed - it's a rebel!!!

5. The ergonomy is not very good for prolonged use.

6. High ISO performance and DR could be better

Now the good:

1. Canon colors !

2. Good LV focusing speed for portraits when you can't rely on the inaccurate PDAF

3. Nice screen. Touch is not such a big thing, but the screen quality is amasing. Still images viewed on it seem softer than on monitor.

4. Relatively silent shutter.

5. More compact and lighter than other cameras in it's class, at the expense of ergonomy though...

 

[brightcolours]

I really wanted to like this camera, but there are a few really bad issues with it that spoil it.

1. Af is not accurate with faster glass - everything under 2.8 is a hit and miss with this camera, even in perfect light and center point at the eye of the model, it can misfocus pretty easily. Other people I know had the same issues.

You actually should write (because that is the case): "with the faster than f2.8 lenses that I used, AF was hit and miss. That probably was due to the particular lenses I used."

And then usually the lens is to blame.

So, which lenses did you actually use that had problems?

2. The grip has started to turn white after just 6 months. That's really bad...

Uhmmmm.... The issue was acknowledged by Canon soon after it hit the market, and they offered a free fixing service for it. Can't blame Canon for you not getting the camera serviced for free, can you?

3. The battery life is just terrible. I need a spare or a grip...

4. The controls are awkwardly placed - it's a rebel!!!

5. The ergonomy is not very good for prolonged use.

6. High ISO performance and DR could be better

Now the good:

1. Canon colors !

2. Good LV focusing speed for portraits when you can't rely on the inaccurate PDAF

3. Nice screen. Touch is not such a big thing, but the screen quality is amasing. Still images viewed on it seem softer than on monitor.

4. Relatively silent shutter.

5. More compact and lighter than other cameras in it's class, at the expense of ergonomy though...

Explain which cameras in its class have better "ergonomics".

 

[axlastro]

I have tried six different copies of 85 1.8, one 50 1.8, sigma 30 1.4 art, canon 50 1.4 and even had some issues with canon 100 2.8 macro.

It is quite possible that's some unfortunate case, but that's my experience.

The white grip - I need to take it to service, but still pretty annoying, don't you think?

Ergonomics, well you got me on this one ,but I think that some Pentax models feel a bit better. They do have their shortcomings though.

 

[Hombre de Maiz]

I disagree with all six items. The 650D is a very competent camera. This, from one who owns a 6D also.

 

[Hombre de Maiz]

I have tried six different copies of 85 1.8, one 50 1.8, sigma 30 1.4 art, canon 50 1.4 and even had some issues with canon 100 2.8 macro.

It is quite possible that's some unfortunate case, but that's my experience.

The white grip - I need to take it to service, but still pretty annoying, don't you think?

Ergonomics, well you got me on this one ,but I think that some Pentax models feel a bit better. They do have their shortcomings though.

Did it occur to you that the camera is faulty?

 

[Digirame]

The white grip was a bad situation. It wasn't too long that Canon upgraded to the Canon T5i (700D) with only a few changes (as far as I know without any white grip issues). Do you think you would have not been so harsh with your review if there wasn't a white grip problem? The white grip was because of the chemical zinc bis (N,N’-dimethyldithiocarbamate). You can read about it on the internet.

Some cameras were recalled for repair. Why don't you check into it and see if your camera can be fixed or replaced without any charge? Canon asks that you submit your serial number so that you can see if your camera was one of those affected units.

 

[Digirame]

Also note that many people who shoot wide open with a very shallow depth of field, don't know what they are doing and blame the camera. We've heard about it too often, so I'm skeptical. I'm not saying your camera or lenses aren't faulty, just that I'm not confident that it's a camera or lens problem unless you demonstrate it with a series of controlled tests.

 

[karl mohr]

I've never noticed any kind of a problem with battery life either. It seems to last forever on a charge. My T3i seems a little harder on the battery.

 

[Digirame]

Snapsort says that the battery life of the Canon T2i (550D) to Canon T4i (650D) is all the same at 440 shots per battery charge. The Canon T5i (700D) is at 550 shots per battery charge. For me, with the two Canon T2i (550D) cameras that I have, I can take about 880 pictures. If I wanted to take more than that, I'd just bring another battery or the battery charger. On vacation, I just bring one of my battery chargers and I can take thousands of pictures. The battery has never been an issue for me.

When we take hundreds and hundreds of photos, think of all that post processing. Sometimes we might just hope that the battery would just die.

 

[Hombre de Maiz]

I iwn the battery grip and an additional battery. I am selling both items because battery life of one in-body battery is more than enough.

 

[R2D2]

I have tried six different copies of 85 1.8, one 50 1.8, sigma 30 1.4 art, canon 50 1.4 and even had some issues with canon 100 2.8 macro.

It is quite possible that's some unfortunate case, but that's my experience.

The white grip - I need to take it to service, but still pretty annoying, don't you think?

Ergonomics, well you got me on this one ,but I think that some Pentax models feel a bit better. They do have their shortcomings though.

Did it occur to you that the camera is faulty?

+1 No issues in any of these areas with my 650D either. You should try to get it repaired/exchanged while you can.

R2

 

[Jeff Peterman]

People also underestimate the size of the focusing region and think that just because the center of the focusing box is on the target then the high contrast zone in front of/behind the target and at the edge of the focusing box won't have any effect. For example, you could set the center of the focus box on someone's eye and have the camera "see" the edge of the ear instead, so the focus is on the ear. Not an issue at f5.6 (except with a very long lens) but a big issue at f1.8 or so.

 

[karl mohr]

I think I can get well over 440 shots with any of my Rebels. When I went on a cruise in February I brought my T4i and my T2i and 2 extra batteries. I took well over 1200 photos between the 2 cameras and never had to change batteries in either camera. I dont use live view very much, or very little in the way of video. Any flash shots were with the 430 EX II.

 

[axlastro]

You can see my samples here. Anyone interested - I will send you a zip with all the pictures so you can check yourselves.

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

I just checked and my camera is NOT affected by the white grip problem, but my grips are still turning white, so where is your GOD now?

And have you eve bothered to read the DPREVIEW review on the 70D, where they test it with an 85 1.8 and the focus was way off. That's exactly what I saw with a brand new 70D in the shop.

I went outside, golden hour with soft but sufficent light. Yeah, not tripod used, but I do have steady hands. Sure, some shots may target the eyebrow and eyes so the camera might decide to focus on the eyebrow, but it's not in focus either.

As I told you, I tested two different 650D cameras and one 70D, and some folks I know have complained too, so if you are shooting at F2.8 or higher - don't worry, you won't notice the error, I agree that most portraits are shot at 5.6 or lower, but that's when you have controllled lighting. Try shooting in the shade, available light only at F4 and your ISO might go upto 1600.

The focusing system on the 650D and aparrently on the 70D, save for live view focusing, which somehwhat compensates, is not up to the task. Probably lens with higher levels of CA tend to confuse the camera's AF system. I will get mine checked and If I'm wrong, I will correct my review, but still - probably waiting a month for service and I'm not even sure they will actually fix it, knowing our local service center... Canon's AF system is not that good, and we must admit it. Their colors reproduction and lens quality on the other hand are a reason to stay, for now...

 

[Jeff Peterman]

OK, based on your comments I just did a quick test with my SL1 (100D), which has the most basic focusing mechanism of the current Canon cameras. I used an 85mm f1.8 at f1.8 and ISO 1600. I'm in my office, so I just looked for a busy view that had a lot of depth and a lot of things that could incorrectly grab focus, and took the shot at about the range I would be for a portrait with this lens. It worked perfectly. This is not a built in flaw of the lens with current Canon cameras - either you have a bad body or a bad lens (or a technique issue).




I focused on the large M that spells Mill. No indication of back/front focusing, and the focus spot is pretty sharp.





--
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Not a staff member, or paid employee, of DPReview.
Any insults, implied anger, bad grammar and bad spelling, are entirely unintentionalal. Sorry.
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[Steve-P]

I believe the OP uses "Live View" a lot. At least he says that's why the battery life sucks.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53708935

If I remember correctly focusing in "Live View" is not the best with any lens?

Steve

 

[R2D2]

The focusing system on the 650D and aparrently on the 70D, save for live view focusing, which somehwhat compensates, is not up to the task.

My experience is diametrically opposite of yours with both of these cameras (having put tens of thousands of shots through each), and with all manner of lenses and conditions. As I mentioned before, there must be something wrong with the bodies and/or lenses you tested. Those results just don't jive with what I get day in and day out.

I will get mine checked and If I'm wrong, I will correct my review, but still - probably waiting a month for service and I'm not even sure they will actually fix it, knowing our local service center.

That is indeed a shame. I do feel bad that you have to go through it.

Canon's AF system is not that good, and we must admit it.

Again, that's a generalization that goes completely against what many here have experienced. What might be said is that some people are having some problems with some bodies. However a properly working body will indeed yield amazing results. I've personally been witness to that.

R2

 

[BarnET]

OK, based on your comments I just did a quick test with my SL1 (100D), which has the most basic focusing mechanism of the current Canon cameras.

However you used the centre af point which is also the more sensitive cross type variant.

I used an 85mm f1.8 at f1.8 and ISO 1600. I'm in my office, so I just looked for a busy view that had a lot of depth and a lot of things that could incorrectly grab focus,

A high contrast flat surface dead centre isn't really that hard to lock focus on.

and took the shot at about the range I would be for a portrait with this lens. It worked perfectly. This is not a built in flaw of the lens with current Canon cameras - either you have a bad body or a bad lens (or a technique issue).

It can indeed be a lens or camera calibration issue. However 1 of these issues is not user error.

With the 650d you simply have less options to focus on then with for instance the d5200.

That means less recomposing and less chance for missed focus due to technique. Still I do think the op is making an elephant of a minor issue here.

I focused on the large M that spells Mill. No indication of back/front focusing, and the focus spot is pretty sharp.

--

Jeff Peterman, Moderator 7D and Phone/Tablet forums.
Not a staff member, or paid employee, of DPReview.
Any insults, implied anger, bad grammar and bad spelling, are entirely unintentionalal. Sorry.
www.pbase.com/jeffp25
www.jeffp25.smugmug.com

 

[BarnET]

I believe the OP uses "Live View" a lot. At least he says that's why the battery life sucks.

That's a good find. All camera's have poor battery life in live view though.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53708935

If I remember correctly focusing in "Live View" is not the best with any lens?

Unless you have an proper mirror less or a 70d, It will fail reliably.

Steve

--
http://www.pbase.com/steve_p/galleries

 

[BarnET]

The focusing system on the 650D and aparrently on the 70D, save for live view focusing, which somehwhat compensates, is not up to the task.

The 70d used the af system of the 7d. Which is known to be rather excellent. It was regarded as either the best or second best for apsc. The other is the system of the d300s now found in the d7100.

Or it's typo that you meant 700d but then the live view statement makes no sense.

My experience is diametrically opposite of yours with both of these cameras (having put tens of thousands of shots through each), and with all manner of lenses and conditions. As I mentioned before, there must be something wrong with the bodies and/or lenses you tested. Those results just don't jive with what I get day in and day out.

I will get mine checked and If I'm wrong, I will correct my review, but still - probably waiting a month for service and I'm not even sure they will actually fix it, knowing our local service center.

That is indeed a shame. I do feel bad that you have to go through it.

Canon's AF system is not that good, and we must admit it.

Again, that's a generalization that goes completely against what many here have experienced. What might be said is that some people are having some problems with some bodies. However a properly working body will indeed yield amazing results. I've personally been witness to that.

R2

--
Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
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