For my uses, the 12.1 MP sensor, and the 6x optical zoom, can get good images.
                     "The best camera is the one I have with me."
                Some Pros:
  -|  Custom mode lets you save favorite settings - on the mode dial.
  -|  Manual Focus is excellent.
  -|  The large LCD screen turns for ground level, waist height or overhead shooting.
  -|  Just small enough to carry in a belt case.   So it is a handy, practical and a quality camera.
                Some Cons:
  -|  The LCD screen and info can be very hard to view in full bright sunlight.

        This Canon is just small enough to carry all the time.  I use a soft, small water bottle belt pouch from a trail shop, without the bottle.  Absolutely no protection from bumps; however very handy.  And I removed the "Trim Ring" to make the camera a wee bit smaller.  The A650 has a 6X (35-210mm) optical zoom, 12.1 megapixel image sensor and a good macro mode.  The Auto ISO works OK from 80 - 1600; and can be changed via a button.  Pictures with ISO 400 or less, and even 800, can work well.  Any slight noise cleans up well with my Noiseware Standard.  I've gotten some unique images with this camera and have sometimes been amazed when it handles light very well.  I'm sold on the subtle advances in the technology of how it operates.  The zoom control lever is still operated by the shutter finger.  I find the buttons useful and practical - by mostly touch alone.  Having to use the LCD for most shots was an adjustment for me.  Except in full very bright sunshine, the "flip" LDC works fine.  The open LCD also aids additional stability of holding the camera.  The "toy" viewfinder does work OK when necessary. Such as aiming and shooting very quickly.  Like all digital cameras I've had, you must figure out what the A650 can and cannot do; to get good images.

        An optional lens adapter is available for a tele-convertor lens or for a wide angle lens.  But my goal is to keep this camera simple and use it only as it is.  So nice that the lens is protected automatically when the camera is turned off.  This is the first small camera I found with enough quality to buy it.  I still take many digital shots because some are always better than others.

 I carry and use this handy A650 routinely as my main camera.  The "super fine" best quality images are 4000 x 3000 pixels.  A Sandisk Extreme III 4GB SDHC card holds 756 of those full sized shots.  These Extreme cards come with a handy pouch for SD cards, but I say it's a perfect size for holding 4 AA spares and one SDHC card.  The pouch is easy to carry in a pocket when you need to.

Reviews of the Canon Powershot A650 IS: Review - DigitalCameraReview.com   |||  DigitalCameraInfo.com   |||  Steve's Digicams   |||   C/Net Reviews.com

Almost Every Digital Photo Can Use Some Enhancing.
Even if you think it looks good, it can often look much better.

Read Reviews Before You Buy and Notice the "Conclusions".
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/

     To help you narrow the choice of so many cameras and features...
See - The Best Cameras - Reviewed by Steve's Digicams
"... in terms of resolution, image quality and overall bang for the buck." http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

And consider these main points...
1) Physical camera size. If too small it may sacrifice quality pictures, with a smaller image sensor. But can be very handy to carry.
2) Megapixels and Image Sensor.  8Mp's is usually good.  But, a good image sensor is key to quality pictures.
3) Optical Zoom -- Digital zoom is still not practical to use in most cases.  Decide by optical zoom.
4) Battery life -- The type of rechargeable batteries you want.