My friend just got the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, and wishes he’d saved a couple hundred bucks and gone with the 630. Picture quality is stellar, and the ginormous screen is obviously a plus.

This is a serious carry-everywhere-all-day camera and is the best in it’s size group. Size is important for a pocket camera where the SD700IS is 30% bigger and Sony W series 15~40% bigger. There are no IS cameras in the 65(630) camera size group.

The Canon Ixus Zoom control around the shutter release is PERFECT – so good that Sony is copying the design on the W series and Casio on the new Exlims. With the zoom there you can have a firm one right hand grip on the camera with 1 finger to zoom and take the shot.

On my Ixus500 and 40(300) the optical viewfinder just gathered dust and was never used – you dont need it in any light with the great screen on the 65(630)

The Battery cover is lightweight and better built than other cameras in this ultra compact size group – I have 2 batteries and go to the charger to swap them (not put the camera to bed). Cradles are for cameras you don’t use very often!

Those Scene Mode settings are for beginners or special occasions like when you put the underwater housing on and select “underwater” to go diving – who uses them every day? They are easily found off the function button (not the Menu)

In it’s features, quality and value for money in it’s class I give the Canon 65(630) a 9 out of 10.
* The photos could always be sharper
* The lens cover could have a better seal against pocket dust (although it is better than past Ixus)
* I want the front to be black to match the back.

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