Buying Guides -> Hardware -> Digital Camera Best picks for DigicamsTeam CHIP | 03 June 2008 CHIP Best Performance May 2008
Casio Exilim EX-Z1000
Smaller than its predecessor, the EX-Z1000, which is claimed to be the world’s first pocket-sized 10 megapixel camera, the EX-Z1050 sports a large display screen at 2.6-inch. The display takes up most space at the rear leaving lesser space for the control panel. It has a 1/1.75 inch CCD which results in a 10.1 megapixel resolution. Sporting a 3x optical zoom and a rapid autofocus time of 0.13 seconds, it is the fastest in this category. It supports ISO speed ranging from 80 to 800—a good feature as speeds exceeding 400 result in very noisy images. The shutter speed ranges from 4 sec to 1/1000 sec and is adjusted automatically by the camera depending on the lighting conditions. Although you don’t have complete manual control over the exposure, you have the option to take your pick from 38 preset scene modes, depending on the subject and the lighting condition. The camera can capture seven images per second in burst mode—you won’t miss the perfect moment in an action scene. If you’re looking for style and stellar performance at the same time, this one is just right for you.
Price: Rs 16500 Contact: Casio India Pvt Ltd Phone: 011-41054330 Email- NA Warranty: 2 years
For: Stylish, good picture quality.
Against: No bundled memory.
CHIP Best Value 2008
Fujifilm Finepix F40fd
The F40fd is the first camera from Fujifilm’s Finepix range of cameras to feature a dual memory card slot, as it supports the popular SD card along with the xD-Picture card. The stylish, metal-and-plastic body camera features an 8.1 megapixel resolution sensor with a 3x optical zoom, a shutter speed of 1/2000 sec and ISO modes ranging from 100 to 1600. Manufactured without a manual mode, this camera is aimed at beginners who prefer compact point-and-shoot models. The camera has a large 2.5-inch LCD display and a shoot modes dial on the rear of the camera. Additional features include face detection.
The camera doesn’t suffer much from chromatic aberration which helps in good reproduction of colors with less fringing problems with objects in bright lighting. The macro mode is below average needing a minimum distance of 7 cm from the subject. All these and more combined with the performance and build quality compared to its price tag makes the Fujifilm FinePix F40fd take the Best Value award in the ultra-compact category.
Price: Rs 9500 Contact: Fuji Films India Pvt Ltd Phone: 0124-4325500 Email-kwada@fujifilms.com Warranty: 2 years
For: Dual memory card slot, good color reproduction.
CHIP Best Performance May 2008
Canon PowerShot G7
The Canon PowerShot G7—big brother to the G6—is a smart-looking camera, with a tough matte-black exterior made of metal and plastic. It’s lighter in weight and flaunts an array of upgrades to its predecessor. Some of them being; the Digic III processor, a wondrous 2 cm macro focus, a 10 MP 1/1.8-inch CCD, 6x optical zoom lens and optical image stabilization. Plus, the G7 is crowned with an ISO dial while the ISO lets you choose from a range of 80 to1600 for low-light conditions.
Although the G7 is a performer, it has its downsides, such as its price. At a whooping Rs 34,695, why wouldn’t someone buy an SLR camera as opposed to getting restricted to a digital one? Secondly, the G7 surprisingly doesn’t support RAW image format nor an optical zoom for the A/V shooting mode. If one has a thing for the user-friendly interface of digital cameras, then it’s better to opt for a mega zoom camera. All-in-all, there’s no doubt that the G7 performs well, but is it worth the buck, our answer is, ‘no’!
Price: Rs24000 Contact: J J Mehta & Sons Phone: 022-24302104 Email- info@jjmehta.com Warranty: 1 years
CHIP Best Value 2008
Kodak EasyShare C613
A very easy to use, slim and compact camera with a sufficiently large 2.4-inch TFT display, the Kodak EasyShare C613 digital camera wins the ‘Best Value’ award hands down. The reason—a good ratio of nice build quality, very good performance, decent ergonomics to the price. It is the cheapest 6.1 megapixel camera in the mainstream category, selling at a mere Rs 5,499. It has programmable mode options with 17 different scene modes. Another good feature is that it has all three metering options (Matrix, center weight, and spot metering). You can record videos with audio; however it does not have a TV out feature. An advantage of this camera is the option of using AA size batteries, unlike other cameras which have a built-in chargeable battery which requires you to carry a bulky charger. Also, the flash recharging time is pretty fast. The minimum distance required from the subject in macro mode is 13 cm which is inconvenient when clicking object close-ups. So if you are looking for a very basic point-and-shoot camera for casual photography during family trips and parties, this is the cheapest option.
Price: Rs 5499 Contact: Kodak India Ltd Phone: 1800-22-4949 Email- contactindia@kodak.com Warranty: 1 years
CHIP Best Performance May 2008
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 is the younger sibling of DSC-H7 / H9 featuring a 10x zoom lens in a compact shell—so compact that it doesn’t look like a mega-zoom camera when the lens is completely retracted. Sporting a black shell with a grainy matt finish, the camera features a 1/2.5-inch CCD with a focal length of 6.3 mm which translates into 38 mm when compared to that of a 35 mm film camera. Hence the field of view at the widest angle is a tad narrower as compared to other cameras in its category which have shorter focal lengths. Like all other cameras belonging to Sony’s Cyber-shot series, the user interface of the H3 isn’t much different. The rear panel of the camera sports a 2.5-inch LCD display and a control pad featuring 5-way navigation and shortcuts for flash, self-timer and macro mode. The zoom rocker is located to the top right of the display. Feature-wise the DSC-H3 comes quite close to the chunkier mega-zoom cameras in its category. If you’re looking for a mega-zoom camera with superb performance on a tight budget, grab this one.
Price: Rs 15990 Contact: Sony India Pvt Ltd Phone: 011-66006600 Email- sonyindia.care@ap.sony.com Warranty: 3 years
CHIP Best Value 2008
Fujifilm FinePix S5700
The Fujifilm FinePix S5700 is targeted at those looking for a mega zoom digital camera on a shoestring budget. Resembling an SLR camera, the FinePix S5700 offers a good and sturdy grip. It needs to be loaded with four AA batteries. This entry-level mega zoom camera features a 7.1 MP image sensor and a telescopic zoom lens which can zoom 10 times into distant objects.
Price: Rs 11500 Contact: Fuji Films India Pvt Ltd Phone: 0124-4325500 Email-kwada@fujifilms.com Warranty: 2 years
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