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Which of these 6 cameras do you want to own?
If you want to invest your money in nurturing your passion and hobby, these cameras make a perfect choice.
Photography has taken a completely new turn with the advent of camera smartphones in the market. Nowadays, people prefer clicking images with their smartphones as they are easy to carry and compact in size.
But for those who love photography, smartphone is not enough to bring the pro out of them; hence arises the need to have a technically updated DSLR or digital camera in hand.
Let's have a look at some of the selected DSLR and digital cameras available in the Indian market, which have developed a special love among photographers due to their outstanding quality:
Let us begin with top 3 DSLR cameras:
Nikon D5100 (Rs 27,450 -- Body Only)
This model is kind of a beginning of the pro-DLSR line up by Nikon and its feature set and pricing basically falls between the beginner-friendly D3100 and the very high-end D7000.
The Nikon D5100 proudly wears a 16.2MP CMOS sensor, very similar to the high-end D7000.
At this price point, the company has provided this camera with a Single Control Dial, Pentamirror Viewfinder and Special Effects mode.
There is no built-in autofocus motor, but certainly it is capable of capturing 1080p video.
Some other key features are side-articulated 3.0-inch LCD vari-angle monitor (920,000 dots), 11AF points (with 3D tracking), IS0 100-6400 range (up to 25,600 equivalent when expanded), HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA), 4fps continuous shooting and in-camera effects filters in both stills and video modes.
This model is the best if you have some basic experience of photography and want to take it to the next level.
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Nikon D3100 (Rs 23,250 -- Body Only)
As already mentioned above, Nikon D3100 is a very beginner-friendly entry-level camera and is best if you want to start DSLR photography.
The feature set and the pricing is balanced in such a way that even with this low budget you get a lot to experiment.
The Nikon D3100 hosts a 14.2MP CMOS sensor along with Full HD video capture facility, which makes this model Nikon's first entry-level camera to offer 1920 x 1080 pixels movie recording.
The D3100 also gets some cosmetic changes to perk up its look compared to the conventional design of D40.
Some key features of the Nikon D3100 are 3.0-inch TFT LCD monitor (230,000 dots), image sensor cleaning (sensor shake), 11 AF points (with 3D tracking), IS0 100-3200 range (12,800 expanded) and HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA).
Nikon's new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, used in this camera, helps to capture high-definition images with superior quality by suppressing noise in still images and movies.
Go for Nikon D3100 and experiment with numerous features packed within.
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Canon EOS 600D (Rs 32,995 -- Body Only)
It was way back in 2003 when Canon introduced its first affordable digital SLR and since then, year after year, the company has been making changes and improvements in their design and feature sets to cover a huge set of enthusiasts.
Canon EOS 600D can be described as 550D with an articulated screen along with some addition to the basic feature set such as Basic+, Scene Intelligent Auto and Feature Guide, to enable you to have control over creative functions.
Inside, the model packs Canon's tried-and-trusted 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor, which has the sensitivity range of ISO 100-6400.
Some other features of EOS 600D are DIGIC 4 processor, fully articulated 7.7cm (3.0-inch) 3:2 Clear View LCD monitor with 1.04 million dots and TFT colors, full HD movie recording with manual control and selectable frame rates, digital zoom in movie mode (3x-10x), new 'Scene Intelligent Auto' exposure mode (replacing full auto), integrated wireless flash control and 'Video Snapshot' mode for the creation of multi-take movies.
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Fujifilm X100S (Rs 74,999 -- Body Only)
Let us now come to top three point and shoot cameras:
Fujifilm X100S (Rs 74,999 -- Body Only)
This high-end mirrorless digital camera captured the imagination of many serious photographers the day it was launched. With its 16.3MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor, this model went on to capture the attention of many camera buyers.
Fujifilm X100S digicam hosts a new EXR processor II, which brings to you a new Lens Modulation Optimiser function.
Some other features offered by this camera are on-sensor phase detection autofocus, novel colour filter array designed to avoid colour Moire, EXR Processor II image processor, hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder with 2.35M dot LCD, dedicated dials for shutter speed and improved manual focus system (more responsive focus ring, focus peaking and digital split image).
It comes with 2.8-inch, 460k dot rear LCD monitor with TFT colours.
Apart from these features, this point-and-shoot camera is blessed with on-screen 'Q' control panel and tabbed menu system and is capable of recording movies in full HD 1080p mode with 60p/30p frame rate.
This model simply aims to help you explore all the aspects of photography.
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Sony DSC RX100 (Rs 28,990 -- Body Only)
Sony DSC RX100 is one of the breakthrough products in the digital photography space and it is so affordable and feature packed that it captured the attention of budding photographers, enthusiasts and critics alike.
The company was somehow able to put a large 1.0 type CMOS sensor with 20.2MP resolution and 3.6x optical zoom in such a compact body.
Once you have a hands-on with this camera, you will be amazed to see such an amazing image quality delivered from a pocketable camera.
Some admirable features offered by Sony DSC RX100 are 1.0 type Exmor-R BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm, 3:2 aspect ratio), 20.2 million effective pixels, 28-100mm (equiv), f/1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens, Steady-Shot image stabilization, ISO 160-12,800 (Down to ISO 100 and up to 25,600 expanded), NFC-mediated Wi-Fi that allows file transfer and control from smartphones, 10fps continuous shooting in 'Speed Priority' mode, tiltable 3-inch 1.2M-dot 'WhiteMagic' LCD screen, 13 Picture Effects (33 with variations), Memory Recall feature, 1080p video with MP4 option and a built-in stereo microphones.
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Fujifilm X20 (Rs 39,999 -- Body Only)
This point-and-shoot camera is an advanced snapper by Fujifilm with a retro design and a new 12MP 2/3-type X-Trans CMOS II sensor and built-in Phase Detection pixels.
Some of the feature set is very similar to its X10 model and so there is a slight possibility that X20 will cannibalise its own sibling.
The build of this camera is too good and there is no flex or moment in the chassis due to die-cast magnesium alloy top and base plates.
The camera hosts a zoom up to 4x with 28-112mm, f/2.0-2.8 zoom lens and a manual zoom ring.
Some other features include 12fps burst shooting and a 2.8-inch LCD monitor with a resolution of 460,000 dots, an optical viewfinder with a newly developed Digital Trans Panel, 1080p movie recording, hybrid auto focus system, an ISO range of 100-12800, full range of manual controls, Focus Peak Highlight feature, optical image stabilization, raw image capture, a hot-shoe, film simulation modes, 360 degree motion panoramas, 1 cm macro mode and an electronic level gauge.
The performance of this camera is outstanding and even the shutter lag is virtually non-existent.