YugaTech Christmas Gadget Guide 2014: Cameras

You’ve seen the past few days our smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, and laptop holiday gadget guides. Today, we’ll discuss cameras of all shapes, sizes, and uses — in hopes that they win your hearts and pockets this holiday season.

ChristmasGuide2014-A6480

It is no doubt that cameras are still the best option to take better shots that will sure make your moments last a lifetime. With cameras, there are a lot of form factors that you can choose from: There are point and shoot digicams for light and easy operation, action cameras for the adventurous, mirrorless shooters for the weight-conscious professionals, micro four-thirds, and dSLR cameras. Let’s get started, shall we?

Prices may subject to change without prior notice. Our basis for the camera prices are the ones we’ve seen on malls, and from the brochures and price lists from camera companies, unless otherwise linked to an online website.

ChristmasGuide2014-A64802
20141204_191229

For starters, who just want a fancy camera on their pockets or fancy buying a digicam but on a budget, the cheapest you can find on the market now are Nikon Coolpix L29 (Php 3,690) and Sony CyberShot DSC-W800 (Php4,499, Electroworld). Samsung has the DV150F which has a secondary screen and WiFi for easy selfie capturing and sharing over the internet. At the same price range, you can get a Canon Ixus 155 (Php5,998).

20141204_190553

Let’s go a little higher.  Canon has the Powershot SX700 HS, a compact camera designed for travelling and is built with both NFC and WiFi, retailing in stores for Php16,998. Sony DSC H40 is a digicam that can be mistaken as a DSLR cam and can be yours for Php16,999.  A compact, rugged, waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof digital camera with built-in WiFi in the name of Nikon Coolpix AW120 is selling for Php19,990. We also have the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Camera selling for Php21,900. A couple of bucks more, and you get the FujiFilm FinePix X20, a classic-looking point-and-shoot worth Php23,990. If you still want more, then there are the Sony RX100 Mark III (Php44,999) and the Fujifilm X100T (Php64,990).

ChristmasGuide2014-A64801

PlaygroundCam100_2

Do you want to do more adventure next year? Action cameras are the ones that suit your needs. If you are up for an affordable action camera, the cheapest you can actually get now is the Qube X-Cam which retails for Php3,990 and Kodak PixPro Mercury (Php3,995, SM Department Store). If you’re not convinced with buying that, you can get ones we have reviewed such as the Playground Cam100, which is worth Php5,600. GoPro also released its own entry-level action camera, the Hero, which is on sale right now at Php7,990.

goPro2014

Spending a lot on a great camera designed to shoot fast-paced outdoor activity is can actually be an investment in the long run. Sony‘s got is own action cam, the HDR-AS100V, priced at Php20,999 (Electroworld). The GoPro Hero 4 Black and Silver are some of the most expensive ones you can find, and they sell for Php 25,990 and Php20,990, respectively. There is also the Garmin Virb Elite which is being sold for Php25,590 online.

ChristmasGuide2014-A64804
Z-Nikon-J4-Black

For those who love to change their lenses and hold a camera a fraction of a DSLR’s weight, then a mirrorless camera may be what you need. There’s the all-plastic Samsung NX2000 (Php18,500), the Panasonic Lumix GX1X equipped with the company’s highly regarded touchscreen interface (Php19,400), the compact and colorful Canon EOS M (Php22,998), the extremely small and light Nikon 1 J4 (Php36,100), Sony‘s NEX 5RY with a Hybrid Auto Focus technology (Php37,700, includes two lenses) and the A6000 which claims to have the fastest AF performance amongst interchangeable lens cameras (Php39,999), and the mid-range FujiFilm X-E2 (Php66,500).

Still have more money to shell out? Luxury camera brand Leica just came to town in time for the holidays, and we checked that the Leica T costs around Php90,000 for the body alone. The cheapest lens you can but? A 18-56 lens worth around Php80,000.

ChristmasGuide2014-A64805
lumix gx7

In this category, only two camera makers have been successful in making the Micro Four Thirds system: Panasonic and Olympus. We have the Panasonic Lumix GX7, arguably the company’s most enthusiast-focused mirrorless camera yet (Php67,924), and the Olympus OM-D E-M10 which is great for outdoors (Php49,295).

ChristmasGuide2014-A64803
Nikon D810 (web)

*Prices indicated include the lens included in the kit package, unless otherwise specified.

For those who are very serious and want to take capturing moments to another level, a DSLR Camera may be good for you. These are full-range photography equipment though, and it can cost as much as a hundred thousand pesos if you’re really serious on your photography stuff. If you’re looking to try one without hurting your wallets, the cheapest you can get now are the entry-level Canon EOS 1200D (Php21,998) and the Nikon 3200D (Php24,400).

If you want a DSLR that’s not that bulky, Canon EOS 100D, at 407 grams, is a capable DSLR lightweight which costs around Php33,998. Nikon’s D3300 comes at a close second with 460g for Php26,900. The Sony SLT-A57 may be within this price range as well at Php28,999, but it isn’t as lightweight as the other two.

D810 Back (1080)

With mid-range DSLRs, we have the Sony Alpha SLT-A77V (Php59,999), the Canon EOS 70D with built-in WiFi (Php63,998, 18-55mm lens), and the Nikon D7100 with two SD card slots (Php64,900, 18-105mm lens).

As for full-frame flagship cameras for professionals, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, which boasts of up to 6.0 frames per second, could be yours for Php190,998. The Nikon D810, which also has dual SD card slots and shoots up to 7 frames per second, costs Php151,000 for the body alone. On the other hand, Sony has the SLT-A99V, which takes pride of its Dual-AF System, is priced at Php120,999.

That’s it for our Camera Christmas Guide this year, folks. Got an amazing camera that’s not on this holiday list? We’d love to hear your suggestions at the comments section down below.

Ronnie Bulaong contributed to this post.

The post YugaTech Christmas Gadget Guide 2014: Cameras appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

YugaTech Christmas Gadget Guide 2014: Cameras

You’ve seen the past few days our smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, and laptop holiday gadget guides. Today, we’ll discuss cameras of all shapes, sizes, and uses — in hopes that they win your hearts and pockets this holiday season.

ChristmasGuide2014-A6480

It is no doubt that cameras are still the best option to take better shots that will sure make your moments last a lifetime. With cameras, there are a lot of form factors that you can choose from: There are point and shoot digicams for light and easy operation, action cameras for the adventurous, mirrorless shooters for the weight-conscious professionals, micro four-thirds, and dSLR cameras. Let’s get started, shall we?

Prices may subject to change without prior notice. Our basis for the camera prices are the ones we’ve seen on malls, and from the brochures and price lists from camera companies, unless otherwise linked to an online website.

ChristmasGuide2014-A64802
20141204_191229

For starters, who just want a fancy camera on their pockets or fancy buying a digicam but on a budget, the cheapest you can find on the market now are Nikon Coolpix L29 (Php 3,690) and Sony CyberShot DSC-W800 (Php4,499, Electroworld). Samsung has the DV150F which has a secondary screen and WiFi for easy selfie capturing and sharing over the internet. At the same price range, you can get a Canon Ixus 155 (Php5,998).

20141204_190553

Let’s go a little higher.  Canon has the Powershot SX700 HS, a compact camera designed for travelling and is built with both NFC and WiFi, retailing in stores for Php16,998. Sony DSC H40 is a digicam that can be mistaken as a DSLR cam and can be yours for Php16,999.  A compact, rugged, waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof digital camera with built-in WiFi in the name of Nikon Coolpix AW120 is selling for Php19,990. We also have the Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Camera selling for Php21,900. A couple of bucks more, and you get the FujiFilm FinePix X20, a classic-looking point-and-shoot worth Php23,990. If you still want more, then there are the Sony RX100 Mark III (Php44,999) and the Fujifilm X100T (Php64,990).

ChristmasGuide2014-A64801

PlaygroundCam100_2

Do you want to do more adventure next year? Action cameras are the ones that suit your needs. If you are up for an affordable action camera, the cheapest you can actually get now is the Qube X-Cam which retails for Php3,990 and Kodak PixPro Mercury (Php3,995, SM Department Store). If you’re not convinced with buying that, you can get ones we have reviewed such as the Playground Cam100, which is worth Php5,600. GoPro also released its own entry-level action camera, the Hero, which is on sale right now at Php7,990.

goPro2014

Spending a lot on a great camera designed to shoot fast-paced outdoor activity is can actually be an investment in the long run. Sony‘s got is own action cam, the HDR-AS100V, priced at Php20,999 (Electroworld). The GoPro Hero 4 Black and Silver are some of the most expensive ones you can find, and they sell for Php 25,990 and Php20,990, respectively. There is also the Garmin Virb Elite which is being sold for Php25,590 online.

ChristmasGuide2014-A64804
Z-Nikon-J4-Black

For those who love to change their lenses and hold a camera a fraction of a DSLR’s weight, then a mirrorless camera may be what you need. There’s the all-plastic Samsung NX2000 (Php18,500), the Panasonic Lumix GX1X equipped with the company’s highly regarded touchscreen interface (Php19,400), the compact and colorful Canon EOS M (Php22,998), the extremely small and light Nikon 1 J4 (Php36,100), Sony‘s NEX 5RY with a Hybrid Auto Focus technology (Php37,700, includes two lenses) and the A6000 which claims to have the fastest AF performance amongst interchangeable lens cameras (Php39,999), and the mid-range FujiFilm X-E2 (Php66,500).

Still have more money to shell out? Luxury camera brand Leica just came to town in time for the holidays, and we checked that the Leica T costs around Php90,000 for the body alone. The cheapest lens you can but? A 18-56 lens worth around Php80,000.

ChristmasGuide2014-A64805
lumix gx7

In this category, only two camera makers have been successful in making the Micro Four Thirds system: Panasonic and Olympus. We have the Panasonic Lumix GX7, arguably the company’s most enthusiast-focused mirrorless camera yet (Php67,924), and the Olympus OM-D E-M10 which is great for outdoors (Php49,295).

ChristmasGuide2014-A64803
Nikon D810 (web)

*Prices indicated include the lens included in the kit package, unless otherwise specified.

For those who are very serious and want to take capturing moments to another level, a DSLR Camera may be good for you. These are full-range photography equipment though, and it can cost as much as a hundred thousand pesos if you’re really serious on your photography stuff. If you’re looking to try one without hurting your wallets, the cheapest you can get now are the entry-level Canon EOS 1200D (Php21,998) and the Nikon 3200D (Php24,400).

If you want a DSLR that’s not that bulky, Canon EOS 100D, at 407 grams, is a capable DSLR lightweight which costs around Php33,998. Nikon’s D3300 comes at a close second with 460g for Php26,900. The Sony SLT-A57 may be within this price range as well at Php28,999, but it isn’t as lightweight as the other two.

D810 Back (1080)

With mid-range DSLRs, we have the Sony Alpha SLT-A77V (Php59,999), the Canon EOS 70D with built-in WiFi (Php63,998, 18-55mm lens), and the Nikon D7100 with two SD card slots (Php64,900, 18-105mm lens).

As for full-frame flagship cameras for professionals, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, which boasts of up to 6.0 frames per second, could be yours for Php190,998. The Nikon D810, which also has dual SD card slots and shoots up to 7 frames per second, costs Php151,000 for the body alone. On the other hand, Sony has the SLT-A99V, which takes pride of its Dual-AF System, is priced at Php120,999.

That’s it for our Camera Christmas Guide this year, folks. Got an amazing camera that’s not on this holiday list? We’d love to hear your suggestions at the comments section down below.

Ronnie Bulaong contributed to this post.

The post YugaTech Christmas Gadget Guide 2014: Cameras appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

5 things we wish all DSLRs would have

Nowadays, more consumers are resorting to DSLR rather than point and shoot cameras. Major players like Canon and Nikon releases new DSLRs every year that vary in sizes, sensors, megapixels and a number of features. Since DSLRs today are reasonably cheaper and popular than before, here are 5 features we wish all DSLRs would have.

Internal IS

IS or image stabilizer (sometimes called VR or vibration reducer and other names) is responsible for keeping the lenses stable and free from sudden vibrations or shake during shots. Most IS are to be found with the lenses, but not with the camera body. Some lenses offer IS, some don’t. So if the camera body itself has IS, then all compatible lenses should take a blur-free shot every time. Also, hand-held videos will look smoother and more professional.

Olympus has employed this for the longest time but few others followed the same path.

USB Charging

All DSLRs have a removable battery, which are to be charged separately through its own cradle. Though it has been that way for sometime, it takes a while to actually remove the battery, slip it in the charger, plug the socket, and vice-versa. Plus, when travelling, there aren’t much sockets around. Solution? How about a DSLR that can be charged through its USB port?

If DSLRs support USB charging, it would be easy to refuel your shooter anytime. You will be able to charge it using your trusty powerbank as well. Also, there is no need for proprietary chargers since USB ports come in standard.

The closest we’ve seen that does this is the Sony NEX series (very reason why we bought one before). It’s a lifesaver whenever we forget to bring the charger during trips.

IP Rating

Waterproof, dust-proof, anything-proof. Since Sony introduced waterproofed smartphones and was able to slim it down, it gained popularity among smartphones. With more brands making “proofing” a staple feature, DSLRs have not embraced this yet. Well, there are weather-sealed DSLRs around but they doesn’t necessarily protect the camera from water and the like. An IP68 certified DSLR would be nice, meaning it will be dust-tight and can be immersed in water beyond a meter without any additional casing.

Internal Storage

Remember the camcorders with built-in hard drive? The ones that has an internal memory from 30GB to 60GB? Well, those were the days before memory cards can handle larger capacity at higher speeds. Though, not exactly a crucial feature to have, but in times it will be handy, DSLRs with internal memory is a great idea.

Besides, most people who have dSLR also use them to record full HD videos as well. And, with recording speed of up to 120fps, it would be best to have an internal storage to help buffer that huge amount of data being written to the card.

Internal WiFi

WiFi or Wireless Fidelity enables us to transmit gigabytes of data without any wires. That is why it would be nice if this will be a staple feature soon. Wireless transfer is such a great help when doing a photoshoot or even just managing your already wire-tangled life. It could also branch out to more features like wireless shutter and wireless flash. Goodbye optional accessories.

Some cameras have them but we though it would be best if it were the standard.

There you go. These are the 5 features we wish to see on every DSLR, may it be for professional or amateur. How about yours? You may list down 5 features you wish to see on every DSLR through the comment section below. Each user opinion varies depending on usage. You may never know, Canon or Nikon (or any) is already cooking it for us.

The post 5 things we wish all DSLRs would have appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

5 things we wish all DSLRs would have

Nowadays, more consumers are resorting to DSLR rather than point and shoot cameras. Major players like Canon and Nikon releases new DSLRs every year that vary in sizes, sensors, megapixels and a number of features. Since DSLRs today are reasonably cheaper and popular than before, here are 5 features we wish all DSLRs would have.

Internal IS

IS or image stabilizer (sometimes called VR or vibration reducer and other names) is responsible for keeping the lenses stable and free from sudden vibrations or shake during shots. Most IS are to be found with the lenses, but not with the camera body. Some lenses offer IS, some don’t. So if the camera body itself has IS, then all compatible lenses should take a blur-free shot every time. Also, hand-held videos will look smoother and more professional.

Olympus has employed this for the longest time but few others followed the same path.

USB Charging

All DSLRs have a removable battery, which are to be charged separately through its own cradle. Though it has been that way for sometime, it takes a while to actually remove the battery, slip it in the charger, plug the socket, and vice-versa. Plus, when travelling, there aren’t much sockets around. Solution? How about a DSLR that can be charged through its USB port?

If DSLRs support USB charging, it would be easy to refuel your shooter anytime. You will be able to charge it using your trusty powerbank as well. Also, there is no need for proprietary chargers since USB ports come in standard.

The closest we’ve seen that does this is the Sony NEX series (very reason why we bought one before). It’s a lifesaver whenever we forget to bring the charger during trips.

IP Rating

Waterproof, dust-proof, anything-proof. Since Sony introduced waterproofed smartphones and was able to slim it down, it gained popularity among smartphones. With more brands making “proofing” a staple feature, DSLRs have not embraced this yet. Well, there are weather-sealed DSLRs around but they doesn’t necessarily protect the camera from water and the like. An IP68 certified DSLR would be nice, meaning it will be dust-tight and can be immersed in water beyond a meter without any additional casing.

Internal Storage

Remember the camcorders with built-in hard drive? The ones that has an internal memory from 30GB to 60GB? Well, those were the days before memory cards can handle larger capacity at higher speeds. Though, not exactly a crucial feature to have, but in times it will be handy, DSLRs with internal memory is a great idea.

Besides, most people who have dSLR also use them to record full HD videos as well. And, with recording speed of up to 120fps, it would be best to have an internal storage to help buffer that huge amount of data being written to the card.

Internal WiFi

WiFi or Wireless Fidelity enables us to transmit gigabytes of data without any wires. That is why it would be nice if this will be a staple feature soon. Wireless transfer is such a great help when doing a photoshoot or even just managing your already wire-tangled life. It could also branch out to more features like wireless shutter and wireless flash. Goodbye optional accessories.

Some cameras have them but we though it would be best if it were the standard.

There you go. These are the 5 features we wish to see on every DSLR, may it be for professional or amateur. How about yours? You may list down 5 features you wish to see on every DSLR through the comment section below. Each user opinion varies depending on usage. You may never know, Canon or Nikon (or any) is already cooking it for us.

The post 5 things we wish all DSLRs would have appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Canon and Microsoft inks patent cross-licensing deal

Microsoft Corporation and Canon Inc., two giants on their own respective fields, have recently signed an agreement that grants the two parties the right to use each other’s patents. Could this handshake eventually lead to an EOS-powered Lumia smartphone?

The recent collaborative agreement between Canon and Microsoft was not the first time instance that the two firms sat down and discussed patent matters. As a matter of fact in 2009 the two companies, along with Sanyo and Sony, have entered a licensing agreement for the use exFAT (EXtended File Allocation Table) format which “greatly expands the size of files that flash memory devices can handle.”

Fast forward to today, and the two companies are it again. This time though, both parties were mum about the details of the recent licensing agreement, and only states that it’ll cover “a broad range of products and services each company offers, including certain digital imaging and mobile consumer products.”


A retouched picture of a Tag Heuer smartphone which was used as an April Fool’s joke.

Although the announcement of the partnership between Microsoft and Canon was mainly centered about collaboration and avoidance of future patent lawsuit, we can’t help but wonder if the newly-signed patent cross-licensing deal will bring forth new and exciting devices from both companies such as a hybrid device that would rival the Samsung Galaxy K Zoom, or perhaps a new Lumia smartphone imbued with Canon’s imaging technologies.

Who knows, maybe the April fool’s joke of a Canon-made smartphone may just become a reality. Only time will tell what this collaboration will eventually result to, but for sure it’s going to benefit both parties in the long run.

Image render c/o Bob Freking

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The post Canon and Microsoft inks patent cross-licensing deal appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.