If a tight budget is making you reconsider your camera buying decision this Diwali, here is a list that might be of some use to you. This buying guide lists the top five digital cameras that perform well and cost less than 10K. However, please bear in mind that there is no specific logic in the order that these cameras are shown. We've used multiple brands, as we do have a lot of loyalists who would want to stick to their favorite brand.
Canon A480
Price: Rs. 7,500
Replacing the A470, the Canon Powershot A480 has been around for a few months now. The CCD has been boosted to 10 MP and it features a new smaller restyled body and simple user interface. The A480 offers a decent 35-122mm eq lens with 3.3x optical zoom, max aperture range from f/3.0 to f/5.8. Also featured on the back is a 2.5-inch LCD (115K) LCD display that is used as the viewfinder as well as for reviewing pictures. The A480 sports 15 scene modes for still pictures and can record 20fps VGA or 30fps QVGA video in QuickTime Motion JPEG format. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80 to a maximum of ISO 1600. It has no on-board memory but stores images and videos on a SD card.
It's a great buy for those who only want to record those special occasions without the need for experimenting.
The Canon PowerShot A480 should be available for about Rs. 7,500 with a one-year warranty and since this is a huge festive season, you should be able to bargain for a free charger and rechargeable batteries or at least a 2GB SD card.
Price: Rs. 9,800
If you think the Canon A480 is too crude for your taste, you may want to take a look at this one.
Slimmer, sleeker and definitely much better looking than most cameras in this price range, the Sony W190 features a 12 MP CCD and a 35-105mm Sony branded 3x optical zoom lens. Aperture varies from f/3.1 to f/5.6 across the zoom range. The back of the camera houses the 2.7-inch (230K) LCD that acts as the viewfinder. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.
The W190 also makes use of Digital Image Stabilisation, which functions by raising the camera's sensitivity (ISO) to reduce motion blurring. It also includes face detection and features in-camera red-eye correction and trimming functions.
Other features include seven scene modes, a 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA) 30 frames per second video mode, and both USB 2.0 / and video output connections. Powered by a proprietary NP-BK1 InfoLithium rechargeable battery, the W190 should last for more than 180 clicks on a single charge.
In addition to the 12MB built-in memory, it has a Memory Stick Duo / PRO Duo card slot to store all the pictures and videos that you shoot.
Available in two colors - red and black, the Sony CyberShot should be available for Rs. 9,800 with a three-year warranty from Sony.
Some dealers may bundle a 2GB MS Pro DUO.
Olympus FE-5010
Price: Rs. 9,500
If, like me, you have a problem with the lousy 3x zoom available with most entry-level compact digital cameras, look no further.
The Olympus FE-5010 comes with a 12 MP sensor 36-180mm eq and a good 5x optical zoom. The back of the camera houses the 2.7-inch LCD viewfinder. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 64-1600. It features mechanical image stabilization that forms one part of its Dual Image Stabilisation system. The other half is Digital Image Stabilisation.
It offers 14 scene modes including an Intelligent Auto mode that can automatically select the correct shooting mode for the scene. Other features include contrast-detection autofocus system, face detection and tracking capability.
Powered by a proprietary rechargeable LI-42B Lithium Ion battery, the FE-5010 should last you for about 120+ shots on a single charge. The FE 5010 has 48MB of internal memory, as well as on xD-Picture and memory cards.
You should be able to get it for about Rs. 9,500 and do ask for some freebies like a 2 GB xD card.
Price: Rs. 9,500
I know a lot of you might flame me for not including the Kodak C140 in this article, but I have a good enough reason to choose the M380 instead of the C140. Read on.
The Kodak EasyShare M380 comes with a 10 MP sensor and a 38-190mm 5x optical zoom. While the best that the C140 can offer is an 8MP CCD and 3x optical zoom (albeit at a lower price).
The M380 comes with a three-inch screen (the biggest in this range) and offers a generous 16 scene modes with Kodak's face detection technology. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80-1600. The EasyShare M380 also offers a movie mode, capturing VGA (640x480) or QVGA (320x240) clips at 30 frames-per-second, in QuickTime MotionJPEG format.
Images and movies captured on the Kodak M380 can either be stored on the 32MB internal memory or on SD cards.
Powered by a proprietary KLIC-7003 lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, the M380 should last you for about 100 shots for a single charge.
Available for around Rs. 9,500, The Kodak EasyShare M380 comes in colors including colors including black, purple, red, and teal.
Price: Rs. 7,000
It sports a 10 MP CCD and a 35-105mm 3x optical zoom lens. The back of the camera houses a 2.5-inch (320K) LCD that acts as the viewfinder.
It comes with an array of shooting modes and assist modes for those new to digital photography. Notable features include Face Detection, Self Portrait, Red Eye Fix and Multi Slide Show. Sensitivity ranges from ISO 80-1600. It has a 9 MB internal memory and also comes with a SD card slot. Powered by a proprietary Li-Ion battery it should easily last for about 120+ shots on a single charge.
This 10 MP compact camera is almost as stylish as the Sony W190, and if you think you'd like to save a couple of thousand bucks, this is the way to go
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