alaTest Trends: April 2012
Our March numbers are in, and we’ve looked over the top 10 products for the last month. Think you can guess what they are? Digital cameras were quite popular (both SLR and Compact) holding both first and second place. A total of four HDTVs also made the cut as well as three smartphones (all Android). Here’s the breakdown:
With trips for spring break and summer just around the corner, it’s not surprising that digital cameras are on the top of the list. These are the three that made the cut.
Canon EOS Rebel T3i – Canon’s Rebel series has always managed to hold onto the top spots in our SLR ranks. The T3i is an excellent entry-level Digital SLR with great manual and automatic features, large 18MP CMOS image sensor, and 1080p video capability. Its burst shooting modes are bit slower than the high-end cameras, and the automatic focus lacks a few feautes; however, its price makes it an excellent value for the budding photographer.
Sony DSC-HX9V – The HX9V isn’t the newest compact digital camera on the market, but it’s still a solid 16MP shooter with a TON of features. If you’re looking for an affordable camera that has a setting for just about any lighting situation you might come across, the HX9V is for you.
Nikon CoolPix P300 – The CoolPix P300 is very similar to the HX9V, featuring many different shooting mode presets. It does cut back a bit on the feature list compared to the HX9V, which makes it a bit easier to use, but you also pay a bit of a premium for the Nikon name.
There is a lot of new HDTV technology coming out this year, but the models topping out list aren’t the latest, most advanced. Instead, they’re excellent sets whose prices have recently fallen.
Samsung UE/UN D5000 Series – Samsung’s D5000 series has a very attractive price tag for the features and image quality that it offers. As far as LED TVs are concerned, it’s one of the best values on the market right now.
Philips PFL7606K Series – The PFL7606K is another affordably priced HDTV. Its key feature is 3D capabilities. As far as 3D features go, the PFL7606K does an excellent job. 2D image quality takes a small hit, but is still quite good for a set of this caliber.
Panasonic TXP GT30 Series – For anyone in the market for a large, affordable plasma screen TV, the TXP GT30 is certainly one of the top choices. Its 3D features won’t wow you, but its 2D picture quality is everything you’d expect from a top-notch plasma display.
Sony KDL-EX720 Series – The KDL-EX720 is the least expensive 3D TV Sony has to offer. For an LED TV, its picture quality is only about average, but it has a long list of useful features such as a matte screen, excellent internet services, and energy saving utilities.
Android devices are extremely abundant and range from budget friendly to unique and high-end. Both ends of the spectrum are popular amongst consumers
Samsung Galaxy Note – The Galaxy Note is currently the highest ranked Android phone on alaTest (coming in just behind the iPhone 4S). Its very large screen and powerful processor make it a popular choice for those looking for a more tablet-like experience.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray – Going in the other direction, the Xperia Ray has a smaller, 3.3-inch display for a more pocket-friendly experience. It still features a quality screen and capable processor, making it a great choice for an entry-level device.
Samsung Galaxy GIO – Though it’s an older device, the Galaxy GIO makes a solid choice for those looking to get the most out of their money. It cuts a few corners, such as featuring a QVGA display, 3MP camera, and 800MHz processor, but is still a good value.
