When we say cool accessories, we aren’t really talking about a Smart Cover or a set of headphones. Instead, we are interested in more fascinating accessories which will allow you to do exciting things with your iPad. Here are a few such accessories:

1. Apple Camera Connection Kit - If you were slightly disappointed by the camera quality of your new iPad, this will definitely cheer you up. The Camera Connection Kit contains two 30-pin dongles – one of these can read SD cards while the other works as a USB port. Using these dongles, you can connect your camera to the iPad, transfer photos and view them on a large screen. At the same time, you can also use the USB port to connect your iPad to other devices.

2. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover - It is a well known fact that  typing long documents with a virtual keyboard can be quite uncomfortable. If you hope to do a lot of typing on your iPad, you must get the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard. Owing to the presence of magnets, it operates as a stand and holds your iPad still while you type. It is thin and sleek and works efficiently.

3. CCM Capacitive Stylus - The touch screen of an iPad is an absolute delight to work with, isn’t it? With a stylus, you can do so many fascinating thing on an iPad – you can draw, paint, play games which involve these activities etc. Some would say that you can do all this with your hand, but it is impossible to achieve the same degree of precision as with a stylus.

4. Jawbone Jambox – The Jawbone Jambox is a small bluetooth speaker that can act as the perfect audio companion to your iPad. Even as the original audio quality of an iPad is quite impressive, you will need an amplifying device if you are playing games or having a party or watching a movie. The Jawbone Jambox is a portable speaker that can provide the much needed boost to your iPad’s audio output.

Here is a list of some of the most exquisite gadget gifts for your friends and family:

1. Samsung DA-E750 – The Samsung DA-E750 is the most beautiful set of speakers you are ever going to set your eyes on. With the wooden exteriors, they have a distinct old school charm about them, which will work perfectly well with your Christmas decorations. On the technical front, the speakers are compatible with AirPlay, iOS devices, and some Android devices as well. Did we forget to mention that the audio quality is phenomenal. The Samsung DA-E750 is the gift of a lifetime, it will sit perfectly in your living room, adding to the beauty of your home.

2. MacBook Air – The MacBook Air needs no introduction. Its only the most perfect combination of aesthetic design and technical performance. The ultra thin 13-inch laptop comes with a 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB memory. The ultrabook weighs less than 3 pounds and it is an absolute pleasure to work on it. It is thin, it is light and it is simply an epitome of luxury. Go the Mac way this holiday and surprise your friends and family.

3. Nikon D4 – The best memories belong to the holiday season. Therefore, a high quality DSLR camera makes for an ideal holiday season gift. The Nikon D4 is one of the most impressive cameras in the market as of now. Besides producing excellent photographs, the Nikon D4 is the one of the fastest cameras you will ever work with. That means no time lags at all. Additionally, it comes with a high resolution sensor and better video quality.

4. Grado PS1000 – Headphones are available for as cheap as $20. But any music enthusiast knows the difference between these headphones and the high end ones. The latter will alert you to the presence of beats in a song that you had never heard before, transporting you to a different world altogether. The Grado PS1000 is one such pair of headphones. These are extremely comfortable to wear and the ear cups are made of wood and solid metal. The sound quality is excellent as well. All in all, they make for the perfect gift for anyone who likes listening to music.

As opposed to a DSLR, shopping for a compact camera is a relatively easy affair. There are a few basic rules that you need to know, firstly, megapixel don’t matter as much as you think they do. Instead, it is the lens that really matters, so, look for the kind of lens used, the focal length etc. Finally, consider other features like display resolution, low light performance, image stabilization and video quality. Based on all these criteria, we have put together a list of the best compact digital cameras:

1. Canon Power Shot SX260 HS – This Canon Power Shot camera comes with a 20x25mm ultra wide lens, backside illuminated CMOS sensor and Digic 5 image processor. Simply put, these are the some of the most advanced features in the world of compact digital cameras. This 12 megapixel camera boasts of excellent image quality and image stabilization. Additionally, it has a long zoom lens and it offers a variety of shooting modes. The Canon Power Shot SX260 HS is one of the best point and shoot cameras, one that should please both the amateur and the professional photographer.

2. Nikon Coolpix S9100 – The Nikon Coolpix S9100 has much in common with the Canon Power Shot SX260 HS. Both of these 12 megapixel cameras come with CMOS sensor and long zoom lenses. The Nikon Coolpix S9100 takes excellent photos even in low light thanks to its 18x zoom optical lens. For a camera that can easily fit into your pocket, the S9100 offers many automated modes. All you have to do is click a single button and you can have sharp and crisp photos under any conditions.

3. Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX30V- This 18 megapixel camera is an absolute favorite among consumers with its high quality lens and performance. It has a significantly wide lens with improved auto focus speed and image stabilization. Additionally, it comes with built in Wi-Fi, improved GPS and Sony’s Clear Image Zoom, all of which make it a force to reckon with.

Besides these, there are several variants which are equally promising. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20, Sony Cyber DSC-RX100, Canon Power Shot 92 and Fujifim Finepix Z800EXR come highly recommended. The truth is that there is very little separating all of these models and one just has to rely on personal choice as the last resort.

Then came camera phones which changed things quite a bit. However, in the initial stages, the cameras weren’t all that great and people usually preferred to use a traditional camera instead. Over the years, the quality and specifications of in built phone cameras have improved radically, so much so that some of them are as good as point and shoot cameras.

Here is a list of the best camera phones available in the market as of now:

1. Apple iPhone 5- Soon after the Apple iPhone 5 was launched, people were already calling it the best smartphone around. The Apple iPhone 5 is certainly a complete phone as it offers excellence in every department including its camera. It comes with an 8 megapixel camera and a new sapphire crystal lens. The new iPhone also features dynamic lighting and image stabilization, making way for better quality photos. Significantly, the quality of photos doesn’t depreciate too much in low lighting and you can also click photos while shooting in video mode.

2. Nokia Pure View 808- If we were to consider just the camera and nothing else, the Nokia Pure View 808 with the much talked about 41 megapixel camera would be the best investment. The great part about the camera is that it lives up to its hype. The photos are sharp and the precision of detail is impeccable. The phone’s camera has an extra large sensor which lets more light in and captures more detail in a photo. This is backed by an equally efficient software to process the photos. On the flip side, the phone has some major problems like the Symbian OS is largely outdated, the outer body is bulky and the price is extremely high.

3. HTC One S- In the recent past, HTC has produced some excellent camera phones including HTC One X, One  S and HTC Amaze 4G. HTC One S has an 8 megapixel autofocus camera with a 28mm wide lens. The camera produces high quality, razor sharp photos both indoors and outdoors and just like iPhone 5, it allows you to take photos in the video shooting mode as well.

4. Samsung Galaxy SIII- Samsung Galaxy SIII is another big player in the smartphone world. The 8 megapixel camera is endowed with backlit sensor and LED flash.  The colors of the photos taken with this camera are bright and well defined. Additionally, the shutter lag is next to zero which means that the photos are processed almost instantly. Even the front facing camera manages to produce some very decent photos.

Everything You Need to Know About Waterproof Digital Cameras

Waterproof digital cameras are fairly recent and therefore, producers are still trying to iron out flaws and errors. To begin with, let’s clearly state what these rugged cameras can and cannot do. For starters, they are not meant for professional underwater marine photography. For that purpose, you will have to invest in some underwater camera housing which is available for several cameras, including DSLR’s. However, if you are looking for a camera to click photos in the pool or around a beach, waterproof cameras will be perfect for you.

A waterproof camera usually has a seal which protects the inner components of the camera from water damage. This seal has to be extremely tight and resilient to work efficiently. In some cameras, the seal can leak or break easily, thus defying the whole purpose of an underwater camera. Therefore, the quality of the seal is a crucial factor in a rugged camera. Besides that, a good waterproof camera should be physically tough and it should have the right color balance for underwater photography.

Given below is a list of some of the most efficient waterproof cameras available in the market:

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4- The DMC range of Panasonic has produced some of the best waterproof cameras till now and this one is no exception. It has a rock solid, aluminum body which is drop proof to a depth of 6.6 feet. The 12.1 megapixel camera boasts of a Leica lens and produces exceptionally lively and vibrant photographs, even during the night. The camera is slightly bulky, but that is a common problem with all waterproof cameras.

2. Sony Cyber Shot TX20- Quite surprisingly, the camera from Sony is rather sleek for an underwater digital camera. The waterproof quality can last up to a depth of 16 feet and it is drop proof up to 5 feet. The camera comes with a Carl Zeiss lens and it shoots at 16.1 megapixels. More importantly, image quality is exceptionally good. On the flip side though, the battery life is quite poor.

3. Olympus Tough TG-1- This camera from Olympus is among the heaviest and largest waterproof cameras and it can operate till a depth of 40 feet underwater. Significantly, it has a mode dial which makes it easier to switch between modes while shooting underwater. The lens is produced by Olympus and the camera shoots at 12 megapixels. When it comes to picture quality, the camera delivers with great color balance. Additionally, the battery life is as good as it can get in an underwater camera.

4. Nikon CoolPix AW100- The Nikon CoolPix AW100 boasts of exceptionally high performance in the image quality department as it has a number of underwater settings. This 16 megapixel camera can stay waterproof till a depth of 30 feet. Finally, it has a very rugged and resilient body which is shockproof up to 5 feet.

So, the next time you plan a vacation to the beachside, these waterproof cameras can be of great assistance. You can take high quality photographs without worrying about damaging the camera. While none of the above mentioned models are without their share of flaws, nevertheless, they will not give you a lot of reasons to complain. And the good news is that better ones are on their way to the market.

Canon PowerShot G1 X

When you’re after full manual control in a digital camera, there aren’t many options that aren’t big, bulky SLRs, but the G1 X occupies a near-perfect middle ground between the compact usability of a point and shoot and the manual control of an SLR. The price is a bit steep, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better manual camera in a compact frame.

Olympus OM-D E-M5

While it’s not the most compact of compact cameras, the E-M5 has a very light weight magnesium body. Similar to the G1 X, it represents a compromise between compact and SLR; however, unlike the G1 X, the E-M5 features an interchangeable lens, though it does sacrifice some manual control and features a 4/3-inch sensor compared to the G1 X’s 1.5-inch. It, too, has a very high price tag, but it does come with one of the nicer lenses you’ll find on a compact.

Fujufilm FinePix X10

The FinePix X10 is a more affordable (though less feature-packed) version of the extremely popular X100. It shares many of the same design cues that made the X100 a hot product, though the X10 has a hard time living under its older sibling’s shadow. The X10 does still feature an excellent lens and a great overall design that keeps it very portable without sacrificing image quality.

Canon PowerShot SX260 HS

The SX260 HS is our currently top-ranked true compact digital camera. Unlike the others mentioned so far, the SX260 HS will fit easily into most pockets. Setting it apart from other compacts is its 20x optical zoom lens with surprisingly good image stabilization. It really does feature some of the best image quality available at this size and price, though it can sometimes struggle with low-light situations.

Canon PowerShot S100

The S100 is another very compact digital camera, even smaller than the SX260. It doesn’t feature the impressive 20x zoom lens found in the SX260, but offer many other compelling features such as HDR and RAW format support. In overall performance, it’s a significant step up, offering less shutter lag, better low-light performance, and faster continuous shooting. It’s one of the few compact cameras with better image quality than the SX260 and can often go toe-to-toe with the G1 X.

If none of our current top 5 compact cameras appeal to you, feel free to check out our full list. It’s full of excellent cameras for all needs. Sony’s Cybershot DSC-HX9V makes a compelling alternative to the PowerShot SX260, for example. Nikon’s Coolpix P300 competes well against the PowerShot S100, too. We’ve collected reviews for every popular camera on the market, and we can tell you exactly how they stack up to one another.

Compact Cameras and Digital SLRs

With summer holidays still right around the corner, digital cameras remain among the most viewed products on alaTest, but surprisingly, the list isn’t quite the same.

Fujifilm FinePix X10 – The FinePix X10 is the perfect camera for those who love the retro look and feel of the FinePix X100 but want something a bit less expensive. It lacks quite a few of the features found with its pricier sibling, but it still performs well against similarly priced enthusiast compact camera models, like the PowerShot G12.

Canon EOS Rebel T3i – Canon’s EOS Rebel T3i made our top 10 list last month, and it will likely be there next month as well. Overall, it is bested in the SLR category by the Sony Alpha NEX-7, but it still manages to keep a leg up on the NEX-5N, its closest competitor.

Canon PowerShot S100 – It seems that the PowerShot S100 has bumped the Sony DSC-HX9V from the top 10 list this month. It’s very compact, yet still extremely feature packed, making it a great choice for the slightly more advanced photographer; however, it’s not so advanced that a novice wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Laptops

HDTVs mysteriously vanished from our top 10 list this month and have been replaced by notebooks. We suspect it likely has to do with graduation season, since laptops are a very popular graduation gift.

Asus Zenbook UX31 – For those who appreciate the style and practicality of Apple’s MacBook Air but doesn’t much care for the “Apple Tax” that comes with it; the Zenbook is an excellent alternative. It has the same style and performance all in a super thin package while costing a fraction of the price.

HP Pavilion DV7 – The Pavilion DV7 has been a top choice for those looking for a great all-around value in a laptop. It also comes in a variety of configurations, so it is possible to customize it to your needs.

HP Pavilion DV6 – The Pavilion DV6 is simply the DV7’s smaller brother, sporting the same great value and customizability but featuring a 15.6-inch display as opposed to the DV7’s 17.3-inch.

Smartphones

There were a handful of smartphones on our list last month, and there likely will be for months to come since they compose one of the fastest growing markets in technology for the time being. Interestingly, they’re all Android devices once again.

Samsung Galaxy Ace – At slightly more than a year old, the Galaxy Ace is a somewhat aged device, but it’s also one of the best valued off-contract smartphones on the market, often available new for less than $200.

Samsung Galaxy S II – The Galaxy S II is another slightly older device, but still features top-notch specs (and still a top ranked product on alaTest). Its popularity this month is likely due to the upcoming release of the Galaxy S III and people hoping to score a second hand S2 at a reduced price.

Samsung Galaxy GIO – The GIO is another one of those great value smartphones on the market. Like the Ace, it’s on the older side and certainly isn’t the fastest device out there, but its price might make you willing to overlook all of that.

Digital Cameras

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.

HDTVs

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 Phones

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.

People often use the professional v/s amateur equation to simplify the choice between a DSLR and a compact camera. According to this distinction, the compact camera is ideal for the common man out there who is interested in clicking photographs on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays etc. However, for anyone who is passionate about photography and wants to experiment with the technical elements, a DSLR is the obvious choice. While most of this stands true, a lot of professional photographers are beginning to embrace compact cameras as the quality of their lenses has improved tremendously in the past few years.

Let’s take a closer look at each of them individually:

1. Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera or DSLR

While there is no denying the fact that compact cameras are now offering several features which were earlier exclusive to DSLRs, there is one crucial feature which swings the balance quite decisively in the favour of the latter- a DSLR allows you to change lens unlike a compact camera. This feature widens the possible range of flexibility as you can modify the focal length, speed, amount of light ec and this flexibility is a must-have for a professional photographer.

If you have ever tried taking photographs with a compact camera with low light, you would have noticed that the photos never come out well. This is one of those scenarios where only a DSLR can help you take exceptionally sharp photographs. Therefore, it can safely be said that if you want complete control over photograph settings, a DSLR is what you are looking for.

On the flip side though, a DSLR can cost twice or even thrice as much as a compact camera. Additionally, DSLRs are usually bulky and it can be difficult carrying them around. And finally, they can prove to be a little too complicated sometimes and might just intimidate the common man out there.

2. Compact Camera

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that compact cameras are perfect for a beginner- they are easy to use, they are light-weight and portable and the settings are usually automated. You can simply slip a compact camera in your backpack and use it on a holiday, or you can capture those precious family moments with amazing ease. A layman can have no complaints with the performance and efficiency of a modern day compact camera.

But, there are things you can’t do with a compact camera. For starters, they don’t allow you to change lenses thus restricting your choice in other sectors. To add to that, they come with smaller sensors which means that even if the megapixel count is as high as a DSLR, the image quality would still be inferior as compared to the latter as the nature of the pixels is different.

One can go into the core technicalities like viewfinder mechanism, shutter lag etc. and the debate will never end. But the choice depends on what you are looking for. When you begin to feel that a compact camera is limiting you from trying new things with photography, it’s time to save up some money and get yourself a DSLR.

As a matter of fact, Samsung actually circulated an e-mail within the press which contains a grid comparing the features of the two recently released tablets. According to the grid, the Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with some features which are absent in the iPad 3. Is this just a shot at advertising by Samsung or is there any substance to this claim? Let’s find out.

Form:

For the longest time, the form and design of the Apple iPad was its biggest USP. People would buy the iPad only because it was a fashion statement to have one. It must have been a great challenge for Samsung to come up with a design which was different from the iPad and could stand up to it at the same time. The good news is that they delivered quite decently. The Galaxy Note is actually a tad bit lighter and thinner than the iPad 3 and looks just as smooth and suave as its competitor. It’s a close call in this department.

Display:

Samsung has always been known for its state-of-art screen technology but somehow that hasn’t translated onto their tablets. The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with a PLS TFT display with a 1280×800 pixel resolution. This is very mediocre compared to the iPad 3 which boasts of a 1536×2048 pixel resolution which has been made possible by Apple’s famous Retina technology. We have a clear winner when it comes to display- the iPad 3.

Operating System:

This comparison could take hours and we still won’t reach any conclusion. It is the classic battle between the Android and the iOS. The iPad uses the most recent iOS 5.1 as against the Android 4.0 ICS used by the Galaxy Note 10.1. The choice between the two boils down to your personal preferences. The iOS is definitely smoother and more user-friendly; it’s almost a delight to use this software. The Android on the other hand does not have any restrictions (which the iOS does) and is more flexible according to your needs. As has been said earlier, this one depends entirely on what you prefer.

Hardware:

The basic hardware specifications are similar for the two tablets- both run on a 1GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and come in different storage sizes. But, Apple has gone all out on the A5X chipset which comes with a quad core graphics processing unit which promises greater processing speeds. This might just be the edge that the iPad 3 has over the Galaxy Note.

There are many more factors to consider like connectivity, camera quality, battery life etc. but it can be convincingly said that the Galaxy Note 10.1 is giving some close competition to the iPad 3. It is a tough decision to make in some departments like the choice of OS and the form factor but one gets the feeling that the Apple iPad 3 might just emerge as the winner even if by a not-so-big margin.