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.

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.

Within the broad spectrum of DSLR’s available in the market these days, there is a segment designed especially for beginners who have only recently forayed into the world of photography. A top level DSLR camera can puzzle and confuse any beginner with the many settings and control options. However, an entry level DSLR combines efficiency with ease of use in an attempt to simplify things.

Having said that, what should be a beginner’s expectations from a DSLR? How different are the criteria to be considered from a top level DSLR? Well, for starters beginners must look for that ideal balance between basic and advanced features. Look for a DSLR which allows you to experiment a little while still providing the basic photographic features. Additionally, a DSLR which comes with automated features is always a good purchase for someone who is still learning the tricks of the trade.

Considering these features, we have complied for you a list of the best DSLR cameras for beginners:

1. Canon Rebel T3i – The great part about this DSLR camera is that it incorporates certain features found typically in a professional DSLR, but yet it manages to keep things relatively simple. This Canon DSLR comes with the Live View mode using which you can actually see how changing some settings can modify a photo even as you are clicking it. This means that it is way easier for you to decide on the best settings for a particular photo.

Additionally, the camera has three zones- the Basic, the Creative and the Image Zone. The settings for all of these three are pre-regulated and they ensure that you get the best of photographs. After a while, when you are equipped with the necessary knowledge and experience, you can easily shift from the automatic to the manual mode of settings. Besides the convenience factor, this DSLR also comes with a state-of-art 18 megapixel CMOS which is basically a sensor which accentuates the level of detail of a photograph. To sum it up, the Canon Rebel T3i has everything you can ask for in an entry level DSLR- it is easy to use, it has features which are designed to uncomplicated things but at the same time, no compromises are made on the quality front.

2. Nikon D5100 – This DSLR also comes with several pre-programmed shooting modes like landscape, portrait, close-up etc. The settings have been regulated in a manner that enhances the final quality of your photographs. Apart from these basic modes, there are others like selective color, miniature effect and night vision.

Along with ease of use, this DSLR also promises professional features like a 16.2 megapixel CMOS and a wide ISO range. These terms can be a little confusing for beginners, so here is what they essentially mean (CMOS has already been explained earlier). The ISO range is normally used to measure film speed. In the case of a DSLR, it refers to the speed of shutter at which it can capture fast moving objects while maintain the sharpness and focus. All said done, the Nikon D5100 delivers on the two most crucial criteria- it is technically sound and it allows a beginner to be creative and experimental.

3. Sony SLT-A55 – Sony has always been known for its cutting edge technological innovations and quite rightly so. This DSLR is the first of its kind to introduce the Translucent Mirror Technology which works in combination with the Live View mode resulting in what Sony describes as the “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” phenomenon.

The Phase Detection Auto Focus along with the Dynamic Range Optimizer leave very little for you to do manually. These automatic settings work brilliantly in tandem to produce stunning photographs. Add to this an impressive ISO range and a variety of shooting modes and you have a perfectly balanced DSLR camera for beginners.

It would be highly sceptical of us to declare out rightly that megapixels don’t matter at all. However, it can be said with a lot of conviction that the megapixel count is just one amongst many features which matter. And even more so, there are other features which are more crucial and must be taken into account while buying a digital camera.

So, what exactly is a megapixel? One pixel actually stands for a PICture ELEment and refers to the number of such units a camera’s sensor can capture when it is exposed to light. A megapixel refers to thousand such pixels. Thus, in very basic terms, a higher megapixel count means that the camera’s sensor can capture more pixels which should translate to a more detailed picture. Based merely on this assumption, one can say that more megapixels equate to a sharper picture. However, this is one of the most popular misconceptions about megapixels.

While studying the megapixel count of a camera, we have to consider that not all pixels are uniform in nature or size. Smaller cameras like the ones installed in phones come with small sensors and thus the pixels are more concentrated in such a camera. A phone camera can boast of a 41 megapixel camera (Nokia has recently released one) but the pixels will remain tiny. On the other hand, a digital camera will always give you better quality photos as compared to a phone camera simply because of the better quality of pixels even if the megapixel count is lower.

DSLR cameras are equipped with huge sensors and top quality lenses, thanks to which they deliver such amazing photos not because of the megapixel count. As a matter of fact, the kind of lens has a huge impact on the camera and should top your list of factors-to-be-considered in a digital camera.

Having said this, pixels are not completely worthless either. They work wonderfully as the very basic standards of judging a camera but again, basic is the key word here. A lot also depends on how and where you are going to use your camera. If you are a professional photographer and want to take poster size shots, megapixels can make a lot of difference. But if you are going to use your camera to click photos for your next Facebook display picture, don’t be fooled by the cameras offering you a higher megapixel count. Our advice-save yourself a couple of hundred dollars. If you have to choose between a 21 megapixel and an 18 megapixel camera, look instead for the quality of the lenses they use. Never judge a camera solely by its pixels

If you’ve been following the blog lately, you probably already know that we’re pretty enamored with Sony’s NEX-7, an MILCs, and while we can praise it until we’re blue in the face, it doesn’t change the fact that you aren’t going to find it anywhere – at least, not for a while. Thailand flooding has unfortunately upset Sony’s supply lines, and it looks like the NEX-7 won’t be available until April. So what can you do if you don’t want to wait that long (or if you simply don’t like the NEX line)? Well, we’ve got a list of some great alternative MILCs that’ll get the job done.

1: Fujifilm X-Pro1

Rather than sit on the waiting list in hopes of getting the NEX-7 when it’s available in April, you may want to take a look at what Fujifilm has to offer. The X-Pro1 is expected to be released in February and offers an excellent combination of manual and automatic controls, all wrapped up in a retro-looking body. Don’t be fooled by the 16MP spec. Its APS-C image sensor is strategically placed closer to the lens for amazing image quality that actually surpasses the NEX-7 and rivals the Canon 5D Mark II. At about $1700, it’ll cost a pretty penny, but you can’t argue with its results.

2: Sony Alpha SLT-A77

No, the A77 is not an MILC; it’s your mostly typical digital SLR, but it’s also your best bet at achieving NEX-7 level results. Apart from being a bit larger and heavier, the A77 has almost exactly the same components as the NEX-7. The A77 is also a bit more rugged, has many more lens choices, improved autofocus, and a larger battery.

3: Sony NEX-5n

Even though it’s the NEX-7’s little brother, the NEX-5n doesn’t skimp on much. It drops down to a 16MP APS-C image sensor (from 24MP on the NEX-7), but image quality only suffers slightly. It also loses the built-in flash and viewfinder, but makes up for it with a smaller and significantly lighter frame. At about half the price, it’s also a lot nicer to your wallet than the NEX-7.

4: Samsung NX200

The NX200 offers somewhat of a middle ground between the NEX-5n and the NEX-7, and its roughly $900 price tag reflects that. It has a great 20MP APS-C image sensor, significantly outclassing Nikon’s similarly priced V1. It’s also a bit lighter and slightly more compact than most MILCs of its class. Lastly, the NX200 has a wide variety of lenses available (a lofty 11), compared to other MILCs.

5: Nikon 1 V1

The Nikon V1 doesn’t really compete with the NEX-7, but as an alternative to the NEX-5n, it does make a decent choice. With a smaller image sensor and larger price (about $900) than competing MILCs, the V1 is a pretty tough sell, but it does have a few unique features (60fps burst and high-speed movie mode) and handful of great Nikkor lenses available as well as quality Nikon accessories.

Thailand is host to many key factories and manufacturing plants for companies like Toshiba, Western Digital, Sony, and Nikon (just to name a few). All of these companies have had to halt production in Thailand due to flooded facilities which has led to product shortages for this holiday season. Some products have been hit harder than others, and fulfilling Christmas lists this year may be difficult.

Hard Drives

Hard drives have been the most affected by the floods. Nearly every major hard drive manufacturer uses Thailand facilities extensively and there have since been reports of worldwide shortages. Even though you can still find them on shelves, the effects of Supply and Demand are very clear.

Back in October, before the flooding became severe, high capacity external hard drives could be found for well less than $100, but have since skyrocketed closer to $200. The 2TB Western Digital Elements Desktop hard drive is a perfect example. In October, you could buy it at a mere $89, but with news of the flooding and shortages, it promptly jumped to $150 and then $180. To make matters worse, most retailers have started limiting hard drive purchases to one per customer. Internal hard drives and laptop drives are affected as well.

All is not lost, however. Solid State Drives have been largely unaffected by the flooding. The problem with Solid State Drives has always been the price, typically $1-$2 per GB compared to $0.04 per GB of a traditional hard drive. But the Solid State Drive market has become increasingly competitive, bringing prices down. Per GB, they are still considerably more expensive than Hard Drives, even at their currently inflated prices, but you also get considerably more performance.

Digital Cameras

Also hit quite hard are digital cameras, especially digital SLRs. Nikon’s entry-level SLRs, the D3100 and D5100, have become hard to find. Its high-end D7000 is experiencing shortages as well. Sony, though, has certainly been hit the hardest. Having just launched its new NEX and Alpha series cameras, there were very few on the market to begin with. The flooding has rendered these new cameras almost impossible to find. The NEX-7, one of the most highly anticipated cameras of the year is nowhere to be found and likely won’t be available until early next year.

Laptops

Most laptop manufacturers do not rely on Thailand facilities to assemble their products, but a few, like Toshiba, do. The hard drive shortage is affecting the laptop market the most. With the increased demand, laptop manufacturers have had to pay more for their hard drives as well, resulting in higher prices down the line. Overall, laptops haven’t been hit that hard, with typical price hikes only around $60 to $90. Many of the larger companies, like Dell and Apple, can afford to absorb these costs themselves.

With all of these abrupt price hikes, it’s wise to research the price history before making any big purchases, especially when buying a laptop. As for hard drives, with their prices so high and availability so sparse, you may want to consider waiting for the market to return to normal. Even though they don’t feel quite as personal, gift cards are a great alternative for those items that just aren’t available. And consider keeping with the holiday spirit and contributing to the relief efforts in the flooded regions.

Dell XPS 15

Laptops are always popular gifts, and the Dell XPS 15 is one place where you can’t go wrong. It may not be the fastest laptop on the market, nor the cheapest, but its style, reliability, and balanced performance makes it a great buy. And today, you can get $100 off and a free Canon ELPH 100 HS digital camera if you order from Dell online and use this coupon code: 932N$0ZCCHWZB9.

Sony DSC-HX9V and Nikon Coolpix P300

Speaking of digital cameras, the Sony HX9V and Nikon P300 are both excellent cameras that can be found on sale today at Amazon.com. These two cameras have been among out top ranked ever since they were released. The P300 is a little more on the affordable side, and the HX9V offers a few more features for those who like a bit more manual control.

Smartphones

Smartphones are on sale today as well, and this includes the latest and greatest phones that have been recently released, such as the acclaimed Galaxy S II. The iPhone 4S has also gone on sale at various places, but finding it is a bit tough since it tends to sell out rather quickly. Both phones make excellent gifts, and with many retailers and carriers (such as Verizon Wireless), the return window extends into January, just in case something goes wrong with the device.

LG 47LW5300

If you ever wanted to get on the 3D TV train, now is your chance. Dell is offering an amazing deal on the LG LW5300 at $430 off, plus free shipping. Considering that it’s a 47-inch LED flat panel, the price is pretty amazing as is, but throw in a 120Hz refresh rate AND 3D PLUS a Blu-Ray Player, and you’ve got yourself a killer deal.

This is just a tiny portion of the deals that are out there today and will continue through the weekend. If there is an item you have your eye on, look it up on alaTest. Our price search updates in real time, so there’s a good chance we’ll catch the best sale price for you. Go ahead, give it a try.

The α77 and α65

The big selling point of the α77 and α65 is Sony’s brand new Translucent Mirror Technology. Traditionally, SLR cameras (the film kind) used a mirror placed in front of the shutter to allow you to see through the lens when looking through the viewfinder. It let the autofocus circuitry peek through the lens as well. The problem is that when you take a photo, the mirror flips up out of the way of the shutter. This wasn’t much of an issue with film, but digital cameras can take photos much faster, and can even shoot video.

While companies like Canon and Nikon have simply taken the familiar route they’ve used for ages in their film cameras and applied it to their digital cameras, Sony has introduced a revolutionary new idea, a mirror that simultaneously lets light pass through it to the shutter while also reflecting light to the autofocus sensors. This allows for true continuous autofocus, regardless of frames per second. Canon and Nikon use a predictive autofocus method that, put simply, doesn’t even compare, especially in high speed shots.

As would be expected with any high-end SLR, these two cameras set the bar in cutting edge features and performance. One notable feature is the Tru-Finder, essentially a digital viewfinder with an OLED display inside. It allows you to see information on top of the image, just as you would on the LCD display. It also works great in low light situations, an area where traditional viewfinders struggle. In all, both the α77 and α65 compare very well to Canon and Nikon’s competing models (the 60D, 7D, D5100, and D7000), even outclassing them in some key points, like image sensor size, light sensitivity, and focus points.

The NEX-5n and NEX-7

The NEX series is another product of Sony’s innovative nature. Traditional SLR designs were built around the limitations that came with film cameras. The NEX series does away with the SLR bulk but keeps almost all of the SLR internal components, like interchangeable lenses, manual controls, and large image sensors. In fact, the NEX-7 actually has the same 24MP image sensor found in the α77.

Compared to the NEX-7, the NEX-5n does dial things back a bit, featuring only a 16MP image sensor (though it’s still full-sized) and lacking a viewfinder and hot shoe. The NEX-5n’s only true competitor is Nikon’s brand new J1. The J1 does offer a few more gimmicky features, but sacrifices a lot in image quality. Even our current leader, the Rebel T3i, is bested in many cases by the NEX-5n.

The biggest limitation of the NEX line is the fact that they all use the E-mount lens, of which, there are only a handful to choose from; however, this all changes when you throw in the Alpha mount adapter. The LA-EA2 adapter even includes the translucent mirror technology, allowing for continuous autofocus. That adapter would effectively turn the NEX-7 into an α77 (minus a bit of image stabilization and a few frames per second in burst mode) at a quarter of the size and half the weight.

I have to say, if I were in the market for a new high-end digital SLR camera this season, it would be the NEX-7, hands down.

Amazon.com’s Game Sale

While it’s not exactly a door buster, Amazon.com is having a huge sale on video games, buy one, get another game at 50% off. This includes some of the top rated game titles of the year, like Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (sure to be a best seller this holiday season), Modern Warfare 3, and Rage.

Sharp LC42B45U

While it’s certainly not the best HDTV available (and it is a bit out dated), Best Buy will be selling this 42-inch 1080p LCD TV for a mere $200. This will be one of the items that sells out fast. Remember, doors open at 12am on Friday.

Best Buy Laptops Sales

Another Best Buy door buster, the Samsung RV510 is a pretty capable 15.6-inch laptop with 4GB of RAM and 320GB hard drive. At just $300, it’s certainly a steal. There will also be a 15.6-inch Lenovo Ideapad G575 for $180. It’s a little less powerful, featuring only 2GB of RAM and a smaller 250GB hard drive, but the price is right.

Best Buy Camera Sales

Best Buy will have a handful of digital cameras on sale as well. The most popular will probably be the Canon PowerShot A3300 at $90; however, they EOS Rebel T3i will be marked down slightly, too. Sony’s NEX-5 will be only $500, which is a phenomenal price, though you may want to consider holding off for the NEX-5N instead.

Netgear WNDR3400

If you don’t make it in time for the door busters, the WNDR3400 is an excellent consolation prize, and Best Buy will have it for $60, USB wireless adapter included.

Target

Target is doing something a little interesting this year. Instead of cutthroat deals, Target’s sale prices are a little higher than you’d expect, however, many of its sale items include Target gift cards. For instance, they will be offering a Keurig K-Cup coffee brewer (a very popular item this year) at its usual $80, but it will include a $30 Target gift card. Other gift card combos include the iPod Nano and Beats by Dr. DreSolo Headphones.

Times Are Changing

If you’re not the type to camp out in the cold just for a chance at a killer deal, you’ll likely be happy to hear that many stores are changing the way they do their Black Friday sales. They still have their door buster specials, but the sales seem to get less impressive each year. Instead, many stores are opting to run their sales longer, but with less discounts. This means you can find a lot of Black Friday priced items often a week before Black Friday.

And don’t forget about Cyber Monday, the internet’s equivalent of Black Friday. Cyber Monday starts on the Monday immediately following Black Friday, but keep an eye out before then. Just like the brick and mortar stores, online stores sometimes like to start early.