TECH VIEW

The lure of cameras

By Anoop Verma

To capture the beauty of an undeniable photographic heaven like India, you can’t rely on the usual smartphone cameras, you need a SLR (single-lens reflex camera). Perhaps a better option is the DSLR. The magnificence of the multi-hued Himalayan Mountains can only be expressed in its entirety when you draw out your regular wide-angle lens. River Ganga cutting serenely through the plains, the traditional ambience in fairs like Kumbh and Pushkar, are rich pickings for a high-class DSLR. The SLR and its digital counterpart, the DSLR, can accommodate lenses of varying focal lengths – that’s why such cameras dominate serious photography.
Sony A55 DSLR
The A55 from Sony deserves to be at the top of the list because it has brought further perfection in the traditional SLR design by using a semi-transparent reflex mirror that enables you to shoot both stills and video right through the mirror. With this tidy little innovation, the A55 can take burst shots at 6 frames per second – with auto-exposure and auto-focus on each shot. The 16.2 megapixels camera is quite compact, and lighter than most conventional DSLRs, it boasts of great ergonomics, well-placed controls. The LCD screen can tilt and swivel – definitely a boon for those shooting at odd angles. Available at: Select Sony outlets, Price: ` 45,000
Nikon D90
A number of successors to this model have already hit the market, but the D90 continues to be a favourite with ace photographers. Incorporated with a full frame 12.3-megapixel sensor, this imaging powerhouse is capable of creating pictures that can easily turn out to be as flawlessly perfect as what you see with your eyes. It comes with an efficient Scene Recognition System and Face Detection, which can detect up to 10 faces. There is a 3-inch super-density 920,000-dot colour LCD screen, in the device that weighs around 620 grams. Available at: http://www.ebay.in/, Price: ` 50,000-70,000
Canon EOS 1000D SLR
Many photography buffs consider the cameras in Canon’s EOS range to be the DSLR elite. The 1000D is the junior most member of this range, but for beginners this camera packed with on-screen Features guide and Creative Auto options is a great photography tool. You can take remarkable images at 12.2 megapixels and also record videos in HD. The 2.7-inch TFT colour LCD with a 230,000-dot resolution has a very helpful in Live View mode. At 495 grams, the camera is light enough to be carried along wherever you go. Available at: www.flipkart.com, Price: ` 29,090
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
This camera has a 12-megapixel image sensor, a 2.7-inch LCD screen, and the ability to shoot three frames per second. Out here you enjoy the facility of having slots for both Memory Stick Pro Duo and Compact Flash media. At the back there is a function button, which poses as an extremely quick and intuitive method of selecting your exposure settings. Available at: Select Sony outlets, Price: Above ` 35,000
Pentax K-x
This stylish looking camera easily sets new standards in the entry-level digital SLR category. In its rather compact body, the Pentax K-x offers several high-end features that are at par with higher-class models. It has 12.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, and a 2.7-inch LCD with auto-focus. By making use of any Pentax 35 mm lens, you can capture wide screen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24fps cinematic framerate. Available at: Select electronics outlets., Price:
` 27,000 (approx.)
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
This 18.0-megapixel camera comes with an 18-55mm lens, and the ability to shoot high quality HD video. With the incorporation of an expanded ISO range, you can expect superlative results even if you are shooting in dim light. We also have a wide 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor. The Quick Control Screen button is especially useful as it allows you to access a range of settings, including ISO, Exposure and Flash Exposure compensation, drive mode, white balance, image quality and much else. Available at: http://www.ebay.in/, Price: ` 50,000–70,000