Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide
CHRISTMAS is not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. We've compiled the best technology from 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself. Part 1: Cameras
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Christmas is a not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. The Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide compiles the best technology of 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself. In the first chapter of this epic guide, Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson and Rod Chester focus on the best cameras of the season, from high-end shooters to more entry-level snappers.
HIGH-END CAMERAS
Sony Alpha 7S
What’s better than a full-frame camera in a compact body? A compact, full-frame camera with a seemingly implausible ISO rating for seriously lowlight shots. The Alpha 7S has an ISO rating up to a staggering 409,600 when extended, and 102,400 ISO as standard. The camera also offers a 12.2-megapixel resolution, 4K video capture, wi-fi and NFC connectivity, and an OLED viewfinder. It also comes in a lightweight, easy-to-grip form.
Sony
$2799
sony.com.au
- Pros
- — Staggering lowlight range up to 409,600 ISO
- — Full-frame sensor for less than $3000
- — Small body weighing just 446g
- Cons
- — Half the resolution of the Alpha 7
- — 4K video requires extra equipment
- — No built-in flash
Canon EOS 7D Mark II
The sequel to Canon EOS 7D has been a long time coming, but it comes with more power inside. The new 7D offers a new 65-point autofocus system, 20-megapixel resolution, on-sensor phase detection for better focusing during video capture, and dual image processors to capture it all. Using this technology, the camera can capture up to 10 frames per second. It also comes with a GPS chip so you can look up photos by their location later.
Canon
$2579
canon.com.au
- Pros
- — New 65-point autofocus system
- — Dual image processors for better video capture
- — 10 frame-per-second shooting speed
- Cons
- — Lacks wi-fi connectivity
- — 3-inch LCD screen isn’t touch-sensitive
- — High price compared to rivals
Samsung NX1
Samsung’s freshly released flagship camera shoots 28-megapixel images with an APS-C sensor and does so quickly. It takes just .055 second to lock focus on a subject, and can capture up to 15 photos per second at full resolution. The interchangeable lens camera also features a built-in viewfinder, OLED touchscreen, low light shooting to 25,600 ISO, 4K video capture, and both wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy image sharing.
Samsung
$1899 body only
samsung.com/au
- Pros
- — Quick, 153-point autofocus
- — Highest resolution in an APS-C sensor
- — 4K video capture
- Cons
- — Larger than many compact system cameras
- — High price
- — Lacks the cute retro styling of rivals
Olympus OM-D E-M10 with 14-42mm EZ lens
Even the most passionate DSLR fan may be tempted by this compact system camera that has classic, throwback styling. The E-M10 has a built-in flash, a 16-megapixel sensor, electronic viewfinder, wi-fi connectivity, and a tilting, 3-inch touchscreen. Unlike the top of the range OM-D camera, it’s not water-resistant, but it is half the price.
Olympus
$999
olympus.com.au
- Pros
- — Classic style
- — Electronic viewfinder and tiltable screen
- — Compact
- Cons
- — Not water-resistant
- — Small hand grip
- — Controls not always intuitive
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5
This 16-megapixel camera pairs a traditional look with modern colours. The GM5 offers wi-fi connectivity and in-camera filter effects, if you’re into that sort of thing, plus a PASM control dial. It has a viewfinder, although it is tiny, and a hot shoe for attaching a separate flash. The 12-32mm kit lens (24-64mm film equivalent) is a good starting point.
Panasonic
$1099
panasonic.com/au
- Pros
- — Stylish
- — Compact
- — Wi-fi connectivity and viewfinder
- Cons
- — Screen doesn’t tilt
- — Lacks a substantial grip
- — Small buttons might be tricky for large fingers
BASIC CAMERAS
Canon G7X
Keen Canon DSLR users searching for something pocket-sized should look this way. This new addition to Canon’s G series is a 20-megapixel camera with a one-inch sensor and an f/1.8-2.8, 4.2x optical zoom (equivalent to 24-100mm). It shoots full HD video, has wi-fi and NFC connectivity, and a flip-up 3-inch touchscreen. It doesn’t have a viewfinder but overall the compact design is cleverly considered.
Canon
$850
canon.com.au
- Pros
- — Flip-up touchscreen
- — One-inch sensor
- — Compact size
- Cons
- — No viewfinder
- — No hot shoe
- — Autofocus can be slow
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60
If you make a travel camera checklist, this should tick the requirements. It has a 30x zoom that equates to a huge 24-720mm reach, a PASM dial, and scene modes in case you just want to point and click. It has wi-fi and NFC connectivity to pair it with a smartphone, and a GPS feature so it can record the location of holiday snaps. It has an 18.1-megapixel sensor, you can shoot images in RAW, and a live viewfinder is available in case bright sunlight makes looking at the 3-inch screen difficult.
Panasonic
$549
panasonic.com/au
- Pros
- — Pocket size
- — Huge zoom
- — Manual controls
- Cons
- — Visible noise at higher IS0
- — No wall charger to charge extra battery
- — No touchscreen
Nikon Coolpix L830
If you’re not the world’s biggest photography enthusiast but want a camera to take great holiday snaps, this could be the unit for you. It’s a 16-megapixel camera with a 34x optical zoom, which is a massive 22.5-765mm in 35mm terms. It will capture everything from wide shots to extreme close-ups without having to worry about changing a lens or camera settings. It’s powered by 4AA batteries.
Nikon
$249.95
mynikonlife.com.au
- Pros
- — Super zoom
- — AA batteries means no charger to pack
- — Point and shoot
- Cons
- — No manual controls
- — You’ll chew through AA batteries
- — No room to take greater control of settings as your skills develop
Samsung K Zoom
On one side it’s a phone but flip it over and it’s a camera. This is a big step up from Samsung’s first attempt at merging the two forms, with this second generation arriving in a more compact form. It’s a mid-range Google Android phone with a 4.8-inch touchscreen, plus it has got a 10x optical zoom. Once you give it a try, you may wish all smartphones came with an optical zoom.
Samsung
$699
samsung.com/au
- Pros
- — The power of the optical zoom
- — Versatility
- — 20.7-megapixel camera
- Cons
- — Bulky in a pocket
- — Basic phone
- — Not waterproof
Olympus Stylus SH-1
Olympus has travel on its mind with this camera, the Stylus SH-1. To capture faraway places, it boasts a 24x optical zoom equivalent to 25-600mm, and to capture images in dark rooms it offers light sensitivity from 125 to 6400 ISO. Users can tap its 3-inch touchscreen to focus, transfer images with wi-fi connectivity, and double its zoom digitally when necessary.
Olympus
$449
olympus.com.au
- Pros
- — Long zoom lens to bring landmarks into view
- — Small, 271g body for easy travel
- — Wi-fi connectivity for easy sharing
- Cons
- — Lacks aperture-priority mode
- — Its LCD screen is not as crisp as some
- — Lens only offers f3 aperture
Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide
Christmas is not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. This is a compilation of the best technology from 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself.
Hottest 100 Christmas gadget guide
Christmas is not just a time for giving, but a time for gadgets. This is a compilation of the best technology from 2014 for you to wrap up for others, or yourself.