LD Recommended: Digicams

You've always wanted the perfect camera to capture life's moments. Help is at hand with this fairly short list of digicams across price points. From basic point and shoot models to advanced prosumer and DSLRs, you'll find something here that catches your fancy.

Under Rs 10,000

1. Olympus T-100 (Rs 3,999) - The cheapest 12MP camera available in the market today, the Olympus T-100 is a slim and stylish point and shoot camera that makes clicking images a breeze. It has a 2.4" viewfinder and comes with 3X optical zoom. The camera also boasts of AF tracking which helps in keeping moving objects in focus by tracking them automatically.  It also has face detection and the Auto function detects and applies optimum settings required for the shot!

2.  Sony CyberShot W310 (Rs 7,700) - The Sony Cybershot boasts of a 26mm wide angle lense with a 12MP sensor. It has 4X optical zoom and comes with a 2.7" LCD viewfinder. It also boasts of iIntelligent Auto Mode, Smile Shutter and Face Detection. The camera records videos at 640 x 480 resolution at 30FPS and is stylishly sleek and simple to operate. The W310 scores over the competing Canon A3100 in the same bracket simply because of the superb wide angle lens! 

3. Sony Cybershot W320 (Rs 9,700) - This sleek and sexy model from Sony features a 26mm wide Carl Zeiss lens. The camera shoots images at a whooping 14MP resolution and also boasts of 4X optical zoom, with Steadyshot, smile and face detection. It has 2.7" LCD display that acts as the viewfinder as well. It uses a Li-on battery and also records videos in 640 x 480 resolution at 30FPS.

4. Fujifilm FinePix S1500 (Rs 9,990) - This is the only prosumer camera available in this price range. This 10MP camera has a ruggedized finish in a compact body. It boasts of 12X optical zoom as well as dual image stabilization. Furthermore, it goesupto 6400 ISO and uses 4 AA batteries for power. Videos are recorded in 640 x 480 pixel resolution and the overall performance of the camera is very good. 

Read our Review of the Fujifilm S1500

Price of Rs 10,000 - 20,000

Price of Rs 20,000 - 30,000

1. Panasonic Lumix FZ-35 (Rs 21,500) - The FZ35 is an update to the much loved FZ28. This prosumer camera comes with 18X optical zoom and shoots images at 12MP resolution. The camera features a Lecia DC Vario Elmarit 27mm wide angel lens with Power Optical Image stabilization. It sports a 2.7" LCD viewfinder andr ecords videos in 720p HD resolution. It features Panasonic's latest Venus Engine and shoots in RAW resolution as well.

2. Canon Powershot SX-30IS (Rs 27,000) - The SX30 IS from Canon is a high zoom monster. It's got a high-powered 35x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, 14.1 MP resolution, a big 2.7" Vari-Angle LCD, Blink Detection and full manual controls. The camera also comes with a mini HDMI port for direct connectivity to LCD TV.

3. Canon Powershot S95 (Rs 27,000) - The S95 is a point and shoot camera that has the performance to replace a DSLR. The camera takes images in 10MP resolution and features Canon's Hybrid IS system that provides for unbelievable images even in low light. The camera records images in RAW format and even records videos in 720p HD quality.

Recommended DSLR

1. Nikon D3100 (Rs 29,000) - The entry level DSLR from Nikon replaces the D3000 and takes images at 14MP resolution, it has a CMOS sensor and comes bundled with an 18-55mm VR lens. The camera uses the Nikon EXPEED 2 sensor with ISO upto 3200. It has an 11point AF system with active D-lighting and an updated guide mode for easy learning. It now has an integrated dual dust reduction system and records videos in full HD 1080p.

2. Canon EOS 550D (Rs 45,000) - The 550D is one of the best DSLR available today for an amateur as well as a professional. The camera takes shots at 18MP resolution and comes with Digic IV processor. It shoots at 3.6 FPS and also records videos in 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution at 30FPS. The camera also sports a 3" viewfinder and a self cleaning sensor unit.

Read our Review of the Canon EOS 550D

3. Canon EOS 7D (Rs 97,995) - The 7D strikes the perfect note for the professionals. Shooting at awhooping 18MP resolution, the 7D has a magnesium alloy body and ispowered by dual DIGIC IV processors. It features a live view mode, 8FPScontinuous shooting, 19point AF system, ISO upto 12,800 and dual axiselectronic level on LCD and viewfinder. It even records videos in 1920x 1080 full HD resolution and includes a self cleaning sensor unit aswell as a dust delete function.