The best DSLR cameras on the market right now!

Whether you’re an expert photographer or just a hobbyist, the world of DSLR cameras is wide and varied. With new features and a range of prices, investing in a good model can bring your memories to a different level. So, if you are looking for a new camera, you need to know where to start. Features, functions and abilities come on different levels so let’s narrow down the search with this top five.

Canon EOS 1100D

 If you’re looking for a solid entry-level DSLR that offers great value for money then this is the camera for you. Perfect for those on a budget, it goes head to head with the Sony and Nikon equivalents. Whether you’re shooting for ambience or scene type, this gives you great options with top features. Fast image processing, a 12.2 megapixel sensor and shooting three frames a second, it is simple and easy to operate making creativity easy. Overall, it gives good image quality but has a poor build quality, and at Php 24,000 you can’t go wrong.

 

Nikon D3200

A little more expensive than the Canon, this effort from Nikon is equally perfect for beginners. Easy to master with a neat guide function, it isn’t bulky, has a brilliant design and the sensor is top drawer with 24.2 megapixels. If you’re looking for a practical camera that has great picture quality but gives amateurs a helping hand then this is latest generation DSLR for you. 

Pentax K-5 II

 

If you prefer to go against the pack then this classy yet robust camera could be perfect for what you’re looking for. Speedy autofocus and an easy to use DSLR, it is capable of taking knocks and being out in all weathers. There isn’t much from the exterior that separates it from the predecessor. It has some solid rivals and while there are fiddly controls and questionable resolution (comparatively) the new shake reduction system, sensor and solid build make it a great value option.

Sony Alpha A99

The flagship DSLR for Sony, this 24.3 megapixel resolution camera boasts the company’s SLT technology alongside an electronic viewfinder. With customisation possible you can also control the AF range and capture plenty of detail while limiting image noise. Find more about it from the Digital Photography Review but it’s safe to say that if you want an all singing all dancing camera then you could do far worse than invest in this, even if prices can range into six figures.

 

Nikon D7100

 

If you’re looking for a competitor for the Sony Alpha A99 then this is your boy. An exciting proposition, it is only 0.2 worse off than the former and is perfect for those taking snaps in the outdoors. Perfect for on the go, it isn’t vulnerable to the weather while also being light and small to ensure practicality. Maybe not a no-brainer of a purchase, you can get the siblings for a better value for money price, but the faster processes make it worth a buy.

 

Sigma SD15

 

Just to complete the set, we add a fifth of the big boys to the list. Their only mid-range DSLR is perfect because of its back to basics approach. A top sensor, you get sharpness and clarity from the Foveon X3. The basic approach means that features are stripped down but this can make it refreshing for both starting and experienced photographers. Worth a look, this could be a big player if developed efficiently.

Solar power – A modern phenomenon

Solar power is one of the most readily available sources of renewable energy that we have. Unlike hydro, geothermal or wind energy, energy from the sun is easy and cheap to extract. The energy source is set for some exciting developments in the near future as all the potential uses of solar power are explored.

How it works

Systems of collecting energy from the sun have been around since the 1760s. The earliest device of this nature was created by Swiss scientist Horace-Benedict de Saussure, who made a solar oven using an insulated box covered with layers of glass.

Today, energy from the sun is normally extracted by the use of a solar panel. These ingenious systems have been used to power pocket calculators for years and are now becoming popular additions to homes. Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. This process is achieved by absorbing energy from the sun’s rays, before transferring these photons to a semiconductor where they react with electrons to create an electric charge. Find out more at howstuffworks.

Advantages of Solar Energy

Even among renewable energy systems, solar energy is one of the lowest impact sources of power that we have. Because the sun is a constant source of energy, there no need to recreate its power, just harness it, making it an extremely viable and environmentally friendly energy source.

As well as being good for the environment, solar power can also be a lot cheaper than traditional sources of energy, like nuclear and oil. Although the initial cost of installing solar panels on a building can be expensive, it doesn’t take long to recoup the money from this outlay. In some regions, such as the UK, households that are fitted with solar panels create so much power that they are able to sell their energy back to the national energy grid.

Potential Uses for Solar Power

Both in theory and in practice, anything that runs on electricity can be powered by the energy from the sun. This means that the possibilities for solar power are almost endless. In the future, with efficient enough systems of extracting the sun’s energy, we could see solar powered smartphones and computers, while electric cars are already well into development.

The future

Although the end of our reliance on oil may still be some way off, companies across the globe are investing heavily in solar power. In 2010, engineers at Stanford School discovered a way to harness not just light from the sun but heat too, thereby doubling the efficiency of extraction. While in 2012, the largest solar energy plant in history was opened in China, India also has a huge energy plant. Investment from two of the fastest growing economic powers in the world shows how influential solar power is going to be in the future.

Solar power is expected to become a mainstream source of energy soon, with the eventual aim that it will eventually replace oil as our number one energy supply. Although a lot is still needed to be done to reach this stage, the future of solar power is bright with plenty of potential uses.

iWatch – The rumours

The iWatch initially started out as an apparent case of tech blogs and rumour mills running out of gossip. However, hearsay has suddenly turned into genuine reports, and it seems that electronic giants Apple are infact working on the latest variant for the iFranchise.

The iWatch

The current trends suggest that technology that you can wear is set to be the next big thing. The Pebble Smartwatch is already here and Google Glasses are due to be released later this year. If Apple get their way, they will be muscling in on the scene with the iWatch. However, with Apple already assigning more than 100 people to work on the gadget, one presumes that they’ll want the device to be more than just a passing fad. The sizable team of staff includes designers, software developers and, of course, marketers.

Spec

Although the iWatch will probably lack many of the features of a primary device, the gadget could make a useful sidekick to a smartphone or a tablet. It is expected that users will be able to sync their watch to their phone so that they can quickly view messages or check who’s phoning.

Dimensions of the iWatch should mirror the 6th generation iPod nano, although it will come with a integrated wrist strap. The 6th version of the nano is priced at $149 USD, which is almost the exact price of the Pebble Smartwatch. The iWatch would probably fall into a price category somewhere around there, however, with the novelty factor that it will bring, Apple could certainly get away with selling the device at closer to the £200 mark, at least to begin with.

Where will it fit in?

Anyone who doubts the marketing prowess of Apple Inc is kidding themselves. With their irresistible advertising campaigns, Apple could sell sand to the Middle East. For evidence of this, look at the iPad, and for further evidence, look at the iPad mini. Even if there is no niche for the iWatch, Apple will create one, and anyway, consumers are coming round the notion that a new gadget doesn’t necessarily need to serve any particularly function, as long as it’s interesting enough.

Ultimately, the product could yet sell itself, as there are a few obvious areas where the iWatch could prove a hit. There are younger consumers, who don’t have the money to get a smartphone or tablet, while joggers will doubtless enjoy the fact that you don’t need pockets to carry around an iWatch and that’s before you consider the business world.

Release

There has been no indication of when the iWatch might be released – just plenty of speculation, however, the launch date could be as early as the second half of 2013, with some analysts saying that there is around a 50% chance that we will see the gadget this year. Indeed, in February, Apple CEO Tim Cook did indicate that the company was looking at “new categories” to move into.

Only time will tell whether the iWatch proves a timepiece worth having or just a waste of time, however, it is certainly something to watch out for.

Christmas gadgets of 2013

It is never too early to start thinking about buying Christmas presents, especially when it comes to the fast moving world of electronics. So far in 2013, we’ve already seen some great gadgets, like the Pebble Smartwatch and the advent of 3D printers, however, the electronics that are going to make the biggest splash this Christmas haven’t been released yet.

Best Seller

The next generation of game consoles are almost upon us with the Sony Playstation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One in the final stages of development. The release dates of these two highly anticipated systems are both expected to be sometime in the fourth quarter of the year. The respective launches will be just in time for Christmas, which should help these heavyweight gaming machines be the biggest hit of the festive period.

In the past, gaming was said to be the hobby of adolescent males, however, these day, the spectrum of people who engage in the virtual world is much broader. Consoles are now the playthings of kids, adults, men and women. With the release of the PS4 and Xbox One, the range of potential customers will increase further. The versatile consoles will make gaming more universal than ever with an array of features, such as high-end video playback systems, that will appeal to the loyal legion of hardcore gamers as well as casual gaming fans.

Games already confirmed for the Xbox include the hugely popular Call of Duty series and Forza Motorsport 5. Lined up for the PS4 meanwhile, are Assassin’s Creed and Battlefield 4. Other titles like FIFA and Watch Dogs will be available on both systems. With the wide appeal and set of exciting games, the PS4 and Xbox should be the most sought after gifts this Christmas.

Other Potential Big Sellers

It appears that wearable technology is on its way, with the Pebble Smartwatch already making a splash in this area of electronics. Later this year, the intelligent timepiece is set to be joined by a rival in the shape of the iWatch from Apple, while the Google Glass is one of the most eagerly anticipated technological releases of recent times.

The iWatch, Apple’s latest innovation, is already in development and could be released as early as November. The watch will allow users to sync the timepiece to their phone or laptop to check emails, messages and calls, as well as featuring the native music app and an integrated fitness app. It should cost around $150 USD.

The Google Glass is expected to have a rather more prohibitive price tag, probably something closer to $1500 USD. However, the ingenious piece of equipment should be attractive enough to consumers to ensure that there are still plenty of people who will have the system at the top of their Christmas present wish list. Features of the futuristic pair of spectacles include a camera, integrated Google maps and a built in translator.

Although perhaps a slightly more niche area than gaming, wearable technology such as the Google Glass and iWatch will still be a big hit this Christmas.