However you plan on enjoying the upcoming holidays—whether you’re heading on a much-deserved getaway, spending a quiet Christmas with the family or just getting absolutely sloshed with friends—an essential tool for the festive season is a digital still or video cam to capture those special moments, memories and instances of drunken debauchery.
So, before you serve up the eggnog or stuff those stockings, take a gander at these cool cams.
Olympus µ 1000
What Is It: The Olympus µ 1000 is the brand’s first foray into 10 megapixel cameras—and talk about making one heck of an entrance. Night time shots aren’t a problem for the µ 1000 with its BrightCapture Technology, which is pretty useful for anyone who wants to close the year dancing away in a dark club. Clear pictures aren’t the only thing you can expect as BrightCapture is now available in the camera’s movie mode as well, for the first time, so your clips are going to be clear as day too.
The 3x zoom lens means you get to capture shots from a distance and still maintain clarity, while the Digital Image Stabilisation Edit will compensate for blurry shots caused by pesky hand-shakes. The µ 1000 also boasts a stainless steel, waterproof body, so if you’re planning on heading down to some far-flung beach resort, you won’t have to worry about it getting wet. It even sports a crystal clear 6.4cm LCD screen, to help you get the shot just right.
Why You Need It: This baby is perfect for either chilling by the beach or grooving in a club, so don’t leave home without it.
How Much Is It: $699
Where to Get It: Pan Photo & Electronics, #02-42 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Rd., 6733-1131.
Kodak Easyshare V705
What Is It: Although it may be one of the smallest ultra-wide-angle cameras on the market today, the Kodak Easyshare V705 most certainly isn’t a lightweight. The coolest thing about it is its panorama stitch mode, which can capture tricky wide shots. If you’re holidaying somewhere with gorgeous vast landscapes, take this baby along with you. It can capture 180 degrees worth of scenery in just three shots. And, another plus if you’re traveling is that the V705 has 5x zoom capabilities, so even if your subject’s quite a distance away, you can still get a clear shot.
The V705 also allows users to take video clips and even edit their mini-movies right from the camera itself and even create prints from the videos. What more, the V705 includes Kodak Retina Dual Lens Technology as part of its photographic arsenal. This addition touts seven megapixel sensors and anti-blur technology, so you can expect clear and clean shots. But, coolest of all, is that the V705 is one compact fellow, with a thickness of only 20mm, and measuring 101mm by 50mm.
Why You Need It: The V705 was practically designed for exotic holiday getaways.
How Much Is It: $649
Where to Get It: Alan Photo, #01-38 Sim Lim Square, 1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6336-0922.
Canon HV10
What Is It: If you’re going to store those priceless memories in video, there’s no better way to do it than in high-definition (HD). Enter: Canon HV10. Using the highest number of recording pixels (1920 x 1080), it shoots super clear videos. To add on to that, it has an impressive 10x zoom as well. With an ergonomic design, the HV10 won’t feel bulky to carry around. What more—this baby looks as sleek as it feels.
The HV10 also has a super quick focusing function, which will help you optimize your filming experience, and make sure you don’t miss out on any of those moments. There’s even a one-touch Focus Assist button, which will enlarge the image displayed on the cam’s LCD screen to ensure that it’s made easier for you.
And if you’re looking to capture still pictures, you can do that as well via an easy to use screen grab. There’s even a number of editing functions built in, so you can adjust your pictures accordingly.
Why You Need It: With an HD-enabled video cam, you’re going to end up bringing this beauty everywhere you go this holiday season. And you’re going to spend a lot of time just playing around with it too.
How Much Is It: $2,899
Where to Get It: Edison Electronics, #01-43 Sim Lim Square, 1 Rochor Canal Rd., 6337-4444.
Sony HDR-SR1
What Is It: If we’re talking about HD products, however, you just know Sony’s name is bound to come up. The Sony HDR-SR1 is a hard-disk based video cam that boasts an impressive 30GB worth of space, allowing you approximately 11 hours worth of recording in HD-LP mode at five megabytes per second (Mbps), and four hours worth of recording in supreme quality HD-XP mode at 15Mbps.
And in case you’re worried about losing your precious memories, the HDR-SR1’s got a way to help you out with that too—the HDD Smart Protection System, which utilizes a special memory buffer to safeguard your recordings.
What more, its 3G sensor will detect falls and uses a specially designed shock absorber to protect the hard drive.
Why You Need It: Like the HV10, the HDR-SR1 is going to have you enthralled for hours. Let’s, of course, not forget about that tiny fact that it captures everything in HD.
How Much Is It: $2,899.
Where to Get It: Sony Gallery (Bugis), #01-58/59 Bugis Junction, 200 Victoria St., 6837-0646.
