Casio EX-ZR100
Weight: 164g
Resolution: 12.1 megapixels with back-illuminated CMOS sensor
Screen: 3-inch TFT color LCD With the EX-ZR100, gone is the need to lug around a handycam to shoot your team in action. Its TFT screen allows you to watch videos on the camera with minimum lag. This model also features a number of cool shooting modes such as slow-motion video recording and Slide Panorama, which allows you to pan across a scene to take 360-degree images—great for capturing the game and spectator reactions in one smooth move. For capturing fleeting moments quickly, we appreciate the high- speed burst function, which allows you to shoot at a speed of 40 shots per second; you only need to press the shutter button halfway for it to start firing away, too.
Verdict: A must for shooting high-octane action. $599
Olympus XZ-1
Weight: 275g
Resolution: 10 megapixels
Screen: 3-inch OLED, which provides wide range of color and contrast Although entry-level DSLR prices are falling at an alarming rate, there are still many photographers who aren’t fond of working with bulky equipment and switching between lenses. The XZ-1 combines a mirror-less (and therefore much more compact) camera with DSLR-worthy features such as a bright zoom lens, which in this case is the famed i.Zuiko that also graced the Olympus PEN series. The XZ-1 also features the Live Guide interface that the PEN E-PL1 was known for—perfect for users who’re not familiar with photographic terms and advanced techniques involving color saturation and hue. Once you get used to the melee of functions, you can move on to tweaking the knobs and buttons on the manual exposure option. Our only gripe is its modest resolution.
Verdict: Great for amateur shutterbugs. $748
Sony Cybershot DSC-TX10
Weight: 133g
Resolution: 16.2 megapixels Exmor R
Screen: 3-inch LCD If you’re on a swimming team, we’d recommend this one for many reasons. For one, it’s a lot lighter than your average point-and-shoot but still packs a punch. You’ll appreciate this one especially if you’re used to training indoors.Its light-sensitive technology means you can capture stills even in lowly-lit areas, and you can also record high definition videos of your performance at up to 1080 pixels and at a higher frame rate of 60 frames per second. Possibly the most essential element is the camera’s physical capabilities. The TX-10 is not only waterproof up to five meters, it is also shockproof and freeze-proof to minus 10 degrees; so if you decide to get out of the water for a bit of mountaineering, it’ll still do you proud.
Verdict: Your best bet if watersports are your thing. $549
Where to buy:
Best Denki
#02-07 VivoCity, 1 Harbour Front Walk, 6276-6636.
Challenger Technologies
#06- 00 Funan Digitalife Mall, 109 North Bridge Rd., 6339-9008.
Harvey Norman
#B1-01 Funan Digitalife Mall, 109 North Bridge Rd., 6334-5432.
