Cameras: Is the Nikon P510 worthy of having?

Here is a saleslady holding and demonstring the P510 42x zoom compact digital camera from Nikon in the 5th floor of SM Noth Annex Building.

The camera boasts of the following:

Resolution	16.1 megapixel, BSI CMOS sensor
Lens	24-1000mm ED glass
Max. Zoom	Zoom 42X optical
view screen	3 in. TFT, (921,000 Dot Resolution) vari-angle LCD
Features	GPS, Image stabilization, auto panoramic stitch
Video	Full HD (1080p), stereo sound
Continuous shooting	5 frames per second

I have the samsung WB150F 18x zoom digital camera, but I would love to complement my arsenal of cameras with this Nikon P510. Perfect for shooting birds!

Yes, this camera is worth having not withstanding the GPS geotagging feature is virtually useless in the Philippines!


The price of this camera is around P25,000.00 with the regular price of P28,000. The price in the US right now is around 400 dollars minimum at Amazon! So I can only suggest when the price goes down to 17,000 pesos. Wait next year for prices to go down as right now the prices of most cameras are going down!

But right now, I have to save money. Maybe I will be able to afford one this coming December.


Further reading:

• dpreview.com
  
• photographyblog.com
  

Cameras: Samsung WB100 superzoom 26X camera. A bargain at 9,990 pesos!

I went to visit SM North or SM City in Quezon City,today August 11, 2012, and was surprised with the new cameras on display/sale. One particular camera caught my attention: the newest member of the wide body series for Samsung (my brother bought the WB150F for 12,9999 pesos) selling for an incredible price of Phil. 9,990 pesos!

The 26x zooming range is a real comeon, imagine competing to shoot nature photos, like faraway birds with professionals with their bulky and heavy dslr and extra heavy zoom lens. The WB100 user may be able to shoot more respectable photos than professionals in a day!

here is a photo of the Samsung WB100 with a red body.

Here are some public specs from published sources.

Zoom lens	26x, 40-104mm [f1.31-f5.39mm], 22.3mm
Power	4-AA batteries
Sensor	16 Megapixels
Movie	720HD 30fps
Special features	Dual image stabilizer, 3D photo capture, live panorama
Image tools	Smart filter, Magic Frame, Split shot modes
Display size	3"

Specs to be continued....


The suggested retail price in the US is about 200 dollars. Converting roughly to pesos using 41.7 pesos/dollar, this amounts to 8340 pesos, which is not bad if you buy it here. Shipping charges and customs may shoot up the price to more than 10K pesos.

I still do not have the urgent need to buy this immediately, but the WB100 is NOT pocketable. It has no EVF (Eyelevel View Finder), not unusual since this is an entry level superzoom camera.



My first experience with Samsung camera products was not good. My first ST-30 which I bought for less than 5,000 gave up less than a year after its teflon seals unraveled, perhaps to intrusion of moisture. Yet I made a lot of photos with it and it had some advanced features! I had to buy my current Olympus VG-110 which is much sturdy and is still functioning now.


Further reading: Samsung.com WB100 official page