Camera Gift Guide for Holiday 2015

We previously provided you our Gift Guide for laptops and smartphones. This time, we’re going to take a look at cameras which are perfect not just during the holidays, but all throughout the year. Here’s our Camera Gift Guide for Holiday 2015.

Author’s note: We categorized this list depending on camera type: compact point-and-shoot, mirrorless interchangeable, DSLR. We also threw in action cams and dashboard cameras we’ve tested ourselves.

Compact Point-and-Shoot

For those who don’t like carrying bulky cameras and lenses, compact point-and-shoot cameras are the best option. Canon’s PowerShot 120 is a good camera to start with as it is small but doesn’t miss out on features.

Although it’s already 2 years old, it packs a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and f/1.8 lens which makes it capable for casual shooting in low-light. And it comes with WiFi too so you can easily transfer photos to your mobile device. Current SRP is Php18,998USD 324INR 27,445EUR 308CNY 2,358.

Fujifilm also has very capable offerings for this category. One of them is the Fujifilm X30 which now only costs Php19,990USD 341INR 28,878EUR 324CNY 2,481 during their holiday promo. It sports a 12-megapixel sensor, EVF, and WiFi connectivity housed in a slightly bulky, retro-looking but premium body. If you have a bigger budget, you can also go for the X100T at Php59,990USD 1,022INR 86,662EUR 974CNY 7,445 which packs a 16.3 megapixel APS-C sensor, WiFi, and retro/premium body like the X30.

If you want something more feature-packed, we recommend Sony’s RX100 IV which was launched just this year. It has a 20.1 megapixel 1.0-inch Type CMOS sensor coupled with a ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T 24-70 mm lens with F1.8-2.8 aperture. Some of its top features are 4K and super slow motion video recording, as well as WiFi and OLED viewfinder. Price is steep though at Php49,990USD 852INR 72,216EUR 811CNY 6,204.

Mirrorless Interchangeable

There are lots to choose from if you’re opting for a mirrorless system. We can start again with Canon with their EOS M-Series. Canon’s EOS M10 recently launched here in the Philippines. It packs an 18 megapixel APS-C sensor, Hybrid CMOS AF II, 3-inch tiltable touchscreen display, as well as NFC and WiFi. Price starts at Php20,998USD 358INR 30,334EUR 341CNY 2,606 bundled with EF-M15-45 mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM lens.

You may also opt for its more capable sibling, the EOS M3, which sports a 24.2-megapixel APS-C type CMOS Sensor, Hybrid CMOS AF III, 3-inch tiltable touchscreen display, NFC, and WiFi. Price starts at Php25,998USD 443INR 37,557EUR 422CNY 3,226 bundled with an 18-55 kit lens.

Fujifilm won’t be left out as well as they have released a bunch of mirrorless cameras this year alone. One of them is the X-A2 which packs a 16 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, 3-inch tilting LCD, and built-in WiFi. Price starts at Php25,490USD 434INR 36,823EUR 414CNY 3,163 and bundled with a XC16-50mm. For that similar price range, you can also opt for the Sony a5000 kit worth Php22,999USD 392INR 33,224EUR 373CNY 2,854. It sports a 20.1 megapixel APS-C sensor, 3-inch LCD screen and built-in WiFi and NFC.

Going up the price range, the Sony a6000 is a good choice with its 24.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, advanced hybrid AF, OLED EVF, at Php39,999USD 682INR 57,783EUR 649CNY 4,964. Breaking the Php40K barrier is the Fujifilm X-T10 with XC16-50mm lens for Php40,990USD 698INR 59,214EUR 665CNY 5,087 (Php35,990USD 613INR 51,991EUR 584CNY 4,466 body-only). It sports a 16 megapixel APS-C sensor, EVF, WiFi, and retro-styled premium body. If you have the budget for its more capable and weather-sealed sibling, you may also get the X-T1 with XF18-55mm lens for Php75,990USD 1,295INR 109,775EUR 1,233CNY 9,430 (Php55,990USD 954INR 80,883EUR 909CNY 6,948 body-only, black).

Now if you have pro needs and with really deep pockets, there’s the Full-Frame cameras like the Sony a7r II which we reviewed recently priced at Php154,999USD 2,641INR 223,912EUR 2,516CNY 19,235, and the Php164,999USD 2,812INR 238,358EUR 2,678CNY 20,476 Sony a7s II.

DSLR

For those who want a general-purpose DSLR with WiFi functionality, you may opt for the Canon EOS 760D. It has a 24.2-megapixel sensor, Hybrid CMOS AF III, WiFi, and NFC. SRP is Php47,998USD 818INR 69,338EUR 779CNY 5,957 (Php30,998USD 528INR 44,780EUR 503CNY 3,847 body-only) and includes a 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM kit lens.

Nikon, on the other hand, has the D5500. It sports a 24.2-megapixel sensor without an optical low-pass filter (OLPF), 3.2-inch display vari-angle LCD, 39-point autofocus (AF) system, and built-in WiFi. Price is at Php42,900USD 731INR 61,973EUR 696CNY 5,324 with 18-55 VR II kit lens.

If your budget is under Php40K, there’s the Pentax KS-2. It has a 20.12 megapixels sensor, weather-sealed, and has built-in WiFi. SRP is at Php37,990USD 647INR 54,880EUR 617CNY 4,715 but we sometimes see it being offered at a promo price of Php29,990USD 511INR 43,324EUR 487CNY 3,722.

Action cameras

If you’re looking for action cams the GoPros won’t be left out. You may start with the entry-level GoPro Hero for around Php7K at Lazada and local online stores. The Hero 4 Silver fetches from Php17K to Php18K, while the Hero 4 Session falls at around Php21K to Php22K.

Sony has a slew of action cams as well like the HDR-AS20 for Php12,999USD 222INR 18,778EUR 211CNY 1,613. If you have the budget, you can go up to Php27,999USD 477INR 40,447EUR 454CNY 3,475 for their 4K-enabled X1000V / X1000VR 4K Action Cam.

For those with a lower budget, buyers may go for the SJCAM SJ4000 at under Php4K which is also available at Lazada. There’s also an incoming action cam from Cherry Mobile called the Cherry Action Cam for just Php3,999USD 68INR 5,777EUR 65CNY 496.

There are lots to choose from actually so you may want check out our article here for other alternatives.

Dashboard cameras

A dashboard camera for your car is recommended nowadays for security and documentation purposes. We have reviewed three so far and you can check out our review via the links provided.

* Zumi dashboard camera (Php3,300USD 56INR 4,767EUR 54CNY 410)
* Vicovation Vico-Marcus 4 UHDR Dash Cam (Php8,700USD 148INR 12,568EUR 141CNY 1,080)
* HP f310 Car Camcorder (Php7,999USD 136INR 11,555EUR 130CNY 993)

Film cameras

Film cameras are rare nowadays, but there are those that are offered by Fujifilm under their Instax line that lets you take photos Polaroid style. Their latest right now is the Instax Mini 70 for Php6,999USD 119INR 10,111EUR 114CNY 869.

And there you have it, folks. If you have suggestions, feel free to inform your fellow readers by writing it down at the comments section below.