1) Panasonic Lumix ZS20 (20x optical zoom, 14mp, 1080p video)

I don’t really like Leica cameras to begin with but this sounds promising. Knowing Leica (in my point of view), and have used 2 Leicas in the past with disappointing results.. this isn’t really a high-priority on my list. I just thought of this one first that’s why I have it here in #1, haha. What turns me off the most aside from the grainy photos this camera will probably produce is that its display is also a touchscreen. Nope, cameras with touchscreens are a dealbreaker for me.

A few things that I do like is the zoom range, and it’s megapixel count (though it’s not really that big of a deal daw) and that it looks like a beefy mancam (HAHA) although it is the thinnest among other cameras with the same specs at the moment.

2) Canon SX240HS (20x optical zoom, 12mp, 1080p video)

Last year, when I purchased my first digicam (with my own moolah, hehe) I was torn between the predecessor of this model (the SX230HS) and the Nikon P300. The Canon camera had it all, but the f/1.8 feature of the Nikon was so tempting and it was way cheaper! So I went ahead and bought the Nikon, no regrets! The only drawback then was I discovered that camera a little too late and I had a feeling they were going to release a followup in 2012.. which is this one.

The specs are quite big upgrade from the previous model, but people say because of the 20x zoom range, the aperture is too slow for it (f/3.5).. What I like about this camera, aside from the zoom and full HD is the P, A, S, M modes and the navigation wheel. The design for this one is totally different from the previous models too, makes me think that it’s not very ergonomic. They also ditched with widescreen style of screen and went back to the usual 4:3 type.

Looks like this is the best one for my needs. If ever I end up buying this, I will most likely get myself an extra battery for it too.

PS: Canon released the SX260HS along with the SX240HS. Both cameras have the same specs, but they only differ in the colors they come in and the SX260HS has GPS, the other one does not.

3) Sony HX30V (20x optical zoom, 18mp, 1080p HD video)

At first glance, I was reminded of the Canon G12. Look at it, it has a G12 feel to it! It has the same specs as the two cameras, but with small differences like it has wireless capability, no aperture and shutter speed priority modes and the manual mode isn’t really that manual (it has some limitations like you can only set it at a certain number of settings). Among the three, this model has the biggest aperture which, I assume, would do better in low-light situations. Also, I am doubtful that the image quality might not be that good and might suffer too since the HX9V had the smeared, “watercolor” effect in the photos it produces in 100% crop. The photos aren’t too detailed in 100% view unless it’s resized.

….But still, it has no A&S priority mode, that’s the only downside for me. Overall, I would purchase this in a heartbeat but I’m having second thoughts about it unless I see closeup photos of it and see if the image quality has improved since the last release. Since it was released just recently, there aren’t much sample videos or photos about it. :\ For video, I assume the quality is still as great as the HX9V. That’s the reason why I wanted that cam in the first place.. the video quality is really superb, according to the samples anyway.

——-

You know what? I can ditch this camera hunt if only the management whose behind the shows/concerts I go to would allow their audience to bring DSLRS!! I have one, I have good glass to back it up, and I know how to use it! I don’t even have to use the built-in flash nor an external flash and you won’t even feel me taking photos (aka I won’t look distracting) IF YOU JUST LET ME. It’s so frustrating to use tiny cameras to capture moments from rare shows like concerts and struggle with editing them to make them look good. Ugh. Photography enthusiast problems.

Camera companies, maybe you want to send me a demo unit of these models so I can personally review them and see if they’re fit? Hahaha. I do honest reviews of cameras because I am in the search of a camera that I can use for concerts!!!

This is a cross-posted entry from my Tumblr. Original entry is here.

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So yeah, today’s must-do list was to have a new layout up before the day ends. I designed and coded everything the whole day. Pretty satisfied that I’ve only came across a few errors this time compared to the last time that took me a day and a half, and that I was even able to put this up within the day (I thought it was gonna be impossible haha). Also, I’m proud that I’ve done this one-column layout successfully though I admit I cheated on the bottom part lol. If there’s an error, let me know. As I was editing the theme, I’ve come across stuff that I want to change more in here but that can be done tomorrow.

Time to rest! What do you think of my new layout? BTW, my header is done by my buddy Jean Pe. She’s an illustrator and a comic artist so if ever you’re looking for someone to doodle or draw you art, portrait, or whatever you have in mind (comic book collab?), you may visit her portfolio at jeanpe.com. Thank you very much Jean!

More tinkering around the site to be done tomorrow. Til the next update!

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I did some splurging yesterday morning at the mall. Armed with less than a thousand pesos and a strict to-do list for my visit there and a mindset that I will not purchase anything except for food. 3 hours later, I came home carrying a shopping bag from the mall’s department store.

I suck. I have no self-discipline when it comes to shopping. Heck, I’m saving for a lot of stuff such as a 55-250mm lens, a blu-ray DVD player, books, proper clothes (by that I mean lady clothes, not the usual graphic tshirts that I need to stop wasting my money on). As the months of (still) being unemployed grow longer, the faster my money is starting to be spent on things.

But who can resist these, um, what are these type of shoes called again?

They’re so pretty. I passed by the rack where they were displayed on my way out of the department store and I just had to take a second look. The first thing I usually do when I see anything I like is to look at the price tag, and to my surprise it’s less than $10! I had just enough money to get two pairs, and here they are!

The one with the orange insole reminds me of koi fishies while the second one screams “hipster, hipster!” to me. Hahaha. They have other designs, mostly florals, which I didn’t fancy that much so good thing they have these two!

I call them sack shoes, haha. It resembles the style of Toms shoes (and Sanuk’s which really looks more like sacks HAHA), at a very cheap affordable price. IDK, I just refuse to purchase a pair of Toms because the price tag is soooo expensive but the designs range from basic to none. :\ The only time I’ve had any interest in them is when Brandon Boyd of Incubus collaborated with them. Of course there’s no chance that I can get a pair of those BoydxToms shoes for myself now, as they’re probably limited ed. and sold out the moment they went public.

I don’t care if they’re cheap; I like the print and that’s what matters. Oh and for the first time, a pair that’s not sneakers, or sandals, or slipons, that actually fit my feet perfectly! I have a handful of pairs of ballet flats here and none of them really last after 1-2 uses because it’s just not comfortable enough for me. I get blisters, foot bruises, and it hurts my toes. Heck, if I could dispose of all my ballet flats I would. Save for the one that I’ve actually used more than twice, that one plain black ballet flats I got for less than PHP 300 last year and used for my business class.

So yeah.. my first ever legit pairs of canvas slip-on (so that’s what they call these!) shoes by some local shoe manufacturer here in the Philippines. Affordable, comfy, pretty designs — what more can I ask for?!

My other impulse buy this week is this camera slingy bag I found from my favorite shop, Izzoshop. I’ve had my eye on their shop for a long time now because I want to buy a new camera bag for my DSLR. Their bags are also on the affordable side but the big plus is their designs, they’re so modern and well-done that the bags don’t look like camera bags and scream “steal me!” to other people.

I remember when I used to want one of those professional camera bags so much, now I just find them tacky. Lol. 

The sucky part about their stuff is that they get sold out so fast. I had a hard time deciding which design to get for their camera slingy collection, but in the end I went with this:

It’s not a real camera bag per sé, more of like an everyday bag but you can safely put your camera and not worry whenever you bump to someone because it’s padded. I find it to be quite small compared to my other everyday bag, this grey Cosé shoulder bag I have. Still amuses me that I can put a lot of things in there. Or maybe I just need to learn to light pack now. I’ve always been the type to put a lot in my bag. Like I have to have a jacket and umbrella everytime I go out.

Izzo was so kind to include this nifty freebie, a dustbag for this! I say every shop should do this, haha. Also, they have this tag on their bags and another tag stitched inside the bag. IDK, it just makes them so legit and established when online shops do that.

They restocked, but this time a limited ed., their best selling Zebra print camera biggie (the legit looking camera bag but in nice print designs) last week but I wasn’t around and only found out about it a week later when it was already sold out. Grr. I’m looking forward to buying from them again and this time a camera bag! I’m sure that I only want to buy from them when it comes to camera bags. Would be my third time doing so.

If you would like to know more about Izzoshop and the stuff they have on sale, visit www.izzoshop.com! You’ll love them, I promise!

Here’s to trying to lock myself in my room for the rest of the week to “save money”. Um, good luck to me?

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