Updated 26 May, 2012, 4:18 pm IST

Cameras Under Rs. 10,000

23 Jul, 2010, 11:06 am IST | by Sandeep Balachandran

In search of a camera that's affordable yet powerful enough capture decent images? Here are a selected few to choose from.

It goes without saying that there is a camera for everyone irrespective of whether you are starting out as an amateur or looking for an upgrade. The choices are endless but there are a handful of us who prefer going by a budget rather than keep performance as our highest priority. So here are a chosen few that you can get your hands on for less than Rs. 10,000.

Samsung ES73 - Rs. 8,990
The Samsung ES73 is probably one of the most of decent looking entry level camera that one can currently get their hands on. Designed with keeping the user in mind the ES73 comes with an Anti-scratch mask that keeps it safe from unwanted scratches. Overall durability is further extended by the cameras rubber exterior and dust-proof buttons pad. The ES73 comes with 5x of optical zoom along with a super wide 27mm lens. Apart from the Smart Auto mode what you also get are a total of 16 different scene modes to choose from.

Other features include –
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 96.3 x 58.3 x 21.7 mm
• Weight: 127 g
• Display: 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixels
• Resolution: 12.2 megapixels
• Aperture range: f/3.5 – f/5.9
• Optical Zoom: 5x
• Digital Zoom: 3x
• Shutter Speed: 8 sec. to 1/2000sec (Smart auto/night mode), 1 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (other modes)
• ISO sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
• Flash: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off, Red Eye Fix
• Self Timer: Yes
• Movie recording: 640 x 480 pixels / 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps.
• Storage: SD / SDHC
• Recording Format: JPEG (still image), AVI (video)
• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Battery: Li-Ion Battery
• MRP: Rs 8,990

Sony DSC-W320 - Rs. 9,990
The Sony DSC-W320 has been around for a while and it still is quite a contender for a camera under the 10K bracket. For instance it features a 26mm wide angle lens and comes with 4x of optical zoom. In addition it features a 14.1 Megapixel CCD sensor. With its minimalistic design the W320 is best suited to users who need nothing more than just a point and shoot. It comes with a built-in anti blur feature that takes care of unwanted camera shakes from the user.

Other features include –
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 92.9 x 51.9 x 17.3mm
• Weight: 117 g
• Display: 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixels
• Resolution: 14.1 megapixels
• Aperture range: f/2.7 – f/5.7
• Optical Zoom: 4x
• Digital Zoom: 8x
• Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec. to 1/1600 sec (iAuto), 1 sec. to 1/1600 sec. (Program)
• ISO sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200
• Flash: Auto, Flash On, Flash Off, Slow Synchro
• Self Timer: Yes
• Movie recording: 640 x 480 pixels / 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps.
• Storage: MS Pro / SD / SDHC
• Recording Format: JPEG (still image), AVI (video)
• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Battery: Li-Ion Battery
• MRP: Rs 9,990

Canon A3100 - Rs. 8,995
The Canon A3100 comes by as one of the simplest point and shoot camera that anyone could own. Even though it was announced somewhere in Jan 2010 it still makes for a very strong sub Rs. 10,000 camera. Bear in mind that the camera doesn’t come packed with features. In fact it comes fit with a normal 35mm lens. However, if you are not too bothered about features but want a quality point and shoot that won’t put a dent in your pocket then the Canon A3100 should suffice. If you can live with that then the A3100 makes for a decent buy.

Other features include –
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 92 97.2 x 58.2 x 28.1mm
• Weight: 155 g
• Display: 2.7-inch, 230,000 pixels
• Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
• Aperture range: f/2.7 – f/5.6
• Optical Zoom: 4x
• Digital Zoom: 4x
• Shutter Speed: 15 sec. to 1/1600 sec
• ISO sensitivity: 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
• Flash: Auto, On, Slow Synchro
• Self Timer: Yes
• Movie recording: 640 x 480 pixels / 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps.
• Storage: SD / SDHC
• Recording Format: JPEG (still image), AVI (video)
• Connectivity: USB 2.0
• Battery: Li-Ion Battery
• MRP: Rs 8,995

There are obviously more than the three mentioned that sell for less than Rs. 10,000. So if you feel that they are really worth the money then please feel free to list them below.

Tags: Budget cameras