On April 15, 2024, Canon India launched 2 top-of-the-line products–The 4K Remote PTZ Camera Controller (RC-IP1000) and the 4K Indoor Remote PTZ Camera (CR-N100). The RC-IP1000 is a remote camera system controller for video production workplaces to meet the standard of event live-streaming and broadcasting. The CR-N100, on the other hand, is a remote indoor camera featuring a compact body and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ). This provides the advanced tech needed for enhanced streaming and video recording in situations where meetings and classes are held.
Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, the President and CEO of Canon India, remarks about their newest addition:
“As the volume of video content continues to rise in India, the RC-IP1000 remote controller has been much awaited by the industry as it exemplifies seamless control of remote PTZ cameras and contributes to efficient labour-saving workflows. The remote controller can easily manage as many as 200 individual camera units at one time. Complementing this, our CR-N100 indoor remote PTZ camera promises superior quality and connectivity, tailored to the diverse needs of educational institutions, corporate settings, and coaching centres. Through such cutting-edge offerings, we strive to redefine remote production, making it more intuitive and accessible than ever before.”
Product
Price
RC-IP1000
INR 7,00,000/-
CR-N100
INR 2,50,000/-
Keypoints of RC-IP1000 Remote Camera Controller:
Designed for ease of use: The RC-IP1000 comes with strategically positioned functional buttons and dials, and a prominent 17.78 cm touch panel for simple operation. It also supports IP2 and serial control for remote PTZ movements. Customers can easily switch and configure settings like focus, exposure, and white balance.
Compatible with popular broadcast industry standards: It includes seamless integration with selected Canon products, for control on a larger scale. It offers 12G-SDI input/output for 4K/60P and their visual input via HDMI and IP. The touch panel feeds display from up to 9 inputs sent from cameras via IP. This allows the simultaneous operation of several camera units.
Multi-Camera Management Application: Up to 200 cameras can be managed with RC-IP1000. The app can also register your camera units seamlessly. You can control your large-scale systems with little effort.
Keypoints of CR-N100 Indoor 4K Remote Camera:
Easy to install: Its compact body with pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) capabilities makes it easy to install by yourself. It can be used in spaces such as meeting rooms and classrooms. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed a rise in online meetings, live streaming, and lectures, and saw a revival in coaching centres, events, and seminars. Canon India saw a need for advanced video recording technology and took it.
CR-N100 features and functions: It includes a CMOS sensor, DIGIC DV6 image processing platform, 4K/30P high-quality video capture and 20x optical zoom lens.
Four scene modes: Portrait, Sports, Low-light, and Spotlight.
Versatile production environment: The camera supports XC Protocol, RTMP for live streaming, and NDI®|HX for live video production.
We are joined by an industry exemplary for an exclusive interview. Canon India’s President and CEO, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, led an amazing ceremony for Canon’s new platform NorthStar, a holistic advisory platform for enthusiasts looking to create studio setups, photography setups, and so on. Mr. Yamazaki has carefully ingrained his philosophy towards his career and his devotion to his consumers is admirable. We had the pleasure of speaking to Mr Yamazaki directly about the innovation platform NorthStar and his professional journey with Canon.
Exhibit: Introduce us to Canon and your new platform, NorthStar.
Yamazaki: It’s a platform where our target customers are studio owners, production owners or someone in this imaging industry, creating content and providing deliverables. To really review and see the opportunities, with the latest technology and how to do a makeover. They need a proper advisory, so we provide advisory services, and consultations, and involve specialists. In a nutshell, where there is expertise needed, Canon comes in. This is also B2B, for entities and not for individuals.
Exhibit: How did you come up with the idea of NorthStar?
Yamazaki: In a nutshell, we see a fragmented market. People are somewhat lost in the industry. For example, augmented reality, AI, AR, and all kinds of new technologies are coming. So how do they take in these technologies and properly optimise their existing setup into this new age? So they can cater to their needs. They need advisory. That’s how we picked up from the market and came up with NorthStar.
Exhibit: What makes the NorthStar platform unique?
Yamazaki:Because no one does it today. So that’s already unique in itself. It’s very practical, in a way, that we involved many people. We’ve done a lot of studies in this market in the last couple of years and seen many changes and shifts in technology. As to create the latest content in imaging, it requires different types of products to make them–software, hardware, tools, expertise, setup, wiring, everything. We need to involve integration of a kind but that needs specialists in each case. We have all these contacts so this network of people has actually joined this school of thought to do this. Along with product vendors, like Dell, Sennheiser, and Adobe. We don’t do everything in terms of product technology so we engage people who do that and we work with them. Then, we bring in the system integrator to put this together so at least if there’s a new investment from them, they can talk to the system integrator. However, we come as an advisory board. So it’s a team of professionals running the new-age studio. That’s basically why it’s unique because no one else is doing it.
Exhibit: You have mentioned Canon uses the Japanese term, ‘Gemba,’ previously. How did this integrate into NorthStar?
Yamazaki:‘Gemba’ is a keyword that means ‘On-Site.’ You go visit the customer. We have transactions every day, every minute, with all kinds of customers on a professional scale. With a country as diverse as India, it probably holds the largest number of OTT, studio setups, cinema, movie productions, and YouTube users available. I think for the videography and still photography industry, all in all, India is the big hub of all things happening. This is the Gemba as a market for us. That’s what happens to every one of us in the organisation. Not just me. Everyone’s going out there, and engaging people.
Exhibit: How does Canon India tailor its strategies to address the needs of different regions within the country?
Yamazaki:We have divided India into 4 locations in terms of directions – South, North, East and West. In each location, we have a regional headquarters function where they pick up and extract the regional intelligence. They do their own research. Instead of looking at India as one country and approaching this blanket-wise, every state has a different agenda and different sets of practising. So, we’ve basically based ourselves regionally too and given some accountability in managing how to strategise our approaches regionally. So that’s how we do it.
Exhibit: What are the future benefits you are predicting with NorthStar?
Yamazaki:We are creating this universe that makes people stay relevant enough to date with the technology. As you know, technology today is accelerating its speed. Technology a year ago is probably already archaic or outdated. So this space, how do we play and stay relevant? We are setting a scene for all of us in this community, to stay relevant and staying up-to-date by using each other’s relevance. All these people, the industry players, have their own areas of speciality. So, that is the importance of this union. This is a league of specialists.
Exhibit: Can you share some significant obstacles you’ve faced in your career?
Yamazaki: I think providing something like this would require very meticulous project management. So project management is something that we have to pay careful attention to. We made a commitment to the customer so this management is not an obstacle. It is a challenge that we have to commit to.
Exhibit: How has your journey led you to your current role as President of Canon India?
Yamazaki:I worked in various locations before, doing different things. Coming from this company, we have 4 different types of products. I have been in touch with 3 of them actually. Being in touch with different types of products in the actual market as well as being in different regions and speaking different languages–helped me in bringing me over here. This is probably the biggest market with the most potential, in terms of scale and depth. That probably required my expertise. That’s how I see it, I’ve never asked anybody for this.
Exhibit: What’s your personal philosophy with your business?
Canon India has launched a one-of-a-kind platform for all aspiring photographers and videographers out there. NorthStar is a one-stop solution for enthusiasts that provides equipment and advisory services to create their ideal studio setup. Canon has collaborated with the finest in the industry to offer holistic and high-quality services.
What is NorthStar?
NorthStar, like its namesake, is the guiding light of the photography/cinematography industry and covers a diverse range of customers. The platform consists of two layers. The first is the advisory layer that collects its advice from industry legends and professionals. They provide deep insight and knowledge of setup solutions. The second layer is the delivery of seamless integration of cutting-edge tech for a complete setup ecosystem. Where you might be confused about where to start, Canon has you covered.
Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President and CEO of Canon India
The grand launch was held in Mumbai and led by the President and CEO of Canon India, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, along with Canon management, talented panellists, and industry partners.
“During COVID we realised the growing potential and upcoming demand of this sector and seized the opportunity to pioneer a first-of-its-kind, one-stop solution. As the industry continues to grow with rapid advancements in technology and emerging trends such as digital streaming platforms, 4K and 8K resolution, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), there is a need for a unified platform to cater to these requirements by providing adequate solutions and services under one roof, ensuring convenience and efficiency. Building onto our legacy of imaging technology, we are taking a big leap by setting up an end-to-end imaging ecosystem, bringing together leading brands and industry experts, thereby providing a catalyst for propelling industry growth.”
– Mr. Manabu Yamazaki
Who are the collaborating companies of NorthStar?
This careful lineup shows the dedication of Canon India’s NorthStar to providing the best services to its clients.
Adobe (Post-production solution)
Western Digital (Data Storage solution)
Dell (Infrastructure Solution)
Sennheiser (Audio solution)
Aputure (Light solution)
SanDisk (Flash Storage solution)
Atomos (Monitor solution)
Along with the industry collaborators, the launch involved a talented panel of speakers – Kavita Bahl (Cinematographer/Documentary), Nandan Saxena (Cinematographer/Documentary), Sapan Narula (DOP/CG visual effects and post-production), Neil Sadwelkar (Data Storage/Post-production), Vijay and Ajay Bedi (Wildlife Filmmaker/Documentary), Simran Gill (Cinematographer/Documentary), Goutham Shankar (Post-production/Data Storage), and Ratan Sil Sarma (Director of Photography/Colorist).
So who can use NorthStar and how does it tailor itself to different situations?
Canon explains the potential cases where NorthStar is the perfect solution.
Production Studios: NorthStar provides tailored solutions for studio setups, catering to various production levels like AD films, fashion, lifestyle, and jewellery design, guided by industry experts.
Podcast Studios: NorthStar offers customized setup solutions for podcast creators, ensuring smooth production and broadcasts, aligned with their specific needs.
Educational Institutes: NorthStar delivers end-to-end solutions for universities and academies, facilitating seamless content creation and delivery for virtual classes and pre-recorded educational sessions.
Virtual Production Setups: From news and broadcast to VFX and CGI workflows, NorthStar offers cutting-edge technology solutions to enhance immersive virtual production experiences.
Colour Grading Studios: NorthStar equips professionals with essential tools and expertise for achieving top-tier visual quality and consistency in colour grading.
OTT Channels: NorthStar empowers content creators on OTT platforms to produce high-quality original content efficiently, ensuring precision in their output.
Thinking about taking a leap of faith with photography? The vast array of cameras available today can be overwhelming, and choosing the right camera would be a journey that can offer you a free dose of headaches. So, we’ve jotted down 18 things to consider before buying a digital camera to help you navigate this thrilling landscape and find the perfect camera that suits both your needs and budget.
Set A Budget Before Buying
Whether you’re eyeing a sleek DSLR or a compact powerhouse, knowing your financial boundaries will save you from the frustration of falling for a camera that’s beyond your means. Start with a more budget-friendly option to hone your photography skills before splurging on a high-end model.
Prime Lens Vs Zoom Lens
A prime lens offers a fixed focal length, providing affordability and lighter weight. In contrast, a zoom lens with variable focal lengths provides versatility but comes at a higher cost and greater bulk. So, before purchasing, consider your shooting style and preferences when making this decision.
Small Doesn’t Mean Underpowered
Don’t underestimate the potential of compact cameras. Their portability, inconspicuousness, and advancements in megapixel resolutions make them formidable contenders against larger DSLRs. Small cameras can be perfect for capturing moments without the burden of carrying heavy equipment.
Compact Cameras Pack a Punch
Never underestimate the potential of compact cameras. Their portability, inconspicuousness, and advancements in megapixel resolutions position them as formidable competitors against larger DSLRs. Small cameras can be perfect for capturing moments without the burden of lugging around heavy equipment.
Exercise Caution with Package Deals
Package deals may appear tempting, but hop on carefully. Scrutinise the contents and compare individual prices before succumbing to bundled offers. While some deals may be alluring, they could lead to unnecessary expenses on items you may not actually need.
Demand Magnified Photo Previews
Previewing images on a digital camera is a boon, but for a more detailed inspection, opt for a camera with a magnified preview mode. This feature enables you to scrutinise image details, ensuring the highest quality, a crucial consideration for professionals and enthusiasts striving for perfection.
Don’t Overlook Built-In Microphones
The potential benefits of a built-in microphone should not be overlooked. Cameras with voice memo or voice annotation features allow you to add context to your photos, enhancing organisation and memory. Additionally, a movie mode with sound opens up possibilities for creating short videos, ideal for documenting your adventures or even embarking on a YouTube journey.
Decoding Megapixel
Ready to take the pixelated journey with your digital companion? Megapixels, the digital currency of cameras, often pull us into a pixelated rabbit hole. But hold on tight, for not all pixels are born equal. Enter the mysterious Foveon X3 three-layer sensor, a technological marvel that reshapes the rules of the pixel game.
The Lure of Low Prices: Unmasking Deception
Bargain hunters, beware! In the labyrinth of camera prices, the enticing allure of a too-good-to-be-true deal may be a mirage. As you eye that budget-friendly camera, tread cautiously through the pitfalls of package deals. A seemingly affordable camera might be the bait, leading you into a web of substandard accessories, closeout memories, and dubious promises.
The Tripod Socket
When it comes to visual storytelling, let the stability of your camera not be an afterthought. The tripod is a silent maestro of steadiness and deserves a dance partner well-grounded in balance. When selecting your visual companion, heed the siren call of the tripod socket. Seek its residence on the underbelly of your digital marvel.
Ideally centred, it clasps the tripod in harmonious equilibrium, ensuring every frame is a testament to clarity, untainted by the tremors of an unsteady embrace. For those who envision crystal-clear tales etched on the canvas of pixels, let the socket’s placement be a prelude to your photographic symphony, a perfect overture to stability.
Gone are the days when DSLRs were considered a vital part of a professional photographer’s kit, as owning a DSLR camera is no longer restricted to photographers only. Thanks to apps like Instagram, which helped camera makers earn millions as everybody wants to be a content creator today. Now, out of FOMO, if you are thinking of buying a DSLR, then you’re at the right place. Come on, let’s capture the beautiful moments of life with our list of the top 5 DSLR cameras of 2022.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Back in 2015, I shot my first short film on 5D Mark III, and since then, I’ve been in love with the Canon EOS 5D Mark series. The latest addition (not the latest, as Mark IV was launched in 2016) in the series 5D Mark IV is a fantastic workhorse if you’re into short films, weddings and other events. The Mark IV DSLR camera offers superb image capture functionality, versatility, and robust design, which makes it a heavyweight and well-respected option for professional photographers.
Key Features:
1.62M-dot 3.2″ full-time touchscreen
30.4-MP full-frame sensor with Dual Pixel CMOS AF
DCI 4K 30/24p video using Motion JPEG + 4K Frame Grab
61-point AF system with 41 cross-type sensors
ISO 100-32000 (expandable to 102400)
Nikon D850
Are you one of those who always strive to have a DSLR camera that delivers highly detailed shoots and high-quality video capture? If yes, then Nikon D850 would be a solid choice for you. The camera offers you to shoot at 30, 25 or 24p, and it is the first Nikon DSLR to capture 4K video from the full width of its sensor. The D850 DSLR from the house Nikon is one of the best cameras for landscape, wedding, fashion, sports, or wildlife photography.
Key Features:
45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS sensor
ISO: 64-25600, extended: 32-102400
180k-pixel RGB Sensor, Focus Shift mode
UHD 4K video capture at up to 30p from full sensor width
7 fps continuous shooting with AE/AF (9 with battery grip and EN-EL18b battery)
Nikon D3500
Just like the line, not every hero wears a cape – not everyone is aware of the depths of the camera world, but if you want to enter it, then Nikon D3500 is the camera for you. The camera was launched in 2018, and since then, it has been a first preference DSLR camera for every newbie photographer. The camera has an inbuilt feature of a handy guide shooting mode from which you get tutorials, and it helps the user on how to use the camera via the LCD screen.
Key Features:
24-MP APS-C CMOS sensor
1080/60 Video Capture
ISO range of 100-25600
11-point autofocus system through the optical viewfinder
Battery rated for 1,550 shots per charge (CIPA)
Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Another one for beginners! The simple APS-C DSLR camera is a lightweight yet powerful device that captures detailed and colourful images. The Canon EOS Rebel T8i offers good image quality even in poorly lit environments, and its autofocus system does an exceptional job during still photography. The camera gets a new, dedicated AF ON button, which we used to get in DSLRs like the EOS 90D and EOS 7D Mark II. The EOS Rebel T8i camera is best if you’re someone who’s into social media content.
Key Features:
DIGIC 8 Image Processor
24.1MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
Digital AF/AE single-lens reflex camera
3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Vari-Angle Touchscreen
UHD 4K24p Video, Vertical Video Support
Sony A77 II
Sony A77 was launched in 2014, and yet it is one of the best DSLRs in terms of videography. The camera can record videos at 24p, 60i and 60p modes in AVCHD / MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC H. 264) format and has awe-inspiring video features that will appeal to videographers. The in-camera image stabilisation differentiates Sony from Canon and Nikon DSLRs.
Key Features:
XGA OLED Tru-Finder and Tilting WhiteMagic LCD Screen
24.3MP APS-C Exmor Sensor and BIONZ X Image Processor
12fps continuous shooting with autofocus (up to 60 JPEGs)
1/8000th maximum shutter speed, shutter rated for 150,000 actuation
ISO 100 – 25,600 (Extendable down to 50 and up to 51,200 with multi-image combination)
Inspiring content creators across India, Canon unveils EOS R10 in an experiential #FindYourStory event series
The multi-city campaign aims to empower content creators not only with the knowledge of Canon’s latest vlogging camera but also upskill them.
Canon has introduced its one of a kind immersive event series titled #FindYourStory for content creators powered by its latest vlogging camera, the EOS R10. This multi city initiative is aimed to not only familiarizing creators with Canon’s avant-garde vlogging technology, but also upscale the skills required to create exceptional content through specialized workshops by industry leading mentors.
With the tremendous rise of digital technology and proliferation of social media across the globe, content-creation has witnessed a pivotal growth empowered by local storylines. In an endeavor to unlock the potential of creators across India, the event will take place across top 20 towns in the next few months
Appealing to the millennial audience, the first leg of the series was kickstarted at the Museo Camera Centre for Photographic Arts in Gurugram. To curate an exclusive preview for the EOS R10, the invite only event provided customers with a hands-on experience and included riveting workshops by Canon EOS Ambassadors, leading influencers Isa Khan and Niki Mehra and workshops by Sennheiser and Instagram.
Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President and CEO, Canon India and Mr. C Sukumaran, Senior Director- Consumer Systems Products and Imaging Communication Business, Canon India unveil the vlogging heartthrob EOS R10 and kick-start the #FindYourStory event series at Museo Camera Centre for the Photographic Arts, Gurugram
Commenting on the activation, Mr. Manabu Yamazaki, President and CEO, Canon India, said “At Canon, we lay great impetus on the growth of photography and videography culture through our innovative product line-up and customer centric market activations. In recent times, we have seen social media democratize the field of content creation across regions and borders. Catering to this segment, we are extremely elated to unveil the latest EOS R10, the perfect companion for content creators and further bring forth initiatives that can help their career grow manifold. Understanding the huge potential that content creator/vlogger segment holds in today’s time, our vision is to empower and upskill the influencer community with focused products and workshops that help them conquer the world of creativity.”
Speaking about the #FindYourStory initiative, he further adds, “This experiential activation is in sync with our larger focus of striking the right chords with the millennial customer group. With the EOS R10, we aim to meet the diverse needs of content creators while serving as an affordable entry-point into Canon’s EOS R system mirrorless technology. Compact and powerful, the Canon EOS R10 is best suited for content creators to #FindTheirStory and narrate it in unique ways through everyday vlogs, reels and shoot in any given environment.”
While the workshops at the event helped enhance product knowledge, it also entailed a number of Instagrammable thematic zones where creators could put their skills to test. Content shot exclusively on the newly unveiled EOS R10 was projected across the event, enticing customers to witness a world of unimaginable creation now possible with the lightweight EOS R10.
Its compact size, built-in popup-style flash and microphone make the EOS R10 the finest choice for vloggers and photo enthusiasts. Whether you are a parent looking to capture precious moments of your child’s milestones; an avid traveller looking for a compact shooting experience; or someone hoping to start your own YouTube channel; the EOS R10 is designed to help create captivating photos and videos with ease.
Superior Image Quality: EOS R10’s new 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor is designed to provide additional telephoto effect by increasing the focal length by approximately 1.6x while retaining its resolution of 24.2-megapixels, allowing even more creative freedom for post-processing. With a wide normal ISO speed range of 100 to 32 000, the EOS R10 can deliver clean low-noise images even in low-light situations.
High Speed, High Precision: It can perform high-speed continuous shooting at up to 15 fps with the mechanical shutter with AF/AE tracking. The high-speed burst of up to 23fps with the silent electronic shutter* is useful for situations such as concerts, interviews, and wildlife photography. Shutter sound can be activated for electronic shutter if required.
Intelligent Tracking and Recognition: Accurately tracks what matters most. The EOS R10 inherits EOS R3’s ability to differentiate elements within the frame and determine which subject to track. The EOS R10 can recognise people, vehicles and animals – such as cats, dogs and birds – tracking them as they move anywhere in the frame.
Vlog on the Move: The EOS R10 records uncropped 4K UHD movies processed from rich 6K RGB data for higher image quality with less moiré and minimal colour distortion and noise.
In-Camera Panorama: For the first time in EOS cameras, the Panorama Shot (SCN mode) feature is now available in the EOS R10. Create breathtaking panorama shots in-camera. Capture up to 200 shots at a time and let the camera merge them to form a high-resolution, high-quality panorama shot.
In-Camera Focus Bracketing: By using the Focus Bracketing feature in the EOS R10, users can set a range from 2 – 999 shots to achieve wider depth of field within a scene.
Portable Build: Designed to be lightweight and compact, the EOS R10 uses a sturdy aluminum alloy body for its internal structure to keep the weight at only 429g.
About Canon Group
Ever since its foundation in 1937, Canon is guided by the ‘Kyosei’ philosophy of living and working together for the common good. Canon strives to create and deliver world-class products, becoming a top global corporation by diversifying into new business fields throughout the world. Focusing on optical technologies, Canon produces office equipment, consumer and professional imaging devices, network cameras, healthcare, and industrial equipment. Through the close connection between its global head office in Tokyo and regional headquarters in America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and regional headquarters in Japan, Canon combines its global and local operations organically. In 1996, Canon launched its Excellent Global Corporation Plan to serve society with advanced technologies and become a trustworthy and responsible corporate citizen. The year 2016 was the first year of Phase 5 of the Plan. Currently, Canon boasts a strong global presence of 376 subsidiaries all over the world, supported by 197,776 employees. (Data as of December 31, 2017)
About Canon India
Canon India Pvt. Ltd. is the sales and marketing subsidiary of Canon Inc., a world leader in imaging technologies. Set up in 1997, Canon India markets a comprehensive range of sophisticated contemporary digital imaging products and solutions in India. The company today has offices in 10 cities across India with warehousing facilities at 6 locations and employs over 1000 staff and over 850 channel partners. Canon India enjoys a vast retail presence across the country through Image Square stores, PIXMA Zones and BIS Lounges. Canon India’s service reach extends to over 632 towns covering 19,118 PIN codes across India – which comprises of 188 Camera collection points, 15 Camera repair centers, 294 Printer repair centers, 191 Copier, Scanner and Large Format Printer Sales & Service dealers. (Data as of 19 April 2022)
In sync with its corporate tagline- ‘Delighting You Always’, reinforced by World-class technology, Canon offers an extended product portfolio, including Digital Production Printers, Large Format Printers, Commercial Printers, Multi-Functional Devices, Managed Document Services, Inkjet & Laser Printers, Document and Cheque Scanners, Digital Cameras, DSLRs, Mirrorless cameras, Cinematic Imaging Products, Surveillance cameras and Medical Imaging products catering to the multiple market segments of consumer, SME, B2B, Commercial, Government & PSUs.
A number of aspiring photographers start their photography journey with a smartphone, thanks to the smartphone manufacturers who develop and market their smartphones primarily by showcasing their triple or quad camera setup. The offering saves money and helps aspiring photographers easily explore aspects of photography. These beginners start photography as a hobby and eventually, after receiving many accolades from friends, decide to promote their passion from smartphone photography to DSLR/mirrorless photography.
Now, when it comes to buying your first DSLR camera as a photographer, choose the camera that would be your companion for the next few years as you grow in the field. Of course, look for an affordable one, and don’t spend your hard-earned money during your initial days, but that doesn’t mean you should go for the cheapest possible camera. So, if you’re one of those aspiring photographers looking for an affordable DSLR camera to kick off your photography passion, here are some recommendations from our side but first, let’s understand what to look for when you’re buying your first camera?
Simple controls:
The expert at anything was once a beginner. So, while buying your first camera, take a good look at its functions and modes. Prefer the one with the most straightforward controls as it will help you boost your confidence and adapt to the basics in a short time.
Resolution & Sensor Size:
The resolution intimates the maximum size of images that a camera can capture, while the sensor size indicates the image quality. A number of entry-level cameras lie between 16MP to 24 MP, and companies try to attract buyers by highlighting more on megapixels, but the whole game depends on sensor size. So, prefer a camera with a larger sensor size as it produces more attractive tones and depth.
Interchangeable Lenses:
When buying a camera, you’re investing in an entire ecosystem, including lenses and accessories. Do a little research on the lens support and mount systems because a large number of cameras support only their native lenses, which means if you buy a Canon EF mount camera, then you’ll have to stick with EF mount lenses. So, look for a camera that supports Interchangeable Lenses.
Nikon D3500 is one of the best entry-level cameras for aspiring photographers as it includes a dedicated Guide shooting Mode that acts as an interactive guide to photography and camera settings. Nikon D3500’s guide mode, which appears on the rear LCD screen, works as a digitutor and gives access to various frequently used and valuable camera functions. The camera is compact for an SLR and features a wide handgrip with the trademark Nikon red stripe. It sports a top-quality 24.2MP APS-C sensor and offers an 11-point focus module along with a solid autofocus system to help you click extraordinary images. The Nikon D3500 camera is less expensive, but at the same time, it offers equally appealing features. So, if you’re more into photography rather than videography, then D3500 may be the perfect match for you as it provides a retouch menu for quick image adjustments in the camera and comes up with long battery life.
Canon EOS M50 / Mark II is the most popular entry-level camera from the house of Canon. The Mark II is recently replacing the original M50 with very few noticeable updates. The M50 / Mark II has a built-in viewfinder which is rare to find in many similarly priced mirrorless cameras. The versatile camera has a simple user interface and a unique Dual Pixel Autofocus system. The compact and lightweight camera has a number of features for vlogging, including live YouTube streaming and vertical video support. The EOS M50 / Mark II camera provides a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor with a 4K video recording option making it the tailor-made camera for casual and aspiring photographers. If you’re considering a camera for everyday photography, the Canon EOS M50 Mark II is a reliable option, but if you are getting an older version at a fairly discounted price, go for it, as most of the features are identical.
The old-school looking X-T200 35mm SLR film camera from Fujifilm is feature-packed with great controls and is one of the best mirrorless beginners’ cameras in the current market. The Japanese multinational camera company has put a lot of work into making the X-T200 as its previous version, X-T100, was a letdown for most buyers. The stylish X-T200 camera is offered in three finishes, dark silver, silver and champagne gold. The camera has an electronic viewfinder and can shoot excellent 4K videos. The camera offers one of the largest LCDs (3.5 inches diagonal) you’ll find in a consumer camera and an improved hybrid AF system comprising the whole frame, together with updated face and eye detection. The fine starter camera for aspiring photographers is a little costly compared to its rivals, but it offers access to the X series of lenses, one of the highest-quality lenses for mirrorless cameras.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Type: MirrorlessSensor: Micro Four ThirdsMegapixels: 20.3MPScreen: 3-inch 180-degree tilting touchscreen, 1037k dotsISO Range: 200 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 25600)Max burst speed: 8.7fpsMax video resolution: 4K UHD
Olympus is famous for making travel-friendly mirrorless cameras, and if you travel often and like to click attractive images on the go, then you should definitely consider buying the new pocket-sized powerhouse camera, Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. The camera lags in advanced features but offers plenty of assistive shooting modes, which helps the user click brilliant stills. The lightweight Mark IV is designed explicitly for smartphone switchers, and it retains the 4K video option and attractive styling from its predecessor Mark III. The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has one of the widest lens catalogues on the market, and if you’re looking for the first camera of your life, this camera will surely make your photography experience memorable. The plastic-build camera is small enough to carry around anywhere and is considered one of the best cameras for vloggers, travellers and aspiring photographers.
Sony A6000 (Price – ₹48,990)
Type: MirrorlessSensor: Micro Four ThirdsMegapixels: 20.3MPScreen: 3-inch 180-degree tilting touchscreen, 1037k dotsISO Range: 200 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 25600)Max burst speed: 8.7fpsMax video resolution: 4K UHD
The award-winning Sony A6000 is one of the oldest devices on the list. Sony first launched the A6000 camera about 6-years ago, and even after a half-decade, it is still one of the best entry-level cameras from Sony. The company is still manufacturing it, which confirms the camera will not disappear any time soon. The widely available camera has a tiny body that packs a 24.3MP image sensor and electronic viewfinder. The A6000 camera can capture detailed photos at up to 11fps but fails to record 4K movies, but if you can manage without some of the latest innovative features and photography is your primary focus, this camera is a strong alternative.
Nikon Z50 (Price – ₹85,995)
Type: MirrorlessSensor: APS-C CMOSMegapixels: 20.9MPScreen: 3.2-inch tilted touchscreen, 1040K dotsISO Range: 100 to 51200 (Extended: 100 to 2,04,800)Max burst speed: 11fpsMax video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p
The small and lightweight Nikon Z50 shares the same DNA as Nikon’s full-frame Z6 and Z7 cameras. The highly versatile camera instantly grabs aspiring photographers attention as it’s from one of the trusted companies and has a good grip along with good external controls. The beginner-friendly entry-level mirrorless camera from Nikon is an ideal option for travellers and aspiring photographers. The main selling point of the Nikon Z50 is its ability to shoot 4K videos and impressive APS-C sensor, which lets you connect with dedicated Nikon Z series lenses. Along with these features, the Z50 offers a burst speed of 11fps, a decent electronic viewfinder and a helpful tiltable screen. The all-rounder Nikon Z50 is a bit expensive compared to its competitors but is an excellent option for aspiring photographers as it could last longer.
Panasonic Lumix G100
Type: MirrorlessSensor: Micro Four ThirdsMegapixels: 20.3MPScreen: 3-inch vari-angle, 1840k dotsISO Range: 200 to 25600 (Extended: 100 to 25600)Max burst speed: 10fpsMax video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p
Panasonic’s latest compact vlogging camera, Lumix G100, is one of the best beginner cameras for aspiring photographers and content creators. The highly versatile camera has an approachable button layout that lets you quickly capture high-quality videos in 4K/30p and excellent 20.3MP stills. The super-small Lumix G100 camera offers Nokia developed OVO Audio technology, which enables you to capture better-sounding audio without any external microphones, and it is the first camera in the world to incorporate OVO technology. The camera also offers five-axis hybrid image stabilization and built-in flash, making it a perfect first camera for vloggers and aspiring photographers.
As the worldwide grip of Covid loosens, the citizens of Earth breathe a sigh of relief. However, the situation is yet to die down in India, where the cases are on an ever-rising curve. Even with all doctors running on full steam and state-of-the-art medical equipment, the sheer number of cases has become overwhelming.
Luckily, India has a bright silver lining behind this dark cloud. Global technology giants are coming together to do their bit for the recovery and stability of our motherland. Be it Google or Ethereum, these companies contribute massive amounts of money to help India get out of Covid’s web. Here are some of the feats that they have achieved so far.
Swiss computer accessory expert Logitech recently announced its contribution to India. In a press statement, the company confirmed that it was the largest one-time donation in its history, of two million dollars (roughly Rs 14 crores), supporting Oxygen for India. Oxygen for India is working with the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (CDDEP), United Airlines, Tech Mahindra, and others to provide oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators to help those in need.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also stepped in to help India in its crisis. In a tweet, he announced Rs 135 crore in funding for medical supplies, organisations supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information. Yet another American tech giant is Microsoft, whose CEO Satya Nadella also announced in a tweet that the company would support the country by using its voice, resources, and technology to aid relief efforts and help purchase critical oxygen concentration devices.
Apple, too, has announced its support for India. Its CEO Tim Cook confirmed on Twitter that the American tech giant would be donating to support and relief efforts on the ground. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has also confirmed that the company is working with UNICEF to raise ten million dollars (roughly Rs 73 crores) towards India’s emergency response efforts. Samsung has pledged USD 5 million (INR 37 Crores) to contribute to India’s fight against the current surge of Covid-19, providing donations to central and state governments and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals as part of its citizenship initiatives. Samsung will donate USD 3 million to the Centre and the states of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Samsung has pledged USD 5 million (INR 37 Crores) to contribute to India’s fight against the current surge of Covid-19, providing donations to central and state governments and boosting the healthcare sector with essential medical equipment for hospitals as part of its citizenship initiatives.
Yet another smartphone giant, Oppo, has also stepped in. It has pledged to donate 1000 oxygenators and 500 breathing machines worth Rs 4.3 crore to the Indian Red Cross Society and the Government of Uttar Pradesh to help in the fight against Covid. They are also donating 5000 units of OPPO Band Style worth INR 1.5 Crore to front-line warriors of the Delhi Police and Greater Noida Authority to help them monitor their health as they serve others.
Another industry giant that is helping India as much as it can is Amazon US. Joining the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Task Force, Amazon US is working with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). As part of this, critical life-saving equipment, including 82 anaesthesia ventilators, 1238 BiPAP machines and 60 ventilators, have already reached India. Amazon US will distribute medical equipment to its on-the-ground community partners such as the American India Foundation, ACT Grants and Swasth, who will distribute it to verified hospitals and nonprofit organisations across the country to ensure it reaches the communities it needs most.
Twitter India reminded its users of many features such as Twitter Advanced Search, Twitter Near You and the Latest Tweet to direct people’s searches towards Covid related information in India. LinkedIn has partnered with GiveIndia to raise funds for critical medical supplies.
Among the leading global financial services, Mastercard announced ten million dollars to cover all vaccine-related costs for its India-based employees and immediate family members. It also confirmed that it would allocate funds for additional shipments of 1,000 oxygen generators as part of its CSR effort.
Pledging its support towards India’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Canon India has provided essential food and sanitation items across the villages. Canon employees PAN India are enthusiastically coming together and contributing to the PM CARES Fund as well. As part of the support, Canon India is providing 3000 food packets in its adopted villages. In addition to this, to provide sanitation support to children of SOS Children’s Villages of Faridabad, Hyderabad, Canon India has distributed essential items such as sanitisers, liquid soap, cotton masks, etc. other home cleaning products.
Pledging its support towards India’s fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Canon India has provided essential food and sanitation items across the villages.
Mi India has also pledged to donate over Rs 3 crore to procure thousands of oxygen concentrators. They also confirmed they have partnered with GiveIndia to raise Rs 1 crore to support frontline Covid fighters across the country. Amazon India has also collaborated with multiple organisations to import more than eight thousand oxygen concentrators and five hundred bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines from Singapore.
OnePlus is also doing its bit to help the country. In a recent blog post, its CEO Pete Lau confirmed that the smartphone giant would donate 400 oxygenators to India to help meet the immediate need for oxygen in several parts. The company also promised to add up to Rs 1 crore to public donations towards the Covid battle.
India’s tech giant and one of the worldwide leaders, Infosys, installed Covid-19 care centres in Pune and Bengaluru for its employees and their families. It will also educate children, expand bed capacity in hospitals, and assist the government in spreading awareness. Tech Mahindra has also announced its Covid-19 vaccination drive for its associates and dependent family members. It confirmed that it would cover all the incurred expenses. Similarly, TCS also announced that it would provide the Covid-19 vaccine to all its employees and family members, starting from May 1, 2021.
IBM India called out to its employees to come together in this crisis. Its chairman and CEO, Arvind Krishna, wrote to his employees to support the cause. This resulted in the donation of funds for 2500 oxygen cylinders and is continuing to grow.
Paytm, a popular digital payment platform, successfully raised Rs 1 crore through public donations and added the same amount from its end, which doubled the donations to source oxygen concentrators. Now, the company aims to raise Rs 10 crore! CRED founder Kunal Shah tweeted about the company’s plans to raise funds for procuring one billion litres of oxygen. It also encourages CRED users to donate the CRED coins that are present in their accounts.
Zomato’s founder Deepinder Goyal confirmed that the company’s not-for-profit organisation, Zomato Feeding India, has kickstarted the “Help Save My India” project in collaboration with Delhivery. It aims to raise Rs 50 crore to source oxygen concentrators and related supplies to help hospitals and families in India.
Ethereum’s co-founder Vitalik Buterin also confirmed via Twitter his donation of Rs 4.5 crore. Naturally, he donated 100 ETH and 100 MKR, whose proof he shared on Twitter. The co-founder of Sun Microsystem, Vinod Khosla, also announced his wish to fund hospitals in India for importing oxygen and other supplies in India. Following that, he received many requests from non-profit organisations, non-government organisations, and private initiatives such as Manjinder Singh Sirsa (President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee), the Cancer Aid Society, and Hemkunt Foundation to fund hospitals needing medical supplies to fight Covid, which he gladly received.
Apart from the significant organisations and global tech leaders, there are also many Indian companies working hard to save the country. Among such is Oxicare, which aims to help as many blue collared technicians as possible. The company hires technicians who can repair oxygen concentrators. The efforts were further emphasised on LinkedIn by Rajesh Bansal, who stated that they were on a mission to train 1000 technicians across India.
These companies have proven that despite being divided by the market, they are united by a single cause; the cause of saving lives!
Not too long ago, Canon had launched their first mirrorless camera, the EOS RP. The EOS RP from Canon is an attempt to bridge the gap and it is quite a camera to plug-in the gap, especially in their mirrorless segment. It is like Canon has taken the 6D Mark II’s soul and put it in a smaller, lighter body which missed out on the mirror. The result is a very handly and well-balanced camera. But how does it fare in this heavy mirrorless competition, let’s find out?
Build, handling and ergonomics
The EOS RP is placed alongside the Canon EOD 6D Mark II in its lineup and most importantly, it shares a lot of tech with the latter, including the sensor and some feature set. But what makes this EOS RP a completely different camera is the well designed and small body, which is lightweight and easy to carry. At 485 grams, you might as well call it the lightest full-frame camera and that would not be wrong either. To my surprise, I found that it is quite as close to the EOS 800D body and that is a real win for Canon.
If you looking to pair it up with a Canon EOS L lens and the adapter, you will be surprised to see how easy to handle this camera is. But for now, you will only have to do with some of the bulky native lenses from the EOS R-Mount.
On the top, you have the Mode dial which sits flush on the panel. Similarly, the on-off switch on the other side which is again seated flush. The 0.39-inch 2.36 million dots electronic viewfinder sits on top without a major bump on the top. What makes a lot of people happy is the fully-articulating, 3-inch, touchscreen display which is very responsive. With the incorporation of the fully-articulation screen, Canon has just widened its reach to make videographers and vloggers who are looking for quality video output and also want a fully tilting display. Overall, it is a well-designed body which is light in weight and easy to use with less clutter.
Specifications and Features
The Canon EOS RP features a 26.2 MP image sensor and is powered by the new Digic 8 processor. The sensor is almost similar to the one on the 6D Mark II, but it has received some design changes to fit the RP. The RP features an ISO range of 100 to up to 40,000 and is expandable to a crazy 102,400. Now we all know that sensitivity really isn’t being used on a daily basis, but Canon has been thoughtful over it. As expected, Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF makes its way into the RP and it claims to focus down to -5EV, which I can say, the camera never had many issues focussing in dark places. Canon also claims a focus speed of 0.05 seconds, and as per my use and experience, it has never really let me down with AF issues. The AF covers 88% – 100 % which provides a whopping 4,779 AF pointers which again are divided into 143 zones. What this essentially means is that the AF performance does not let down.
Interestingly, the servo AF now supports eye AF and Face Tracking. The EOS RP can shoot 4K videos with up to 25 frames per second, but you would not get the Dual Pixel CMOS AF and also gets a brutal 1.76 times crop. It can shoot 1080p videos up to 50 frames without a crop, where you get the Dual Pixel AF working for you. The RP does not get in-body image stabilization, but it uses Dual Sensing IS which along with the IS lenses compensates for the shakes caused while using the camera handheld.
Performance and Image Quality
For the time the EOS RP was with us at the office, I have used it extensively to shoot images and have been very satisfied with the overall performance. The review unit had been sent with a native 24-105mm f/4 lens which was an all-rounder and served multiple purposes. From shooting stills to taking videos, the EOS RP was a good performer. The images that came right out of the camera were sharp and had great colours which are very true to the scene. The ISO performance has been decent and low-light situations have been very satisfying and I have at times pushed the ISO up to 6400 to see very less grains and noise.
The video performance has been great. As we spent time shooting videos of gadgets and vehicles, the output videos were very crisp. With better lenses, expect the quality to go up even further. With the burst mode, you get 4 fps on servo mode and 5 fps with One-Shot. While this is not a great number, you can still get 50 14-Bit RAW files on a high-speed UHS-II SD card, which stands pretty impressive. You must remember that it is not a sports-oriented camera which is usually meant for snapping many frames per second.
The RAW files have enough depth and colour information which allows you to retain as much as information in the image files. This will allow you to bring out most details and tweak the images as per your liking when working on the image in post-processing. Overall, the image quality will definitely suffice all sorts of needs, be it a budding photographer who has just upgraded or a full-time professional who needs a light-weight back up camera.
Verdict
So, the question is, should you really buy the EOS RP? If you ask me now, I might have already invested my money on one. It ticks all the major boxes of performance and then brings in the soul of the 6D Mark II in a smaller and more lighter version. Technology is eventually forcing things to go smaller and yes cameras are a big part of it. Since DSLRs are now slowing down in the race with the mirrorless counterparts, it is worth investing in one, especially if it promises such performance.
