All Top 5′s
A full 12 months gone since my last update on my selected top 5 digital camera for travel 2009. Towards the end of the year, it’s time now to pick my top 5 choices of digital cameras particularly for travel. For this year, my shortlisted digital cameras of the year are all DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex). DSLRs are now too good, too cheap and too light to carry along travel that no reasons why you should still carry a P&P (Point & Shoot) compact’s. Check out my 5 Reasons why you should travel with DSLR.
Following the recent launch of their latest entry-level and mid-range DSLR camera model, Nikon and Canon are dominating 4 out of 5 my pick of the top digital cameras particularly for travel this year. Here they are:
- Nikon D3100 – The latest entry level DSLR from Nikon. Selling at RM2,000 (USD700) with 18-55mm kit lens, this budget camera is capable of doing about anything needed for a traveler without burning holes in their pocket. It features the latest technology from Nikon such as 14.2MP CMOS sensor, HD 1080p video shooting, EXPEED 2 image processing engine, high ISO limit of 12800, easy guide mode for beginners, 11 focus points, 3″ LCD 230k dot TFT screen, 3Fps etc. Most importantly, it weighs only 505g and with compact size of only 124 x 96 x 74.5 mm (4.9 x 3.8 x 2.9 in). This means you can always bring it along your travel to anywhere without much weight putting on your should or neck. And it produces high quality image incomparable by P&S compacts in terms of lower noise level and higher dynamic range! I highly recommend Nikon 3100 for whoever wish to upgrade from any P&S or prosumer compacts!
- Olympus PEN E-PL1 – I picked PEN EP-1 as one of my 5 camera choices for travel in 2009. The reason why is obvious. This mirrorless camera has both the advantages of a compact and DSLR camera. It has the size of a P&S (compact sized) but with the heart of a DSLR (large image sensor). And this latest Olympus PEN E-PL1 is even better. It’s now as light (482g) and cheap (selling at USD600 with 14-42mm lens kit) as compact cameras (or close). It is also more straight forward to operate like P&P and with internal flash built-in. This is the only non-SLR camera in my list as it fits perfectly as a travel camera that could produce SLR-like image quality with low noise level and usable high ISO photos. The only set back is its all plastic body if compared to its sibling PEN EP1. A great choice for travelers who do not like to be noticed by others.
- Canon 550D – The first time in 3 year for me to include a DSLR from Canon (in fact 2 Canon’s out of my top 5). Canon nowadays is providing consumers with more and more cheaper options for them to upgrade their compact cameras. One of the best in Canon budget range is definitely the new EOS 550D. Selling at USD989 with 18-55mm kit lens, Canon EOS 550D actually features more than what it’s belying model name suggest. For a budget ranged DSLR with 18MP CMOS sensor, 14 bit A/D converting engine, full HD 1080p video shooting, 3.7fps continuous shooting, silent shooting mode, 9 focusing points, high ISO range up to 12800,63 zone dual layer metering sensor, 3″ 1,040,000 dots clear view LCD and light 475g body weight without lens, it simply gives a lot more than what you would pay for its asking price. My 2nd options of DSLR besides the cheaper Nikon 3100.
For budget travelers and first time DSLR users, you may stop reading the remaining 2 cameras and jump straight to the conclusion. These 2 last cameras of my pick this year are for travel photography enthusiasts who have been using DSLR and wish to upgrade to a more capable machine. I’ve included these 2 as I believe my readers who had been following this blog since 2 years ago should have bought their first DSLR based on my recommendation and now should be a good time to consider an upgrade, like what I’m thinking of. So here are the 2 decent machine I would recommend:
- Canon 60D - Selling at USD1,400 with 18-135mm kit lens, the latest mid-range DSLR from Canon, 60D is a reposition model rather than just an upgrade from 50D. It is slightly bigger and heavier than the budget model 550D above. What are more superior than its younger brother 550D includes the secondary top plate screen, the higher continuous shooting rate of 5.3 frames per second, swivel LCD screen, higher top shutter speed of 1/8000s, wider range of Exposure and WB bracketing, brighter pentaprism viewfinder, more custom functions and settings, but weighs 225g more than the earlier. All these improvement may look subtle but are critical for fast shooting actions thus capture of speical travel scene with precise timing. It is your next upgrade going to be if you are already a Canon user. what about a Nikon user as I am?
- Nikon D7000 – This is your next camera for upgrade if you are a Nikon user. Selling at USD1,500 with 18-105mm lens kit, Nikon D7000 features ‘similar’ specs as top mid-range model of D300s but weighs 140g less. However, the improvement from its budget sibling is huge. Among other superior features that out perform D3100 or even D300s are it 16.2MP CMOS sensor, high ISO range up to 25600, HD Video recording, 2016-pixel exposure metering sensor, 100% viewfinder coverage with bright glass pentaprism, 6fps, dual SD card slot, Magnesium alloy body, 14 bit A/D convertor, 39 focusing points, flash-sync speed of 1/250s, 3″ 920k dot LCD, and more. Nikon D7000 is definitely my next DSLR upgrade as I’ve been looking for DSLR that as powerful as D300s but weighs lesser!
That’ all my selection of top 5 cameras for travel year 2010. If you could notice that all above cameras except Olympus who is in Micro Four Third format, are APS-C format cameras with cropped sensor. I prefer APS-C format DSLR for travel as they are much lighter and cheaper. They are not top of the range model either. Nikon D300s is simply too heavy to be carried around my neck days and nights on travel! Read why D300s sucks for travel!
Another thing to note is 4 out of 5 cameras listed above is either Nikon or Canon. Other camera manufacturers such as Sony, Pentax, or Panasonic also producing some good DSLR. But lens choices and accessories are simply not as wide and complete as either Nikon or Canon. Unlike P&S compacts, this is important to DSLR cameras, where buying camera body is only a start in travel photography. Pairing it with suitable lens and accessories instead is the real factor behind in unveiling the optimum performance of the camera! 
– Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel blog
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There are so many travel attractions in Paris. You will realise this when you plan for your trip to Paris. I’ve spent only 2 days in Paris when I was in Europe and it was simply not enough time to cover all of them even by just passing by! However, if you have only 2 days in Paris like what I had, there are still ways for you to visit some of its more popular travel sites without any regret in the future. Off course, don’t ever dream of including Paris Disneyland in your itinerary!
I’ve picked the top 5 attractions in Paris which are also the icons of Paris that any travelers visiting Paris must not miss to go close to them. Here there are:
- Eiffel Tower. – The best known icon in Paris that was built in Year 1889. People always refer to Paris when mentioning Eiffel Tower. The tallest man made steel structure in Paris measuring 324m high, Eiffel Tower is also the best spot to view the whole scene of Paris when you take a lift up to its upper floor. Each night at 10pm, there is a lighting show on the tower which alone worth your visit to the Eiffel Tower at night.
- Triumphal Arch. – Or Arc De Triomphe, this 50m high monument was built in 1830s to honour those armies and generals who fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars. You can view all the names inscribed underneath the Triumphal Arch. It is so popular among tourists as it stood at the beginning of Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the most famous up-market shopping street in Paris where Louise Vuitton headquarter is situated, as well as the middle of Paris historical Axis.
- Louvre Museum. – At the other end of Avenue des Champs-Élysées, in a perfect straight line with Arc de Triump and the modern Grand Arch in La Defense (financial central of Paris), Louvre Museum is one of the world’s best museum in the world housing many of the great arts and historical ancient pieces. Among them is the original painting of Mona Lisa. Its glass pyramid entrance designed by Chinese Architect, I.M. Pei is also another unique feature of the museum.
- Notre Dame Cathedral. – “Our Lady” Notre Dame de Paris is one of the best examples of Catholic Gothic architecture in Europe. Its construction period was so long the spanning from 12th to 14th century. If you bring along your children, they would be excited to see it as it is the backdrop of Disney’s animated movie, Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica. – Often known as the white church based on it exterior appearance, Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the only landmark that located away from the Paris city centre in Montmarte area. When you come to Montmartre, the white church can be seen from far as it is on top of the highest point of Paris city, the butte Montmarte. It is easily reachable within walking distance if you come from the Paris main train station of Gard Du Nord. Montmarte is also the cheaper area to find many budget Paris hotels while still able to explore the city conviniently by either bus or underground.
Click HERE to view all above photos in high resolution version.
Always plan ahead your Paris travel to include all these 5 top attractions. There are many hotels available near these attractions. You can find all top star rated hotel around the Triumphal Arch area while cheaper option could be found in Montmartre area. If time allowed, try inlcude also some night hours to drop by these (or only Eiffel Tower if time is limited) landmarks to capture their beautiful night scenes that you won’t regret in future. – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog.
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