Manish Sinha

The Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V is a good choice under 25000. You can follow the link here -  Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V   SONY Cybershot DSC HX400V has a high resolution of 21.1MP, highest ISO rating of 12800, digital zoom of 200x. Also, it has a minimum shutter speed of 30secs, which will help you if you want to go for exposure photography. It is very quick when it comes to the focussing and exposure part. It boasts a maximum aperture of f2.8 at the widest angle setting.There is no shutter lag in this model which is another feature liked by people who are into safari photography. It's telephoto capabilities are amazing for a model in this price range. You will lose some fine detail when zoomed in, but that is understandable. Make sure to use a tripod to utilize the zoom feature in these models.

Manish Sinha

Hi Devender, SONY Cybershot DSC HX400V just outperforms the P610 in certain fields. It has a higher resolution of 21.1MP, highest ISO rating of 12800, digital zoom of 200x. Also, it has a minimum shutter speed of 30secs, which will help you if you want to go for exposure photography. It is very quick when it comes to the focussing and exposure part. It boasts a maximum aperture of f2.8 at the widest angle setting.There is no shutter lag in this model which is another feature liked by people who are into safari photography. It's telephoto capabilities are amazing for a model in this price range. You will lose some fine detail when zoomed in, but that is understandable. Make sure to use a tripod to utilize the zoom feature in these models.

Devender

Thanks Manish. One review about HX400V (I think on amazon) says that there are grains in the photos taken by this camera and that guy seems to be really fed up with this issue.Could you please give your opinion?

Manish Sinha

Hi Devender, Grains are dependent on image sensor and the ISO that you are shooting at. If you click a picture at higher ISO rating, let's say ISO 3200 or above , then obviously you will face noise and grains. I suggest you use less ISO ratings unless the situation demands so. You will see that your images will be clearer and detailed.

Devender

Hi Manish,Sorry to bug you again. I really want to buy this camera specially because of better aperture and better range of shutter speed, but this grains related review is bugging me. Please see the review at the link below. This guy has taken the pictures at 80 ISO, but still got grains. http://www.amazon.in/review/R2U7ROIRQGMUHC/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00JPDG89U&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=976419031&store=electronicsPlease suggest how much difference does it make between aperture f3.3 and f2.8 (for Nikon P610 and Sony HX400V respectively)?

Manish Sinha

Hi Devender, It's really difficult to tell you the difference over here. Basically at f2.8, the lens is able to open up wide and can capture more light resulting in the appearance of an image.  Regarding the grain levels in HX400V, this camera uses a very small sensor in the form of 1/2.3" and when you are going for pixel peeping (please google this), then you will notice the grainy smudges. Again, it also depends on how the photo was taken.  If you are unsure about this, I suggest you check if Sony has a return policy, where you get to use the camera for a few days and if you don't like it, then you can return the model.  If you are not satisfied, then you can go for Nikon P610.

Devender

Thanks Manish for your advice.I am inclining towards P610, but please suggest whether P600 is better or P610 and what's the difference? Also, any suggestion about P900?

Manish Sinha

Hi Devender, There's not much difference between the two Nikon models. Both of them use the same sensors. Except that with P600, it has a shorter battery life as compared to P610. But it's very minimal. Also, P600 has a higher ISO rating of 12800. Also, P900 is priced at a higher rate above 20k. You first asked for a model between 10k to 20k.

Devender

Thanks Manish.I actually started searching at around 12000/- but as I looking further, I am increasing the budget to get better camera specs, image quality and features. I just started looking into Canon, Panasonic and Fuji models also while I was focusing on Nikon and Sony only till now.

Manish Sinha

If you're increasing your budget, then why not go for a entry-level DSLR. Figure out what you need the camera for. And then buy it.

Devender

Figuring out, what I actually want, is the major challenge. I'm being greedy and wanting more and more as the search is proceeding further.What I have understood till now is that a normal user like me should look for the following basic requirements:i) Good picture quality in all conditions including full HD videos - I guess, larger aperture & sensor size should contribute in this.ii) Wider angle to easily cover groups, monuments etc. and reasonable telephoto reach - focal length ranging from 20-21 mm to 700-800 mm should helpiii) View Finder - It reduces shaking of hand, specially needed at high zoom.iv) In-built Wi-Fi and 360 degree screen swivel for ease of usev) Few additional features like Panorama mode.FYI, I'm NOT looking for high megapixel count and high ISO.I have thought about DSLRs, but want to avoid carrying additional heavy lenses etc. The overall weight can become too much.Please advise.

Manish Sinha

Hi,See the thing is you are looking at everything. I agree all these features need to be there, but sometimes manufacturers leave out on certain specs so as to make the user want more. For a basic user, good picture quality and HD videos are what's important. Rest of the features becomes secondary. And don't think about the additional lenses right now. There's no point in buying a lens if you don't even have the how-it-works knowledge of a DSLR. Learn the basics of a kit lens before you are confident enough of upgrading to a new lens. Very few people who start with a DSLR buy 2-3 lenses apart from the kit lens. Learn the basics first. Then you will easliy know what you want out of your camera.

Devender

I understand your point. But, I feel that DSLR is for a photo enthusiast who wants to spend time with it, but currently, I'm not like that. I was like that 10 years ago and that craving is coming out right now while buying the camera. After the purchase, this craving will slowly fade away again and I won't use it too much. But, my perspective is that, whenever I use it, I should not feel that it is lacking too much in quality / performance in various conditions. And I should not feel after 2 years that it has outdated too much in terms of technology and features. So, I have brought my budget in the range of 25000/- to 30000/- to buy a good all rounder camera which I can use for another 8-10 years.If you still feel that a DSLR is a better option to go for, please suggest a reasonable DSLR considering above requirements.

Manish Sinha

Hi Rajeev, You can go for the advanced point and shoot camera model Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V -  Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V runs on a CMOS sensor, has higher optical zoom of 50x along with a wide aperture of .2.8 which is very decent in its category.  

Manish Sinha

Hi Deepak,According to the requirements that you mentioned, Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V   Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V  seems to be the right choice. It runs on a CMOS sensor, has higher optical zoom of 50x along with a wide aperture of .2.8 which is very decent in its category.  

Manish Sinha

Hi Deepak, At the shutter speed that you are asking for, most of the models come in the price range above 30k. However, there is Nikon Coolpix P7800 which is less than 30k. -  Nikon CoolPix P7800 The only point being it's an advanced point & shoot camera. But it has a shutter speed of 1/4000,RAW Image capability, Electronic Viewfinder, full manual control over the way you want to click pictures. If you are willing to come down on the shutter speed to 1/2000, then I suggest you go for Sony Cybershot DSCrx100 -  Sony CyberShot DSC RX100 Or Sony Cybershot DSC rx100ii -  Sony CyberShot DSC RX100 2 .. Both of them are excellent models in the compact camera categories and will cater to the your imaging requirements.

Deepak

No give me better idea nikon p7800 only 10 megapixal and sony rx 100 only 3x zoom 

Manish Sinha

If you are asking for a choice between the two models you mentioned, then go for Nikon Coolpix P7800. You should know that camera resolution isn't that of a huge factor.

Abhinav Singh

Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V  is the best option for you.

Nilesh Khoriya

I will suggest go for sony hx400v.. It has significantly significantly more zoom (50x) vs30x Zoom of Hx50V. It also got a Wider apertureand hence with its widest zoom, the DSC-HX400V's lens captures slightly more light. If you will use camera for recording then you will have an option of External mic jack which will help you to Record high quality audio with a use of external microphone. Digital Viewfinder will be an added advantage which will help you to save battery life by keeping the screen turned off. So overaall it seems to be a nice deal between the two: Sony Cybershot DSC HX400V