Review: Sony CyberShot DSC-HX300 and LG 55LA8600
A mobile app for office work, the camera with the steadiest zoom, and an awesome TV.
Sony CyberShot DSC-HX300
Sony CyberShot DSC-HX300
Price: Rs 25,990
Rock Steady
This new camera from Sony has a 50x optical zoom, which is undoubtedly the steadiest we have seen so far. You can use a 1200mm equivalent zoom without a tripod and the image will still be clear. While most other cameras take ages to lock on the subject in the full zoom, the HX300 has a very fast auto-focus. In fact, as you zoom to 50x it feels as if the camera is continuously locking focus along the way. Of course, there is some blurring as we were not using a tripod, but details are still impressive thanks to the new Optical SteadyShot. All manual and automatic modes are also available on this camera. This is a good option for those looking for an all-rounder among cameras.
+ve: Stable zoom, Picture quality
-ve: Noise in high ISOs
LG 55LA8600
Price: Rs 2.5 lakh
3D TV at Its Best
LG has updated its television range with the 55-inch LA8600. This new version has the best 3D in the market as well as the trademark thin bezel that gives the screen a seamless feel. The picture quality is really good, with or without the 3D. This LED Plus TruMotion 240Hz screen gives solid blacks and shows no ghosts even with fast moving visuals. The 3D works better with stereoscopic content, but the 2D to 3D conversion mostly adds depth, not throw. The sound quality is so good, you will seldom have to go beyond the halfway mark on the volume. There is virtual surround too, though we did not sense any big change in sound quality here. This is a smart TV and you will need wireless or wired connectivity to get the apps going. The LG Smart World gives access to hundreds of Android apps and the unit has a 1.2GB Dual-Core CPU with 2GB DDR to make them run.
Mobile Office
Now you can open and edit any Office file on your iPhone, provided you have paid for an Office 365 subscription. The app links to SkyDrive and shows you all your files there. You can also create new Word documents and Excel spreadsheets; even use templates. Editing is easy so long as you are comfortable using a touchscreen. The only drawback is that it is not possible to download this app on the iPad.
By: Microsoft Corp
Cost: Free
Price: Rs 25,990
Rock Steady
This new camera from Sony has a 50x optical zoom, which is undoubtedly the steadiest we have seen so far. You can use a 1200mm equivalent zoom without a tripod and the image will still be clear. While most other cameras take ages to lock on the subject in the full zoom, the HX300 has a very fast auto-focus. In fact, as you zoom to 50x it feels as if the camera is continuously locking focus along the way. Of course, there is some blurring as we were not using a tripod, but details are still impressive thanks to the new Optical SteadyShot. All manual and automatic modes are also available on this camera. This is a good option for those looking for an all-rounder among cameras.
+ve: Stable zoom, Picture quality
-ve: Noise in high ISOs
Price: Rs 2.5 lakh
3D TV at Its Best
LG has updated its television range with the 55-inch LA8600. This new version has the best 3D in the market as well as the trademark thin bezel that gives the screen a seamless feel. The picture quality is really good, with or without the 3D. This LED Plus TruMotion 240Hz screen gives solid blacks and shows no ghosts even with fast moving visuals. The 3D works better with stereoscopic content, but the 2D to 3D conversion mostly adds depth, not throw. The sound quality is so good, you will seldom have to go beyond the halfway mark on the volume. There is virtual surround too, though we did not sense any big change in sound quality here. This is a smart TV and you will need wireless or wired connectivity to get the apps going. The LG Smart World gives access to hundreds of Android apps and the unit has a 1.2GB Dual-Core CPU with 2GB DDR to make them run.
Mobile Office
Now you can open and edit any Office file on your iPhone, provided you have paid for an Office 365 subscription. The app links to SkyDrive and shows you all your files there. You can also create new Word documents and Excel spreadsheets; even use templates. Editing is easy so long as you are comfortable using a touchscreen. The only drawback is that it is not possible to download this app on the iPad.
By: Microsoft Corp
Cost: Free
