Christmas is nearly upon us – just over three weeks away, in fact – but there’s still plenty of time to find the right present for your friends and family with Tech Guide’s 2020 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas.
To kick off our 12 Day Christmas Gift Guide in 2020 we’re taking a looking at cameras.
Dedicated cameras are still in huge demand even though our smartphones have a high quality camera onboard.
But these cameras can do things your smartphones can’t – and could be a perfect fit as a gift this Christmas
Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas:
Day 1: Cameras
Day 4: Headphones/speakers
DAY 5: Gaming
DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers
DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets
DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices
DAY 9: In-car gadgets
DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K
DAY 11: Appliances
DAY 12: Computers
DAY 1
CAMERAS
DJI POCKET 2 – $599 or $799 for the Creator Combo
DJI has released an updated version of the Osmo Pocket portable stabilized camera – it’s now called the DJI Pocket 2 and it is small and easily portable device that can fit in a pocket, bag or purse.
But despite its small size, the DJI Pocket 2 still packs in a lot of features including a smooth 3-axis gimbal for silky smooth footage.
Also onboard is a 4K camera with a larger sensor and wider lens to deliver improved images and videos.
The camera has 1/1.7-inch image sensor with a 20mm f/1.8 lens for bright and wide cinematic look no matter what you’re shooting.
Photographs can be captured at 16-megapixels or 64-megapixels in high resolution mode.
Video can be captured at 4K at 60 frames per second at 100Mbps.
READ TECH GUIDE’S FULL REPORT ON THE DJI POCKET 2
PANASONIC LUMIX G100 – From $1,099
Panasonic’s new LUMIX G100 is a compact and lightweight interchangeable lens camera that’s perfect for vloggers and online video content creators.
The G100 can capture excellent 4K video but it’s audio quality will also impress users.
The LUMIX G100 is the first interchangeable lens camera to include OZO Audio which can record audio through three microphones in high quality without the need to connect an external microphone.
The OZO Audio system can track and capture sound whether you’re in front of the camera or behind the lens narrating a scene.
The camera is small and light but it’s still offers creative vlogger high video quality and ease of use.
The G100 has an adjustable 3-inch flip-out touchscreen so users can easily frame themselves for their shots at any angle.
The Lumix G100 is priced at $1,099 (body only) or in a kit with the LUMIX G VARIO 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH MEGA O.I.S. lens H-FS12032E-K for $1,299 or with the H-FS12032E-K lens and DMW-SHGR1E Tripod Grip for $1,399.
READ TECH GUIDE’S FULL REPORT ON THE PANASONIC LUMIX G100
GOPRO HERO9 BLACK – $579
The GoPro Hero9 Black is here. And it’s a huge improvement over the previous GoPro with a new front display, a larger rear display and even better battery life.
The GoPro Hero9 Black allows users to shoot 5K video at 30 frames per second and capture 20 megapixel photos and also enjoy next-level HyperSmooth 3.0 which does a remarkable job taking the shakes out of your videos with in-camera horizon levelling.
This is a noticeable difference over the Hero8 Black which we thought already had impressive smoothing. The GoPro Hero9 Black set a new standard.
The biggest noticeable difference is the front-facing 1.4-inch display so now you can easily frame yourself and see your background.
And on the back there is a 2.27-inch rear display which is also bigger than Hero8 Black.
READ TECH GUIDE’S FULL REPORT ON THE GOPRO HERO9 BLACK
SONY ZV-1 – $1,299
Sony’s ZV-1 is a compact all-in-one solution for content creators to capture high quality 4K video on the move.
The Sony ZV-1 incorporates the company’s remarkable imaging technology including the 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T large aperture which offers enough depth of field to create a stunning bokeh effect.
The camera has Sony’s leading autofocus system as well as real-time tracking to keep subjects in frame and in focus, even if they are moving at high speed.
The camera weighs just 294g and is 10.5cm wide, 6cm long and 4.35cm thick.
The ZV-1 can also focus on objects with the new Product Showcase setting which is ideal for product reviews and other similar content.
It has a side-opening Vari-angle LCD screen so users can frame themselves when shooting selfies and filming themselves.
READ TECH GUIDE’S FULL REPORT ON THE SONY ZV-1
CANON EOS R5 – $5,800 (body only)
The EOS R5 sits at the pinnacle of Canon’s full-frame mirrorless camera range and is jam packed with ground breaking features this category has never seen before to help you achieve a premium photography experience like no other.
Perfect for professional photographers and videographers, or for the person who’s addicted to having the very best tech at home; the EOS R5 offers the highest resolution ever seen in an EOS camera; is capable of recording video in 8K; and features advanced tracking of both human and animal subjects.
If you want the absolute best from a camera, this is the ultimate camera for you.
NIKON Z 5 – From $1955 (body only)
The Nikon Z 5 is perfect for both beginners and seasoned photographers looking for something new
The mirrorless camera is the ideal creative companion for any getaway and is a good fit whether you’re at the entry level or an enthusiastic snapper.
For those itching for a domestic adventure, this is the camera to capture stunning images and videos for social media.
DJI OM 4 – $239
DJI’s new OM 4 Smartphone Stabiliser – it’s not a camera but it can make your smartphone even better camera to capture life’s most important moments smoothly and quickly.
The rebranded follow-up to DJI’s OSMO Mobile line, the DJI OM 4 has a new magnetic phone attachment system so users can attach their smartphone to the gimbal in an instant so they can start shooting right away.
The DJI OM 4 has a foldable design to make them even more portable and convenient to take with you anywhere.
With the latest smartphones including amazing high quality camera systems capable of shooting up to 8K video quality, the DJI OM 4 is an ideal companion to add a professional quality and more visual appeal to your videos.
It can be used with most smartphones and has upgraded motors to be able to handle even more weight than its predecessors.
READ TECH GUIDE’S FULL REPORT ON THE DJI OM 4
LOGITECH STREAM CAM – $229.95
If you’d like to broadcast yourself easily and in decent quality or want to look your best for your next video meeting then the Logitech StreamCam is an ideal solution.
The device has come along at just the right time and can be used for live streaming as well video chats which have become the norm as we work from home during the coronavirus crisis.
Logitech StreamCam has an adjustable mount that can help users attach to the lid of a laptop or on top of a monitor and then aimed at the user.
It can also be attached to the top of a tripod if you pop it out of the mount.
Logitech StreamCam, as its name suggests, can be used for live streaming to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Instagram and Snapchat.
