Everyone is always asking…Which camera should I buy? Should I buy a Mirrorless Camera or should I buy a DSLR? These are questions that everyday users like will ask, as after all we are just ordinary Parents who just want to take pictures of our kids and hopefully capture a great moment!

Firstly, if you have no interest of carrying a camera around, then stick to a simple point and shoot! However if you are interested in looking more about photography, then do read on. As a Sony Nex-F3 has been loaned to me for this period, all views here are related to the Sony Nex-F3 Mirrorless Camera.

Size and Weight

The most obvious reason why everyone is looking at a Mirrorless camera, is the size and weight of the camera. Compared to my Nikon D90, the Sony Nex-F3 seemed as light as a feather. The NEX-3N’s most celebrated asset is its size, as it’s barely thicker than a deck of cards, with a body that measures roughly 4.3 inches in width, 2.4 inches in height and 1.4 inches in depth.

Putting it into my sling bag, I felt that a weight has been lighted, even though I was carrying a bag and towing 3 kids on our outdoor adventures. However, do be aware that the zoom lens does create a problem in terms of symmetry. With a zoom lens, the camera does seem a bit unbalanced, and the size advantage may be negated. However, in terms of the weight department, the Mirrorless camera wins hands down.

Autofocus

The Main benefit of DSLRs are that they are fast. When kids come running to you, parents do not really have much time to react. A fraction of a second will make one miss the perfect moment. However, mirrorless cameras don’t use the same type of autofocus found in DSLRs. Instead, they use the type of autofocus that’s included in most compact cameras.

This means – you guessed it – that the AF speed of a mirrorless camera won’t be quite as fast as normal DSLR. This was what exactly happened in my field experience with the Sony Nex-F3.  When the kids were running, I would swiftly focus my Sony Nex-F3 and release the shutter. However, I realized that more often then not, the shots do tend to be blurry. To solve the problem, I would need to take time to compose the shot.  Here are some shots that I had time to compose:

Image Quality & Battery Life.

The good thing about the Sony Nex-F3 is that it delivers nice images. I have no problems with the shots, and the I think that the shots come quite nice. Battery Life though can be a problem. As the emphasis on taking a shot is through the LCD Screen, battery life is not very long. On my DSLR, I can escape not charging my battery for some time, however, I did not have such luxury on a Sony Nex-F3. This means that if you go for a holiday, you have to make sure that you are able to charge your batteries every night.

Conclusion

The Sony Nex-F3 is Sony’s entry level mirrorless camera and it is a good starting camera for novices. The Grip proved easy for me to handle, and important, as the camera feels light to the touch. An added feature on the camera’s backside is a 461k-dot, 3-inch LCD, that can flip 180 degrees for self-portraits. This is great feature for bloggers who love to camwhore, or for lonely travel trips overseas.

If you are looking to lighten your load especially on your travels overseas, this is a good camera to look at.

Sponsored Review

I have made the switch from my Samsung S3 to the LG Optimus G…and I have no complaints. The changeover has been seamless as they are both on the same android platform, and with the faster processor on the LG Optimus G, I am a “happy Camper!”  (Check out my initial impressions of the LG Optimus here)

 

In the era of Smartphones, a Quad-core 1.5GHZ processor does matter, and together with its 2GB RAM, I love the responsiveness of the phone and the intricate scratch resistant glass panel design.

Besides the 13Mp Camera, the LG Optimus G has other built in applications that any tech geek will shout about.

Here are some “Super Useful Functions” that I found on my LG Optimus G:

One of the functions that immediately caught my eye is the Qslide function. This means that the LG Smartphone gives users the ability to multi-task, just like what we are able to do, on our laptops.

In simple terms, the LG Optimus gives me the ability to minimize my internet window, and surf to other applications simultaneously. For example, when I am watching a video on the train, I can keep the movie running, and go to my whatsapp, answer my messages, with the video running in the backgound. Cool ya! 

As you can see, I can even adjust the transparency level, and therefore fade the internet window into the background. This makes it easy for me to access whichever application that I am looking for!  

In a similar Quick Memo function, I can use this Q Slide function in taking memos. Let’s say that I need to take down a telephone number.  I scribble this note in my Quick Memo.

I can then switch windows and go to my phone application to make a phone call, with my notes still fresh as an “overlay” on my screen.

Yes! I can still see my notes, even as I am dialing! This is Super Useful, when I need to call my colleagues and relate important details them, or when a friend gives me some important information in the midst of a phone call. 

And for all Bloggers who love to take pictures of themselves. You can switch the camera to the front camera. Activate the voice activation, and say any of the selected words. Using “Cheese”, “Smile”, “Kimchi” or “LG”, can activate the camera, making group and self portrait shots easy!

And just to let you know how LG wants to make life simple for you, LG looks after its customers as well!

If your LG phone decides to give you problems, you will be glad to know that LG offers  a Free pick up and return service only for the Optimus  G.

Just call 65120555, and let the friendly LG staff help u!  

If you are thinking of doing a switch, LG is certainly a very good option!

After Winning a year’s supply of Free Fuel with Shell and driving at the Formula 1 track in Sepang, I am always on the look out for the latest offerings from Shell.

Well, the good news is that Shell is back in town with their famous Tissue Boxes…but wait there is more!

Besides the Free tissue boxes that come with every $50 purchase of Petrol, customers can get even more when they lift their tissue flaps. Under every tissue flag is an icon! When customers are able to find a matching icon, they can find themselves winning $5 fuel vouchers, $20 Service Vouchers or a Year’s Supply of Petrol!

This means that the more tissue boxes you get, the better the chances of you walking away with the grand prize. Here are the possible winning pairs!

Good things always seem to come in pairs, and you may definitely find a pair that wins you a year’s supply of Shell Fuel!

Thinking of adding more Joy into your life? Hop on board the Joyville bus and get your journey sweetened by Cadburys Chocolates! Our Daughter did just that for her Birthday Celebrations, and the kids just loved the “Sweet” Experience!

If you are wondering what a Joyville Bus is….Well, here it is!

Yes! Remember those Old Swensen’s Tram Buses that used to ply the roads around Old Singapore, the JoyVille Bus originates from the same factory!

However, Cadbury’s has really jazzed up the whole concept! Besides getting brand new buses, the Joyville bus brings you on a retro trip back in time. With Carnival Music that livens up the mood, passengers are given an array of props to play “dress up” and take pictures!

The Cadbury Joyville Bus will bring you to any location, and the kids took a ride around Orchard Road, waving to the many tourist along the way. The Joyville crew also entertained the kids, and made doubly sure that every kid, was going to get off the bus with pockets full of chocolates.

This was definitely a very unique way to end our birthday celebrations for our little Nadine!

If you want your kids or your friends to have the Joyville experience, you will be glad to know that the bus is available for booking!

All you need to do is to spend $20 on Cadbury Chocolates. Visit their Facebook page or Joyrider.sg for more details!

Everyone loves Birthday Parties, and for any Children’s Birthday Party to be complete, we need a MAGICIAN! Yes! A Good Kid’s Magician is a definite plus at any party!

With so many magicians on the market, Parents are always looking out for an individual who can not just hold the attention of the kids, but the adults as well! With that in mind, let me introduce to you “The Magic of Joel” from Kids Magician Sg.

Having performed for many corporate events at venues such as Marina Bay Sands, Resort World Singapore and at the Singapore Youth Olympics, Joel is more than able to perform to children and adults, as he is the current champion in Singapore’s Street Magic Competition.

Check out some of the tricks which Joel performed for the kids! A big hit with the kids was the disappearing Wolf, who was trying to make his way to the chicken coop! The children just went crazy, as they saw the Wolf making his way to the Chicken Coop before their very eyes!

Next up was the Magic Knife! It seems to be sharp enough to go through anything except a child’s neck! Yes! It is like one of those famous knife tricks from Las Vegas, except that it is made of safe material for kids.

Besides the Magical Knifes, Kids were also treated to the Talking White Board, and a Flying Table! It was really magical as one was brought back to the days of Aladdin, as Joel made the table fly before their very eyes!

A real plus point about Joel, is that he does not just entertain kids, but his tricks cater to an array of age groups! In his Magic Cutlery, he had all the adults wondering how he managed to twist the utensils magically. Definitely very engaging!

As you can see, the kids really enjoyed themselves, and with Balloon Sculpturing to end the birthday celebrations, I had a classroom of very happy children. This was Nadine’s 1st party with a Magician, and one she will never forget!

A Half an hour Magic Show will cost you about $290, and you can check out his website for more details.

Photos were taken with a Sony Nex-F3, compliments of Sony.