Compact or SLR camera for travel?

Still undecided between a compact and a SLR camera?

A Micro Four Thirds camera makes an equally tempting alternative when you travel but chances are that an avid photographer would swear a digital SLR still makes a better investment.

SLR is an obvious choice but premium compacts are equally impressive. It is handy enough for a quick snap and has many SLR-like features, mode dials and manual controls for greater creativity. In many ways, there’s very little difference between a highly rated compact and an entry-level SLR.

Travelling light is the way to go and if greater control, faster speed or interchangeable lens mount is less critical, a premium point-and-shoot camera, small enough to fit into the pocket, is the camera to pick.

I have a Canon SLR and a compact but the latter has been my camera of choice when I travel. The Panasonic Lumix LX5, which I purchased late last year, produces excellent image quality with its ultra wide and flexible 24-90mm zoom lens. The sleek design aside, the feature packed camera also captures great pictures in low light, thanks to its bright F2.0 lens.

Like all modern cameras, the 10-megapixel LX5 is indeed a versatile device. Weighing only 271gm (with battery), it can also double up as a video camcorder with 720p HD video capability and a dedicated video record button. What’s more, you can use the optical zoom while recording.

Travel Tips: If you must leave the bulky SLR gear at home, consider a prosumer camera for as little as RM1,300 (street price). Besides the Lumix, you can consider other equivalent cameras – Canon G12, Canon S95, Nikon P7000, Olympus XZ-1 or the newly launched and ultra-compact Sony NEX-C3 with interchangeable lens. Make sure you buy a 8MB or 16MB (Class 6 and above) SD card and have a spare battery handy when you travel.

World's 50 most delicious food

Asia is indeed a food paradise. Almost half of CNNGo's top 50 most delicious food are from Asia.

Thailand, as expected, topped the survey with four global favorites. Massaman Curry (kaeng matsaman) a popular Southern Thai curry and usually cooked with beef or chicken, took the crown followed by Tom Yum Goong (eighth), Nam Tok Moo (19^th) and Som Tam (46^th).

Other Asian favourites included Sushi (fourth), Peking Duck (fifth) while Malaysia’s famous Penang assam laksa, Indonesia’s Rendang and Hong Kong’s Egg Tarts came in seventh, 11^th and 16^th respectively.

CNNGo had described Assam Laksa as “poached, flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, lemongrass, onion, pineapple … an addictive spicy-sour fish broth with noodles. It is especially great when fused with ginger, that’ll have your nose running before the spoon even hits your lips.”

The other familiar dishes ranked in the CNN survey included Iran’s Kebab (18^th), India’s Butter Garlic Crab 25^th), Hong Kong’s French Toast (38^th) and Singapore’s chilli crab (35^th) and chicken rice (45^th).

Global favourites – Hamburger and Shepherd’s Pie were placed sixth and 12^th respectively followed by Lasagna (23^rd), Fajitas (26^th) and Fish and Chips (33^rd).

KL - unrivaled shopping haven

Like great food, shopping is a natural attraction when travelling. In recent years, I have flown home lighter, simply because there was no incentive to shop outside Malaysia. With an exception for last year’s Great Singapore Sale, I have not been shopping as much as I want to when travelling.

KL has proven to be an equal match, rivaling Singapore and Hong Kong in many ways. KL is never on the radar and it understandable why it continues to play second fiddle to the established shopping havens.

There are of course some exceptions in KL. Forget about the duty-free outlets at KLIA and if you are looking for photographic accessories, hi-fi, premium headsets (for the iPod or iPhone) or baggage. Singapore and Hong Kong are likely to be a better bet for variety and prices.

From duty-free cameras, computers, to watches and pens, Malaysia has made greater inroads as a viable shopping hub. Since the beginning of 2011, import duty on about 300 sought-after products, including handbags, apparel, footwear and jewellery were abolished. According to Tourism Malaysia, prices would reduce by about 20 per cent for about 29 luxury brands.

If you are an electronics buff, look no further than KL. Outside the US, Malaysia is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy the iPad 2. The 16GB WiFi only tablet is priced at RM1,499 and comparable with Hong Kong’s HK3,888 (RM1,485) and about RM145 cheaper than Singapore ($668).

The same goes with cameras and notebook PCs where consumers are spoilt for choice with great deals in KL. The street price for Canon 600D with kit lens is about RM2,600 at Low Yat or Digital Mall, cheaper than Hong Kong (HK$7280 or RM2,794) and Singapore (S$1,120 or RM2,765).

What’s more, Malaysians can enjoy extended warranties for local online product registration. However, it’s much cheaper to buy a Lowepro bag in Hong Kong or Singapore.

So who says the jealously guarded shopping crown is a close fight between Singapore and Hong Kong? Indeed shopping is one of Malaysia’s best kept secrets.

Less than 25 sen for aerobridge service

AirAsia has never been supportive of aerobridges to maintain its low cost business model which requires a quick turnaround time to increase aircraft utilisation.

Interestingly, Malaysia Airports made a timely disclosure – RM85 it currently charges for the use of the aerobridge – when it confirmed aerobridges would not be installed at the new KLIA2.

Based on the full capacity of a 180-seater A320 aircraft for both arriving and departing flights, the cost of using the aerobridge works out to less than 25 sen per passenger.

Obviously it is a very small fee to pay for the added convenience apart from passenger safety and security. Given AirAsia’s growing auxiliary income and the convenience fee that we have to pay for our bookings, is it too much for AirAsia to include the aerobridge service at KLIA2?