Price is not the same as value. So the most expensive product isn't always the best value for your money. MONEY TODAY starts a new section highlighting the least expensive model in a product category.
Models of the most popular brands will be considered. If price is of no consequence to you, check out the most expensive comparative model.
OUR PICK
Model – Fujifilm Finepix A610
Price – Rs 6,999
Features – 6.3 MP, 3X optical zoom, 6x digital zoom, 2.5” LCD screen, four shooting modes, 14 scene positions, 10 MB inbuilt memory, self timer, white balance,QVGA movie recording, PictBridge compatible, video output for TV monitor
CLOSE SECOND
Model – Kodak C613
Price – Rs 7,490
Features – 6.2 MP, 3X optical zoom, 5x digital zoom, 2.4” LCD monitor, 16 MB inbuilt memory, MPEG movies, video print option, digital image stabilisation, high ISO (up to 1250), 16 scene and 3 colour modes
TOP OF LEAGUE
Model – Canon S5 IS
Price – Rs 24,995
Features – 8.0 MP, 12X optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, 2.5” vari-angle LCD, super macro closeup focus to 0 cm,multiple face detection (even during movie recording), optical image stabiliser with four control settings, ISO 1600, photo-in-movie function, stereo movie recording, up to 60-second sound memos for still images, 16:9 widescreen, 11 colour modes, 22 shooting modes, continuous shooting (1.5 shots per second)
WPI has been going down with each passing week. Rise in the prices of basic food articles, such as fruits and vegetables, has slowed substantially. All in all, the impact of inflation on daily lives is not as much as it was a few months ago.
WHOLESALE PRICE INFLATION: 3.11%
| HIGHEST INFLATION RATES | LOWEST INFLATION RATES | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil seeds | 21.8% | Other food articles | -6.1% |
| Fibres | 12.7% | Fruits & vegetables | -4.6% |
| Non-food articles | 11.7% | Electricity | -1.7% |
| Non-metallic minerals | 9.4% | Textiles | -1.5% |
| Milk | 7.7% | Metallic minerals | -1.5% |
Figures are percentage annual rise in wholesale price index for the week ending on November 3, 2007. | |||
| HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS* | ||
|---|---|---|
| Company | Plan | Premium (Rs) |
| Star Health | Medi Classic | 1,200 |
| National Insurance | Mediclaim Policy | 1,377 |
| Bajaj Allianz | Health Guard | 1,453 |
| ICICI Lombard | Family Floater-A | 2,218 |
| Tata AIG | Maharaksha | 2,220 |
| Source: Company websites. *For individuals aged 30 years (Rs 1 lakh cover). Premiums are annual and do not include tax. | ||
| • If you are taking health insurance for your family, opt for a family floater plan to spread risk and optimise premium | ||
| • Insurers insist on stringent health checks before issuing a policy as you grow old; to avoid these tests, take a policy as early in life as possible | ||
