Digital Cameras

Pentax K-x

The entry-level, 12.4-megapixel K-x digital SLR is zippy, delivers good photo quality and is one of the few cameras in its price range to offer 720p video-capture capability. It's not without its downsides, such as unreliable image stabilisation, but it's a flexible, budget dSLR that delivers

Editor's rating 7.8

Canon EOS 550D

The 18-megapixel EOS 550D is a very impressive digital SLR. Its photo quality hasn't moved on massively from that of its predecessor, the EOS 500D, but its high-definition videos are excellent, and its high-ISO performance is exceptional. It's pricey though

Editor's rating 8.8

Olympus Pen E-P2

The 12.3-megapixel Pen E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera offers some worthwhile improvements over its E-P1 predecessor while retaining the same classic looks. It's more expensive than a similarly specified digital SLR, but there's no denying that the quality of its movies and photos is great

Editor's rating 7.7

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

The 14.2-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A550 digital SLR offers above-average performance for its class, a handful of interesting features and a large, tilting LCD display. Its colour-rendering capability could be better, but there are worse mid-range dSLRs to blow your wad on

Editor's rating 7.1

Canon EOS 7D

The pro-orientated, 18-megapixel EOS 7D digital SLR has a couple of minor flaws, but they're far outweighed by all the positives. Offering tank-like build quality, class-leading resolution, excellent high-ISO performance and brilliant continuous-shooting speeds, it's a fantastic camera

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 9.2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Part of a new breed of camera that aims to combine the image quality and features of a digital SLR with the convenience of a compact, the 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-GF1 is a tantalising proposition. It costs a packet, but its photos are excellent and its build quality is really something special

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 8.9

Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1

Fujifilm deserves a substantial pat on the back for creating the FinePix Real 3D W1. Not only does it function as a normal compact camera, but it can also use its two lenses to produce strikingly effective 3D images. This snapper's not without its downsides, but it's capable of some impressive results

Editor's rating 6.5

Canon PowerShot G11

The pro-orientated, 10-megapixel PowerShot G11 is expensive and heavy, but it's one of the best serious compacts on the market. Its cast-iron body and chunky external dials are excellent, its image quality is good, and its 5x wideangle zoom is sharp right through its focal range and right to the edges of the frame, too

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 8.2

Pentax K-7

The 14.6-megapixel K-7 is a great digital SLR. While Pentax's lens range isn't as good as that of rivals, and the camera lacks some finesse, it packs in plenty of genuinely useful features that its competitors just don't have. The depth and richness of its images are particularly striking, and it's built to last too

Editor's rating 8.8

Nikon D3000

The 10.2-megapixel D3000 digital SLR is very much suited to beginners seeking to dip their toes further into the photographic ocean. Not only does it offer guidance on how to use it but there are full manual controls for when your know-how increases. The best thing is that its photo quality is first-rate

User rating 8.0

Editor's rating 7.5

Nikon D300S

Aimed at professionals, the 12-megapixel D300S is a great digital SLR. It offers fantastic picture quality, excellent high-definition movies, a super-tough body that feels like it's been hewn from granite, and some top-notch features. Its price tag may very well bring a tear to your eye though

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 8.9

Ricoh GR Digital III

With a fixed-focal-length lens and steep price tag, the 10-megapixel GR Digital III won't appeal to the average user. But photography professionals and enthusiasts who want a 'proper' camera in a compact body will be delighted with its rock-solid build and fantastic photo quality

Editor's rating 8.8

Leica M8.2

Casually buying the 10-megapixel M8.2 digital rangefinder is out of the question unless you're seriously loaded. It's not perfect but, in the niche that it occupies, it provides incomparable quality, both in terms of its build and finish, and its excellent pictures

Editor's rating 8.2

Olympus E-450

The 10-megapixel E-450 makes a number of subtle but welcome improvements over its predecessor, the E-420, and, as a result, is a worthwhile entry-level digital SLR. Offering good picture quality, comfortable handling and diminutive dimensions, it's a strong contender if you're looking to step up from a compact

Editor's rating 7.9

Sony Alpha DSLR-A330

Those who want to step up to a digital SLR could do far worse than opt for the 10.2-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A330. As long as you steer clear of its default settings, it's capable of taking some very good photos. It's also reasonably fast and offers some pleasing design touches

Editor's rating 7.0

Sony Alpha DSLR-A230

The 10.2-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A230 is a decent entry-level digital SLR for those seeking to delve deeper into the world of photography. It's reasonably fast, offers useful design features and is capable of taking some great photos. Just steer clear of the default settings

Editor's rating 7.0

Sigma DP2

The DP2 is how cameras used to be -- a box with a lens, and just enough controls to let you get the picture you want. And the picture quality is excellent, offering clarity that's on a par with 10- to 12-megapixel digital SLRs and streets ahead of any other compact. You'll have to fork out for it, though

Editor's rating 7.7

Sony Alpha DSLR-A380

Sony has revamped its old, entry-level Alpha DSLR-A350. The result is the Alpha DSLR-A380, which sports an innovative live-view mode, a smaller and more user-friendly body, and an improved and quieter 18-55mm kit lens. Most importantly, it also takes very good pictures

Editor's rating 6.1

Olympus Pen E-P1

Olympus' first Micro Four Thirds design, the 12.3-megapixel Pen E-P1, offers excellent photo quality in a pleasingly retro and compact design. Its performance tends towards the sluggish end of the scale, but it still represents a tempting proposition for style-conscious photography enthusiasts

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 7.3

Olympus E-620

The 12-megapixel E-620 is a solid and inexpensive entry-level digital SLR. Because it offers a host of advanced features and its interface is more complicated than it needs to be, some beginners might be put off. But those that persevere will be rewarded with good performance and picture quality

Editor's rating 7.3