Digital Cameras, Superzoom

Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR

The 12-megapixel FinePix S200EXR offers the features, controls and handling of a digital SLR at a much lower price, and its EXR sensor technology means it outguns its superzoom rivals. We'd like to see the clever EXR features better integrated with the rest of the camera's controls, though

Editor's rating 8.2

Ricoh CX2

The 9.3-megapixel CX2 compact superzoom with 10.7x zoom offers capabilities that wouldn't be out of place on a cutting-edge digital SLR, including plenty of focusing options and an excellent dynamic-range mode. It also feels very well-made and responsive

Editor's rating 7.1

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

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

You might think the 12.1-megapixel Lumix DMC-FZ38 superzoom would be exorbitantly expensive, given its 18x zoom, super-fast autofocus, support for raw files, and high-definition movie mode. But it's not. It's one of the best superzooms available, and one of the cheapest too

Editor's rating 9.1

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

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-P1

Olympus' first Micro Four Thirds design, the 12.3-megapixel 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

Editor's rating 7.3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a unique camera. Its ultra-light design is based on the Micro Four Thirds system, removing dSLR-specific elements to make this photo and HD video shooter with interchangeable lenses. Are you prepared to pay for the latest in digital camera and video convergence?

Editor's rating 7.9

Canon PowerShot SX1 IS

The 10-megapixel PowerShot SX1 IS superzoom is one of the best cameras in its class, providing similar performance to a digital SLR, plus a 20x zoom lens and HD video, which dSLRs can't provide. Some irritating design quirks are compensated for by speedy performance and good picture quality

User rating 4.0

Editor's rating 7.8

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1

The 9-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 superzoom offers 20x zoom and speedy, best-in-class performance. It also boasts some truly interesting features and solid video capability. Picture quality isn't the HX1's strongest point, but this camera is worth considering nonetheless

Editor's rating 7.3

Nikon D5000

A long-awaited replacement for the D80, the D5000 brings significant new features to the entry-level dSLR. With a CMOS sensor, a flip-down-and-swivel LCD, an improved AF system and a fancy interactive display, there's plenty to like about it, especially with the quality of photos it produces

Editor's rating 7.8

Olympus SP-590 UZ

As superzooms go, the SP-590 UZ, with a 26x wideangle zoom, offers one of the best combinations of price, features, performance and picture quality that we've seen so far. It won't replace a digital SLR but, if you're looking for an ultimate do-it-all compact, the SP-590's definitely worth a look

Editor's rating 8.2

Olympus E-30

The 12-megapixel E-30 is sturdy and comfortable to grip, packed with features and offers fast performance. Most importantly, it takes very good pictures, rendering colours accurately under most conditions. Advanced shooters not yet wedded to a Canon or Nikon system should give it a look

Editor's rating 7.9

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

The 21-megapixel EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR will prove a must-have, zippier upgrade for many users of the original 5D. Delivering the fluid shooting experience and high-quality photos you'd expect from a professional camera, the Mark II also offers excellent video-capture capabilities

Editor's rating 8.6

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

The 24-megapixel Alpha DSLR-A900 isn't bad for Sony's first full-frame effort and, technically, it produces excellent photos. While it has some distinctive features and the design is generally good, Sony still has some way to go to catch up with rivals that have more experience with dSLRs in this class

Editor's rating 7.4

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300

While most dSLRs use CMOS sensors in order to provide live view, Sony's DSLR-A300 doesn't: It offers instant live view via a tilting LCD screen. Now that's pretty cool. Another bonus is that Sony's built-in Super SteadyShot anti-shake system works with any compatible lens, allowing you to produce vibrant, clear shots, no matter what the circumstances

Editor's rating 8.1

Pentax K-m

Will Pentax's newest attempt at challenging its rivals, Canon and Nikon, work? Rod Lawton introduces us to the 10-megapixel K-m, a digital camera designed specifically with beginners in mind. The K-m proves to be a sturdy, practical, straightforward and extremely likeable camera that produces depth and richness in its photos

Editor's rating 8.4

Nikon D700

The Nikon D700, featured here with a 24-120mm lens, is a sound choice for those seeking professional-calibre photos for a slightly less daunting price. As long as you don't need pro-sports-speed continuous-shooting performance, the D700 is quite fast, delivering on focus even in low light

Editor's rating 8.5

Canon EOS 50D

The EOS 50D offers class-leading resolution, an amazing 6.3fps continuous shooting mode, a tough, magnesium alloy body and compatibility with all Canon EF-S and EF lenses. Though its 15-megapixel sensor has the highest resolution of any of its rivals, though, the pics aren't that much sharper, so do your research

Editor's rating 8.3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

The 12-megapixel Panasonic Lumix G1 is described as the 'world's first full-time live view digital interchangeable lens camera', and is a big step towards entirely digital photography. You will love it for its speed, photo quality and flexibility, but you may have some reservations about its electronic viewfinder

User rating 7.0

Editor's rating 7.8