Digital Cameras, Superzoom

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 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

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 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

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

Samsung GX20

This top-end digital SLR is not for beginners, that much is for sure. It's solid and produces accurate exposures with deeply colourful pictures, but there's also a crude side to its design. And, since it's essentially the same camera as the Pentax K20D, it's worth a scrutinising look, even if the price is right

Editor's rating 7.2

Nikon D90

The Nikon D90 is the first digital SLR camera with video recording, which is great, especially since it's shot in 1,280x720-pixel motion JPEG at 24fps, giving it a cinematic, high-definition look. You can also shoot video with any lens, which yields interesting effects

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 8.0

Nikon D3

Nikon has finally delivered its full-frame sensor, 12-megapixel D3 camera. It reaches new heights in imaging with extremely low noise at astronomical ISO sensitivities, while maintaining the pro-level control and body design Nikonians have come to expect in the company's flagship cameras

Editor's rating 9.3

Pentax K20D

It's neither entry level nor professional dSLR, but the Pentax K20D sits comfortably in between the two categories. Boasting 14 megapixels and a load of excellent features, this shooter can run with the big boys while still being small enough to carry without hurting your back

User rating 9.0

Editor's rating 8.0

Casio Exilim EX-F1

If you've ever missed a great photo waiting for automatic focus or a flash, you'll know the importance of high-speed shooting. Casio's Exilim EX-F1 takes it to the extreme, capable of capturing up to 60 full-resolution snaps -- or a mind-boggling 1,200 low-res pics -- in a single second

Editor's rating 8.0

Pentax K200D

The Pentax K200D is a user-friendly, entry-level dSLR. If you've got old Pentax lenses hiding in the closet, you can give them some fresh air with this compatible camera. Its use of AA batteries and SD/SDHC cards make it accessible and you'll find some surprisingly clever features

Editor's rating 6.2

Sony Alpha DSLR-A200

The entry-level Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 delivers a simple, no-nonsense approach to shooting. This 10-megapixel snapper shows off a solid yet simple design and a straightforward control system. You'll get good performance too, which keeps it on par with its class competitors

Editor's rating 7.0