Digital Cameras, Digital SLR

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

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

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 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

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

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 EOS 500D

The 15-megapixel EOS 500D is an impressive entry-level digital SLR, offering sharp pictures and speedier performance than some more expensive models, as well as solid hi-def video capability. There are some annoyances, such as the viewfinder, but the camera's performance offers adequate compensation

User rating 9.0

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

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