Forget budget DSLR, this is for serious photography. Extravagant in almost every way, the D700 is superbly responsive and produces stunning images

A sterling budget DSLR with a great range of controls and superb high ISO performance

The new Nikon D90, due to hit shelves in September, boasts unique 720p movie HD capabilities, a much improved sensor and surprisingly, a GPS option.

An expensive camera, but one offering superb image quality, features and handling

The Nikon Coolpix 5400 is the descendent of the Coolpix 5000. In the revamp, it has gained a new 1/1.8in CCD and 4x optical zoom but also loses a couple of useful features, like the LCD status panel and RAW file mode. True, there is a TIFF option, but this is a backwards move in our view.

Still a great looking camera that's foolproof to use, but Wi-Fi's now only half the feature it was

More expensive than its direct competition, but thanks to its brilliant features the D80 is money well spent.

A true pro camera that slots in nicely between the flagship Canons

The Nikon Coolpix comes with a 3.2-megapixel CCD, 3x optical zoom and a good range of basic features needed for quick and easy shooting. One of the smallest in this round-up, the Nikon Coolpix 3100 is slightly larger than a credit card and about an inch and half thick. Its build quality is good and it will make an excellent travel accessory, easily fitting into a purse or a pocket.

Just another 4-megapixel camera is what we expected when we opened the box and pulled out the Nikon Coolpix 4500, but this beauty soon proved us wrong.

An older Nikon wireless camera, that in its day was a superb 8-megapixel camera in its own right. Small, smart and destined for greatness

A very slim digital compact that’s capable of taking superb pictures. It only just misses out on a Recommended award.

The Nikon Coolpix E3700 is the smallest camera here and by far the most pocketable. It features mag-alloy body, so that even though the camera's small, it's really sturdy. There's no hesitation involved in throwing this camera in a bag amongst your other gear.

The Nikon Coolpix 2500 is the latest addition to the Coolpix camera range, and is designed with the camera novice in mind.

The S51c combines good looks, neat technology and quality images in one reasonably affordable package

An ideal companion for a DSLR, this is a compact for the photography enthusiast rather than the happy snapper

A superb DSLR that’s a joy to use, but the high price and poor software damage value

An ideal first DSLR thanks to onscreen help. It takes great shots and the battery lasts for ages.

The L2 has limited shooting controls, but it’s capable of producing some great-quality shots.

Best Digital SLR Camera