Rarely has a new camera received as much attention as the EOS 300D, released amid a flurry of excitement among photographers and a massive marketing campaign. Why the fuss? Because it's a true 6.3-megapixel digital SLR for under $2,000 including lens. It sounds expensive in the context of the cameras in this month's digital cameras Labs, but the previous generation of several models in that test were nudging a grand when they were released.

We've been lucky to have hands-on review time with two of the most hotly-anticipated compacts cameras we've seen for some time. See our photos and first impressions of the Powershot SX200 IS and Lumix DMC-TZ7 (also known as ZS3)

As a reviewer, there is no greater thrill than being privy to a product that you know will either revolutionise or turn the world upside down. The first Palm Pilot, USB devices, and the Canon 1Ds.

If you had asked me a few weeks ago what the advantages of eight megapixels (MP) were over five, I would have said very few. However, that was before I discovered the fun factor in being able to play with an image that is up to 115cm by just over 86cm (72dpi).

A high end DVD-based camcorder for quick and clean shooting.

Once upon a time not too long ago, your average inkjet printer had a single tricolour ink cartridge. Of course, the print quality was fairly ordinary, but it did the job. Today, with digital cameras the norm and home users wanting to print their own photographs, your photo printer may have as many as eight different ink cartridges.

It’s the stills camera that thinks it’s a video camera. A high definition video camera.

Canon’s SLR fails to make the enormous splash of its predecessors, but it’s still a great camera in its own right.

High performance with a matching price tag.

Running costs are high, but with a high resolution and superb performance, it’s a groundbreaking product.

A significant overhaul and a great camera. At this price it’s the best all-round package on the market

Canon typically puts out a good digital video camera and for a while had the market fairly well sown up. However, there is now plenty of competition and Canon can no longer just rely on its reputation to keep it at the top. The MVX250i is a mid range camera designed for average users who want something more than the bare basics. Its 860,000 pixel (effective) CCD provides a good quality picture in most cases, including in night mode. However, it can be slow to find a good colour balance.

Superb build quality and performance make this a worthwhile upgrade for serious amateurs.

The Canon EOS 500D is capable of great results, but a wallet-draining way of getting HD video on a DSLR.

Successor to the ubiquitous 350D, Canon's affordable yet powerful 400D D-SLR is a serious weapon whether an amateur or pro.

Small but solid. The Ixus 75 is perfect for holiday snappers – just watch out when the sun goes down

A fast, high-quality all-in-one, but for running costs look for the MP610 first.

A pint-sized camera that packs a punch, with consistently good performance in all conditions

A slight speed boost and a new curvaceous shape keep Canon on top of the inkjet pile.