The Olympus PEN E-P1 may look like a throwback to retro photography, but it’s expensive and flawed. However, it's beautiful image quality renders almost impossible to dislike.

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

The A700 has excellent image quality, but is let down by design quirks and the high price.

The A330 is a competent, fully featured and easy to use DSLR, but a backward step in some respects.

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

A great combination of new features and the usual Nikon image and build quality make this a superb camera.

For a DSLR that does everything an amateur is ever likely to want, with a terrifyingly cheap price tag, look no further.

The 450D’s superb sensor makes it the best choice if quality is your priority. It doesn't beat the Sony A200 for value, but for the best quality below $1500 the 450D has the edge.

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

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

Canon’s splashed into shallow end of the DSLR pool again with an entry-level model based on the 450D. Will it win gold or need water wings?

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.

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.

Not flawless, but Sony’s debut DSLR impresses with a 10.2-megapixel resolution and built-in anti-shake.

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

Good value thanks to a decent 18-70mm kit lens and camera-based anti-shake

A feature-rich SLR at a good price. If you can live with the weight and design quirks, that is

The aggressive price and Nikon design know-how mean there’s still a place for the D40

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

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