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.

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.

A brilliantly implemented live-view mode and high specs don’t justify the extra price over its sibling

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

Pentax enthusiasts will be more than happy, but others may find it overwhelming

A capable enough performer, but it doesn’t offer enough for the money to come out on top.

Not the pinnacle of image quality, but superbly compact with plenty of neat features

A good camera but not the most inspiring. There’s better value elsewhere.

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

If you need professional-class ruggedness on a budget, this is a real option.

A decent enough addition to the legendary EOS range, but there are too many competitors at this price.

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.

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

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?

Worth the wait. The E-3 matches pro SLR capabilities with the ease of use of an entry-level cam

The brand and the price could prove this camera’s downfall. Who’d buy a Samsung when you can get Pentax for less?

Excellent performance and features, but at a price that’s too high