If there's someone in your life without a digital camera, there's never been a better time to get them started. Compact cameras now offer 8-12 megapixels for under $500, and provide large LCDs for easy viewfinding and shot setup as well as automatic face recognition, multiple focal points and more!

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

Forget gold plated and diamond encrusted – if you've got three grand to spare and don't mind weighty snappers, this is the camera to blow it on

Two of the best small compacts on the market. Quality differences are on a knife edge, but the Canon wins for superior features and handling.

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

[NOTE: This is an older Konica Minolta camera, and is no longer available in Australia.] A bit of an ugly bug, maybe, but an amazing zoom range and full-on photographic control in a camera half the size of an SLR

Forget the low-ish pixel-count, this camera has the lot: handling, features and image quality. Add that to the high-powered battery, good for a claimed 2000 shots, and you have a real belter

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

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?

The E-510 has a barrowful of features and is a joy to use but we miss the size and convenience of the cheaper E-410

At first sight a pocketable gem, this all too often lives up to its budget price

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.

Dreaming of a super-skinny touchscreen compact for Christmas? For around $400, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 has finally convinced us touchscreen cameras are a good thing.

The best compact Sony yet, with bags of features squeezed into a very stylish package.

A complete bargain at this price. The DSC-W35 boasts superb quality and a great range of features.

The Xbox 360 dashboard has been looking slightly lacklustre compared to the Playstation's slick XMB implementation, and Microsoft has finally realised the 360 needed an updated GUI.

A superzoom without stabiliser is like a car without suspension. Prepare for a rocky ride

How much? Never mind what the LX-1 costs, just see what it does – yes, it’s pricey, but boy is it worth it