Olympus first introduced SLR (single lens reflex) to digital cameras in early 1998 in the form of the Camedia C-1400L.

Digital photography has made enormous strides in recent years, and as a result, the technology is being incorporated into affordable consumer products.

In appearance the Olympus Camedia is rather ordinary, mirroring closely what is standard fare in the conventional SLR field, and perhaps even a little dated. This however belies the superior performance that the Olympus put in this month, which impressed the Labs team enough to award it with the Labs Award for Quality.

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

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

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

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

Olympus’ Four Thirds imaging system comes of age in a classy compact SLR that makes the rest look ordinary

Amazing images and great fun, but this quirky cam is way too pricey for most

Even at £900 this is a bit of a bargain for a semi-pro camera but our tip is to wait for the imminent arrival of the Dynax 5D/lens kit package

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

Best Digital SLR Camera

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

So why is this so different from the outgoing Pentax *ist DS? The fact is that it’s just as good and yet also cheaper. Joy.

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

An older camera, and expensive in its day, but the impressive image quality and choice of optical and LCD viewfinders make it worth a look for DSLR hunters

Due for replacement or some hefty price cuts. The E-300 takes good shots but its rivals take better

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

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 true pro camera that slots in nicely between the flagship Canons