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.

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

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

Good quality and with a proper li-ion battery, but expensive and bulky compared to the Olympus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

An ideal first DSLR thanks to onscreen help. It takes great shots and the battery lasts for ages.

A solid entry level DSLR with anti-shake and impressive design.