For at least a little while it appears the Canon 40D is king of the hill. While the Nikon D80 and D200 both provide reasonable alternatives for enthusiasts, and the Nikon D40x and Canon EOS 400D are both more suitable options for amateurs, the 40D's blend of great pictures, rugged construction and speedy operation make it a great purchase.

A great camera, offering more than just cosmetic improvements over its predecessor.

A long awaited entry into the digital camera market that more than lives up to expectations.

The 50D is an absolutely fantastic mid-level SLR. It offers the highest resolution in its price range and packs in a bevy of features, including Live View, a speedy burst mode and ultra-high ISO sensitivities, making this a winner for any professional or enthusiastic amateur.

Another wonderful entry-level camera from Canon, the 1000D combines all the latest features — including Live View, dust reduction and lens-based stabilisation — with superb picture quality to produce an extremely appealing package.

A solid improvement on the EOS 400D, Canon's EOS 450D adds a bucket-load of new features, including 14-bit A-D, a faster burst mode and Live View. Sitting in between the 400D and 40D in price, it offers a compelling option for users looking for the middle ground between the two.

Canon's EOS 5D is the most affordable full-frame D-SLR yet, allowing lenses to be used without affecting their field of view. It's quite a premium to pay even considering the 12.8Mp resolution, but if you curse the cropped view of cheaper D-SLRs, this could be the camera you've been waiting for.

One of the best value for money products available in the digital SLR range.

One of the best value for money D-SLRs available on the market, the 400D combines great picture quality with a comfortable build and plenty of features.

The EOS 20D offers professional handling, quality and features at an affordable price. One of the best digital SLRs, for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

If you don't want to fool with interchangeable lenses (or you prefer framing shots with an LCD panel), and you don't need the gee-whiz features found on other advanced models, the S9500 is a good compromise

Overall, the FinePix S2 Pro is a good camera, but slow autofocus and inadequate continuous shooting modes limit its appeal.