Produces top-notch photos and will appeal to photographers with a stash of Nikon lenses.

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

Its uncommon antishake mechanism, large LCD panel, and well-arranged controls make the Dynax 5D a good choice for someone seeking a consumer-friendly SLR.

The Minolta 7D offers a profusion of manual controls and an innovative anti-shake feature, but its image quality was sub-par.

The Nikon D70 is feature-packed and takes superb photos. If you already have Nikon-compatible lenses the D70 is a great way to get into high-end digital.

The small, lightweight Nikon D70s offers conveniences you won't find on many other models, though its image quality lags behind many other SLRs.

The *ist DS is certainly a great camera, combining 6.1 megapixel resolution, decent build quality and great controls for beginners.

A brilliant camera for advanced photographers, but new users should look elsewhere.