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

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

A great budget SLR.

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

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

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 Nikon D50 is a bargain in the under $2000 range with image quality comparable to 8 megapixel models, brilliant battery life and a reasonable set of features.

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 Nikon D40 is a great entry level SLR, and a good competitor to Canon's EOS 400D. It captures high quality pictures, has speedy operation and great low light performance, making it a wonderful choice for the budding enthusiast.

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