If you regularly shoot in JPEG then Pentax's K10D may not be the best choice for you, but those who prefer to use RAW will find it to be a powerful, versatile and sturdy camera that comes at a bargain price.

A great budget SLR.

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

Pentax's K200D may not quite be enough to topple the Nikon and Canon empire in the entry-level SLR space, but it is a very solid alternative. It combines image stabilisation and dust reduction with some impressive images and a great build.

The R4 is a sophisticated compact with a big zoom that performs more than adequately in most regards.

Ricoh has come up with a groundbreaking compact camera that we're sure will have many of you reaching for your chequebooks. It's not pretty or fun, but it's excellent value. Bear in mind that you'll need a capacious SD card.