Interchangeable lenses ; comfortable to use ; well constructed ; excellent low-ISO photo quality ; very nice 720p video ; fast autofocus ; 10X zoom kit lens ; flip-and-twist LCD ; mic input

Expensive ; middling high ISO sensitivity image quality for the price ; slow kit lens ; EVF implementation makes burst shooting difficult

If you're willing to pay a premium to be on the cutting edge of digital photography and video, and as long as you don't shoot sports or in dark venues, then you'll likely love the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1. But if you're simply attracted by the not-to ...

Very good photo quality; fast; video capture; articulated LCD; nice kit lens; built-in wireless flash controller

Small, dim viewfinder; middling video quality; too easy to accidentally change focus points

Though it falls short in its design, the Nikon D5000 delivers a nice feature set, speedy performance, and great photo quality for the money.

Fast performance; very nice photo quality; HD video capture

Annoying viewfinder; video capture is its only better-than-basic feature

A solid, slightly better-than-basic dSLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i delivers photo quality and performance that adequately compensates for most of its annoyances.

Very nice photo quality and performance ; extensively customizable ; flip-and-twist LCD ; Art Filters are fun

Poor My Mode custom settings implementation ; without more control, Art Filters will remain a novelty for this class of camera

A great general-purpose dSLR, the Olympus E-30 offers an attractive alternative for advanced shooters not yet wedded to a system.

Excellent performance and photo quality; good video capture capabilities and quality

No built-in wireless controller; large spot meter; no built-in flash; more direct controls would be nice; AF system could use an update

A great follow-up to the 5D and top-flight full-frame camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II delivers the fluid shooting experience and fine photos you expect from a professional model.

High resolution ; in-body image stabilization ; nice viewfinder ; great accessory system

Can't lock focus-point selector ; Intelligent Preview button much too easy to hit accidentally ; some subpar aspects of performance ; no Live View ; loud mirror

A good first try at a pro-level camera, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has the high resolution but unfortunately lacks some of the performance and usability you expect from a model in its price range.

Excellent photo quality as high as ISO 6,400; fast focus and shooting, even in low light; first-rate build quality and control layout

Relatively heavy; low resolution for its class; viewfinder only provides 95 percent coverage and lacks interchangeable focusing screens; occasional issues with automatic white balance under artificial light

As long as you don't need seriously high-resolution photos, video capture, or machine-gun-fast sports shooting, the Nikon D700 has everything you need in a pro full-frame camera for a reasonable price.

Interchangeable lenses ; fast performance ; excellent photo quality ; flip-and-twist LCD

Accident-prone jog dial ; some restrictive feature implementations ; no movie capture

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is a camera that people will either love for its speed, photo quality, and interchangeable-lens flexibility or hate for its large-ish size, electronic viewfinder, and occasionally frustrating design.

Excellent performance and photo quality; solid, comfortable shooting design

Relatively basic feature set for its class

A very good midrange dSLR, the Canon EOS 50D is a compelling--but not necessarily a must-have--choice for Canon upgraders.

Excellent performance and photo quality ; solid, comfortable shooting design

Relatively basic feature set for its class

A very good midrange dSLR, the Canon EOS 50D is a compelling--but not necessarily a must-have--choice for Canon upgraders.