With the Alpha DSLR-A700, Sony shows that it still has much to prove as a manufacturer of DSLR cameras. While the camera produces good-looking images, it has several usability quirks that will frustrate experienced photographers.

Great build quality ; good image quality ; fast performance ; beautiful LCD screen

No status LCD ; no live view ; cumbersome button placement ; in-viewfinder status display doesn't show ISO ; rear LCD screen turns on at inappropriate times

The DSLR-A700 lens kit includes a 16mm to 105mm f/3.5-f/5.6 lens

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-L10K is the company's latest offering for the midrange DSLR market. It's a camera that's slightly smaller than your typical DSLR, and it has a few usability quirks, but it comes with a terrific Leica lens to help the L10K produce ...

Good overall image quality ; excellent included lens ; lens has built-in image stabilization ; small size ; tilt and swivel LCD screen ; good feature set

Slow burst speed ; weak viewfinder ; no top-mounted status display ; menus are slow to navigate ; very noisy images shots at ISOs over 400

The L10K is available only in a kit with a Leica lens

Nikon's successor to the D200 DSLR is a winner. The D300 is full of features to satisfy demanding photographers, while taking great pictures, even at high ISO settings.

Excellent image quality, high ISO performance, and lens selection ; market-leading LCD screen ; huge feature set

Menu system requires a lot of scrolling ; ISO control is difficult to reach ; limited customization

Nikon's D300 is available has some button placement that's different from its predecessor, the D200

If you worry that you'll outgrow the functionality of other entry-level DSLRs -- and you don't want to spend a bundle to get the features -- the E-510 is a very good choice.

Excellent image quality ; extensive feature set, including exposure, flash, and color balance bracketing ; Live View mode lets you view images on the LCD screen instead of in the viewfinder ; light and comfortable to carry

Accessing advanced functions can be confusing ; no manual focusing switch on lens

One of the first things I noticed when picking up the camera with the standard 14-42mm zoom lens was how light it was: the camera and lens together weigh less than two pounds. The E-510 doesn't feel flimsy, however. The body is well-built, and the ...

If you're just looking for a weekend or vacation camera for snapshots, the D40 is probably all you need. The D40x is $100 less than the Digital Rebel XTi with a comparable lens, and the Nikon has a wonderful, easy to use feel about it.

Excellent image quality ; improved resolution over D40 ; well-chosen features ; excellent interface for shooting and viewing images ; very useful in-camera help system

No depth of field preview or exposure bracketing ; lacks dust-control system found in competitors

For all its power, the D40x is a marvel of size and design. Like its lower-priced sibling, the D40x is compact and lightweight, but its construction is solid. There aren't a lot of extraneous buttons on the camera body, and the ones that are present ...

Because of its 6.1-megapixel sensor, you won't be able to enlarge the K100D's images as much as you can with a higher resolution camera, but for users who want a DSLR, and all of the flexibility that it provides, the K100D is a great entry-level ...

Small size ; good build quality ; very good image quality ; good basic feature set ; top-mounted LCD status display ; sensor-based image stabilization ; affordable

Sensor-based stabilization is not as good as lens-based stabilization ; noisier images at ISO 800 and above ; poor battery life

For an entry-level camera, the K100D doesn't skimp on interface features. Sporting a bright 2.5-inch rear-mounted LCD, the K100D also provides a top-mounted LCD status display--something that a lot of entry-level cameras eschew, but which is ...

You need to get your hands on the Digital Rebel XTi before you can make an evaluation as to whether it's right for you. If you like its size and feel, then you'll find it to be a full-featured camera that yields excellent image quality at a very ...

Increased resolution over the Rebel XT ; good feature set ; excellent image quality ; good price

Consumer-style build and feel ; no dedicated status display

Looking through the camera's viewfinder reveals a few other changes. The XTi now shows flash exposure lock and white balance adjustment in the viewfinder's status bar--both welcome additions

The Sony DSLR-Alpha 100K is a very good camera, albeit a little pricey. While it feels clunkier than its competitors, it delivers very good image quality and a full feature set, as well as some nice extras such as image stabilization.

Small size ; full featured ; very good image quality under most conditions ; good lens selection ; sensor-based stabilization

Sensor-based stabilization is inferior to lens-based stabilization ; lenses are expensive ; autofocus mechanism is noisy ; images look noisy from ISO 800-1600

The Alpha 100 also packs a full set of features including priority modes, full manual mode, program modes, and scene modes. Like most entry-level DSLRs, the Alpha 100 lacks a dedicated status LCD screen, opting instead to use the camera's main 2.5 ...

Though it's priced higher than Canon's Digital Rebel XTi and Sony's Alpha 100, the Nikon D80 delivers a lot of extra bang for the buck. In fact, users who are considering the Canon EOS 30D will want to take a close look at this camera.

Large LCD ; excellent image quality ; sturdy build ; very good in-camera editing features ; extensive feature set

Switch to Secure Digital card media is a hassle for users who have invested in CompactFlash cards

Users of the D70s will be impressed by the D80's new design. It's significantly smaller than the D70s, yet still very comfortable to hold, thanks to its textured finish, large handgrip, and sturdy metal body. Experienced Nikon shooters will feel right ...

This digital camera from Samsung is a well-designed, capable model for people who want a digital SLR. As with most cameras of this type, it's best to get your hand on the GX-1S to decide if its small size and thoughtful design are right for you.

Sturdy design ; small size ; good image quality

Noisy images at high ISOs ; must use the menu to change many functions

Overall, the GX-1S delivers perfectly acceptable prints for its target market. It has a 6.1-megapixel sensor that delivers up to 3,008-by-2,008-pixel images. The camera is compatible with all Pentax KAF mount lenses as well as Schneider's D-Xenon ...