Can changing the name on a camera save you money? Yes, when you take the Pentax K10D and call it the Samsung GX-10 Digital SLR Camera. The former, with a 27-83mm (35mm equivalent) zoom lens sells for $800, more or less, while the latter--virtually ...

Records RAW and JPEG images at once Can limit ISO range used in auto modes

Low marks for image sharpness Hard-to-use doors for media and battery

Other highlights include a flexible system for limiting the automatic ISO's top and bottom range; an extended automatic bracketing feature that lets you pick white balance, contrast, saturation, or sharpness as parameters (this is much more than what ...

It would be unfair to call the $1300 Lumix DMC-L10K digital single-lens reflex camera (with a Leica zoom lens) a one-trick pony, but this otherwise average DSLR does have one extraordinary feature: A live-view mode that lets you use the camera's 2.5 ...

Good macro performance Articulating 2.5-inch LCD

No white-balance bracketing Limited software bundle

If there is one compelling reason to consider the Panasonic DMC-L10K, it's the live-view feature. Otherwise, it's pretty average, and pretty pricey for its feature set, even though it does take fine photos

First impressions of the Alpha DSLR-A700, Sony's $1900 (as of 12/14/2007), 12-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera, brings to mind terms like "massive," "brick-like," and "complex." With its deep right-hand grip and 2.75-pound weight (which ...

Sturdy magnesium body Extensive exposure controls

Inconsistencies with auto white balance Mediocre software bundle

With its sharp, 12-megapixel imaging and with more exposure controls than most photographers--amateur or professional--will likely use, the beefy and finely designed A700 rises to nearly pro-level photography, making it well worth its $1900 price tag. ...

Updated 12/23/08: I've used a wide spectrum of digital SLRs, from entry-level models up to pro models. Once you have a taste of the capabilities of a professional camera, you can't easily go back to a digital SLR that's less full-featured; likewise, ...

Fast: Capable of 6.5 frames per second Produced pleasing, well-balanced images

Live View mode is kludgy

The strengths of the Canon EOS 40D overshadow those minor drawbacks, however. On the whole, it is a powerful, scalable camera. If you're graduating from a Rebel-series digital SLR, this is a great step-up model whose versatility will grow along with ...

Last December, Nikon introduced the D40, an entry-level digital single-lens reflex camera with a very good 3X zoom lens and a nice price of $600. A mere four months later, the company announced the D40x, an enhanced version of the D40 that raises the ...

Excellent image quality Very useful in-camera help system

No depth of field preview Lacks exposure bracketing

The D40x's only downsides will seem minor to most inexperienced digital SLR users. I could live without exposure bracketing--which involves taking a sequence of photos at slightly different exposure settings--but I wish that Nikon had given the D40x a ...

Updated 12/23/08: While many digital SLRs priced under $1000 have severely limited features, Olympus's Evolt E-510 bucks the trend. Priced at $600 with a standard lens (as of 12/10/08), this 10-megapixel camera is designed for photo enthusiasts who ...

Live View mode to compose shots with LCD Supports both Compact Flash and xD cards

Difficult access to advanced functions No manual focus switch on lens

Features wouldn't be worth much if the E-510's pictures weren't of high quality, and Olympus didn't disappoint in this respect either. Color fidelity and saturation were very good, and the E-510 handled most shooting conditions easily. At lower ISO ...

Popular entry-level digital SLR gets a bump in features.

Excellent image quality, Very useful in-camera help system

No depth-of-field preview, Lacks exposure bracketing

The D40x's only downsides will seem minor to most inexperienced digital SLR users. I could live without exposure bracketing--which involves taking a sequence of photos at slightly different exposure settings--but I wish that Nikon had given the D40x a ...

Sony's first digital SLR is a solid, full-featured performer.

Very good image quality, Good lens selection

Lenses are expensive, Sensor-based stabilization not optimal

The Sony DSLR-Alpha 100K is a very good but somewhat pricey camera. Despite feeling clunkier than its competitors, it delivers good image quality and a full feature set, plus some nice extras such as image stabilization

Third-generation Rebel piles on the megapixels, but loses its status LCD.

Excellent image quality, Increased resolution over the Rebel XT

No dedicated status display

This full-featured SLR delivers excellent image quality at a very reasonable price and is a solid choice for users who like its size and feel

A few years ago, $1000 was a critical price barrier for digital SLRs. Now, as interest in SLRs has grown among casual photographers, vendors have been racing to produce a $500 model. Though no camera has reachede that goal yet, Nikon's new D40 comes ...

Helpful features for novices Small and lightweight

Lacks depth-of-field preview

At $600, the D40 is a great value, and a great tool for photographers who want to grow. The included help system and aperture displays are fantastic learning tools, and the fact that the camera provides full priority and manual modes, as well as RAW, ...