Summary: Retro-styled compact hybrid for enthusiasts. It has a fixed lens and offers a combination of automatic and manual controls, including a traditional shutter speed knob and lens aperture ring.
Summary: SLR-style hybrid camera designed specifically for full HD movies. The GH2 replaces the GH1 with a higher-resolution 16-megapixel sensor, 5fps continuous shooting speed and touch-screen control.
Summary:Leica-branded version of the Panasonic Lumix LX5. A good high-end compact with the extra cachet of the Leica brand/styling and an Adobe Lightroom 3 software licence included.
Summary: High-end digital SLR for enthusiasts and professionals, and a step up from the14-megapixel K-7. Pentax SLRs are strongly built with a host of well thought out features, though the cheaper lenses can be unrefined.
Summary:The D7000 is Nikon's top 'amateur' digital SLR and it replaces the D90. It's designed for photographers who already know the basics and want a camera that can take them to the next level, but without the cost and weight of a fully-professional system.
Summary:The G12 is Canon's top high-end compact, boasting a 5x wideangle zoom, SLR-style manual controls and rugged build. It replaces the G11, adding a standard HD movie mode.
Summary:Long-overdue replacement of the E-3 as Olympus's top-of-the-line professional digital SLR. The E-5 is rugged and versatile, but the smaller sensor puts it at a serious disadvantage compared to other pro SLRs.
Summary: Aimed at beginners, but with features for enthusiasts too, including a range of digital filters, very fast 6fps continuous shooting, a 921,000-dot 3-inch LCD display and a maximum ISO of 12800.
Summary:The more expensive of Sony's first two Translucent Mirror SLRs. It has a higher-resolution sensor than the a33 and a higher continuous shooting speed, and is aimed at enthusiasts.
Summary:Designed for beginners, the D3100 is the next step from the D3000, and includes a full 1920 x 1080 HD movie mode and a new 14-megapixel CMOS sensor.
Summary:Enthusiasts/semi-professional SLR which is on a similar level to the Canon EOS 7D, though has slightly less sophisticated autofocus system and a lower continuous shooting speed.
Summary:One of the best high-end compact cameras for enthusiasts, the LX5 boasts a wider zoom range than its predecessor but keeps its small size, build quality and manual controls.
Summary:Basic but sturdy SLR for enthusiasts which uses Sigma's unique Foveon X3 sensor to deliver pictures of just 4.7 megapixels but with very high definition and clarity which match the real-world definition of regular digital SLRs with much higher pixel counts.
Summary:Sony's current entry-level DSLR, and the smaller brother to the a390 (the a390 has a live view mechanism and a tilting LCD on the back). The a290 feels quite basic and cheaply made, but it's good for the money and effective.
Summary: Basic but effective digital SLR for beginners or those on a tight budget, incorporating Sony's unusual but fast Quick AF Live View mode, which offers a more responsive live view mode than other SLRs.
Summary:Panasonic's entry-level SLR-style hybrid. It lacks the articulating LCD and high-resolution EVF of the G2, but the sensor and overall image quality are just the same. A good camera for beginners.
Summary:The EX-1 is Samsung's attempt at a high-end compact designed for enthusiasts. It meets all the requirements, including full PASM exposure modes and the ability to shoot RAW files as well as JPEGs.
Summary:Unique hybrid camera where you change whole lens-sensor units rather than just the lens. It's inefficient in that each unit costs more, but allows sensor/lens pairings optimised for different kinds of photography. Designed for enthusiasts and pros.
