Canon Digital Camera 350d

Nikon D70

Until now, SLR photography has cost a fortune on digital cameras. Sensational cameras like this one are changing that. It's sturdy, stylish and powerful Its 6.1 megapixels gives it tremendous image detail. With a raft of sophistications, it's still easy to use. Nikon is offering up to pounds 100 cashback on the D70 til the end of April, check the website.

Where from? Nikon (0800-230220; www.nikon.co.uk)

How much? pounds 709.99 with 18-70mm lens from www.amazon.co.uk

Leica Digilux 2

Leica has been producing film cameras seemingly for ever. This is its first digital camera which can be operated like a pro-film camera. Big and heavy, yes, but that's part of its charm. It's straightforward to operate and its large high-resolution LCD screen is complemented by a similarly detailed digital viewfinder.

Where from? Leica (01908 256400; www.leica.co.uk)

How much? pounds 1,298

Olympus C7070

This new 7.1MP camera is aimed at enthusiasts. It's the first Olympus compact to have an autofocus system to allow sharp pictures even with a moving subject. Wide angles are catered for by a lens which avoids a lot of the annoying corner-shading which can result from wide shots on digital cameras. Shutter release time lag is gratifyingly short.

Where from? Olympus (0800-072 0070; www.olympus.co.uk)

How much? pounds 450

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

This is an incredibly powerful camera at a not surprisingly breathtaking price. The 6.45MP is boosted to 12.34MP by the Fujifilm Super CCD. This is the first digital SLR capable of using the LCD screen to frame the shot. The Nikon F mount means you can attach a variety of lenses.

Where from? Fujifilm (020-7586 5900; www.fujifilm.co.uk)

How much? pounds 1,599

Canon EOS 350D

The EOS 300D was the world's bestselling digital SLR, according to Canon. This is the upgrade, an 8MP machine capable of shooting three frames per second. It's a handsome unit, feature-packed, comfortable to hold and light for a digital SLR.

Where from?Canon (08705 143723; www.canon.co.uk)

How much? pounds 799

Fujifilm Finepix F810

This simple shape houses a 6MP beast, capable of interpolating until the image is as good as a 12MP picture. There's also a widescreen LCD so you can replay video footage on a widescreen TV. The classy 'final five' setting lets you keep your finger on the trigger until the magic moment, safe in the knowledge you aren't filling up the memory card, it saves the last five shots.

Where from? Fujifilm (020-7586 1477; www.fujifilm.co.uk)

How much? pounds 329.99

Kodak EasyShare DX7590

With the DX5790 you don't just get 5MP, you get an impressive 10x optical zoom. It's compact and has a digital viewfinder as well as a 2.2-inch LCD screen. The Kodak Favourites function lets you keep cut- down versions of your favourite shots on the camera in case you want to show them as portable slide shows " Kodak says it's a popular thing to do. The brand is called EasyShare because a supplied plastic template connects the camera to a Kodak printer or camera dock to provide easy downloading and printing.

Where from? Kodak (www.kodak.com)

How much? pounds 349.99

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T33

Sony's T-series of cameras are capable, powerful and oh-so- stylish. The T33 is slim and light, and like the earlier T-series cameras has a huge, 2.5-inch, LCD panel. The folding internal lens set-up means the 3x optical zoom doesn't protrude and there are plenty of shooting modes easily accessible. Just pounds 272.99 from Amazon.

Where from? Sony (08705 111 999; www.sony.co.uk)

How much? pounds 349.99

Canon Ixus 700

If you want 7MP then you need a larger sensor. The Ixus 700 is not much bigger than Canon's 5MP models. It looks neat, the design is called 'perpetual curve' and has the same image processing system found in some of Canon's pro-series digital SLR cameras. The 2-inch LCD switches to maximum brightness for bright conditions, the night display option makes it easier to see in low light. Speedy start- up and the usual features make it a good all-round performer. Keen price, too.

Where from? Canon (08705 143723; www.canon.co.uk)

How much?pounds 399

Casio Exilim Pro EX-P505

The 5MP EX-P505 has a 5x optical zoom and shoots high-quality video at 30 frames per second. The rotating 2-inch LCD screen makes it easier to take pictures at awkward angles. The motion print feature picks a frame to use as a still image.

Where from? Casio (020-8450 9131; www.casio.co.uk)

How much? pounds 399

what you get for your money

For above pounds 300 you can expect 4 or 5 MP. There'll also be a larger LCD monitor than a cheaper camera could manage to include, and maybe a digital viewfinder. Most recent cameras include PictBridge, a technology that lets you transfer pictures from your digital camera to your printer, without a PC or image-editing software. All the cameras here are Pictbridge-compatible except for the Leica Digilux 2.

Top of the tree, of course, are the cameras which offer the sophistication and range of the most advanced 35mm film cameras. These are digital SLR, single lens reflex, cameras with their interchangeable lenses and extensive manual features. Not everybody needs this level of complexity. If you're shopping for your first digital snapper, maybe save the joys of SLR for a year or two. Capabilities will have advanced by then and prices will have dropped.

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