Canon EOS 600D, Canon's top amateur SLR

The 1600D replaces the 550D as Canon's top amateur/beginners SLR. On the surface, it's not much different to the 550D, offering the same sensor size and resolution, but adding a Feature Guide for novices and an articulating display. It's a step-down from the EOS 60D and EOS 7D, which have sturdier metal construction and faster continuous shooting.

• Launched: February 2008
• Type: Digital SLR
• Sensor: APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm
• Resolution: 18.0 megapixels
• Lenses: Canon EF-S, EF
• Key features: Full HD movies, Feature Guide, articulating LCD
• Links: Press release, Product page

Panasonic Lumix GH2

• Launched: September 2010
• Type: SLR style hybrid
• Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
• Resolution: 16 megapixels
• Lenses: Micro Four Thirds
• Key features: Full HD movies, 10x zoom kit lens, touch-screen control
• Links: Press release, Product page

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.

Nikon D7000

• Launched: September 2010
• Type: Digital SLR
• Sensor size: APS-C, 23.6 x 15.6mm
• Resolution: 16.2 megapixels
• Lenses: Nikon F (DX format and FX format)
• Key features: Full HD movie mode, 6fps continuous shooting, Dual card slots 
• Links: Press release, Product page

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.

Canon PowerShot G12

• Launched: September 2010
• Type: High-end compact
• Sensor size: 1/1.7-inch
• Resolution: 10 megapixels
• Lens: 28-140mm equivalent f2.8-4.5
• Key features: Articulating LCD, HDR mode
• Links: Press release | Product page

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.

Olympus E-5

• Launched: September 2010
• Type: Digital SLR
• Sensor size: Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
• Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
• Lenses: Four Thirds
• Key features: In-built anti-shake, articulating LCD
• Links: Press release, Product page

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.

Sony Alpha a33

• Launched: September 2010
• Type: Digital SLR/SLR hybrid
• Sensor: APS-C, 23.4 x 15.6mm
• Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
• Lenses: Sony a mount
• Key features: Translucent mirror, full HD movies, 7fps continuous shooting, articulating LCD
• Links: Press release, Product page

Summary: The cheaper of Sony's first two 'translucent mirror' D-SLRs, a design which allows fast 'phase-detection' autofocus even in live view and movie modes. The a33 is ideal for novices and enthusiasts.

Sony Alpha a55

• Launched: September 2010
• Type: Digital SLR/SLR style hybrid
• Sensor size: APS-C 23.5 x 15.6mm
• Resolution: 16.2 megapixels
• Lenses: Sony a mount
• Key features: Translucent mirror, full HD movies, articulating LCD, in-built anti-shake, 10fps continuous shooting
• Links: Press release, Product page

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.

Canon EOS 60D

• Launched: August 2010
• Type: Digital SLR
• Sensor size: APS-C 22.3 x 14.9mm
• Resolution: 18 megapixels
• Lenses: Canon EF and EF-S
• Key features: Full HD movies, articulated LCD
• Links: Press release | Product page

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.

Sony NEX-5

• Launched: May 2010
• Type: Compact style hybrid
• Sensor size: APS-C 23.4 x 15.6mm
• Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
• Lenses: Sony e mount
• Key features: Full HD movies, articulating LCD, Sweep Panorama, 7fps continuous shooting
• Links: Press release | Product page

Summary: Super-compact hybrid camera with full HD movies, high-speed shooting and Sony's Sweep Panorama mode. The body is very small, but Sony's NEX lenses are not, so overall size benefits are limited.

Sony NEX-3

• Launched: May 2010
• Type: Compact style hybrid
• Sensor size: APS-C 23.4 x 15.6mm
• Resolution: 14.2 megapixels
• Lenses: Sony e mount
• Key features: Articulating LCD, Sweep Panoramas, 7fps continuous shooting
• Links: Press release | Product page

Summary: The cheaper of Sony's two compact hybrid cameras. It has a plastic body and shoots standard HD movies not full HD, but otherwise it's much the same. Good for novices, though some could find the graphical interface slow and simplistic.

Samsung EX-1

• Launched: February 2010
• Type: High-end compact
• Sensor size: 1/1.7-inch
• Resolution: 10 megapixels
• Lens: 24-72mm equivalent f1.8-2.4
• Key features: Articulating LCD
• Links: Press release, Product page

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.

Nikon D5000

• Launched: April 2009
• Type: Digital SLR
• Sensor size: APS-C 'DX' format, 23.6 x 15.8mm
• Resolution: 12.3 megapixels
• Lenses: Nikon F (DX, FX)
• Key features: Standard HD movie mode, articulating LCD
• Links: Press release | Product page

Summary: Combines the high-quality 12-megapixel sensor of Nikon's more advanced SLRs with standard HD movies and an articulating LCD. The plastic body and beginner-orientated interface could limit its appeal for enthusiasts, though.

Panasonic Lumix GH1

• Launched: March 2009
• Type: SLR style hybrid
• Sensor size: Micro Four Thirds, 17.3 x 13mm
• Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
• Lenses: Micro Four Thirds
• Key features: Full HD movie mode, articulating LCD, 10x zoom kit lens
• Links: Press release | Product page

Summary: SLR-style hybrid camera designed specifically for shooting full HD movies. It comes with an excellent 10x zoom kit lens. Now superseded by the GH2.