T3's Top Ten digital SLR cameras

Posted by Gareth Beavis on Thu 16 Oct 2008

Sometimes bigger IS better

You might not realise it, but being a camera-geek is one of the coolest obsessions around - you'll be seen as 'arty', have a huge choice of add-ons to play with, and you can always make some cash on the side snapping weddings for your friends.

So kit yourself out with the best: our top ten run down of the best digital SLR cameras will help you look as cool as Bailey without being as weird as Blaine.

1.) Nikon D60

Recent winner of the T3 Gadget Awards for Best Imaging Gadget, this is a great camera for beginners or experts alike. A 10.2-megapixel sensor with a 2.5in screen is more than adequate for good quality snaps, and the best news: you can pick it up for around 350 notes.

2.) Canon EOS 450D

If you're going to buy a new camera, you might as well get one that can do it all and more. The Canon EOS 450D has a frightening feature list, but feels very natural in the hand; there's also a 12.2-megapixel sensor for post-production cropping fun if you want to cut an unwanted family member out...

3.) Sony Alpha 900

Perhaps you want to take photos and REALLY zoom in later. Perhaps you just can't be bothered to get up from your chair to take a photo of your new car. Either way, packed together with a decent lens, this 24.6-megapixel camera can take full-frame shots from miles away, allowing snaps the same size as a good ol' 35mm device.

4.) Samsung GX-20

You might be a little surprised to see the Koreans' name in this list, but thanks to a 'technology partnership' with Pentax, Samsung has made a decent hash of the DSLR market. The GX-20 is testament to this: despite looking and feeling like a re-badged Pentax K20D, it's cheaper and will let you fly through your day-to-day camera needs.

5.) Olympus E-520

Sporting a super-clear 2.7-inch LCD screen on the back, this camera has fantastic build quality and takes lovely vibrant pictures. It might have dropped the tilt and twist LCD of previous models, but the Live View feature and smooth housing will provide new buyers with real bang for their buck.

6.) Nikon D90

Nikon is a company that knows how to make a splash in the camera market, and the new D90 is no exception, being the first DSLR to offer video recording. Perhaps nothing more than a gimmick, it's well complemented by a 12.2-megapixel sensor, and a great scene recognition system for those moments when you forget whether you're in a car park or in the countryside.

7.) Canon EOS 1D Mark III

Ah, so you don't want to spend small change on a camera? Then check out the EOS 1D Mark III, which has been designed with today's photographer in mind. Hosting a smaller battery, a 21-megapixel sensor and a 3in LCD, this camera will take sublime shots even at ISO 100 - and things get mind-blowing above that. It might be pricey at over two grand, but at least you know you're paying for real quality.

8.) Nikon D3

The D3 is a full frame DSLR with a lovely extra touch: it comes with a top-notch lens too. You can shoot nine frames per second to help you catch that perfect image, and with more colour and less noise. And at ISO 6400 (which is, frankly, a silly amount of light), you'll be simply stunned with this behemoth of the camera world.

9.) Fujifilm S5 Pro

This one might be a little dated, having travelled in camera bags for over a year now, but it's still a favourite on the photography scene. Looking similar to the Nikon D200 (which makes sense considering it's housed in a Nikon body) it can crank things right up to ISO 3200, allows 11 point Auto Focus, and a battery that will just keep on giving.

10.) Sony A350

Sometimes you want a camera that just feels lovely. But sometimes you want one that will actually just do a whole host of things simply, and that's where the Sony A350 steps in.

Sony's Super SteadyShot image stabilisation technology sits there on a 14.2-megapixel chip, and the autofocus is as sharp as one on camera at twice the price would be. ISO noise levels are low, and if you just want a 'does it all' camera, then you might want to check this one out.