Canon EOS 400D

Budget digital SLRs just keep getting better

Photographers sit up and take notice - replacing the massively popular 350D, this model is Canon's latest budget digital SLR, featuring a 10.1MP resolution, capable of producing A3-sized prints.

It's not just about extra pixels though. This is Canon's first digital SLR to actively stop dust getting into the body. When you switch it on and off, a vibrating filter attempts to shake off the pesky particles. It's quite effective, but just like the Sony and Olympus rivals, some dust marks remained on our test shots (most can be deleted later using software). Unlike the Olympus, you can interrupt it, so you won't miss any photo opps.

From the outside, it looks and feels almost identical to the 350D. It's compact for a digital SLR, but well-built and light. Canon's switched the 350D's measly 1.8in screen for a new 2.5in display, which (like its 10MP rival, the Sony A100) displays shooting info. Unlike the Sony though, the text doesn't flip when you turn it.

The basic package includes an 18-55mm lens, but if you want anti-shake, you need to spend around £400 more for a compatible lens. This is where the Sony scores with built-in anti-shake.

Pictures are superb - packed with detail and very smooth, especially at high sensitivities. It handles well, too, taking up to 27 shots at 3fps, while Auto mode copes well with different lighting.

This is one of the best budget digital SLRs out there, but the anti-dust system isn't 100% effective, and for the same money you can get the Sony A100, which boasts anti-shake, a longer lens and only slightly inferior picture quality. Nikon's D80 will be along soon too, making the choice of what to buy even trickier. Still, it's hard to complain about having too many cracking D-SLRs to pick from!