Upgrading from a compact to a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera can open up a whole new world of photography. SLRs offer the ultimate in picture quality, give your creativity full rein and have never been cheaper to buy or easier to use.

The big difference between SLRs and compacts is in the optics. SLRs use interchangeable lenses, so you can fit long-range zooms, ultra-wide-angle lenses or close-up macro-optics, depending on your subject. SLRs don’t suffer the sluggish shutter lag that can plague compact cameras, and you frame pictures using a bright optical viewfinder rather than the LCD screen – although some SLRs now offer this live view feature too.

While all SLRs offer fully automated point-and-press modes for one-click shooting, they also let you control the shutter speed, lens aperture and digital settings that are vital to creative photography. Better still, digital SLRs have come down in price so that some entry-level models now cost less than the most sophisticated compact cameras.

There are drawbacks: SLRs are bulky and tend not to have innovations such as movie mode or face detection. Some also lack in-camera editing features.

When buying your first SLR, don’t worry too much about megapixels (Mp). Today’s 10Mp SLRs will be more than sufficient for most needs and you probably won’t be able to see any more detail with more expensive 12Mp or 14Mp models. There are features worth seeking out, though. All the cameras on test come with dust removal technology to clean the image sensor of tiny specks. Image stabilisation to reduce blur caused by wobbly hands is useful too. All the SLRs here have stabilisation systems; the most versatile (Olympus, Pentax and Sony) have it built into the camera body (rather than the detachable lens) so that it works with any lens you fit.

The Canon, Olympus and Panasonic have a live view mode. It’s a feature worth having, although it’s slower and noisier than using the viewfinder. All the cameras reviewed here have decent-sized screens (at least 2½in), can shoot a burst of shots at about three frames per second and will manage 500 photos between charges.

There are two ways of buying an SLR: as a body only or in a kit with one or more lenses. We tested the cameras with a standard (usually 3x zoom) kit lens, as you’ll need to start with something and kits give good value for money. A twin-lens kit (with a telephoto zoom as well) is worth considering for wildlife or sports photography. Some makers offer “universal” lenses, which replace multiple lenses, but these are bulkier and costly.

Be warned: expanding your choice of lenses any further can be expensive. A good zoom from the original manufacturer can easily cost more than the camera itself, and even compatible lenses from reputable companies such as Sigma and Tamron are far from cheap. You can’t normally swap lenses between cameras of different makes, although the Olympus and Panasonic here use mutually interchangeable lenses.

None of these SLRs comes with a memory card, but a 2GB card (from £5 online) will store hundreds of images. All have photo browsing and editing software but nothing to compare to a package such as Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 (about £70). For free alternatives, PC users can try Picasa (www.picasa.com ), while Apple owners should start with iPhoto.

These cameras can help you to shoot fantastic images, but if you catch the photo bug you may soon want to upgrade. Spending more than £500 on an SLR gets you more manual controls, more digital tweaks, faster continuous shooting and possibly higher resolution - although usually in a larger, heavier body.

Until then, enjoy your first steps into the wider world of SLR photography. Buy the right camera today and it should last you for years, despite a megapixel arms race that shows no sign of slowing down.

JARGON BUSTER

Image stabilisation Technology that counteracts blurring, either by moving an element within the lens or by moving the sensor

Kit lens A lens sold with an SLR as part of a kit. Kit lenses are not usually top quality but cover a similar zoom range to the lenses on compact cameras and are ideal for everyday use Live view A mode that allows the photographer to frame images on an LCD screen, as on a compact camera Sensor Chip that turns light into digital signals to be stored on the memory card. The larger, the better

Reviews by Rod Lawton. Prices include kit lens and Vat but not delivery

SNAPPER'S DELIGHT
Nikon D60 - typically £480, or £430 at www.purelygadgets.co.uk
Compact, smart and ideal for novices

The D60 is one of the smaller and lighter digital SLRs, so you won’t develop shoulder strain. Beginners will love its clear, graphical menus and the logical way options are selected. Nikon’s new stabilised lens (called VR, for vibration reduction) makes the D60 good value. The 10.2Mp picture quality is good, and it’s easy to get great results without knowing any technicalities – though it also has advanced features to explore when you’re ready. There’s no live view, however, and some controls feel cramped, but if this is your first SLR those are minor points. Nikon is offering £40 cashback, but make sure you get the VR lens kit, as other D60 bundles are available.

SMALL WONDER
Olympus E-510 - typically £450, or £390 at www.bristolcameras.co.uk
Simple controls, clever features, good price

The Olympus E-510 has a neat, compact design and a decent LCD display. The antishake system is built into the camera body, and a live view mode is included. This is not one of the most sophisticated live views but the camera is easy to operate. Its 10Mp images look good, with bright, vibrant colours and decent definition. However, Olympus cameras have smaller sensor chips than some rivals, so you may notice more grain in dark pictures. The E-510 also has a tendency to wash out the brightest parts of a scene. If you’re interested in shooting wildlife or sports photos, the E-510 twin-lens kit (from £460) adds a great telephoto zoom.

SOLID STATE
Pentax K200D - typically £500, or £445 at www.parkcameras.com
Good pictures and superior build quality

Most “starter” SLRs are lightweight and plasticky, but the K200D’s water-resistant metal chassis gives it a welcome solidity. It doesn’t offer live view, but the body incorporates Pentax’s SR (shake reduction) stabilisation system, which is effective. Unusually, and conveniently, the K200D runs on four standard AA batteries rather than rechargeable ones. Picture quality from the 10.2Mp sensor is good. The kit lens, though, is below average. If you look hard you’ll see soft detail at the frame edges and some annoying coloured halos around outlines. Don’t let that put you off. The K200D lacks polish but it’s a tough, practical camera with some good features.

ZOOM WITH A VIEW
Sony Alpha A200 - typically £400, or £310 from www.laskys.com
Strong quality and spec at a bargain price

The A200’s specification includes a 10.2Mp sensor, a large screen, Sony’s Super SteadyShot stabilisation system and a generous 3.8x zoom lens. Its pictures are bright, vibrant and clear, and the only drawbacks are quibbles rather than deal-breakers. The kit lens isn’t terribly good, so you may notice a drop in sharpness at the edges of the picture; image quality quickly drops at higher ISO (sensitivity) settings; and the plasticky finish is rather charmless. In most areas, though, the Sony’s photos stand comparison with the rest, and apart from the absence of a live view mode there’s nothing they can do that it can’t.

LIVE WIRE
Canon EOS 450D - typically £600, or £530 at www.argos.co.uk
Live view impressive; images and price less so

Canon’s new EOS 450D incorporates a good live view mode, where you can focus and shoot on the 3in LCD - you can even compose shots on your computer with the camera connected by a cable. Canon has included a new stabilised kit lens. The 450D can shoot a continuous burst of images marginally faster than others here. Its 12Mp resolution is the highest of any on test but the pictures aren’t really any sharper. In fact, rivals produce slightly crisper-looking fine detail and more vivid colours. The Canon is a fine camera to use but the picture quality is lacking - especially when you consider the relatively steep price.

OVERSHOT
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 - typically £800, or £500 at www.wilkinson.co.uk
Clever but expensive and average results

The main selling point of Panasonic’s second SLR is its live view mode, which has sophisticated autofocus options and even face detection. Even better, the Lumix has a swivelling LCD that makes shooting from awkward angles easier. There is plenty here to tempt experienced photographers, including manual controls that use switches and dials rather than sluggish digital menus. The L10 is big and hefty, largely because of its Leica-branded 3.5x zoom lens. However, it uses a small sensor (like the Olympus), so image quality deteriorates in the dark. The biggest problem, though, is the price - high for what the camera offers.

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