RAW + JPEG Digital cameras

The Bottom Line: As long as you're not expecting dSLR speed in a tiny body, the Canon PowerShot S90 is an excellent compact camera for advanced amateurs.

Specs: Ultracompact, 10 megapixels, 3.8 x, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: The best interchangeable-lens compact we've see thus far, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 delivers great photo quality and performance in an enthusiast-friendly shooting experience. Like competitors, however, the lack of an optical viewfinder limits its usability for photographing action.

Specs: 12.1 megapixels, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: The best interchangeable-lens compact we've see thus far, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 delivers great photo quality and performance in an enthusiast-friendly shooting experience. Like competitors, however, the lack of an optical viewfinder limits its usability for photographing action.

Specs: 12.1 megapixels, 3.2 x, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: Its feature set is basic even by entry-level standards, but the Nikon D3000 delivers the photo quality and performance you expect when stepping up to a dSLR, with an optional interface that's very beginner friendly.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 3 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: While the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is a solid inexpensive dSLR with a few nice features that will probably satisfy many shooters, it doesn't deliver quite enough on any front to outshine competitors.

Specs: SLR, 14.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: While the Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 is a solid inexpensive dSLR with a few nice features that will probably satisfy many shooters, it doesn't deliver quite enough on any front to outshine competitors.

Specs: SLR, 14.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: The Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 is a solid entry-level dSLR that will surely have its fans, and it's a better deal than its slightly higher-end sibling, the A330.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: The Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 is a solid entry-level dSLR that will surely have its fans, and it's a better deal than its slightly higher-end sibling, the A330.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display

The Bottom Line: The Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 is a solid entry-level dSLR that will surely have its fans, but unless you really want Live View, its cheaper sibling, the A230, is a better deal.

Specs: SLR, 10.2 megapixels, 3 x, 2.7 in LCD display