5. Pentax K-01 review

• Reviewed on: 2 November 12
• RRP: £480 inc VAT
• Rating:

We found the Pentax K-01 camera to provide excellent images but its boxy design and uncomfortable weight lets it down when set against other compact mirrorless cameras. The K-mount, while handy if you already own compatible lenses, ultimately leads to its downfall as it necessitates a larger camera. If you're in the market for a camera with the capability of DSLR quality but without the bulk, there may be better options for you.

4. Canon EOS 600D

• Reviewed on: 11 November 11
• RRP: £603.23 inc VAT
• Rating:

We have only a few reservations stopping us from wholeheartedly recommending the Canon EOS 600D for amateur photographers. Its buttons take a while to get the hang of (and we think a more logical layout would make them friendlier), and the menu system can be labyrinthine at times. It's an excellent choice for shooting in automatic mode, though, and the photos and video it produces are definitely impressive given its entry-level positioning in Canon's camera line-up.

3. Nikon D5200

• Reviewed on: 21 February 13
• RRP: £700 inc VAT
• Rating:

The Nikon D5200 is ideal for anyone wanting their first good-quality DSLR or wanting to upgrade from their current mid-range DSLR. The Nikon D5200 is well-built, comfortable and easy to use with good picture quality and provides good value for money. The only real downside was a lack of absolute sharpness in some images.

2. Nikon D5100

• Reviewed on: 11 November 11
• RRP: £658 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The Nikon D5100 is a solid option for photographers looking for a highly-capable yet (fairly) user-friendly sub-£700 DSLR. The D5100 delivers an excellent feature set and image quality that rivals or exceeds the competition.

1. Panasonic DMC-G3

• Reviewed on: 14 November 11
• RRP: £468 inc. VAT
• Rating:

Jam-packed with advanced features and delivering blistering speed. The DMC-G3 is the tiny camera that serious photographers will love.