[Top photo: (clockwise from left) Canon EOS 7D, Olympus Pen E-PL1, Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 and
Nikon DSLR D5000]

By Tan Chong Yaw

Designed for additional lenses, flashes and other accessories, a single lens reflex camera is but your first step on a journey of photographic adventure

Nikon DSLR D5000
Show price: TBA*
(usual price for AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm VR kit: $1,299)
Booth: 8218

The stand-out feature of this 12-megapixel DSLR is its Vari-angle LCD screen which can both tilt and swivel. So, no more getting yourself into awkward positions when you do self-portraits, for instance. Experienced photographers can take full manual control of everything from aperture to shutter speed. However, beginners need not flounder. Programs like Night Landscape or Pet Portrait prep the camera's settings for such scenes. An Auto mode allows you to use it like a point-and-shoot.

Freebies: An 8GB SD card, camera bag, cleaning kit, extra battery and more.

Canon EOS 7D
Prices: $2,699 (body); $3,249 (EF-S18-135IS kit); $3,849 (EF-S15-85IS kit)
Booth: 8101

What sets this 18-megapixel shooter from its newer and cheaper sibling, the 550D? It is built to last longer and handle more knocks. The 7D boasts a tougher magnesium alloy body which is sealed to protect the camera from the elements. The DSLR is also faster at eightframes per second and has 19 autofocus points. These are the more sensitive cross-type points - budget models usually have just one of these. Freebies: An 8GB SDHC card and EOS 7D book plus an EOS Crumpler bag if you register your warranty online.

Promotion: Buy a BG-E7 battery grip at $139 (usual price: $279) or an EF S55-250IS lens at $459 (usual price: $549) with the EOS 7D.

Nikon DSLR D3000
Show prices: TBA*
(usual price for AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm VR kit: $988)
Booth: 8218

This DSLR has a built-in tutor to give hands-on guidance as you shoot - like how to avoid red-eye - making it one of the good choices for beginners. This budget 10-megapixel DSLR has a 3-inch LCD screen and 11 autofocus points instead of the usual three for budget DSLRs. Freebies: An 8GB SD card, camera bag, cleaning kit, extra battery and more. Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 Show price: TBA* (usual prices for body: $1,299; single lens kit: $1,399) Booths: 3rd floor, The Concourse This 14-megapixel Alpha has a rapid fire mode which lets it grab seven frames per second - great for sports photography.

That is also the speed of a camera costing easily $1,000 more than this Alpha. The high-resolution 3-inch LCD with 921,000 pixels displaysharper images too. It can be tilted for high or low position shots. Store your images in Memory Sticks or higher capacity SDHC cards.

Nikon DSLR D300s
Show price: TBA*
(usual price for body: $2,999)
Booth: 8218

This 12-megapixel Nikon flagship DSLR is a tank - built to last with an magnesium alloy body. Boasting a peak sensitivity of ISO 6,400 and a speed of seven frames per second, nothing much escapes it. A total of 51 focusing points help too. There are two slots - one for the standard Compact Flash card and another for the cheaper and more common SDHC card.

Freebies: An 8GB CF card, camera bag, cleaning kit and more.

Canon EOS 550D
Price: $1,249 (body); $1,449 (EF S18-55IS kit); $1,799 (EF S18-135 IS kit)
Booth: 8101

Here is a DSLR that punches above its weight. It shoots full high-definition movies at 30 frames per second (fps) and boasts the sharpest LCD in the market - a 3-inch display with more than one million pixels. For storage, it uses the latest SDXC memory card that has a maximum capacity of 2TB. The 18-megapixel gizmo has nine autofocus points and a 3.7 fps top speed for photos. Freebies: An 8GB SDHC card and EOS bag plus an EOS Crumpler bag if you register your warranty online.

Promotion: An EF S55-250IS lens goes for $459 (usual price: $549) with a purchase of the EOS 550D.

Olympus Pen E-PL1
Price: $898 (body); $998 (14mm-42mm lens kit); $1,348 (twins lens kit)
Booth: 8111

The third digicam in the Olympus digital Pen series of Micro Four Thirds cameras is the first to be launched at under $1,000 with a kit lens. It is also the first Pen with a built-in flash. Pitched at beginners, the 12-megapixel imaging gizmo features a new Live Guide which walks the user through the camera's functions and effects - like choosing between vivid or muted colours and showing the effects of each before the shot is made. Recording a high-definition movie is as simple as pressing a red record button. Freebie: An 8GB microSD card.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Show price: TBA* (usual prices for body: $1,299; single lens kit: $1,399)
Booth: 3rd floor, The Concourse

This 14-megapixel Alpha has a rapid fire mode which lets it grab seven frames per second - great for sports photography. That is also the speed of a camera costing easily $1,000 more than this Alpha. The high-resolution 3-inch LCD with 921,000 pixels displaysharper images too. It can be tilted for high or low position shots. Store your images in Memory Sticks or higher capacity SDHC cards.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Show price: TBA* (usual price for single lens kit: $899)
Booths: 3rd floor, The Concourse

Looking for a budget DSLR? This 10-megapixel Alpha has optical stabilisation built in so that every lens you use is instantly stabilised. To use the LCD screen instead of the viewfinder to compose a picture, simply flick a switch. The 2.7-inch LCD screen can be tilted so that you can still view the LCD whether you are taking high-angle or low-angle shots.

*TBA: To be announced