
Pentax K110D digital single-lens reflex camera ($500)
Pentax is one of those under-appreciated brands according to the masses. But those who are dedicated to the field of photography probably know Pentax as producing no-thrills, high-quality equipment. The K110D may be labelled as "entry-level" or as a "beginner's camera", but those descriptions don't reflect the camera's capabilities. High-end features include accurate and fast autofocus and autoexposure, as well as a great selection of lenses and flashes. Making the camera even more attractive is the sturdy frame and bright viewfinder. If you're new to photography, you may not want to start out on this camera or similar, but rather a good-quality digital point-and-shoot model. To sum it all up, if you're used to a camera like a 35 mm Canon EOS Rebel, the K110D serves as an excellent move to the computer age in photography.