Canon EOS Rebel T1i

If you're ready to move beyond the deer-in-the-headlight shots you've been taking with your puny point-and-shoot, the brand new Canon EOS Rebel T1i ($800) is the perfect place to start. The T1i represents a solid update to Canon's ever-popular EOS line of entry level digital SLR cameras. This camera has all the updates we've been looking forward to, like a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, 9-point Auto Focus, ISO settings up to 6400, and compatibility with Canon's complete line of EF and EF-S lenses. But the big surprise here is the addition of HD video capture and a 3-inch Clear View LCD monitor, a feature previously reserved for the 5D Mark II, the T1i's bigger and costlier brother. This is a serious SLR in a compact, affordable package.