Sony A200

Canon XSi – The XSi is indisputably a superior performer overall, with its outstanding color reproduction and faster continuous shutter speed.  It's also indisputably more expensive at $830 with the 35-70mm kit lens, and that lens doesn't offer the wide-angle possibilities of Sony's 18-70mm. The Canon does offer Live View, allowing you to frame a photo on the LCD screen instead of peering through the optical viewfinder. However, our reviewer was less than thrilled with the performance of this Live View feature. The variety and high quality of Canon lenses are a factor in this camera's favor, though, as is the standard hot shoe for flash units versus Sony's proprietary shoe.

 Nikon D60 – Priced at $830 with the kit 35-70mm lens, Nikon is in for some real competition with the A200. The D60 enjoys a substantial advantage when it comes to low-light performance: if you do a lot of nighttime photography without flash, this is going to be a much better choice. A standard hot shoe for flash and the extraordinary wealth of available Nikon lenses are also worth considering. When it came to color accuracy and dynamic range, though, the Sony actually posted superior scores to the Nikon, both noteworthy victories. And the D60 uses an unimpressive three auto focus points, while the Sony offers nine.

Nikon D300 – The 12.3-megapixel D300 is clearly in a different class of cameras from the others discussed here, with its $1799 price (body only) and tank-like build. What do you get for going with the Cadillac instead of the Hyundai? A much faster, more accurate autofocus system (with 51 focus points) and superior image quality across the board. It's unlikely you'll outgrow a Nikon D300. Then again, you're paying over four bucks for a gallon of gas, so you pays your money and you makes your choice.

Pentax K10D – There are some specific points that distinguish the Pentax in this roundup, notably a weatherproof body that stands a much better chance of surviving that Everest climb than the Sony A200. It also delivers a slightly more refined autofocus system and additional control options, and matches Sony's in-camera image stabilization system. It didn't blow us away in the lab, though, and the price is nearly $1000.