Microtek Take-it D1

Advantages: This is a brilliant camera that copes well in most situations.
Disadvantages: The D1X is quite heavy and bulky, not recommended for occasional photographers!

...I have been using the D1X for about 2 years in my job as a military photographer. The basic package will come with the D1X body, a 35-70mm lens, and nikon battery and charger. The quality which this camera records information can be seen in the finished product. I have taken images of landscapes, aircraft, people, technical parts (including close-up's) and many other subjects. There are 4 modes for use with this camera, shutter priority, manual, apature priority and 'P' or 'automatic'. Along with this are subject settings, i.e: sunny; cloudy; florescent lighting; shadow; ect, all of which are excellent features. The D1X performs well in most circumstances, although it is not brilliant with skin tones. For every 6/10 photographs I take of people, I need to correct the colour slightly. Apart from this dissapointing feature... Read review

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Advantages: Fast shutter lag, fast continuous shooting, fast switch on. Did I mention that it's fast?
Disadvantages: Expensive (but if you can get one cheap 2nd hand...). Obtrusive.

...If you're happy with a humble 2.6 megapixels, this camera has everything - gloriously tactile and begging to be used, it makes you want to wait outside in the rain outside the local McDonalds in the hope of a c-list celebrity emerging so you can fire away at five frames per second until the huge 40 frame buffer is full. I would advise anyone who wants a camera for photojournalism or sports and has any investment in Nikon lenses from a previous film SLR to buy the latest D2X or 2003's D2H. But if you can't afford one, pick up a good condition D1H for under £1k on eBay. That's what I did and I never looked back. There are a few minor quibbles - the silly plastic LCD cover just gets lost so the LCD screen is vulnerable to scratches, similarly the socket covers fall off the D1H, the batteries could last longer - you'll need a spare... Read review

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Advantages: Good resolution, well featured
Disadvantages: Very fragile, apalling customer support from Canon

...I took this camera on holiday over New Year, wanting to capture the beauty of the Scottish Highlands in winter. Of course, in normal use, one expects to get the camera a little damp with the occasional spell of misty weather or taking photos in drizzle. However, after a single exposure to damp conditions for a few hours, the camera stopped auto-focussing, and a week or two later refused to switch on at all. Canon at first even wanted me to pay for returning a four month-old camera to their service centre, but were finally persuaded to send a prepaid returns label. They have since voided the warranty due to signs of corrosion due to water ingress, and claim that any exposure to damp conditions, even condensation, consititues misuse. Canon's user manual says the camera should be sealed in a plastic bag to acclimatise every time one takes... Read review

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