Five budget dSLRs for frugal photographers

Point-and-shoots are fun to bring around on casual occasions such as parties and holidays. But when it comes to serious photography, nothing offers the flexibility of a dSLR. Not only does it allow you to change lenses (for different focal lengths), the bigger cameras often have more exposure controls compared to compact shooters. dSLRs also have options to capture images in RAW format, and this gives photographers more creative control when post-processing the pictures on the computer.

However, we know that many people are careful with what they spend during this period of global economic recession. That's why we have gathered five entry-level dSLRs that won't strain your bank account. If you happen to be in Singapore, check out the IT Show held in Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend for more value deals on digital cameras and other gadgets.

If you're unsure which dSLR to get, stop over at our dSLR guide to see which model suits you best. We also have some buying tips for the different brands of point-and-shoots if you're looking for a compact camera.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

	1.	Canon EOS 1000D   CNET Asia rating: 7.2 out of 10 The good: Good image quality; relatively affordable price tag. The bad: Plasticky build; lacks onboard image stabilizer; certain functions not easy to access. The bottom line: The EOS 1000D may be a good camera for beginners, but they'll soon crave other useful features such as spot-metering and high ISO sensitivity that this shooter doesn't provide. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Olympus E-420   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Small form factor; Live View with autofocus; scene modes to help beginners get started; Super Sonic Wave Filter. The bad: No image stabilization system; autofocus sluggish in dim environment; no dedicated focusing mode switch. The bottom line: The Olympus E-420 is a good beginner's dSLR with an extremely compact footprint that should go well with travelers. Just don't expect any fancy features for this budget model. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	Nikon D40   CNET Asia rating: 7.5 out of 10 The good: Excellent feel and compact size; very customizable menu architecture; nice guidance for dSLR newbies; excellent noise characteristics for high-ISO shots. The bad: Slow kit lens; occasionally slow to focus; only 6 megapixels; RAW editing software costs extra; control scheme can be awkward; no automatic sensor cleaning. The bottom line: The Nikon D40 is a great transition camera for going from point-and-shoot to your first dSLR. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Nikon D60   CNET Asia rating: 7.5 out of 10 The good: Optically stabilized kit lens; convenient onscreen user interface; compatible with a wide variety of lenses and accessories. The bad: Pricey for what it offers; lens-based image stabilization is less flexible than sensor-shift offered by some competitors. The bottom line: Despite modest improvements in performance and a couple of new features, Nikon's D60 fails to impress and costs more than some competing models. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	Sony Alpha DSLR-A200   The A200 is one of the Japanese company's first entry-level dSLRs, but this 10-megapixel shooter has premium features found in Sony's higher-end cameras, too. The A200 has a sensor-shift image stabilizer (IS) system so you can use any compatible lens with the camera and achieve IS effects. The 2.7-inch LCD is fixed, so if you're looking for a Sony dSLR with articulated display, check out the DSLR-A300 which is the successor to the A200. See full specs | Rate this