Fourteen-point-two megapixels (MP), on this kind of consumer-level camera, is just silly. It slows the camera down and adds nothing to the quality of your pictures. The truth is, you need only 6 MP (and much less if you’re not making big prints), or you need a different camera and lens to accommodate such an over-the-top sensor. Think of it as a Ferrari engine in a good Toyota body.

Past the megapixel absurdity, the Sony Alpha A-350 (B29,990, at Sony Style, 3/F The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8531) is a joy to use. The most notable feature is its truly usable “live view,” the ability to use this DSLR (digital single lens reflex) as any compact, by composing your shots on its 2.7” LCD screen. As the screen swivels, it allows you to take shots from creative angles usually reserved to contortionists or giants. 

That signature Sony “vivid” mode delivers punchy contrast-y pictures out of the box but the whole point of a DSLR is shooting RAW, a file format that allows greater flexibility in post-processing. In that department, it’s unfortunate neither Photoshop CS3 nor Lightroom 1.3 recognize Sony’s RAW format (you’ll have to use the included free Sony software). As for the anti-shake, it really does work wonders to turn your wobbly hands into sturdy tripods. The images are of the highest quality, unless of course you go for extreme sensitivities like 3200 ISO. Speaking of which, it would have been nice for the camera to indicate which ISO you’re shooting at when in ISO Auto mode.

So for great pictures, good anti-shake and a really fun live view, get this camera, but be aware you’re paying a premium for megapixels you’ll never be able to use. Our tip: Get the Sony A-300—the same camera with “only” a whopping 10.2MP.