Cameras from $450
Olympus E410 ($450)
Canon EOS 350D ($450)
Canon EOS 400D ($500)
Nikon D40 ($500)
Pentax K100D ($550)
Sigma SD14 ($600)
Sony Alpha A200 ($600)
Cameras from $650
Olympus E510 ($650)
Nikon D60 ($700)
Sony Alpha A350 ($700)
Nikon D80 ($750)
Pentax K200D ($750)
Canon EOS 30D ($800)
Canon EOS 450D ($800)
Cameras from $1050
Panasonic DMC L10 ($1050)
Pentax K20D ($1100)
Canon EOS 40D ($1100)
Sony Alpha A700 ($1400)
Olympus E3 ($1500)
Nikon D300 ($1800)
Nikon D3 ($5000)

Sigma SD14

(The Sigma SD14 currently typically sells for less than $600)

The Sigma SD14 has a new body design that is smaller than its predecessors, the SD10 and SD9. Like the previous models, it uses a Foveon X3 direct image sensor. It has a Sigma SA lens mount, which means you can use the whole range of Sigma’s rather awesome lenses - all at a much lower price than Canon or Nikon’s lenses, but at roughly the same quality.

The SD14 may not be for everybody, but if you can live with its flaws, you might be able to get a proper bargain… Get more »