Canon EOS 1100D/Canon EOS Rebel T3

Price: £360/AU$870/US$550 (with 18-55mm kit lens), 12MP, HD video: 720p

Canon's entry-level EOS 1100D, known as the Rebel T3 in the US, is designed with new photographers in mind. It's Canon's most affordable EOS DSLR by quite a margin, which makes it best for those on a budget who are looking to step into first-time DSLR use.

A 12 megapixel APS-C sensor delivers decent images, whether using the full array of manual controls or the point-and-shoot Creative Auto mode.

Read our Canon EOS 1100D review

Canon EOS 600D/Canon EOS Rebel T3i

Price: £425/AU$490/US$600 (body only), 18MP, HD video: 1080p

The 'middle ground' of Canon's consumer range, the EOS 600D (or T3i as it's known in the US) has a very similar 18MP sensor to the found in the higher-spec 60D and 7D models, which makes the 600D great value for money.

Best for enthusiasts, families and creatives, one of the 600D's standout features is its 3-inch, 1040k-dot, vari-angle LCD screen. Not only is this display a higher resolution than you'll find on any competitor DSLR camera, but the ability to manoeuvre it into any given angle is a great feature to have.

Read our Canon EOS 600D review

Canon EOS M

Price: £530/AU$880/US$780 (with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 STM IS Lens), 18MP, 1080p video

Canon finally enters the CSC fray with the long awaited EOS M, which uses the exact same 18MP APS-C format sensor and other innards as the Canon EOS 650D. One notable difference from the 650D, however, is the use of the new, smaller Canon EF-M lens mount.

Canon wanted to produce a high quality camera that is easy to use and bridges the gap between compact and DSLR cameras. On the face of it, it seems to have achieved this and more, with adaptors for your EF and EF-lenses even available.

Read our Canon EOS M review

Canon EOS 650D/Canon EOS Rebel 4Ti

Price: £535/AU$760/US$800 (body only), 18MP, HD video: 1080p

Although it uses an 18MP sensor, it's a different unit to the one in Canon's other SLRs as it has pixels that are used by the hybrid AF system.

It's the first SLR to feature a touch-screen, but all the usually button and dial controls are present as well. The 650D is also Canon first SLR to allow full-time autofocus during video shooting.

Read our Canon 650D review

Canon EOS 60D

Price: £675/AU$980/US$1,000 (body only), 18MP, HD video: 1080p

The Canon EOS 60D is best for enthusiasts seeking a more rugged camera than the likes of the 600D. Although the Canon website doesn't make as much of a song and dance about the 60D's body as it ought to, this is among the key reasons to buy this camera.

Part sealed for protection against the elements, the 18MP EOS 60D is a step closer to a sturdy professional camera outfit.

Read our Canon EOS 60D review

Canon EOS 7D

Price: £1,100/AU$1,500/US$1,300 (body only), 18MP, HD video: 1080p

When the Canon EOS 7D was launched, it was touted as a camera "designed by photographers for photographers". Its launch came prior to the 60D's announcement and, at the time, looked to be a potential replacement for the longer-running 60D series. Although the 60D and 7D have a very similar 18MP APS-C sensor as in the 600D, the 7D's higher price and additional features such as full environmental sealing make it Canon's highest specified EOS DSLR with an APS-C sensor.

A focusing system with 19 cross-type focus points mean the camera zips onto subjects in portrait or landscape orientation, and the 8fps continuous shooting mode is far quicker than the 60D's 5.3fps burst. The Canon EOS 7D is best for demanding amateurs, but is easily good enough to be used professionally.

Read our Canon EOS 7D review