Powerful digital cameras aren't always easy to find. Manufacturers often trade top-of-the-line features for ultra-thin digital camera bodies and lower prices, aimed at drawing beginning photographers to their models.

Sony is bucking that trend with its DSLR-A100K model. The DSLR-A100K is one of the most powerful consumer-level digital cameras available, offering more than 10.2 megapixels of resolution and extremely quick response times. The DSLR-A100K also carries a top-shelf suggested price, however, at nearly $1,000 -- and that's before you purchase needed add-ons.

Sony offers around 20 add-on lenses and flash units for the DSLR-A100 camera body. (The DSLR-A100K model, which includes the camera body and a standard 18-70mm lens, costs about $100 more than the DSLR-A100, which is the digital camera body only.) Don't look for any bargains with the DSLR-A100K. In addition to purchasing add-on lenses and flash units, you'll need to buy a memory card. Buying a second battery is a good idea, too, as the rechargeable battery included with this digital camera requires about 2 hours of charging.

If you're planning on shooting at this digital camera's maximum 10.2-megapixel resolution, be sure to buy a very large memory card. The DSLR-A100K can create professional-quality prints at sizes of 20x25 inches and larger. One benefit of shooting photos at an extremely high resolution is you can later crop the photos without losing photo quality. It's almost like having another way to "zoom." Image quality with this digital camera is outstanding under all conditions, and you can shoot your first photo about 1 second after pressing the power button.

The DSLR-A100K is a large model, weighing more than 1 pound and measuring nearly 3 inches in thickness. On the plus side, this digital camera is comfortable to hold, and its dials and buttons are easy to use. The DSLR-A100K's 2.5-inch LCD displays all needed information about the camera, and it's bright and sharp in all external lighting conditions.

Finally, Sony has equipped the DSLR-A100K with two key features aimed at combating common problems. First, this model includes stabilization software, meaning camera shake won't cause blurry photos, even when using a large zoom lens. Second, this digital camera uses anti-dust coating on the image sensor, which prevents statically charged dust from clinging to the sensor when you change lenses.


Pros: Extremely high resolution, handy image stabilization feature, very good response times, easy to use for high-end camera
Cons: Large camera body, add-ons quickly push this model over $1,000, battery charging takes 3 hours

Warranty
1 year, limited