Budget digital SLRs are the fastest growing sector of the photography market, and deliver better pictures than digital compacts.

However, most of us remain intimidated by all the extra controls, functions and dials they come with. Sony hopes to address these fears with its easy-to-operate Alpha 100; its first D-SLR.

We were given an exclusive day’s testing at the European launch.

The Alpha is notable for being the first Sony camera to use technology from the respected Konica Minolta, which Sony bought earlier in the year, and inevitably shares some features, such as a common lens mount and the look of earlier models.

This means the Alpha is already compatible with a wide range of existing lenses, though Sony hopes to have 21 of its own by Christmas.

However there’s much about the Alpha 100 that’s brand new. For starters, it outguns its closest Canon and Nikon rivals by boasting a top resolution of 10 megapixels.

Then there’s a nifty eye sensor that switches on the viewfinder and automatically focuses the camera the moment you bring your eye up to it, while the 2.5in LCD remains active to display essential image information.

To combat any hand wobble, Super Steady Shot technology (anti-shake) is built in to the camera, while anti-dust settings shake the sensor free of any undesirables that may get in when swapping lenses.

Although the Alpha’s feel is slightly plastic, the build quality is high, and with a standard lens attached, the camera feels reassuringly chunky yet light weight.

As you’d expect from an SLR, the Alpha is fast to respond, powering up ready for the first shot in a couple of seconds and rapidly processing top-resolution JPEG files.

Saving unprocessed RAW files, which is the very best quality - although more memory hungry - is also an option.

Our first impression is that the Alpha was a good, perhaps even great, digital SLR, but that it will be a couple of generations before we see Sony deliver something truly outstanding.

However, if, as hoped, it tempts casual photographers to move upwards and take more and better photographs; that has to be encouraged. Availability for the Alpha 100 has been set for this July, at which time we promise to bring you a more in-depth test.

The price is £599 for the body only or £699 when bundled with 18-70mm lens.

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