THE E3 is a more complicated camera than the Canon 40D to use. Frequently used functions like setting the focusing point or changing the camera mode require a two-hand action.

I like the serious look and feel of the camera and find the free angle swivel LCD and the Live View function useful, especially when shooting at low-angles.

I also admire the fast auto-focusing system. Powerful features are available too, like a dust reduction system and a built-in image stabiliser that reduces the effects of camera shake to make sharper pictures.

But I find the image quality could be better. For example, the rough, weather- beaten pebbles in a garden turned out looking smooth in the test image.

One other gripe is the camera's inability to delete images at the initial preview mode - sometimes you want to delete an image as soon as you've shot it.

Instead the E3 forces you to go to playback mode to delete images.