Sony Alpha A99

Even if we've got some qualms with the A99 as a standalone stills camera, when it comes to movie capture it's Sony's single lens translucent (SLT) technology - which, we confess, means this isn't technically a DSLR - that make for exceptional fast and quiet autofocus.

There's a silent control wheel to the front of the camera for live adjustment during recording, while the full-frame sensor is spot on for blurred-background effects and creating those pro-looking 1080p shots.

All this can be witnessed in real time on the rear LCD screen without any cost to autofocus ability which, because of the SLT design, is just as fast as when using the camera through its electronic viewfinder - and that's also possible when capturing video.

Other cameras throw plenty at the movie front too - there's rarely a DSLR model that doesn't have plenty to offer in this department - but the Sony's got stacks of good stuff on offer. A sure winner.

PRICE: £1,798 (body only)