Samsung NX100
Original RRP: £449.99 (with kit lens)
Current price: around £179 (with kit lens)
At just over a year old, the Samsung NX100's technology is still pretty current. This mirrorless camera sports a petite profile, but still manages to pack in a 14MP APS-C-sized sensor, a 3-inch AMOLED screen and features such as Full HD movie recording. It also benefits from the added functionality associated with Samsung's latest i-Function lenses, which aim to make the manual shooting experience more streamlined for the advanced user.
Delivering crisp, colourful images and well-controlled noise at up to ISO 1000, there's a lot to like about this curvy, rangefinder design-inspired camera, and the fact that you can put the cash you'd save towards some of the latest i-Function lenses adds to the Samsung NX100's appeal.
It might not sport the same all-metal body or the upgraded AF system and higher-resolution sensor of its replacement - the Samsung NX200 - but to bag these added features, Samsung's asking price is a whopping £699. If you can do without these extra bells and whistles, the Samsung NX100 looks to be a tempting - and far more budget-friendly - prospect indeed.
Read the full Samsung NX100 review
Olympus PEN E-PL1
Original RRP: £550 (with 14-42mm lens)
Current price: around £199 (body only)/£229 (with 14-42mm lens)
The third-generation PEN that pioneered the mirrorless E-PL series may be nearly two years old now, but the Olympus PEN E-PL1 still has plenty to satisfy the everyday snapper on the lookout for a lightweight and versatile upgrade to their compact.
A streamlined and simplified alternative to the more advanced Olympus PEN E-P1 (and subsequent PEN E-P3), the PEN E-PL1 is intended to offer a beginner-friendly introduction to the world of Micro Four Thirds technology and provide a bridge for upgraders who want more functionality than their compact camera can provide, but aren't ready to tackle a DSLR.
Despite its age, the Olympus PEN E-PL1's specifications don't look too out of place in the current market. With a 12.3MP Live MOS sensor, built-in image stabilisation, pop-up flash, HD movie recording capability and a comprehensive set of exposure modes, plus Olympus's popular creative Art Filters - all bundled into a sexy retro-styled package - the current low price for this looks very reasonable indeed.
