Nikon UK has confirmed that its new 6.1-million-pixel digital SLR, the D50, will be out in shops on 17 June.

Billed as an ?entry-level? model the D50 boasts features such as a 0.2sec start-up time, a 2in LCD monitor and a shooting rate of 2.5 frames per second.

It will carry a body only price of £549.99. It will also be available with an AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G lens in a kit priced £649.99.

?Specifically designed for consumers looking to upgrade from a digital compact to the next level of digital photography, the D50 is affordable and simple to use, perfect for the SLR beginner,? claims a spokesman for Nikon UK.

Also on board is a top shutter speed of 1/4000sec and equivalent ISO sensitivity ranging from ISO 200-1600.

The D50 can shoot in JPEG or NEF (RAW) image format and images can be downloaded using the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface.

? Don?t miss AP?s review of the D50 in our 9 July issue (in shops 5 July). The newcomer is due to go head-to-head with the Canon EOS 350D digital SLR in AP 16 July.