Top Studio Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Top Safari/Sport Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark II N
Top Enthusiast SLR: Nikon D200
Top Entry-level SLR: Canon EOS 350D
Top Non-interchangeable lens Camera: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1
Top Compact Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1/Leica D-LUX 2
Top Ultracompact Camera: Canon SD550
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II: Top studio camera
Finally the EOS-1Ds has been removed as our top studio camera…in its place, sits the EOS-1Ds Mark II. The upgraded variant is faster, higher-resolution, and better with low noise. It is also the only full-frame 35mm SLR on the market today.
Canon EOS-1D: Top safari/sports camera
The EOS-1D Mark II N improves on last year's Mark II with an improved LCD and image buffer, but otherwise essentially the same.
Nikon D200: Top enthusiast SLR
Nikon's D200 replaces Canon's EOS 20D as our top enthusiast pick this year, despite very similar specs. The D200 has some basic weather sealing and auto-ISO sensitivity which is nice. We seriously considered the Canon EOS 5D for this category, but felt that most enthusiasts would be better served by a cheaper APS-C camera.
Canon EOS 350D: Top entry-level SLR
It's a slow but progressive path at the bottom between Nikon's two-digit line and Canon's three-digit line. This year the EOS 350D one-ups last year's winner with, basically, improved resolution.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1: Top non-interchangeable lens camera
The DSC-R1's predecessor, the DSC-F828, held this role for the previous two years. The DSC-R1 has an APS-C sensor usually seen in SLRs, ISO 3200, and live-preview. It is the best integration of an SLR and point-and-shoot we have ever seen.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1/Leica D-LUX 2: Top compact camera
It was a shame to see Canon's S80 lose raw recording from its predecessor, but that made choosing the Lumix DMC-LX1/D-LUX 2 (essentially the same camera) an easier choice. The LX1 does have some problems with noise, but since it records raw images you can tweak them in the dark room. The LX1 is also thinner, lighter, and has a faster lens and slightly longer reach at the long end. While we feel the LX1 has the best trade-off between enthusiast and point-and-shoot features, if you want the Henri Cartier-Bresson fixed lens experience and Ansel darkroom tweaking, the Ricoh GXR Digital is worth a look.
Canon SD550: Top ultracompact camera
Canon's SD series has been a perennial contender in the ultracompact category, and the 7MP SD550 is definitely in the top tier. As is to be expected at this level, it is a JPEG only affair.