The crop of mirrorless cameras has bloomed, and there are some distinct markets differences which we feel warrants a further refinement to our categories for interchangeable-lens cameras (ILCs). At the same time, we are excited by the the sudden resurgence of enthusiast small-compacts. These cameras offer manual controls and even raw image recording—an element we had frustratingly resigned our selves to not being available in smaller bodies. Given our general focus on the enthusiast market (and the fact that any reputable company's non-enthusiast ultracompact will produce good output), our ultracompact category will also now focus itself towards enthusiast users.
Top Studio Camera: Canon EOS 1D X
Top Safari/Sport Camera: Canon EOS 1D X
Top Street Interchangeable Lens Camera: Leica M9
Top Enthusiast SLR: Canon EOS 7D
Top Entry-level SLR: Pentax K-r
Top Enthusiast Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera: Sony Alpha NEX-7
Top Entry-level Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera: Olympus PEN E-PM1
Top Non-interchangeable lens Camera: Fujifilm FinePix X100
Top Compact Camera: Nikon CoolPix P7100
Top Ultracompact Camera: Canon PowerShot S95
Canon EOS 1D X: Top studio camera
Canon EOS 1D X: Top safari/sports camera
The Canon EOS 1D X has for the first time ever, united these two categories. Looking at the spec-sheet, it's clearly a winner over the older, slower, lower-resolution EOS-1D Mark IV; but what about the higher-resolution Nikon D3X or even Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III? Three years is a long time in this industry, and the short of it is, improvements in sensor and processing technology let the EOS-1D X do more with a little bit less here.
Leica M9: Top street interchangeable lens camera
Leica's full-frame M9 not only has the best glass in the industry designed for it, but the hand-made cameras are comparatively portable when considering their closest competition (although many might be happy enough with the significantly cheaper Sony E-mount cameras).
Canon EOS 7D: Top enthusiast SLR
This is the third-year that the EOS 7D has won. It's defining the enthusiast SLR, and while its Dual Digic4 processors are now a generation behind the recently-launched EOS 1D X, it is still competitively specified for the market.
Pentax K-r: Top entry-level SLR
Pentax has made a number of good digital cameras in the entry to enthusiast range, and the K-r is a great example with the $650 kit is one of the best entry deals. The K-r has in-built sensor-shift image stabilization, meaning any additional lens will automatically take advantage of it (rather than just pricier lenses from Nikon or Canon). The autofocus system, 6fps bursts, ISO 25600, and Adobe DNG support just scratch the surface when listing reasons this is a great choice.
Sony Alpha NEX 7: Top enthusiast mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
The Sony NEX 7 got a lot of attention, and still is. It's hard to find, as many shops are sold-out, and many publications are still waiting to review it. The camera is the latest in Sony's increasingly impressive super-slim APS-C mirrorless NEX line, with a remarkable 24MP but an at-present unremarkable selection of lenses.
Olympus PEN E-PM1: Top entry-level mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
The Olympus PEN E-PM1 in many ways feels like a compact camera, except for the unwieldy lens you attached to the front. The small micro four thirds camera is an economical entry into interchangeable lens cameras: it's both cheaper and higher-image quality than the Nikon 1 series, and includes in-built image stabilization unlike the Panasonic equivalents.
Fujifilm FinePix X100: Top non-interchangeable lens camera
Is the FinePix X100 better than the Leica X1? That's a good question. Both have the same sized sensor, renowned optics and build quality, and have targeted enthusiasts who like manual control. The FinePix X100 gets one up on the X1 with its integrated dual-viewfinder, both optical and electronic.
Nikon CoolPix P7100: Top compact camera
We chose the Nikon CoolPix P7100 over last year's winning Canon PowerShot G12 on very minor details—both are excellent cameras for this category, and different users might prefer the handling of either over the other. The CoolPix P7100 does have a longer zoom range than the PowerShot G12 and a higher ISO 6400 (which is is good to know is there, but most shooters will try hard to avoid it). The CoolPix P7100 is a bit heavier, and overall performance is not much different.
Canon PowerShot S95: Top ultracompact camera
The PowerShot S95 is Canon's update to its reincarnated S-line. The PowerShot S95 is the smallest current raw shooter available, and at 30mm thick, pocketable. For those who do not mind something a little bigger, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 is worth a look.