Now my two current picks for Camera of the Year are the Sony Nex-5 and the Nikon D7000.

I've only briefly played with both of them so this isn't commentary with extensive testing behind it.

The NEX-5 is well built, compact relatively speaking, and has full 1080p video. It's got all the bells and whistles including a large enough sensor to produce great images via RAW processing and most importantly, Sony behind it. A new design with a powerhouse of a marketing and technology behind it has far greater chance to succeed with future enhancements and in this case a larger selection of lens models than just any camera.

The Nikon D7000 is the DSLR that wins for this past year if one just looks at the specifications. It's a sweet price, great accessory and lens selections available(none better), and is video capable. I was until not too long ago concerned that Nikon wasn't going to survive much longer in the Digital age. This and a few other recent cameras from them has made me believe that they will compete well for the foreseeable future. My only concern for this being the final Camera of the Year is that it is 'just' another DSLR, even if a very well featured one.

I'm still thinking about the various Compact or smaller cameras I've seen and used this past year including a couple from Sony.

One final thought, is this year about just new features or is it finally about the best combination of great Image production plus the best selection of special functions including in-camera filters, smile/face/blink detection, special AF modes, Image stabilization/shake reduction and many many others? Are we now going to look for the best option packages similar to buying an automobile??

The one new feature I'm liking a lot is in-camera panorama or the Sony Sweep Pano modes. Not perfect yet. Except for the highest quality print work, these modes are very good already and it is available in a camera that slips in my shirt or jacket pocket!!