We've tested a lot of cameras within the past few years, but only a select few get to rank amongst the top of our preferred list. Check out what we regard as the best cameras for photography via category below.
Best Cameras
DSLR – Advanced
 This award goes to the Nikon D700. With such versatile range and exceptional ISO performance, the Nikon D700 edged out the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. However, the Mark II exhibited the best 1080p video we've seen from a digital camera of any sort. Photo junkies will want the D700 while videophiles will opt for the Mark II. However, the Nikon D700 goes down as one of our top advanced DSLRs of all time.
DSLR – Beginner
 You can't get any more welcoming than a Pentax in terms of price, quality, and ease of use. Though the Pentax K-x offers a treasure trove of advanced manual controls, the camera offers many Scene modes and Auto modes in order to help the beginner along the way. The Pentax K-x also allowed us to edit and shoot with filters right from within the camera. The Nikon D5000 is a close second, but we were so impressed with the overall package Pentax gave us, that the K-x sits atop the beginner DSLR throne.
Micro Four Thirds
 Though we haven't reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, we can safely tell you that it's as good as you can get for a Micro Four Thirds at the moment. The Olympus E-P2 is stylish, but fails to offer the amount of goodies brought on by the G2. With a brilliant high-resolution electronic viewfinder, flipout LCD, pop-up flash, and advanced dials and controls, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a worthy upgrade to the legendary Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1.
Super Zoom
 This is a tricky category because there is so much crap on the market within this genre. However, Nikon succeeded in producing a Super Zoom that covered most of the necessary bases and then some. The Nikon Coolpix P100 has 1080p video recording, impressive image quality, plenty of manual controls, Scene modes, and a 26x optical zoom lens. We also got 240fps high-speed video recording for slow motion, 10-megapixel burst shooting at 10fps, and a 26mm wide-angle lens. The Nikon Coolpix P100 is hard to beat in this category.
Power Compact
 Our top pick for Power Compact used to be the Fujifilm Finepix F200EXR, thanks to its exceptional image quality, but the tables have turned. It's now the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS. Although we were not overly dazzled by the SX210's image quality, the camera packs in a plethora of controls and features that will suit nearly any shooter looking to step up from their point-and-shoot. A close second was the Canon PowerShot S90 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7, but the Canon PowerShot SX210 IS sealed the deal for us.
Point-and-shoot
 Canon does point-and-shoot well, and we can't argue with the fact that they are some of the most popular models amongst the beginner crowd. We opted for the Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS because it includes most of the advanced features found in the SX210 IS, only it contains them in an ultra-compact body, slightly large than a credit card. In fact, you can't go wrong with any Canon point-and-shoot, so if the SD1400 IS is too expensive, check out the rest of Canon's lineup.
Rugged Cam
 Since we broke most of our rugged cams this year, it was difficult to tell which model would withstand the ultimate level of torture. The Olympus Stylus TOUGH 8010 failed every one of our durability tests while the Pentax Optio W90 offered better image quality than the rest. However, Panasonic still rules the roost with the Lumix DMC-TS2, which had the best image quality and features, including AVCHD Lite 720p video. The Casio Exilim EX-G1 was a close second, but Panasonic wins in this match. We recommend waiting for our full review of the TS2 successor, the TS10, before making a final buying decision though.
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