With just a few days left before Christmas and the New Year break Buy-n-Shoot.com are proud to announce the launch of their annual digital camera review 'Reviewer's Choice Awards'. At the end of each year, a single medal will be awarded for the most outstanding camera in each class. The three main categories covered are: Best DSLR, Best Advanced Compact and Best Compact. Two additional awards will also be given via a 'Special Mention' category, for cameras which contained a ground breaking or quirky feature but didn't quite take out honours in it's category.

Best DSLR

Nikon D90 (RRP $1549)

After close examination of the 12.3-megapixel D90, it’s not hard to see why the RRP $1549.00 unit from Nikon won Buy-n-Shoot’s award for best DSLR in 2009.

Upon reviewing this camera, it is plain to see that Nikon have cleverly created what is essentially a blend of the most well-received and comprehensible technologies, features, and interface design from their large array of consumer and professional DSLRs, to produce an exceptional prosumer model with a ‘world first’ gong to its name.

One of the D90’s most notable selling features, aside from its outstanding image quality, is its ability to produce high definition movie files resulting in what Nikon describe as ‘genuinely cinematic’ movie clips.  And, it should be noted, Nikon were the first to introduce this technology into the DSLR realm.

The D90 is a genuinely well-crafted DSLR that covers all of the bases that a mid-range unit should, as well as providing a host of additional features and controls that are well and truly pushing the D90 towards semi-professional territory.

Best Advanced Compact

Panasonic Lumix FZ35 (RRP $769 with DSLR-like body)

Panasonic’s Lumix FZ35, with its mini DSLR-inspired stylings built into an ultra lightweight and highly portable unit, tops the category for best advanced compact in 2009.

With an impressive 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 27-486mm) the FZ35 is undoubtedly one of the best super zoom compacts currently available.

Backed up by some 12.1 megapixels, high definition movie recording, a 27mm wide angle Leica lens and the flexibility to shoot in both RAW and JPEG formats, this unit is ideal for those wanting to further their photography skills and capabilities without wanting to delve into the DSLR realm.

Aside from its portability, the FZ35 has an expansive zoom range that will easily cover a variety of scenes you come across in your travels or day-to-living without having to carry and fiddle with multiple lenses.

Full high definition video recording means you will be able to capture much more than just the sights of your adventures and the HDMI connection will allow for premium display of your media upon returning home.

Of course, the FZ35 would solidly perform under general day-to-day use as well and is very unlikely to disappoint any user, regardless of the intended application.

Best Standard Compact

Olympus Mju Tough 8000 (RRP $599.00)

There is absolutely no need to drum up hype for standard compact camera of the year, the Mju Tough 8000. Its long and remarkable list of ‘proofing’ capabilities paired with its ease-of-use and high standard of image quality, make this Olympus unit a star in its class and entirely worth every cent that you pay for it.

The Tough 8000 is, get this, waterproof to 10 meters, crushproof up to 100 kilograms, snowproof to minus 10 degrees Celsius, and on top of that, shockproof up to 2 meters.

Take it swimming, waterskiing or scuba diving, take it to the snow or to areas that experience below zero temperatures, accidentally drop it while out-and-about, stand on it, sit on it, ride over it with your bike - you name it - and you will be surprised at how the Tough 8000 endures the most extreme conditions, under which, so many other compact cameras would fail.

There isn’t much this Olympus unit isn’t able do for a camera in its price range and there certainly aren’t many places it can’t be taken. So for the oft travelling, adventure seeking, and those who would prefer to really use their camera to its fullest rather than keep it tucked away for special occasions, this unit is one to seriously consider.

With its extensive ability and remarkable durability, overall the Olympus Mju Tough 8000 is an extremely versatile unit that consumers already do, and will continue to, love.

Special Mention - DSLR

Sony Alpha 700 (RRP $2,249.00 body only)

Both on paper and in the way it handles, Sony’s Alpha A700 certainly gives its prosumer DSLR competition a run for their money and thus is a perfect choice for the special mention camera of the year.

At a glance, this unit is well built, offers some 12.24-megapixels, outstanding LCD resolution, and an array of features likely to tickle the fancy of semi-serious photographers everywhere.

The Alpha A700’s magnesium alloy body encases an aluminium chassis making it a sturdy and robust unit capable of withstanding a decent amount of rough and tumble and its finger moulded right hand grip section ensures a comfortable and steady hold during use.

Previewed picture quality on the 3-inch 921k-dot LCD is exceptionally pleasing to the eye: it’s contrasty, sharp, and offers true-to-life colours (if not slightly hyper-saturated at the default setting which can be easily altered) with fine detail that doesn’t reveal any pixelation. Once users visually experience a DSLR LCD like this one, they simply will not be able to revert to anything less.

Don’t be fooled by the hype that Nikon and Canon are the only two ‘serious’ competitors in the DSLR market because with the Alpha A700, Sony are undoubtedly making a push for the front.

A quick comparison of the specifications and image quality of the A700 against its competing models will reveal that this worthy unit certainly equals, if not rivals, its DSLR opposition and is resultantly highly recommended.

Special Mention Compact

Canon Powershot SX200 IS (Compact RRP $649.00)

Cameras like the SX200 are the reason Canon is one of the most well-known and trusted camera brands in the Australian market and it’s no surprise this little unit scored the special mention gong for a compact unit in 2009.

If you’re looking for a reliable compact camera for general day-to-day use or if you’re about to head off on a holiday adventure and want a true ‘all-rounder’ unit to capture all of the thrills and spills of your travels, the SX200 may well be a serious contender for your $649.00 (RRP).

Just listen to this: 12.1 megapixels, 12x optical zoom, 28mm wide angle lens that extends to 336mm, high definition movie recording, optical image stabiliser, intelligent auto mode and scene, face, blink and motion detection.

And the reality is that for the most part the SX200 appears to perform as well as its specs promise by producing clear, sharp and correctly exposed images.

It is a highly recommendable unit that would make a great travel companion or gift for somebody who enjoys compact photography (and high definition video recording) and, in this case, its ability to switch between fully automated shooting, numerous pre-programmed and specific scene settings, and more manual-based shooting all within seconds.