Canon?s EOS 500D has won European SLR Camera of the Year in the annual contest run by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), the membership of which includes AP.

The EOS 500D was described by judges as an ?excellent DSLR for both novices and advanced amateurs?.

The citation added: ?The quality of the HD video is so impressive that it might provoke the beginning of a new movie-making

hobby for some users.?

Olympus?s E-P1 was named Camera of the Year, judges applauding the appeal of its elegant retro design.

Nikon?s D3x won the title European Professional Camera and Canon?s EOS 5D Mark II triumphed in the Advanced Camera category.

The European Lens award went to the ?lightweight and affordable? Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM.

EISA?s best lens for travel was the Tamron 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Macro. The top zoom lens accolade was handed to Sony?s 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM.

Photo Innovation of the Year honours went to Fujifilm?s Super CCD EXR imaging sensor.

Multimedia Camera of 2009-2010 was Panasonic?s Lumix DMC-GH1. ?It combines the advantages of a compact camera with those of a DSLR: it is lightweight, has a small body, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and Live View.?

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 (see below) was voted Compact Camera of the Year.

Other winners included the Olympus mju Tough-8000 (Adventure Compact winner); Casio?s Exilim EX-H10 (Travel Compact); and the Samsung WB1000 (Advanced Compact).

Canon?s Pixma Pro9000 Mark II triumphed in the Photo Printer section.