2008 was a year of surprises and long-awaited updates in the equipment arena. Nikon and Canon released a few new models (the EOS 50D for example, or the D60 at Nikon). Sony also introduced its flagship camera, which it had been hinting at for more than a year. But the best surprises came from unlikely candidates - Leica and Red. Here is our top nine of 2008's best cameras!

9 - Nikon D60

Unveiled in January 2008, the D60 replaced the D40x, itself introduced less than one year before. The £450 digital SLR with a 10.2 million pixel resolution is very similar to its predecessor, with the main innovation being the inclusion of Nikon's image sensor cleaning function, as well as an airflow control system. Nikon also added some filter effects to make this model an entry level camera for enthusiasts. For more on the camera, read our news item here.

8 - Canon EOS 450D
Also unveiled in January 2008 is Canon EOS 450D DSLR. The camera, which replaces the 400D, came with a bigger resolution (12.2 million pixels, and introduced the nine-point autofocus system and the DIGIC III processor to the range. It is capable of burst rates of up to 3.5fps and comes with live view composition (a feature that became a standard in DSLR this year). Costing £600 (body only) the camera can take up to 500 shots with only one charge. For more, read our article here.

7 - Sony Alpha 900

The Alpha range now has its flagship. Two years after the introduction of its first DSLR camera, Sony launched a full-frame 24.6 million pixel resolution Alpha 900. The CMOS sensor was designed from the ground up for 35mm format full-frame imaging. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2 and features the SteadyShot Inside stabilisation system, whic is fitted in-camera to ensure lower image degradation compared to lens-based systems. However, the camera's best feature is its price - £1800 - making it the cheapest full-frame camera on the market, thus introducing high resolution images to more people. For more on this camera, which was launched in September 2008, read our article here.

6 - Canon EOS 50D

To fill the gap between the 40D and the 5D, Canon released in September its 50D. With a 15.1 million pixel resolution CMOS sensor and Canon's new DIGIC 4 image processor, the 50D allowed Canon to catch up with Nikon in terms of low-noise image quality. The camera shoot at ISO levels of up to 3200, expandable to 12,800. The 50D is in a waterproof casing and comes with the EOS Integrated Cleaning System, which now includes an improved Self Cleaning Sensor Unit with a new fluorine coating. The camera retails at £1200. For more, click here.

5 - Nikon D90
Nikon was the first camera manufacturer to add High-Definition video to a DSLR. The camera, set to replace the D80, offers a 12.3 million pixel resolution with a newly-designed DX-format CMOS sensor. It is couples with Nikon's Expeed image procession system, which provides a wide ISO sensitivity ranging from 200 to 3200. But the 720p HD video mode is the real innovation, even if autofocus does not work in this mode, forcing videographers to focus manually or to use an external system. The camera retaisl at £700. For more, read our article.

4 - Nikon D3x

Less than a year after its release, Nikon updated its flagship pro camera, the D3. The D3x (following on Nikon's naming scheme) comes with a 24.5 million pixel sensor, effectively doubling its predecessor's resolution. The sensor was designed by Sony, but is different than the one fitted in the Alpha 900 DSLR. The full-frame camera does not add a lot of new features, as Nikon wanted it to be its biggest camera ever, without any additional bells and wistles. It can shoot up to 5fps in raw format, and also comes with a live view mode. But video was left out as Nikon did not 'have the right type of video for this product' and 'wanted to focus on getting the best DSLR with a high-resolution'. For more on this camera, read our article here or view the world's first test in this week's issue of BJP.

3 - Canon EOS 5D Mark II
This one was easily this year's most hotly anticipated DSLR. Its predecessor, the 5D, was called the best DSLR ever, as it provided amazing results. As soon as the 5D was released, it obtained cult status, butusers still asked for a new version that would keep the same sensor but come with a more rugged body. Canon delivered that, but added a few extras. Now boasting 21.1 million pixel resolution, the 5D Mark II also comes with High-Definition video capabilities. Nikon offered five minutesof 720p video, Canon went one step further with 12 minutes of 1080p HD recording. The camera, like its predecessor, has become a cult camera with photographers such as Vincent Laforet shooting amazing movies using this second coming of a camera. View some of them here or read our article. You can also read the first test in this week's issue of BJP.

2 - Red One

This new camera system did not gather much press in the UK, with BJP running one of the only articles on it when it was unveiled in November. However, the Red Digital Still & Motion Camera has the potential to reshape the industry. Based on the firm's Scarlet and Epic models, the DSMC can deliver still image resolutions randing from 4.9 million pixels to a whopping 261 million, together with full-frame motion picture capability. Starting from $2500 up to $12,000, the first versions of the camera will be available in early 2009. They will be capable of shooting 3000 images at 120fps or 6000 at 30fps. Red also developed more than 20 lenses, from wide-angle primes to image-stabilised zooms. For more about the system, read our exclusive article here.

1 - Leica S2

But this year's biggest surprise is, without doubt, Leica's foray into the DSLR realm. The S2, which will introduce the S system, was first announced at this year's Photokina international trade show. The 37.5 million pixel resolution camera is designed to bridge the gap between more versatile professional DSLRs and medium-format high resolution models. The device sports a 30x45mm CCD sensor, which is 56% bigger than a typical 35mm sensor. The weather proof S2 is smaller than top Canon or Nikon DSLRs, Leica claimes, but provides the same features usually found in medium format camera. The S2 will also come with nine new lenses. The camera will retail in mid-2009 at more than €20,000 and Leica will unveil more technical details at the 2009 PMA show in Las Vegas in March. For more, read our article here or view more than 12 images of the system here.