Camera Type

• Are you looking for a compact point & shoot camera, a DSLR, or something in between? (Or perhaps you haven't decided yet — that's okay!)

Leaning mirrorless, but will consider dSLR.

• Is this your first camera? First ever, or first digital?

No, but first that is not point & shoot.

• Are you interested in a high level of control, or would you prefer to let the camera do as much "thinking" as possible?

I'd like a high level of control. But inclusion of smart auto-mode is a plus.

• If you had to choose, would you prefer a more versatile (large "×") zoom lens, or top-notch image quality with no zoom at all?

I am interested in telephoto lens.

• What size of camera do you want? To what degree would you be willing to sacrifice other features for compactness?

I like the idea of a smaller camera, but I may be willing to compromise (will cover when I expand on the cameras I have in mind later).

Budget

• What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.

Up to around $2000 with lens including basic accessories (bag, memory card.. even better if I could fit a tripod in the budget).

• Do you plan to spend more on additional accessories now or in the future? (Lenses, lighting, tripods, batteries, memory cards, camera bags... it adds up!)

See above.

• How long do you plan on keeping this new camera?

At least 3 years would be nice.

Usage

• What will you generally use the camera for?

Travel (landscape, building, people) and street photography.

• Are you going to photograph sports? What sport, and from how far away?

Not really, unless you count niece/nephew running/playing in the park

• Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos, or other low-light photos?

I'd like it usable for concerts and catwalk but.. this it will be used for those purpose only maybe 3-5 times per year.

• Will you make prints, or primarily view and share images on a computer screen? If you make prints, will they typically be small (up to 5×7") or medium sized (8×10"), or are you interested in larger sizes as well?

Primarily view/share on a computer screen. If I make prints it would typically be small or medium.

• Are you interested in spending time post-processing to make an image "perfect", or would you prefer to use images basically straight from the camera?

I would prefer using the image basically straight from the camera.

Miscellaneous

• Are there particular lenses or technical features that are interesting or important to you?

- I'd like a telephoto lens (14-140 / 18-200) to begin with.
- GPS would be nice to have.
- HDR would also be nice to have.

• Are there particular brands or models you already have in mind?

Previously I was very interested in the Panasonic GH2. But I am now leaning towards the Sony NEX-7 and Sony Alpha A77. Points I am weighing now:

1. I like the idea of a smaller body but I am not sure if it's such a big deal.. or even a disadvantage on the smaller body of the NEX-7.
2. In terms of features, the A77 has a few things over the NEX-7 that I like (GPS, more flexibility with the LCD adjustment, better battery life), is potentially useful (weather sealing) and something I do not understand the implications (differences about the AF). Does the NEX-7 have any feature over the A77 other than the size (for instance, does the Anti-Motion Blur and all the scene mode exist in the A77 too?)?
3. My biggest concern about the A77 is probably what is said about the IQ compared NEX7 here: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/is-th...ity-of-the-a77