[EricH]

#1: Don't assume anything about next year's rules until next January. (I hear that you won't be allowed to use sensors of any sort next year.)

#2: Using Adobe's find feature on Section 8, I find the following in the 2010 rules:
<R45-C> If a 5V camera is used (such as the KOP camera), the camera power feed must be connected to the 5 Vdc supply terminals on the Power Distribution Board.

Note that it does not say "the KOP camera must be used". Also see <R32>.

Note that a camera would fall under "custom circuit" rules for those purposes.

And now, for the bonus part: the FRC Q&A says: legal, and legal to have a different camera.

Noting that the Axis 206 is discontinued, pick a camera and have fun.