For example, I want to implement an algorithm for an object detection, which software do you recommend?

MATLAB is good for image processing along with R.

For high performance - OpenCV with C/C++. For quick prototyping, OpenCV with Python. Check out these presentations for some introductory information:

http://www.bdti.com/MyBDTI/pubs/BDTI_ESCSV_2012_Intro_Computer_Vision.pdf

http://prezi.com/3gtvs2lfe6jo/short-introduction-to-opencv/

I would suggest going for Python+OpenCV. I tried C++ with OpenCV and it wasn't a good experience at all.

The fastes and easiest is Matlab, using the image processing toolkit

Matlab is having some very good functions for image processing...

If you have a licensed Visual Studio, OpenCV is not difficult to learn. I have seen four final year undergraduate students who have successfully used OpenCV to do projects related to object detection, such as, finger detection, face detection, and vehicle detection.

Matlab........

Alternatively, SDK for Kinect is powerful and free as well. It can work with Visual Studio, or even LabVIEW. In fact, LabVIEW has a vision development toolkit. Please see the following link for more information. LabVIEW is definitely not cheap.

http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/209860

If you need a specific remote sensing software with a large number of image libraries implemented, I recommend you ENVI. This software include the IDL (language programming) that includes a lot of image processing function (ENVI software is developed using IDL).

If you can JAVA, its always a good option if combined with GDAL. It gives you total freedom and costs nothing.

I agree with Jorge suggestion. The coupled use of ENVI and IDL offers the best framework for a remote sensing programmer. Of course, at a cost.

If you are looking for a free software solution you can rely on Python-OpenCV but you will have to handle a lot of basic routines yourself and you will likely be left with less time to do your work.

Matlab can be used ... But for that u need a computer..

But if u go for OpenCV you can program on a uC ... It would be easy ...

I guess you are interest to do remote sensing data analysis then you can use GRASS a free and open source software if not openCV or Matlab can be used.

matlab as first prototyping, then exploit OpenCV and program in C,C++ to better evaluate performances.

Depending upon your application areas following software can be used

Medical Imaging- ImageJ, MATLAB, MATHEMATICA

Satellite Imagery- ILWIS, ENVI, ERDAS IMAGINE

i am looking hardware and software solution for document image processing. Any one could suggest the best combination