New Post: CAMLQuery vs "query"

The documentation states: 

options 
The options vary based on which Web Service and operation you are calling. In all instances, the options will take the same names as those described in the SDK. 

However, for GetListItems one must specify "CAMLQuery" instead of "query", CAMLViewFields, etc. (I can see why they are split out, much easier to build the query....)

Is this an exception specific to the GetListItems method? Are there other exceptions I need to be aware of?

Thanks.