Its not spec'd down it is spec'd differently is all.

The 2012 version is much more road bike like where as the 2011 version is much more mtb prepped.
The Compact Double Road Crank vs the Older Mtb Triple
The Sora/Deore difference is there for the crankset change.
11-36 gears compared to 11/26 to compensate for lack of smallest chainring

My guess is besides the wheels probably being heavier, the 2012 version is lighter.....

Depending on what you want to do with the bike, they are equally nice/entry level.