Photokina 2008 in Review

Photokina, the largest photographic trade show in the world, has just wrapped up in Cologne, Germany. This biennial event plays host to all the biggest companies in the digital and photographic industries and heralds the introduction of hundreds of new products.

As is usual there were dozens of new compact point and shoot (P&S) cameras revealed, however the really exciting developments are taking place in the Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) segment. Let's have a look at five exciting new models introduced during or just before the Photokina show:

Leica S2 camera and lens system. This all new camera system from one of the most prestigious names in photography has been well received as a welcome return to from for the German company. Based around a 30x45mm Kodak sensor with 37 megapixels (MP) the SLR is the first autofocus (AF) SLR for Leica, and the company will be launching nine new lenses when it goes on sale in 2009. The new lenses range from wide angle to telephoto, including primes and a zoom, as well as a tilt-shift lens useful for architecture photographers. The new 30x45mm sensor format is 56% larger than current full frame 35mm D-SLRS from Canon, Nikon, etc. Leica says the S2 will be much faster in operation than existing medium format (MF) digital camera systems.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Canon launched the long awaited follow up to the massively successful 5D full frame 35mm D-SLR camera. The new model increases resolution to 21 MP (from 12 MP in the EOS 5D) with a new sensor with sensitivity right up to ISO 25,600 which is sure to be welcomed by photographers shooting in low-light situations. The other card up its sleeve is the new video recording feature, at 1080p resolution. This is a breakthrough in the D-SLR segment and (along with the Nikon D90) is expected to rush in a new era of convergence by combining high resolution still and video captures in the one camera, using existing lenses. Other new features include a self-cleaning sensor mechanism and live view via a new higher resolution 3" screen.

Nikon D90. Nikon has replaced its popular D80 mid-range D-SLR with the D90 and therefore won the race to be the first manufacturer to incorporate video recording into a D-SLR (however that was short lived as Canon soon fired back with the EOS 5D MKII). Sporting a 12 MP sensor (as seen in its big brother, the D300) and 720p video resolution it looks to be at least as popular as the D80 was. New features include a sensor cleaning device and 3" VGA screen, 4.5 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting and an improved viewfinder.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. Sony is keen to break into the market dominated by Canon and Nikon and has put its best foot forward by launching the new A900 full frame D-SLR. With a 24 MP sensor this new model goes straight to the top of the resolution tree, but that's not its only draw card. Sony has managed to incorporate built-in sensor stabilisation which effectively turns any lens you mount on the camera into a stabilised lens, neatly negating the need to buy special and costly stabilised lenses. Seasoned photographers are likely to be drawn by the Sony's massive 100% viewfinder which should provide a clear view through the lens, as well as 5 fps continuous shooting.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1. While Leica have gone for a larger sensor in their new S2, Panasonic have gone the other way with their new Lumix G1 with a smaller sensor based around the new Micro Four Thirds format (18 x 13.5 mm). The big news with this camera is the lack of a reflex mirror, mainstay of SLR camera design for decades, and the introduction of an electronic viewfinder in its place. This allows the whole camera system to be made smaller and lighter, as the lenses can be mounted closer to the sensor following the removal of the mirror assembly. So as not to alienate traditional photographers the camera resembles a typical SLR shape, however in future models designers will have more freedom to break the mould and really innovate on camera design. The Lumix G1 houses a new 12 MP sensor with sensitivity from ISO 100-3200 and a self-cleaning mode. Panasonic and Olympus are expected to introduce several new cameras and lenses based around the Micro Four Thirds format.