Photokina 2008 Highs and Lows

Photokina 2008 happened last week, in Cologne Germany, where all the latest digital cameras and products were on display to see, including several new announcements and prototypes from various manufacturers. We were there to bring daily coverage of the show - here are some of the highlights of the show:

The new Panasonic Lumix G1 Digital SLR is the smallest Digital SLR currently available - have a look at our Panasonic Lumix G1 Preview

The new Nikon D90 is the world's first Digital SLR to provide High Definition video recording - we had a look at it here

Fujifilm are developing the world's first 3D digital camera - with two lenses, and a 3D screen! Have a look here. They also announced their new Fujifilm Super CCD EXR Sensor - this promises to give excellent low light performance (like the "classic" Fuji F30 loved by many), excellent dynamic range, and high resolution shots as well.

Lomography were showing that analogue film cameras can still be fun with several cameras on display

Minox announced a mini spy camera with seperate flash and screen.

Sigma announced 2 new cameras - the Sigma SD15 and DP2 - both use the 14 megapixel foveon sensor.

Leica surprised almost everyone by announcing a new 37 megapixel (!) Digital SLR - the S2. They also mentioned a new camera under development, the Leica R10.

Olympus showed two new prototypes - a compact micro four thirds camera, and a new Digital SLR

There was also a lot of interest in the new Canon Powershot cameras, including the new Canon Powershot G10.

Lows of Photokina 2008: Being stranded in Cologne / London as flights were cancelled! The Canon Powershot A1000 IS and A2000 IS have lost manual controls, meaning you will need to spend more money if you want manual controls on a Canon camera. The decline of Vivitar.

To see all the Photokina 2008 content including lots of photos view the full Photokina 2008 report here.

Casio Exilim EX-Z19 Announced

Casio have announced the new Casio Exilim EX-Z19, it features a 9 megapixel sensor, 3x optical zoom lens, 2.6" screen and face detection. The camera will be available in silver, black, pink, light pink and green for £119

"This high performing model with 9.1 million effective pixels takes high definition photographs and features a stylish design in a compact size. At just £119 the EX-Z19 boasts many innovative Casio features including face detection and easy mode."

Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS 980 IS at Photokina

Canon were showing the new Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS - a compact 10 megapixel camera it features a 4x wide-angle optical zoom, optical IS, 3.0” screen, VGA video recording, and will be available in silver or gold for £238

Click here to view the Canon 870 IS and 980 IS.

The new Canon Digital IXUS 980 IS, shown below, is a compact 14.7 megapixel camera it features a 3.7x optical zoom, optical IS, 2.5" screen, optical viewfinder, manual controls, VGA video recording, and will be available in silver or black for £349:

Canon Powershot SX110 IS at Photokina

Canon were showing the new Canon Powershot SX110 IS - an update to the SX100 IS - the new camera features a more compact body, 9 megapixel sensor, larger 3" screen, 10x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, Face Detection, Face Select & Track, Auto Red-Eye Correction, Motion Detection, 20 shooting modes including Easy Mode, and ISO 1600. It is available in silver and black for £199

Click here to view more pictures of the SX110 IS.

Canon Powershot SX1 IS at Photokina

Canon have announced the new 10 megapixel Canon Powershot SX1 IS - it features a wide angle 20x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilisation, ISO1600, a 10 megapixel CMOS sensor which allows HD video recording (1080p), 4fps shooting, HD out, swivel 2.8" screen. The camera will be available for £519

Click for more pictures of the Canon Powershot SX1 IS.

Canon Powershot SX10 IS at Photokina

Canon are showing the new 10 megapixel Canon Powershot SX10 IS - it features a wide angle 20x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilisation, ISO1600, a CCD sensor, VGA video recording, and a swivel 2.5" screen: The camera will be available for £359

Click for more pictures of the Canon SX10 IS.

Canon Powershot G10 at Photokina

Canon were showing the new 14.7 megapixel Canon Powershot G10 at Photokina - an update to the G9 - it features a wide angle 5x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation, RAW support, 3" screen, optical viewfinder, VGA video recording and ISO1600. The Canon Powershot G10 is available for £449

Click for more pictures of the Canon Powershot G10.

Canon Powershot A1000 A2000 at Photokina

Canon were showing the new Canon Powershot A2000IS - the 10 megapixel camera is an update to the A720 IS and features a 6x optical zoom with optical IS, 17 shooting modes including Easy Mode, Face Detection Technology, Auto Red-Eye Correction, Motion Detection Technology, 3” LCD, it takes AA batteries and is available for £175

Click for more pictures of the A1000 and A2000.

The new Canon Powershot A1000IS - the 10 megapixel camera is an update to the A580 and features a 4x optical zoom with optical IS, 17 shooting modes including Easy Mode, Face Detection Technology, Auto Red-Eye Correction, Motion Detection Technology, 2.5” LCD and Optical viewfinder, it takes AA batteries and is available in blue, brown or silver for £139

Canon Powershot E1 at Photokina

Canon were showing the new Canon Powershot E1 at Photokina - a cute 10 megapixel camera with a 4x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation, 2.5" screen, face detection, motion detection, 17 shooting modes including Easy Mode, Sunset mode and IS0 3200 mode, optical viewfinder. It will be available in white, pink, and blue and is available exclusively from Argos from September 2008

Click for more pictures of the E1.

Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR at Photokina

Canon were showing the new Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR at Photokina - an update to the 40D - it features a new 15.1 megapixel sensor, 6.3fps shooting, Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processor, ISO upto 12800, 3" screen with live view, sensor cleaning, 9 point AF, and face detection. Body only will be available from end of September 2008 priced at £1199:

Click for more pictures of the 50D.

DigiCamReview Stranded in Cologne

Along with hundreds of other people, I was stranded in Cologne, due to a computer glitch. Easyjet were unable to offer any alternative flights for another 5 days, so we hired a car and drove back, taking the ferry to Dover. Hence the lack of updates on the site! More photos from Photokina will be added shortly.

"Dozens of flights were cancelled and hundreds more delayed at airports across south-east England yesterday after a computer glitch at Britain's main air traffic control centre."

Picture shown above from the Ricoh GX200 Sample Photo Gallery.

Panasonic Lumix FX150 at Photokina 2008

Panasonic are showing the Panasonic Lumix FX150 - a new 14.7 megapixel digital camera - it features a 28mm Wide Angle 3.6x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, Intelligent Auto Mode with AF Tracking, Simple Manual Operation, up to ISO1600 at Full Resolution, and a 2.7" screen. It is available in silver or black for £257.

Click to view more pictures of the FX150.

Panasonic Lumix LX3 at Photokina 2008

Panasonic were showing the new Panasonic Lumic DMC-LX3 - the camera features a F2.0 24mm Ultra Wide Angle lens (24 - 60mm), optical image stabilisation, a larger 10 megapixel sensor with higher sensitivity, ISO3200 at Full Resolution, Full Manual Operation, HD Motion Images and HD Output, and a 3.0-inch screen. The Panasonic LX3 is available for £335

Click for more pictures of the LX3.

Panasonic Lumix FX37 at Photokina 2008

Panasonic are showing the new ultra compact Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX37 - and update to the FX35 - key features are a 25mm Ultra-Wide-Angle* 5x Optical Zoom Lens (*35mm equivalent: 25-125mm), in Sleek, Super-Slim Profile, 10.1-megapixel sensor, Featuring Advanced Intelligent Auto Mode, Mega optical image stabilisation, 1280 x 720p motion video at 30 fps, and a 2.5" screen. The DMC-FX37 is available in silver, black and brown for £208

Click for more pictures of the FX37.

Panasonic Lumix FZ28 at Photokina

Panasonic were showing the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 - an update to the FZ18 - it features a 27mm Wide Angle 18x optical zoom lens, optical image stabilisation, 13fps at 3mp, Full Manual Operation, a 10.1 megapixels CCD, ISO1600, and a 2.7" screen. The FZ28 is available for £265.

Click for more pictures of the Panasonic FZ28.

Nikon Coolpix P80 at Photokina 2008

Nikon were showing the Nikon Coolpix P80 Ultra Zoom at Photokina - it features a wide angle 18x optical zoom lens (27-486mm equivalent), 10 megapixel sensor, sensor-shift vibration reduction, 2.7" screen, ISO6400, 1cm macro mode, and Distortion control corrects for barrel distortion. The Nikon Coolpix P80 is available for £235

Click for more pictures of the Nikon P80.

Nikon Coolpix P6000 at Photokina 2008

Nikon are showing the new Nikon Coolpix P6000 at Photokina 2008 - the new 13.5 megapixel camera features a wide angle 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, a 2.7" screen, RAW support, manual controls, external flash support, manual focus, GPS support, and an optical viewfinder. The camera is available for £389

Click for more pictures of the Nikon P6000.