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.

Sony Alpha A900 Digital SLR at Photokina

Sony were showing the new 24.6 megapixel full frame Digital SLR the Sony Alpha A900 - it has an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage, SteadyShot INSIDE™, dual BIONZ™ image processor, 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD, and 5fps continuous shooting at full resolution. The camera will be available from Amazon.

Click for more pictures.

Sony Cybershot T77, T700, T500 at Photokina

Sony were showing their full range of Cybershot cameras. Shown here is the Sony Cybershot T500 - it features a 10 megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom lens, large 3.5" touchscreen, optical image stabilisation, ISO3200, and stereo High Definition video recording (720p, 30fps, MPEG4 AVC/H.264), and is available in silver, black and red for £292.

Click here to view the Sony T77, T700 and T500.

Sony Cybershot T77 - the ultra compact 10 megapixel camera features a 3" touch screen, a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, and smile shutter. The DSC-T77 camera replaces the former T70 model and will be available in brown, green, pink, black and silver for £206.

Sony Cybershot T700 - the ultra compact 10 megapixel camera features a 3.5" touch screen, 4gb of internal memory, a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilisation, and smile shutter. The camera will be available in red, champagne gold, pink, dark gray and silver for £265.

Samsung NV100HD, L310W, S1070 at Photokina

Samsung were showing their range of digital cameras including the compact NV100HD - it's a 14.7 megapixel camera with a Wide angle 3.6x lens, 3" screen and HD video recording. The camera is available for £199

Click to view the Samsung NV100hd, L310w and S1070.

Samsung L310w in Pink - 13.6 megapixels, wide angle lens - more details here.

Samsung S1070 in white - 10 megapixels, 3x optical zoom - more details here.

Samsung Innov8 Camera Phone at Photokina

Samsung were showing their new Samsung Innov8 Mobile Phone with 8 megapixel digital camera - it has a built in LED flash and is available in the UK on a pay monthly contract for £35 per month.

Click for more pictures.

Panasonic Lumix G1 DSLR Preview

Panasonic were showing the new Panasonic Lumix G1 - based on the micro four thirds system - whilst not as small as I was expecting, it's slightly bigger than Panasonic's ultra zoom cameras. It features Full-time Live View both for LCD and LVF, 12-megapixel Live MOS sensor, new smaller LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm MEGA O.I.S. lens, Dust reduction system and tilting 3" screen. It will also be available in three colours depending on location.

Click for more pictures.

Top - the camera has a film mode button which lets you choose between various options such as natural, vivid, black and white etc. You can customise these settings.

Pop up flash - the camera is available with two new Panasonic lenses with Mega Optical Image Stabilisation built in - these lenses are more compact than normal four thirds lenses, and are so far available as 14-45mm, and 45-200mm lenses.

Back - the screen updates very smoothly and the shutter response is almost instant. The EVF (electronic viewfinder) features "eye-detectoin" and will automatically switch on when you put your eye up to the viewfinder.

Menus - they appear almost identical to the other Lumix point and shoot cameras, and give you a choice of aspect ratio 4:3 (default), 3:2 and 16:9.

Panasonic sensor exposed - the camera features the same supersonic wave filter sensor cleaning system as the Olympus DSLR cameras.

Fujifilm FinePix Digital Cameras at Photokina

Fujifilm were showing the full range of Fujifilm FinePix digital cameras including the new S2000hd - an update to the S1000fd - it features a wide angle 15x optical zoom lens, 10 megapixel sensor, HD recording (1280 x 720 pixels video) and output, it comes with a remote control and cable, a 2.7" screen, ISO 1600, image stabilisation, and manual mode. The FinePix S2000HD is available for £199.

View the Fujifilm FinePix F60fd, J100, and J150w here.

Fujifilm FinePix F60fd - more information here.

Fujifilm FinePix J100 - more information here.

Fujifilm FinePix J150w - more information here.

Nikon D90 Digital SLR at Photokina

Nikon were showing the new Nikon D90 - the new 12.3 megapixel features a 3" screen, live view, 720p High Definition video recording, ISO upto 6400, 11 point AF, and 4.5fps shooting. The D90 is available for £849 with kit lens.

Click for more hands-on pictures.

Shown with the Nikon 18-200mm lens.

The LCD screen on top is very clear and easy to read.

The large 3" screen is impressive and easy to use.

Casio EX FH20 Ultra Zoom at Photokina

Casio were showing the new ultra high speed, ultra zoom Casio Exilim Pro EX-FH20 at Photokina - it features a 9 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 26mm wide angle 20x optical zoom lens, 40 fps shooting at 7 megapixels, High Definition (HD) video recording at 1280 x 720 pixels, at 30 fps, RAW, 1cm macro, ISO upto 1600 and has a large 3" screen.

Click for more pictures.

The 40fps shooting mode lets you playback the photos as though you have recorded a video at 7 megapixels per frame!

Minox DC 8022 WP Announced at Photokina

Minox have announced the new ultra compact Minox DC 8022 WP - a waterproof, shockproof 8 megapixel digital camera - it features a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.5" screen, panoramic mode, smile detection, electronic image stabilisation.

Click for more pictures.

Praktica Luxmedia 12-XS DCZ 8.1 at Photokina

Praktica were showing their full range of digital cameras at Photokina - including this see-through verson of the Praktica DCZ 8.1 - it features are:

"8.0 megapixels digital still camera with 3x optical zoom, 4x digital, 2.7" LTPS-TFT-monitor, 16 MB internal memory, extendable with SD/SDHC card, face tracking, digital antishake (ISO), 15 scene modes, PASM mode, smile detection."

Click for more pictures of the DCZ 8.1 and Luxmedia 12-XS.

The Praktica Luxmedia 12-XS is a "12 Mega pixels digital camera, 3.0" LTPS-TFT color monitor, 32 MB built-in memory, SD Card useable, with different shooting modes, voice recording and direct connection to printer, video 720x400 smile detection, digital antishake, face tracking"

Olympus Mju Stylus 1040 1050SW at Photokina

Olympus were showing the Olympus Mju 1040 - the new ultra camera measures 16.5mm thick, has a 3x optical zoom lens, 10 megapixel sensor, 2.7" screen, face detection, shadow adjustment, perfect shot preview, takes XD and MicroSD, and is be available in silver, red, yellow, and black for £149

Click for more pictures of the 1040 and 1050SW.

The silver 1040 model features a mirror like sliding cover, and the back features brightly lit buttons so that it can be used in the dark.

The new Olympus Mju Stylus 1050SW - the ultra compact 10 megapixel camera is waterproof to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m, freezeproof to -10c, and features a 3x optical zoom lens, face detection, shadow adjustment, perfect shot preview, tap control, and 2.7" screen. It is available in black, gold, silver, pink and blue for £218.

Fujifilm 3D Digital Camera Announced

Fujifilm have announced plans to sell a 3D digital camera - and were showing this prototype at Photokina - the camera features 2 lenses, 2 sensors, and a 2.8" 3D screen on the back. The camera was a 6 megapixel model, records videos in 3D and should be available next year. They were also showing a prototype 3D screen.

"Fujifilm today announces a radical departure from current imaging systems with the development of a completely new, real image system (3D digital camera, 3D digital photo frame, 3D print) that marks a complete break from previous attempts to introduce this technology."

Click for more pictures.

Sanyo VPC-S1070 at Photokina

Sanyo were showing the new Sanyo VPC-S1070 in white at Photokina - the camera features a 10 megapixel sensor, 2.4" screen, 3x optical zoom lens, ISO1600, slim body, digital anti shake and takes AA batteries.

Click for more pictures.

Kodak Easyshare Z8612 IS at Photokina

We had a look at the Kodak Easyshare Z8612 IS - it's an 8 megapixel camera with a 12x optical zoom lens, a 2.5" screen, ISO100 - 3200, and optical image stabilisation. The Kodak Easyshare Z8612 is available for £125

Click for more pictures.

Kodak Easyshare C1013 Announced

Kodak have quietly announced the Kodak Easyshare C1013 - a 10 megapixel budget camera which will be available from the 6th of October - it features a 3x optical zoom lens, 2.4" screen and face detection:

Click for more pictures.

Minox Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF5.0 at Photokina

Minox were showing the compact Minox Rolleiflex Mini Digi AF5.0 replica in red - the camera features a 1.1" LCD screen, 5 megapixel output, miniSD card support.

Minox M3 Gold Displayed at Photokina

Minox were showing the compact Leica M3 Gold - the mini replica camera features a 3 megapixel sensor (interpolated to 5 megapixels), a 1.5" LCD screen, SD card support, and AVI video recording.

Rollei X-8 Sport Ultra Compact at Photokina

Rollei were showing their new Rollei X-8 Sport ultra compact digital camera - Waterproof to 10 metres, Shockproof to 1 metre, and freezeproof to -5 C. It features a 2.5" screen, 3x optical zoom lens, face detection, VGA video mode and 8 megapixel sensor.

Click for more pictures.