WHAT’S HOT | BREAKING NEWS | ANNOUNCEMENTS BY COMPANY JUST IN! •GO TO THE NEWS DESKDay 1 live report •Day 2 live reportToday’s Live Report: DSLR Trends • Video Rush • Getting SmallerPhotokina Trends:The DSLR Market MaturesBy Jason Schneider, Reporting from PhotokinaSept. 25: The once unassailable supremacy of the big international Photokina show in Cologne, Germany has been challenged by other imaging expos, notably the PMA show in Las Vegas, but it still remains a bellwether of future trends and the focus of key product announcements. Photokina 2008 was certainly no exception, and most of the hoopla was focused on the DSLR market, though there were rafts of new point-and-shoot cameras, media storage devices, bag, tripods, lenses, printers and much else to keep the intrepid journalists covering the show footsore and typing into the night.The Great Video Rush of 2008Emerging seemingly out of left field was a mad rush to incorporate video capability into DSLRs. The Nikon D90, a worthy and commendable camera for a multitude of engaging reasons like fast 12MP capture, brilliant performance at high ISOs, and an enticing price point of under $1,000 (body only) was instantly lionized by the press for being able to shoot HD movie clips, really one of its minor attributes and without benefit of focus tracking. Okay, it was the first DSLR able to shoot movies so maybe everyone got overly excited. But then along comes Canon with the EOS 5D Mark II, a $2,700 pro/prosumer model that can shoot full-frame HD movies in higher resolution and does have basic focus tracking, and all of a sudden we’re off to the races. Even Panasonic, who had just brought forth one of the big hits of the show, the Micro Four Thirds-format Lumix G1, immediately jumped on the bandwagon announcing that a new version with HD movie capability would be coming out in the spring. Call it the latest example of technological convergence, but is sure looks like HD movie capability, along with its pretty sister Live View, will be a must-have feature in all future DSLRs. No it’s not a bad thing—it just gives consumers and enthusiasts more options, and it’s sure to please photojournalists, many of whom had to carry separate DSLRs and camcorders to shoot stills and video clips.Let’s Get SmallTwo more trends to watch are exemplified in that aforementioned Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 DSLR downsizing and offering DSLRs in a variety of delicious colors, just like point-and-shoots. Both trends had parallels back in 35mm days—remember the teensy Olympus OM-1 and the colorful Swiss Alpa SLRs available in gold with red, green or reptilian coverings? Well for the record, the G1 is not as small as the ads at Photokina (showing the camera held in between a thumb and forefinger) would have you believe—in fact it’s about the same size as the (non-Micro) standard Four Thirds format Olympus E-420 with its pancake lens. However, there were (disavowed) rumors than Samsung was developing an APS-C-sensor DSLR based on the same no-mirror, shorter back focus, hi-res EVF formula as the G1 (this, of course would require yet another lens mount), and the same approach can certainly be used to produce an ultra-compact, rangefinder style interchangeable-lens digital camera, a trial balloon floated by Olympus that generated considerable buzz. Serious amateurs and pros will not, in my opinion, be tempted by electronic viewfinder (EVF) DSLRs of any size unless their viewfinders show an even smoother, sharper real time image than the very good one in the G1. However, for the multitude broad-spectrum, entry-level DSLRs, the future is clear. Size matters, and smaller (and more colorful) is better for expanding the DSLR mass market , which also happens to includes a large percentage of female consumers Pre-Show Coverage and Analysis:We’ve been watching the trends and covering the news as pre-photokina announcements have been made in the six weeks leading up to September 23. Follow these links to get the news and perspective.11 Photokina 2008 PredictionsBudget compact cameras getting feature upgradesSystem compacts become a growth categoryLast Tuesday in August? It must be Canon DayNikon Strikes BackThe Calm Before The StormSony Alpha 900: Introducing The Third WheelLeica M8.2 smooths over rough spotsMicro Four Thirds: And So It BeginsCanon Vs. Nikon (and Sony): Game OnVaporware and real cameras on press preview day Latest show news:Sept. 25: Arca-Swiss precision DSLR with 4×5 control Sept. 25: The only new film camera at Photokina? Sept. 25: Rodenstock reveals tilt-shift lenses for DSLRs Sept. 25: Schneider adds new B+W FiltersSept. 25: Lensbaby Composer: Ball-head lens really swings!Sept. 25: New Domke bags: Classic look, more features Sept. 25: You’ll flip over the latest Storboframe folding flash bracketSept. 25: GE shows pair of 10MP compact cameras Sept. 25: Fast CMOS sensor coming soon to compacts Sept. 25: Joby’s Gorillapod Focus: Bigger, Stronger Sept. 25: Samsung demos wireless connection for all digital camerasSept. 24: Hasselblad unveils 50MP flagship H3DII-50 camera Announcements by company:AdobePhotoshop CS4 has powerful new image editing featuresAdobe unveils Creative Suite 4 Adobe suprise: Photoshop Elements 7AgfaAgfa compact has 3-inch touch screen Agfa compact camera has 28mm lens AptinaFast CMOS sensor coming soon to compacts AuthentechAuthentech upgrades image editing software Authentech announces pro version of Perfectly Clear BibbleBibble updates workflow softwareBillinghamBillingham unveils shoulder pads Canon Canon full-frame EOS 5D Mark II adds movies, 21MP Canon revamps 24mm f/1.4L lens Canon announces G10, new flagship compact Canon’s new digital Elphs add higher tech Canon unveils SX10, 20x superzoom camera Canon EOS 50D SpecificationsCanon reveals EOS 50D: enthusiast DSLR with pro edge Canon announces 18-200mm superzoom lens Canon debuts PowerShot E1 for teens, tweens Canon expands compact camera line-up Pair of photo printers from CanonCanon unveils Wi-Fi all-in-one printersNew Canon compact photo printer carries 1GB Scanner trio new from Canon Canon intro’s pair of photo all-in-ones Three new hi-def camcorders from Canon CasioCasio intro’s high-speed superzoom camera Zit zapper leads Casio digital camera trio DelkinDelkin announces SensorScope, New Wands Delkin pop-up shades for Canon, Nikon DSLRs DalsaDalsa 6 micron pixel sensors lead way DomkeNew Domke bags: Classic look, more features Epson Epson unveils sub-$100 all-in-onesInnovations: Epson announces hi-rez 4-inch LCD Epson announces feature-packed Artisan all-in-ones Epson upgrades high-end photo storage/viewers Epson reveals $99 photo scanner Eye-FiAdoramaPix Partners with Eye-FiEye-Fi card firmware to double transfer speed Eye-Fi, Nikon collaborate on custom D90 Wi-Fi Fujifilm Fujifilm announces new print media New Fuji sensor boasts high dynamic range, resolution Fujifilm announces 3D digital photo system Fuji’s F60fd first compact cam with Face Detect 3.0 New Fujifilm superzoom camera is first with HD Fujifilm compact features wide zoom, low price Fujifilm brings on teen-bling FinePix Z200fd GE GE shows pair of 10MP compact cameras Geotate Geotate announces world’s first geotagging camcorder Gitzo New Gitzo monopod is first designed for sports shooters HasselbladHasselblad unveils 50MP flagship H3DII-50 cameraHasselblad offers wide-angle 35-90mm zoom Hasselblad expands Tilt Shift Adapter capacityHPHP announces pair of photo printers HP Digital picture framesIlfordIlford gives Galerie papers a facelift Jobo JOBO AG Launches photoGPS at Photokina 2008 15-inch Jobo digital frame holds a GigNew 15-inch frame from Jobo holds 1GB Joby Joby’s Gorillapod Focus: Bigger, Stronger Kingston Kingston adds 32GB SDHC cardKodakMegapixel madness strikes 14MP Kodak compact Kodak CCDs landing in pro cameras Kodak wireless AIO promises ink savings Kodak reveals world’s first OLED wireless frame Kodak Ektar 100 new fine-grain color neg film Kodak announces touch-controlled digital frame LGLG Digital Photo Frame packs DVD Player LeafHigh-end sensor wars! Leaf’s is 56MP LeicaLeica shocks photo world: 37MP, 30x45mm sensor S2 DSLRLeica M8.2, digital rangefinder remixLeica Viewfinder M sees at 21, 24mmLeica Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8 bargain lens?Leica Summilux M 24mm and 21mm lenses Leica f/0.95 lens smashes optical barrierLeica unveils compact Pradovit D-1200 projector Leica unveils D-Lux 4, its first system compact Leica C-Lux 3 10MP compact has 25mm zoom lensLensbabyLensbaby Composer: Ball-head lens really swings! Lensbaby overhauls its funky lens lineLexarLexar boosts pro CF card speed to 233x Lexar announces Wi-Fi SD memory card Lexar boosts speed in 16GB memory card duo Lexar introduces 300X 16GB CF cardLumiQuestLumiquest announces flash gel holder, bigger Softbox MamiyaMamiya puts some zip in its digital back Mamiya announces lenses, 4×5 adapter for ZD back MetzMetz unveils wireless mecablitz macro flash MinoxMinox returns to spy camera bizNikNik redefines Dfine Nik bundles software collection Nikon Prime time for redesigned Nikon 50mm lens Complete Nikon D90 Specifications Breakthrough Nikon D90 is first DSLR with video New Nikon 18-105mm kit lens bundled with D90 Nikon’s new P6000 flagship compact adds RAW, GPS Nikon’s S560 stresses user friendliness 14.5MP Nikon S710 has ISO fever, advanced features Nikon introduces S610 family cam Nikon unveils touch-control S60 compact camera Nikon Coolpix S610C next gen Wi-Fi camera OlympusOlympus Micro Four Thirds camera in the works Olympus winterizes its waterproof, shockproof 1050SW Olympus stylish Stylus 1040 slims down Olympus shrinks 20x superzoom camera Olympus mju 1060 features long zoom Olympus FE370, FE360 are packed with tech Olympus, Panasonic shrink Four Thirds DSLRs onOneonOne announces Photoshop CS4 compatability Panasonic Panasonic unveils world’s first interchangeable lens EVF camera Panasonic DMC-G1 SpecificationsFirst Micro Four Thirds Lenses Announced Olympus, Panasonic shrink Four Thirds DSLRs Panasonic unveils posh DMC-LX3 compact digital camera Panasonic unveils a 14.7MP compact camera Pocketable Panasonic camera boasts 25mm wide-angle optics New Panasonic Superzoom boasts 27-486mm f/2.8 lens New Pair of Smart Panasonic HD Camcorders Unveiled Panasonic introduces 6- and 12GB SDHC cards PentaxPentax K2000: Back to basics in style Pentax unveils two DSLR new kit lensesPentax to show wide angle, converter lens mock-ups Pentax unveils 2 high-performance lenses Slim Pentax M60 can choose scene mode automatically $140 10MP compact digital camera from Pentax Phase One Phase One announces 60MP back A shift in perspective for Phase OnePhotodexPhotodex ProShow creates Blu-ray slide shows Pretec World’s First 100GB CF Card to be shown Prophoto Profoto flash generator recycles in 0.9 seconds Ricoh Ricoh adds 7x zoom to R10 SamsungSamsung demos wireless connection for all digital camerasSamsung announces new digital photo frames SanDiskSandisk announces 32GB HD card with 30MB/s transfer Sandisk Extreme III SDHC boasts 50% speed jump SigmaSigma macro flash for Pentax, Sigma DSLRsSigma announces fast, compact midrange zoom Sigma announces fisheye lenses for Sony, Pentax Sigma 100mm tele for Four Thirds Sigma SD15 DSLR announced Sigma SD2 system compact features 24mm lens SanyoSanyo Xacti E2 chases underwater faces SmartpartsSmartparts adds advanced WiFi frameSony Sony announces 300x 16GB CF card a900, Sony’s first full-frame DSLR, has landedSony announces wide and long zooms for Alpha 900Slim Sony camera adds HD video Sony’s thinnest camera holds 4GBStroboframeYou’ll flip over the latest Storboframe folding flash bracketSunexSunex showing fisheye lenses, products TamronNew Tamron 10-24mm lens for small sensor DSLRs Tamron 70-200mm lens now for Pentax, Sony DSLRs Tamron’s new 90mm Macro for full-frame Nikon Tamron announces breakthrough 15x zoom lens XriteXrite i1Pro Line announced ZeissZeiss 21mm lens for Canon, Nikon and Pentax Zeiss unveils ZE lenses with Canon EF mount © 2008 Adorama |