Photokina 2008 Preview

Photokina 2008 takes place September 23-28, 2008 in Cologne, Germany. Photokina is a trade fair for the photographic and imaging sector. It takes place every two years and, in 2006, featured 1,579 exhibitors from 46 countries and over 162,492 from 156 countries.

PMA 2008 was a huge event with the announcement of a number of new cameras, including the Canon Rebel XSi, Nikon D60, Pentax K20D, Sony A300, A350 and many more. See Photography Bay’s PMA 2008 Report for more.

PMA 2008 also left us with some teasers and rumors from several camera manufacturers. Leading up to Photokina 2008, these rumors, teasers and news bits will most certainly increase with exponential force. Photography Bay will follow these stories and maybe even come up with its own predictions and thoughts along the way.

Below you will find the compilation of rumors, news and predictions for the various manufacturers which are expected to be exhibitors at Photokina 2008.

Canon

Canon will likely continue to drop some updated point and shoot models on us, as most manufacturers tend to do at tradeshows. There’s also a lot of things that could happen in the DSLR realm as well.

Canon Rebel XS / 1000D

In Canon’s update to their imaging software, Digital Photo Professional, the help file indicates that the new version supported the Canon Rebel XS / 1000D. No other details were revealed and it appears to have been removed from the current downloadable version of this software. This slip up, if that’s what it is, seems like a surefire confirmation of a coming entry-level camera from Canon. It’s expected to replace the Rebel XTi / 400D. Specifications have also been rumored, which suggest a 10.1 megapixel sensor with DIGIC III processing and Live View.

The Canon Rebel XS is currently available at Amazon.

Read more on Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel XS / 1000D page.

Canon 50D

No one really expected the Canon 50D to appear at Photokina 2008 due in large part to Canon’s religious adherence to an 18 month cycle for the 10D-40D models (the 40D is only 12 months old); however, recent pressure from Nikon, Sony and others may mean that Canon is going to try to get back on top of the game with something better, stronger, faster.  Again, this is still very much in rumor mode, but there’s a lot of chatter about a 50D.

Stay tuned to the latest on Photography Bay’s Canon 50D page.

Canon 5D Mark II

The big news everyone is anticipating relates to the rumored Canon 5D Mark II (also, rumored as a 3D, 6D or even 7D). The acclaimed EOS 5D will have been on the market for 3 years in fall 2008, which makes it more than due for an update. You can follow all the latest rumors and news on Photography Bay’s Canon 5D Mark II Rumors page.

Canon 1D Mark IIIn or Mark IV

Additionally, there has been a bit of buzz in the rumor mill on a replacement to the ill-fated Canon EOS 1D Mark III. The autofocusing issues with the Mark III resulted in a huge publicity blow to Canon, which came on the heels of Nikon’s introduction of the highly regarded D3 and D300. All these factors make the introduction of a replacement to the Mark III a viable possibility. You can catch the latest rumblings on Photography Bay’s Canon 1D Mark IV Rumors page.

Lenses

At PMA 2008, Canon introduced a new consumer level EF-S 55-250mm IS lens. Also new to the lineup was the EF 200mm f/2L IS lens and the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. There really hasn’t been much speculation or rumors regarding new lenses for this year. However, many people have been asking for an IS version of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.

Nikon

Like Canon, Nikon will surely update several point and shoot cameras at Photokina. The big news that we’re all waiting for, however, is in Nikon’s DSLR lineup.

Nikon Coolpix P6000
The Nikon P6000 is a point and shoot pocket camera with advanced features. The big feature to the P6000 is the capability to capture images in RAW format, which its predecssor, the P5100, does not offer. It’s also offers a 13.5 megapixel sensor.

이번에 출시된 니콘의 쿨픽스 P6000은 가장 큰 특징이 내장현 GPS 이다. 위치정보가 사진 파일에 함께 저장되어 매우 편리한 제품. 하이엔드 라인으로 1350만 화소의 해상도, 와이드 앵글 4배 줌 렌즈, Ethernet연결기능을 갖추어 사지니 공유가 편리하다고 한다.

Check the Nikon P6000 availability at Amazon.com.

You can read more on this point and shoot on Nikon P6000 page.

Nikon D90

Everything in Nikon’s DSLR line is current . . . except for the D80. The D80 will reach its 2 year birthday this summer, which is 6 months longer than the typical life cycle of an entry-level DSLR. Some have speculated that the D70/D80 line may be dead since Nikon has released 3 entry-level cameras in just over a year’s time - the D40, D40x and D60. However, most pundits and gearheads smell a Nikon D90 in the works. There was quite a bit of rumor rumbling prior to PMA in January 2008; however, Nikon “only” announced a rather mildly updated Nikon D60. (See Photography Bay’s Nikon D60 Review)

UPDATE: The Nikon D90 is all but a sure thing.  Screen shots, inventory queues and images of the Nikon D90 have been leaked over July and August.

The current projected announcement for the Nikon D90 is August 27, 2008. For the latest (and full details once it’s announced), visit Photography Bay’s Nikon D90 page.

Nikon D700

The D700 is a 12.1 megapixel, full frame DSLR, which features the image quality found in the pro-level Nikon D3, yet it has the more compact size of the Nikon D300. The D700 has a retail price tag of $2999 USD. It was announced on July 1, 2008 and should be available prior to Photokina 2008. However, expect to see the D700 prominently featured at the Nikon booth at Photokina.

The D700 is currently available at several vendors:

• Amazon (body only)
• Amazon (w/ 24-120mm VR lens)
• Adorama (body only)
• Ritz Camera (body only)
• Ritz Camera (w/ 24-120 VR lens)
  
• Wolf Camera (body only)
• Wolf Camera (w/ 24-120 VR lens)
• Camera World (body only)
• Camera World (w/ 24-120 VR lens)

For more news, reviews and other resources, visit Photography Bay’s Nikon D700 page.

Nikon D800 or D900

After the Nikon D700 was introduced, rumors surrounding the Nikon D3x (discussed below) shifted merely in name to the Nikon D800 or D900. Very little is known other than that these are more educated guesses than any confirmed naming conventions.

Photography Bay has posted rumor pages for both the Nikon D800 and Nikon D900. Stay tuned for future updates on whether these cameras will come to fruition.

Nikon D10

In May 2008, rumors began to surface of a mid-range, full frame DSLR from Nikon that’s positioned between the Nikon D300 and D3 price points and would be a direct competitor to the Canon 5D (or maybe the 5D Mark II). The impetus for these rumors seems to stem, in part, from Nikon’s release of the MB-10 vertical grip for the Nikon D300. Nikon has traditionally named it’s vertical grips consistently with the DSLR models that they “go with” (e.g. MB-D200 was for the D200).

These rumors have subsided for the most part since the introduction of the Nikon D700 on July 1, 2008. The D700 fits the rumored description of the Nikon D10. Still yet, you can follow any other rumors of the Nikon D10 on Photography Bay’s Nikon D10 page.

Nikon D3x

I know I said Nikon’s line is current; however, something Nikon has never been able to do is to compete with Canon’s flagship 1Ds series. The introduction of the Nikon D3 last year brought with it speculation of a super pixel full-frame competitor to the Canon 1Ds Mark III. When Sony announced development of a 24 megapixel CMOS sensor earlier this year, the rumors started heating up even more. Nikon has been using Sony CCD sensors in their DSLRs for several generations. The introduction of Sony into the DSLR realm may have shaken this relationship up a little bit. Will Nikon introduce a D3X with the Sony CMOS 24 megapixel behemoth or does Nikon have another in-house surprise up its sleeve? Follow this Nikon D3X Rumors page for the latest rumors, speculations, and news as it develops.

Lenses

There are rumors of several new lenses in Nikon’s lineup. Among these rumors are replacements for the popular 70-200mm VR and 80-400mm VR lenses. Renowned cycling photographer, Graham Watson may have spilled the beans on the 70-200mm VR replacement, which makes it almost a sure thing for a Photokina appearance.

Accompanying the Nikon D90 should be the availability of a 16-105mm VR kit lens.  Again, this is almost a sure thing along with the D90.  Check back soon for the latest word on this new lens.

Olympus

Four Thirds System

If anyone’s heard, nobody’s saying. Olympus dropped a bit of a bombshell last year with their flagship E-3, which presently sits at a comfortable sub-$1500 price point. That’s a tough act to follow only a year later. However, with all the DSLR manufacturers going megapixel crazy, I suppose we could see Olympus jumping on the bandwagon and push out a high-megapixel something with more of a “pro” price tag.

Don’t expect any updates to the lower end of the EVOLT cameras though. Earlier this year, Olympus updated the E-410 and E-510 with the E-420 and E-520, respectively. Both of these DSLRs rest at a very consumer-friendly price point. Expect the earliest updates to these cameras to be unveiled next year at PMA.

Perhaps Olympus DSLR users will see some new lenses added to their four thirds system. Olympus introduced their Supersonic Wave Drive lenses last fall, which Olympus touted as the fastest AF in the world when used with the Olympus E-3. (Read more here: Olympus SWD Lenses) Since the announcement, Olympus has been rather quiet on additional SWD lens announcements. Photokina would be a good time to show off some additional lenses for the four thirds system.

Micro Four Thirds System

Just about the same time I updated my speculations on the Four Thirds System above, Olympus decided to surprise us all with a Micro Four Thirds System, which essentially uses the same 2x crop sensor from the Four Thirds System; however, Olympus has done away with the mirror box in order to make their small cameras even smaller.  Expect to see lots more of the new Micro Four Thirds System at Photokina.

For now, you can read the press releases and additional thoughts on Photography Bay’s Micro Four Thirds System coverage.

Pentax

As noted below, the Pentax K20D was developed in conjunction with the Samsung GX-20. Samsung’s rumors of a full frame DSLR in development could be signs of what’s to come for Pentax as well. For some time now, Pentax has been rumored to be developing a digital 645 medium format camera. That project was apparently put on hold a few months back, which certainly seems to endorse rumors of the development of a full frame DSLRs. In summary, we could see a Pentax K2D at Photokina 2008 that sports a 20+ megapixel sensor as a step up from the 14 megapixel K20D.

Samsung

The Samsung GX-20 was co-developed with the Pentax K20D. Unfortunately for Samsung, the GX-20 has been overshadowed by the Pentax K20D even though they are nearly the same camera. Recent news of a full-frame Samsung camera has boosted the buzz about Samsung’s DSLR plans though. Whether Samsung will announce the GX-2 (or whatever it’ll be called) at Photokina remains to be seen.

Sony

Sony has really shaken up to the DSLR industry over the past couple of years. Since the introduction of the A100, Sony has brought us the A200, A300, A350 and A700. Sony has also revealed a “flagship” Alpha DLSR, strongly rumored to be called the A900. The A900 will most likely feature the announced 24 megapixel CMOS sensor from Sony. All signs point to a fall release for the A900, which should coincide nicely with Photokina 2008. Look for a big press release a few days prior to Photokina that gives us all the details on the Sony A900. Follow the latest news and rumors on Photography Bay’s Sony A900 Rumors page.

All this means Sony takes the DSLR market seriously. I suppose we could see Sony drop in a new DSLR for the consumer audience as well. If you look at Sony’s approach to the point and shoot camera market, you’ll notice that they release several cameras that overlap in features and price range. They’ve done the same with the bottom end of their DSLR range from the A200 to the A350. Could Sony flank the A700 with more prosumer DSLRs? I think so. It could be a good move on Sony’s part to help appeal to niche audiences that want something a little more or less than what’s available on the A700.

Sigma

Sigma SD15

It’s coming. That much has been said. What are the specs? That much has not. Sigma really needs to step up and deliver big if it plans on playing with the big boys in the DSLR market though. The Sigma SD14 appeals to a specific niche market. It’s not an everyman’s camera. The SD15 will have the same Foveon sensor and pixel count as the SD14 but will reflect some of the technological progress made during the development of the DP1. I would really like for Sigma to make a user-friendly camera that appeals to a wider audience.

You can follow the latest news and rumors on the SD15 on Photography Bay’s Sigma SD15 page.

Lenses

Sigma really came through at PMA 2008 with a number of lenses that cater to the demand of Nikon D40, D40x and D60 users with the internal HSM motor. If you haven’t used an HSM equipped lens from Sigma, you’re really missing out. They focus so much faster than their standard focusing mechanism. You can bet that Sigma will continue this trend at Photokina 2008.

Tamron

Like Sigma, Tamron wants to impress entry level users by incorporating internal focusing and image stabilization into their lenses. No news yet, but you also expect Tamron to deliver some new lenses with these features at Photokina.

Tokina

Same goes for Tokina. I don’t really expect anything ground breaking from any of these third-party lens makers, but you never know. In the mean time, keep image stabilization and built-in motors on your watch list.


http://www.photographybay.com/2008/08/21/canon-50d-info-leaked-real-specs/
http://www.photographybay.com/2008/08/14/canon-50d/