Photokina Recap: New Gear from Canon, Nikon, Leica, Samsung, Fuji, Panasonic, Sony and More!

Yes, as we predicted, there’s been a ton of new photo gear announced for the photokina 2014 show in Cologne, Germany. We’re still here covering the show and there’s been so much photo gear news this past week, it’s actually hard for even us to remember some of what’s been announced.

So, as a quick refresher course for all of us, here’s a breakdown of all the major photo news that’s happened in the past week with links to the original stories for more information and images.

New DSLRs

Nikon dropped the biggest pre-show news a week ago in announcing the new Nikon 24.3MP, full-frame D750 DSLR.

Meanwhile, Canon unveiled it’s own DSLR the day before the start of the photokina: the long awaited Canon EOS 7D Mark II, which uses a 20.2MP APS-C sensor and features a revamped autofocus system and 10fps burst speed.

After the Canon 7D Mark II was announced, we got some hands-on time with it and put its vaunted speed to the test while shooting photos of trampoline acrobats doing flip along the Rhine River in Cologne.

Mirrorless and Compact Cameras

As per usual at photokina, Leica made a big splash by announcing several new rangefinder and compact cameras. Most interestingly (and, perhaps, most controversially), the Wezlar, Germany-based company unveiled the M Edition 60 digital rangefinder, which has no LCD screen on back, just an ISO adjuster dial.

Leica followed that announcement up with another unusual debut: the M-A, a mechanical rangefinder that uses film (remember film?) and does not require batteries.  

Samsung made what was, arguably, the biggest camera announcement of the show by unveiling the NX1, a pro-level, flagship mirrorless camera that uses a 28MP BSI CMOS, APS-C sensor that can shoot 4K video.

Panasonic introduced a premium compact camera at photokina, the 12.8 Lumix DMC-LX100, which uses a Micro Four Thirds sensor, features a Leica-branded, F/1.7 lens, and can shoot 4K video

Canon debuted its own premium compact at photokina, the 20MP PowerShot G7 X, which uses a 1-inch CMOS image sensor and features a flip-up, 3-inch touchscreen LCD.

Fuji, meanwhile, announced the stealthy, premium X100T digital rangefinder-style camera and a “Graphite Silver” version of the XT-1 rugged, mirrorless model. We got some hands-on time with both models at photokina.

Medium Format Cameras

Along with the new M series rangefinders, Leica unveiled an upgraded Leica S (Type 007) medium-format camera at photokina, with a new CMOS sensor and Leica Maestro II image processor, which helps it shoot up to 3.5 frames per second.

Hasselblad, meanwhile, took the wraps off a revamped H5D-50c model, with built-in WiFi and few other new features.

Lenses

Sigma unveiled two long-zooming 150-600mm lenses, new teleconverters, and pricing and other details for its upcoming 18-300mm lens.

Tamron was showcasing a SP 15-30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A012) wide-angle zoom lens at photokina that is currently in development.

Sony announced a new Zeiss-branded 16-35mm f/4, wide-angle zoom lens for E-mount cameras.

Nikon introduced a Nikkor 20mm F/1.8 ED lens along with a new SB-500 Speedlight flash.

Canon debuted three new lenses including a 400mm supertelephoto.

Samsung announced a new long-zooming but surprisingly compact NX 50-150mm F2.8 S OIS lens.

Fuji introduced the Fujinon XF50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR and Fujinon XF56mm F1.2 R APD lenses for its X-series cameras, and we got some hands-on time with them.

Bags & Software

MindShift Gear revealed two new rotating, photo backpacks for outdoor photographers.

Think Tank Photo dropped three new photo bags at photokina, including two limited edition models.

And finally, Phase One launched its Capture One Pro 8 imaging software at Photokina.

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