All you need to know about Photokina

• 14 years ago
• Categories: Canon, Leica, Metz, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Samyang, Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Zeiss

Photokina is the biggest show for photography equipment that takes place every 2 years in Cologne, Germany. This year Photokina will be between September 21- 26. Here is a summary of all rumors, predictions and expectations for the main players in the industry:

• Canon: Canon G12 is a given, based on previous release patterns (they release a new version every year in September). Low chance for a new small/compact DSLR. Pictures of the Canon 60D are already available online, so you know that one is coming. There could be more PowerShots cameras like the S95, SX30 and SX130. I am sure that Canon will also release new lenses as well but I have not idea what exactly.

• Sony: no new Sony full frame camera for Photokina but plenty of APS-C cameras: at least three, maybe even four - A33, A55, A560 and A580. Lenses: new set of Zeiss lenses for the NEX system and maybe a new set of Alpha prime lenses (some of them could be Zeiss).

• Pentax: full frame camera from Pentax probably won't happen this year. There is a very good chance that there will be a new Pentax EVIL camera at Photokina. On the DSLR front Pentax will release new K-5 and K-r models.

• Samsung: a new NX100 mirrorless camera, new 20-50mm f/3.5-5.6 and 20mm pancake lenses are expected. A 60mm macro lens is also a possibility.

• Panasonic: a new GH (probably called GH2) and a new GF cameras (the GF1 was announced in September, 2009). New m4/3 lenses are also expected: 14mm f/2.5 and the 100-300mm lens.

• Olympus: Olympus E-3 successor is certain and probably a new PEN, since they are on a 6 months refresh cycle: the E-P2 was released in November 2009, the E-PL1 was released in May, 2010 - you do the math.

• Ricoh: the rumor is that Ricoh will release a Micro Four Thirds module for their GXR system.

• Sinar: new digital back.

• Metz: will probably release the Mecablitz 58 AF-2 flash.

• Nikon: see the complete Nikon report here.

• Leica: see the complete Leica report here.

Lenses manufacturers after the break:

• Sigma: Sigma will probably join the  EVIL world and will show at least a prototype of a mirrorless camera at Photokina. Besides that, the only other rumor I have is about a new Sigma 300-800mm F/5.6 lens.

• Samyang: a new 35mm f/1.4 lens will be announced at Photokina.

• Tamron: there were some reprots that Tamron will release lenses for the Sony NEX and Samsung NX mirrorless systems: 24-50mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 75-200mm f/4.5-6.3 VR and a 90mm f/3.5 VR macro lenses. Another rumor indicated Tamron could start producing m4/3 lenses.

• Zeiss: a new Zeiss Distagon ZF 1.4/35 already showed up in some online catalogs.

• Tokina: a new Tokina 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ATX840 D zoom lens was rumored a while back.