Photokina 2016 has now come to a close, and this year’s event saw perhaps some of the biggest announcements we’ve seen at the biannual trade show in recent memory. Below you’ll find all our coverage of the announcements – and hands-on reviews of new kit – from each manufacturer as they unfolded.
We were on hand at Photokina 2016 and can honestly say it was one of the better shows we’ve been to in years. Take a look at our gallery of images from the show above. More to come!
Canon @ Photokina 2016
Hands on Canon EOS M5 review What I expect from the Canon EOS M5 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II Vs the Canon EOS M5
Canon EOS M5: price, specs, release date confirmed
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM promises ‘whisper quiet’ shooting
Fuji @ Photokina 2016
Hands-on Fuji GFX 50S review Fuji explains the thinking behind the GFX system Fuji GFX 50S: new medium format system will add 6 lenses by end of 2016
Fuji: no plans for full-frame system after GFX
Sony @ Photokina 2016
Hands-on Sony Alpha 99 Mark II review Sony A99 II: a look through the menu and quick burst rate test
Sony a99 II: price, specs, release date confirmed
Sony A99 II vs A99: key differences explained
Isn’t it about time Sony properly embraced touchscreens?
Panasonic @ Photokina 2016
Panasonic GH5 unveiled with 6K PHOTO, 4K video at 60p/50p Hands on Panasonic G80 review Hands-on Panasonic FZ2000 review Panasonic LX15 introduces 4K video, f/1.4 lens Panasonic G80: price, specs, release date confirmed New Panasonic FZ2000 offers unlimited 4K video, 20x zoom
Olympus @ Photokina 2016
Hands-on Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II review Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II can shoot full-res raw at 60fps Olympus PEN E-PL8: price, specs, release date confirmed Pro quality standard lens from Olympus Olympus launches Pro travel lens Powerful new Olympus macro launched Olympus: 20 megapixels is the best compromise Olympus changed everything about the E-M1 II on the inside – but kept the outside the same Olympus’ new optical image stabilisation system lets you shoot handheld for 2secs
GoPro @ Photokina 2016
GoPro Hero 5 GoPro Karma announced GoPro Hero 5 Session Hands on GoPro Hero 5 Black review GoPro Hero 5 vs Hero 4
Nikon @ Photokina 2016
Nikon considering full-frame mirrorless camera Nikon KeyMission 170 and KeyMission 80 announced
Leica @ Photokina 2016
Leica unveils SOFORT instant camera
All other cameras @ Photokina 2016
Phase One launches IQ1 100MP digital back, 2 lenses YI M1 offers 4K video, 20MP resolution in $330 debut CSC Yi 4K action camera leads on image quality Hands on Yi M1 review
Lenses @ Photokina 2016
Laowa to launch 7.5mm f/2, 15mm f/2 lenses at Photokina Samyang launches 85mm f/1.2, 14mm f/2.4 premium lenses Sigma unveils 3rd generation 12-24mm zoom Sigma launches 85mm f/1.4 Art lens for ultra-precise bokeh Sigma adds 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM to Sports range
Camera Accessories @ Photokina 2016
Profoto AirTTL Flash lets you shoot wirelessly with your Sony camera up to 1000 feet Bowens Generation X flash range promises ‘game-changing’ lighting BlackRapid announce new Breathe range of camera straps Hahnel updates product range
What is Photokina?
Hosted every two years in Cologne, Germany, Photokina is the world’s largest trade show for the photographic and imaging industries. The first Photokina was held in in 1950, and since 1966 it is hosted biennially in September at the koelnmesse Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre.
Just about every company in the photographic industry from around the world makes its way to Cologne for the event, and Photokina 2016 will be no different.
What’s more, many manufacturers time their bigger announcements of new cameras and lenses to coincide with Photokina, and to this end we expect a number new launches at Photokina 2016.
Of course no one can say for certain at this stage, but if we were betting money on what gets revealed, this is what we expect to see…
Photokina 2016: 01 Canon mirrorless camera
With the EOS 5D Mark IV now on the books, one could understand Canon resting on its laurels until 2017. However, Canon has a history of making big announcements in bunches, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see another significant camera launched at Photokina 2016.
With fairly recent updates at every level in Canon’s system, one logical launch might be a successor to the Canon EOS 6D. But with several full-frame launches in the last year, we wonder if Canon might opt to go a different route…
Despite their high image quality, Canon’s range of EOS M mirrorless cameras just haven’t caught consumers’ attention like the company would have hoped. Canon has seen its offerings eclipsed by innovations from Sony, Fuji hand Olympus.
One knock against them has been what’s perceived as a slow autofocusing system, while the lack of a built-in viewfinder has also been a concern among enthusiast photographers.
We wonder if Canon’s next launch could introduce the EOS M compact system camera we’ve all be waiting for. Some websites have suggested a full-frame mirrorless camera could be coming, and while that would certainly be ambitious, we suspect a more likely option is a new crop-sensor EOS M that builds on these weaknesses that have been holding the EOS M back.
SEE MORE: What is a mirrorless camera: key technology explained
UPDATE Canon has updated its EOS M range with the Canon EOS M5! If we’re honest, this was the one on the list we were most uncertain about. And first impressions of the new Canon camera appear to be very positive!
Photokina 2016: 02 GoPro Hero 5
Another year, another prediction for the GoPro Hero 5, but this time it really seems like the long-awaited action camera is imminent. And Photokina 2016 seems like the perfect venue GoPro to finally make its announcement.
GoPro camera rumours for months have been all over the place, with some suggesting the GoPro Hero 5 could even feature 8K video recording. But in recent weeks, leaked specs and images online have suggested the new GoPro camera will feature a smaller, streamlined body design with fewer direct controls on the body itself in favour a touchscreen interface.
A recent video posted on Vimeo and Reddit appears to give a first view of the Hero5, showing it with a back that looks to be taken up completely with a touchscreen. If this is built-in it makes the existing Touch BacPac obsolete and would simplify control straight from the box.
Along with the reduction in camera size, 4K video recording at 60fps and Full HD at 240fps also seem like strong possibilities.
UPDATE We must admit: we were only about 50% sure of this one. We thought GoPro might stagger the launches and unveil the Hero 5 closer to Christmas, but today we were treated to not only the GoPro Hero 5, but also the Hero 5 Session and Karma drone (see below)!
Photokina 2016: 03 A GoPro drone
Another GoPro? After the Hero 5, one of the other most anticipated new cameras has been GoPro’s first foray into the drone market.
A GoPro drone has been talked about for years now, but it was just this May that the company’s founder and CEO confirmed that one is on its way, and even let slip its name: the GoPro Karma.
Expected to be a quadcopter aimed at consumers and enthusiasts, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see an announcement at Photokina 2016 with a release date just in time for Christmas.
UPDATE: GoPro Karma drone to debut on 19 September
Photokina 2016: 04 Panasonic GH5
Video modes in cameras have come a long way in a short amount of time and, really, Panasonic has been one of the driving forces behind this. The company’s Lumix GH range has been aimed squarely at videographers from Day 1, and its last launch, the 4K-enabled Panasonic GH4 is perhaps just about due for a refresh now that other manufacturers are catching up.
Panasonic has publicly said that it is working towards a camera capable of 8K recording in time for the 2020 Olympic Games, but could the company surprise us all and announce an 8K Lumix GH5 at Photokina 2016?
Many are wondering if this will mean that the GH5 will feature 6K video recording as an interim move.
The ability to record 4K footage at faster frame rates such as 60 or 120fps is also high on the demand list to enable high quality slow motion playback.
This is probably the wild card on our list. We wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t happen at Photokina 2016, but then we wouldn’t be surprised if it did, either. If it is announced, rest assured it will be an innovator, if not a total game-changer, and the other manufacturers will once again have to play catch-up.
Also expect a GH5 to employ built-in V-Log to record low contrast footage for grading, which is currently a paid-for download for the GH4.
UPDATE Panasonic has indeed announced the development of not only the new Lumix GH5, with 6K PHOTO, but a new lens range as well!
SEE MORE: Best cheap cameras that are actually pretty awesome
Photokina 2016: 05 Sony A5200
Sony’s range of A7 cameras has dramatically changed the landscape of the camera market, causing many photographers – and most of all, DSLR purists – to take a second look at mirrorless cameras and finally take them seriously.
But for everything that Sony has done in the mirrorless market, it’s attention has been fairly centred on the high-end models within it range. If you step down a few rungs and look at its entry-level models, you’ll find that not only are there some fantastic options, but they’re also due for a refresh. Chief among these, the Sony A5100.
After a flurry of announcements at the beginning of the year, Sony has been relatively quiet of late. We wonder if Photokina 2016 could see a long-awaited successor to the Sony A5100.
If so, expect an update that includes some of the recent technology introduced in higher-end Sony cameras, but at a more modest price.
With this in mind, we suspect an A5100 replacement will probably maintain a 24-million-pixel count and carry on without a built-in viewfinder. We might see a boost to its AF system, but considering that the A5100 already boasts 204 AF points, this isn’t an urgent need.
Where we will probably see improvement will be in the sensitivity range, which might jump to ISO 100-25,600 (expandable to 51,200) to match the Sony A6300.
SEE MORE: Best travel cameras you can depend on
Photokina 2016: 06 Tons of new lighting and accessories
We know, that’s nice and general, and a safe prediction. But every two years manufacturers unveil loads of new lighting options, lenses, tripods, bags and even software solutions at the popular trade show. So we think Photokina 2016 will probably be no different.
Expect announcements from all the major manufacturers of lenses and camera accessories, as well as companies you’ve never heard of.
We’ll bring you all of the latest announcements and up-to-date information right here in this post, so get your bookmarks on the ready!
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