photokina2018
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Photokina marks a massive upheaval in the camera landscape
Remember the days when Panasonic was dedicated to Micro Four Thirds cameras and Nikon and Canon wanted you to see their latest DSLRs? That was so last month. Over the last 35 days or so, Nikon launched a pair of mirrorless full-frame cameras, the Z6 and Z7, along with the all-new Z-Mount system. Canon then went and announced its full-frame EOS R mirrorless camera and RF mount. This week at Photokina, Panasonic, Sigma and Leica unveiled the L-Mount alliance and Pansonic announced the Lumix S1R and S1 full-frame mirrorless cameras. Sigma will reveal its own full-frame L-Mount model soon too. There hasn't been this much major camera news in ages, and camera fans -- who tend to be loyal to their preferred brands -- have a lot to digest. You can put much of the credit (or blame, if you hate mirrorless) on Sony's success with its A7 mirrorless full-frame lineup, but it's also clear that these models and alliances have been in the works for a long time. All of this is a good thing for buyers, once you sort out the pluses and minuses of all the new models, so let's take a look, shall we?
Sony's full-frame mirrorless cameras finally have some competition
Since the launch of the A7 and A7R in 2013, Sony has had virtually no competition in the full-frame mirrorless space. Major players like Canon, Nikon and Panasonic were keeping their focus on other camera formats, such as APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, point-and-shoots and full-frame DSLRs. But that's all starting to change. At Photokina 2018, Panasonic introduced its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1R and S1, which feature 47- and 24-megapixel sensors, respectively. While these are still in development and likely won't launch until next year, the fact that Panasonic has finally given in and is making a full-frame mirrorless shows Sony is about to start facing some serious competition. It validates all the efforts the company's been making in that market for the past few years, leading up to the gold standard that's its latest model, the A7 III.
Zeiss' first digital camera is the ZX1 full-frame compact
Zeiss has unveiled its first-ever digital camera, the interesting and exotic ZX1 compact. It has a full-frame 37.4-megapixel sensor and a fixed 35mm f/2.0 T* lens, putting it into exclusive company with Sony's RX1 and the Leica Q. The boxy body is distinctive, to say the least, with a triangular grip and bright yellow lettering on the lens and dials. Most notably, Zeiss teamed up with Adobe to build Lightroom CC into the camera, letting you shoot, tweak and share images.
The new mirrorless cameras you can buy soon
Photokina 2018 has been great for camera fans, particularly those who love mirrorless shooters. At the event in Cologne, Germany, we saw a few new models from big players like Fujifilm and Panasonic -- some medium format, others full frame. Whatever system you prefer, there's no doubt you won't have any shortage of options if you're looking to buy a mirrorless camera in the near future. There already plenty of great ones in stores right now, such as Sony's A7 III, but Photokina brought us more mirrorless cameras to look forward to. Let's take a look at the best of them.
Panasonic's full-frame mirrorless S1R is loaded with potential
Yesterday, Panasonic made a big splash by announcing the L-Mount alliance with Leica and Sigma, and unveiling its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Lumix S1 and S1R. The 24- and 47-megapixel cameras, respectively, are still prototypes and the specs aren't final, but they look promising. Both have built-in image stabilization, a large, high-resolution EVF, triaxial tilt LCD for both selfie photographers and vloggers, the highest flash sync speeds on the market, and double slots for SD and XQD cards. We were able to get our hands on the S1R, and although the camera was non-operational, the design and layout are nearly final. As such, I was able to check out the handling of the camera and compare it to Panasonic's flagship GH5. So far, in terms of dials and buttons, I prefer it to what Canon and Nikon have done. Where Canon tried some bold layout changes on the EOS R, Panasonic has stuck to a more traditional and more tactile layout.
Fujifilm shakes it off with a Taylor Swift-themed instant camera
Fujifilm is no stranger to collaborating with people from other industries, particularly when it comes to its instant cameras. A couple of years ago, the company worked with designer Michael Kors on a special, fashionable edition of the Instax Mini 70, and now it's enlisting none other than Taylor Swift to help it sell its retro cameras. Pictured above is the Taylor Swift Edition of Fujifilm's first analog square-format shooter, the SQ6, which was apparently designed by the pop star herself.
A closer look at Fujifilm's GFX 50R and GFX 100 medium format cameras
We knew coming into Photokina 2018 that Fujifilm had some big plans for the event, and the company did not disappoint with its announcements. Aside from introducing the Instax Square SQ20, Fujifilm's had two major reveals at the show: the GFX 50R and GFX 100. These are medium format mirrorless cameras, powered by system Fujifilm likes to call Super Full Frame, that come with large sensors and a hefty price tag. The GFX 50R, for starters, is essentially a successor to the GFX 50S from 2017, which was $6,500 when it launched. Inside, it's nearly identical to the 50S, sporting a 51.4-megapixel sensor, 100-12,800 ISO range a 400-shot battery capacity and a weather-sealed body.
Fujifilm's Square SQ20 is an ideal modern instant camera
Over the past few years, Fujifilm has been trying hard to make instant cameras a thing again. And the company has introduced yet another model at Photokina 2018. The Instax Square SQ20 follows the SQ10 from 2017, featuring a similar hybrid instant system that lets you print out Polaroid-style photos while simultaneously giving you access to a small touchscreen. That retro tech combined with digital features is what makes Fujifilm's SQ line appealing to new and old generations alike.
Fujifilm's rotating lens projector adjusts to your viewing space
If you need to adjust your projector to get a better picture or beam to a different part of the room, you don't have many choices -- you might only have slight adjustments to the lens itself, and might have to move the entire projector in some cases. And that's assuming you can move it at all. Fujifilm will soon have a solution, though, as it's developing the first projector with a two-axis rotatable lens. The design lets you not only fine-tune the placement, but dramatically change the direction without having to move the whole unit. You could project on the living room wall for movie night and switch to the ceiling when you're resting on the couch, or stuff a projector into a narrow space while maintaining a horizontal aspect ratio.
Fujifilm's Instax Square SQ20 uses video to improve instant photos
Fujifilm has unveiled a new Instax Square camera, the SQ20, that uses new tricks to help you capture the ideal moment. Like the original Instax Square SQ10, it shoots square, Instagram-like photos from the digital sensor, then prints out the photo right away, Polaroid style. The SQ20 has a new trick, however. By capturing up to 15 seconds of video, you can cherry pick the best still image. You can also use it to create a faux long exposure by adding motion blur, and another option, "time shift collage," gives you a sequence of up to four photos all on one frame.
Fujifilm's GFX-50R is a smaller 'budget' medium format camera
Two years ago, Fujifilm made a fateful decision to skip over full-frame mirrorless cameras and go bigger with the medium-format GFX-50S. Now, it's doubling down on that with the 51.4-megapixel GFX-50R, a smaller and cheaper version of the original. As the rumor mill had suggested, it looks a lot like its compact X-E3 mirrorless camera, but don't be thinking you'll slide this into your pocket. It's still a 775 gram camera (without a lens) that outweighs Sony's A7R III and at $4,500, costs a lot more, too.
Fujifilm shows off an insane 100-megapixel medium format camera
The GFX 50R isn't the only new camera Fujifilm is unveiling at Photokina 2018. As rumored, the company has also introduced the GFX 100, a ridiculous 100-megapixel medium format mirrorless shooter. Fujifilm says that its GFX 100 will be the world's first medium format and mirrorless camera with a 100-megapixel sensor, and it will have in-body image stabilization and 4K video.
Leica's new app lets you control your camera with a smartphone
We know Leica is planning to announce some cameras at Photokina 2018, but before it gets to that, the company has revealed a new app for owners of its current shooters. The Fotos application, which will work for iOS and Android when it launches, is going to let Leica users to control their camera remotely with a smartphone and do things like touch to focus.
Sony is working on 12 new lenses for its Alpha mirrorless cameras
Now that Canon and Nikon are eager to get a piece of the mirrorless camera market, Sony is letting it be known that it isn't slowing down its efforts in the space anytime soon. The company announced at Photokina 2018 that it has 12 new E-Mount lenses in its roadmap, which will increase the number of native glass for its Alpha shooters from 48 to 60. Just last week, Sony introduced the FE 24mm f/1.4 GM, a full-frame format lens priced at $1,400.
Panasonic announces two full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras
Following the launch of the L-Mount alliance, Panasonic has revealed a pair of full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras, the 47-megapixel Lumix S1R and 24-megapixel S1. Both have built-in image stabilization, a large, high-resolution EVF, triaxial tilt LCD for both selfie photographers and vloggers, the highest flash sync speeds on the market, and double slots for SD and XQD cards. Both models are set to arrive in spring of 2019, with further specifications to be revealed later. To take on its larger rivals, Panasonic isn't going it alone. It has partnered with Sigma and Leica, and will be using Leica's existing full-frame-L mount system. That's a practical move, as Panasonic and Leica have worked together in the past, and Leica already has nearly a dozen SL lenses and adapters. The mount is compatible with its APS-C TL lenses, too.
Panasonic, Leica and Sigma unveil the L-Mount mirrorless alliance
Panasonic, Leica and Sigma have joined forces to create the L-Mount alliance for full-frame and APS-C sensor cameras to better compete against Nikon, Canon and Sony. The alliance will support Leica's L-Mount system, first launched in 2014 and used by the company for its TL APS-C and SL full-frame mirrorless models. The alliance makes it likely that Panasonic and possibly Sigma will unveil their own full-frame L-Mount mirrorless cameras and lenses soon.
We're live from Photokina 2018!
While Canon and Nikon have already unveiled their long-awaited full-frame mirrorless cameras, there are other big players that may be looking to enter the category next. We're in Cologne, Germany for Photokina 2018, where rumor has it Panasonic is set to reveal a full-frame mirrorless shooter of its own -- though it could just be a prototype, with an actual launch not expected until 2019. Fujifilm, for its part, is reportedly preparing to announce another medium-format camera, one with a massive 100-megapixel sensor. Then there's Sony, which could reveal a high-end APS-C model inspired by its A9 full-frame mirrorless. Stay tuned, because it's going to be a busy week of camera news in Germany. Follow all the latest news from Photokina 2018 here!
Ricoh adds a new lens and sensor to its lightweight GR III
Richoh's GR series is notable for combining its small, lightweight frame with a large APS-C sensor that the company claims makes it "the ultimate street photography camera." However, after a GR II refresh in 2015 to add WiFi and NFC, some of its features have lagged behind the latest camera technology available. Today at the Photokina event we're meeting the GR III which adds a "newly designed lens, image sensor and imaging engine" to the mix that should keep it as a competitive option at sub-$1,000 prices. We only have a single picture to judge by, but the design doesn't appear to have changed from its previous model The sensor has been upgraded from 16 MP to 24.2 MP, it has a USB-C connection and there's a new software interface to make it easier to use. It will be available in early 2019, but so far there's no word on exactly how much it will cost.
Photokina 2018: What to expect
Starting on September 25th, camera obsessives will converge on Cologne for Photokina 2018, the world's largest camera show. This year has been the the busiest for cameras in a long while, with Nikon and Canon unveiling their much-anticipated Z6/Z7 and EOS R full-frame mirrorless cameras. That doesn't mean there won't be surprises and big launches, though. We might see some more full-frame mirrorless cameras, a new medium-format model and a lot more.
Can Nikon and Canon ever catch up with Sony’s mirrorless cameras?
Canon and Nikon are under pressure. As if they weren't already far enough behind in mirrorless cameras, Sony just launched the A7 III, which I called a "near-perfect all-around camera" in my review. It might come as a relief, then, to die-hard fans of those aforementioned camera companies that both are readying their own much-anticipated full-frame mirrorless models for as soon as this September. A prototype Canon model is reportedly already in the hands of select professionals, and Nikon told NHK it will bring a model to market by spring of 2019. A new mirrorless (or full-frame) model won't be enough. To compete, they'll have to be very aggressive with features and prices for the new cameras -- and that would be out of character for Canon and Nikon. Both are highly conservative and have lucrative DSLR lineups they won't want to cannibalize. But to compete against Sony's increasingly polished cameras, they have no choice.
