New products from Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, GoPro, Sigma, and more...
Photokina is in full swing this week in Cologne, Germany. The photography festival happens every two years, and for those few days, the photography world focuses on Cologne, where tech companies compete to steal the show with the most exciting new product announcements.
This year was reasonably quiet for Canon, as expected. The hype over the new (previously announced) 5D mkIV DSLR is already dying down, not that it made too many waves in the first place. Their new EOS M5 did turn a few heads though.
The new mirrorless camera not only proves Canons longer term dedication to the mirrorless platform but brings some fascinating innovations, such as the ability to use the touch screen to select ones focus point, while looking through the EVF. It features the same 24 megapixel as the EOS 80D, and has some nifty video features too. DPREVIEW has a detailed overview of the camera, here.
Nikon, perhaps less expectedly, also had a quiet booth this year. Hopes of an announcement of a successor to the D810 were dashed after a dreary keynote announcing new Nikon KeyMission action cameras. Yes, apparently Nikon is still keen to take a slice out of GoPros pie.
In fairness though, they're not under immense pressure, considering the rave reviews the D500 has been getting. Successors to the D810 and D750 are in the pipeline, and should be announced before Christmas.
Sony introduced the (A-mount) Sony a99 mkII, claiming it to be "the camera the Canon 5D mkIV should have been", and they're probably not far wrong. Zooming by both Canons 5D mkIV and Nikons d810, (on paper at least) this full frame powerhouse marries a brilliant stills camera and professional 4k video camera like nothing before it.
It features a 42 megapixel sensor, an extremely versatile flippy screen, shoots stills at 12 fps, and records 4k video with Slog-3. Internally the camera shoots 8-bit 4:2:0 4K video (just like the Sony a7R II). Externally it can output 4K 8-bit 4:2:2, should you want the highest possible quality. With high spec stills, audio, and video features, this camera should appeal to professional hybrid shooters who insist on full frame, need to shoot high quality stills, as well as professional video with as little compromise as possible.
Fuji made one of the highlight announcements this year, introducing the GFX 50S, a monster medium format camera with Hassleblad and Phase One in its sights.
The 51.4-megapixel sensor is 1.7 times the size of a regular Full Frame sensor, yet the camera body manages to be smaller even than the Nikon D810. They also introduced 3 new lenses, with more to follow. Fujifilm said the price is expected to be well less than 10,000 dollars, and I expect them to undercut the $9,000 Hasselblad X1D significantly. Ballpark? $6,500.
Sigma announced three new lenses. The 500mm DG OS HSM "Sports", the 12-24mm F4 "Art", and the much anticipated 85mm 1.4 "Art", all of which will be available for Canon and Nikon full frame cameras.
As a portrait fan and owner of the current Sigma 85mm 1.4 "EX DG" model, I'm not especially excited? Why? Because the current lens is already razor sharp from around f2, and focuses near instantaneously on my Nikon D750. I haven't seen any real world tests yet but I suspect it will improve on sharpness at 1.4. It will have to compete with Nikons 85mm 1.4G though, which is a world class lens priced around 1500 bucks.
Panasonic announced the Lumix GH5, the successor to the legendary GH4, a popular camera with videographers. The new model is still under development but will be available early next year. Panasonic claim the GH5 will be the worlds first mirrorless camera capable of recording 4K/60p video at such high quality (4:2:2 10-bit 4K/30p, 25p, 24p, and 23.98p)
Although Sony are doing some great things with video, the Panasonic GH5 is all but guaranteed to be a hit. The GH4 already has such a dedicated fan base and a plethora of lenses, adapters and accessories, and Nikon and Canon just aren't yet doing enough to grab more of the "DSLR video" marketshare.
Panasonic also announced the G85, the successor to the G7.
This "DSLR style" camera boasts in-body 5-axis image stabilization and shoots in 4K. Think of it as the little brother of the GH5, more than capable of some stunning 4k video, but in a smaller package.
Finally, GoPro announced their new drone-camera-moutable-stablizer-gizmo, "Karma", taking the wind out of the sails of the various other drone based products on show. Karma is more than just a drone. It's a whole kit that allows you to record video near or far, with advanced stabilization and control.
It's like the best thing to ever happen drones, stabilization systems at the same time. Oh and selfie sticks. I'm not even kidding. Check out the promo video. It's quite beautiful.
Other announcements included a 1TB SD card from SanDisk, a handful of Olympus cameras, new flash units from Metz, and a mirrorless camera from new Chinese company "YI".
Were you following the Photokina news? Did anything stand out for you?
Let me know in the comments!
thanks for the info, excellent product
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SUPER excited about that fuji medium format camera, I had no idea that was even in the pipeline. I'm so excited to see medium format coming back in digital and not with insane (like $25,000+) price tags.
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Aye, it will most likely be just outside my budget but it's amazing to see medium format getting closer to the reach of mere mortals :)
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Hahaha, yeah I hear ya. It's always been a dream to work with digital medium format, but for now I stick with the old film medium format and play with those.
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Yes gopro karma and hero 5 and gh5. Super disapponted with canon and dont like nikon either
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I'm endlessly impressed by GoPro this year. It's kinda funny seeing all of this convergence from different angles. Nikon making action cameras, GoPro making better cameras and stabilization systems. Canon upping their mirrorless game. Fuji going medium format.
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Yes i think the gopro strategy makes sense. the brand makes sense as well. I don't understand the mirrorless camera from canon, to me it looks to be 5 years behind. its a 80d with less lenses. The 80d imho is not competitive against the mirrorless cameras in the space.
I am happy i get a new gopro and drone this year. i will wait a few years to upgrade my camera right now, even though i really hate my 6ti very much. I was hoping to get the 5d, but without video features i cannot shell out that much money for such a camera.
I really think i need to switch away from canon, even though my wife has canon and we have a few lenses. So i think i will buy the gh5 and gopro and take it from there.
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I am a Canon guy, the mirrorless line really does interest me. But I will wait for the prices to fall.
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Yeah that M5 looks very interesting. I had all but given up on Canons Mirrorless cameras, but this looks like a huge step in the right direction. Can't wait to try that touchscreen focus selection stuff.
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how does it look interesting? What is the advantage? No video, no lenses? a little bit smaller and 10% cheaper and way worse than the sony competition?
If you like mirrorless why don't you jump to sony?
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Great post. That Fuji MF looks good but I think with the modern sensors there really isn't an advantage over 35mm sensors and all the lenses and accessories are going to be expensive I suspect.
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Have you actually used the Nikon Keymission 170? It underperforms and is over priced compaired to what you can get from GoPro.
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