Photokina

Type: trade show (imaging industry)
Frequency: biennial (even years, September/October); annual from 2018 (planned)
Location: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany
First held: 1950
Final edition: 2018 (2020 edition cancelled due to COVID-19; show permanently discontinued in 2020)

Overview

Photokina is the world’s largest and most influential trade show for the photographic and imaging industries. Held biennially (in even-numbered years) at the Koelnmesse exhibition center in Cologne, Germany, the show attracted approximately 160,000 visitors from 140 countries and up to 1,600 exhibitors from around the world. It served as the premier international platform where manufacturers timed the release of new cameras, lenses, strobes, and accessories. ([1])

The 2008 edition was described as the 13th Photokina show, with the first having been held in 1950. By that time, an estimated 325 million digital cameras, 60 million camcorders, and 1.59 billion camera phones were in use worldwide, and 6,000 accredited journalists from 68 countries attended the event. ([2])

While primarily a general photography event, Photokina became increasingly relevant to the underwater photography industry through the 2000s and 2010s as housing manufacturers began exhibiting. From 2008 onward, the show featured a dedicated “Underwater Imaging World” pavilion that gave UW manufacturers a visible presence alongside the major camera brands.

The 2018 edition was the last Photokina to be held. Organizers had announced a shift to an annual format starting in 2019, but the 2019 edition was skipped, and the planned May 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show was subsequently discontinued permanently. The 2020 Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan lens launch, originally planned for Photokina, had to be redirected to a standalone announcement. ([3])

Relevance to Underwater Photography

Photokina mattered to the UW photography community on two levels. First, camera manufacturers used the show to unveil new camera bodies that would subsequently receive underwater housings — the Nikon D7000 and D600, Canon 7D Mark II, Panasonic GH3 and LX100, Olympus E-M1 updates, and Sony NEX-5 were all released or demonstrated at Photokina editions. Second, dedicated UW equipment manufacturers exhibited their housings, strobes, and accessories directly at the show.

The UK-based Photography Show, launched in 2014 at Birmingham’s NEC, was described by Adam Hanlon as “a sort of mini-Photokina” — reflecting the German show’s status as the benchmark for imaging exhibitions. ([4])

History

Photokina 2006

Eric Cheng covered the pre-show announcements, noting 74 new products had been announced ahead of the show. Key trends included 10-megapixel compact cameras becoming the new standard, anti-dust sensor vibration appearing on all new SLRs, and compact cameras beginning to produce acceptable higher-ISO images — with Fujifilm compacts producing relatively low noise. ([5])

Products of particular interest to the UW community included the Nikon N80, Canon 400D, Sigma SD14, and Fuji FinePix S5 Pro DSLRs; the Olympus Stylus 725 SW waterproof compact camera; Canon M80 and M30 media storage units (competing with the Epson P4000 and newly-announced P5000); and 4GB SDHC and 12/16GB CompactFlash cards — the latter described by Cheng as enabling “even more bottom time before card swaps.” ([6])

Wetpixel did not have its own correspondent at the 2006 show, with James Wiseman seeking volunteer help in the comments of the pre-show article. ([7])

Photokina 2008

The 2008 edition (September 22-28) was a landmark for the underwater photography community. It featured the first-ever “Underwater Imaging World at Photokina” — a dedicated 250+ square meter section in Hall 5.1 showcasing UW photography equipment. The pavilion was organized in cooperation with ColorFoto magazine and Taucher.Net. ([8])

Sharon Rainis of Fantasea Line provided extensive multi-day live coverage for Wetpixel. The Underwater Imaging World included:

([9])

Key product announcements at the UW section included:

Alex Mustard commented on the coverage: “I always enjoy reading these type of reports from shows I cannot attend. And I appreciate that they are a lot of work to put together.” ([13])

Photokina 2010

The 2010 edition continued the Underwater Imaging World pavilion, again featuring a testing and diving pool — this time in a water tank on the back of a truck with observation windows on both sides. Marc Hillesheim of Liquid Nation demonstrated underwater model shooting techniques with model Anne Aselmann in the limited-space tank. ([14])

Nauticam used the show to officially release their NA-NEX5 housing for the Sony NEX-5, one of the first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera housings. Company owner Edward Lai personally got in the water at the show to demonstrate the housing. A distinctive feature was the ability to use Nikonos lenses via a special adapter, previewed by Berkley White of Backscatter ahead of the show. The housing design paid deliberate homage to the Nikonos system with its locking port release styling. ([15], [16], [17])

Camera announcements at the 2010 show included:

Photokina 2012

Adam Hanlon, Wetpixel’s editor, attended the 2012 show (September 18-23) as the site’s on-the-ground correspondent. He provided multi-day coverage across four report pages covering Sony, Canon, Nikon, Subal, Nauticam, BS Kinetics, Olympus, HGTV, Fantasea, Panasonic, Zeiss, Fuji, and the Epson Red Sea Shootout. ([20], [21])

The 2012 show drew 1,158 suppliers from 41 countries, with around 180,000 visitors expected. Hanlon noted that underwater imaging remained “a very small section of the industry” — the designated UW space had only about seven companies. ([22])

Manufacturers timed significant camera releases to coincide with the show:

Pre-show rumors anticipated that Nikon would release the D600 at Photokina — expected to feature a 24.7MP full-frame sensor, 38 autofocus points, and 1080p video. ([25])

At the BOOT show earlier in 2012, several manufacturers indicated they would hold back new product releases until Photokina later that year, demonstrating the event’s gravitational pull on the product launch calendar. ([26])

Photokina 2014

Hanlon was unable to attend the 2014 edition, so Wetpixel coverage was provided by Andrej Belic, who wrote a comprehensive floor report. Belic noted that he had first met Hanlon at Photokina 2012. ([27])

Belic’s report identified three key industry trends at the 2014 show:

  1. Lens quality improvements: “Lenses keep getting better and there is more top quality glass than ever before,” with Zeiss, Sigma, and Schneider Kreuznach all expanding their lineups alongside Canon, Nikon, and Sony pro lenses.
  2. 4K video adoption: While Canon and Nikon “still stick to HD,” Micro Four Thirds companies and outsiders like Samsung were embracing 4K, and small companies like Blackmagic and RED were “setting new standards regarding high resolution video.”
  3. Wi-Fi remote control: More cameras featured built-in Wi-Fi, with new software for remote camera control.

([28])

Notable camera releases at or ahead of the show:

([30])

Belic also promoted his nju Nikonos Conversion System at the show, having expanded the lens adapter lineup to support almost all housing brands. He previewed a new generation of electronically controlled underwater housings using Wi-Fi remote software. ([31], [32])

Nauticam announced the NA-D750 housing for the Nikon D750 following its Photokina debut, shipping from November 17 at $3,500. ([33])

Photokina 2018

The 2018 edition (September 26-29) was the final Photokina. No dedicated Wetpixel floor coverage was filed, but the show saw a major announcement:

The Panasonic S-series development announcement at Photokina 2018 proved consequential: the full specifications were revealed in February 2019 in Barcelona, with the cameras subsequently becoming significant underwater video platforms. ([36])

Photokina 2020 (Cancelled)

The planned 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the show was subsequently discontinued permanently. The cancellation disrupted product launch plans — Meyer Optik Gorlitz had “initially planned as an event for the unfortunately cancelled Photokina” the launch of their Trioplan f/2.8 100mm II lens. ([37])

Wetpixel Coverage Summary

YearWetpixel CorrespondentCoverage Type
2006None (volunteer sought)Pre-show roundup by Eric Cheng
2008Sharon Rainis (Fantasea)Multi-day live coverage, 5 report pages
2010Adam HanlonProduct-focused articles
2012Adam HanlonMulti-day live coverage, 4 report pages
2014Andrej BelicGuest floor report
2018None on-sitePress release coverage

Key UW Industry Exhibitors

Over the years, underwater photography companies that exhibited at Photokina included:

Timeline

References

Sources

  1. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  2. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  3. Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2020: Meyer Optik Goerlitz Ships Trioplan F 2.8 100mm Ii ↩
  4. Wetpixel article, Mar 25, 2015: Report The Photography Show ↩
  5. Wetpixel article, Sep 15, 2006: Pre Photokina 2006 Announcements ↩
  6. Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2006: Dozens Of New Products Announced At Photokina 2006 ↩
  7. Wetpixel article, Sep 15, 2006: Pre Photokina 2006 Announcements ↩
  8. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  9. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  10. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  11. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  12. Wetpixel article, Oct 7, 2008: Final Coverage From Photokina 2008 ↩
  13. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  14. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2010: Nauticam Na Nex5 Demonstrated At Photokina ↩
  15. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2010: Nauticam Na Nex5 Demonstrated At Photokina ↩
  16. Wetpixel article, Sep 18, 2010: Nauticam Na Nex 5 Housing Recycles Nikonos Lenses ↩
  17. Wetpixel article, Sep 20, 2010: Official Release Of Nauticam Na Nex5 Housing ↩
  18. Wetpixel article, Oct 3, 2010: Petition To Update Nikon D7000 Firmware ↩
  19. Wetpixel article, Sep 22, 2010: Adobe Launches Photoshop Elements 9 ↩
  20. Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2012: Wetpixel Show Coverage Photokina 2012 ↩
  21. Wetpixel article, Sep 8, 2012: Wetpixel At Photokina 20121 ↩
  22. Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2012: Wetpixel Show Coverage Photokina 2012 ↩
  23. Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2012: Panasonic Lumix Gh3 Released At Photokina ↩
  24. Wetpixel article, Sep 17, 2012: New Micro 4 3s Lenses From Olympus ↩
  25. Wetpixel article, Aug 6, 2012: Rumours Abound About New Nikon And Canon Slrs ↩
  26. Wetpixel article, Jan 21, 2012: Wetpixel Coverage Of The Boot Show 2012 ↩
  27. Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2014: Andrej Belic Photokina 2014 ↩
  28. Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2014: Andrej Belic Photokina 2014 ↩
  29. Wetpixel article, Sep 15, 2014: Panasonic Announces The Lx100 4k Compact Camera ↩
  30. Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2014: Andrej Belic Photokina 2014 ↩
  31. Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2014: Andrej Belic Photokina 2014 ↩
  32. Wetpixel article, Oct 31, 2014: Update Nju Nikonos Conversion System ↩
  33. Wetpixel article, Nov 7, 2014: Nauticam Announces The Na D750 Housing ↩
  34. Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Panasonic Announces Two Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras ↩
  35. Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Irix Announces 150mm Macro Lens ↩
  36. Wetpixel article, Feb 1, 2019: Panasonic Announces Lumix S Series Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras ↩
  37. Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2020: Meyer Optik Goerlitz Ships Trioplan F 2.8 100mm Ii ↩
  38. Wetpixel article, Sep 15, 2006: Pre Photokina 2006 Announcements ↩
  39. Wetpixel article, Oct 1, 2008: Photokina World Of Imaging Live Coverage Day 1 Report ↩
  40. Wetpixel article, Oct 8, 2010: Nauticam Na Nex5 Demonstrated At Photokina ↩
  41. Wetpixel article, Sep 26, 2012: Wetpixel Show Coverage Photokina 2012 ↩
  42. Wetpixel article, Sep 27, 2014: Andrej Belic Photokina 2014 ↩
  43. Wetpixel article, Sep 25, 2018: Panasonic Announces Two Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras ↩
  44. Wetpixel article, Jun 23, 2020: Meyer Optik Goerlitz Ships Trioplan F 2.8 100mm Ii ↩
  45. Pre-Photokina 2006 Announcements (article) ↩
  46. Dozens of new products announced at Photokina 2006 (article) ↩
  47. Photokina 2008: World of Imaging live coverage (article) ↩
  48. Final coverage from Photokina 2008: Seacam update (article) ↩
  49. Nauticam NA-NEX5 housing recycles Nikonos lenses (article) ↩
  50. Official release of Nauticam NA-NEX5 housing (article) ↩
  51. Nauticam NA-NEX5 demonstrated at Photokina (article) ↩
  52. Adobe launches Photoshop Elements 9 (article) ↩
  53. Petition to update Nikon D7000 firmware (article) ↩
  54. Nauticam announces housing for Nikon D7000 (article) ↩
  55. Rumours abound about new Nikon and Canon SLRs (article) ↩
  56. Wetpixel at Photokina 2012 (article) ↩
  57. Wetpixel show coverage: Photokina 2012 (article) ↩
  58. Panasonic LUMIX GH3 released at Photokina (article) ↩
  59. New micro 4/3s lenses from Olympus (article) ↩
  60. Wetpixel coverage of the BOOT show 2012 (article) ↩
  61. Panasonic announces the LX100 4K compact camera (article) ↩
  62. Andrej Belic: Photokina 2014 (article) ↩
  63. Update: Nju Nikonos Conversion System (article) ↩
  64. Nauticam announces the NA-D750 housing (article) ↩
  65. Report: The Photography Show (article) ↩
  66. Panasonic announces two full frame mirrorless cameras (article) ↩
  67. Irix announces 150mm macro lens (article) ↩
  68. Panasonic announces LUMIX S series full frame mirrorless cameras (article) ↩
  69. Meyer Optik Gorlitz ships Trioplan f/2.8 100mm II (article) ↩