Today marks the start of the annual Photokina camera expo in Cologne and we're live at the show to keep you up to date with all the latest news. We've pulled together a few show-stoppers, some of which have already been announced and some which are still just rumours. We'll be bringing you pictures of these hotly anticipated new shooters as soon as we can.

Samsung NX100

Officially announced last week, the Samsung NX100 is the Korean company's second take on the Micro Four Thirds camera and boasts a lot of the same specs as the popular NX10. It has the same APS-C sized 14.6-megapixel sensor, a 3-inch AMOLED display and 720p video recording in the H.264 format. But there are also plenty of new features for camera aficionados to get their teeth into. Top of the list is the redesigned casing, which is sleeker, smaller and lighter than that of the NX10. What's more, the ISO levels have been boosted up to a 6400 extension and the AF is now one of the fastest around, says Samsung.

The addition of the i-Function lens system is designed to help you get the best pictures from whichever of the four removable optics you go for, as the lenses send information to the camera body with suggestions on the best setting to use for each one. Along with a generous selection of scene modes and imaging features, the camera also sports a function ring, similar to that of the Canon PowerShot S90.

Panasonic GH2

Panasonic is expected to unveil its latest Micro Four Thirds camera - the GH2 - at Photokina. If the images uncovered by 43rumours.com are anything to go by, then it looks as though the camera will feature a similar design to that of the Panasoinc G2, rather the older GH1.

According to the site, the the new model will feature an 18-Megapixel multiscale sensor (16 effective Megapixels), a touchscreen LCD, 100-12.800 ISO and high-speed burst shooting of 5fps with 16MP. The GH2 is also said to include 1080i 60 24Mbit/s AVCHD video capture. The camera looks set to replace Panasonic's GH1, which was announced in 2009.

Fujifilm Finepix X100

The gloriously retro X100 may look like a camera from 30 years ago, but it's specced up to the eyeballs and is being touted as a serious contender to the Olympus Pen. This high-grade digital compact camera features an APS-C CMOS sensor, a Fujinon 23mm fixed docal length lens and a brand new Hybrid Viewfinder that can show both the shooting frame and a variety of shooting data. You'll also be able to change between optical and electronic viewfinder at the touch of a button, says Fujifilm.  

Equipped with a 12-3-Megapixel APS-C CMOS Sensor, the X100 has a burst rate of 5 fps and can also capture HD video. It features a 2.8-inch display, while the newly developed lens offers a focal length of 23mm and a widest aperture of F2 which will be the standard lens.

Canon PowerShot G12

The latest edition to Canon's high-end G-series compact cameras, the G12 was rumoured to be coming for some time and was recently confirmed as a reality. Replacing the G11, the new model adds 720 video capture to the mix and has also been given a facelift, including the addition of a programmable front dial.

Boasting the G-series' sleek but sturdy build quality, the G12 offers a 2.8-inch vari-angle display as well as an optical viewfinder and there are also plenty of other tweaks that have upped the ante. Designed to offer a better performance in low light conditions, the G12 boasts Hybrid IS which lets you handhold longer exposures without a flash or tripod while the Low Light mode offers ISO 12800. What's more, the HDR (high dynamic range) option takes takes three shots and combines them to create one image that brings detail into shadow areas and highlights for a more realistic image.

Pentax K-5

Although not confirmed, we expect to the see the launch of the K-5 digital SLR at this year's Photokina. With an image of the new camera leaked through LensTip, the K-5 is rumoured to feature a 16.2-Megapixel Sony Exmor CMOS sensor, along with a wider ISO range from 50 to 5,600 and an 18-point autofocusing system. One of the big draws for the camera is the rumoured 1080p full HD video capture (at 25p or 30p), along with an HDMI port for hooking it up to your HD TV. Along with a manual focus, the camera is thought to include four custom modes (auto, action, portrait and night), as well as two SDHC memory card slots.

We'll bring you more news as soon as we have it.


Photokina 2010: all the coverage