Top 10 Best New Cameras At Photokina 2012

Full-frame and mirrorless cameras seemed to dominate Photokina 2012 this year, as well as the lenses that go with them, making them an ever more apealling idea for anyone looking for an upgrade from their compact camera, or as a compact alternative to the Digital SLR.

Sony NEX-6 and new lenses

Not only has the introduction of Sony's new NEX-6 camera been popular (it benefits from the same high resolution EVF as Sony's high end NEX-7), but also sees the introduction of three new lenses for the NEX E Mount: the 16-50mm power zoom, 35mm f/1.8 prime lens, 10-18mm wide angle zoom.

Sony Alpha A99

The full-frame Sony Alpha A99, view our sample photos here, with high speed focus, and continuous AF during videos, and a high resolution 2.359million dot OLED EVF (Electronic viewfinder) Sony believe an optical viewfinder is no longer required, placing the Sony Alpha A99 at the top of their range.

Nikon D600

The Nikon D600 is a compact(ish) full-frame 24.3 megapixel camera, with full HD video recording, and it's available now for around £1799. View our Nikon D600 sample photos, or our Nikon D600 vs Nikon D800 comparison.

Sony Cyber-shot RX1

The first full-frame compact camera (with attached lens), the Sony Cyber-shot RX1 should be capable of extremely high quality images thanks to a Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 T* lens, and with a high price tag high quality images will be expected.

Panasonic Lumix GH3 and new lenses

The Panasonic Lumix GH3 is the new premium "Digital SLM" from Panasonic, and features a weather sealed body, high quality video, and optional battery grip. Panasonic also announced a new premium 35-100mm f/2.8 lens, as well as the new Panasonic 45-150mm zoom lens.

Pentax K-5 II / IIs and lens roadmap

Building on the popular (and deservedly so) K-5, the Pentax K-5 II and IIs add improved focus, and the options to buy it with the anti-aliasing filter removed for even sharper shots on the IIs. Of interest to Pentax users is the new Pentax K mount lens roadmap, the Pentax Q mount lens roadmap, and Pentax 645D lens roadmap.

Olympus PEN E-PL5 and new lenses

The new Olympus PENs (the Olympus PEN Lite E-PL5, and Olympus PEN Mini E-PM2) offer the same 16 megapixel sensor as the Olympus OM-D E-M5, at a much more wallet friendly price, and Olympus has made the Micro Four Thirds format more appealling with the addition of several new lenses: the Olympus 60mm Macro, Olympus 17mm f/1.8, Olympus 15mm f/8 Bodycap lens.

Fujifilm X-E1 and new lenses

The new Fujifilm X-E1 is another new mirrorless camera that is appealling to many thanks to stylish retro design, and additional lenses becoming available for the system, including a new 18-55mm f/2.8-4 kit lens, and a 14mm wide angle lens. Fujifilm also showed future lenses under development, and a stylish compact camera designed for good image quality, the Fujifilm XF1.

Canon EOS 6D and new compacts

The Canon EOS 6D offers a compact(ish) full-frame body with a 20 megapixel sensor, Wi-Fi and GPS built in, although it won't be available till nearer Christmas. The Canon Powershot SX50 IS is worth mentioning as well, as it has the longest zoom of any compact camera, at 50x optical zoom, with the equivalent of 1200mm at the telephoto end!

Samsung Galaxy Camera and NX lenses

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is the first compact camera with a large 4.8inch screen, and the latest version of Android, running "Jellybean", it caused quite an impression at IFA, and was shown to the photographic community at Photokina. Two new NX lenses were announced, a wide angle 12-24mm, and a 45mm f/1.8 prime lens.

Others that are worth looking at: 
Tamron 70-200mm Hands-On
Tamron 90mm Macro Hands-On and Samples
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Artisan Hands-On

Read our full Photokina coverage here.