Panasonic announced the new Lumix DMC-GH2 yesterday, and we got a chance to try out a working product at their booth. Our first impression was, “wow, this thing is really fast to focus!” Panasonic claims AF speeds as fast as 0.1 second with the 14-140mm lens set to its widest setting - and indeed, we found that focus acquisition was basically instantaneous at that focal length, even in the relatively dim lighting of the stand. What was possibly even more impressive though was that it focussed almost as quickly with the lens zoomed all the way in to 140mm - it was almost scary to see a completely blurred subject standing at the other end of the room snap into focus in a fraction of a second. Of course further testing needs to be done to see if this blazing speed doesn’t compromise accuracy, but our first impressions were extremely favourable.

The Canon stand dominates Hall 3.2 at Photokina, with the imaging giant using an origami theme to showcase its latest products, Chief among them is the EOS 60D DSLR and the usual array of super-telephoto lenses, along with the recently announced G12, SX30IS and new lenses. Canon are also providing an interesting glimpse into the way they develop products with a display of EOS 7D concept drawings and early mockups, along with an exploded internal view of the G12. As you’d expect video is also featuring prominently, alongside new PIXMA printers and the ever-popular expert techniques sessions that always draw big crowds.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon EOS 60D DSLR digital camera looks like?

Then check out our hands-on photo gallery of the Canon EOS 60D DSLR.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon Powershot G12 compact digital camera looks like?

Then check out our hands-on photo gallery of the flagship Canon Powershot G12 compact.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon Powershot SX30IS compact digital camera looks like?

Then check out our hands-on photo gallery of the ultra-zoom Canon Powershot SX30IS compact, sporting its incredible 35x zoom lens.

Want to see exactly what the new Canon lenses look like, including the 8-15mm fisheye?

Then check out our hands-on photo gallery of the new additions to Canon’s extensive range of lenses.

The Leica M9 Titanium is an exclusive special edition made in collaboration with the chief designer of the Volkswagen Group, Walter de’Silva. This special edition is strictly limited to just 500 cameras worldwide, and is offered as a set together with a LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens, whose exterior metal components are also manufactured from solid titanium. The LEICA M9 Titanium set will be available in the UK from the end of November 2010 for £19,800.

The Leica D-LUX 5 is a high-performance compact digital camera with full creative control. Based on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, the Leica DLux 2 features a fast 24-90mm f/2 - 3.3 lens, 1/1.63” sensor and 720p video. The Leica D-LUX 5 is supplied with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 and there’s a full range of optional accessories including the EVF1 electronic viewfinder, CF 22 flash, handgrip and optional bags and cases. The Leica D-LUX 5 will be available in the UK from October 2010 for £630, with the EVF1 costing £270.

The Leica V-LUX 2 is a new super-zoom compact for travel and nature photography. Based on the Panasonic Lumic DMC-FZ100, the 14 megapixel VLux 2 features a 24x, 25-600mm super-zoom lens, 3’’ rotating LCD display and 1080i-AVCHD Full HD video. The Leica V-LUX 2 is supplied with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements 8 and will be available in the UK from October 2010 for £675. An outdoor case will be available for the V-LUX 2 for £135.

The Leica X1 is now available in elegant black. The X1 Black, which is made in Germany, will have a more coarsely-textured leather trim, and will offer the same high specifications and accessory range as the original model. The Leica X1 Black will be available in the UK from October 2010 for £1,395 (camera only), £1,500 including Leica Ever-Ready Case or £1,790 including Leica Ever-Ready Case, Hand Grip and Viewfinder.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 allows you to organise, edit, create and share extraordinary photos. Photoshop CS5’s Content Aware Fill feature has filtered down to the Spot Healing Brush to quickly de-clutter or repair photos, the new Photomerge Style Match automatically applies qualities like contrast or colour tone from one photo to another, and the popular Photoshop Elements Organiser is now available on both the Windows and Mac. Adobe Photoshop Elements 9 for Windows and Mac is available now for Windows and Mac for a suggested retail price £77.

The Sigma EF-610 DG SUPER is a new flashgun with a powerful Guide Number of 61. Among the advanced features of the EF 610 DG SUPER is a modeling flash function, multi-pulse flash, TTL wireless flash, FP (high speed) flash, rear-curtain Synchro flash and manual flash mode. The autozoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the flash can cover an angle of 17mm. For bounce flash, the flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees.

The Sigma EF-610 DG ST flashgun features a powerful Guide Number of 61. The autozoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the EF-610 DG ST can cover the angle of 17mm. For bounce flash, the EF-610 DG ST flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees. The EF-610 DG ST can also be tilted down by 7 degrees allowing ease of use for close-up photography.

Want to see exactly what the new Fujifilm X100 rangefinder-like digital camera looks like?

Then check out our exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the prototype X100 ahead of its debut at tomorrow’s Photokina opening day.

Update: We’ve added some more photos of the X100 from the Fujifilm stand - plus the X100 price has been announced - £900, $999, 999 Euros…

OK, it’s more behind-glass than hands-on, but here’s the new A700 replacement concept that Sony are showing at Photokina.

11 hands-on product shots of the Sony A-series advanced concept camera and super-telephoto lenses.

The E-5 is Olympus’ new flagship DSLR camera, replacing the venerable E-3 at the top of the professional tree. Rumours are circulating that this will be the last-ever Four Thirds DSLR with a mirror from Olympus, as the company contemplates a mirror-less future.

So if you want to see exactly what the new Olympus E-5 DSLR looks like, then check out our exclusive hands-on photo gallery of the E-5.

At Photokina Sony is showcasing an as yet un-named A-Mount series interchangeable lens camera. Featuring Translucent Mirror Technology, an Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor, and AVCHD Full HD video, this could be a replacement for the venerable A700 (pictured). Also on show are a standard zoom lens, telephoto Lens (500mm F4G), flash and grip suitable for the A-Mount series interchangeable lens camera. In addition Sony have unveiled their lens roadmap for the E-Mount series for 2011 and 2012, with 7 new lenses promised.