I was reading some photography sites and came upon a few comments that indicated that this upcoming Photokina was the last, best opportunity for photography companies to announce/launch/show that the industry has vision and talent enough to remain relevant in the wake of steeply declining sales.

Im not sure I agree, but several points were valid:

- all camera sales have been shrinking, mirrorless and DSLR sales much less so than point n shoots, but all segments are down.

- low-volume niche products are becoming more common - A7s, Df, monochrome, etc.

- HDslrs must improve

I think every major camera company with a film legacy still faces challenges rooted in their corporate culture. Some companies struggled mightly to switch from
Film to digital. Some companies failed to do so. Some companies that did make the transition failed to learn the lesson that change was now constant.

I think this will be an interesting photokina, but I dont think the big guys, Nikon and Canon, yet have the sense of urgency needed to take the big risks. Fuji and Sony are in many ways in better shape, with a recent history of nice niche products that excite and stimulate people.

What are you hoping to see and do you think this event is any more or less relevant than other ones in recent years??

I'm hoping to see that what makes the D750 a 'sports camera' is 1080p mp4 @ 120 fps instead of 8 FPS photos, but I doubt it.

I am hoping to see a Fuji X-Pro 2. 

I don't think that the hyperbole around this show is justified.

All camera sales have not declined.

Sales of devices that are exclusively still cameras have declined. The flagship cameras from Canon and Nikon perform multiple functions - stills and video. Cameras from Apple and Samsung do the same with the addition of Internet and phone.

Lots of people have abandoned large cameras for small cameras. Small cameras being mirrorless or built into a phone.

I think market saturation and the quality of products is causing the decline.

There were important quality improvements from a D70 to the D200.  And a reasonable improvement from the D200 to a D300.  But until my D300 was stolen, I owned that camera for 6 years.  Longer than the previous two combined!  There have been many improvements since then, but they were either not enough or too much.  Example, I wanted a full frame camera just as capable as my D300, but with video.  Basically, a D700 with a video.  Outside of that, that camera was awesome and I felt it was serving me very well and I had no real need to upgrade.

I have a D700 to replace that stolen D300 and I'm ready for an upgrade, mostly because of the wildlife shooting I do.  And right now the D810 is my target. I can see this camera easily probably lasting me (provided it doesn't become functionally unusable) 10 years.  maybe even longer.  I really feel 24mp is plenty for me.  36 gives me a lot of ROOM.  The only reason I could see upgrading from a D810 would be for the SAME camera but even higher FPS.  But I think I'll more likely be investing in higher end expensive lenses...if I can manage it.  haha.

My point? I think a lot of people who have SLRs, already have all they need.  They don't need upgrades because they are already at 18-24mp which is more than they likely need anyhow.  And the quality, even with "kit" lenses is pretty damn good for most people.

And getting NEW customers...well...who DOESN'T already have a camera?  It's on every device we buy now.  And unless you're really into improving your craft with an SLR, you're going to stick with your phone or other compact camera that you can cram in your pocket or purse.

Oooor...make the prices lower.

I am hoping for a 7d mk2. And a canon Medium format.

When is it? the 5th?