Best cameras at PMA 2011

With another Photo Marketing Association (PMA) expo over for the year, we look back at some of the highlights that came to town for the Sydney show.

Unlike last year, which saw a big push towards 3D cameras and content, this year's displays were much more quirky.

This was our first glimpse of the much-wanted Leica M9-P digital rangefinder. It's subtle, but definitely, unmistakeably Leica.

PMA is pretty much the only opportunity for regular folk to get their hands on some serious professional equipment, like this 600mm telephoto lens from Canon.

Fuji had its first major drawcard in years, with the X100 on show for Aussie consumers. We also were amongst the first in the world to see the camera with its new firmware on-board. Doesn't sound particularly exciting on paper, but the firmware does offer a range of improvements to usability and performance.

The price for all this retro-inspired goodness is just AU$1299; however, actually getting your hands on one outside of PMA is proving rather difficult for many photographers.

Plenty of eye-candy in the middle of Nikon's stand, just in case someone happens to be walking through who would rather the Exhibition Centre morph into a car show.

Our first sighting of the Grey Label collaboration between Ms Gaga and Polaroid with the GL20 glasses. Though just a prototype at this stage, the real thing will have two 1.5-inch OLED displays and a camera built-in.

This is the (functional) instant printer that was also on show at Polaroid, which can connect via Bluetooth to compatible devices. There's also an app that gives users some control in cropping and adding effects before sending the photo to print.

Polaroid, Panasonic and JVC were pretty much the only manufacturers to show off any sort of 3D device, a stark contrast from the craze that swept the show floor last year. These are the range of Polaroid 3D glasses, though the company also showed off some more of the "stylish" offerings as well.

Ricoh took the opportunity to showcase its latest module for the GXR camera system. Pictured is the Lens Mount Unit, a module with an APS-C sensor designed to let owners of M-mount Leicas and Voigtlanders use these lenses on the GXR. The module will be available in spring 2011, with pricing announced closer to the release date.

A range of Zeiss lenses on show (behind plate glass, no less) at the Hasselblad stand.

Plenty of third-party accessories manufacturers make the grade at PMA. Underwater housing specialist Nauticam came out to show its wares for a range of different cameras, including this housing for the Sony NEX-5.

Interchangeable lens cameras (ILCs) are still taking their time to permeate the public consciousness, but this little beauty from Panasonic might just speed up the process a little bit. The GF3 is a tiny ILC that can almost squeeze into a pocket with this pancake lens attached.