NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen standing atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), around the Moon and back to Earth no earlier than April 1, 2026.
Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)
For space fans, today marks an exciting milestone: NASA is set to launch Artemis II at 6:24 p.m. ET, sending four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. Artemis II is the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program and a crucial step toward eventually returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time in decades.
Ahead of the launch, we're seeing lots of content from NASA and beyond, sharing information about what we can look forward to seeing. One interesting video by YouTuber Erin Winick Anthony walks through some of the more than 28 cameras that will be mounted on Artemis II to document the journey.
The Orion capsule has numerous mounted cameras, including some on the ends of the four ... Continue Reading »
Image: Westend61 / Westend61 via Getty Images
Welcome back to our Question of the Week series! This reader-focused series aims to get our photographic community to share thoughts on all sorts of photography-related topics in our forums. We pose questions about gear, favorite camera stores, advice, problem-solving and more, and you share your thoughts and opinions.
This week, we’re leaning into the holiday spirit! The season of giving (and occasionally re-gifting) is upon us, and that means it’s time to unwrap some memories – both heartwarming and hilarious.
What are the best (and worst) photography-related gifts you've received?
What’s the best photography-related gift you’ve ever received? Maybe it was a dream lens that caused you to take on an adventure deep in the mountains, or a handmade camera strap that’s now an essential part of your kit. And what about the worst? Perhaps someone thought you needed yet another "World’s Best Photographer" mug, or that odd lens filter set that turned every photo a shade of green.
In this edition of our Question of the Week series, we want to hear your gift stories: the memorable, the useful and the truly baffling. Share your favorites (and flops) in the forum link below. Photos of ... Continue Reading »
Image: Canon (via CanonCat.net)
Most DPReview readers will know Canon from its photographic equipment, such as cameras, lenses, printers, and inks. Some may even know that it's an important player in lithography, making the machines that help make computer chips. But you'd have to have a pretty good memory (or be a frequent watcher of my former employer The Verge's Version History podcast) to know that the company once made and sold computers, including one that was designed by a key member of the original team that built the Apple Macintosh.
That computer is called the Canon Cat, and its creation was led by Jef Raskin. It debuted in 1987, according to The A Register, and Canon sold it not as a word processor, electronic typewriter or even personal computer. Instead, the company called it a "Work Processor": a machine to "help you write and edit, communicate and calculate."
You don't buy something called the Cat to use a mouse.Image: Canon (via CanonCat.net)
Despite the Macintosh lineage*, the Cat didn't adopt what was arguably one of that computer's defining features: a mouse for navigating the UI, an omission that was actually touted in the marketing materials (which have thankfully been preserved on CanonCat.net). Nor ... Continue Reading »
Jeff Keller is not eligible for this campaign, since he's far from a bad photographer.
Photo: Jeff Keller
Companies typically look for high-quality photographs for marketing materials, but Icelandair is taking a different approach this time. The airline's most recent campaign is instead focused entirely on "bad photographers," offering up a free trip and an additional financial prize for the worst of the worst.
Icelandair recently launched a campaign seeking "the worst photographer" to prove that even bad photographers can capture beautiful images of Iceland. According to the website, winners will receive a 10-day trip to Iceland, with travel expenses paid and the chance for their images to be used in a global ad campaign. The free trip isn't all selected participants get, either. They could also win $50,000.
Naturally, there are some specific requirements. You have to be someone with no professional background in photography, and no "special" interest in learning photography. The company also specifies that you should be "frequently disappointed with your own photos." Despite all that, you also need to be prepared to have your photographs displayed internationally.
The application process is simple. You just have to convince Icelandair that you are a bad photographer and can speak English.
The application ... Continue Reading »
Image: SmartSens
Anyone who spends time digging into which sensors power the cameras on flagship mobile phones will know that the industry has largely been dominated by a few main companies; Sony, Samsung and Omnivision. But recently, a company called SmartSens has been working on breaking into the market, and its latest sensor may be destined for some of the highest-end phones on the market.
The SC5A6XS is a 50MP Type 1 – well, technically Type 1/0.98 (128mm²) – stacked sensor, which the company says is capable of capturing 4K video at up to 120p, or up to 60p with HDR (which, in this case, likely means blending frames to capture wider dynamic range before outputting to SDR). SmartSens also says that can provide up to 19EV of dynamic range without the need for multiple exposures. While that's certainly impressive, and more than most smartphone sensors are currently quoted as providing, that figure should be taken with the same sizeable grains of salt reserved for whenever manufacturers talk about DR figures.
According to SmartSens, the SC5A6XS also performs well in low-light, and is efficient with its power use; an important consideration for mobile phone photography.
The company seems to be keeping up with the ... Continue Reading »
Daniel Balton (on the left) poses in front of his jib, the crane device behind him.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Balton
The Super Bowl halftime show may look effortless to viewers, but behind it is an enormous amount of planning and a crew of unsung heroes who make the live broadcast look polished. One such person is Daniel Balton, a jib operator and technician.
Balton has now worked on eight Super Bowl halftime shows, including this year's Bad Bunny performance and other productions, such as the SNL 50-year concert, VMAs and operas. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Balton via video to learn more about his background, what made this year's halftime show feel so different and what it's like being a jib operator at such a high level.
Inside the new era of halftime
Balton was responsible for capturing the electric pole moment during this year's halftime show.
Photo: Daniel Balton
One common refrain from this year's halftime show (which you can watch here) was that it felt more like a music video than a live performance. "That's a very intentional shift that's been happening in the industry," Balton explained. "It started probably before the pandemic... where on the artist side, they were coming ... Continue Reading »
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The Sony a7 V is a surprisingly large step forward from the already capable a7 IV. The move to a "partially-stacked" version of the 33MP BSI CMOS sensor lets it shoot faster, boosting both burst shooting and video capabilities. It also adopts a design that can combine its sensor's low- and high-gain readout modes, offering excellent dynamic range.
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
A new processor allows it to deliver the latest AI-trained subject recognition modes, giving you autofocus performance to match that fast shooting and those video capabilities. However, it has some fierce competition in the do-everything full-frame sector, especially in the light of a price rise over its predecessor.
Watch the video to see what we thought after our usual extensive testing and use.
Click here to read our full, written review of the Sony a7 V
Sony a7 V review sample gallery
Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we ... Continue Reading »
"Night Lights" photo challenge
The theme for our March Editor's photo challenge was "Night Lights."
We asked you to share your best photos featuring artificial light sources, and you lit up the board with brilliant entries. In addition to great photos, we were impressed by the variety of geographic locations represented in this month's submissions, featuring locations from around the world.
As always, we received many more great photos than we can feature here. Our favorites, showcasing a diverse range of vision and talent, are presented in random order.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this photo challenge. If you'd like to participate in other photo challenges, you can visit our Challenges page to see currently open or upcoming challenges, or to vote in a recently closed challenge.
Breskens Lighthouse
Photographer: Phantogram
Photographer's statement: The Breskens Lighthouse was built in 1867 to guide ships safely through the mouth of the Western Scheldt. The tower was designed by Dutch engineer Quirinus Harder, who was responsible for several lighthouses in the Netherlands. It stands about 28 meters tall and is constructed from cast-iron plates, a modern building technique in the 19th century. The light helped vessels heading to the important port of Antwerp.
During World War II, the lighthouse was ... Continue Reading »
The Saturnix is a soon-to-be open source DIY camera project that has a lot of style.Photo: Yutani
While it seems like camera companies are willing to experiment again, it’s been a while since I’ve come across a camera with a design that really stopped me in my tracks. That changed when a friend forwarded me a Reddit post from a person named Yutani, who custom-designed what he describes as a “retro-futuristic digital camera” called the Saturnix. Friends, take a look at this gorgeous piece of camera hardware.
I reached out to Yutani, who says the camera started as a passion project purely for personal use. That changed when some friends insisted he share it, and Yutani isn’t stopping at just posting pictures of it and from it online: he also plans on posting all the information you’d need to build it yourself, along with the operating system and custom-built UI to run it for anyone to use.
And the award for most enticing buttons on a camera goes to...Photo: Yutani
Obviously, the most attention-grabbing part of the Saturnix is the case. Yutani says it’s inspired by sci-fi movies and old computers in general, and by the terminals in the video game Alien: Isolation, specifically. ... Continue Reading »
The camera market has changed and, I suspect, we're going to have to adapt to a new reality for cameras, one in which there is a wide array of cameras available, but they won't necessarily be designed for existing photo enthusiasts. Recognizing that we'll see fewer like-for-like replacements and that some of these future models aren't designed for us will avoid a lot of confusion.
Camera makers are trying new things
I think Canon's take-a-photo of a projected image 'retro' camera mockup exemplifies the kind of vibes-over-IQ camera I suspect we'll see more of.
Photo: Mitchell Clark
You can see this proliferation already happening, with several brands creating vlogging models, to the point that Sony has developed its ZV series that sits completely apart from its Alpha or Cyber-Shot ranges. Similarly, though riding on the coat-tails of the existing X-series branding, Fujifilm released the X half: a camera specifically and explicitly designed for people who don't currently buy cameras. And Canon showing off demos of retro-styled cameras that project an image onto a screen that is then photographed, giving them more in common with the X half or even the early I'm Back modules than with the EOS range.
Don't mistake "not for me" with ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos: Richard Butler
83%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Ricoh has released a monochrome version of its GR IV enthusiast compact camera. The GR IV Monochrome features the same 26MP BSI CMOS sensor and 28mm equiv F2.8 lens as the color version, but is black-and-white only.
Key specifications
26MP BSI CMOS sensor with no color filter array
On-sensor phase detection
ISO 160-409,600
In-lens shutter allows flash sync to 1/4000th sec
E-shutter allows use of F2.8 at up to 1/16,000 sec
Built-in red filter, giving punchier blues.
53GB of internal memory
250 shot-per-charge battery rating
UHS-I Micro SD memory card slot
The GR IV Monochrome sells for a recommended price of $2199. This is a 46% premium over the list price of the standard GR IV, suggesting Ricoh feels that the mono version will have a smaller audience to foot the development costs. The MSRP in the UK is £1599, which is only a 33% mark-up over the standard version's original list price.
Index
What is it
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
In use
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
What is it?
As the name implies, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome ... Continue Reading »
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Updated March 5th, 2026
Well over a decade after Panasonic introduced the first mirrorless camera, it's a design that now dominates the interchangeable lens camera market. They include cameras designed for a wide range of photo and video pursuits and models at everything from budget to professional price points.
We've used and tested just about every current mirrorless camera on the market and picked out what we think are the stand-out models. We'll start with the most affordable models, then work our way up from there. In general terms, as you move up the price ladder, you'll see larger sensors with better image quality, higher resolution, faster burst rates, and more capable video specs. We'll explain why we've chosen each camera and try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Our picks:
Best affordable kit: Sony a6100
Best value around $1000: Nikon Z50II
Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Fujifilm X-T5
Best value full-frame: Nikon Z5II
Best mid-priced full-frame mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6III
Most capable mid-range mirrorless: Canon EOS R6 III
Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon EOS R5 II
Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
IQ above all else: GFX 100S II
Best affordable kit: Sony a6100
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF ... Continue Reading »
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Updated: March 4, 2026
These days, midrange cameras go for around $2500-3000, though in the US tariffs have made great deals in this price range a little harder to come by. For that money, you get something that's incredibly capable; our picks are high-spec options that are excellent for stills and video, and many have autofocus systems that come close to the performance of professional sports cameras.
Choosing a camera means committing to the ecosystem of lenses that are available for it, so we advise looking into the price and availability of your preferred kit. It's also worth noting that some camera manufacturers are more restrictive of what options third-party lens makers can provide, so be sure to consider that during your lens research.
Speaking of lenses, it's also worth considering that the latest lens designs for mirrorless cameras regularly outperform their older DSLR counterparts. If you have any lenses already, you may want to think about whether it's worth adapting them, or if you'd be better off selling them to help you buy modern equivalents of your most-used lenses. This option also gives you a path to switching brands, ... Continue Reading »
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Updated February 25, 2026
Travel can expose you to once-in-a-lifetime sights and experiences, and a good camera can be the perfect way to preserve those memories. We've looked at a range of models that offer great image quality, good autofocus and excellent video, so you'll be prepared to capture whatever you run into.
We've also tried to select relatively small cameras so they don't interfere with your trip, though it's worth touching briefly on lens size. If you choose a system with a Four Thirds or APS-C sensor, you'll be able to use lenses that are lighter and more compact than their full-frame counterparts. Full-frame sensors, however, offer the potential for even better image quality, so it's worth considering whether portability or image quality matters more to you and doing some research on what types of lenses you'd like to use and how big the full-frame versions are.
Our recommendations
Portable full-frame: Sony a7CR
All-round compact capability: Sony a6700
The great travel kit: Fujifilm X-T50 with 16-50mm F2.8-4.8
The ready-for-anything option: OM System OM-3
The stylish travel companion: Nikon Zf
Best pocketable travel camera: Ricoh GR IV
The classic choice: Fujifilm X100VI
The best video camera for travel: ... Continue Reading »
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Updated: February 24, 2026
Whether you're just sharing clips with friends or you're launching an online on-camera career, vlogging matters. And there's a point at which your smartphone may not give you the look, control, or flexibility you're after. With 180-degree selfie screens, wide-angle lenses, microphone inputs and great video quality, more and more dedicated cameras are catering to people who want to take video of themselves and post it online.
The meaning of vlogging has changed over the years, so our picks cover a variety of styles – we'll explain what makes each camera good for vlogging, and what key features each has that make taking video of yourself easier. We've also included videos shot on the cameras in question when we have them to give you an idea of what kind of performance to expect.
Our recommendations:
Best camera for vlogging on the move: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
A self-contained vlogging kit: Canon PowerShot V1
For ambitious vloggers and videographers: Sony ZV-E10 II
Best high-end vlogging pick: Nikon ZR
Best camera for vlogging on the move: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Photo: Richard Butler
$519 at B&H
$519 at Amazon
$519 at Adorama
DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 is a ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos: Mitchell Clark
91%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Sony a7 V is an enthusiast-tier camera with a new, full-frame, 33MP 'partially stacked' CMOS sensor, with a focus on high burst rates, capable autofocus and a complete suite of video features.
Key Specifications
33MP full frame 'partially stacked' sensor
IBIS rated to 7.5EV in the center
AI-derived recognition for six subject types
"Blackout-free" continuous shooting at 30fps
Configurable pre-burst capture up to 1 second
3.2" tilting/fully-articulating display
Dual USB-C ports for power and data
4K up to 60p derived from 7K capture, 4K up to 120p with 1.5x crop
AI-based auto-framing in video
Sony says the a7 V is available now with a recommended retail price of $2899, body only, making it $400 more expensive than the Mark IV, back in 2021.
Index:
What's new?
In context
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
Video
In-use
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press Release
What's new?
New sensor
Like its predecessor, the a7 V features a 33MP sensor, but with extra readout circuitry to improve readout speeds (which were one of the a7 IV's weak points). We've seen this "partially stacked" technology in 24MP cameras like the ... Continue Reading »
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Updated February 12, 2026
$1000 might sound like a lot of money for a camera, but it's probably the least we'd recommend spending if you want to go beyond phone photography, especially as photography equipment is steadily getting more expensive. The picks on this list will give you more control than a phone and offer a more satisfying photographic experience.
At this price point, your options will be entry-level interchangeable lens cameras or larger-sensor compact cameras with built-in lenses. Compacts offer more control than a phone and a greater zoom range, but likely won't offer a huge jump in image quality compared to the latest flagship phones (despite their typically larger sensors).
Meanwhile, an interchangeable lens camera won't be as easy to carry around and comes with the added expense of lenses. However, they can make you feel even more involved in the photographic process, and the flexibility of swappable lenses will let you learn and grow into different types of photography as you develop your passion. They also feature much larger sensors than phones and the majority of compacts.
It's worth noting that camera makers sometimes assume that beginners will ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos: Richard Butler
86%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Fujifilm X-T30 III is the company's latest entry-level, SLR-shaped mirrorless camera, with its latest color mode recipes and autofocus.
Key specifications
26MP X-Trans APS-C BSI CMOS sensor
Film simulation dial with recipe positions
Tilt up/down rear screen
2.36M dot EVF
4K/60 video with 1.18x crop, 6.2K/30 full-sensor capture
315 shot-per-charge battery life, 425 in power saving mode
The X-T30 III is available at a recommended price of $999. There is also the option to buy the camera with a new, unusually wide, 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS zoom lens, which will cost around $1150.
Index
What's new?
What is it?
How it compares
Body and handling
Image Quality
Autofocus
Video
In Use
The Auto Experience
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
What's new?
The Film Simulation dial on the camera's shoulder has three custom positions that can be assigned to film simulations or the simulation-and-parameter-tweak combinations known as 'recipes.'
The X-T30 III, as the name implies, is an iterative update of the existing X-T30 II. It gains the latest Fujifilm processor, which brings subject recognition autofocus. This brings it into line with the X-M5 and X-T50.
It ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos: Mitchell Clark
91%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII is the company's latest high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera, now beefed-up with 8K video capabilities and improved autofocus.
Key features
Full-frame 44MP dual gain CMOS sensor
Up to 40fps continuous shooting with pre-burst capture (e-shutter only)
8.1K/8K video at up to 30p
5.76M dot viewfinder
Flip-out and tilt rear screen
ProRes 422 and ProRes RAW capture
Capture to CFExpress Type B, UHS II SD or external SSD
Multi-shot high res mode up to 177MP
32-bit float audio via optional XLR 2 adapter
The S1RII is available now with a recommended retail price of $3300.
Update, Jan 2026: In light of the significant improvement in autofocus performance we experienced with the latest firmware on the S1II, we've re-tested the S1RII with its Ver. 1.3 update. The improvements to the S1RII appear to be much more subtle, so we've made slight adjustments to phrasing but don't feel it warrants a revision to the score or award.
Index:
What's new
What's new for video
How it compares
Body and handling
Image Quality
Autofocus
Video
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
2025
Feb 25: Initial review published
Mar ... Continue Reading »
We put the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Samsung T7 Shield, USB4 SanDisk Extreme Pro and Thunderbolt 5 OWC Envoy Ultra head-to-head.Photo: Mitchell Clark
These days, there are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to buying an external SSD to expand your computer's storage (an increasingly important ability as Raw sizes and video bitrates balloon). The highest-end options use protocols like Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 to achieve blistering speeds, but this raises the question: do photographers need all that performance?
We tested several SSDs across a range of price points to see if each one had more to offer for photographers, or if the returns quickly diminished.
What we tested and how we tested them
For this article, we used a 1TB Samsung T7 Shield as our sample for USB 3.2 Gen 2, a 2TB SanDisk Extreme Pro to represent USB4 and a Thunderbolt 5 2TB OWC Envoy Ultra. The tests were carried out on a 2024 MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro processor, which supports Thunderbolt 5, and we tested each SSD one at a time, using the cable it came with.
While this isn't meant to act as a review for the specific SSDs we used for our testing, the results can't ... Continue Reading »
NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are seen standing atop a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), around the Moon and back to Earth no earlier than April 1, 2026.
Photo Credit: (NASA/John Kraus)
For space fans, today marks an exciting milestone: NASA is set to launch Artemis II at 6:24 p.m. ET, sending four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. Artemis II is the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program and a crucial step toward eventually returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time in decades.
Ahead of the launch, we're seeing lots of content from NASA and beyond, sharing information about what we can look forward to seeing. One interesting video by YouTuber Erin Winick Anthony walks through some of the more than 28 cameras that will be mounted on Artemis II to document the journey.
The Orion capsule has numerous mounted cameras, including some on the ends of the four ... 
Image: Westend61 / Westend61 via Getty Images
Welcome back to our Question of the Week series! This reader-focused series aims to get our photographic community to share thoughts on all sorts of photography-related topics in our forums. We pose questions about gear, favorite camera stores, advice, problem-solving and more, and you share your thoughts and opinions.
This week, we’re leaning into the holiday spirit! The season of giving (and occasionally re-gifting) is upon us, and that means it’s time to unwrap some memories – both heartwarming and hilarious.
What are the best (and worst) photography-related gifts you've received?
What’s the best photography-related gift you’ve ever received? Maybe it was a dream lens that caused you to take on an adventure deep in the mountains, or a handmade camera strap that’s now an essential part of your kit. And what about the worst? Perhaps someone thought you needed yet another "World’s Best Photographer" mug, or that odd lens filter set that turned every photo a shade of green.
In this edition of our Question of the Week series, we want to hear your gift stories: the memorable, the useful and the truly baffling. Share your favorites (and flops) in the forum link below. Photos of ... 
Image: Canon (via CanonCat.net)
Most DPReview readers will know Canon from its photographic equipment, such as cameras, lenses, printers, and inks. Some may even know that it's an important player in lithography, making the machines that help make computer chips. But you'd have to have a pretty good memory (or be a frequent watcher of my former employer The Verge's Version History podcast) to know that the company once made and sold computers, including one that was designed by a key member of the original team that built the Apple Macintosh.
That computer is called the Canon Cat, and its creation was led by Jef Raskin. It debuted in 1987, according to The A Register, and Canon sold it not as a word processor, electronic typewriter or even personal computer. Instead, the company called it a "Work Processor": a machine to "help you write and edit, communicate and calculate."
You don't buy something called the Cat to use a mouse.Image: Canon (via CanonCat.net)
Despite the Macintosh lineage*, the Cat didn't adopt what was arguably one of that computer's defining features: a mouse for navigating the UI, an omission that was actually touted in the marketing materials (which have thankfully been preserved on CanonCat.net). Nor ... 
Jeff Keller is not eligible for this campaign, since he's far from a bad photographer.
Photo: Jeff Keller
Companies typically look for high-quality photographs for marketing materials, but Icelandair is taking a different approach this time. The airline's most recent campaign is instead focused entirely on "bad photographers," offering up a free trip and an additional financial prize for the worst of the worst.
Icelandair recently launched a campaign seeking "the worst photographer" to prove that even bad photographers can capture beautiful images of Iceland. According to the website, winners will receive a 10-day trip to Iceland, with travel expenses paid and the chance for their images to be used in a global ad campaign. The free trip isn't all selected participants get, either. They could also win $50,000.
Naturally, there are some specific requirements. You have to be someone with no professional background in photography, and no "special" interest in learning photography. The company also specifies that you should be "frequently disappointed with your own photos." Despite all that, you also need to be prepared to have your photographs displayed internationally.
The application process is simple. You just have to convince Icelandair that you are a bad photographer and can speak English.
The application ... 
Image: SmartSens
Anyone who spends time digging into which sensors power the cameras on flagship mobile phones will know that the industry has largely been dominated by a few main companies; Sony, Samsung and Omnivision. But recently, a company called SmartSens has been working on breaking into the market, and its latest sensor may be destined for some of the highest-end phones on the market.
The SC5A6XS is a 50MP Type 1 – well, technically Type 1/0.98 (128mm²) – stacked sensor, which the company says is capable of capturing 4K video at up to 120p, or up to 60p with HDR (which, in this case, likely means blending frames to capture wider dynamic range before outputting to SDR). SmartSens also says that can provide up to 19EV of dynamic range without the need for multiple exposures. While that's certainly impressive, and more than most smartphone sensors are currently quoted as providing, that figure should be taken with the same sizeable grains of salt reserved for whenever manufacturers talk about DR figures.
According to SmartSens, the SC5A6XS also performs well in low-light, and is efficient with its power use; an important consideration for mobile phone photography.
The company seems to be keeping up with the ... 
Daniel Balton (on the left) poses in front of his jib, the crane device behind him.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Balton
The Super Bowl halftime show may look effortless to viewers, but behind it is an enormous amount of planning and a crew of unsung heroes who make the live broadcast look polished. One such person is Daniel Balton, a jib operator and technician.
Balton has now worked on eight Super Bowl halftime shows, including this year's Bad Bunny performance and other productions, such as the SNL 50-year concert, VMAs and operas. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Balton via video to learn more about his background, what made this year's halftime show feel so different and what it's like being a jib operator at such a high level.
Inside the new era of halftime
Balton was responsible for capturing the electric pole moment during this year's halftime show.
Photo: Daniel Balton
One common refrain from this year's halftime show (which you can watch here) was that it felt more like a music video than a live performance. "That's a very intentional shift that's been happening in the industry," Balton explained. "It started probably before the pandemic... where on the artist side, they were coming ... 
"Night Lights" photo challenge
The theme for our March Editor's photo challenge was "Night Lights."
We asked you to share your best photos featuring artificial light sources, and you lit up the board with brilliant entries. In addition to great photos, we were impressed by the variety of geographic locations represented in this month's submissions, featuring locations from around the world.
As always, we received many more great photos than we can feature here. Our favorites, showcasing a diverse range of vision and talent, are presented in random order.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this photo challenge. If you'd like to participate in other photo challenges, you can visit our Challenges page to see currently open or upcoming challenges, or to vote in a recently closed challenge.
Breskens Lighthouse
Photographer: Phantogram
Photographer's statement: The Breskens Lighthouse was built in 1867 to guide ships safely through the mouth of the Western Scheldt. The tower was designed by Dutch engineer Quirinus Harder, who was responsible for several lighthouses in the Netherlands. It stands about 28 meters tall and is constructed from cast-iron plates, a modern building technique in the 19th century. The light helped vessels heading to the important port of Antwerp.
During World War II, the lighthouse was ... 
The Saturnix is a soon-to-be open source DIY camera project that has a lot of style.Photo: Yutani
While it seems like camera companies are willing to experiment again, it’s been a while since I’ve come across a camera with a design that really stopped me in my tracks. That changed when a friend forwarded me a Reddit post from a person named Yutani, who custom-designed what he describes as a “retro-futuristic digital camera” called the Saturnix. Friends, take a look at this gorgeous piece of camera hardware.
I reached out to Yutani, who says the camera started as a passion project purely for personal use. That changed when some friends insisted he share it, and Yutani isn’t stopping at just posting pictures of it and from it online: he also plans on posting all the information you’d need to build it yourself, along with the operating system and custom-built UI to run it for anyone to use.
And the award for most enticing buttons on a camera goes to...Photo: Yutani
Obviously, the most attention-grabbing part of the Saturnix is the case. Yutani says it’s inspired by sci-fi movies and old computers in general, and by the terminals in the video game Alien: Isolation, specifically. ... 
The camera market has changed and, I suspect, we're going to have to adapt to a new reality for cameras, one in which there is a wide array of cameras available, but they won't necessarily be designed for existing photo enthusiasts. Recognizing that we'll see fewer like-for-like replacements and that some of these future models aren't designed for us will avoid a lot of confusion.
Camera makers are trying new things
I think Canon's take-a-photo of a projected image 'retro' camera mockup exemplifies the kind of vibes-over-IQ camera I suspect we'll see more of.
Photo: Mitchell Clark
You can see this proliferation already happening, with several brands creating vlogging models, to the point that Sony has developed its ZV series that sits completely apart from its Alpha or Cyber-Shot ranges. Similarly, though riding on the coat-tails of the existing X-series branding, Fujifilm released the X half: a camera specifically and explicitly designed for people who don't currently buy cameras. And Canon showing off demos of retro-styled cameras that project an image onto a screen that is then photographed, giving them more in common with the X half or even the early I'm Back modules than with the EOS range.
Don't mistake "not for me" with ... 
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Product photos: Richard Butler
83%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Ricoh has released a monochrome version of its GR IV enthusiast compact camera. The GR IV Monochrome features the same 26MP BSI CMOS sensor and 28mm equiv F2.8 lens as the color version, but is black-and-white only.
Key specifications
26MP BSI CMOS sensor with no color filter array
On-sensor phase detection
ISO 160-409,600
In-lens shutter allows flash sync to 1/4000th sec
E-shutter allows use of F2.8 at up to 1/16,000 sec
Built-in red filter, giving punchier blues.
53GB of internal memory
250 shot-per-charge battery rating
UHS-I Micro SD memory card slot
The GR IV Monochrome sells for a recommended price of $2199. This is a 46% premium over the list price of the standard GR IV, suggesting Ricoh feels that the mono version will have a smaller audience to foot the development costs. The MSRP in the UK is £1599, which is only a 33% mark-up over the standard version's original list price.
Index
What is it
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
In use
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
What is it?
As the name implies, the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome ... 
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Updated March 5th, 2026
Well over a decade after Panasonic introduced the first mirrorless camera, it's a design that now dominates the interchangeable lens camera market. They include cameras designed for a wide range of photo and video pursuits and models at everything from budget to professional price points.
We've used and tested just about every current mirrorless camera on the market and picked out what we think are the stand-out models. We'll start with the most affordable models, then work our way up from there. In general terms, as you move up the price ladder, you'll see larger sensors with better image quality, higher resolution, faster burst rates, and more capable video specs. We'll explain why we've chosen each camera and try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Our picks:
Best affordable kit: Sony a6100
Best value around $1000: Nikon Z50II
Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Fujifilm X-T5
Best value full-frame: Nikon Z5II
Best mid-priced full-frame mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6III
Most capable mid-range mirrorless: Canon EOS R6 III
Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon EOS R5 II
Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
IQ above all else: GFX 100S II
Best affordable kit: Sony a6100
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF ... 
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Updated: March 4, 2026
These days, midrange cameras go for around $2500-3000, though in the US tariffs have made great deals in this price range a little harder to come by. For that money, you get something that's incredibly capable; our picks are high-spec options that are excellent for stills and video, and many have autofocus systems that come close to the performance of professional sports cameras.
Choosing a camera means committing to the ecosystem of lenses that are available for it, so we advise looking into the price and availability of your preferred kit. It's also worth noting that some camera manufacturers are more restrictive of what options third-party lens makers can provide, so be sure to consider that during your lens research.
Speaking of lenses, it's also worth considering that the latest lens designs for mirrorless cameras regularly outperform their older DSLR counterparts. If you have any lenses already, you may want to think about whether it's worth adapting them, or if you'd be better off selling them to help you buy modern equivalents of your most-used lenses. This option also gives you a path to switching brands, ... 
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Updated February 25, 2026
Travel can expose you to once-in-a-lifetime sights and experiences, and a good camera can be the perfect way to preserve those memories. We've looked at a range of models that offer great image quality, good autofocus and excellent video, so you'll be prepared to capture whatever you run into.
We've also tried to select relatively small cameras so they don't interfere with your trip, though it's worth touching briefly on lens size. If you choose a system with a Four Thirds or APS-C sensor, you'll be able to use lenses that are lighter and more compact than their full-frame counterparts. Full-frame sensors, however, offer the potential for even better image quality, so it's worth considering whether portability or image quality matters more to you and doing some research on what types of lenses you'd like to use and how big the full-frame versions are.
Our recommendations
Portable full-frame: Sony a7CR
All-round compact capability: Sony a6700
The great travel kit: Fujifilm X-T50 with 16-50mm F2.8-4.8
The ready-for-anything option: OM System OM-3
The stylish travel companion: Nikon Zf
Best pocketable travel camera: Ricoh GR IV
The classic choice: Fujifilm X100VI
The best video camera for travel: ... 
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Updated: February 24, 2026
Whether you're just sharing clips with friends or you're launching an online on-camera career, vlogging matters. And there's a point at which your smartphone may not give you the look, control, or flexibility you're after. With 180-degree selfie screens, wide-angle lenses, microphone inputs and great video quality, more and more dedicated cameras are catering to people who want to take video of themselves and post it online.
The meaning of vlogging has changed over the years, so our picks cover a variety of styles – we'll explain what makes each camera good for vlogging, and what key features each has that make taking video of yourself easier. We've also included videos shot on the cameras in question when we have them to give you an idea of what kind of performance to expect.
Our recommendations:
Best camera for vlogging on the move: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
A self-contained vlogging kit: Canon PowerShot V1
For ambitious vloggers and videographers: Sony ZV-E10 II
Best high-end vlogging pick: Nikon ZR
Best camera for vlogging on the move: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Photo: Richard Butler
$519 at B&H
$519 at Amazon
$519 at Adorama
DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3 is a ... 
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Product photos: Mitchell Clark
91%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Sony a7 V is an enthusiast-tier camera with a new, full-frame, 33MP 'partially stacked' CMOS sensor, with a focus on high burst rates, capable autofocus and a complete suite of video features.
Key Specifications
33MP full frame 'partially stacked' sensor
IBIS rated to 7.5EV in the center
AI-derived recognition for six subject types
"Blackout-free" continuous shooting at 30fps
Configurable pre-burst capture up to 1 second
3.2" tilting/fully-articulating display
Dual USB-C ports for power and data
4K up to 60p derived from 7K capture, 4K up to 120p with 1.5x crop
AI-based auto-framing in video
Sony says the a7 V is available now with a recommended retail price of $2899, body only, making it $400 more expensive than the Mark IV, back in 2021.
Index:
What's new?
In context
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
Video
In-use
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press Release
What's new?
New sensor
Like its predecessor, the a7 V features a 33MP sensor, but with extra readout circuitry to improve readout speeds (which were one of the a7 IV's weak points). We've seen this "partially stacked" technology in 24MP cameras like the ... 
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Updated February 12, 2026
$1000 might sound like a lot of money for a camera, but it's probably the least we'd recommend spending if you want to go beyond phone photography, especially as photography equipment is steadily getting more expensive. The picks on this list will give you more control than a phone and offer a more satisfying photographic experience.
At this price point, your options will be entry-level interchangeable lens cameras or larger-sensor compact cameras with built-in lenses. Compacts offer more control than a phone and a greater zoom range, but likely won't offer a huge jump in image quality compared to the latest flagship phones (despite their typically larger sensors).
Meanwhile, an interchangeable lens camera won't be as easy to carry around and comes with the added expense of lenses. However, they can make you feel even more involved in the photographic process, and the flexibility of swappable lenses will let you learn and grow into different types of photography as you develop your passion. They also feature much larger sensors than phones and the majority of compacts.
It's worth noting that camera makers sometimes assume that beginners will ... 
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Product photos: Richard Butler
86%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Fujifilm X-T30 III is the company's latest entry-level, SLR-shaped mirrorless camera, with its latest color mode recipes and autofocus.
Key specifications
26MP X-Trans APS-C BSI CMOS sensor
Film simulation dial with recipe positions
Tilt up/down rear screen
2.36M dot EVF
4K/60 video with 1.18x crop, 6.2K/30 full-sensor capture
315 shot-per-charge battery life, 425 in power saving mode
The X-T30 III is available at a recommended price of $999. There is also the option to buy the camera with a new, unusually wide, 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS zoom lens, which will cost around $1150.
Index
What's new?
What is it?
How it compares
Body and handling
Image Quality
Autofocus
Video
In Use
The Auto Experience
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
What's new?
The Film Simulation dial on the camera's shoulder has three custom positions that can be assigned to film simulations or the simulation-and-parameter-tweak combinations known as 'recipes.'
The X-T30 III, as the name implies, is an iterative update of the existing X-T30 II. It gains the latest Fujifilm processor, which brings subject recognition autofocus. This brings it into line with the X-M5 and X-T50.
It ... 
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Product photos: Mitchell Clark
91%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII is the company's latest high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera, now beefed-up with 8K video capabilities and improved autofocus.
Key features
Full-frame 44MP dual gain CMOS sensor
Up to 40fps continuous shooting with pre-burst capture (e-shutter only)
8.1K/8K video at up to 30p
5.76M dot viewfinder
Flip-out and tilt rear screen
ProRes 422 and ProRes RAW capture
Capture to CFExpress Type B, UHS II SD or external SSD
Multi-shot high res mode up to 177MP
32-bit float audio via optional XLR 2 adapter
The S1RII is available now with a recommended retail price of $3300.
Update, Jan 2026: In light of the significant improvement in autofocus performance we experienced with the latest firmware on the S1II, we've re-tested the S1RII with its Ver. 1.3 update. The improvements to the S1RII appear to be much more subtle, so we've made slight adjustments to phrasing but don't feel it warrants a revision to the score or award.
Index:
What's new
What's new for video
How it compares
Body and handling
Image Quality
Autofocus
Video
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
2025
Feb 25: Initial review published
Mar ... 
We put the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Samsung T7 Shield, USB4 SanDisk Extreme Pro and Thunderbolt 5 OWC Envoy Ultra head-to-head.Photo: Mitchell Clark
These days, there are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to buying an external SSD to expand your computer's storage (an increasingly important ability as Raw sizes and video bitrates balloon). The highest-end options use protocols like Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 to achieve blistering speeds, but this raises the question: do photographers need all that performance?
We tested several SSDs across a range of price points to see if each one had more to offer for photographers, or if the returns quickly diminished.
What we tested and how we tested them
For this article, we used a 1TB Samsung T7 Shield as our sample for USB 3.2 Gen 2, a 2TB SanDisk Extreme Pro to represent USB4 and a Thunderbolt 5 2TB OWC Envoy Ultra. The tests were carried out on a 2024 MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro processor, which supports Thunderbolt 5, and we tested each SSD one at a time, using the cable it came with.
While this isn't meant to act as a review for the specific SSDs we used for our testing, the results can't ...