2025 Analog Sparks International Film Photography Awards
This Film Friday, we are highlighting the Analog Sparks 2025 International Film Photography Awards, showcasing diverse analog work from around the globe. This marks the third edition of the contest, which saw record-breaking participation with more than 1800 submissions from 61 countries.
Réka Kóti, creator of the @analog_sparks Instagram community, founded the competition and its corresponding exhibition series. Hossein Farmani, head of the Lucie Foundation and founder of the international House of Lucie gallery network, supported the project.
The contest is dedicated entirely to analog photography and is open to professional, amateur and student photographers working with traditional techniques. This year, there were eight categories: Architecture, Fine Art, Human, Lifestyle, Nature, Photojournalism, Technique and Zines & Photobooks.
Submissions were judged by an independent international jury. The winners receive cash prizes, and their works will be featured in three exhibitions at House of Luxie galleries in Athens, Greece, Ostuni, Italy and Budapest, Hungary.
We've included a small selection of images here, but you can see the full gallery of winning images on the Analog Sparks website. Additionally, many of the photos below are part of series. You can see the full sets at the link in ... Continue Reading »
Photo: Mitchell Clark
No matter what type(s) of photography you like to pursue, mastering exposure is key to creating successful images. While it can be tempting to use your camera's screen to judge exposure, that display can be quite unreliable for such a task. Instead, one of the most useful tools for evaluating exposure in digital photography is the histogram, a graph that reveals the distribution of brightness levels across the image. Understanding how (and why) to use the histogram can help prevent accidentally losing details in the highlights or shadows, allowing you to get consistent, quality exposures.
What is the histogram?
Histograms help visualize exposure, but can also show the distribution of red, green and blue.Image: Mitchell Clark
Histograms are not specific to photography and are simply graphs that show the distribution of continuous numerical data. They help visualize data by revealing a shape, spread and central tendency in a dataset.
In digital photography, the histogram is an exposure-assessment tool. It graphs how many pixels fall at each brightness value. Pure black (0% brightness) is on the left side, and pure white (100% brightness) is on the right side. The height of each bar tells you how many pixels have that particular brightness value ... Continue Reading »
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Sony a7R V | Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM | F4| 1/100 sec | ISO 1600Processed with Capture One
Earlier this week, Sony announced the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM, a macro lens capable of 1.5x reproduction, and that's compatible with teleconverters for even higher levels of magnification. We got the chance to take some pictures with the lens, using it for both macro and as a standard 100mm lens, and you can take a look through the sample gallery below to see how it performed.
We've also updated the gallery to include some shots taken with Sony's 2x teleconverter, to show how it affects the performance and to include examples of the 2.8x reproduction provided by that setup.
With thanks to Lensrentals for the camera body.
Buy now:Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. Continue Reading »
Image: OM-System
The OM System OM-3 gave users quick and easy control over its deeply customizable picture profiles with its control knob on the front of the camera. Now, the company has made it easier to find and download custom recipes made by others with its newly launched OM-3 Recipes hub.
When OM System launched the OM-3 in February, it iterated on the "Creative Dial" feature from the PEN-F, providing quick access to various color profiles for JPEG files. The camera came with several preset options, but also allowed users to customize various parameters, including sharpness, contrast, vignetting, virtual color filter, simulated grain, individual saturation control of 12 hues and more. Customizing those parameters to create a recipe can be time-consuming, though, especially if you're trying to match a specific aesthetic.
Each recipe offers a brief description with the photographer's name.
The OM-3 Recipes hub, however, lets you download recipes uploaded by other users, allowing for creative looks without fiddling with individual settings. The new hub currently features six recipes, each developed by a different photographer and providing a distinct look. For example, Jerred Z's recipe is a monochrome profile with soft midtones, deep shadows and some grain. Kyler Steele's profile is described as ... Continue Reading »
By every measure, Jasmine Quiñones is extremely creative. Her images have perspective; her short films make you feel something. But she's not immune to getting stuck in a creative rut.
She was in one such rut when we first got in touch about contributing to our new video series with MPB about upgrading gear on a budget. In an attempt to extricate herself, Quiñones pitched an idea back to us: What if I downgrade instead?
In search of said downgrade — and, hopefully, a creative upgrade — she dove headlong into our Camera Comparison tool. She had her mind set on a simple point-and-shoot camera and quickly narrowed her selection down to the Fujifilm XQ2.
Then, Quiñones popped over to MPB, the leading platform for buying, selling, and trading camera equipment, and found one in stock, in excellent condition and, importantly, at an affordable price. While she was there, Quiñones also grabbed a Sigma 4.5mm f/2.8 fisheye lens, because, why not? She was under budget after all.
If you're in a creative rut or just looking to break out of your photographic comfort zone, we hope Quiñones' experience can serve as a reminder. That is, that sometimes the best way forward is back. And ... Continue Reading »
We've just finished up with a busy month of smartphone news, but we're not quite done with our coverage yet. Recently, the DPReview team sat down to discuss some of the finer points of smartphone photography, including how the phones achieve their digital crops, the sensor sizes currently being used by Apple and others, and the balance of hardware and software in mobile photography.
If you've finished the video and are still looking for more on mobile photograhpy, you can check out our opinion piece below, where we talk about the marketing phone companies do around their center crop modes.
Continue Reading »
Image: Meike
Meike, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer specializing in budget cinema and photography equipment, has removed L-mount lenses from its website. The move, spotted by a DPReview reader, has sparked questions about the company's intentions to continue supporting the mount.
Users have taken to forums to report having issues finding L-mount Meike lenses on the Meike website and through sellers on AliExpress and Amazon. One DPReview member said he purchased an L-mount lens via a seller on AliExpress on September 21, but when he went to check the price out of curiosity on September 22, the L-mount version was no longer available. He couldn't find it through other sellers, either, and a visit to the Meike website revealed that the L-mount section is no longer there.
Indeed, as of September 30, there is no L-mount option under the Camera Lens tab. A look back using the Internet Archive Way Back Machine reveals an L-mount category as of the last recorded snapshot on September 18.
The screenshot of the Meike website on the left, which shows an L-mount category, was taken using the Way Back Machine and its snapshot on September 18. The screenshot on the right was taken on September 30.
At the time ... Continue Reading »
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Updated October 1, 2025
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with small, bright lenses that offer better image quality than most compact zooms, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to relatively large sensors to give you the perfect field of view for your style of shooting.
Our picks range from pocketable models to larger cameras that you'll have to you'll have to consciously decide to take with you. They also cover a wide range of prices; while there sadly aren't any budget options, some come with much higher price tags than others, reaching well into the thousands of dollars.
Our picks:
Best fixed lens camera for patient people: Fujifilm X100 VI
The super X100: Sony DSC-RX1R III
Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR IV
The Rolls-Royce of fixed lens camera: Leica Q3 43
The just-for-fun fixed lens: Fujifilm X half
Best fixed lens camera for patient people: Fujifilm X100VI
40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder
Image: Richard Butler
Buy now:$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent build qualitySubject-detection autofocusNow with in-body image ... Continue Reading »
Photo: Richard Butler
Many cameras, especially entry-level models, most often come as a kit with a lens. Appropriately referred to as 'kit' lenses, they are typically 'standard zooms' offering a range from fairly wide angle to moderate telephoto (such as 18-55mm on APS-C cameras). The focal length range is versatile and works well for many subjects, which helps you test the waters right away without spending money on additional lenses. They are also affordable, helping keep the cost of your kit down, and are typically compact, making them easier to take with you.
However, there are downsides to the kit lens. If you are interested in growing your skills as a photographer, you will likely reach the point where you've outgrown the kit lens and need to upgrade to something else. Knowing when you've reached that level can be tricky, though.
Signs you've outgrown your kit lens
Everyone's experience and situation are different, so there isn't one exact timeframe or answer for when to upgrade. However, below are some common signs that could suggest it might be the right move.
You're struggling in low light
Most kit lenses offer rather small maximum apertures. That means you have to compensate with a slower shutter speed or higher ... Continue Reading »
2025 Bird Photographer of the Year Winners
The winners of the 2025 Bird Photographer of the Year contest have been announced, showcasing remarkable photographs of the avian species from around the world. This year, more than 33,000 images were submitted, with entries created by seasoned pros and those younger than 11 years old.
The adult competition features eight categories, including Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, Conservation (Single Image) and Creative Perspectives. Additionally, there are youth categories for 15-17 year olds, 12-14 year olds and 11 and under.
This year's grand prize winner was a photograph of a bird flying in front of a solar eclipse, taken by Liron Gertsman of Canada. "I spent well over a year of planning to capture my dream of a bird in front of the total solar eclipse," says Gertsman. "I enlisted the help ofa boat to position myself near some islets off Mazatlán that were frequented by seabirds. As the moon uncovered the sun’s edge at the end of totality, I captured this image during the eclipse phase known as the 'diamond ring' – a moment that lasts mere seconds."
"Exceptional bird photography takes technical excellence, artistic ... Continue Reading »
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Updated October 1, 2025
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with small, bright lenses that offer better image quality than most compact zooms, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to relatively large sensors to give you the perfect field of view for your style of shooting.
Our picks range from pocketable models to larger cameras that you'll have to you'll have to consciously decide to take with you. They also cover a wide range of prices; while there sadly aren't any budget options, some come with much higher price tags than others, reaching well into the thousands of dollars.
Our picks:
Best fixed lens camera for patient people: Fujifilm X100 VI
The super X100: Sony DSC-RX1R III
Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR IV
The Rolls-Royce of fixed lens camera: Leica Q3 43
The just-for-fun fixed lens: Fujifilm X half
Best fixed lens camera for patient people: Fujifilm X100VI
40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder
Image: Richard Butler
Buy now:$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent build qualitySubject-detection autofocusNow with in-body image ... Continue Reading »
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
Updated: September 30, 2025
$2000 or the equivalent in your local currency is a lot to spend on a camera, especially when you're just starting out. However, if you can spare the funds, it's the price bracket where cameras start to get really good. You can expect powerful but easy-to-use autofocus systems, cameras that make it easier than ever to learn the craft of photography, and even some more advanced and capable options.
While this article used to only consider cameras up to $1500, because of inflation (and, in the US, tariffs), this class of camera has risen in price; if a camera cost $1500 when it was introduced in 2019, its successor may now cost around $1800.
The biggest decision will likely be whether to go with a full-frame camera – a name that comes from their sensors being the same size as a frame of 35mm film – or a camera with a smaller APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensor.
Essentially, choosing a sensor size comes with trade-offs between size, price, and image quality, as well as features. You can get some pretty advanced cameras in all three sensor ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos: Richard Butler
84%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Ricoh GR IV is a photographer's compact built around a 26MP APS-C sensor with a fixed 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens. It's the fourth entry in the GR series (though that was preceded by the long-running GR Digital series and film models prior to that), and includes elements from previous GR cameras that had been dropped by its predecessor.
Key Specs:
25.74MP APS-C sensor
18.3mm F2.8 lens (28mm equiv)
Magnesium alloy body
Built-in 2EV ND
5-axis image stabilization
53GB internal storage and UHS-I Micro SD slot
3.0" 1.04M dot LCD (720 x 480 px)
FullHD (1080) video up to 60p
262g with memory card and battery
The GR IV is available at an MSRP of $1499. This price represents a substantial increase from the GR III's $899 2018 launch price, though is less of a jump from the former market rate for the special editions of that camera, which go for around $1100 (when you can find them in stock).
Index:
What's new
How does it compare?
Body and handling
Image Quality
Autofocus
In Use
Conclusion
Sample Gallery
Specifications
Press Release
Buy now:Buy ... Continue Reading »
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Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content.Product Photos: Mitchell Clark
90%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is a medium format mirrorless camera, built around a 44mm x 33mm, 100MP BSI CMOS sensor. It's designed to deliver a high-dynamic range image workflow, and gains continuous autofocus supported by Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors and more effective image stabilization.
Key Specifications
100MP 44x33mm BSI CMOS sensor
HDR output (HEIF or Ultra HDR JPEG) by default
IBIS up to 10EV
Continuous autofocus
3.6", 2.36M dot tilting rear OLED display w/ 1400 nit peak brightness
5.76M dot 1x EVF
Human, pet and vehicle AF subject detection
LiDAR for autofocus
1TB internal SSD + CFexpress Type B slot
Despite the significant upgrades, the X2D II 100C sees the body-only price fall to $7399 / €7200 / £6400, an $800 reduction, compared with the existing X2D 100C.
Index:
What's new
How it compares?
Body and handling
In use
Initial impressions
Image Quality
Autofocus
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press Release
Buy now:Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
What's New
"End-to-end" HDR
This image, captured as an Ultra HDR JPEG, makes the chrome of the car's wire wheels shine much more convincingly when ... Continue Reading »
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Nikon has announced the ZR, a video-focused camera with Red co-branding. It features the same 24.5MP 'partially Stacked' sensor as the Z6III and inherits many capabilities from the more stills-oriented camera, but gains a new Raw video codec, video-focused UI and internal 32-bit float audio recording – a first in the industry.
Key Specs:
24.5MP full-frame 'partially Stacked' CMOS sensor
Nikon Z-mount
7.5EV IBIS
Up to 6K 60p
R3D (NE) Raw video codec
4" 3.07M dot (1280 x 800px) 1000 nit display
CFexpress Type B / microSD
Autofocus subject detection for people, animals, vehicles and planes
Internal 32-bit float
No mechanical shutter
The ZR will retail for $2199 – $500 cheaper than the Z6III – and will be available starting October 20th.
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at B&H Photo
Index:
What's new
How it compares
Body and handling
Video capabilities
Initial Impressions
Specifications
Press Release
What's New
Familiar sensor, new body
While the ZR's heart may be the same as the Z6III, less the mechanical shutter, it's not immediately obvious by looking at it. The camera has a boxy, EVF-less design with a minimal grip, making it easy to mount on a gimbal without having to worry about clearance.
On the back is a massive 4" 3.07M dot display. It's ... Continue Reading »
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91%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Product photos: Mitchell Clark
The Nikon Z5II is a full-frame mirrorless camera built around a 24MP BSI CMOS sensor. It's an update to Nikon's entry-level full-frame Z5 and is essentially a version of the Zf that trades retro styling for a more conventional design.
Key Features
24MP BSI full-frame CMOS sensor
In-body image stabilization, rated up to 7.5EV
Autofocus subject detection with support for 9 subject types
11 fps Raw w/ mechanical shutter
30fps JPEG-only mode with pre-release capture
3.69M dot 60Hz EVF with 3000-nit peak brightness
4K/30 full-width, 60p w/ 1.5x crop
10-bit N-Log or N-Raw capture
Dual UHS-II card slots
Downloadable color mode presets via Imaging Cloud
The Z5II is available for $1699 – a $300 increase over its predecessor in absolute terms, though a very similar price when considering inflation and its greater ambitions. Kits will also be available with a 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens for $1999, or with a 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR for $2499.
Index:
What's new
How it compares
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
Video
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
Apr ... 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.
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
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
Feb 25: Initial review published
Mar 31: Image quality and Autofocus results published
Apr 23: Autofocus section updated and conclusion added
Aug 7: Video section added, conclusion updated
What's new
New sensor
Rather than the 47MP used in the original S1R, or the 61MP chip used in Leica's SL3, Panasonic has opted for a slightly lower resolution but faster ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos by Richard Butler
88%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Sony DSC-RX1R III is the company's fourth full-frame compact camera with the same Zeiss-branded 35mm F2 lens. The latest version uses a 60.2MP sensor and Sony's latest processors.
Key specifications
60.2MP BSI CMOS sensor
35mm F2 Zeiss-branded lens
2.36M dot (1024 x 768px) EVF with 0.7x magnification
2.36M dot (1024 x 768px) fixed LCD touchscreen
NP-FW50 battery, rated to 300 shots per charge
4K video up to 30p with 10-bit 4:2:2 options, Log and S-Cinetone
Range of color modes including 3 'Film' modes
The RX1R III is available now, at a recommended price of $5099, £4200, €4900. There are also a series of rather expensive accessories available, including an add-on thumb rest, a lens hood and a leather half-case.
The US price is notably higher, in comparison to the European and UK prices, than is typical for Sony products. We have to assume the approximately 10% higher pricing is a result of the tariffs imposed by the US government.
Index:
What's new
How does it compare?
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
Video
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Buy now:Buy ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos: Richard Butler
85%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Fujifilm X-E5 is the latest mid-range rangefinder-style mirrorless camera to join the X-series. It takes several steps back towards the enthusiast-friendly outlook of the original X-E models and gains image stabilization along the way.
Key specifications
40MP BSI CMOS APS-C sensor
Image stabilization rated to 7.0EV
Twin clickable command dials
Film simulation dial with 'recipe' option
2.36M dot EVF
1.04M dot rear up/down tilt LCD
Video up to 6.2K//30 (with 1.23x crop)
Continuous shooting up to 8fps, 13fps with e-shutter
Mic socket, headphones via USB
The Fujifilm X-E5 will be available in August at a recommended price of $1699, body only, or $1899 with the new 23mm F2.8R WR lens. At launch, this represented a $300 premium over the similarly specced X-T50 for US customers, likely to leave room for tariffs. However, Fujifilm has now adjusted the rest of its lineup's prices, so the X-E5's US price is more in-line with the rest of the world (for now).
Jul 30: Initial review published
Aug 4: Review updated with updated X-T50/X-T5 pricing
Index:
What's ... Continue Reading »
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All product photos: Richard Butler
The Fujifilm X half is a JPEG-only compact camera with a fixed focal length and a vertically orientated sensor, designed to mimic the experience of shooting with a half-frame film camera. It prioritizes fun over technical excellence.
Key features
Vertical 18MP, 8.8 x 11.7mm CMOS sensor
32mm equiv F2.8 lens
JPEG-only output
2-in-1 mode combining sequential shots into a 3:2 image
Tunnel-style optical viewfinder
Film Camera mode simulates the film camera experience
10 Film Simulations, 18 Filters
Twin touchscreen interface
Date stamp option
880 shot per charge rating when using OVF
'Film advance' lever
Direct printing to Instax printers
UHS-I SD card slot
The obvious reference point will, no doubt, be Fujifilm's own X100 series cameras, and we doubt Fujifilm will dislike the comparison, given their popularity. But, whereas the X100 cameras look a lot like miniature Leicas, the cute, boxy X half looks more like a Rollei 35.
The X half has a recommended price of $849 and is available in black, charcoal or silver. There's no obvious precedent for a camera like this and the uncertainty ... Continue Reading »
2025 Analog Sparks International Film Photography Awards
This Film Friday, we are highlighting the Analog Sparks 2025 International Film Photography Awards, showcasing diverse analog work from around the globe. This marks the third edition of the contest, which saw record-breaking participation with more than 1800 submissions from 61 countries.
Réka Kóti, creator of the @analog_sparks Instagram community, founded the competition and its corresponding exhibition series. Hossein Farmani, head of the Lucie Foundation and founder of the international House of Lucie gallery network, supported the project.
The contest is dedicated entirely to analog photography and is open to professional, amateur and student photographers working with traditional techniques. This year, there were eight categories: Architecture, Fine Art, Human, Lifestyle, Nature, Photojournalism, Technique and Zines & Photobooks.
Submissions were judged by an independent international jury. The winners receive cash prizes, and their works will be featured in three exhibitions at House of Luxie galleries in Athens, Greece, Ostuni, Italy and Budapest, Hungary.
We've included a small selection of images here, but you can see the full gallery of winning images on the Analog Sparks website. Additionally, many of the photos below are part of series. You can see the full sets at the link in ... 
Photo: Mitchell Clark
No matter what type(s) of photography you like to pursue, mastering exposure is key to creating successful images. While it can be tempting to use your camera's screen to judge exposure, that display can be quite unreliable for such a task. Instead, one of the most useful tools for evaluating exposure in digital photography is the histogram, a graph that reveals the distribution of brightness levels across the image. Understanding how (and why) to use the histogram can help prevent accidentally losing details in the highlights or shadows, allowing you to get consistent, quality exposures.
What is the histogram?
Histograms help visualize exposure, but can also show the distribution of red, green and blue.Image: Mitchell Clark
Histograms are not specific to photography and are simply graphs that show the distribution of continuous numerical data. They help visualize data by revealing a shape, spread and central tendency in a dataset.
In digital photography, the histogram is an exposure-assessment tool. It graphs how many pixels fall at each brightness value. Pure black (0% brightness) is on the left side, and pure white (100% brightness) is on the right side. The height of each bar tells you how many pixels have that particular brightness value ... 
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
Sony a7R V | Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM | F4| 1/100 sec | ISO 1600Processed with Capture One
Earlier this week, Sony announced the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM, a macro lens capable of 1.5x reproduction, and that's compatible with teleconverters for even higher levels of magnification. We got the chance to take some pictures with the lens, using it for both macro and as a standard 100mm lens, and you can take a look through the sample gallery below to see how it performed.
We've also updated the gallery to include some shots taken with Sony's 2x teleconverter, to show how it affects the performance and to include examples of the 2.8x reproduction provided by that setup.
With thanks to Lensrentals for the camera body.
Buy now:Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab. 
Image: OM-System
The OM System OM-3 gave users quick and easy control over its deeply customizable picture profiles with its control knob on the front of the camera. Now, the company has made it easier to find and download custom recipes made by others with its newly launched OM-3 Recipes hub.
When OM System launched the OM-3 in February, it iterated on the "Creative Dial" feature from the PEN-F, providing quick access to various color profiles for JPEG files. The camera came with several preset options, but also allowed users to customize various parameters, including sharpness, contrast, vignetting, virtual color filter, simulated grain, individual saturation control of 12 hues and more. Customizing those parameters to create a recipe can be time-consuming, though, especially if you're trying to match a specific aesthetic.
Each recipe offers a brief description with the photographer's name.
The OM-3 Recipes hub, however, lets you download recipes uploaded by other users, allowing for creative looks without fiddling with individual settings. The new hub currently features six recipes, each developed by a different photographer and providing a distinct look. For example, Jerred Z's recipe is a monochrome profile with soft midtones, deep shadows and some grain. Kyler Steele's profile is described as ... 
Image: Meike
Meike, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer specializing in budget cinema and photography equipment, has removed L-mount lenses from its website. The move, spotted by a DPReview reader, has sparked questions about the company's intentions to continue supporting the mount.
Users have taken to forums to report having issues finding L-mount Meike lenses on the Meike website and through sellers on AliExpress and Amazon. One DPReview member said he purchased an L-mount lens via a seller on AliExpress on September 21, but when he went to check the price out of curiosity on September 22, the L-mount version was no longer available. He couldn't find it through other sellers, either, and a visit to the Meike website revealed that the L-mount section is no longer there.
Indeed, as of September 30, there is no L-mount option under the Camera Lens tab. A look back using the Internet Archive Way Back Machine reveals an L-mount category as of the last recorded snapshot on September 18.
The screenshot of the Meike website on the left, which shows an L-mount category, was taken using the Way Back Machine and its snapshot on September 18. The screenshot on the right was taken on September 30.
At the time ... 
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
Updated October 1, 2025
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with small, bright lenses that offer better image quality than most compact zooms, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to relatively large sensors to give you the perfect field of view for your style of shooting.
Our picks range from pocketable models to larger cameras that you'll have to you'll have to consciously decide to take with you. They also cover a wide range of prices; while there sadly aren't any budget options, some come with much higher price tags than others, reaching well into the thousands of dollars.
Our picks:
Best fixed lens camera for patient people: Fujifilm X100 VI
The super X100: Sony DSC-RX1R III
Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR IV
The Rolls-Royce of fixed lens camera: Leica Q3 43
The just-for-fun fixed lens: Fujifilm X half
Best fixed lens camera for patient people: Fujifilm X100VI
40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder
Image: Richard Butler
Buy now:$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent build qualitySubject-detection autofocusNow with in-body image ... 
Photo: Richard Butler
Many cameras, especially entry-level models, most often come as a kit with a lens. Appropriately referred to as 'kit' lenses, they are typically 'standard zooms' offering a range from fairly wide angle to moderate telephoto (such as 18-55mm on APS-C cameras). The focal length range is versatile and works well for many subjects, which helps you test the waters right away without spending money on additional lenses. They are also affordable, helping keep the cost of your kit down, and are typically compact, making them easier to take with you.
However, there are downsides to the kit lens. If you are interested in growing your skills as a photographer, you will likely reach the point where you've outgrown the kit lens and need to upgrade to something else. Knowing when you've reached that level can be tricky, though.
Signs you've outgrown your kit lens
Everyone's experience and situation are different, so there isn't one exact timeframe or answer for when to upgrade. However, below are some common signs that could suggest it might be the right move.
You're struggling in low light
Most kit lenses offer rather small maximum apertures. That means you have to compensate with a slower shutter speed or higher ... 
2025 Bird Photographer of the Year Winners
The winners of the 2025 Bird Photographer of the Year contest have been announced, showcasing remarkable photographs of the avian species from around the world. This year, more than 33,000 images were submitted, with entries created by seasoned pros and those younger than 11 years old.
The adult competition features eight categories, including Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Bird Behaviour, Birds in Flight, Black and White, Urban Birds, Conservation (Single Image) and Creative Perspectives. Additionally, there are youth categories for 15-17 year olds, 12-14 year olds and 11 and under.
This year's grand prize winner was a photograph of a bird flying in front of a solar eclipse, taken by Liron Gertsman of Canada. "I spent well over a year of planning to capture my dream of a bird in front of the total solar eclipse," says Gertsman. "I enlisted the help ofa boat to position myself near some islets off Mazatlán that were frequented by seabirds. As the moon uncovered the sun’s edge at the end of totality, I captured this image during the eclipse phase known as the 'diamond ring' – a moment that lasts mere seconds."
"Exceptional bird photography takes technical excellence, artistic ... 
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Updated: September 30, 2025
$2000 or the equivalent in your local currency is a lot to spend on a camera, especially when you're just starting out. However, if you can spare the funds, it's the price bracket where cameras start to get really good. You can expect powerful but easy-to-use autofocus systems, cameras that make it easier than ever to learn the craft of photography, and even some more advanced and capable options.
While this article used to only consider cameras up to $1500, because of inflation (and, in the US, tariffs), this class of camera has risen in price; if a camera cost $1500 when it was introduced in 2019, its successor may now cost around $1800.
The biggest decision will likely be whether to go with a full-frame camera – a name that comes from their sensors being the same size as a frame of 35mm film – or a camera with a smaller APS-C or Micro Four Thirds sensor.
Essentially, choosing a sensor size comes with trade-offs between size, price, and image quality, as well as features. You can get some pretty advanced cameras in all three sensor ... 
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Product photos: Richard Butler
84%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Ricoh GR IV is a photographer's compact built around a 26MP APS-C sensor with a fixed 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens. It's the fourth entry in the GR series (though that was preceded by the long-running GR Digital series and film models prior to that), and includes elements from previous GR cameras that had been dropped by its predecessor.
Key Specs:
25.74MP APS-C sensor
18.3mm F2.8 lens (28mm equiv)
Magnesium alloy body
Built-in 2EV ND
5-axis image stabilization
53GB internal storage and UHS-I Micro SD slot
3.0" 1.04M dot LCD (720 x 480 px)
FullHD (1080) video up to 60p
262g with memory card and battery
The GR IV is available at an MSRP of $1499. This price represents a substantial increase from the GR III's $899 2018 launch price, though is less of a jump from the former market rate for the special editions of that camera, which go for around $1100 (when you can find them in stock).
Index:
What's new
How does it compare?
Body and handling
Image Quality
Autofocus
In Use
Conclusion
Sample Gallery
Specifications
Press Release
Buy now:Buy ... 
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Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content.Product Photos: Mitchell Clark
90%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Hasselblad X2D II 100C is a medium format mirrorless camera, built around a 44mm x 33mm, 100MP BSI CMOS sensor. It's designed to deliver a high-dynamic range image workflow, and gains continuous autofocus supported by Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors and more effective image stabilization.
Key Specifications
100MP 44x33mm BSI CMOS sensor
HDR output (HEIF or Ultra HDR JPEG) by default
IBIS up to 10EV
Continuous autofocus
3.6", 2.36M dot tilting rear OLED display w/ 1400 nit peak brightness
5.76M dot 1x EVF
Human, pet and vehicle AF subject detection
LiDAR for autofocus
1TB internal SSD + CFexpress Type B slot
Despite the significant upgrades, the X2D II 100C sees the body-only price fall to $7399 / €7200 / £6400, an $800 reduction, compared with the existing X2D 100C.
Index:
What's new
How it compares?
Body and handling
In use
Initial impressions
Image Quality
Autofocus
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press Release
Buy now:Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
What's New
"End-to-end" HDR
This image, captured as an Ultra HDR JPEG, makes the chrome of the car's wire wheels shine much more convincingly when ... 
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Nikon has announced the ZR, a video-focused camera with Red co-branding. It features the same 24.5MP 'partially Stacked' sensor as the Z6III and inherits many capabilities from the more stills-oriented camera, but gains a new Raw video codec, video-focused UI and internal 32-bit float audio recording – a first in the industry.
Key Specs:
24.5MP full-frame 'partially Stacked' CMOS sensor
Nikon Z-mount
7.5EV IBIS
Up to 6K 60p
R3D (NE) Raw video codec
4" 3.07M dot (1280 x 800px) 1000 nit display
CFexpress Type B / microSD
Autofocus subject detection for people, animals, vehicles and planes
Internal 32-bit float
No mechanical shutter
The ZR will retail for $2199 – $500 cheaper than the Z6III – and will be available starting October 20th.
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at B&H Photo
Index:
What's new
How it compares
Body and handling
Video capabilities
Initial Impressions
Specifications
Press Release
What's New
Familiar sensor, new body
While the ZR's heart may be the same as the Z6III, less the mechanical shutter, it's not immediately obvious by looking at it. The camera has a boxy, EVF-less design with a minimal grip, making it easy to mount on a gimbal without having to worry about clearance.
On the back is a massive 4" 3.07M dot display. It's ... 
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91%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Product photos: Mitchell Clark
The Nikon Z5II is a full-frame mirrorless camera built around a 24MP BSI CMOS sensor. It's an update to Nikon's entry-level full-frame Z5 and is essentially a version of the Zf that trades retro styling for a more conventional design.
Key Features
24MP BSI full-frame CMOS sensor
In-body image stabilization, rated up to 7.5EV
Autofocus subject detection with support for 9 subject types
11 fps Raw w/ mechanical shutter
30fps JPEG-only mode with pre-release capture
3.69M dot 60Hz EVF with 3000-nit peak brightness
4K/30 full-width, 60p w/ 1.5x crop
10-bit N-Log or N-Raw capture
Dual UHS-II card slots
Downloadable color mode presets via Imaging Cloud
The Z5II is available for $1699 – a $300 increase over its predecessor in absolute terms, though a very similar price when considering inflation and its greater ambitions. Kits will also be available with a 24-50mm f/4-6.3 lens for $1999, or with a 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR for $2499.
Index:
What's new
How it compares
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
Video
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Press release
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
Apr ... 
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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.
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
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
Feb 25: Initial review published
Mar 31: Image quality and Autofocus results published
Apr 23: Autofocus section updated and conclusion added
Aug 7: Video section added, conclusion updated
What's new
New sensor
Rather than the 47MP used in the original S1R, or the 61MP chip used in Leica's SL3, Panasonic has opted for a slightly lower resolution but faster ... 
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Product photos by Richard Butler
88%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Sony DSC-RX1R III is the company's fourth full-frame compact camera with the same Zeiss-branded 35mm F2 lens. The latest version uses a 60.2MP sensor and Sony's latest processors.
Key specifications
60.2MP BSI CMOS sensor
35mm F2 Zeiss-branded lens
2.36M dot (1024 x 768px) EVF with 0.7x magnification
2.36M dot (1024 x 768px) fixed LCD touchscreen
NP-FW50 battery, rated to 300 shots per charge
4K video up to 30p with 10-bit 4:2:2 options, Log and S-Cinetone
Range of color modes including 3 'Film' modes
The RX1R III is available now, at a recommended price of $5099, £4200, €4900. There are also a series of rather expensive accessories available, including an add-on thumb rest, a lens hood and a leather half-case.
The US price is notably higher, in comparison to the European and UK prices, than is typical for Sony products. We have to assume the approximately 10% higher pricing is a result of the tariffs imposed by the US government.
Index:
What's new
How does it compare?
Body and handling
Image quality
Autofocus
Video
Conclusion
Sample gallery
Specifications
Buy now:Buy ... 
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Product photos: Richard Butler
85%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
The Fujifilm X-E5 is the latest mid-range rangefinder-style mirrorless camera to join the X-series. It takes several steps back towards the enthusiast-friendly outlook of the original X-E models and gains image stabilization along the way.
Key specifications
40MP BSI CMOS APS-C sensor
Image stabilization rated to 7.0EV
Twin clickable command dials
Film simulation dial with 'recipe' option
2.36M dot EVF
1.04M dot rear up/down tilt LCD
Video up to 6.2K//30 (with 1.23x crop)
Continuous shooting up to 8fps, 13fps with e-shutter
Mic socket, headphones via USB
The Fujifilm X-E5 will be available in August at a recommended price of $1699, body only, or $1899 with the new 23mm F2.8R WR lens. At launch, this represented a $300 premium over the similarly specced X-T50 for US customers, likely to leave room for tariffs. However, Fujifilm has now adjusted the rest of its lineup's prices, so the X-E5's US price is more in-line with the rest of the world (for now).
Jul 30: Initial review published
Aug 4: Review updated with updated X-T50/X-T5 pricing
Index:
What's ... 
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All product photos: Richard Butler
The Fujifilm X half is a JPEG-only compact camera with a fixed focal length and a vertically orientated sensor, designed to mimic the experience of shooting with a half-frame film camera. It prioritizes fun over technical excellence.
Key features
Vertical 18MP, 8.8 x 11.7mm CMOS sensor
32mm equiv F2.8 lens
JPEG-only output
2-in-1 mode combining sequential shots into a 3:2 image
Tunnel-style optical viewfinder
Film Camera mode simulates the film camera experience
10 Film Simulations, 18 Filters
Twin touchscreen interface
Date stamp option
880 shot per charge rating when using OVF
'Film advance' lever
Direct printing to Instax printers
UHS-I SD card slot
The obvious reference point will, no doubt, be Fujifilm's own X100 series cameras, and we doubt Fujifilm will dislike the comparison, given their popularity. But, whereas the X100 cameras look a lot like miniature Leicas, the cute, boxy X half looks more like a Rollei 35.
The X half has a recommended price of $849 and is available in black, charcoal or silver. There's no obvious precedent for a camera like this and the uncertainty ...