2024: By the numbers
We're closing in on 2025 fast, but we've got time for one last retrospective on the year that we'll soon be saying goodbye to. This time, we're going to take a look at some statistics – that may sound nerdy, but we promise it paints an interesting picture of where the photo industry is at large and gives a fun look at how the year has gone here at DPReview.
27: The number of cameras released this year
2024 saw the release of 27 stills cameras, from major flagships like the Sony a9 III to minor refreshes like the Panasonic Lumix DC-G97 and models from plucky brands like Pixii. While we counted some largely video-focused cameras, like the Sony ZV-E10 II, that figure doesn't include cinema cameras like the Canon EOS C80 or action cameras like the GoPro Hero 13.
That's around six more than last year, depending on how you count them. While there are a few caveats – the 27 figure has some cameras that could be considered duplicates, like the Ricoh GR III HDF / GR IIIx HDF and G900 II / G900SE II – it still seems like the camera industry has been a bit more ... Continue Reading »
Editors' Photo Challenge: Your best photos of 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, we invited our readers to share their best photos from the past year. The response was fantastic, with submissions ranging from stunning macro shots of insects to breathtaking images of the night sky and everything in between. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed! The quality of the entries was exceptional, and unfortunately, we can only showcase a selection here.
To view all the submissions and discover which photos resonated most with your fellow readers, please visit the challenge page.
Did you miss this challenge? Stay tuned for our January challenge announcement. In the meantime, consider participating in these current and upcoming challenges hosted by other members of the DPReview community:
Open challenges
Shoes (closes Dec. 30)
The Bus (closes Jan. 3)
Home on the Range (closes Jan. 3)
Locomotives (closes Jan. 3)
Wild Peaks: Wildlife backed by the heights (closes Jan. 3)
Upcoming challenges
A Big Year 2024 (starts Dec. 30)
Face or faces in a crowd (starts Dec. 31)
Stadiums/Arenas - wide angle (starts Jan. 2)
Fire Engines (starts Jan. 4)
Trees (starts Jan. 4)
And now, here are our top picks from the Best of 2024 Editors' Photo Challenge.
Kingfisher
Photographer: FujiJon
Description: I took this image from a hide at ... Continue Reading »
The year is coming to a close, so we thought it would be a good time to go back through the archives and pick out some of the most important stories we covered and reviews we published throughout 2024. This list will be far from exhaustive – we have one of those if you're interested – as we're just looking at the highlights.
January
Canon EOS R100 Review
On January 22nd, we published our in-depth review of Canon's EOS R100, the company's entry-level mirrorless camera. We found that it compromises perhaps a bit too much to reach its $479 body-only price point but can produce some lovely-looking pictures nonetheless.
Read the review
Sony ZV-1 Mark II Review
Hot on the heels of the EOS R100 review was our deep-dive on the Sony ZV-1 Mark II, a compact vlogging camera based around a Type 1 Stacked CMOS sensor. It has its strengths – though it's absolutely not the enthusiast stills compact we've all been hoping for – but we found that it doesn't quite do enough to earn a recommendation compared to a modern-day smartphone.
Read the review
Also in January, we published our initial review of the Sony a9 III, the first full-frame photography camera from a major ... Continue Reading »
Season's greetings! We've almost reached the end of 2024, and as is our custom, the DPReview team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Boxing Day, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Festivus, and Happy Holiday to all. We're incredibly grateful you've stuck with us for yet another orbit around the sun.
2024 was an important year for DPReview symbolically. One year ago today, on December 25, 2023, we celebrated the site's 25th anniversary. For the past 12 months, we've been looking back at some of the moments and milestones from that past quarter century. We couldn't have reached this point without your support.
2024 has also been an important chapter for DPReview as a business. Many of you know we've been going through a period of rebuilding. Every person at DPReview, including many folks behind the scenes, has poured their heart and soul into this effort. Why? Because at a fundamental level, we believe that an internet with DPReview is better than one without it.
The hard work is paying off. You might recall that a couple of months ago, we advertised some new editorial roles on the site, and I'm thrilled to report that we'll have a couple of ... Continue Reading »
2024 In Review
Photos: DPReview staff
2024 is just about over, so we thought it'd be a good time to look back and identify some trends that started emerging or kept going strong throughout the year. This isn't a recap of all the news that happened – we'll be releasing one of those soon enough – but rather a broad look at the direction the industry is going, which may give us an idea of what to expect throughout 2025.
Global Shutter
Sony's a9 III simultaneously ends the exposure for all its pixels, eliminating rolling shutter.Photo: Richard Butler
It's hard to say that global shutter was a trend in 2024; in terms of consumer mirrorless cameras, there was only one with the tech, the Sony a9 III. Given the benefits it brings, though – the ability to sync with full-power flash at almost any speed, the ability to shoot stills at 120fps, and to use shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 sec to capture the fastest subjects without any blur – we fully expect to see it come to more high-end sports / action cameras.
That's not to say that the a9 III's sensor is perfect. Compared to its rolling shutter counterparts, it takes a hit to ... Continue Reading »
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.Have your say: Best gear of 2024
For the past few weeks, readers have been voting on their favorite cameras and lenses released in 2024. Now that the first round of voting is over, it's time to reveal the winners.
Remember, though, it isn't over just yet! Now it's time to pick an overall winner. Make sure to cast your ballot for the 2024 Reader's Choice Product of the Year – this one's for all the bragging rights.
Best prime lens runner-up: Nikon Z 50mm F1.4
First up is the 2024 runner-up for best prime lens, the Nikon Z 50mm F1.4, a fast prime that retails for less than Nikon's own 50mm F1.8 S model. The tradeoff? Although it's faster than the 50mm F1.8 S, it trades some of the clinical sharpness of that lens for more 'character', and you'll likely see more vignetting and longitudinal chromatic aberration at some apertures. However, it gets you a fast prime at a popular focal length for under $500.
In our poll, the Z 50mm F1.4 barely edged out its sibling, the Nikon Z 35mm F1.4, effectively splitting the vote, suggesting that Nikon's new F1.4 ... Continue Reading »
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We recently published our review of the Fujifilm X-M5, and a sample gallery taken with a production unit alongside it. In case you missed it, we're giving the sample gallery its own article, as we've added a few more examples to it to help show some of the differences between Fujifilm's Film Simulation color modes.
We were able to shoot this gallery with a wider array of lenses than our pre-production one, which should help illustrate the camera's capabilities when paired with a lens that has better optics than the XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.
Click here to see the gallery Continue Reading »
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Pedestrians with umbrellas wander down a rainy alley in Yokohama's Chinatown.
Panasonic S5IIX + Panasonic S 28-200mm F4-7.1 | F7 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600Photo: Dale Baskin
Japan is one of my favorite places to travel. I'm captivated by its culture, cuisine, and the warmth of its people. It's also a photographer's paradise, offering endless possibilities, from serene temples and bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes.
My favorite type of photography when traveling in Japan is street photography, especially at night. I never tire of exploring the vibrant cityscapes, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo to the atmospheric alleys of Yokohama's Chinatown.
However, there's a twist: I seek out rainy conditions. While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical. The umbrellas emerge, the city lights reflect off the wet pavement, and colors take on a vibrant intensity.
I was fortunate to visit Japan twice this year, and it rained both times. What some might consider lousy weather, I welcome as luck. Both my camera and I were thoroughly drenched during several nights of shooting, underscoring the value of weather-sealed equipment. ... Continue Reading »
Image: Godox
Godox has announced the V100, a 100Ws version of its round-headed V1 on/off camera flashgun. The V100 can deliver up to 100 Watt Seconds in manual mode and can shoot over 70 consecutive bursts of light at full power. Recycle times of under 1 sec are possible when used with an external power source (1.7 sec with the internal battery).
Like the existing V1 and V1Pro, the V100 is available in versions compatible with the proprietary TTL flash metering systems of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm or Olympus/OM System, each of which comes with a small secondary flash that can be used to provide a little 'fill.' It also has a 2W LED modeling lamp, to help you understand how its light is going to fall.
Godox says it's able to sync with the global shutter of Sony's a9 III, up to shutter speeds of 1/80,000, though the company also says the V100's minimum flash duration is 1/20,000, so presumably 1/80,000 sec shutter speeds would only experience a fraction of that output.
Image: Godox
The V100 is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can be charged directly using a USB-C cable or in an optional multi-battery charger if you need to prepare multiple ... Continue Reading »
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When Fujifilm announced that it was releasing a firmware update to help improve the X-H2 and GFX 100 II's autofocus performance in October, the community's response was near-unanimous: what about the X-T5? The camera's autofocus performance has been a sore spot in recent months, with some users complaining that their cameras were noticeably less accurate after a previous firmware update.
This week, Fujifilm answered. It's released firmware updates for its flagship APS-C camera, as well as the GFX 100S II, X-T50, X-S20 and X100VI, promising that its "AF algorithm has been partially revised to improve focusing accuracy and subject tracking performance." According to the release notes, the updates, which you can download using the links above, are solely dedicated to the autofocus improvements.
This is far from the first X-T5 update that promises to improve its autofocusing capabilities, so we'll likely have to wait for owners to chime in on whether it brings the performance up to a level that they're happy with. For now, though, it appears that Fujifilm has at least heard the complaints, and is working on addressing them. Continue Reading »
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84%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Product Photos by Mitchell Clark/Dale Baskin
The Fujifilm X-M5 is the company's latest APS-C mirrorless camera and comes in as the lowest-end entry in its current lineup. It uses the company's last-generation 26MP X-Trans sensor, the same one found in cameras like the X-T4 and X-100V, but comes equipped with its latest processor, giving it access to Fujifilm's AI-powered subject detection autofocus.
Key features:
26MP X-Trans BSI CMOS sensor
X-Processor 5 with AI-powered subject detection AF
On-sensor phase detection
Fully articulated 3", 1.04M-dot LCD
20 Film Simulation modes, including Reala ACE
Continuous shooting up to 8fps (30fps with E-shutter and 1.25x crop)
6.2K 3:2 video up to 30p, 4K up to 60p with crop
External mic and 3.5mm headphone socket
Single UHS-I card slot
Battery life rated up to 330 frames (440 frames in Eco) per charge
The X-M5 is available in silver at a body-only price of $799. A black version is coming in April 2025. Fujifilm is also selling a kit with the X-M5 and its XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens for $899. Optically, it's ... Continue Reading »
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Updated December 18 2024
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with some of the best lenses on the market, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to sensors ranging from APS-C to full-frame 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
Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR III
The Rolls Royce of fixed lens camera: Leica Q3 43
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:$2184 at Amazon.com$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent build qualitySubject-detection autofocusNow with in-body image stabilization
What we don't:Lens not especially fast to focus ... Continue Reading »
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Updated November 29 2024
Landscape photography is a demanding medium, requiring cameras with high resolution and dynamic range. When considering what cameras should make it on this list, we look at factors like weather-sealing, battery life and operability on a tripod.
We've selected cameras that are most likely to deliver the best possible image quality if you're going to spend hours hiking to the perfect location and waiting for the perfect light. For some picks, we've also considered the best image quality you can get at a certain size and weight of camera body.
Our picks:
Best camera for landscapes: Fujifilm GFX 100S II
Best for landscapes and more: Sony a7R V
Best camera that's also good for landscapes: Canon EOS R5 II
The bargain option: Nikon Z7 II
Best compact option: Fujifilm X-T5
Best camera for landscapes: Fujifilm GFX 100S II
102MP BSI medium format sensor | In-body image stabilization | 5.76M dot viewfinder
Photo: Mitchell Clark
Buy now:$4999 at Amazon.com$4999 at Adorama$4999 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent detail captureVery high tonal quality Ready-to-go JPEG or malleable Raws
What we don't:Autofocus not especially fastVideo prone to rolling shutter
The GFX 100S II uses the same sensor as ... Continue Reading »
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Updated Nov 27, 2024
It's sad to say, but the golden age of compact cameras is pretty much over, thanks to the rise of smartphone cameras that are, in many cases, good enough for most people. Manufacturers seem to realize this, too; we last updated this list in 2023, and since then, there haven't really been any new additions to it. The ones that remain can also be difficult to find in stock, even when the companies that make them say they're still a part of their lineups.
However, that doesn't mean the category is completely dead. Even today, there are several types of compact cameras, and some have capabilities that pretty much no phone can match. This list calls out the few that are still available and looks at what they're good for – because there are still cases where a compact camera is a great option.
Our recommendations:
Enthusiast camera
Best enthusiast compact: Canon PowerShot G7X III
Best do-it-all compact: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Waterproof cameras
Best waterproof compact: OM System Tough TG-7
Long zoom camera
Best long-zoom camera: Panasonic FZ1000 II
Best ultra-zoom camera: Nikon Coolpix P1000
Vlogging cameras
Best vlogging compact Sony ZV-1 Mark II
Enthusiast compacts
The ... Continue Reading »
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Updated Nov 22, 2024
$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. 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 main options will be entry-level interchangeable lens cameras or enthusiast-tier compact cameras with a built-in lens. Compact cameras offer more control than a phone and a greater zoom range, but – despite having sensors that are around 60% larger – likely won't offer a huge jump in image quality compared to the latest flagship phones.
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 stick ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos by Mitchell Clark
The Sony Alpha 1 II is the company's latest flagship full-frame mirrorless camera. It's built around the same 50.1MP stacked CMOS sensor as the original but now includes an "AI processing unit," which allows its autofocus system to recognize seven different subject types and to automatically select one based on what's in the scene.
Key specifications
50.1MP stacked CMOS sensor
In-body stabilization rated at up to 8.5EV
Improved autofocus subject recognition with automatic selection
Continuous shooting at up to 30fps with full AF tracking
Pre-release capture from 0.03 to 1 second
Fully-articulated rear screen on tilt-out cradle
8K 30p video downsampled from 8.6K / 4K 120fps
9.44M dot viewfinder with refresh up to 240fps (at lower res)
The a1 II will retail for $6,499.99 – the same as its predecessor – and will be available in mid-December.
Index:
What's new?
How it compares
Body and handling
Initial impressions
Sample Gallery
Specifications
Press release
Buy now:Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
What's new
Despite using the same sensor as its predecessor, Sony claims the a1 II will have improved image quality at ... Continue Reading »
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Updated: November 13th, 2024
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.
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 stabilized handheld vlogging camera, designed for on-the-move vlogging. It’s built around a type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) sensor mounted on a tiny gimbal, meaning it can deliver stabilized footage ... Continue Reading »
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85%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Product images by Dale Baskin/Mitchell Clark
The Panasonic Lumix S9 is the newest addition to Panasonic's line of full-frame mirrorless cameras, though it differs considerably from previous models by being the first to diverge from the traditional DSLR form factor. More significantly, it's the first full-frame Lumix camera aimed squarely at social media content creators.
The basic premise of the S9 is that it's designed to simplify and speed up the social media workflow. The goal is to allow content creators to generate photos or videos ready to publish straight out of the camera without additional editing in other applications.
Key specifications
24MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor with on-sensor phase detection
Sensor stabilized to 5EV (6.5EV w/ lens)
1.84M dot fully-articulating LCD
Open-gate video at 4K or 6K up to 30p
Extensive range of video resolutions, frame-rates and codecs
Dedicated LUT button to apply LUTs to output (photos and video)
Tight integration with the new Lumix Lab smartphone app
Dual conversion gain sensor with explicit 'Dual Native ISO' gain selection
Single UHS-II card slot
The Lumix ... Continue Reading »
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Updated Nov 8, 2024
Sixteen years after Panasonic introduced the first mirrorless camera, mirrorless cameras now dominate 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, or 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 value: Sony a6100
Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Sony a6700
Best bargain full-frame: Canon EOS R8
Best mirrorless camera under $2000: Nikon Zf
Best mid-priced mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6III
Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon R5 II
Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
Best value: Sony a6100
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF with Real-time Tracking | 4K video capture
Photo: Richard Butler
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at Adorama$598 at B&H ... Continue Reading »
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Product photos by Nikon
The Nikon Z50II is the company's latest entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera, built around a 21MP CMOS sensor. As with the original Z50, it's expressly aimed at stills and video creators looking for a small camera that makes it easy to upload.
It brings updated burst modes and AF functions to its predecessor, but most of the advancements are on the video side of the camera.
Key specifications
20.9MP APS-C sensor
Twin control dials
Full-width 4K video up to 30p (60p with crop)
3D-tracking autofocus and subject recognition for nine subject types
Up to 11fps mechanical, with up to 1 second pre-release capture
Fully articulated 3.2" touchscreen
Single UHS-II SD card slot in battery compartment
2.36M dot EVF with brightness up to 1000nits
The Z50II will retail for $909 body-only and $1,049 as a kit with Nikon's DX 16-50 F3.5-6.3 lens. The company says it'll be available in "late November."
Index:
What's new?
How it compares
Body and handling
Initial impressions
Sample Gallery
Specifications
Press release
Buy now:$1049 w/ 16-50mm at Amazon.com$906 at Adorama$906 at B&H Photo
What's new
The Z50II is, as the ... Continue Reading »
2024: By the numbers
We're closing in on 2025 fast, but we've got time for one last retrospective on the year that we'll soon be saying goodbye to. This time, we're going to take a look at some statistics – that may sound nerdy, but we promise it paints an interesting picture of where the photo industry is at large and gives a fun look at how the year has gone here at DPReview.
27: The number of cameras released this year
2024 saw the release of 27 stills cameras, from major flagships like the Sony a9 III to minor refreshes like the Panasonic Lumix DC-G97 and models from plucky brands like Pixii. While we counted some largely video-focused cameras, like the Sony ZV-E10 II, that figure doesn't include cinema cameras like the Canon EOS C80 or action cameras like the GoPro Hero 13.
That's around six more than last year, depending on how you count them. While there are a few caveats – the 27 figure has some cameras that could be considered duplicates, like the Ricoh GR III HDF / GR IIIx HDF and G900 II / G900SE II – it still seems like the camera industry has been a bit more ... 
Editors' Photo Challenge: Your best photos of 2024
As 2024 draws to a close, we invited our readers to share their best photos from the past year. The response was fantastic, with submissions ranging from stunning macro shots of insects to breathtaking images of the night sky and everything in between. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed! The quality of the entries was exceptional, and unfortunately, we can only showcase a selection here.
To view all the submissions and discover which photos resonated most with your fellow readers, please visit the challenge page.
Did you miss this challenge? Stay tuned for our January challenge announcement. In the meantime, consider participating in these current and upcoming challenges hosted by other members of the DPReview community:
Open challenges
Shoes (closes Dec. 30)
The Bus (closes Jan. 3)
Home on the Range (closes Jan. 3)
Locomotives (closes Jan. 3)
Wild Peaks: Wildlife backed by the heights (closes Jan. 3)
Upcoming challenges
A Big Year 2024 (starts Dec. 30)
Face or faces in a crowd (starts Dec. 31)
Stadiums/Arenas - wide angle (starts Jan. 2)
Fire Engines (starts Jan. 4)
Trees (starts Jan. 4)
And now, here are our top picks from the Best of 2024 Editors' Photo Challenge.
Kingfisher
Photographer: FujiJon
Description: I took this image from a hide at ... 
The year is coming to a close, so we thought it would be a good time to go back through the archives and pick out some of the most important stories we covered and reviews we published throughout 2024. This list will be far from exhaustive – we have one of those if you're interested – as we're just looking at the highlights.
January
Canon EOS R100 Review
On January 22nd, we published our in-depth review of Canon's EOS R100, the company's entry-level mirrorless camera. We found that it compromises perhaps a bit too much to reach its $479 body-only price point but can produce some lovely-looking pictures nonetheless.
Read the review
Sony ZV-1 Mark II Review
Hot on the heels of the EOS R100 review was our deep-dive on the Sony ZV-1 Mark II, a compact vlogging camera based around a Type 1 Stacked CMOS sensor. It has its strengths – though it's absolutely not the enthusiast stills compact we've all been hoping for – but we found that it doesn't quite do enough to earn a recommendation compared to a modern-day smartphone.
Read the review
Also in January, we published our initial review of the Sony a9 III, the first full-frame photography camera from a major ... 
Season's greetings! We've almost reached the end of 2024, and as is our custom, the DPReview team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Boxing Day, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Festivus, and Happy Holiday to all. We're incredibly grateful you've stuck with us for yet another orbit around the sun.
2024 was an important year for DPReview symbolically. One year ago today, on December 25, 2023, we celebrated the site's 25th anniversary. For the past 12 months, we've been looking back at some of the moments and milestones from that past quarter century. We couldn't have reached this point without your support.
2024 has also been an important chapter for DPReview as a business. Many of you know we've been going through a period of rebuilding. Every person at DPReview, including many folks behind the scenes, has poured their heart and soul into this effort. Why? Because at a fundamental level, we believe that an internet with DPReview is better than one without it.
The hard work is paying off. You might recall that a couple of months ago, we advertised some new editorial roles on the site, and I'm thrilled to report that we'll have a couple of ... 
2024 In Review
Photos: DPReview staff
2024 is just about over, so we thought it'd be a good time to look back and identify some trends that started emerging or kept going strong throughout the year. This isn't a recap of all the news that happened – we'll be releasing one of those soon enough – but rather a broad look at the direction the industry is going, which may give us an idea of what to expect throughout 2025.
Global Shutter
Sony's a9 III simultaneously ends the exposure for all its pixels, eliminating rolling shutter.Photo: Richard Butler
It's hard to say that global shutter was a trend in 2024; in terms of consumer mirrorless cameras, there was only one with the tech, the Sony a9 III. Given the benefits it brings, though – the ability to sync with full-power flash at almost any speed, the ability to shoot stills at 120fps, and to use shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 sec to capture the fastest subjects without any blur – we fully expect to see it come to more high-end sports / action cameras.
That's not to say that the a9 III's sensor is perfect. Compared to its rolling shutter counterparts, it takes a hit to ... 
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.Have your say: Best gear of 2024
For the past few weeks, readers have been voting on their favorite cameras and lenses released in 2024. Now that the first round of voting is over, it's time to reveal the winners.
Remember, though, it isn't over just yet! Now it's time to pick an overall winner. Make sure to cast your ballot for the 2024 Reader's Choice Product of the Year – this one's for all the bragging rights.
Best prime lens runner-up: Nikon Z 50mm F1.4
First up is the 2024 runner-up for best prime lens, the Nikon Z 50mm F1.4, a fast prime that retails for less than Nikon's own 50mm F1.8 S model. The tradeoff? Although it's faster than the 50mm F1.8 S, it trades some of the clinical sharpness of that lens for more 'character', and you'll likely see more vignetting and longitudinal chromatic aberration at some apertures. However, it gets you a fast prime at a popular focal length for under $500.
In our poll, the Z 50mm F1.4 barely edged out its sibling, the Nikon Z 35mm F1.4, effectively splitting the vote, suggesting that Nikon's new F1.4 ... 
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Pedestrians with umbrellas wander down a rainy alley in Yokohama's Chinatown.
Panasonic S5IIX + Panasonic S 28-200mm F4-7.1 | F7 | 1/125 sec | ISO 1600Photo: Dale Baskin
Japan is one of my favorite places to travel. I'm captivated by its culture, cuisine, and the warmth of its people. It's also a photographer's paradise, offering endless possibilities, from serene temples and bustling markets to breathtaking landscapes.
My favorite type of photography when traveling in Japan is street photography, especially at night. I never tire of exploring the vibrant cityscapes, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo to the atmospheric alleys of Yokohama's Chinatown.
However, there's a twist: I seek out rainy conditions. While most travelers might not embrace a downpour, I find that rain transforms nighttime street photography into something magical. The umbrellas emerge, the city lights reflect off the wet pavement, and colors take on a vibrant intensity.
I was fortunate to visit Japan twice this year, and it rained both times. What some might consider lousy weather, I welcome as luck. Both my camera and I were thoroughly drenched during several nights of shooting, underscoring the value of weather-sealed equipment. ... 
Image: Godox
Godox has announced the V100, a 100Ws version of its round-headed V1 on/off camera flashgun. The V100 can deliver up to 100 Watt Seconds in manual mode and can shoot over 70 consecutive bursts of light at full power. Recycle times of under 1 sec are possible when used with an external power source (1.7 sec with the internal battery).
Like the existing V1 and V1Pro, the V100 is available in versions compatible with the proprietary TTL flash metering systems of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm or Olympus/OM System, each of which comes with a small secondary flash that can be used to provide a little 'fill.' It also has a 2W LED modeling lamp, to help you understand how its light is going to fall.
Godox says it's able to sync with the global shutter of Sony's a9 III, up to shutter speeds of 1/80,000, though the company also says the V100's minimum flash duration is 1/20,000, so presumably 1/80,000 sec shutter speeds would only experience a fraction of that output.
Image: Godox
The V100 is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can be charged directly using a USB-C cable or in an optional multi-battery charger if you need to prepare multiple ... 
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When Fujifilm announced that it was releasing a firmware update to help improve the X-H2 and GFX 100 II's autofocus performance in October, the community's response was near-unanimous: what about the X-T5? The camera's autofocus performance has been a sore spot in recent months, with some users complaining that their cameras were noticeably less accurate after a previous firmware update.
This week, Fujifilm answered. It's released firmware updates for its flagship APS-C camera, as well as the GFX 100S II, X-T50, X-S20 and X100VI, promising that its "AF algorithm has been partially revised to improve focusing accuracy and subject tracking performance." According to the release notes, the updates, which you can download using the links above, are solely dedicated to the autofocus improvements.
This is far from the first X-T5 update that promises to improve its autofocusing capabilities, so we'll likely have to wait for owners to chime in on whether it brings the performance up to a level that they're happy with. For now, though, it appears that Fujifilm has at least heard the complaints, and is working on addressing them. 
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84%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Product Photos by Mitchell Clark/Dale Baskin
The Fujifilm X-M5 is the company's latest APS-C mirrorless camera and comes in as the lowest-end entry in its current lineup. It uses the company's last-generation 26MP X-Trans sensor, the same one found in cameras like the X-T4 and X-100V, but comes equipped with its latest processor, giving it access to Fujifilm's AI-powered subject detection autofocus.
Key features:
26MP X-Trans BSI CMOS sensor
X-Processor 5 with AI-powered subject detection AF
On-sensor phase detection
Fully articulated 3", 1.04M-dot LCD
20 Film Simulation modes, including Reala ACE
Continuous shooting up to 8fps (30fps with E-shutter and 1.25x crop)
6.2K 3:2 video up to 30p, 4K up to 60p with crop
External mic and 3.5mm headphone socket
Single UHS-I card slot
Battery life rated up to 330 frames (440 frames in Eco) per charge
The X-M5 is available in silver at a body-only price of $799. A black version is coming in April 2025. Fujifilm is also selling a kit with the X-M5 and its XC15-45mmF3.5-5.6 OIS PZ lens for $899. Optically, it's ... 
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Updated December 18 2024
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with some of the best lenses on the market, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to sensors ranging from APS-C to full-frame 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
Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR III
The Rolls Royce of fixed lens camera: Leica Q3 43
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:$2184 at Amazon.com$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent build qualitySubject-detection autofocusNow with in-body image stabilization
What we don't:Lens not especially fast to focus ... 
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Updated November 29 2024
Landscape photography is a demanding medium, requiring cameras with high resolution and dynamic range. When considering what cameras should make it on this list, we look at factors like weather-sealing, battery life and operability on a tripod.
We've selected cameras that are most likely to deliver the best possible image quality if you're going to spend hours hiking to the perfect location and waiting for the perfect light. For some picks, we've also considered the best image quality you can get at a certain size and weight of camera body.
Our picks:
Best camera for landscapes: Fujifilm GFX 100S II
Best for landscapes and more: Sony a7R V
Best camera that's also good for landscapes: Canon EOS R5 II
The bargain option: Nikon Z7 II
Best compact option: Fujifilm X-T5
Best camera for landscapes: Fujifilm GFX 100S II
102MP BSI medium format sensor | In-body image stabilization | 5.76M dot viewfinder
Photo: Mitchell Clark
Buy now:$4999 at Amazon.com$4999 at Adorama$4999 at B&H Photo
What we like:Excellent detail captureVery high tonal quality Ready-to-go JPEG or malleable Raws
What we don't:Autofocus not especially fastVideo prone to rolling shutter
The GFX 100S II uses the same sensor as ... 
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Updated Nov 27, 2024
It's sad to say, but the golden age of compact cameras is pretty much over, thanks to the rise of smartphone cameras that are, in many cases, good enough for most people. Manufacturers seem to realize this, too; we last updated this list in 2023, and since then, there haven't really been any new additions to it. The ones that remain can also be difficult to find in stock, even when the companies that make them say they're still a part of their lineups.
However, that doesn't mean the category is completely dead. Even today, there are several types of compact cameras, and some have capabilities that pretty much no phone can match. This list calls out the few that are still available and looks at what they're good for – because there are still cases where a compact camera is a great option.
Our recommendations:
Enthusiast camera
Best enthusiast compact: Canon PowerShot G7X III
Best do-it-all compact: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII
Waterproof cameras
Best waterproof compact: OM System Tough TG-7
Long zoom camera
Best long-zoom camera: Panasonic FZ1000 II
Best ultra-zoom camera: Nikon Coolpix P1000
Vlogging cameras
Best vlogging compact Sony ZV-1 Mark II
Enthusiast compacts
The ... 
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Updated Nov 22, 2024
$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. 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 main options will be entry-level interchangeable lens cameras or enthusiast-tier compact cameras with a built-in lens. Compact cameras offer more control than a phone and a greater zoom range, but – despite having sensors that are around 60% larger – likely won't offer a huge jump in image quality compared to the latest flagship phones.
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 stick ... 
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Product photos by Mitchell Clark
The Sony Alpha 1 II is the company's latest flagship full-frame mirrorless camera. It's built around the same 50.1MP stacked CMOS sensor as the original but now includes an "AI processing unit," which allows its autofocus system to recognize seven different subject types and to automatically select one based on what's in the scene.
Key specifications
50.1MP stacked CMOS sensor
In-body stabilization rated at up to 8.5EV
Improved autofocus subject recognition with automatic selection
Continuous shooting at up to 30fps with full AF tracking
Pre-release capture from 0.03 to 1 second
Fully-articulated rear screen on tilt-out cradle
8K 30p video downsampled from 8.6K / 4K 120fps
9.44M dot viewfinder with refresh up to 240fps (at lower res)
The a1 II will retail for $6,499.99 – the same as its predecessor – and will be available in mid-December.
Index:
What's new?
How it compares
Body and handling
Initial impressions
Sample Gallery
Specifications
Press release
Buy now:Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo
What's new
Despite using the same sensor as its predecessor, Sony claims the a1 II will have improved image quality at ... 
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Updated: November 13th, 2024
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.
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 stabilized handheld vlogging camera, designed for on-the-move vlogging. It’s built around a type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) sensor mounted on a tiny gimbal, meaning it can deliver stabilized footage ... 
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85%Overall scoreJump to conclusion
Product images by Dale Baskin/Mitchell Clark
The Panasonic Lumix S9 is the newest addition to Panasonic's line of full-frame mirrorless cameras, though it differs considerably from previous models by being the first to diverge from the traditional DSLR form factor. More significantly, it's the first full-frame Lumix camera aimed squarely at social media content creators.
The basic premise of the S9 is that it's designed to simplify and speed up the social media workflow. The goal is to allow content creators to generate photos or videos ready to publish straight out of the camera without additional editing in other applications.
Key specifications
24MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor with on-sensor phase detection
Sensor stabilized to 5EV (6.5EV w/ lens)
1.84M dot fully-articulating LCD
Open-gate video at 4K or 6K up to 30p
Extensive range of video resolutions, frame-rates and codecs
Dedicated LUT button to apply LUTs to output (photos and video)
Tight integration with the new Lumix Lab smartphone app
Dual conversion gain sensor with explicit 'Dual Native ISO' gain selection
Single UHS-II card slot
The Lumix ... 
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Updated Nov 8, 2024
Sixteen years after Panasonic introduced the first mirrorless camera, mirrorless cameras now dominate 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, or 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 value: Sony a6100
Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Sony a6700
Best bargain full-frame: Canon EOS R8
Best mirrorless camera under $2000: Nikon Zf
Best mid-priced mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6III
Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon R5 II
Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
Best value: Sony a6100
24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF with Real-time Tracking | 4K video capture
Photo: Richard Butler
Buy now:Buy at Amazon.comBuy at Adorama$598 at B&H ... 
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Product photos by Nikon
The Nikon Z50II is the company's latest entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera, built around a 21MP CMOS sensor. As with the original Z50, it's expressly aimed at stills and video creators looking for a small camera that makes it easy to upload.
It brings updated burst modes and AF functions to its predecessor, but most of the advancements are on the video side of the camera.
Key specifications
20.9MP APS-C sensor
Twin control dials
Full-width 4K video up to 30p (60p with crop)
3D-tracking autofocus and subject recognition for nine subject types
Up to 11fps mechanical, with up to 1 second pre-release capture
Fully articulated 3.2" touchscreen
Single UHS-II SD card slot in battery compartment
2.36M dot EVF with brightness up to 1000nits
The Z50II will retail for $909 body-only and $1,049 as a kit with Nikon's DX 16-50 F3.5-6.3 lens. The company says it'll be available in "late November."
Index:
What's new?
How it compares
Body and handling
Initial impressions
Sample Gallery
Specifications
Press release
Buy now:$1049 w/ 16-50mm at Amazon.com$906 at Adorama$906 at B&H Photo
What's new
The Z50II is, as the ...