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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 of power 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 ... 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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Beyer-Garratt 143 passes through Nantmor halt, southbound on the Welsh Highland Railway
Fujifilm 16-55mm F2.8 LM WR II @ 19.3mm | F6.4 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 5000Photo: Richard Butler
After a frankly overwhelming 2023, this year has been one that's helped me re-connect with my love of photography.
A couple of trips back to the UK have certainly helped with this. Despite nominally being on vacation, it's always tempting to use trips home as a means of building up 'real-world' time on a camera, or take the literal change of scenery as a way to add variety to our sample galleries. It was still something of a surprise to notice that none of the images I narrowed my choice down to were taken in Seattle.
My final choice was as much about the experience of shooting it as the image itself. It was taken during a five-day hike across North Wales, because that seemed like a sensible thing to do in late October.
"It was taken on day three of a five-day hike across North Wales"
Day three of the trip had included the first serious downpour and our spirits were a ... Continue Reading »
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Award winners for 2024
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has announced the winners of its annual competition. For 2024, the contest received more than 9,000 entries from photographers worldwide, which judges whittled down to 10 category winners and 10 highly commended winners. Top winners received prizes ranging from a Kenyan safari to Nikon gear, including cameras and lenses.
Overall winner and mammals category winner
Photographer: Milko Marchetti (Italy)
Title: Stuck Squirrel
Location: Parco Podere Pantaleone, Italy
Caption: The photo was taken in the “Podere Pantaleone” park in Bagnacavallo, Ravenna, Italy. It is a park open to the public and schools, but from October to March, it is closed to visitors, and I am allowed (in exchange for photographs for educational and promotional purposes) to use a fixed photographic hide to photograph passerines, woodpeckers, hawks, and even 3-4 squirrels that come to visit the photographic set consisting of a small lake, and the surrounding vegetation. Generally, in Italy, especially in the area where I live, in the Po Delta Regional Park, it is very difficult to see and photograph squirrels (they are very rare), but here in the park, they are quite confident.
A few meters from the hide, an old cut tree has ... 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 »
Kenyon climbing Bolt Gun, 5.11b – we thought we were setting the rope up on a much easier 5.10a.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 RF @ 18mm | F2.8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 100
Photo: Mitchell Clark
As a new member of the DPReview team, I got a lot of chances to push my photography this year. Part of that involved finding a wide array of subjects to take pictures of while testing cameras and lenses; an essential process to make sure we really know the gear inside and out, and that we're not boring our readers – or ourselves – to death with the same old photos over and over.
I was assigned to take a sample gallery with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon RF mount shortly before a weekend rock climbing trip I'd planned, so it seemed obvious that I should take the lens with me and try to get some interesting shots.
It wasn't exactly my first attempt at climbing photography: I've taken many pictures of friends climbing cool routes. However, they usually turn out rather uninspiring because I take them from the ground. My goal this time was to get an angle that actually captured the experience. If I could do ... Continue Reading »
Photo: Richard Butler
We're coming up on the end of the year, but are hard at work on getting a few more reviews done by 2025. In case you missed a thing or two here and there, here's a recap of the reviews and testing we've done this year so far!
December
Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4: Sample Gallery
Nikon's latest F1.4 lens doesn't focus on clinical levels of sharpness like the F1.8 S models do, but instead has a bit of character. Whether you like that or not will depend a lot on your tastes, but hopefully our sample gallery will give you a good idea of what the images from it look like.
We also put it head-to-head with Nikon's DSLR-era 50mm F1.4G, which was its highest-end 50mm lens for a few years. The results were a bit surprising.
Click to see the sample gallery
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD for RF: sample gallery
The Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 for APS-C bodies isn't a new lens, but the company recently made it available for Canon's RF mount, making it Tamron's first RF lens. We shot a sample gallery with it to see what Canon owners could expect from it.
Click to see the sample gallery
Fujifilm X-M5: Review
Photo: ... Continue Reading »
The Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro on a Canon RF-mount full-frame camera.
Image: Laowa
Laowa has expanded its lens lineup with the introduction of two tilt-shift lenses designed for full-frame camera systems: the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro. Laowa says the lenses produce an image circle large enough to also be compatible with digital medium format cameras. The company suggests the lenses are suitable for a variety of applications, including product, architectural, landscape, and macro photography.
Optically, the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, while the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro comprises 13 elements in 10 groups. As the names suggest, both lenses offer a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. The 55mm lens has a close focusing distance of 27cm (10.6"), and the 100mm lens focuses as close as 32cm (12.6").
The Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro mounted on a Fujifilm GFX-mount medium format camera.
Image: Laowa
The lenses provide ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for full-frame cameras. When used with medium format cameras, this range is reduced to ±10mm tilt and ±8mm shift, as the edge of the imaging circle will encroach on the sensor sooner. Both lenses ... Continue Reading »
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Image: Viltrox
Viltrox has announced a new APS-C lens, the 35mm (53mm equiv.) F1.7 'Air' lens, which is available for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company says it aimed to make the lens "compact" with a "highly competitive price."
The lens' optical formula includes 11 elements in 9 groups, with 1 ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 2 high-refractive lenses. It also features nano-coating, and the aperture has nine blades. While Viltrox makes no claims of weather resistance, the front element does have a coating to resist oils and liquids.
An example image provided by Viltrox, shot on a Fujifilm X-T5.
Photo: Viltrox
The lens uses a stepper motor for autofocusing, and has a minimum focusing distance of 33cm (13"). The E-mount version of the lens weighs around 170 grams, and it's 56mm long. The lens is compatible with 52mm filters.
At an MSRP of $180, the lens is definitely a budget option, but it's hard to complain about there being another affordable prime available for these systems, especially in such a classic focal length. While manufacturers like Sony and Fujifilm have similar lenses with extra features like optical stabilization ... 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:$2079 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 »
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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 of power 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 ... 
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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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Beyer-Garratt 143 passes through Nantmor halt, southbound on the Welsh Highland Railway
Fujifilm 16-55mm F2.8 LM WR II @ 19.3mm | F6.4 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 5000Photo: Richard Butler
After a frankly overwhelming 2023, this year has been one that's helped me re-connect with my love of photography.
A couple of trips back to the UK have certainly helped with this. Despite nominally being on vacation, it's always tempting to use trips home as a means of building up 'real-world' time on a camera, or take the literal change of scenery as a way to add variety to our sample galleries. It was still something of a surprise to notice that none of the images I narrowed my choice down to were taken in Seattle.
My final choice was as much about the experience of shooting it as the image itself. It was taken during a five-day hike across North Wales, because that seemed like a sensible thing to do in late October.
"It was taken on day three of a five-day hike across North Wales"
Day three of the trip had included the first serious downpour and our spirits were a ... 
Nikon Comedy Wildlife Award winners for 2024
The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has announced the winners of its annual competition. For 2024, the contest received more than 9,000 entries from photographers worldwide, which judges whittled down to 10 category winners and 10 highly commended winners. Top winners received prizes ranging from a Kenyan safari to Nikon gear, including cameras and lenses.
Overall winner and mammals category winner
Photographer: Milko Marchetti (Italy)
Title: Stuck Squirrel
Location: Parco Podere Pantaleone, Italy
Caption: The photo was taken in the “Podere Pantaleone” park in Bagnacavallo, Ravenna, Italy. It is a park open to the public and schools, but from October to March, it is closed to visitors, and I am allowed (in exchange for photographs for educational and promotional purposes) to use a fixed photographic hide to photograph passerines, woodpeckers, hawks, and even 3-4 squirrels that come to visit the photographic set consisting of a small lake, and the surrounding vegetation. Generally, in Italy, especially in the area where I live, in the Po Delta Regional Park, it is very difficult to see and photograph squirrels (they are very rare), but here in the park, they are quite confident.
A few meters from the hide, an old cut tree has ... 
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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 ... 
Kenyon climbing Bolt Gun, 5.11b – we thought we were setting the rope up on a much easier 5.10a.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 RF @ 18mm | F2.8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 100
Photo: Mitchell Clark
As a new member of the DPReview team, I got a lot of chances to push my photography this year. Part of that involved finding a wide array of subjects to take pictures of while testing cameras and lenses; an essential process to make sure we really know the gear inside and out, and that we're not boring our readers – or ourselves – to death with the same old photos over and over.
I was assigned to take a sample gallery with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon RF mount shortly before a weekend rock climbing trip I'd planned, so it seemed obvious that I should take the lens with me and try to get some interesting shots.
It wasn't exactly my first attempt at climbing photography: I've taken many pictures of friends climbing cool routes. However, they usually turn out rather uninspiring because I take them from the ground. My goal this time was to get an angle that actually captured the experience. If I could do ... 
Photo: Richard Butler
We're coming up on the end of the year, but are hard at work on getting a few more reviews done by 2025. In case you missed a thing or two here and there, here's a recap of the reviews and testing we've done this year so far!
December
Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4: Sample Gallery
Nikon's latest F1.4 lens doesn't focus on clinical levels of sharpness like the F1.8 S models do, but instead has a bit of character. Whether you like that or not will depend a lot on your tastes, but hopefully our sample gallery will give you a good idea of what the images from it look like.
We also put it head-to-head with Nikon's DSLR-era 50mm F1.4G, which was its highest-end 50mm lens for a few years. The results were a bit surprising.
Click to see the sample gallery
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD for RF: sample gallery
The Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 for APS-C bodies isn't a new lens, but the company recently made it available for Canon's RF mount, making it Tamron's first RF lens. We shot a sample gallery with it to see what Canon owners could expect from it.
Click to see the sample gallery
Fujifilm X-M5: Review
Photo: ... 
The Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro on a Canon RF-mount full-frame camera.
Image: Laowa
Laowa has expanded its lens lineup with the introduction of two tilt-shift lenses designed for full-frame camera systems: the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro. Laowa says the lenses produce an image circle large enough to also be compatible with digital medium format cameras. The company suggests the lenses are suitable for a variety of applications, including product, architectural, landscape, and macro photography.
Optically, the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, while the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro comprises 13 elements in 10 groups. As the names suggest, both lenses offer a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. The 55mm lens has a close focusing distance of 27cm (10.6"), and the 100mm lens focuses as close as 32cm (12.6").
The Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro mounted on a Fujifilm GFX-mount medium format camera.
Image: Laowa
The lenses provide ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for full-frame cameras. When used with medium format cameras, this range is reduced to ±10mm tilt and ±8mm shift, as the edge of the imaging circle will encroach on the sensor sooner. Both lenses ... 
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Image: Viltrox
Viltrox has announced a new APS-C lens, the 35mm (53mm equiv.) F1.7 'Air' lens, which is available for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company says it aimed to make the lens "compact" with a "highly competitive price."
The lens' optical formula includes 11 elements in 9 groups, with 1 ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 2 high-refractive lenses. It also features nano-coating, and the aperture has nine blades. While Viltrox makes no claims of weather resistance, the front element does have a coating to resist oils and liquids.
An example image provided by Viltrox, shot on a Fujifilm X-T5.
Photo: Viltrox
The lens uses a stepper motor for autofocusing, and has a minimum focusing distance of 33cm (13"). The E-mount version of the lens weighs around 170 grams, and it's 56mm long. The lens is compatible with 52mm filters.
At an MSRP of $180, the lens is definitely a budget option, but it's hard to complain about there being another affordable prime available for these systems, especially in such a classic focal length. While manufacturers like Sony and Fujifilm have similar lenses with extra features like optical stabilization ... 
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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:$2079 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 ...