The previously reported Brightin Star 35mm f/1.4 full-frame manual focus lens (E/Z/RF/L/X) is now officially announced and available for order:

• Amazon
• Brightinstar online store

Additional information on the new lens:

• F1.4 large aperture
• Click / De-click aperture – precise for stills, fluid for video
• Mount compatibility – E/Z/RF/L/X
• Minimum focusing distance: 0.3 m
• Maximum aperture value: 16
• Number of diaphragm blades: 5
• Lens design: 7 elements in 6 groups (LD + HR elements)
• Filter size: 49 mm,
• Size: 42 × 55 mm
• Weight: 218g
• Launch Price: $159.99

The post Brightin Star 35mm f/1.4 full-frame manual focus lens officially announced (E/Z/RF/L/X) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

People have been asking for a medium format X100 for years, and the GFX100RF isn't one. Then again, people have been asking for a full-frame X100 for years, and they don't seem happy about Sony's attempt. Photo: Richard Butler

The camera industry isn't what it once was, I think we can all agree. The 6.5 million interchangeable lens cameras shipped by CIPA members last year represented a 50% fall in sales volume since the high, back in 2010, while the 1.9 million fixed lens cameras represented a fall of 98%.

Despite this, most of the companies competing in the industry back in 2010 are still present, and those we've spoken to this year sound more upbeat than they have in a while. Because, while the base is much smaller, ILC shipment volumes in the first ten months of 2025 are 11% up, compared with last year and fixed lens camera sales are up by around 26% over 2024.

Which is to say that there still appears to be a market for cameras, but it's a very different world to the one of fifteen years ago, when a majority of people bought cameras. Now the industry caters to a smaller audience: photographers, vloggers and people who specifically want a dedicated camera, because most people have a perfectly capable phone when they want to take pictures.

I don't remember the last time we saw so much invention, experimentation or niche-tickling lunacy as we've seen in 2025

I'm going to argue that the result has been perhaps the most interesting year for cameras in the eighteen years I've been covering the industry. There have been countless excellent cameras in that time, and a whole host of interesting ones, but I don't remember the last time we saw so much invention, experimentation and niche-tickling lunacy as we've seen these past 12 months.

The Ricoh GR IV isn't included in this article, despite being a knowingly niche product, because it's a niche that's been proven to exist. Photo: Richard Butler

We've had the sensible cameras, of course, with all the biggest players refresh their mid-priced do-everything cameras with devices that can go toe-to-toe with the pro sports models of just a few years ago, while simultaneously producing higher-than-broadcast video footage, at least for short periods. But while the Panasonic S1 II, Canon EOS R6 III and Sony a7 V bring almost unimaginable levels of performance and capability to a comparatively affordable price point, there have also been a wealth of weird cameras that aren't trying to be do-it-all multi-tools.

Look at some of this year's releases through a pragmatic lens of whether they're the best tool for the job, and the conclusion you'd typically draw is "no." These aren't cameras trying to be the best, the most flexible or the most practical. They're intentionally, knowingly niche cameras, and if they don't appeal to you, that might not be by accidental. Not all of them succeed in their ambitions, but just because they don't make sense to you, don't assume they're a mistake.

Sony RX1R III

The RX1R III was castigated for being a lazy update, despite addressing the biggest problem with its predecessor (albeit very belatedly). When I was using it, or looking at the photos it took, I didn't cross-examine myself about whether my expected level of developmental diligence had been met.

The Sony RX1R III doesn't seem too unusual on the face of things: it's the fourth in a series of high-end photographers' compacts, previous versions of which built up a strong following. And yet the belated update to the series was met with derision, bordering on anger. A wince-inducing price tag and technology shared with much lower priced models didn't help, along with the re-use of a lens that doesn't necessarily make full use of its new, higher resolution sensor or, at least, not at close focus distances and wide apertures. It's so lazy, critics howled.

And yet, in use, it's excellent. It's the smallest fixed-lens full-frame camera you can buy, it's so single-minded in its purpose (photos shot at 35mm focal length) that it's much nicer to use than the likes of the a7CR, with which it shares so many components. It's small, fun to use and the pictures look great, because it turns out that biting sharpness isn't always what you want from a lens. It also turns out that the amount of perceived effort put into a camera has nothing to do with how good it is. It is really, really expensive, but if you're the kind of person it's aimed at (and I am), it's really, really good.

Leica Q3 Mono

It has an excellent sensor, great lens and is superbly built, but I still wonder whether the total audience for a $7800 fixed-lens full-frame compact that can't comprehend chrominance could all fit on a double-decker bus.

Then we have the Leica Q3 Monochrom, which is essentially Ginger Rogers to the Sony's Fred Astaire, in that it does everything the RX1R III does, but more expensively and in mono. Has there ever been a camera aimed at a smaller audience than a $7800 fixed-lens full-frame camera that can't perceive color? I joked that Leica probably already knows the names of the people who'll buy it. But those buyers will get a fabulous camera that's fast, focused and fascinating to shoot with and yes, that stabilized lens is sharper than the Sony's. It's not for me, but again, I'm delighted it exists.

Fujifilm GFX100RF

Likewise the Fujifilm GFX100RF. People have been asking for a "medium format X100" for years, and this year Fujifilm didn't make them one. Instead it introduced a camera with a wider-angle lens, without the X100 series' hybrid viewfinder and with styling seemingly borrowed from its Instax range. The lens is comparable, in equivalent terms, to the X100's and there's no image stabilization, so it's potentially less capable in the dark, but in good light it'll deliver better image quality than anything else this portable. There's an aspect ratio dial with settings so complex that you can't actually see all of the etching. In principle it's a less practical option than Leica's Q3 (and how often is Leica the practical choice?). But it adds an option that's never existed before.

Fujifilm X half

Better to be a heroic failure than to not try. Which has been the rest of the industry's response to youthful demand, so far. And no, adding Raw wouldn't have made it better. Photo: Richard Butler

On which note: the Fujifilm X half, another contender for the title of the DPReview commenters' least favorite cameras of 2025. And I understand why: it looks like it's almost the sort of camera many of us have been asking for: a small, pretty, enthusiast compact. But that not what it is at all. Instead, it's a decidedly un-self-serious attempt to make a camera for young people who'd otherwise be buying an old compact on eBay. It's fun, it's silly, it's nostalgic for a confused idea of a past that never existed. Unfortunately it's also (and this was 2025's other prevailing trend) really quite expensive. In practice, I was disappointed by its lack of responsiveness and its disappointing IQ, given how large a sensor it has, but isn't it better to heroically fail than to not even try?

Sigma BF

The Sigma BF is an utterly original take on what a picture-taking device should look like and how it should operate. Just in case there's someone that doesn't want a black lump that looks like it wants to be a late 80's SLR when it grows up. Photo: Richard Butler

And yet, it's perhaps not the least 'serious' camera launched this year. That title probably goes to the Sigma BF, a profoundly original attempt to make a desirable photo-taking device for people who wouldn't otherwise buy a camera. It's undeniably stylized, almost to the point of impracticality, it's also built with a sensor that doesn't naturally lend itself to use without a shutter mechanism, which essentially rules out the chance of using flash. But it's also designed – rather well, I'd argue – to be operated with a single dial and without a viewfinder, which seems to have agitated the kind of people who are presumably dissatisfied with the many, many multi-dial, viewfindered cameras that remain available.

It's a response I don't really understand. Yes, SLR-shaped cameras with multiple dials will probably excel in a wider range of situations than this oddball bunch. But this off-beat gang are being offered in addition to the sensible, pragmatic, do-everything cameras. In many instances, I suspect some of these stranger models will live alongside those quotidian powerhouses for many photographers.

We've seen some incredibly capable cameras this year, to the point we found it almost impossible to choose a camera of the year. I don't think anyone's saying these are better than those options, or that the likes of the Sigma BF is going to usurp them. But, having spent years reading comments asking why camera makers don't make cameras for photographers, it seems inexplicable to complain when they try to do something interesting and different. And I'd argue that, collectively, these cameras shows a spirit of invention and experimentation we've not consistently seen since the very early days of digital photography. In their own, sometimes peculiar, ways these might be the photographer-focused cameras we've all been hoping for, even if that specific photographer isn't always us.

Readers' Choice: Best gear of 2025

For the past few weeks, our readers have been voting on their favorite cameras and lenses released in 2025, and this year we've seen some of the closest races in recent memory. 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 2025 Reader's Choice Product of the Year – this one's for all the bragging rights.

Best prime lens runner-up: Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM

First up is our runner-up for Best Prime Lens of 2025: the Canon RF 45mm F1.2 STM, a fast, normal prime lens that makes fast aperture photography a possibility for just about any Canon RF user. While it may not be as critically sharp or optically perfect as the other F1.2 primes in Canon's RF lens lineup, it offers a more accessible price point that won't break the bank, providing many Canon shooters with the creative opportunities that such a fast lens can offer.

It's also worth pointing out that while the RF 45mm F1.2 STM was the runner-up in our poll, this category was a horse race with a photo finish, with the winner nosing its way to victory by a mere 0.1% margin.

Best prime lens winner: Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art

The 2025 Readers' Choice Award for Best Prime Lens goes to the Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art, a fast prime that practically begs to be used for portrait work. Sigma has a history of creating unique lenses, and this one is no exception; while there are similarly fast manual focus 135mm lenses, and several 135mm F1.8 lenses with autofocus, this is the first such lens to feature both a fast F1.4 aperture and autofocus in the same lens.

It's easy to understand why the Sigma 135mm F1.4 DG Art garnered so much attention from our readers this year. If you plan to shoot it, though, you'll want to make sure your arm is ready: this lens weighs 1420g (50.1oz) and sports a 105mm filter thread. However, the results are marvelous, and the workout will likely be worth the effort when you see the results.

Best zoom lens runner-up: Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S II

Our Readers' Choice runner-up for Best Zoom Lens of 2025, the Nikon Z 24-70mm F2.8 S II, proves that lenses don't have to be unique to win respect. Sometimes, making a solid workhorse even better is all the magic that's required.

Nikon's second-generation 24-70mm F2.8 zoom lens for Z-mount builds upon the original with an internal zoom design, offering enhanced weather sealing and increased utility for use with gimbals and video rigs. And at 675g (23.8oz), it's 16% lighter than the original while gaining a faster voice-coil autofocus motor. Considering how popular the 24-70mm F2.8 category is with enthusiast and pro photographers, it's no surprise to see this lens gain such well-deserved recognition.

Best zoom lens winner: Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM

The 2025 Readers' Choice Award for Best Zoom Lens goes to the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM, which secured a clean sweep across zoom lens awards this year; this same lens also won the Best Zoom category in our 2025 DPReview Annual Awards.

The Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM was one of the most interesting lenses of 2025, providing a versatile zoom range, fast aperture and outstanding image quality that delivers sharp images while also allowing for impressive levels of background separation, and it does it all in a design that's actually manageable to carry around. This is a well-deserved win for a lens that will undoubtedly remain popular for years to come.

Best camera runner-up: Sony a7 V

Grabbing the runner-up position from our readers for Best Camera of 2025 is the Sony a7 V, a model that almost didn't make it into our poll this year, thanks to the fact that Sony announced it just days before the poll went live.

However, it appears that Sony has delivered a gem, significantly improving upon its predecessor and winning the confidence of readers. The a7 V arrives with an updated 33MP 'partially stacked' sensor that supports 30fps shooting with full 14-bit readout, features the most up-to-date AF system in the a7 line, pre-burst capture and 4K/60p video derived from 7K capture. It also manages to deliver impressive dynamic range thanks to its ability to simultaneously utilize data from the sensor's low-gain and high-gain modes.

The a7 V will likely be Sony's workhorse camera for enthusiast photographers for the next several years, and judging by your votes, it looks like Sony has a winner.

Best camera winner: Nikon Z5II

Our 2025 Readers' Choice Award for Best Camera goes to the Nikon Z5II. This is quite an accomplishment considering the variety of interesting and impressive cameras released this year, but it likely speaks to the fact that the Z5II has everything it needs to get the job done, even if it's missing a few bells and whistles.

The Z5II isn't the fastest camera released this year, nor does it have the most impressive specs. However, it can deliver great stills and video, includes in-body image stabilization, Nikon's latest AF system, and has the great ergonomics users have come to expect from a Nikon camera. It's a great all-around camera that does most of the things most photographers need, and at a price that makes you wonder if there's a catch. (There isn't.) In our review, we concluded that few of us really need anything more, and it looks like our readers agree with that assessment, awarding this camera the top spot for 2025.

Vote now for the Readers' Choice Product of the Year!

You helped determine the winners in the individual categories, so now's the time to cast your vote in one last poll! Choose your favorite product from this list of winners and runners-up between now and Thursday, January 8th. Watch for an announcement of the winning products shortly after the poll closes.

As always, thanks for casting your votes and being a part of our community throughout the year.

For the best experience, we recommend voting on our desktop site.

Poll Rules:

This poll is meant to be a bit of fun. It's not sponsored, promoted, or paid for in any way, and DPReview doesn't care how you vote. Our readers' polls are run on the basis of trust. As such, we ask that you only vote once from a single account.

Vote for the worst camera of 2025 (see previous losers):

Here is the list of all cameras released in 2025:

• Canon C50
• Canon EOS R50 V
• Canon R6 Mark III
• Canon PowerShot V1
• Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS A
• Fujifilm GFX100RF
• Fujifilm X-E5
• Fujifilm X-T30 III
• Fujifilm X half
• Hasselblad X2D II 100C
• Leica M EV1
• Leica Q3 Monochrom
• Leica SL3-S
• Nikon Z5 II
• Nikon ZR
• Nikon Coolpix P1100
• OM System OM-3
• OM System OM-5 Mark II
• Panasonic Lumix S1 II
• Panasonic Lumix S1 IIE
• Panasonic Lumix S1R II
• Ricoh GR IV
• Sigma BF
• Sony a7 V
• Sony FX2
• Sony RX1R III

The post Vote for the worst camera of 2025 appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here is what else is new:

Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG OS Sports lens for Sony E-mount tested on the Nikon Z9 camera with the Megadap Pro adapter

The Nikon ZR will get many firmware updates next year

Xiaomi announced a new 17 Ultra Leica Edition smartphone with manual zoom ring, 200MP high-end camera setup, and CAI Photo Authenticity Protection technology

Leica D-Lux 8 firmware update version 1.7.0 released

New from Owlkrown: M-EyeCup for Leica M cameras with M14 × 0.5mm rangefinder eyepiece thread

New firmware updates released for the Ricoh WG-8, G900 II, and G900SE II cameras

Fujifilm XApp Discontinuing Facebook Single Sign-In Starting in February

Canon R6 Mark III Firmware 1.02 Released

The post What else is new? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Image: GMVozd via Getty Images

We're quickly nearing the end of the year, and that means you may have seen a slate of articles from the DPReview staff discussing some of the equipment we enjoyed using most this year as part of our Gear of the Year series.

We're taking a moment to recognize the column, as we started writing it in 2015, which means we've officially been doing it for ten years.* Not every format we try out ends up working, and many that survive will evolve into something else over time, so it's worth celebrating the ones that have stuck around largely the same as when they debuted.

It's a format we enjoy writing, as it lets us focus on the gear that we emotionally connected with, instead of what was technically best (not that those are always entirely separate categories). It also allows us to give our thoughts on products beyond just cameras and lenses. Batteries, cloud photo management services and camera bags have all been chosen by various staff members throughout the years.

To mark the anniversary, editor Richard Butler has very kindly gone back through the archives, finding each Gear of the Year article and tagging them as such. That means you can now find them all in one place if you want to, for example, see what the DPReview staff's favorite gadgets were in 2018. We can't promise that every pick stands the test of time, but they were genuinely felt reflections when they were written. We look forward to discussing our favorite gear with you for another decade.

* Technically 2015 to 2025 inclusive is 11 years, but we skipped Gear of the Year in 2022.

We've put all of the Gear of the Year articles below, so feel free to peruse them.

41

Gear of the Year - Abby's choice: the Hasselblad X2D II 100C

4 weeks ago

This monster of a camera made medium format photography approachable and, well, fun.

63

Gear of the Year - Mitchell's Choice: the optically audacious Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM

1 month ago

This fast zoom was a joy to use and comes from a company that's been consistently putting out great lenses.

62

Gear of the Year - Dale's choice: Adobe Project Indigo

1 month ago

Not all Gear of the Year needs to be hardware.

109

Gear of the Year - Richard's choice: the elegantly esoteric Sigma BF

1 month ago

In a year of impressive cameras, there's one that stuck in Richard's head, both for the experience and the results.

142

Gear of the Year - Dale's choice: Canon EOS R5 II

Dec 16, 2024

Managing Editor Dale Baskin picked the Canon EOS R5 II as his Gear of the Year, but it wasn't an easy choice. Find out why he chose it and what the competition was.

132

Gear of the Year - Richard's choice: Leica D-Lux8

Dec 10, 2024

Richard's Gear of the Year explicitly isn't the best camera he used this year, but it's one he feels strongly about, nonetheless.

48

Gear of the Year - Mitchell's choice: ThinkTank Retrospective 30 V2

Dec 9, 2024

To prepare for a job that requires carrying around a lot of cameras, editor Mitchell Clark bought a big bag. It's worked out well.

132

Gear of the Year: Eric's Choice - Google Photos

Dec 27, 2023

You can't be a photographer without taking photos, but after the birth of his son, DPReview's newest editor, Eric Limer, gives much more thought to sharing them. And that, he explains, is why Google Photos is his choice for Gear of the Year.

217

Gear of the Year: Shaminder's Choice - Leica Q3

Dec 19, 2023

The Leica Q3 is expensive, has a fixed lens and struggles with some ergonomic issues, but it's also the most fun Senior Editor Shaminder Dulai had with any camera all year. He explains why this rangefinder-style camera is his personal gear of the year.

108

Gear of the Year: Dale's choice - Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art

Dec 18, 2023

The Sigma 14mm F1.4 Art was impressive enough to win our Best Prime Lens award for 2023. Managing Editor Dale Baskin explains why he chose it as his personal gear of the year as well, taking it to the subarctic for some aurora borealis photography.

265

Gear of the Year: Richard's Choice Nikon Z8

Dec 13, 2023

We've already given the Nikon Z8 a Gold award and selected it as our Product of the Year, but it's the events surrounding the way we covered it that made it stand out for our Technical Editor, Richard Butler.

69

DPReview TV's Best and Worst Gear Of 2022 (In pictures!)

Dec 6, 2022

Chris and Jordan recently spent a delightful afternoon sharing their list of the year's best and worst camera gear. Now that their hangovers have worn off, they've prepared a more sober reflection on their choices.

186

DPReview TV: The best and worst cameras and lenses of 2022

videoDec 3, 2022

It's that magical time of the year when Chris and Jordan look back on the year's best and worst releases of photo and video gear. Tradition dictates a drinking game, and this year it's a doozy...

142

Gear of the Year 2021: Chris' choice - Wotancraft Pilot 10L shoulder bag

Dec 28, 2021

Chris Niccolls, the host of DPReviewTV, reviews a different lens or camera every week. Look closely though, and you'll see the same piece of gear make an appearance in almost every episode. It's the Wotancraft Pilot 10L shoulder bag, and it's Chris' pick for Gear of the Year, 2021.

508

Gear of the Year 2021: Barney's choice - Nikon Z9

Dec 26, 2021

Senior Editor Barnaby Britton is a fan of extreme low-light imaging - something that the Nikon Z9 makes easy. Click through to learn more about why the Z9 is his favorite camera of 2021.

157

Gear Of The Year 2021: Jordan's Choice - Apple M1 iMac

Dec 23, 2021

In this article, DPRTV's hard-working videographer, Jordan Drake, explains why the shiny golden Apple M1 iMac was his favorite piece of gear of 2021.

60

Gear of the Year: Gannon's choice - Kolari EF-RF Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter

Dec 22, 2021

Of all the gear released in 2021, it was Kolari's EF-RF Variable ND Mount Adapter that proved to be News Editor Gannon Burgett's favorite piece of equipment.

83

Gear of the Year 2021: Dale's choice - Sony 14mm F1.8 GM

Dec 20, 2021

Editor Dale Baskin picked the Sony 14mm F1.8 GM as his favorite gear of 2021 after using it for a week in Arches National Park. Find out why he thinks it's the Goldilocks of wide angle lenses, and see some great photos of the American southwest along the way.

356

Gear of the Year: Carey's choice - Sony a9 II

Dec 31, 2020

Attempting a road trip in the middle of a pandemic offers plenty of opportunities for things to go awry. Good thing the Sony a9 II proved to be about as reliable as the vehicle it was traveling in.

170

Gear of the year 2020: Dan's choice - Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD

Dec 22, 2020

Tamron's 70-180mm F2.8 is a high-quality telephoto lens for Sony E-mount that won't break your back or the bank. Read about why it's been one of Dan's personal favorites this year.

212

Gear of the Year: Dale's choice - Fujifilm X-Pro3

Dec 20, 2020

Dale's favorite camera this year is one of the most interesting and distinctive mirrorless ILCs on the market - the ultra-traditional, rangefinder-styled Fujifilm X-Pro 3.

349

Gear of the Year: Richard's choice - Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM

Nov 26, 2020

Technical Editor Richard Butler's pick was the unusual lens that gave him the opportunity to try something new. The Canon RF 800mm F11's unique combination of telephoto reach, affordability and light weight will likely enable even more people to do the same.

161

Gear of the Year: Barney's choice (part 1) - Fujifilm X100V

Nov 24, 2020

In a year when social distancing became a way of life overnight, Senior Editor Barney Britton maintained a small sense of connection via the Fujifilm X100V.

281

Gear of the Year 2019 - Rishi's choice: Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM

Dec 22, 2019

Here's the lens that got Science Editor Rishi Sanyal to finally step away from his obsession with wide-angle portraits: the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM.

63

Gear of the Year 2019 - Dale's choice: Laowa 15mm Zero-D

Dec 20, 2019

Editor Dale Baskin chose the wide angle Laowa 15mm F2 Zero-D lens as his favorite gear of the year. In his opinion, it provides a great balance of size, price and optical performance. He's still on the hunt for the perfect photo of the northern lights.

35

Gear of the Year 2019 - Dan's choice: DJI Mavic Mini

Dec 18, 2019

A bring-everywhere flying smartphone camera is the best $400 you can spend on a piece of gear this year, says editor Dan Bracaglia. Which is why he's picked the DJI Mavic Mini as his gear of the year.

228

Gear of the year 2019 - Barney's choice (part 2): Nikon Z 50mm F1.8 S

Dec 16, 2019

Senior Editor Barney Britton's second Gear of the Year pick is the lens that changed his perspective on what a 'nifty fifty' could be.

204

Gear of the Year 2019 - Jeff's choice: Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II

Dec 13, 2019

The compact form factor, fast and versatile lens, and pop-up viewfinder made Canon's PowerShot G5 X II an easy pick for DPReview editor Jeff Keller's favorite camera of the year.

154

Gear of the Year 2019 - Richard's choice: Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN

Dec 11, 2019

The arrival of an EF-M version has given Technical Editor Richard Butler even more opportunities to shoot with the Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN. It's the fifth time he's picked an APS-C product.

123

Gear of the Year 2019 - Allison's choice: iPhone 11

Dec 9, 2019

After nearly a decade of using Apple phones, Managing Editor Allison Johnson jumped ship and became the happy owner of a Pixel device. But the iPhone 11 might just tempt her back.

174

Gear of the Year 2019 - Carey's choice: Sigma 45mm F2.8

Dec 6, 2019

Over months of using Sigma's 45mm F2.8 Contemporary lens, Reviews Editor Carey Rose rediscovers that there's so much more to a lens than speed and sharpness.

311

Gear of the Year 2019 - Barney's choice part 1: Ricoh GR III

Dec 4, 2019

Senior Editor Barney Britton's first choice for Gear of the Year is a camera that he has carried with him more than any other in 2019 (not including his phone) – the Ricoh GR III.

36

Gear of the Year 2018 - Dale's choice: DJI Ronin-S

Dec 30, 2018

The DJI Ronin-S may not be as instantly recognizable as some other products from 2018, but Editor Dale Baskin explains why he picked this production tool as his 2018 Gear of the Year – and why he chose it to shoot a documentary film.

163

Gear of the Year 2018 - Allison's choice: Google Photos

mobileDec 28, 2018

DPR's Managing Editor Allison Johnson captured a trip to San Francisco the way most millennials do: on her phone. The surprising ease with which she was able to share her photos across platforms using Google Photos makes it her pick.

288

Gear of the Year 2018 - Carey's choice: Panasonic GX9

Dec 27, 2018

The Panasonic GX9 isn't the best or least expensive camera that Reviews Editor Carey Rose tested this year. But its combination of features, form factor and image quality make it an enjoyable camera to use – and his pick for this year.

202

Gear of the year 2018 - Jeff's choice: Nikon Coolpix P1000

Dec 26, 2018

The Nikon P1000 is a bit of an oddity, but the unique shooting opportunities it makes possible are why it's Editor Jeff Keller's pick this year.

227

Gear of the Year 2018 - Dan's choice: Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD

Dec 24, 2018

Editor Dan Bracaglia's pick is the lens that he's recommended more than any other in 2018 – and the one he feels Sony's mirrorless system desperately needed.

324

Gear of the Year 2018 - Barney's choice: Nikon Z7

Dec 23, 2018

Senior Editor Barney Britton's pick this year is the camera that he describes as "close to perfect" for the kind of photography he does.

178

Gear of the Year 2018 - Richard's Choice: Fujifilm's 4K video cameras

Dec 21, 2018

Technical Editor Richard Butler's pick helped him capture his favorite images of the past 12 months: all 17,100 of them. Specifically, two series of 8MP images. Shot at a rate of 23.97 frames per second.

116

Gear of the Year 2017 - Jeff's choice: Olympus Tough TG-5

Dec 8, 2017

Whether it's a trip to the beach for some snorkeling or scrambling up a 10,000 ft volcano, the Olympus Tough TG-5 proved to be a great travel companion for Jeff. That's why it's his 2017 Gear of the Year.

69

Gear of the Year 2017 - Dale's choice: Sigma 14mm F1.8 Art

Dec 1, 2017

2017 has been a pretty good year for lenses, but the one that had the biggest impact for editor Dale Baskin was the Sigma 14mm F1.8 prime, a lens that lets him capture big sky and magic light.

336

Gear of the Year 2017 - Dan's choice: Sony a9

Nov 30, 2017

The Sony a9 is the brand's first truly refined mirrorless camera, in this writer's opinion.

238

Gear of the Year 2017 - Richard's choice: Sony NP-FZ100

Nov 29, 2017

Even though (or perhaps because) 2017 has seen the release of some of the most impressive cameras he's ever used, Richard has ducked the difficult decisions and made an unexpected choice for his Gear of the Year. But, as always, he's going to argue his point.

251

Gear of the Year 2017 - Carey's choice: Sony FE 85mm F1.8

Nov 26, 2017

Lightweight, great optics, affordable – with Sony's FE 85mm F1.8, you don't have to just pick two of those features. For Carey Rose, who's already an 85mm fan, it strikes a perfect balance.

313

Gear of the Year 2017 - Barney's choice (Part 2): Nikon D850

Nov 25, 2017

In the first part of Barney's Gear of the Year article, he wrote about the camera he's used most in 2017 – the Leica M10. In Part 2, he's writing about a camera that he's barely even touched. Read on to find out why the D850 made his list for best gear of 2017 regardless.

143

Gear of the Year 2017 - Allison's choice: Google's HDR+ mode

Nov 16, 2017

They say seeing is believing, and that's exactly what happened when one DPR staffer took the Google Pixel 2 out for an afternoon shooting under challenging conditions.

736

Gear of the Year 2017 - Barney's choice (part 1): Leica M10

Nov 10, 2017

As 2017 winds down (yeah, we're shocked too) it's a great time to reflect on the past year. Over the coming week's we'll revisit some personal favorite cameras and lenses that we encountered this year, and what made them stand out.

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Gear of the year: Allison's choice - Fujifilm Instax mini 90

Dec 28, 2016

After talking herself out of buying one for years, DPR homepage editor Allison Johnson finally picked up a Fujifilm Instax mini Neo 90 this year – and it hasn't left her side since. Read more

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Chris' Gear of the Year part two: Canon 16-35mm F2.8L III

Dec 26, 2016

This lens was just too good to pass up as a Gear of the Year nominee, so our resident landscape shooter Chris decided to add the Canon 16-35mm F2.8L III to his list of picks. Read more

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Gear of the Year 2016: Dan's Choice – the DJI Mavic Pro (which he stinks at flying)

Dec 23, 2016

A childhood of flying $20 RC helicopters didn't prepare DPR staffer Dan Bracaglia for the challenges of flying a drone, but that's part of the reason why the DJI Mavic Pro is his gear of the year pick. Read more

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Gear of the Year 2016 - Barney's choice: Nikon D500

Dec 19, 2016

The Nikon D500 has been one of our favorite cameras since it was released earlier this year. Find out why after a challenging video shoot, the D500 made Barney's pick for Gear of the Year. Read more

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Gear of the Year: Richard's choice - Fujifilm X-T2

Dec 14, 2016

The release of some supremely capable cameras left reviews editor Richard with some tough choices to make for his Gear of the Year pick. Against stiff competition, he's gone for the Fujifilm X-T2, the camera that most surprised him this year. Read more

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Gear of the Year: Chris' choice - F-Stop Tilopa camera bag

Dec 8, 2016

There were plenty of amazing cameras and lenses to choose from this year, but DPR staffer Chris Williams chose the F-stop Tilopa as his gear of the year. Read more

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Gear of the Year: Tamron 90mm F2.8 Di VC USD Macro F017

Dec 6, 2016

Continuing our 'Gear of the Year' series, staffer Sam Spencer discusses a lens that has made a significant visual contribution to the site this year – the latest Tamron 90mm F2.8 Macro. Read more

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Gear of the Year: Carey's choice - Canon PowerShot G9 X

Dec 5, 2016

DPR staffer Carey Rose didn't take to the Canon G9 X right away, but after some time using it he's learned to embrace the minimalist controls and loves the portability of Canon's handy little 1" compact. Read more

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Gear of the Year Part 8: Wenmei's choice - Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6

Dec 30, 2015

Wenmei's Gear of the Year is a lens that forces her to step outside of her comfort zone and focus (softly or not) on the creative aspect of her photography. When she's capturing a quiet moment or special connection, she finds herself reaching for the Lensbaby 56mm f/1.6 portrait lens. Read more

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Gear of the Year Part 7: Allison's choice - Olympus Tough TG-4

Dec 28, 2015

Allison's Gear of the Year is a camera that's been able to accompany her almost everywhere she's travelled this year, whether floating down rivers or just putting up with the rough-and-tumble of Florida's theme parks. Whether or not it's 'the best,' the Olympus Tough TG-4 ended up being the camera she had with her. Read more

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DPReview Gear of the Year Part 6: Richard's choice - Fujinon 56mm F1.2R APD

Dec 23, 2015

Richard Butler's choice of Gear of the Year isn't a product launched this year (our choices of best products of the year were recognized in the DPReview.com Awards), instead it's the one that's prompted him to work on his photography. So what's so special about the Fujifilm 56mm F1.2 APD?

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DPReview Gear of the Year part 5: Barney's choice - Sony RX1R II

Dec 21, 2015

A sucker for 35mm, DPR Editor Barney Britton found himself drawn to 2013's Sony RX1 and R for all of the obvious reasons, but shooting with them left him cold. But just when he was about to give up hope on seeing an improved replacement, the RX1R II arrived. Find out why it's pick for Gear of the Year. Read more

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Gear of the Year Part 4: Dale's pick - Samsung NX1

Dec 18, 2015

Historically an SLR shooter who has used his fair share of mirrorless cameras, DPR editor Dale Baskin found the NX1 to be most impressive when he reviewed it. The camera may have looked like a moon at first, but over the course of his time with it the NX1 proved to indeed be a space station. Find out why it's his Gear of the Year pick, despite a recent disturbance in The Force. Read more

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DPReview Gear of the Year Part 3: Sam's Choice - The Fujifilm Instax SP-1

Dec 14, 2015

Continuing our 2015 series of articles highlighting staff favorites of the past year, DPR studio manager Samuel Spencer takes a look back, yet simultaneously forward, at instant photography and the Fujifilm Instax Share SP-1 instant printer, and the experiences he had with it while shooting his sister's wedding last March. Read more

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DPReview Gear of the Year part 2: Carey's choice - Fujifilm X-A2

Dec 10, 2015

DPReview's newest staff member finds surprise and delight in the Fujifilm X-A2, the least expensive model in Fuji's interchangeable-lens camera lineup. While its build quality can't compete with his X100's, the X-A2 proves itself with a large sensor, sharp kit lens and features that elevate it beyond its entry-level class. Read more

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DPReview Gear of the Year Part 1: Dan's choice - Nikon D750

Dec 8, 2015

Kicking off our 2015 series of articles highlighting some staff favorites of the past year, DPR editor Dan Bracaglia writes about his experience with the Nikon D750. But this is less a story about his favorite piece of gear from the last 365 days, and more about a photographer and system owner holding out several years for the perfect camera. Read more

Brightin Star will announce a new 35mm f/1.4 full-frame manual-focus lens next week, featuring a retro-designed, all-metal body available in black and silver, with stepped and stepless aperture control, and a lightweight design.

Now available: new Brightin Star 24mm f/1.8 full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z/Sony E

The post New Brightin Star 35mm f/1.4 full-frame manual focus lens to be announced next week appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here are the first images and video of the new Blazar Talon 50mm T2.1 full-frame 1.5X autofocus anamorphic lens (Blazar lenses are sold at B&H Photo):

The post Coming soon: Blazar Talon 50mm T2.1 full-frame 1.5X autofocus anamorphic lens appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here are the details on the previously reported 7Artisans’ new line of LITE APS-C autofocus lenses

• 7Artisans AF 25mm f/1.8 LITE
• 7Artisans AF 35mm f/1.8 LITE
• 7Artisans AF 50mm f/1.8 LITE

The lenses will be available for Sony E and Fuji X mounts. Orders will open next week (around December 30th). Check the 7artisans website for additional information.

7Artisans is teasing a new line of LITE APS-C autofocus lenses

Via SonyAddict

The post 7Artisans LITE lenses additional information appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Season's greetings! As we approach the end of 2025, it's our tradition to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Boxing Day, Happy Kwanzaa, Joyous Festivus, and Happy Holiday to all. As always, we're grateful that you stuck with us for another trip around the sun.

If there's one thread that weaves through everything we've done here at DPReview in 2025, it's a focus on investing in the future of the site.

Earlier this year, we expanded our editorial roster by bringing on Abby Ferguson as our full-time News Editor, providing us with more resources to cover industry news and create educational content. In addition to her writing, Abby is an artist who teaches photography at the college level. In 2026, we're going to find more ways to showcase her photography and share her unique perspectives with you.

"If there's one thread that weaves through everything we've done here at DPReview in 2025, it's a focus on investing in the future of the site."

We also made significant investments to ensure the future of our forums, some of which required tough choices. Our forums are a treasure trove of information dating back to the earliest days of digital photography, crowd-sourced by experts for over 25 years. More often than not, when I search for my own photography questions online, the answers are right here in our own forums.

To say the forums are a huge part of DPReview is a dramatic understatement. They're at the core of what we do: a place to share knowledge and make connections. To support this mission, we welcomed Mathew Anderson in July as our first-ever Community Manager. This is the first time in DPReview's history that we've had a full-time member of the editorial team dedicated to supporting our forum users, and it's long overdue.

Another critical investment was migrating our forums to a new software platform. Our previous system was a quarter-century old, and while it appeared stable on the surface, behind the scenes, it was being held together by duct tape and glue. We reached a point where it was no longer sustainable, leaving us with a tough decision: consider a future where we could no longer support the forums, or migrate them to a modern platform that would ensure their long-term viability.

"This is the first time in DPReview's history that we've had a full-time member of the editorial team dedicated to supporting our forum users."

We chose the latter solution, even if imperfect, because the alternative was unthinkable. We sincerely appreciate your patience throughout this process. The job isn't done, and we'll be making improvements in the weeks and months ahead based on your feedback..

Finally, we experimented with new media formats, such as our YouTube team discussions, as well as community-focused content like our Question of the Week series and our first full year of Editors' photo challenges. We plan to introduce even more in 2026, including feature articles about our community members and their photography.

Whether you're a regular reader, commenter, lurker or troll, thank you for being a part of the DPReview community. We're looking forward to another great year in 2026.

ON1 Photo RAW 2026.2 is now available as a free update for all Photo RAW 2026 owners with improvements that focus on workflow speed, smarter AI results, and a smoother user experience across the board. Here are the details:

Improved Face Restoration — Sharper Details, Better Accuracy

The upgraded AI Face Restoration model inside Resize AI delivers noticeably better results for:

• Teeth, eyes, and glasses
• Smaller or distant faces
• Preserving natural texture and detail

Portrait photographers will see higher-quality outputs with fewer artifacts, especially when enhancing older images or low-resolution portraits.

New Module Tips for Faster Learning

2026.2 introduces Module Tips, short onboarding dialogs that guide first-time users through each module. This makes ON1 Photo RAW easier to get up to speed for beginners while helping experienced users discover overlooked tools that speed up editing workflows.

Faster Exports + Easier Export Presets

Exporting is now faster and more responsive, especially for large raw files or batch jobs. Export presets have also been redesigned to be easier to create, organize, and apply—saving pros and high-volume shooters valuable time.

New Camera Support

ON1 Photo RAW 2026.2 adds RAW support for:

• Leica M EV1
• Sony FX 30

New Lens Profiles Added

Optical corrections are now available for the following lenses:

Canon:

• EF 20–35mm f/3.5–4.5 USM
• RF 10–20mm f/4L IS STM

Fujifilm:

• XF 16–50mm F2.8–4.8 R LM WR

Mamiya/Sekor:

• SX 55mm f/1.8

Minolta:

• MD 24mm f/2.8
• MD 45mm f/2

Nikon:

• Z 70–180mm f/2.8
• AF-S DX 55–200mm f/4–5.6G ED VR II

OM System:

• OM 12–100mm F4.0

Pentax:

• Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 400mm f/5.6
• smc Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8
• HD PENTAX-D FA 21mm F2.4 ED Limited DC WR

Other brands:

• Auto Petri 55mm f/1.8
• TTArtisan E 23mm f/1.8
• Tamron AF 18–400mm f/3.5–6.3 Di II VC HLD
• Viltrox 15mm f/1.7 E
• Yashica ML 55mm f/4 Macro
• Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 180mm f/2.8 MMJ

Stability Improvements and General Refinements

This release continues ON1’s commitment to quality with better stability, UI polish, and bug fixes across the app. These refinements improve responsiveness and deliver a smoother experience day-to-day.

The post ON1 Photo RAW 2026.2 now available appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Overflying P-47 Thunderbolt at an airshow Photo: Community member Jon555

In this week's Question of the week, our community reflected on the most significant photography lessons they learned in 2025, ranging from practical gear insights to mindset shifts that changed how they approach shooting. We certainly learned a lot from reading about their experiences, thank you, community.
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Some lessons emerged through sheer hard work and expertise in camera technology (in some cases, decades of experience). In contrast, others developed from missed shots or chance successes in the field. The community's lessons reveal how preparation and a willingness to rethink old habits can make a difference to both results and enjoyment behind the camera.

Read on for a spotlight selection of contributions, and then join our forum community to share your great photos and the stories they tell.

Jacques Cornell: Always bring backups for every mission-critical piece of gear to every on-site job. This has been my mantra as an event shooter for decades, but I still had to learn it again when I got sloppy on the second day of a trade show job and brought only what I (wrongly) thought I'd need. SMH.

Paper Wasp: I learned the value of in-body image stabilization. Even with a camera several years old and well behind current technology, I managed to take very nice, sharp photos hand-held in situations that would have made it very difficult without it.

kcccc: If you shoot handheld in aperture mode, don't trust that the camera's auto-chosen shutter speed will always give you unblurred images. Always check the shutter speed, choose a minimum shutter speed that one can feel confident taking sharp photos (depending on zoom level, IBIS, hand stability, etc).

MTiz: To embrace shadows! Negative space is powerful.

GinoSVK: Never, ever touch ‘crop mode’ again! I accidentally engaged it while playing with the settings the day before a wildlife photoshoot. It cost me a few shots until I realized it.

Fawn in Penticton, BC Photo: Community member Jack Simpson

Jon555: That I can use an e-shutter for a lot of shots I would have assumed it wouldn't work for, like propeller aircraft. 1/160th was enough after all... who knew. I did a whole Air Show that way, and out of 2200 images (what's worse - all in single-shot mode, no bursts), I haven't seen one where the e-shutter damaged it. An F-35 B damaged my hearing, tho... boy, are they loud when hovering.

f1point4andbethere: Every rule you create for yourself will be something you experiment with breaking one day later.

Satyaa: Small things matter as much as the big things. They are often forgotten or ignored, but can be potential pitfalls.

Winterfrost: Enjoy when you accidentally (besides photowalks specifically...) take a good picture that wasn't planned. Always look for chances, opportunities, but expect nothing - stay humble.

I have the habit of setting up my cameras the night before an event. I make sure everything is in place, double-check the settings I want to use, and that batteries are charged, etc. I focus on big things but often miss small things. The exercise of going through this setup the night before often saves me.

sirhawkeye64: Not every shot has to be a hero shot. For many years, I always went into the field thinking I had to get the "perfect" shot or the money-making shot, but later realized that that tends to lead us to disappointment many times (I mean, if you get it, great, and you feel good about it, but if you don't, it can bother you). By shifting my mindset to focus more on what I want to get out of it, and less on what others will think, I have found it helpful.

User4541379541: Stop [always] listening to 'experts.' Find your own style. Don't be a clone. Photography is a personal thing. The freedom to express and convey what you see."
Since then, I saw my world in a different light, and it's beautiful!

Custom-made digital background scene Photo: Community member Frenchfx

Frenchfx: I took a master class on still life and learned how to apply digital backgrounds properly, and the difference was amazing. My work took on a whole new look. More professional, more appealing, and just all around better.

Swerky: Not going to a photography outing with expectations in mind. I would often go out shooting by saying to myself, for example, that I wanted to do macros today. However, for some reason, I arrive on location and see that circumstances aren’t in my favor. So I either need to adapt and find something else or return home frustrated. This goes with the larger idea of not falling into habit but always pushing your boundaries.

wh1tby: Camera ergonomics really do matter. I had always assumed that if you liked the results from a camera and lens combo, you could adapt to any ergonomic issues, e.g., an over-sensitive shutter, a lack of an aperture ring on Fuji X-series lenses, exposure compensation dials that either locked or were too easy to change, etc.

When I found my bad shot rate was going up, I realised a) they do matter and b) I had to focus on the camera that is easier for you to use and not try to force yourself to ‘adapt’. Some camera and lens combinations are not suitable for you, and they will detract from the primary objective of photography: the photograph.

And wildaboutnature had a list of things to suggest:

• Research my subject to maximise my chances of getting the shots I want, but always be adaptable and able to switch to other subjects.
• Take lots of shots, varying the composition and camera settings.
• Always have a backup camera and lenses with me on any vital shoot. Keep spare batteries and spare cards in my pocket.
• It might rain, so always have a polythene bag in my pocket.
• Download and make at least two backups after each shoot and each editing session.
• Don't waste money on gear that I don't genuinely need.

Across all these stories, it's clear that the most valuable lesson learned in 2025 was that the perfect shot sometimes comes about by a unique set of circumstances, and being flexible (both in terms of hardware and mentally adapting to the moment) is critical to capturing that magical shot.

Keep watch for the next Question of the week every other Wednesday to participate in this series. New questions are posted here on the homepage and in the forums. We can't wait to read and share your stories!

Fix Grainy, Blurry, Low-Resolution Videos Effortlessly with Aiarty Video Enhancer (Lowest Price for Christmas)

Many photographers today shoot video alongside stills, but video quality doesn’t always meet expectations. Low-light footage often suffers from visible grain, while clips from older cameras and early DSLRs can look soft and outdated on modern displays.

Improving this kind of footage traditionally means complex workflows and inconsistent results. Aiarty Video Enhancer aims to simplify that process.

Designed for photographers and editors, Aiarty Video Enhancer is an all-in-one solution for cleaning up and improving video quality. It combines intelligent upscaling, noise reduction, deblurring, restoration, color correction, and frame interpolation into a streamlined workflow, while still giving users enough control to maintain a natural, photographic look.

Christmas Deal: Aiarty Video Enhancer at the Lowest Price of the Year

To coincide with the holiday season, Aiarty is currently running a Christmas promotion that may be of interest to photographers who want to improve the quality of their videos without committing to a subscription-based tool.

What the Christmas offer includes:

• 36% off the regular price (lifetime license)
• Extra $5 coupon: use code XMASSAVE at checkout

The full lifetime license provides full access to all features, includes lifetime free updates, and can be installed on up to 3 Windows or Mac computers.

For users who prefer a one-time purchase with no recurring fees, this seasonal offer makes Aiarty Video Enhancer a relatively low-risk option to try, especially with a 30-day money-back guarantee in place.

How Aiarty Video Enhancer Fits into Real-World Video Workflows

At its core, Aiarty Video Enhancer is built for photographers who want to improve video quality without turning their footage into something artificial or over-processed.

Instead of relying on a single “one-click” AI approach, it combines multiple optimized AI models with practical user controls, allowing creators to balance quality, speed, and visual realism based on real-world needs.

Optimized AI Models with Performance and Control in Mind

Aiarty uses three specialized AI models, each optimized for different scenarios such as fine-detail restoration and extreme low-light denoising. These models are deeply optimized for modern GPUs, pushing utilization as high as 95%, which translates into noticeably faster processing compared to many similar tools that leave much of the GPU idle.

Equally important, Aiarty does not force users to fully surrender creative control to AI. Features like the Strength slider, Turbo Mode, and Step Mode give photographers the flexibility to decide whether they prioritize speed, maximum quality, or a natural, film-like result.

This balance—powerful automation with meaningful control—is what makes Aiarty particularly well-suited to photographers who occasionally work with video but still care deeply about image integrity.

All processing is done locally and offline, which means better privacy and no cloud uploads or data reuse.

Upscale: Making Camera Footage Fit Modern Workflows

Upscaling is not only about improving old videos. For photographers and editors, it often solves very practical problems in real-world workflows.

In mixed timelines, footage may come from different cameras—for example, a main 4K camera combined with 1080p clips from drones, action cameras, or older DSLRs. High-frame-rate slow-motion footage is also often limited to lower resolutions. Reframing or post-stabilization also inevitably reduces resolution.

Aiarty allows users to upscale videos using common targets such as 1080p, 2K, or 4K, as well as fixed scaling options like 2× or 4×. Instead of simply enlarging pixels, its AI models analyze edges, textures, and patterns to reconstruct missing detail, helping low-resolution clips appear cleaner and more consistent with today’s viewing standards.

Denoise: Reducing Grain in Video and Cleaning Up Audio

Noise is one of the most common problems in camera video, particularly when shooting in low light or at high ISO. Traditional noise reduction often requires adjusting multiple technical parameters and can come at the cost of lost detail.

Aiarty integrates video denoising directly into its enhancement process, automatically reducing noise while preserving edge detail and texture. If the auto enhancement removes too much grain, users can adjust the strength slider to find the optimal balance between cleaner footage and a natural, film-like look.

This approach avoids the hassle of traditional noise reduction while also preventing the overly smooth, plastic appearance that some AI tools often introduce.

In addition to video denoising, Aiarty also includes basic audio noise reduction, helping reduce background hiss or ambient noise in casual recordings and older clips. While not intended to replace dedicated audio software, it provides a practical improvement that makes clips easier to use and more presentable overall.

Deblur and Restore: Improving Clarity When Reshooting Isn’t an Option

Slight blur and softness are common in real-world video, especially with early-generation sensors or less-than-ideal shutter speeds. When reshooting is impossible, restoration becomes the only option.

Aiarty’s deblurring and restoration capabilities focus on recovering perceived clarity rather than aggressively sharpening. By reconstructing edge definition and fine detail where possible, it improves overall sharpness while avoiding halos or harsh artifacts.

The results won’t turn heavily blurred footage into perfectly sharp video, but they can noticeably improve clarity in many real-world scenarios.

Strength Slider: Why Control Matters for Photographers

One of the more important design choices in Aiarty Video Enhancer is the inclusion of a strength slider that controls how strongly the AI enhancement is applied. This may seem like a minor feature, but it plays a significant role in achieving natural-looking results.

AI enhancement is not always a case of “more is better”. Applying too much sharpening or denoising can lead to an artificial look, something photographers are particularly sensitive to. The ability to dial back the effect allows users to find a balance between improved clarity and visual realism.

Color Correction: Fine-Tuning After Enhancement

Basic color correction tools, such as controls for exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and color temperature, are included to help refine the final output after AI enhancement.

These tools are not meant to replace full-fledged color grading software. Instead, they allow photographers to make subtle adjustments to ensure that enhanced footage looks balanced and consistent, especially after noise reduction or restoration has altered the image slightly.

When used conservatively, these controls help maintain a natural photographic look while polishing the final result.

Frame Interpolation and Slow Motion: Smoother Motion for Creative Control

Aiarty includes frame interpolation, allowing users to increase frame rates up to 120 fps, and a slow-motion option with adjustable speeds such as 1/2 or 1/4. While not every photographer will need this daily, it can be extremely useful when working with action footage, fast-moving subjects, or older clips originally captured at low frame rates.

By smoothing motion and creating slow-motion effects, this feature gives photographers more creative flexibility, whether for short films, travel videos, or simply making casual clips look more polished and professional.

SDR to HDR: Giving Footage More Depth

For older 8-bit SDR footage, Aiarty offers an optional SDR-to-HDR conversion that outputs 10-bit HDR video. This process can improve color transitions and reduce banding, resulting in smoother gradients and a more refined visual appearance.

When combined with basic color adjustments, this feature can add depth and richness to older clips. It can noticeably enhance the viewing experience on modern HDR-capable displays.

Final Words: Get the Holiday Treat Before It Goes Away!

If you’ve been thinking about improving your video quality, it’s worth trying out Aiarty Video Enhancer to see the results for yourself.

And if you like what you see, take advantage of the Christmas offer and grab Aiarty Video Enhancer and more powerful tools at the lowest price. All licenses work on 3 computers permanently and include lifetime free updates. Act fast—this seasonal promotion is only available for a limited time.

The post Fix Grainy, Blurry, Low-Resolution Videos Effortlessly with Aiarty Video Enhancer (Lowest Price for Christmas) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

2025 year in review:

• Top mirrorless cameras of 2025 (pictured above)
• Sony in 2025
• Canon in 2025
• Nikon in 2025
• Fujifilm in 2025 | lenses for the Fujifilm X-mount
• L-Mount Alliance in 2025
• Trending photography gifts of 2025
• Most read articles of the year at B&H Photo
• Most Listened to B&H Photography Podcasts of 2025
• Year in review: best camera and lenses of 2025
• 2025 photo gear of the year

Vote for the worst camera of 2025

The post 2025 Year in Review appeared first on Photo Rumors.

2025 by the numbers

As 2025 comes to a close, we're looking back at what happened this past year. We've already shared our favorite gear and photos, but now let's zoom out and look at the bigger picture: the numbers and stats for 2025. We think it provides a fun overview of the status of the camera industry and what happened here at DPReview over the course of the year.

Cameras released: 26

2025 brought the release of 26 stills and hybrid-focused cameras. We saw a vast range of models from the major players, from pocketable compacts like the Ricoh GR IV to the medium format Hasselblad X2D II 100C and everything in between. The count doesn't include cinema cameras like the Sony FX2. It also doesn't include action cameras, of which there were quite a few, including the GoPro Max2 and DJI Osmo Nano.

It was certainly an interesting year for camera releases, with bold models like the Sony RX1R III, Sigma BF and Fujifilm X half. Of course, there were also plenty of expected announcements, including the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, Nikon Z5II and Panasonic Lumix S1II.

26 is only one shy of the number of releases we saw last year, though that depends in part on how you count them. Both 2024 and 2025 included models that could be considered duplicates, such as the Ricoh GR IV / GR IV HDF from this year. It's also maybe a bit generous to call the Nikon Coolpix P1100 a new release, since it was primarily updated with a USB-C port. Still, it's nice seeing the number so high after a few stagnant years, and we hope 2026 continues the trend.

Zoom lenses released: 21

2025 was a rather exciting year for zoom lenses, even if there weren't quite as many new ones as 2024. Many of the zoom lenses we saw were updates on standard, bread-and-butter focal lengths. Although that may not sound very exciting, those new offerings often came with some impressive features or innovations.

For example, Nikon's 24-70mm F2.8 S II featured a fully internal zoom design, which we hadn't seen before. Hasselblad's XCD 35-100mm F2.8-4 E offered a standard range in a surprisingly compact body for medium format cameras. We were also excited about Sigma's commitment to APS-C with the 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art, so much so that it earned it a spot on our Product of the Year shortlist.

The zoom releases didn't entirely focus on standard focal lengths, though. This year also brought the standout Sony 50-150mm F2 GM, with its wide telephoto zoom range, fast and constant aperture, excellent sharpness and reasonable size. The price may be eye-watering, but the optical engineering impressed us, earning it the honors of best zoom lens of the year in our annual awards.

Prime lenses released: 37

First, a disclaimer: this number does not include all prime lenses that came out this year. Just as we pointed out last year, prime lenses, especially manual focus ones without electrical contacts, are increasingly easier to manufacture. We would have to spend days trying to come up with a complete list if we included all of those. Instead, we've only counted lenses we covered at DPReview or added to our database.

Even with that in mind, we saw a healthy number of new prime lenses in 2025. There were plenty of rather expected offerings, but there were also some pleasant surprises, especially from Sigma. In fact, Sigma achieved a few firsts, such as the first full frame mirrorless 200mm F2 and the first full frame autofocus 135mm F1.4. 2025 also marked the return of Zeiss to the camera lens manufacturing world, with the company releasing two prime manual focus lenses for E, RF and Z mounts.

Interviews with major manufacturers: 11

Over the course of the year, DPReview staff spoke with many of the major camera and lens manufacturers. Those interviews covered a variety of topics, including the state of the camera industry, future plans, design inspiration and more. We've linked to every 2025 interview below, so you can check out what each had to say.

1. "We're here, we understand our position in the industry," Zeiss discusses its new lenses and new approach
2. New Pen not yet on the drawing board, says OM System
3. Shades of gray: did Ricoh just hint at a Monochrome GR?
4. "Our plan hasn't changed," says Fujifilm of X-Pro, but X-E may have snapshot future
5. Fujifilm weighs in: "There's a lot of potential in compact cameras"
6. We interviewed Fujifilm's executives about the GFX100RF and Content Credentials
7. Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki reveals the connection between the Sigma BF and Chanel No. 5 perfume
8. A conversation with Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki: Still committed to Foveon
9. Canon talks compact camera comeback, third-party lenses and new users
10. How Leica balances tradition and innovation after 100 years
11. Inside Canon's HQ: we found out why Canon wants to build the Porsche 911 of photography

Images in sample galleries: 5016

It was a busy year for the DPReview team in terms of taking gear out for sample gallery purposes. In total, we uploaded 5016 images to sample galleries, which is to say we took a lot of images this year. After all, that number only includes a small selection of what we actually take while testing gear.

As usual, our sample galleries were centered around cameras and lenses, with a few smartphone galleries as well. Our editors had some personal favorites in terms of images they took, including the Sigma BF and Sony RX1R III galleries for Richard, and the Sony 50-150mm F2 GM and pre-production Fujifilm GFX100RF galleries for Mitchell.

Episodes of the DPReview discussions show: 16

This year marked the beginning of our DPReview discussions show, where members of the team regularly sit down to chat about various topics. Most of these conversations centered on new releases, such as the Fujifilm X half, Sigma's 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art lens, the latest iPhone, the Hasselblad X2D II and more. But we also took time to help our community manager pick a new camera, share gift ideas and, of course, discuss our annual awards.

You can watch all of the existing videos on our YouTube channel. The discussion format is one we will be continuing into 2026, and we look forward to seeing where it takes us.

Number of photos submitted to Editors' photo challenges: 2939

We continued our monthly Editor's photo challenges in 2025, with themes covering a broad range of topics. Over the course of the year, we asked you all to submit your favorite images of winter sports, water, human-powered travel, summer adventure, landscapes, road trips and more. We even had a few camera-specific challenges, such as one dedicated to smartphone photography and one for images taken with compact cameras.

You all answered the call each time, submitting 2939 images over the course of the year. It was a consistent reminder of just how talented our community is, and we can't wait to see what you share in 2026.

Number of forum posts: 468,425 (and counting)

Our forum community is at the heart of what makes DPReview all that it is, largely because of the wide breadth of discussions. From thought-provoking questions and problem-solving tips to providing feedback on work and more, we love seeing what is going on in our forums. And this year, you all kept busy there. At the time of writing, you've created a total of 468,425 forum posts. Of course, that number grows each day, and it's likely to exceed half a million by the end of this year.

Number of sustainable, modern forum systems transitioned to: 1

Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention one of the most significant moves for DPReview this year: the new forum system. We'd been operating on a proprietary, custom-built software system since the site's inception 25 years ago. That wasn't viable anymore, so, in order to make the forums easier to maintain, improve and access on all devices, we transitioned our forums to new, modern forum platform in October of this year. To oversimplify things, it was a massive undertaking. But all legacy forum content successfully transitioned to the new platform, and new features were (and will continue to be) unlocked.

We greatly appreciate our community's patience and support during the transition and look forward to exciting improvements coming in 2026.

Issues of our newsletter: 48

Lastly, we sent 48 issues of our newsletter this year, two more than last year. If you weren't aware that we even had a newsletter, you may want to consider signing up! It highlights some of our best stories each week, so you can stay up-to-date on what's happening at the site.

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The previously reported Meike AF 23mm f/1.4 APS-C lens (E/X/Z) is now available for order at the official online store.

Additional information on the new lens:

• 13-element in 11-group
• minimum focusing distance of 0.25 meters
• 58mm filter thread,
• Weight: 298 grams
• STM stepping AF motor
• Available for Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Nikon Z mounts

Here is the current Meike lens lineup:

Here is an updated list of photo gear promo codes you can use during this holiday shopping season

The post Meike AF 23mm f/1.4 APS-C lens now available for order (E/X/Z) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here are some of the new Laowa lenses Venus Optics will announce next year (2026):

• Laowa FF 45mm f/2.8 ultra macro full-frame 1-5X APO (11 elements in 9 groups)
• Laowa FF 17.5mm f/1.7 ultra macro full-frame 5-10X APO (17 elements in 12 groups)

Specifications:

• Full-range parfocal design throughout zooming (means the focus will not change as you increase magnification)
• Coaxial illumination (means light goes through the lens, hits the surface, and comes back; the lens acts as a condenser and an objective – suitable for inspection)
• Covers high magnification zoom from 1:1 to 10:1, filling the gap between a traditional macro lens and a microscope
• Longer working distance (40.35mm/22.5mm) facilitates lighting setup
• Adopts apochromatic (APO) optical design to effectively eliminate chromatic aberration, resulting in sharp images and accurate colors
• Full-frame lenses compatible with multiple mounts (E/Z/L/F/RF/EF)
• Meets the image needs of scientific research and commercial applications

Laowa FF 14-60mm T3.6 stereo zoom lens:

The post Here are some of the new Laowa lenses Venus Optics will announce next year (2026) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

7Artisans is teasing a new line of APS-C LITE autofocus lenses. Three different focal lengths are expected. The weight of each lens will be around 180g.

The latest lens releases from 7Artisans can be found here.

The post 7Artisans is teasing a new line of LITE APS-C autofocus lenses appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here is what else is new:

Reminder: there is no new Nikon Z90 APS-C camera coming next month

Coming next: Leica Noctilux M 35mm f/1.2 lens (in January)

Canon EOS C400, C80, C70, R5 C, and XF605 Cinema Camera Firmware Updates Released

Viltrox Released Firmware Updates Adding Sony a7V Support

The last batch of Komaru Black Paint and Black Paint Patina soft-release buttons

PentaxRumors Turns 10 Years Old Today

The post What else is new? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Meike is rumored to announce a new AF 85mm f/1.8 SE II lens for the Canon EF mount. This is a strange move when third-party lens manufacturers are trying really hard to get approval to produce mirrorless lenses for the Canon RF mount:

Viltrox is rumored to release new lenses for Canon RF mount

The post Weird: Meike to announce a new AF 85mm f/1.8 SE II lens for Canon EF mount appeared first on Photo Rumors.