Image: VSCO

VSCO has long been an app photographers turn to for film-inspired presets, but now the company is making a pivot toward something far more ambitious. This week, it announced two interconnected products that aim to serve photographers far more broadly: Studio Pro, a dedicated professional batch-editing app, and VSCO One, an all-in-one platform launching later this month that bundles editing, client galleries, booking and more.

Studio Pro is the more immediate piece of VSCO's new platform. At launch, Studio Pro is fairly limited in features, with a primary focus on editing colors and making minor tweaks to JPEGs. VSCO says it's intentionally shipping the first version now so that it can gather feedback before rolling out additional features. It says it plans to regularly release improvements and new features "based on real-world professional workflows."

Image: VSCO

To start, one of its primary features is batch editing, allowing photographers to apply VSCO's film presets and adjustments like HSL, grain, exposure, contrast and white balance on up to 100 images at once with one tap. The tool is aimed at portrait, wedding, sport and event photographers who need to be able to quickly edit larger sets of images.

Studio Pro also offers Style Match, which analyzes a previously edited reference image and replicates its color and tonal character across new images. The tool promises to make it easier to achieve a consistent look across image sets, allowing photographers to develop a distinct style. Lastly, the app will allow photographers to post images to VSCO Galleries, making it easier to share finished work with clients.

Image: VSCO

Raw file support, something most professional photographers would consider a must-have, is listed as a planned future feature, not something available immediately. Likewise, manual culling with star ratings, custom crop tools, tethering and advanced export options such as file renaming and resolution control are all slated for the product roadmap. There's also a macOS desktop version planned for later this year.

Studio Pro enters a crowded and competitive field that includes Lightroom Mobile, Darkroom and Halide, apps with more mature feature sets and, in Lightroom's case, years of well-established professional workflows behind them. Whether photographers find enough in Studio Pro's current iteration to trial it depends largely on how central VSCO's preset aesthetic already is to their work. For shooters already living in the VSCO ecosystem, the batch workflow could be a meaningful upgrade. For everyone else, it may be worth revisiting when Raw support arrives.

For everyone else, it may be worth revisiting when Raw support arrives.

What could be enticing to photographers, though, is the promise of a more complete ecosystem under one umbrella. Historically, photographers have had to stitch together various tools from different companies to manage all aspects of the business. That could mean Lightroom for editing, Pixieset for gallery delivery, HoneyBook for contracts and invoices, Squarespace for websites, and the list goes on, with each carrying its own subscription. VSCO puts the costs at $800 to $3200 annually.

Image: VSCO

VSCO's upcoming ecosystem, VSCO One, aims to ease those costs and the pain points of dealing with multiple subscriptions with what it's calling the "Connected System for Photographers." The platform is designed to cover the complete photography workflow, from creative to business needs, and it bundles the company's existing offerings under one subscription that costs $500 a year.

VSCO One isn't launching until the end of June, but it will include two editing programs (Studio Pro and AI Lab), galleries for client delivery and sharing, portfolio websites, client collaboration and creative planning tools, a camera app and community.

Additionally, the subscription will include VSCO Workspace, a tool for client management, booking, scheduling, invoicing, contracts and studio operations. It will also provide access to The Freelance Photographer, a business education and mentorship platform that VSCO acquired last year.

VSCO's new Studio Pro is available for free on iOS now, though you will need a subscription for some features, such as the company's full preset library. VSCO One will be available at the end of the month.

The new Panasonic Lumix DC-L10 camera is now shipping – check availability at:

• B&H Photo | WEX Photo | Foto Erhardt

Panasonic Japan issued a notice of a temporary suspension of orders for the camera after it “received significantly more pre-orders than anticipated”:

Panasonic Lumix L10 camera “received significantly more pre-orders than anticipated”

• Panasonic Lumix L10 camera first impressions
• The Ultimate Point-and-Shoot Shopping Guide
• The new Panasonic Lumix DC-L10 digital camera

Previous coverage of the Panasonic Lumix L10 camera can be found here:

Comparing the new Panasonic Lumix L10 camera with the LX100 II

New Panasonic L10 camera announced for the 25th anniversary of LUMIX

Update: Panasonic still has one registered but not yet announced new camera

The post Panasonic Lumix L10 camera now shipping, orders temporarily suspended in Japan appeared first on Photo Rumors.

OM SYSTEM OM-3 ASTRO: tailor-made for astrophotographers

Announcement of “GFX Challenge Grant Program 2026”

FUJIFILM received the 2026 Japan Society of Photographic Sciences “Technical Award” for the development of the integrated lens digital camera “FUJIFILM GFX100RF”

Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f/1.4 Coming to RF Mount

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

"U2; Concert for Obama, 2009, Washington, D.C. It was 10 seconds before they went on, we were all standing on wood planks and frozen ground, feeling history at the same time." Canon EOS-1D X | EF 70–200mm F2.8L IS II USM | F2.8 | 1/200 sec | ISO 640 Photo: Brian Ach

Brian Ach, known as Achman in the wider community and contributor at DPReview.com, loves to cover raving stadium shows and gain backstage access at major cultural events for clients like Getty and AP. In contrast, his personal work takes things down a notch in speed and seriousness. Street, travel and fine art photography give Brian room to go back to when he first learned photography: shooting film in New York City on his daily commute with a 35mm camera.

"After I was a couple of blocks from the WTC on 9/11, I decided life was short and graphic design wasn't for me. I left the full-time job and became a freelance photographer."

This story is part of our What's in your bag? community spotlight series. The series showcases the diverse gear and photography of our community, and shares their stories of how that gear helped them to capture the perfect shot.

Have your photography featured on the DPReview homepage! Find out how.

"Venice Beach; California. For me, there is nothing better than exploring the world with TriX." Canon F1 | Canon FD 35mm F2 | Tri X ISO 400 Photo: Brian Ach

Meet Brian Ach

Home base: United States

Favorite camera: "It's not related to my work or these photographs, but I’ve had my original Yashicamat for 30 years – it’s more than just a camera to me, it feels like a friend."

What's in Brian's bag

Brian's camera bag Photo: Brian Ach

Cameras for work: Canon R5 ("two of them, actually")

• Lenses:
  • Canon RF 24–105mm F4
  • Canon RF 14–35mm F4
  • Canon RF 70–200mm F4
  • Canon EF 135mm F2
  • Plus a classic FD 35mm F2 for adapted and film-era work

Cameras for play: Yashica Mat, Canon VI-L and a Canon F1

• Lenses:
  • Summaron 35mm F2.8
  • Canon 35mm F2

• Support gear: Brian's kit shifts depending on assignment. For commercial and editorial stills, he travels with a streamlined pro setup built around the R5 system, backed by a Pelican Air carry-on, a MacBook Pro, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a 2TB Samsung SSD for fast offload and backup in the field. Lighting is handled with a Profoto B2, including two packs and four heads.
• Camera bags: "Like many others in the DPReview community, I'm a fan of the ThinkTank ShapeShifter and a blue Pelican 1535 Air. The ShapeShifter is a flexible day-to-day carry solution for moving between shoots, and the Pelican serves as a convenient travel-and protection-first case, especially on long-duration flights."

"Taylor Swift; NYC, 2010. Sometimes you have minutes to make a portrait; here I had 15 seconds." Canon EOS-1D X | EF 85mm F1.2L II USM | F2.8 | 1/250 sec | ISO 1600 Photo: Brian Ach

What's your preferred shooting scene?

"My work is pretty divided into work and play."

"For work, I shoot for Getty, AP, and editorial and commercial clients. I've been around the world on these jobs, working as Prince's European tour photographer alongside other major names like Jay-Z and Journey. And also big brands and events from Jaguar/Land Rover to Samsung to New York Fashion Week and the MTV VMA awards. I like to say I've shot everything and everyone."

"Film forces me to really shoot with intention, to dissolve into the process and be deliberate about what I'm doing."

"For play, I like street, travel and fine art. I started in film, and it is still what really gets me going. Film forces me to really shoot with intention, to dissolve into the process and be deliberate about what I'm doing. I started learning by shooting street in NYC with a rangefinder and a 35mm lens on the way to and from work every day. It trained my eyes to be soft and let the image find its way to my shutter. This early work informed my process to this day, even in my professional work."

Have you taken any particularly memorable trips?

I visited 12 countries in 24 days quite a few years ago, and recently visited 9 countries in less time, including India and Japan. I'm a travel junkie. Many times, I only took the film cameras out, and it was just great. Sometimes you would see a shot you wanted to get, but you weren't able to because of what you had, and it was good to be able to let go of that, because professionally, I can't.

"Shadow Dancer; Chelsea Flea Market, NYC, 2002. Yashicamat, TriX. I was born on this street." Photo: Brian Ach

How has your photography changed since you started?

"Shooting for clients all the time has definitely made me shoot less for fun. Carrying a lot of gear to a job often means no room for a fun camera, even if it is small. I just don't want to carry another thing. So, it's a sad but true thing that I shoot less of the 'fun' stuff. It does make it more special when I choose to do it, though."

"When I started out professionally, I was concerned about creating a certain 'look'. Something people would know is from me. I quickly started shooting like my heroes, Callahan, Mary Ellen Mark and learned from each of them. But if I could tell myself how it really works, I would say: 'Learn and move on.' Your style will become clear after years of shooting. Don't get hung up on that."

"Learn and move on. Your style will become clear after years of shooting."

"My shooting has improved for simple reasons – experience has taught me to understand what the shot I'm seeking really is, and when to take it. I shoot fewer frames than ever because I am not searching as much. With clients, I've probably thought more about their shoot than they have by go time, and it makes it easier."

You clearly have a distinct shooting method. What's your secret?

"I think through the job or the trip multiple times, pack everything I want to take, and then take stuff out of the bag or case depending on what conclusions I come up with."

"I teach my method, which I call 'Content meets Context', in workshops. I use this every time I shoot to create 'intentional' photographs. Content is nothing without context, especially nowadays. An example would be Prince performing at the Stade de France. A picture of him on stage performing would be great, but there is no context – nothing to indicate it is in the iconic arena. I went and shot him wide, from behind (thanks, all access) as he turned around, so you can have the context of the arena in the shot."

"Prince; Stade de France, Paris 2011; This was the first show on the European Tour, the first time I had photographed him in concert." Canon EOS-1D X | EF 17–40mm F4L USM | F4 | 1/320 sec | ISO 2000 Photo: Brian Ach

"For all photographers: shoot more, be open to criticism and learn how to self-critique. Like a musician who knows their keys and scales by rote, you need to know your cameras the same way. Practice, refine, grow and get the work out there. Happy shooting!"

Brian really enjoyed participating in this spotlight article and would be grateful for you to join him in discussion in the forums.

Brian's work

You can check out his other work at brianach.com. He will also have an exhibit opening at The Garrett Museum of Art on July 10, which includes many of these photos as well as a talk back on the stories behind the Prince prints on July 11. And he'll be the keynote speaker at the International Photography Hall of Fame Induction ceremony in Indianapolis on October 3.

Also, check out Brian's stories of getting the right shot on DPREview TV:

Thanks again, Brian, for being featured!

If you'd like to share your photography, tell us about your main camera, lens choices, key settings and strategies. Your photos and story could be featured in the next article!

Editor's note: This article continues a series, 'What's in your bag?', highlighting DPReview community members, their photography and the gear they depend on. Would you like to be featured in a future installment? Tell us a bit about yourself and your photography by filling out this form. If you're selected for a feature, we'll be in touch with next steps.

Submit your photos and story to be featured in 'What's in your bag?'

Photo: Mitchell Clark

Our test scene is designed to simulate a variety of textures, colors, and detail types you'll encounter in the real world. It also has two illumination modes, full even light and low directional light, to see the effect of different lighting conditions.

Shooting in Raw at its base ISO, the L10 captures a good amount of detail, on par with the Sony and Canon, and slightly more than the LX100 II. Despite using the same amount of sensor area as the LX100 II, it provides an image that's 1EV cleaner thanks to its ability to gather more light by shooting at ISO 100 instead of 200. Likewise, it produces slightly less noise than its Type-1 peers, thanks to its 66% increase in sensor area.

This advantage continues through to higher ISOs, though if you find yourself shooting in the dark often, it's worth considering the noise advantage that APS-C compacts like the Ricoh GR IV or Fujifilm X100VI provide, at the cost of less versatility thanks to their prime lenses. The L10's JPEG engine does a decent job of retaining details while reducing noise, though the older cameras that act as its competition are decent in this regard, too.

Standard Color Profile	L.Classic Neo	L.Classic	L.Classic Gold

Where Panasonic's processing has improved is when it comes to its JPEG colors. Overall, they're pleasing and more punchy, and we've enjoyed them in the pictures we've taken with it outside of the studio. And if you don't enjoy the colors in its built-in modes, it's almost infinitely customizable thanks to the L10's Real Time LUT system.

Dynamic Range

The L10 provides plenty of latitude to shoot to preserve highlights, then brighten in post. Panasonic L10 | 75mm equiv. | F2.8 | 1/500 sec | ISO 100 | Edited to taste in Adobe Camera Raw Photo: Mitchell Clark

The sensor used in the L10 has been shown to have great dynamic range in the other cameras we've tested that use it, and we're happy to say the L10 is no exception. While its deepest shadows aren't quite as clean as those of the cameras that use the sensor's entire area, you still have plenty of room to exploit them. There's perhaps not as much difference as we might expect from a camera that can combine high and low gain readout in a 16-bit space, vs the 12-bit, single-read approach from the LX100 II, but they should still be pretty flexible.

Exposure Latitude | ISO Invariance

Likewise, the sensor has very little read noise, giving you the option to choose an exposure, then lower your ISO to preserve highlights without having to worry about a ton of additional noise showing up in post when you raise the shadows. Shots at ISO 100 pushed 4EV will show a little more noise than shooting at ISO 1600 in the first place, but even by ISO 200 the difference isn't particularly distinguishable.

Lens performance

When we reviewed the LX100 II in 2018, we said that camera's 17MP sensor was showing the limits of the lens. With the L10 essentially using the same optics, paired with a higher-resolution sensor, that's even more true today, with noticeable softness in the corners even when stopped down to F4 or 5.6 (though doing so provides noticeable improvement versus faster apertures like F2.8).

The bright, complex, foldable lenses on compacts are quite susceptible to sample variation, and we aren't able to test multiple copies of the camera. Putting it in the studio scene also pits it against extremely high-quality primes, many of which are larger and heavier than the L10 in its entirety, and holds it to a higher standard than most would expect from their real-world shooting. In the process of shooting our sample gallery, we haven't come across many situations where the lens felt inadequate for what we were trying to capture.

 
Brightin Star officially announced the previously reported 14mm f/2.8 wide-angle full-frame manual-focus lens for E/Z/L/RF mount. Pre-orders are now open at:

• US: BH Photo
• Worldwide: Brightinstar store introductory price: $239.99, regular price: $279.99, introductory period: June 17 – June 27, use code RUMORS for a discount)

Additional information:

• Expansive 116° View: Capture landscapes, architecture, interiors, and starry skies in one frame, distortion-free.
• Edge-to-Edge Sharpness: 13 elements in 9 groups with 2 ASPH, 5 high-refractive, and 3 ED lenses for perfect clarity from center to edge.
• Flare-Free Nano Coating: Multi-layer Star Nano IMC coating ensures natural colors, reduced ghosting, and pinpoint stars for night photography.
• Supports 82mm square ND/CPL filters and doubles as a lens hood
• 10-blade aperture creates beautiful 10-point star effects
• 0.2m minimum focus distance
• Sample photos:

Via NikonRumors

The post New Brightin Star MF 14mm f/2.8 wide-angle full-frame lens announced (E/Z/L/RF) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Ricoh Japan announced that all current GR camera models will be getting a 6-11% price increase in Japan on July 1st. No information was provided on potential price increases in other markets. Check the latest Ricoh GR availability and pricing at:

• US: B&H Photo
• UK: WEX Photo
• DE: Foto Erhardt
• CA: Camera Canada

The full text of the Ricoh Japan notice can be found here.

The post Ricoh GR camera models are getting a 6-11% price increase in Japan on July 1st appeared first on Photo Rumors.

After one and a half years of silence, Meyer Optik Gorlitz (based in Hamburg, Germany) is currently developing a new 42mm f/1.2 lens – here are the details:

• 42mm f/1.2
• 10 elements total, 2 asph elements, 2 floating elements
• 15 red aperture blades (the red aperture blades have no influence on picture quality or color)
• The lens will be available for Sony E, Canon RF, and Leica M Mount
• Handmade in Hamburg, Germany
• With rangefinder coupling.
• Weight: 420g.
• Diameter: 60mm
• Length: 60mm (without hood)
• Close focusing distance: 0.7m
• The lens is currently in the market validation phase before final production release

Meyer Optik Gorlitz lenses are sold at B&H Photo.

Previous coverage of Meyer Optik Gorlitz lenses can be found here.

The official Meyer Optik Gorlitz website can be found here.

Via LeicaRumors

The post Meyer Optik Gorlitz is back with a new 42mm f/1.2 lens appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The previously rumored Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 “Chip” pancake L-mount lens is now officially announced and currently in stock at:

• Pre-orders: B&H Photo | Amazon US | Amazon DE | Viltrox Store (use code NIKONRUMORS for a discount)
• Press release
• Previous coverage
• Additional information and pictures:

• Autofocus pancake lens designed for full-frame L-Mount cameras
• Ultra-compact, ultra-light pancake lens in a popular 28mm focal length
• Innovative built-in slide-lever lens cover makes carry-to-capture readiness almost instantaneous
• 0.32m minimum focal length
• Fixed F4.5 aperture with fast VCM autofocus
• Backlit point light sources create a distinctive starburst visual effect

The post Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 Chip pancake L-mount lens announced appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 "Chip" is finally available for L-mount. Image: Viltrox

After months of teasing, Viltrox has released the L-mount version of its full-frame AF 28mm F4.5 "Chip" lens. It becomes the company's second autofocusing lens for the system since it joined the alliance in September, 2025, and is a truly tiny option for people with cameras that use the mount.

The lens design has been around for a few years on Sony E and Fujifilm X mounts, and it gets its name and notoriety from its size: it's 15.3mm (0.6") thick, and weighs 60g. That, and its relatively wide focal length, make it an attractive prospect for anyone looking for an as-small-as-possible kit for everyday shooting.

That's an especially interesting proposition on L-mount, where there haven't been that many choices for that kind of lens, despite how much small, gripless cameras like the Panasonic S9 and Sigma BF would benefit from one. Panasonic itself released a relatively small 40mm F2 recently, and there are a few similarly-sized options from other brands, but even those are still noticeably bigger and heavier than the Chip. And while Panasonic's 26mm F8 is similarly-sized, it's quite a bit slower, and manual-focus only.

Image: Viltrox

Conversely, the Viltrox has a voice coil motor (or VCM) for autofocus and can't be manually focused. It also includes an integrated lens cap, which you can deploy by sliding a switch to keep the front element protected if you're sliding the lens into a bag.

The lens is made up of six elements in six groups, with two aspherical and two ED lenses, as well as coatings to reduce reflections and to repel water and oils from the front element. Perhaps its biggest drawback is the aperture: while you may be willing to trade the speed of the ~F2 options for the size and weight savings, it is worth noting that the Chip is a fixed F4.5 lens, meaning you also can't stop it down any further if it's particularly bright or if you want to capture more depth of field or blur motion.

While it's exciting to see Viltrox release a new lens for L-mount, especially one that fits into an underserved niche, this release also highlights the company's relatively slow entrance into the L-mount ecosystem. In the ten months since it announced it was joining the alliance, it's only released this lens and its 16mm F1.8 for the mount, both of which were promised at the beginning. In that time, it has released six other full-frame lenses for other mounts (mainly Sony's E and Nikon's Z), with the only word on L-mount versions coming in the form of responses to Instagram comments.

Still, the release of the AF 28mm F4.5 Chip is a sign that there's at least some work being done at Viltrox for L-mount. It's available today for $99.

Buy Now

Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 Chip Specifications

Photo: NEEWER

With 100Ws of power and 1/8000s high-speed sync, the NEEWER Z3R 100Ws 2.4G TTL Round Head Flash Speedlite can handle everything from entirely backlit scenes to fill flash for outdoor portraits and fast-moving subjects.

A round head produces softer, more natural light than a traditional rectangular type, while dual LED modeling lamps make it easier to preview the effect of the flash output before you’ve even pressed the shutter button. Add fast recycling, a high-capacity rechargeable battery and an efficient cooling system into the mix and the Z3R can deliver professional-level results in a huge range of situations. Let’s get into the details.

The power you need

The Z3R delivers the output and responsiveness photographers need in demanding conditions. Its 100Ws of power and high-speed sync up to 1/8000s help balance ambient light, maintain exposure and support shallow depth of field photography, making it especially effective for portraits, action and fast-paced location shoots.

Support for both the NEEWER Q and Godox X wireless flash ecosystems means your setup options are expansive, while dedicated Canon, Sony and Nikon versions ensure compatibility with major DSLR and mirrorless camera systems. The result is a flashgun that fits easily into existing workflows without sacrificing control or performance.

Designed to support your creativity

Photo: NEEWER

Adjustments are quick and straightforward thanks to an intuitive 2.8-inch full-color touchscreen and one-click TTL/M switch. Dual 3300K +/- 200K LED modeling lamps with 10 brightness levels help you preview light direction and light shape so you can perfectly refine a setup on the fly, without relying on time-consuming test shots.

The round flash head also works with NEEWER CRM2, M12, CRS6, CRS7 and CRB1 mounts, opening the door to a wide range of perfectly matched accessories and creative lighting effects. Plus, the Z3R is compatible with the SEKONIC L-858D Light Meter (RT-GX modules) for ultimate control over flash exposure.

Speed and power without the drawbacks

Photo: NEEWER

The Z3R is built to keep pace during demanding shoots. Its advanced cooling system supports 70–100 consecutive full-power flashes across a 28–105mm focal length range, while the 3000mAh lithium battery is good for up to 500 full-power flashes per charge with a fast 1.7-second recycle time. This combination – plus easy USB-C charging – makes the Z3R ideally suited to high-intensity applications including weddings, events and longer assignments where flexibility and stamina matter.

The Z3R’s round head design and premium quartz flash tube deliver excellent light quality, with a soft spread, clean catchlights and accurate skin tones. And, because it’s rated for 100,000 flashes, you can rely on the Z3R to deliver long-term durability.

Overall, the NEEWER Z3R is a highly capable, well-rounded flash for photographers who need power, speed and flexibility in a compact, affordable unit. From fast recycle times to intuitive controls and broad compatibility, it offers a powerful, flexible lighting solution that adapts easily to portraits, events and demanding location work. With an MSRP of $279.99, the NEEWER Z3R offers pro-level performance at a solid value.

Shop Now at NEEWER.com

Shop Now at Amazon

Shop Now at B&H

After the mini iT30 Pro, Godox announced a new mini TTL flash – the iM30 Pro (see comparison between both models). Here are the details:

Godox announced a new mini iT30 Pro TTL flash

Godox announced a new MF-T76 macro twin flash for Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras

New Godox V1mid on-camera flash announced (C/N/S/F/O)

Via NikonRumors

The post Godox announced a new mini iM30 Pro TTL flash appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The action camera world has recently turned into a legal battlefield. At the moment, the major patent battles are:

• GoPro vs. Insta360 (ITC + U.S. federal litigation)
• DJI vs. Insta360 (Shenzhen patent ownership dispute)
• DJI vs. Insta360 (Texas Luna/Osmo Pocket patent infringement lawsuits)
• Insta360 vs. DJI (U.S. countersuits involving five patents)

Here are the latest updates on the major patent lawsuits involving GoPro, Insta360, and DJI:

GoPro vs. Insta360 (ITC Case)

GoPro filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (Investigation No. 337-TA-1400) accusing Insta360 of infringing multiple patents, including HyperSmooth stabilization technology and the iconic HERO camera design.

Final ruling (February 2026):

• GoPro won on its design patent – the ITC issued a Limited Exclusion Order and Cease & Desist Order against certain older/legacy Insta360 Ace models.
• GoPro lost on all five utility patents covering stabilization, horizon leveling, and distortion correction. These claims were ruled invalid, not infringed, or both.
• Current Insta360 cameras (2025+) are unaffected. Insta360 called it a “complete victory” on the important technical patents.

Update on the GoPro vs. Insta360 lawsuit

DJI vs. Insta360 (China Lawsuit – March 2026)

DJI sued Insta360’s parent company, Arashi Vision, in the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court. The case involves six patents related to drone flight control, structural design, and image processing.

DJI claims these patents are “service inventions” that rightfully belong to DJI because they were developed by former DJI engineers who joined Insta360 within one year of leaving the company (under Chinese patent law).

Insta360 has strongly denied the claims, stating the innovations were created independently. The case is still ongoing with no major public updates since the initial filings.

DJI vs. Insta360 & Insta360 vs. DJI (U.S. Lawsuits – June 2026)

This is the newest and most active front.

DJI’s lawsuits (filed June 10–11, 2026): DJI filed two complaints in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Insta360’s new Luna and Luna Ultra pocket gimbal cameras. The suits allege infringement of:

• 2 design patents (overall look and layout)
• 4 utility patents (gimbal control modes, subject tracking, and on-device display features)

DJI is seeking an injunction to block U.S. sales of the Luna series plus damages.

Insta360’s countersuits (filed June 12, 2026): Insta360 quickly responded with two countersuits asserting five of its own utility patents against DJI. The patents cover gimbal stabilization, directional control, and panoramic video stabilization. The accused products include DJI’s Osmo Pocket series, Ronin/RS gimbals, Osmo Mobile, and Osmo 360.

Insta360 founder JK Liu stated the company will “take decisive action to defend our intellectual property” while emphasizing that the Luna was developed independently since 2020.

DJI has filed a lawsuit against Insta360 over patent violations

The post Patent wars: GoPro, Insta360, and DJI – the latest updates appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Image: 7Artisans

Early this year, 7Artisans launched a new series of F1.8 autofocusing APS-C lenses: a 25mm, 35mm and 50mm (38mm, 53mm and 75mm equiv., respectively). They were initially available for Sony E and Fujifilm X mount, but the company has just made them available on Nikon's Z mount as well.

The trio of lenses makes up the company's "Lite" series, owing to the fact that they all weigh around 180g (6.3oz), and are compact to make it easier to carry them around. You can read the full specs, including optical formulas, in our launch coverage for the lenses, but they're designed to be as similar to each other as possible so it's easy to switch between them, especially if you're using a gimbal for video work. They're all 67mm by 51mm (2.6 x 2") and threaded for 58mm filters. They also all use high-refractive-index glass and have nine-bladed apertures.

While the company and other lens makers have provided similar options for the mount before, it's nice to see it continuing to do so with lenses that use its latest optical and industrial designs. It's also interesting that third parties like 7Artisans have continued to make autofocus lenses for Nikon's mount after the company filed a lawsuit against Viltrox and encouraged people to use officially licensed lenses. So far, only Sigma and Tamron have made any claims about their lenses being licensed, and that doesn't appear to be changing today.

Like their counterparts for E and X mounts, the Z mount versions of the lenses cost $125 each. 7Artisans also sells them as a set for $359, letting you save a bit of money if you were already planning on getting all three. They're available to order now from the company's site and other retailers.

Buy Now

Specifications

What nature photos are you most proud of?

Sony DSC-RX10M4 | F4 | 1/500 sec | ISO 800

Photo: hwvlover

Happy Nature Photography Day!

Last week, we asked what nature photos you're most proud of taking. Every time we post one of these prompts, I'm pleasantly surprised by the sheer variety and originality of the scenes. This week's entries delivered the full package: stunning landscapes, animals minding their own business as if they hadn't signed a release form, and cloud formations that looked like the atmosphere was showing off a little. Scrolling through the submissions honestly felt more like taking a very efficient world tour from the comfort of my desk.

We actually received so many creature-based photos, we'll be running another mini-challenge in the future with this theme, so get your camera ready!

View the slideshow above of the community's submitted photos to see a great view of Earth's magnificent nature. Many more photos could not be included, so check them out in the forums. We'd love to see you contribute your own nature discoveries, too.

Share your finest nature shots!

Flower in the dark

NIKON D800E | Tamron SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (A005) | F10 | 1/160 sec | ISO 100

Photo: giacomofarabegoli

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Flower moth

Photo: ellittnewcomb

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Tenby, Wales, UK cliffs

Photo: fuji_phil_e

"This image of a gull in the landscape makes me feel mellow and gives good memories of a foggy morning in Tenby, Wales, UK, earlier this year. I tend to photograph birds more intimately, but I was carrying an old Minolta MD 28mm lens adapted to my X-T3, and I wanted views of the fog, sea, rocks, cliffs and beach, with a bird in frame."

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An odd 'duckling'

Nikon Z7 II | NIKKOR 400mm F2.8G ED VR | F2.8 | 1/25 sec | ISO 5000

Photo: Bearly There

"Barred Owl siblings - one of them is not like the others."

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A mad gathering of Koi

OM-1 | Olympus M.Zuiko 8-25mm F4.0 PRO | F6.3 | 1/320 sec | ISO 200

Photo: Iokatz

"Koi, Ritsurin Garden, Takamatsu, Shikoku, Japan"

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Sunlit fall river

Photo: AshleyMC

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Tanzania Plain Zebras

Photo: GrayCard

"One of my all-time favorite photos shot at Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. I love the inclusion of landscape with the wildlife, the atmosphere of low-hanging clouds, and sunrays coming through. It is a magical place, and I don't think we are going back there in the near future. So this remains one of my most cherished photos."

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Lake Ladoga

Photo: dpreviewblog

"Different years, different cameras. Mainly the Pentax K-1 MII and cameras with Foveon sensors. Photographs were taken on the islands of Lake Ladoga and in high-altitude beech forests and etc."

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Pollin-covered bee

Nikon COOLPIX P950 | 70mm equiv. | F3.5 | 1/800 sec | ISO 100

Photo: gordonpritchard

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Baby Barred Eagle Owl

Olympus E-PL7 | M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm F4.8-6.7 II | F6.7 | 1/80 sec | ISO 2500

Photo: LarsPolarBear

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A mother's love is everlasting

Pentax K-5 | Pentax FA 77mm F1.8 Limited | F9 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 400

Photo: KPM2

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Bird eating bee

Fujifilm X-T2 | Fujinon XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 | F5.6 | 1/2000 sec | ISO 3200

Photo: pentax mono

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Solitary winter tree

Photo: Joachim Wulfers

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Great Spotted Woodpeckers

Photo: hwvlover

"Ten days ago, one of the pair of great spotted woodpeckers that visit our garden was taken by a sparrowhawk. It turned out to be the male of the pair; the adult female continued to visit the garden.

On Saturday, she not only appeared again but this time brought a juvenile with her.

I had a short window of opportunity with my camera, and this is probably my favorite image. In this one, you can see that she (on the right) has just fed junior, as there is a saliva trail between them."

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Morning dew at a wildlife refuge

Photo: DuckShots

"Right around the corner sits Arthur Marshall Loxahatchee Natural Wildlife Refuge. I call it my backyard. Sitting at the Northernmost tip of the Everglades, America's greatest swamp, it's the home of the American Alligator and hundreds of species of birds. I don't photograph birds or reptiles or animals, I just walk the trails, watch the light, track the seasons. One of America's treasures, greatly underused and underappreciated."

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Dandelion sunset

Sony SLT-A99V | Sigma AF 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro | F2.8 | 1/1600 sec | ISO 100

Photo: cbf_si

"I'm trying to make a series of photos that combine a close-up of the subject with a blurry evening sun in the background. The sun is therefore greatly enlarged in the shot. So far, I have two photos that I'm somewhat satisfied with."

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DxO started a new summer sale where you can get 20% off any DxO software with the discount code SummerRumors2026 (valid for new customers only). This offer is valid from June 15th to July 10th, 2026. See the latest DxO releases here.

Use coupon code RUMORS for a 15% discount at Aftershoot. See the details on their latest major release here.

Skylum has launched a new Luminar Summer Sale with discounts of up to 70%. The campaign runs June 5-28, 2026. See the previous Skylum releases here.

ON1 Photo RAW 2026.4 has been released with a new intro promo. See the latest ON1 releases here.

Travel Photography Cheat Sheets summer sale: up to 88% off until June 30th.

The post The latest discounts on photo editing software (DxO, Aftershoot, Luminar, ON1) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Logos: Adobe

Adobe has announced a new round of updates for Lightroom and Photoshop, which improve on some of the useful new features it's been rolling out, as well as making them available in more places.

To start, the company says it's improving Lightroom's Assisted Culling feature, which is designed to automatically pick out images that are in focus with proper exposure, so you don't spend your time looking through a bunch of images destined for the bin. The company says it's now "generally available" – previously it was marked as being in early access – and that there's a new "Face View" that will show each person detected in a photo to make it easier to assess for yourself whether the tool was correct about them being in focus, and the subject's eyes being open. The company also says that the stacking feature will now try to show you the best image first out of a batch of near-identical ones.

Image: Adobe

As has been the case since we demoed the feature at last year's Adobe Max, there are lots of controls to customize what the tool will select or reject, and how picky you want it to be.

The company also says you can now use Topaz Lab's "Noise-Aware Sharpen model" from directly within Lightroom, letting you "recover fine details on flower petals, fur, foliage and more with pixel-level precision." This is part of a broader effort for the company to not just integrate its own AI tools into its photo editing tools, but to also offer third-party models that you'd typically have to go into another program to use. However, these often require the use of AI feature credits that aren't included in all Creative Cloud plans.

Finally, Lightroom now supports all of the Raw formats used by the Sony a7R VI, including the company's new "Compressed (HQ)" option. This means they're also supported in the Adobe Camera Raw processing used for Photoshop.

Speaking of Photoshop, the company has updated the Remove tool, which has, for a while, given you the option of using generative AI or not. If you chose to, the program would have to use a model stored on Adobe's cloud, though the company told us it was efficient enough that it didn't cost any credits. Now, however, you have the option to use the generative AI removal algorithm on-device, which could be useful if you'd prefer not to send your image to Adobe's servers, or if you're working offline.

We've had impressive results with Adobe's reflection removal tool in the past, and the company has made it even more versatile. Image: Adobe

Finally, the company has updated the Reflection Removal tool that was originally introduced in Adobe Camera Raw. It says the tool will now isolate those reflections in a separate layer, rather than just hiding them, "giving you precise control over opacity for natural,
nondestructive results."

The company says all these updates, plus new features for Premiere and After Effects, will be rolling out to Creative Cloud subscribers throughout the week.

Image: Westend61 / Westend61 via Getty Images

Welcome back to our Question of the Week series! This reader-focused series aims to get our photographic community to share thoughts on all sorts of photography-related topics in our forums. We pose questions about gear, favorite camera stores, advice, problem-solving and more, and you share your thoughts and opinions.

This week, we’re leaning into the holiday spirit! The season of giving (and occasionally re-gifting) is upon us, and that means it’s time to unwrap some memories – both heartwarming and hilarious.

What are the best (and worst) photography-related gifts you've received?

What’s the best photography-related gift you’ve ever received? Maybe it was a dream lens that caused you to take on an adventure deep in the mountains, or a handmade camera strap that’s now an essential part of your kit. And what about the worst? Perhaps someone thought you needed yet another "World’s Best Photographer" mug, or that odd lens filter set that turned every photo a shade of green.

In this edition of our Question of the Week series, we want to hear your gift stories: the memorable, the useful and the truly baffling. Share your favorites (and flops) in the forum link below. Photos of the gifts (or what you created with them) are also more than welcome! We'll highlight some of your most entertaining and heartfelt responses in next week's roundup.

Click here to answer the Question of the week

SG-Image will release a new AF 25mm f/1.8 lens for MFT on June 15th. This lens already exists for other mounts. Here are the details:

• 7-element in 5-group optical design (including 3 high-refractive-index elements)
• 9-blade aperture
• Aperture range: f/1.8 – f/16
• Minimum focusing distance: 0.3 meters
• 52mm filter size
• Weight 145 grams
• Dimensions: Φ67mm × 31mm
• Available in black and silver

SG-Image lenses are also sold at eBay, AliExpress, and Amazon Japan.

SG-image AF 25mm f/1.8 lens officially released (E/X)

New: SG-Image 25mm f/1.8 lens

The post New SG-Image AF 25mm f/1.8 lens for MFT to be announced next week appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Viltrox digital mirrorless camera with Nikon Z-mount mockups

Fresh rumors circulating in Chinese‑language photography communities suggest that Viltrox may be preparing to enter the camera market with its own mirrorless model, and one of the strongest claims is that it could use the Nikon Z mount.

Viltrox recently joined the L-Mount Alliance, so if they come up with a new camera, L-mount will make much more sense.

Other speculations refer to a recent Viltrox patent filed in China that involves the Nikon Z-mount – could it be that Viltrox designed a mount similar to the Nikon Z-mount but different enough, so they do not get into legal trouble? Some Chinese commenters speculate that:

“If Nikon restricts Viltrox lenses, Viltrox may build its own camera body to avoid dependency.”

Nikon already has an ongoing lawsuit against Viltrox about licensing/royalties for Nikon’s underlying Z-mount technology (additional information). Viltrox has continued releasing Z-mount lenses even during the legal situation. If Nikon is currently litigating against Viltrox over Z-mount-related intellectual property, launching a Viltrox-branded Nikon Z camera would dramatically increase legal exposure.

Rumors about a Viltrox mirrorless camera are not new and have been debunked so far:

No, Viltrox is not working on a digital camera

Why a Nikon Z-mount camera from Viltrox is unlikely:

• Legal barriers: Nikon is actively litigating Z-mount IP against Viltrox for lenses. A full camera body would require even deeper integration and licensing.
• Technical/financial scale: Viltrox excels at lenses (strong in AF primes across mounts). Building a competitive mirrorless body (sensor, processor, IBIS, EVF, firmware, etc.) is a completely different and capital-intensive endeavor. No Chinese lens maker has successfully done this at scale recently without major partnerships or rebadging.
• Business focus: Viltrox continues to aggressively expand its lens lineup (including Z-mount models) rather than pivoting to bodies.

My current estimate is that the “Viltrox Nikon Z camera” story is likely a rumor chain that started from the newly discovered Z-mount patent and then evolved into speculation on Chinese forums. These rumors remain unconfirmed, fragmentary, and not supported by any of my sources.

More Viltrox camera mockups:

The post More strange rumors from China: Viltrox to release a mirrorless camera with Nikon Z-mount appeared first on Photo Rumors.