Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2025 Finalists

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have announced the finalists of the 2025 competition. The shortlist includes 40 standalone images, 3 portfolio entries and 10 videos, each capturing laughable moments with wildlife. This year's contest received just under 10,000 entries, a record number, with submissions coming from 108 countries.

The finalist images will be judged by a panel over the next few weeks, and the Overall Winner, Category Winners, and Highly Commended Winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 9, at an Awards Night in London. The contest highlights work in nine categories: mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, aquatic species, insects, young photographers (up to 25 years), juniors (up to 16 years), portfolio and video. The competition offers a grand prize of a one-week safari with Alex Walker's Serian in the Masai Mara. Other prizes for the contest, of which Nikon is a partner, include a Z6III, Z50II and Nikon ZR, plus bags from ThinkTank.

The Comedy Wildlife Awards, co-founded by professional photographers Paul Joynson MBE and Tom Sullam, have been running since 2015. The pair started the contest to fuse wildlife photography and humor to help promote the conservation of wildlife and habitats. Entires are not allowed to use AI or digital manipulation; instead, they must find authentic moments of silliness in the wild.

Each year the competition supports a sustainable conservation organization. This year's organization is the Whitely Fund for Nature (WFN), a UK charity that supports conservationists working in their home countries in the Global South. The organization has provided £24 million to 220 conservation leaders in 80 countries over the past 30 years.

You can see all of the finalist photos and videos and learn more about the contest at the Comedy Wildlife Awards website.

Now which direction is my nest?

Photographer: Alison Tuck. (UK)

Title: Now which direction is my nest?

Location of photo: Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, UK

Animal: Gannet

Description: A windy day on Bempton Cliffs during the nesting season.

The Shoulders of Giants

Photographer: Andrew Mortimer (Australia)

Title: The Shoulders of Giants

Location of photo: Leonora, Australia

Animal: Frog

Description: If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giant [frog] s. In a bore casing on a minesite tenement around 2 hours drive from Leonora, there lives a colony of frogs. Slightly too short to see over the PVC casing, they make do wherever they can.

Welcome to Zen Lemur Yoga Course!

Photographer: Andrey Giljov (Russian Federation)

Title: Welcome to Zen Lemur Yoga Course!

Location of photo: Anja Community Reserve, Madagascar

Animal: Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

Description: Instructor Lemur demonstrates perfect enthusiasm, reaching high to embrace the universe. Student Lemur contemplates whether enlightenment is worth this much effort before breakfast. Flexibility? Optional. Dramatic flair? Mandatory.

Go away

Photographer: Annette Kirby. (Australia)

Title: Go away

Location of photo: Hokkaido Japan

Animal: White Tailed Sea Eagle

Description: "In February 2025 I flew from my home in South Australia where the summer temperatures ranged from mid 20’s to mid-40 degrees Celsius to the island of Hokkadia in Japan, where temperatures were minus degrees, the coldest day being minus 18 Celsius.
I experienced a winter wonderland so vastly different from my arid hot home environment. A highlight was visiting Rausa on the Shirenhoka Peninsula and Nemuro Straits, where the Steller’s Sea Eagle gather in the winter to fish from drift ice. With fewer than 5000 left in the world they are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species. The female can weigh up to 9.5kg, making it the heaviest eagle in the world. Their wingspan, up to 2.5 metres is of the largest of any living eagle. In Japan they are protected and classified as a national treasure.
They indeed are a national treasure and so entertaining to watch and photograph as they fight to protect their catch. A favourite place for them to perch is on the sea wall protecting the fishing fleet at Rausa. They wait watching the boats come into the harbour hoping for a free feed of fish. I captured this photo of the Steller’s Sea Eagle as it sat in a deep hole in the snow. It had a fish and had flown on the sea wall and found a hole in the deep fresh snow. Other birds were flying above and as they came closer, I captured the look it gave them. There was no way it was parting with its catch. As it had made its intentions clear to other competitors, it stayed alert but managed to enjoy its catch.

Territorial Defence Operation

Photographer: Antoine Rezer. (France)

Title: Territorial Defence Operation

Location of photo: Iceland

Animal: White tailed eagle and goeland

Description: After five weeks in north-eastern Greenland on a scientific mission, I am slowly getting back in touch with human civilisation by spending a week in Iceland.
Driving along the edge of a fjord in north-western Iceland, I spot some gyrfalcons. I stop and watch them for a long time – there's a whole family! My eye is drawn to a larger bird of prey, a white-tailed eagle. Amazing! It lands after making it clear to the falcons that he's the boss.

I feast my eyes on the scene, as it's not every day that I get to witness something like this! When a seagull arrives, I imagine that the eagle will keep it at bay. I'm wrong! The gull's low-level flights follow one after another but are not enough. So the gull changes strategy and drops its bomb on the eagle! The eagle finally flies away, leaving the site to the gull. Motivation can be stronger than size!

I Just Can't Wait To Be King

Photographer: Bret Saalwaechter. (USA)

Title: I Just Can't Wait To Be King

Location of photo: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Animal: Lion

Description: I’ve always been fascinated by the complex social lives of lions, and there’s no better place to observe them than Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. I captured this image in September 2024, during the dry season, when dwindling food and water can heighten family tensions. One morning near the Semetu Kopjes, we found a pride locked in a lively standoff - hungry cubs clamoring for milk, mothers giving in briefly before retreating in exhaustion. Life in the dry season is no picnic—lions are anxiously waiting for the Great Migration and the feast it promises—but it makes for some incredible wildlife behavior and these cubs were the stars of the show. For over an hour, they followed their mother around a famous Serengeti kopje—those iconic rocky outcrops that dot the landscape—alternating between trying to suckle and play. Each time the mother, already in a foul mood from the sweltering heat, would give a quick roar of disapproval and escape the circus. But the cubs, like any persistent little ones, would chase her down, nipping at her and yelping for more attention. This back-and-forth drama played out again and again Roaring in protest, the lionesses leapt onto the kopje for a moment’s peace, only to be followed by their relentless offspring. As the chaos peaked, the entire pride erupted in a chorus of roars and wails, giving me the perfect instant to press the shutter.

Bad Hair Day!

Photographer: Christy Grinton. (Canada)

Title: Bad Hair Day!

Location of photo: Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, British Columbia

Animal: Grey Squirrel

Description: For my image "Bad Hair Day" I was in a local park in downtown Victoria when I saw a grey blur run by. When I looked closer I saw a mother grey squirrel was relocating her babies to a new nest. The grass was dewy that morning so she was getting a wet tail as she ran through the grass. As she entered her new nest her tail was sticking out so when she turned around to leave, for a short second her head was covered by her wet tail. When I saw her it made me smile thinking I know that moment where you have just washed your hair and the doorbell goes! I also loved the textures and colours of the bark of the arbutus tree surrounding her and her "bad hair"

OMG he's at it again!

Photographer: David Rice. (USA)

Title: OMG he's at it again!

Location of photo: Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in East Hokkaido, Japan

Animal: Red-Crowned Crane

Description: Crazy morning antics of the Red-Crowned Cranes

Landing Gears Down

Photographer: Erkko Badermann. (Finland)

Title: Landing Gears Down

Location of photo: Finland

Animal: Red-throated Loon

Description: "This photograph came about as a hard-won victory of patience. I have been photographing Red-throated Loons for several years. I lie on the edge of a bond under a camouflage net and photograph their spring courtship displays from my hide. The ground is wet and cold. That morning, an unseasonable early-spring snowfall caught me by surprise, making photography almost impossible. Lying there on the cold shore of the bond, I found myself thinking there was no sense in being there. I was already about to leave. However, I decided to stay, and the snowfall faded into quiet, beautiful drifting flakes, and a thin mist rose from the surface of the lake.

Another Red-throated Loon on the lake had turned white from the snowfall. From its behaviour I noticed that its mate was arriving at the lake, and I managed to get it in my camera’s focus against the grey sky. I lost it for a moment, but caught it again just before it landed on the water.

The Red-throated Loon is quite a “poor” flier, and its landing is usually very wobbly: it seeks balance with its legs stretched backwards and then belly-lands to glide. I like to say they use the water as their runway. This time the bird came straight towards me and was so steady you might imagine it had taken flying lessons.
The photograph has travelled with me in my exhibitions, and it always elicits a chuckle from viewers. There is something funny about it. I thought it would be perfect for this competition to bring joy to its viewers."

Hornbill In A Hurry

Photographer: Geoff Martin. (UK)

Title: Hornbill In A Hurry

Location of photo: Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

Animal: Southern Yellow-Billed Hornbill

Description: I was in a hide in Zimanga, South Africa photographing white backed vultures or rather hoping to, when this southern yellow billed hornbill appeared and proceeded to position itself immediately in front of the hide obscuring any clear shots of the vultures. After several frustrating minutes a harris hawk came in rather quickly from the right coinciding with the hornbills departure. However, the hornbills expression appears to be one of sheer panic suggesting the hawk is eyeing the hornbill up for breakfast. Having both birds in the photo helps sell the story and increase the sense of urgency of the hornbill. Don’t worry, the hornbill departed unscathed!

Baptism Of The Unwilling Convert

Photographer: Grayson Bell. (USA)

Title: Baptism Of The Unwilling Convert

Location of photo: Biddeford, Maine USA

Animal: Green Frog

Description: One morning I was hanging out with my camera along the edge of a pond near our home. I noticed 2 frogs fighting and took a bunch of shots of them. This photo captures two male Green frogs, which are native to Maine. They usually have greenish-brown on their backs, with dusky bars on their hind legs and a lighter underside. Males may have a yellow throat, while females' are white. They make a throaty sound like a ‘boink’. In this photo, these two male frogs are jockeying for territory. They will engage in physical confrontations like wrestling to defend valuable habit that will attract females. I took several shots of them, but this one in particular amused me because it looked like one was trying to baptize the other against his will.

Peek a Boo

Photographer: Henry Szwinto. (UK)

Title: Peek a Boo

Location of photo: Sri Lanka

Animal: Asian Elephant

Description: A Sri Lankan Elephant playing peek a boo with his ears

Outdoor smoking zone

Photographer: Lars Beygang. (Germany)

Title: Outdoor smoking zone

Location of photo: Neumarkt, Bavaria, Germany

Animal: Mallard duck

Description: During the spring months, I was commissioned to photograph the urban wildlife of a city near my hometown in Bavaria. After several early mornings by the pond, I decided to return once more to the same spot. It was a very cold morning, with temperatures low enough to make the breath visible. As the first rays of sunlight broke through from behind, I noticed a mallard perched on a fence, calling out into the air. I quickly pressed the shutter, hoping to capture the visible breath streaming from its beak. The scene made me smile - it looked as if the duck had just stepped outside for a quick smoke in the cold morning light.

Fonzies advertising

Photographer: Liliana Luca. (Italy)

Title: Fonzies advertising

Location of photo: Madagascar

Animal: Propithecus coronatus (Lemure)

Description: This moment happened after the tourists had left Nosy Komba (Madagascar). I stopped, letting the silence fall around me, and turned my attention to a group of crowned sifakas (Propithecus deckenii). It was then that he appeared, staring at me with wide, curious eyes, as if questioning my presence... or perhaps my clothing choices.

Then, with the grace of a stage actor and the timing of a comedian, he raised his hand, licked it thoughtfully, and then paused mid-gesture, as if he knew exactly what he was doing.

The photo immediately reminded me of that old snack commercial: "If you don't lick your fingers... you're only half enjoying it!" Ultimately, this is why I love nature photography so much: sometimes nature's sense of humor is better than our own; you just have to be ready to catch it.

High Five

Photographer: Mark Meth-Cohn. (UK)

Title: High Five

Location of photo: Rwanda

Animal: Gorilla

Description: This photograph was taken during a trip to Rwanda earlier this year, where we spent four unforgettable days trekking through the misty Virunga Mountains in search of the gorilla families that call them home. On this particular day, we came across a large family group gathered in a forest clearing, the adults were calmly foraging while the youngsters were enthusiastically playing. One young male was especially keen to show off his acrobatic flair; pirouetting, tumbling, and high kicking. Watching his performance was pure joy, and I’m thrilled to have captured his playful spirit in this image.

Darling, please stop!

Photographer: Massimo Felici. (Italy)

Title: Darling, please stop!

Location of photo: Tanzania, Serengeti.

Animal: Lions

Description: During a photo safari in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, we were following this pair of lions in love. Unfortunately, they were disturbed by a violent thunderstorm, which dampened their enthusiasm!

It created a cute scene with both of them shaking off the rain, but the male always prevailed due to his impressive mane!

The Choir

Photographer: Meline Ellwanger. (USA)

Title: The Choir

Location of photo: Masai Mara

Animal: African Lion

Description: A hilariously lucky moment I caught of these three lions yawning at the same time.

Flamingone

Photographer: Miles Astray. (Canada)

Title: Flamingone

Location of photo: Aruba

Animal: Flamingo

Description: We’ve all seen a flamingo, but have you ever seen a flamingone? Only an AI could make that up. Or did I just make that up? With AI-generated content remodelling the digital landscape rapidly while sparking an ever-fiercer debate about its implications for the future of content, its creators, and its consumers, I entered F L A M I N G O N E into the AI category of the 1839 Awards. That oddball took home two awards, which were revoked when I revealed that the emphasis of this surreal creature is on real, as in real animal, real photograph. The idea was to prove that Mother Nature and her human interpreters can still beat the machine, and that creativity and emotion are more than just a string of digits. The picture shows a flamingo whose head is apparently missing, but I promise it’s there somewhere. In fact, the bird is just going about its morning routine at a Caribbean beach, head tucked beneath the torso to give the plumage a good cleaning. What seems like a headless flamingo, is really just this awkward yet iconic hero-creature scratching its belly, head tucked beneath the torso—a candid, lucky shot.

Hit the dance floor!

Photographer: Paula Rustemeier. (Germany)

Title: Hit the dance floor!

Location of photo: Netherlands

Animal: Red foxes (vulpes vulpes)

Description: This shot was taken quite at the beginning of my wildlife photography "journey". I always enjoyed nature, but usually only photographed my dog, until I observed foxes for an essay I wrote for biology lessons in school and decided I want to try to photograph and learn even more about foxes.

The photo was taken in a nature reserve. They don't get hunted there and therefore are seen during the day as well. Something I found true with all areas with low hunting pressure that I've been to so far.

I'm not the biggest fan of camouflaging. While I do use it occasionally, the best way I have found to photograph them, especially young ones, is just being present. If you put in the time, I found that the foxes usually get either curious or see you as something natural, not dangerous. Either way, they come close eventually. I had several foxes nipping at my shoes already like this, as well as foxes catching mice just a couple meters away from me!

This was my tactic with these foxes too. Like this, I could follow and document them for several months while they grew up. Their den lied in a sandy valley. Sometimes I found one or two sleeping in that area during the day, but when dawn set, they met up at this spot, got really active and often played a lot together, just like in the image.

The time with them taught me a lot about their social behavior. I saw them fight, hunt, sleep, groom - and of course play, which is always my favorite to watch! You really have to giggle a lot watching foxes play with their quirky personalities.

Since then, I had been photographing and following fox cubs every spring/summer and had much more amazing encounters with foxes and also other wildlife. :)

Squirrel airborne: surrender mode

Photographer: Stefan Cruysberghs. (Belgium)

Title: Squirrel airborne: surrender mode

Location of photo: Belgium - Diest

Animal: Red squirrel

Description: A few years ago, a simple wooden hide was available for rent in a forest near my home, known for its lively red squirrel population. I had visited the spot several times before, and eventually began experimenting with capturing squirrels mid-jump. This resulted in countless blurry shots, but also a few fun and quirky moments—including the one I submitted. Sadly, the forest has since been cut down due to an infestation of bark beetles, but I still cherish the images I captured of these agile and comical little acrobats. I thought this flying squirrel looks like it’s throwing in the towel mid-air—arms wide, total surrender!

Smile, you're being photographed

Photographer: Valtteri Mulkahainen. (Finland)

Title: Smile, you're being photographed

Location of photo: Martinselkonen village, Suomussalmi district. Finland

Animal: Brown bear

Description: When I was photographing bears, this one year old bear cub saw it and started smiling at me. Apparently he had already had to pose in front of photographers.

Headlock

Photographer: Warren Price. (UK)

Title: Headlock

Location of photo: Hornøya, Norway

Animal: Bridled Guillemots

Description: These guillemots were nesting on a small rocky cliff ledge where space was at a premium. The nests all crammed in close together which isn’t a good recipe for being good neighbours, as guillemots are fiercely territorial. Aggression and battles are frequent over nesting space and I captured this image of this bemused looking bridled guillemot, its head firmly clamped in his/her neighbours beak. I liked the way the guillemot was looking directly into my lens, its white eye-liner eyes highlighting its predicament! Sometimes you just want to bite your neighbours head off..literally !

Updated Oct 22, 2025

Well over a decade after Panasonic introduced the first mirrorless camera, they now dominate the interchangeable lens camera market. They include cameras designed for a wide range of photo and video pursuits and models at everything from budget to professional price points.

We've used and tested just about every current mirrorless camera on the market and picked out what we think are the stand-out models. We'll start with the most affordable models, then work our way up from there. In general terms, as you move up the price ladder, you'll see larger sensors with better image quality, higher resolution, faster burst rates, and more capable video specs. We'll explain why we've chosen each camera and try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.

Our picks:

• Best affordable kit: Sony a6100
• Best value around $1000: Nikon Z50II
• Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Fujifilm X-T5
• Best value full-frame: Nikon Z5II
• Best mid-priced mirrorless camera: Nikon Z6III
• Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon R5 II
• Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR
• IQ above all else: GFX 100S II

Best affordable kit: Sony a6100

24MP APS-C sensor | Hybrid AF with Real-time Tracking | 4K video capture

Photo: Richard Butler

The Sony a6100 is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera. While it's one of the older camera still available, its 24MP sensor, touchscreen for easy focus placement and Sony's excellent autofocus tracking, which especially excels at focusing on people and pets, still make it excellent value for its price.

It's happiest if you prefer to point-and-shoot in an auto mode. The wide range of lenses available for it give you somewhere to grow if you find yourself catching the photography bug and, if you shop smart, you can get the body and a lens for around $1000 (though we'd recommend staying away from Sony's default 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 II kit option).

Read our Sony a6100 review

See the Sony a6100 studio scene

Best value around $1000 - Nikon Z50II

20.9MP APS-C sensor | Subject recognition AF | Full-width 4K video up to 30p

Photo: Richard Butler

It represents a step up over the a6100, offering similarly powerful autofocus (though with more autofocus subject recognition types) and much more welcoming controls for when you want to be more involved in the photo-taking process. Nikon places some restrictions on what lenses third parties can make, but there are increasingly more sensible options; if the ones you want are available for it, the Z50II is the best option at this price point.

Read our full Nikon Z50II review

See the Nikon Z50II studio scene

Best APS-C mirrorless camera: Fujifilm X-T5

Photo: Richard Butler

The Fujifilm X-T5 is an enthusiast-level APS-C mirrorless camera built around a stabilized, 40MP BSI CMOS sensor with the company's X-Trans color filter array. It has plenty of features for both photo and video shooters.

What really lands it on this list, though, is how lovely it is to use. There are physical controls for all your exposure settings alongside configurable top-plate command dials, a big, bright EVF, and its JPEG colors are especially pleasing with a wide range of sensible (and more out-there) "Film Simulation" color modes. Though there are more technically capable APS-C cameras on the market, for a lot of photography we'd give up a bit of AF tracking performance and speed for the X-T5's user experience.

Read our full Fujifilm X-T5 review

See the Fujifilm X-T5 studio scene

What are my other APS-C options?

The Sony a6700 is the most capable APS-C camera on the market, with extremely strong autofocus performance, image quality and video capabilities. Sony's E-mount also has the most complete array of APS-C lenses after Fujifilm's, largely thanks to support from third parties. However, we don't find it as pleasurable to use as the X-T5 – its viewfinder is smaller and lower-res, and the lack of an AF joystick making picking a focus point a bit more of a chore – but if technical prowess is what you seek, the a6700 is your best bet.

Canon also builds some decent APS-C competitors that rival Sony's performance, but while you can now get some several decent third-party fast zooms for them, the company still restricts what lenses can exist on RF-mount.

Fujifilm's X-T50 is also worth considering if you're looking at APS-C cameras Photo: Richard Butler

Finally, if you were enticed by the X-T5 but are on a budget, we'd suggest considering the Fujifilm X-T50. It packs the same sensor and processor into a smaller, lighter design. While the viewfinder isn't as nice, and the controls are a little more fiddly, in return you get the film simulation dial, which encourages you to play with different looks. It can also be kitted with the excellent 16-50mm F2.8-4.8 OIS zoom, which is significantly better than the lenses bundled with other companies' APS-C offerings

Full-frame mirrorless

Full-frame cameras (those with image sensors the same size as traditional "35mm" film) offer the potential for better image quality than smaller formats, simply because they have a larger area on which to capture light. However, you don't get something for nothing: even if you can find an affordable, compact full-frame camera at a good price, the lenses needed to make the most of it will be larger and will typically cost more than those for APS-C or Four Thirds sensors. Broadly speaking, there's a balance to be struck between image quality, size and price, which is worth contemplating before you make the assumption that full-frame is the best (or even 'better') format.

Best value full-frame mirrorless: Nikon Z5II

24MP BSI full-frame sensor | In-body image stabilization | Dual UHS-II card slots

Photo: Mitchell Clark

Don't be scared by the "value" part of this pick; the Z5II doesn't feel cheap, and there aren't obvious features cut for cost. In fact, we suspect most photographers would struggle to push its limits, and unless you must absolutely have faster or higher-resolution shooting or top-end video, it's hard to argue that most people truly need anything better.

Read our full review of the Nikon Z5II

See the Nikon Z5II studio scene

What are the other entry-level full-frame options?

We also think the Canon EOS R8 is worth considering if you're looking for a comparatively affordable full-frame camera. Like Nikon's Z-mount system, Canon's RF lens ecosystem is also somewhat short on affordable lenses to pair with an entry-level camera.

Its usability it what keeps it from topping this guide; it has shorter battery life and smaller viewfinder than the Z5II, and lacks in-body image stabilization, a second SD card slot and an AF joystick. However, it can shoot 4K60 video without a crop, which could be interesting to videographers, though, unlike the Z5II, it doesn't offer any Raw options.

Best mid-priced full-frame mirrorless: Nikon Z6III

25MP full-frame 'Partially Stacked' CMOS sensor | 6K/60p N-Raw video | 5.76M dot OLED 0.8x EVF

Photo: Richard Butler

The Nikon Z6III is a significant step up for the Z6 series, and is a very capable camera for both stills and video. Its main benefit over less expensive models are its sensor readout speeds – and, therefore, rolling shutter performance in video – which are among the best in its category.

Read our full review of the Nikon Z6III

See the Nikon Z6III studio scene

The mid-priced rivals

There are plenty of other cameras worth considering, in the around $2000 price category. Canon's EOS R6 II is probably the strongest competitor to the Z6III. It has a slightly smaller viewfinder, and its video specs aren't as good, but if you're just looking to shoot stills, your choice between the two should be dictated purely by which system has the lenses you want at prices you're happy with.

If you shoot outside a lot and need a compact system with excellent weather sealing, the OM System OM-1 II is worth considering; outside of that use case, it's probably worth considering other options unless you're heavily invested in Micro Four Thirds lenses.

Sony's a7C II is also a reasonable choice, as its high-resolution sensor is good for stills, though its slow readout speeds limit its video capabilities. Its autofocus is Sony's latest (unlike with the full-size Sony a7 IV), and it's appreciably smaller than its rivals. The viewfinder is small, and there's no AF joystick, though, which are the main reasons it's not one of our main picks: it's better on paper than in the hand.

Best high-end mirrorless camera: Canon EOS R5 II

45MP Stacked CMOS sensor | Eye-controlled AF subject selection | Up to 30fps continuous shooting

Photo: Richard Butler

The Canon EOS R5 II is one of the most capable cameras we've ever tested and will almost certainly be up to any task that most photographers can throw at it. It shoots at high resolution, has an excellent autofocus system and sports plenty of video features.

Read our Canon EOS R5 II review

See the Canon EOS R5 II studio scene

A worthy competitor

The strongest competitor to the EOS R5 II besides the original EOS R5 is Nikon's Z8. And, frankly, there's very little to choose between them. Canon's high-end model has some features that could be useful to certain photographers, like Action Priority AF and Eye Control, but outside of that your choice should again be dictated by lens selection, as they're both supremely capable cameras.

Compact high-resolution: Sony a7CR

61MP BSI CMOS sensor | 4K/60p video with 10-bit color | Dedicated ‘AI’ processor for AF system

Photo: Richard Butler

The Sony a7CR takes most of the features of the more expensive a7R V and provides them in a smaller package. The viewfinder is disappointing for such an expensive camera, but nothing gives you so much image quality in such a small, capable package.

Read our Sony a7CR initial review

IQ above all else: Fujifilm GFX 100S II

102MP BSI medium format sensor | In-body image stabilization | 5.76M dot viewfinder

Photo: Mitchell Clark

The Fujifilm GFX 100S II is a 100MP medium format mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with built-in image stabilization.

This camera is perhaps the most specialized pick on this list: it's not especially fast or versatile but in terms of image quality, it essentially offers the best levels of detail we've ever seen. It's a true step up over even the best of its full-frame rivals (some of which comes from its lenses - the GF primes often being particularly good).

What are the other high-end options?

Just about all the cameras that cost $2500 and up are, unsurprisingly, rather good. We go into a little more detail about their relative merits in our 'High-end camera buying guide.' As at any price, the key things to consider are what types of photography you plan to do (and hence, which features and capabilities are most important to you), and whether the lenses you need are available at a price you're willing to pay.

Why you should trust us

This buying guide is based on cameras used and tested by DPReview's editorial team. We don't select a camera until we've used it enough to be confident in recommending it, usually after our extensive review process. The selections are purely a reflection of which cameras we believe to be best: there are no financial incentives for us to select one model or brand over another.

Image: MirageC / Moment via Getty Images

Welcome back to our Question of the Week series! If you're new here, this series aims to get our passionate community to share thoughts on all sorts of photography-related topics in our forum. 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 problem-solving side of things.

How do you deal with bad copies of lenses?

Unfortunately, defective lenses, often called "bad copies," are a fact of life for photographers. One copy of a lens could be excellent, and another could have frustratingly noticeable defects. Bad copies can happen even with a model that has a good reputation for optical quality. The defects can be subtle or dramatic, and may take the form of uneven sharpness, obvious blurring or asymmetrical performance.

It's important to note that, for this week's question, we aren't asking about lens defects found across all versions of the lens. Issues like aberrations and distortion are a subject for another day. This time, we want to know how you deal specifically with problems related to defective lenses.

Everyone has their own thought process or method for dealing with bad copies. It could be returning the lens, sending it off for repairs or simply living with it. Or maybe you have a more unique approach that we haven't even thought of.

This week, we want to know what you do when you come across a defective lens. Share your experiences, or, if you haven't dealt with one, share what you might do if it does happen to you. Mention whether you're referring to a DSLR, mirrorless, or other type of camera. If you have a photo of a physical issue that resulted in a bad lens, we'd love to see it. Next Wednesday, we will select a handful of your stories and publish them in a new article.

For a future Question of the week, we'll discuss chromatic aberrations separately and how you handle those.

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This photo has been brightened in Adobe Camera Raw. Sony a7 III | Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70 mm F4 ZA OSS | F4 | 1/50 sec | ISO 10,000 Photo: Abby Ferguson

Noise is a common frustration among photographers, especially beginners. Showing up as speckles or tiny color dots in your photographs, noise can spoil what might otherwise be a great photograph by reducing sharpness and adding artifacts that distract from the subject. While the best course of action is to avoid noise to begin with, there are tools to reduce it in your photographs after the fact. In this article, we'll touch on how to prevent noise and what to do if it's unavoidable.

How to avoid noise

First and foremost, let's address a common misconception: high ISOs aren't the cause of noise in photographs. Noise is much more complicated than that, and is caused by multiple factors. There's so much going on there, that it's a topic worthy of a separate article (or two). We won't be getting into the nitty gritty of what causes noise here, but will touch on ways to reduce its impact.

Maximize exposure

The most effective way to get clean images is to capture as much light as you can. The easiest way to think of this is to use as low an ISO as possible: not because the ISO setting reduces noise but because it means you've captured as much light as possible with the aperture and shutter speed, and, as a result, don't need to bump up the ISO. So think about how long an exposure your subject's movement and your hand shake will tolerate, and open up your aperture as much as you can. Letting in more light is key to minimizing noise.

Avoid underexposing

I underexposed this image of a dark grocery store substantially. Sigma BF | Sigma 35mm F2 DG Contemporary | F4.0 | 1/2000 sec | ISO 12,800 Photo: Abby Ferguson	Brightening the dark image (from the Raw file in Adobe Camera Raw) emphasized the noise caused by not letting in enough light due to a too-fast shutter speed.

Sometimes the noise you see in edited photos is a result of brightening an image that was underexposed. Brightening overly dark images emphasizes noise that's already present from a lack of exposure, so it's best to get your exposure close to correct in-camera. Understanding how to use your light meter and histogram will help you dial in your exposure more accurately in-camera, which will then allow you to optimize image quality with less noise even when editing.

Shoot in Raw

This example is a brightened version of the JPEG file shown above, which reveals even greater noise, loss of detail and dynamic range when brightened.

If you've dabbled in photography for much time at all, you've likely come across content that tells you to shoot in Raw. That's because Raw files contain all the data from the sensor. They provide multiple benefits, including greater dynamic range, which provides more flexibility when editing. Both of those help in keeping noise levels in check. The extra data in Raw files also makes it possible to remove more noise in post-processing without losing as much detail as JPEGs.

Use in-camera long exposure noise reduction

Long exposures can also be a culprit for noise because of heat generated by the sensor when it remains active for long periods, resulting in thermal noise and hot pixels. To combat this, many modern cameras offer long exposure noise reduction. This setting captures two photos, one right after the other. The first is the image of the scene, while the second is what's called a dark frame. It's taken with the shutter closed, meaning it contains only noise and hot pixel data. Having both allows the camera to subtract information in the dark frame from the first frame, thus reducing noise.

When possible, increase light

One of the main causes of noise is simply not having enough light in a scene. Adding light isn't always an option, of course, but if you're in a situation where you can add artificial light or change to a brighter location, you'll be able to better manage noise in your images. This could be by using a flash (or a constant light source like a lamp), or, if possible, moving your subject towards the light.

Reducing noise in editing

Adobe offers an AI-based "denoise" tool in Camera Raw and Lightroom, along with manual noise reduction tools in both programs and Photoshop.

If you've already taken the photo and are seeing higher levels of noise than you'd like, you're not necessarily out of luck. Traditionally, noise reduction meant loss of sharpness and detail in images, so it was a tradeoff. Now, though, many editing programs offer quite effective noise reduction tools that also preserve detail, and some use AI to maintain sharpness during noise reduction by creating apparent detail. Certain platforms even allow you to selectively reduce noise using masks or brushes, keeping the noise reduction only to areas where it's needed and keeping sharpness where it's not.

The new Field Plate doesn't require a hex tool to install. Photo: Peak Design

Peak Design has revealed a new version of its camera tripod plate that doesn't require any tools, fixing a common complaint its users had with a part used with many of its accessories. Additionally, the company has unveiled a new line of minimalist camera straps and wrist straps.

Peak Design's original Standard Plate is compatible with many of the company's accessories, including the Capture camera clip, Travel Tripod and Clutch camera strap. It makes it easy to swap between different Peak Design products, but previous versions of the plate required a hex tool for installation, which was a common point of frustration.

The newly designed Field Plate offers the same flexibility in terms of compatibility, but doesn't require a tool for installation or removal. Instead, it features a "first-of-its-kind connection screw mechanism that pops up with the press of a button" and "ergonomic thumb-drive handle." That means no more digging for a hex tool to remove or tighten the plate and no frustration when you realize it fell off your tripod while you were out in the field.

Photo: Peak Design

The Field Plate is CNC-machined from anodized aluminum. It secures with a 1/4-20" thread and is compatible with all Peak Design tripods, the Capture Camera Clip V3 and most Arca-compatible Tripod heads. It comes with four Anchor loops for use with the company's straps, though Peak Design also now makes colorful Anchors (orange, purple, green and blue), that are available separately.

In addition to the tool-free Field Plate, Peak Design also rolled out new camera straps dubbed the Form straps. They are available in leather (in black, orange and tan) and rope (in blue, green and black) varieties. Peak Design said it wanted more minimalist straps, so it focused on less stitching and no heavy-duty hardware. It also says it custom-designed its materials and hardware to slim things down. The rope version is a nylon/poly blend, while the leather is a full-grain bovine leather.

The new Form straps come in rope and leather varieties. Each material is available in three colors and five lengths. Photos: Peak Design

Like the company's existing straps, the Form lineup uses its Anchor quick-connection system, though the straps come with color-matched ones now, rather than the previously standard red or black ones. Both varieties feature an anodized aluminum accessory loop that allows you to attach a spare Anchor for stowing the strap when it's not on the camera. Depending on your chosen color, you can select between four lengths: long, standard, short and neck (some lengths aren't available for certain colors). The rope and leather versions are also available in the company's wrist-strap style Cuff product.

All of the new products are available for purchase today through Peak Design's website. The Field Plate is priced at $40, which is double the price of the Standard Plate. The Form Rope strap is $40 for the wrist strap, $45 for the Neck length and $50 for the three longer sizes. The Form Leather Strap starts at $60 for the Cuff version, $70 for the Neck length and $80 for the other three lengths.

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Image: Realme

Realme has announced the GT 8 Pro, a smartphone that the company says was made in collaboration with Ricoh GR, with the goal of bringing some of the compact camera's street photography prowess to mobile photography. The phone also features an interchangeable camera housing, allowing more customization.

In a blog post announcing the brands' "strategic partnership," Realme says the goal is to bring "GR Heritage to Young People’s Pocket[s]," which largely seems centered around the idea of taking snapshots with the phone, rather than perfectly-composed images.

The phone's camera app also has a Ricoh GR mode made to resemble the physical cameras' control scheme. Image: Realme

It's not just about "vibes," as Realme vice president Chase Xu calls them in a video made with Ricoh's Kazunobu Saiki. The GT 8 Pro will include five color mode presets meant to mimic the standard, positive film, negative film, black and white, and high-contrast black and white color modes from the GR-series cameras. It also adopts shooting modes that emulate the 28mm and 40mm equiv. lenses on the GR cameras and their "x" variants.

These are, however, 'faux-al' lengths; digital crops taken from the 22mm lens, which is paired with a Type 1/1.56 (47.6mm²) sensor. The GT 8 Pro features three standard smartphone cameras: the 50MP main camera, a 200MP periscope telephoto and a 50MP ultrawide. Realme says the telephoto camera supports 3x optical, up to 12x "lossless zoom" (again, from a center crop of the sensor) and dual-axis OIS stabilization. On the video side of things, the phone is capable of 4K120 with support for Dolby Vision or up to 8K30.

Ricoh is the latest company we've seen lending its branding to a smartphone manufacturer. Leica has famously worked with Xiaomi in recent years, while Oppo (Realme's parent company) has tied up with Hasselblad. It's easy to see why the tactic has become increasingly popular; the phone makers get to borrow some of the prestige (and, potentially, expertise) from heritage camera brands, and the camera makers get their names in front of budding photographers who may one day look to buy a dedicated camera.

Images: Realme

In addition to the Ricoh branding, the GT 8 Pro is Realme's first phone with an interchangeable camera bump frame. The camera module uses two screws on the side to securely hold the replaceable component in place. It doesn't change the specs or functionality of the cameras (this isn't the concept phone with an interchangeable lens mount the company unveiled in March), but it does allow users to customize the look of the phone.

Image: Realme

Realme says it will offer different designs, including square, round and "robot styles." The phone ships with a round module, but reportedly, the first models shipped in China will also include the square option. The company also shared the 3D model file and invited users to create their own takes. It's even holding a competition for the most creative designs with MakerWorld.

Image: Realme

The GT 8 Pro uses the flagship Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 Extreme Edition chipset with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. It also features Realme's custom R1 graphics chip. The display also gets flagship features, using an AMOLED with QHD+ resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. It promises 2000 nits brightness in typical conditions, but it can boost up to 4000 nits in peak areas. It offers 120W wired charging and 50W wireless. The phone also offers IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings.

The Realme GT 8 Pro is only available in China for now and comes in white, green and blue. Pre-orders start today for a base price of CNY 3999 ($562).

Image: Aura

Digital picture frame brand Aura has announced a new take on its frames with the Aura Ink. The new digital frame opts for a low-power e-paper display, enabling a cord-free design that isn't stuck to locations near outlets. Aura says the Ink will look more like a print and less like a screen and claims this is the thinnest e-paper frame available.

Those familiar with e-readers or tablets that use e-paper may be scratching their heads and questioning the display's quality for photographs. The Aura Ink, though, differs from e-readers in that it uses E Ink Spectra 6, which is not currently found in any e-readers. It is, however, found in other digital photo (and poster) frames, such as the InkPoster, so Aura isn't the only company using the tech to show off more detailed imagery.

The Aura Ink can be mounted to the wall or placed on a tabletop. Image: Aura

E Ink Spectra 6 uses six ink colors (white, black, red, yellow, green and blue). Aura says it added a proprietary dithering algorithm that expands the appearance of its six-color system into millions of tones. As a result, Aura claims it gives the illusion of a full-color photograph. "We hold color accuracy, brightness, and overall photo reproduction to a higher standard—even while working within the unique characteristics of e-paper, such as its narrower palette, more muted tones, refresh process, and pixel structure," explained Eric Jensen, Aura’s Chief Technology Officer and co-founder.

The 13.3-inch Aura Ink display also features a built-in, automatically adjusting front light to boost contrast and vibrancy without glowing like a traditional screen. Like Aura's other frames, it uses paper-textured matting and a glossy finish to look like a traditionally framed print.

A zoomed-in crop of the display. Images: Aura

Aura says the frame refreshes overnight to show a different photo each day, using a gradual, 30-second imprinting process that reconfigures each pixel's physical color. You can change the schedule to show more pictures throughout the day, but the single photo per day provides a more traditional print experience.

One of the benefits of the e-paper design is lower power usage compared to an LCD. "A top request has been a truly wireless frame with minimal charging, and e-paper is the only technology today that can deliver that," said Jensen. Aura says it provides up to three months of battery life on a single charge, meaning users can place the frame anywhere without considering outlet location. The cordless design also makes it more attractive when hanging on the wall and more feasible to integrate into traditional gallery walls.

The testing process. Photo: Aura

The Aura Ink is also quite slim, even for traditional picture frames, measuring just 15.24mm (0.6"). Like Aura's LCDs, it offers unlimited photo sharing without a subscription and allows friends and family to contribute photos from anywhere. The frame features hidden buttons to allow for manual changes, or users can control what's on display via the Aura app.

The Aura Ink is now available for $499.

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Image: Tamron

Tamron has announced the 25-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2 full-frame lens for Sony mirrorless cameras. The G2 is a successor to the existing 28-200mm F2.8-5.6, updated to go significantly wider at the wide end of its zoom.

The 8x range means that, even with the expansion at the wide end, it doesn't count as a superzoom, but combined with a relatively bright F2.8-5.6 maximum aperture range it gives a very flexible lens.

The extra coverage at the wide end of things should boost its usefulness by more than the modest 3mm reduction might imply, especially as it comes with approximately half macro (1:1.9) magnification at the 25mm position.

It moves to using a VXD voice-coil linear motor, rather than the rotary stepper motor used in the previous version. The company says this makes it "perfect for captuing sports and action, such as children and pets in motion."

Its 76mm (3") diameter is a fraction wider than the previous version and its 122mm (4.78" ) length is 5mm longer, but the G2 version is 1g lighter, at 575g (20.3oz). Both versions feature 18 elements arranged in 14 groups. It maintains the same 67mm filter thread.

The new, wider version of what Tamron calls its "all-in-one" zoom, will retail for around $899, around 23% more in money terms than the original launched in June 2020.

Tamron 25-200m F2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2 specifications

The Ricoh GR IV Monochrome appears to have a white light ring around the power button, rather than the green one found on standard GR IV – that's attention to detail. Image: Ricoh

Ricoh has announced that it's developing two new variants of its GR IV photographer's compact: a monochrome edition that's a first for the series and a version that swaps the original's built-in ND filter for a highlight diffusion filter (HDF).

The two editions will be based on the original GR IV; that means they'll be in the same pocketable body with great controls and use a 18.3mm F2.8 (28mm, F4 equiv) lens*. The HDF version will use the same 26MP APS-C sensor with a bayer color filter, and the monochrome one has the same resolution and size, but drops the color filter.

From the front, the GR IV HDF is indistinguishable from the original GR IV and the Monochrome. Image: Ricoh

We enjoyed the original GR IV, which launched last month, so it's exciting to see Ricoh following it up so quickly. Neither version is especially surprising – Ricoh hinted at a monochrome GR when we interviewed its executives at CP+ last year, and there was an HDF model of the GR III – but both are interesting additions. There are a lot of fans of the soft, diffuse look that an HDF filter provides, and monochrome sensors have typically come with a 1EV noise improvement compared to their color counterparts.

Ricoh says the monochrome GR IV will have "Image Control options specialized for black and white photography," likely building on the already popular black and white modes on the original GR IV.

Sadly the GR mono doesn't share the beautiful 'Monochrome' lettering from the Pentax K-3 III Monochrome, Ricoh's first mono camera. Image: Ricoh

The company didn't provide exact release dates for either model, and says pricing is to be determined. However, its press releases say we can expect the HDF model in "winter 2025 or later," with the Monochrome one coming in "spring 2026."

* Those hoping for an 'x' variant with a 40mm equiv. lens will have to keep waiting, it seems.

Ricoh GR IV Monochrome press release

Ricoh GR IV HDF press release

Read our Ricoh GR IV review

Photo: Viltrox

Viltrox has announced the first offering in a new lens lineup, the AF 85mm F2.0 Evo FE. The third-party lens maker is promising edge-to-edge clarity, fast autofocus, and a compact design from its latest prime lens for Sony full-frame cameras. All of that comes at a very budget-friendly price, too.

The AF 85mm F2.0 Evo features 10 elements in 8 groups. The lens design includes two HR and two ED lenses, which Viltrox says results in sharp edges and minimal chromatic aberration. It also says the lens will be sharp even wide open, but the best clarity is at F4 and F5.6. It offers a nine-blade aperture diaphragm.

Viltrox's latest lens can focus as close as 0.74m (2.43'). The autofocus system is powered by an STM motor, which Viltrox says is smooth and silent enough for video applications. It also supports eye and face detection.

Photo: Viltrox

There are useful on-body controls, including an aperture ring, AF/MF switch and customizable Fn button. The aperture ring can be clicked or de-clicked. Viltrox says it is its lightest 85mm lens yet, weighing 340g (11.99oz) and measuring 76mm long (2.99") with a diameter of 69mm (2.71"). It uses a 58mm filter thread. The company also built the lens with a rubber-sealed lens mount for added durability, and a USB-C port allows users to update firmware.

The company says the Evo Series is focused on the "Evolution of Essentials" and offers "finely tuned control, exceptional image quality, and effortless portability for professional use." It sits between the Air and Lab series, with upgraded optics and build compared to the Air lenses, though at a more affordable price than the Lab series.

The Viltrox AF 85mm F2.0 Evo FE is available as of today for $275.

A huge silverback mountain gorilla weighing over 200kg (441lbs). Looking at it eye-to-eye, you simply can't deny we're related. Mgahinga National Park, Uganda. Canon EOS 5D IV + Canon 16–35mm F2.8 | F2.8 | 1/200 sec. | ISO 6400 Photo: Erez Marom

I've been passionate about primates ever since I started shooting wildlife. I think it's mainly because of how similar they are to us humans – and so different at the same time. If you've ever looked a gorilla in the eye, I'm sure you'd agree.

Primates are very diverse: from the pygmy mouse lemur weighing 30g (1oz) to gorillas weighing over 200kg (441lbs). From solitary male orangutans patrolling their jungle territories to 800-strong Gelada baboon troops. And from the millions of extremely adaptable Rhesus macaques to some extremely rare, critically endangered primates, which are the subject of this article.

A tiny mouse lemur, one of the smallest primates on Earth. Kirindy, Madagascar. Canon EOS R7 + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 | F7.1 | 1/500 sec. | ISO 1600

The Gelada baboons have the largest groups among all primates (excluding humans) – up to 800 strong. Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Canon EOS 5D IV + Canon 70–300mm F4–5.6 | F5.6 | 1/2000 sec. | ISO 400 Photos: Erez Marom

Vietnam is home to some of the rarest primate species in the world. Primates whose habitats have been quietly destroyed by human expansion and whose numbers have been ravaged by hunting have, in recent decades, finally gotten formal government protection programs, and are slowly making a comeback from the brink of extinction.

Some species, such as the Cat Ba langur, had fewer than 50 individuals in the year 2000, which makes scientists doubtful whether they could ever form a viable population again. Cat Ba langurs currently number around 91 (mid-2025 estimate), which is an improvement but still not even close to anything resembling a healthy population.

Cat Ba langurs have astounding parkour abilities, which they use to traverse their near-vertical rocky home in Cat Ba Island. Seeing them jump is a fantastic experience. Note how I put an emphasis on showing the animal in its natural environment, partly because this environment is so unique and challenging. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F6.3 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 3200

Great care is needed to avoid falling. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F6.3 | 1/250 sec. | ISO 800

Like all langur species, Cat Ba langurs are highly social. They hug each other when meeting and keep in tight-knit family groups. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F6.3 | 1/1600 sec. | ISO 1600 Photos: Erez Marom

My love for primates, together with Vietnam's amazing biodiversity, has made me visit the country several times in the last decade for primate photography. My first love was perhaps the most easily-loved primate in Vietnam: the red-shanked douc, a species many would crown the most beautiful primate in the world. With its seven-colored body and sometimes comical behavior, one can easily understand why it's considered a national treasure.

Yes, this is a real animal, not a muppet. Son Tra Peninsula, Central Vietnam. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F8 | 1/400 sec. | ISO 640

The doucs often hang out close to their favorite foods, such as this fig tree. Son Tra Peninsula, Central Vietnam. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F5.6 | 1/400 sec. | ISO 1600

Doucs are a type of langur and are thus arboreal. They possess the ability to jump very long distances between tree branches. Son Tra Peninsula, Central Vietnam. Canon EOS R5 II + Canon RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 | F8 | 1/1600 sec. | ISO 3200

Chomp chomp! Son Tra Peninsula, Central Vietnam. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F8 | 1/400 sec. | ISO 640 Photos: Erez Marom

Then came other species. I especially enjoyed shooting the yellow-cheeked gibbons in the south of Vietnam, and the Delacour's langur and aforementioned Cat Ba langurs, close to Hanoi in the north. After shooting the species on my own, I guided a primate photography workshop earlier this year, which is where the real story begins.

The workshop was fun and productive. With wildlife, it's very common that you get better results with some species and worse with others, and luckily, I got better results with the species I didn't have great shots of, and lesser results with the species I already have good shots of in my portfolio.

The yellow-cheeked gibbons really played along this time. Gibbons are notoriously hard to shoot since they dwell high up in the trees, but this time we were fortunate to have them enveloped in beautiful foliage and huddled together in larger groups, which naturally made for nicer images. I intentionally overexposed some of the images to create a high-key look. Something about the very bright foliage encompasses the beauty of Asia in my eyes.

Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F10 | 1/250 sec. | ISO 3200

Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 | F7.1 | 1/320 sec. | ISO 800

Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 | F7.1 | 1/320 sec. | ISO 800

Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 | F7.1 | 1/320 sec. | ISO 800 Photos: Erez Marom

We then flew all the way up to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, and drove to Van Long National Park to shoot the elusive Delacour's langur. With only several hundred individuals left in the entire species, this langur is extremely endangered and thus highly monitored and protected. It's also notoriously shy and skittish, making it tough to photograph. But miraculously, we got some (relatively) close-up action, and got to photograph the langur parkouring in its sharp, rocky habitat.

By the way, this langur has the longest tail of any langur species, pretty amazing. Oh, and how about those fancy pants?

A beautiful Delacour's langur perched high up on he cliffs of Van Long. Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F9 | 1/400 sec. | ISO 3200

Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F9 | 1/320 sec. | ISO 3200

Delacour's langur babies are surprisingly colored bright orange. As they grow, they gradually lose this coloration in favor of the monochrome-fancypants characterizing adults. Canon EOS 5D IV + Sigma 150–600mm F5–6.3 | F6.3 | 1/500 sec. | ISO 800 Photos: Erez Marom

Upon finishing the workshop, I said goodbye to the group and welcomed a friend who came for the experience that was about to follow. Ever since I shot my first Vietnamese primates, I was drawn to one very special species that eluded me again and again due to random constraints and problems. This time, I finally got the opportunity and did a week's trek to Khau Ca, a national park hidden deep in the forests of northern Vietnam, to shoot the ultra-rare Tonkin snub-nosed monkey.

One of only five snub-nosed monkey species in the world, the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is the rarest and most definitely the hardest to see and photograph. It has black and white fur, a pink nose and lips, and blue patches around the eyes. It is found at elevations from 200 to 1,200 meters (700 to 3,900 feet) on fragmentary patches of forest on craggy limestone areas, which is one of the reasons it's so hard to find.

"The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is the rarest and most definitely the hardest to see and photograph."

First described in 1912, the monkey was rediscovered in 1989. In 2008, fewer than 250 individuals were thought to exist. The species is the subject of very intense conservation efforts by Vietnamese authorities and international groups such as Fauna & Flora International, which has been focused on making an impact on the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey population, and has been working with local communities to spread awareness about the species and monitor its habitat.

Tucked away deep in the jungle and as shy as they come, this species requires a special photography permit and a very uncomfortable trek to be able to shoot it. Getting to base camp was a 2.5-hour climb, and from there it was the beginning of a week-long routine. Every day we hiked in a very challenging forest environment to a starting point from which we'd wait for word from the trackers, and if they got sight of the monkey, the real hiking would begin.

Balancing on sharp rocks and on fallen tree trunks, this hike was no picnic, especially if you're not too quick or agile, like me. Add to that the fact that the camp offered absolutely zero comfort (I'm talking no chairs, no tables, sleep on the floor type of camp), and we end up with the hardest trekking I've done in decades.

Sleeping arrangements at camp were so-so, but what a view!

The cabin in which we ate our meals. While uncomfortable for Westerners, the crew made us feel welcome and at home. A home without chairs, but still.

The A-Team of Tonkin snub-nosed monkey tracking. They are mostly local hunters who used to hunt the tonkin monkey, but were convinced to turn to conservation instead. They were good people, dedicated to their work and to preserving this beautiful, delicate species. Photos: Erez Marom

But then, while hiking for the fourth time, I noticed an increasing sense of excitement from our team. My guide triumphantly declared that they had sight of the monkeys. We started hiking again, climbing on steep rocks while trying to ignore the dangers, as our team jumped on the rocks like they were trampolines in an amusement park. With their kind help, I finally got to a viewpoint from where the group of monkeys could be seen.

A small group of 20-30 individuals, including adults, juveniles and tiny babies, emerged and began interacting and jumping between the trees. They were far away, and getting any closer to them would be far beyond my climbing and balancing abilities. I had to use the farthest telephoto setting I had: the Canon 100-500mm plus a 1.4x teleconverter.

Over about half an hour or so, I managed to get several family shots, a few nice action shots, some with multiple monkeys, mothers carrying babies and even an alpha male threatening us by exposing his teeth.

The shooting was extremely hard as I had to balance myself on sharp rocks throughout its duration. If I fell, the best result would be a broken leg, but the team took incredible care of me and kept me safe when jumping between the steep ledges. This was an adventure I will not be repeating anytime soon!

Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F10 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 800

Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys have incredible eyesight. While I found it hard even to spot them without my telephoto, they were fully aware of our presence and made sure we knew that they knew. Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F10 | 1/1250 sec. | ISO 1600

Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys have very furry tails in the colder season, which can be seen in this shot. Unfortunately, the background was not as good as I'd hoped, and going higher to get a better background was impossible due to the rough terrain. Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F10 | 1/1250 sec. | ISO 1600

One of the very last shots I took, when the group was racing to its next destination. Much better background here. Canon EOS R5 II + Canon 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 + 1.4× TC | F10 | 1/640 sec. | ISO 1600 Photos: Erez Marom

If you're very adventurous and have a good sense of balance, I recommend this experience. Shooting the Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys makes you part of a very exclusive club, as very few people venture there. That said, I must admit that there are trips that offer far better result/effort ratios: all of the other species mentioned above are far easier to get to and to shoot, and I highly recommend visiting Vietnam and witnessing their beauty for yourself.

Erez Marom is a professional nature photographer, guide and traveller. You can follow Erez's work on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to his mailing list for updates.

Erez has recently published his first e-book, "Solving the Puzzle", thoroughly explaining his views about composition in landscape photography and beyond.

If you'd like to experience and shoot some of the world's most fascinating landscapes and wildlife with Erez as your guide, take a look at his unique photography workshops in Zambia, Greenland, Ethiopia, Colombia, Vietnam, Madagascar and more.

Selected Articles by Erez Marom:

• Lava Frenzy: Shooting Fagradalsfjall Volcano
• Behind the Shot: Tambora Sandwich
• Parallelism in Landscape Photography
• Black Hole Sun: Shooting the Total Solar Eclipse in Argentina
• Winds of Change: Shooting Changing landscapes
• Demon of the Deep: Shooting Kawah Ijen Volcano
• Shooting Kīlauea Volcano, Part 1: How to Melt a Drone
• Whatever It Doesn't Take

The 2024-2025 Nikon Film and Photo Contest winners have been announced, marking the 40th edition of the competition. This year's contest was based around the theme "Inspire" and drew submissions from 180 countries and regions around the world.

The contest features just four categories: Super-short Film, 5-Minute Film, Single Photo and Photo Story. There are Grand Prizes, Excellence Awards and Special Encouragement Awards for each category. Sarah Leen, Founder/Editor Visual Thinking Collective and Director of Photography Emerita of National Geographic Partners, was the lead judge this year, with separate judging panels for the photo and video sections of the contest.

The winning images and videos will be presented at various exhibitions and screenings at Nikon facilities in Kyobashi, Tokyo, and in several other cities worldwide. That includes an October 12-27 exhibition as part of the T3 Photo Festival Tokyo 2025 at Tokyo Square Garden, which feature a space inspired by the contest theme, "Inspire."

While this wasn't the first time the contest accepted video entries, the competition was rebranded this year to include a reference to video in the name. Nikon said the name change was "in response to the changing times, such as the diversification of media and the rise of personal video streaming devices." You can learn more about the contest and see more of the award winners at the Nikon Film and Photo Contest website. You can also see videos highlighting the judging process on the contest's YouTube channel.

Grand Prize: Single Photo Category

Title: Jonas

Photographer: Tiina Itkonen

Story: I photographed Jonas, an Inughuit boy, in Savissivik in North West Greenland. Savissivik is one of the most remote settlements in Greenland, over thousand kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. This far north the polar night lasts four months and midnight sun shines for four months as well.

Inughuit of northwestern Greenland are the northernmost indigenous people. Melting sea ice is challenging Inughuit's traditional way of life. In North West Greenland where farming is not possible, the hunting of seal, walrus and other Arctic animals has been a vital part of life and a main source of food for many households. In recent years hunting out on the sea ice has become more dangerous as ice is getting thinner and thinner. It’s possible this way of life will be lost forever.

Comment: I am honoured to receive Nikon award with the image I photographed in North West Greenland. Exactly thirty years ago I travelled to Greenland for the first time and since then I have travelled regularly there to photograph the polar landscape and its people. When visiting Savissivik I wanted to take time to get to know people. I spent 95 percent of my time socialising with the people and only 5 percent taking photographs. I am grateful for the hospitality of these people. I have been allowed to take part in their everyday life and always feel very much at home in this place.

Grand Prize: Photo Story Category

Title: Farewell-able

Photographer: Lei Yang

Story: We sometimes say "leave" or "farewell" when moving, reflecting our ties to people and places. Before leaving China, I photographed my hometown to understand what, for me, is farewell-able.

Comment: This series was made before I came to Japan. At that time, I parted with people, places, and versions of myself. I realized that some separations are simple, while others are filled with sorrow — those are "farewells." Farewell-able explores the emotional scale of goodbye through what I found hardest to release.
I’m deeply grateful to Nikon for selecting this work. It has allowed a personal farewell to be seen by more people.

Photo Competition: General Public Award

Title: I am Unstoppable!

Photographer: Liew Hong Hooi

Story: This spirit medium jumped through the blazing fire hoops as a demonstration of faith to inspire fellow devotees to follow suit as a form of ritual cleansing during the Nine Emperor Gods Festival.

Comment: I am very grateful and greatly honored that this photo has been chosen for this award. This photo is very meaningful to me as it inspired me to believe in myself and be bold to make the move forward as a photographer. Seeing that even surging fire is not an obstacle to some as long as one is willing to try, was the inspiration and reason I decided to take part in this prestigious award. Again, I want to thank Nikon for recognizing my photo and awarding it.

Grand Prize: Super-Short Film Category

Title: The small red, big blue

Artist: Hamed Nobari

Story: This work addresses environmental issues and marine life from a global perspective. Children love fish and the sea. I want to cherish those feelings and always remember to respect nature.

Comment: This award is definitely one of the most important awards for my filmmaking in my twenty years of artistic career. I am grateful to the Nikon Film and Photo Contest for this award and the opportunity it gave me.

"The Small Red, Big Blue" is one of my most important films, which addresses the issue of the environment and marine life with a global concept. I am very happy that my film has won an award at the Nikon Film and Photo Contest, and this is a great honor for me. I hope this film has a positive impact, among different cultures, to respect the environment.

Grand Prize: 5-Minute Film Category

Title: Finding Serenity

Artist: Ademola Falomo

Story: Finding Serenity was born during COVID lockdown when Yimika’s poem (Yimika is a producer and music artist from Lagos, Nigeria) moved me deeply. Inspired, I teamed up with friends to bring it to life, exploring peace in chaos and beauty in uncertainty.

Comment: I am deeply grateful for the acknowledgment of this small dream that has grown into something seen around the world. Created in Lagos, Nigeria, during troubling and uncertain times, this film is a celebration for me, a testament to turning a poem into a visual artifact. What once lived only in my mind now lives on screen, and that is a gift I will always cherish.

Excellence Award: Super-Short Film Category

Title: A trace in the wind

Artist: Soheil Masoumi

Story: The lonely old woman weaves her songs and lullabies layer by layer and turns them into a beautiful carpet.

Comment: Women in eastern Khorasan are vital keepers of ancient Iranian culture. Many old songs and lullabies are created while weaving carpets. Preserving and sharing this timeless heritage — belonging to all humanity — has always been my passion. Khāseh Borna is one such woman who, through her voice and the carpets she weaves, has kept this tradition alive for many years.

Excellence Award: Super-Short Film Category

Title: Shiuli - the one who still knows

Artist: Anindya Sundar Basu

Story:

Dawn climber, the Shiuli ascends.
His hands speak what ancestors knew.
While the village sleeps, sap flows.
From tree to sweet gold, dignity rises with each climb.

Comment: We’re honoured that "Shiuli" resonated with the jury. This story of a Shiuli’s quiet labour in rural Bengal is our tribute to unseen hands that rise before the sun, carrying the wisdom of the land. If it inspires even one person to see everyday lives with deeper respect, we’ve done justice to the theme.

This film is the result of long travel, early mornings, and the shared vision of a passionate team. Grateful to all who helped bring it to life.

Special Encouragement Award: Super-Short Film Category

Title: Beautiful struggle

Artist: Yutaka Maeomichi

Story: This film overlays the dynamic movements of tricking with the ephemeral beauty of flowers blooming amidst the cycle of nature. The fleeting brilliance shared by the momentary beauty in the execution of tricking techniques and the fragile life of flowers that endure harsh winters, take root, and bloom only briefly in spring before fading away is expressed through the medium of film.

Comment: Thank you very much for selecting my film for this prestigious award.

Based on the theme of the contest, "Inspire," I discovered a common brilliance between two distinct presences: the dynamic "tricking" born from the physical capabilities of human beings, and the "flowers" that live their lives to the fullest in the midst of silence.

The ephemeral beauty of techniques that are executed after rigorous training, and the fleeting lives of flowers that bloom only briefly after enduring a long winter — the creation of this film was inspired by the concentrated, momentary brilliance shared by both of these things.

I hope that through this work, viewers will notice the fleeting yet powerful moments hidden within daily life and find the inspiration to take a new step forward in their lives.

Special Encouragement Award: Super-Short Film Category

Title: 奔腾不息 (Keep on going)

Artist: Deshan Zhang

Story: In the bitter winter of minus 40 degrees, the herdsman mounts his Mongolian horse. They sweep across the land like the wind. When spring returns to the earth, the horses leap into icy rivers, sending sprays of water into the sky. They gallop on, never stopping - Inspiring every soul that dares to dream, driving ever forward. On this ancient land, they carve a legend into time.

Comment: I'm deeply grateful for the recognition from the competition organizers. This honor belongs to the vast grasslands, to the relentlessly galloping Mongolian horses, and to the tenacious horse herders. What I sought to capture with my camera was the unwavering vitality that endures amidst the wind and sand and the clatter of horse hooves, the spiritual backbone forged by humans and horses across the world. Photography is a record, but it's also a tribute. Thank you for allowing this touching moment to be seen by the world. In the future, I will continue to strive to live up to expectations and meet new challenges with even greater achievements, just as the competition theme, "Inspiration," inspires me to move forward.

Special Encouragement Award: Super-Short Film Category

Title: Desert Hours

Artist: Tracey Taylor

Overview: The Empty Quarter’s endless sands defy time. Wind carves its flow, light marks its stillness. This film unveils a desert vast and ancient, where time shifts with each gust across a boundless expanse.

Comment: The Empty Quarter offered an incredible backdrop to explore the relationship between time, space, and light. It’s a place that asks you to listen and I tried to translate that to film. I’m incredibly grateful to Nikon for recognizing a story told not through dialogue, but through presence. I’m so grateful it resonated.

Excellence Award: 5-Minute Film Category

Title: Sweet Little Girl

Artist: Lorenzo Morandi

Overview: During a piano practice session, Kazuyo Kotaka talks about her relationship with the audience, not only during concerts but also in everyday life.

Comment: I'm truly honored to receive this award for a project born from a profound harmony with its protagonist. Kazuyo opened up with sincerity and grace. My intention was to remove anything superfluous, so that her authentic, unfiltered emotions could quietly take center stage.

Excellence Award: 5-Minute Film Category

Title: Awaiting the Lightning Bolt

Artist: Marco Russo

Story: Renato, an eccentric Renaissance inventor, dares the impossible: capturing a lightning bolt in a jar! Amid storms and ambition, he chases the power of nature and love.

Comment: I made this film because I was chasing my personal lightning bolt, a journey that evolved into a reflection on loss and the lengths one would go to save a loved one. From that Renato was born: a stubborn inventor fighting nature and ignorance to protect those he loves. "Awaiting the Lightning Bolt" is a deeply personal story, yet one I hope will touch hearts universally.

Special Encouragement Award: 5-Minute Film Category

Title: Fluffy Ball

Artist: Ning Qian

Story: Little blue pieces of fluff fall off from a fuzzy sweater. A girl cannot get rid of them, they’re spreading across her body like an epidemic. Metaphorical story from the age of Covid.

Comment: Although the pandemic has gradually passed, some traces still remain on our bodies — like insects clinging to the skin. This short film captures a certain state of mind from that time. Looking at it now, it feels organic — an emotional state that can no longer be revisited.

Thank you to Nikon for recognizing this work. I look forward to creating more vibrant, life-filled films with Nikon in the future.

Special Encouragement Award: 5-Minute Film Category

Title: Whisper

Artist: John Donica

Story: A short conceptual/experimental film about a mother who lost her son. The red light is the only guide for her in her journey.

Comment: I'm delighted to be a winner of the Nikon Film and Photo Contest 2024-2025. I want to thank Eiji Mitsuta, an amazing composer who invited me to collaborate on this project.

And of course, heartfelt thanks to Shuna Iijima, the main character and a truly talented actress.

Special Encouragement Award: 5-Minute Film Category

Title: I Know Who I Am

Artist: Tyler Hicks

Story: This story follows a man’s attempt to reconnect upon finding himself lost – seeking guidance from nature and his human instincts.

Comment: Thank you so much for recognizing "I Know Who I Am." Creating this story was a testament to the power of self expression. Through this process we learned that sharing your story invites other people to connect, relate to it and, see themselves in it.

Image: Honor

Chinese technology startup Honor has unveiled a CGI video teaser showcasing a concept smartphone with a gimbal-mounted camera. Honor has dubbed it the "Robot Phone" and says it will share additional details at Mobile World Congress in 2026.

Honor says the Robot Phone combines the mobility of a smartphone with the intelligence of an AI-driven robotic camera. As of now, the company has only revealed the CGI video, with no information on real hardware. It could simply represent conceptual exploration; however, it shows that Honor is thinking about novel solutions for smartphone photography and videography.

It's not the first phone to feature a pop-up camera, but it certainly is taking a different approach. Existing renditions of the idea, such as the OnePlus 7 Pro and Oppo Reno 2Z, feature a tiny pop-up selfie camera to do away with the notch on the display. The Robot Phone, however, is a much larger-looking camera mounted to a gimbal. It is drawing comparisons to the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, though integrated into a smartphone instead of functioning as a standalone device. Indeed, it looks remarkably similar to the popular vlogging camera and could be an interesting option for vloggers.

The teaser video also brings to mind characters like Wall-E. The video features Disney-like music and brings the camera to life, with the device poking out of a person's pocket while they walk around. The Robot Phone also screams while skydiving, nods when helping someone pick out an outfit and plays peekaboo to cheer up a baby.

Image: Honor

Although the phone doesn't exist yet, the concept video created by Honor illustrates its potential if engineering challenges don't crash into reality. The real challenge lies in fitting a 360-degree multi-axis rotating gimbal within the limited space of a camera bulge in the back of a compact mobile phone while still accommodating everything else.

Fitting this technology into a smartphone remains a tight squeeze considering motherboards, circuitry, and a battery large enough to last the day, as people have come to expect. However, if Honor succeeds, it could prove a useful device for content creators.

While the phone may not possess the Wall-E-like personality depicted in the video, it hints at exciting possibilities. We should know more soon since Honor aims to showcase something at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next spring.

Until then, interested users can sign up for progress updates and even participate in early testing and evaluation on the Honor website.

The ability to add a grain effect burnishes the Zf's retro credentials Photo: Richard Butler

When Nikon showed us its two new DX lenses, it also let us try the Grain Effect processing that's about to arrive on the Nikon Zf.

The option should arrive in a forthcoming firmware update for the camera. It allows you to add grain to stills or video, with a choice of grain size and intensity. The grain differs with each photo, and changes frame-to-frame in video mode to give a realistic temporal effect.

Grain Effect gives you a choice of six intensity levels and three sizes of grain. It can be combined with any of the camera's Picture Style color modes but, at least in the camera we used, couldn't be added after the fact using the in-camera Raw converter. This means you can shoot with grain and then re-process if you decide you don't want it, but not the other way 'round.

Nikon was tight-lipped about when the feature will be available, but we'll bring you the news as soon as it is.

In the meantime, here are some examples we shot. They were shot using a camera running non-final firmware, so we've not been allowed to provide full-sized images. However, these samples have been cropped, rather than resized, so that the size, shape and character of the grain isn't changed.

Pre-production Grain Effect images from the Nikon Zf

Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

Note: All images are out-of-camera JPEGs cropped and re-saved.

Image: Nikon

While Nikon lens names may not be the most complicated out there (that award probably goes to Tamron), they still aren't short of letters and abbreviations. And while its mirrorless lenses feature more streamlined lens names than its DSLRs, the company still uses plenty of acronyms and proprietary terms in its lens descriptions. Trying to decipher what those mean and what matters can feel like quite the challenge. In this article, we'll be breaking down the most commonly used terminology on Nikon lenses (both in the name and the description) to help you cut through the mess.

Lens type and compatibility

Some of the most important terms to pay attention to relate to lens type and compatibility. After all, you don't want to accidentally buy a lens that doesn't work with your particular camera.

F mount, Z mount

First and foremost are Nikon's lens mounts. Nikon's F mount is its longest-running mount, used on the company's film SLR cameras, followed by its DSLRs. F mount is used on both full-frame and APS-C digital cameras. No one letter or acronym signifies F mount lenses, so you'll need to know some of the other terminology below, be familiar with the look of Nikon's F mount lineup or look carefully for the lens mount information on a product listing.

Nikon Z mount is the company's mirrorless mount, introduced in 2018. If you see a Z in a lens name, such as Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/2.8 VR, it is part of the mirrorless lens lineup and only compatible with the company's Z mount cameras.

DX

The Nikkor Z DX MC 35mm F1.7 is a macro (MC) lens for mirrorless (Z) APS-C cameras (DX). Image: Nikon

If "DX" is in a Nikon lens name, it is meant for its APS-C (crop sensor) cameras. Nikon uses DX on both its DSLR and mirrorless lenses to signify lenses meant for smaller sensors.

FX

The counterpart to DX, "FX' lenses are designed for Nikon's full-frame cameras, both DSLR and mirrorless. As with most systems, these lenses will work on crop sensor cameras, though the focal lengths may not make as much sense when effectively multiplied by 1.5x.

MC

Some Nikon lenses, such as the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, feature "MC" in the lens name. MC is Nikon's indicator that the lens is a macro offering, meaning it provides a 1:1 reproduction ratio. Nikon's older DSLR lenses may say "Micro" instead of MC, which also signifies it is a macro lens meant for capturing details.

S

Image: Nikon

Some Nikon mirrorless lenses feature an "S" in the name, which refers to the S-Line of Nikon lenses. The company says the lenses in this series are its top-tier ones for mirrorless in terms of build and optical quality. As such, they demand steeper prices than lenses without the badge.

Lens design and coatings

Perhaps Nikon's biggest category of special terminology is its lens design and coatings. Nikon has an extensive list of terms for special lens elements and coatings used to improve image quality, which often cause the most confusion when trying to assess its lenses. These elements and coatings can be used together, so you may see multiple terms mentioned below on a single lens.

ED

Nikon included ED in its DSLR lens names, though it dropped the abbreviation in its mirrorless lineup. However, you'll still see ED mentioned in the lens's description (and on other brands' lenses, too), as it's still something commonly used in optical design. ED stands for Extra-low Dispersion glass, a type of lens element. ED glass helps minimize chromatic aberration, resulting in clearer images with more accurate colors.

PF lens

The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens features a Phase Fresnel (PF) lens element and ED element. Image: Nikon

A small number of Nikon lenses utilize a Phase Fresnel (PF) lens. This lens element allows Nikon to dramatically reduce the size and weight of a long telephoto lens by using fewer lens elements, while still managing chromatic aberration to maintain image quality. As with ED, Nikon used to include PF in DSLR lens names, but does not do so in its mirrorless lineup. Instead, you'll need to look into the lens description or specs to see if that element is present.

Meso Amorphous Coat

Nikon says the Meso Amorphous Coat is its newest and most advanced anti-reflective coating, meant to deliver high levels of ghosting and flare suppression. The company says it's an improvement on its previous Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat technologies, seen below. The coating suppresses incident light from any direction, including diagonally and vertically. At the time of writing, the coating is only used on Nikon's highest-end mirrorless lenses.

ARNEO Coat

The ARNEO Coat is also an anti-reflective coating. It's designed to suppress reflections from light entering a lens vertically and is ideal for producing clear, high-contrast images even in backlit environments.

Nano Crystal Coat

The gold "N" on the right side of the AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm F2.8E ED VR means it uses Nikon's Nano Crystal Coat. Nikon no longer puts such badges on its mirrorless lenses, though. Image: Nikon

The Nano Crystal Coat is yet another anti-reflective coating developed by Nikon to reduce ghosting and flare. It minimizes reflections even from light entering the lens diagonally. The Nano Crystal Coat is older than the ARNEO and Meso Amorphous Coats, but still works to produce clearer, higher-contrast images in the company's professional-grade lenses.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating

Finally, we have Nikon's Super Integrated Coating (SIC), the oldest of the ones mentioned here. It was designed during the transition to digital photography and is meant to minimize ghosting and flare, especially in backlit conditions. SIC is used on nearly all Nikkor lenses.

Stabilization, focusing system and aperture

Last but not least, Nikon uses various acronyms to refer to stabilization, focusing systems and aperture features. As with lens design, you may see overlaps with multiple terms mentioned for the same lens.

E

The AF-S NIKKOR 28mm F1.4E ED has E in the name, which means it uses an electronic aperture diaphragm. Image: Nikon

Lenses with an E in the name, or with "E-type" mentioned in the specs, use an electronic aperture diaphragm. That means the lens aperture is controlled by electronic signals from the camera, rather than a mechanical lever as in older F mount lenses. The E-type aperture allows for precise and silent aperture changes, which is ideal for high-speed photography or video recording. All of Nikon's mirrorless lenses use the E-type mechanism, as do a selection of DSLR lenses.

VR

VR in Nikon lens names refers to the company's optical stabilization, which it calls Vibration Reduction. As with other optical stabilization systems, it aims to reduce blur from camera vibrations when using longer shutter speeds.

G

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm F1.8G lens has G at the end of the name, which means it lacks an aperture ring. Image: Nikon

Some Nikon F mount lenses feature a "G" in the name, which means that they lack aperture rings. In such cases, the aperture must be selected from the camera body, so the lens needs to be used on a camera that offers such control.

AF-S, AF-P

Lenses in Nikon's DSLR lineup may feature AF-S or AF-P in the lens name. AF-S stands for Autofocus with Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which means that the lens uses Nikon's ultrasonic motor. AF-S lenses will work on all Nikon DSLRs, though there are no mirrorless Nikon lenses that use a SWM.

Lenses with AF-P in the name, on the other hand, use a stepping motor to power the autofocus. They are faster, quieter and smoother than SWM autofocus systems. As a result, they are better for video use or situations that demand responsive autofocus. AF-P lenses may not be compatible with older DSLRs, but they can be used on Z mount cameras with the FTZ adapter.

SSVCM

While Nikon did away with autofocus mentions in the lens name, it hasn't stopped developing new systems. Some higher-end Nikon lenses use its Silky Swift VCM (Voice Coil Motor), Nikon's most advanced autofocus drive technology at the time of writing. Nikon says it offers higher-speed, higher-accuracy and quieter AF operation with less vibration during operation.

Image: Panasonic

Panasonic has announced a slew of updates, including firmware updates for cameras, added app features and a 'Titanium Gold' version of its S9 mirrorless vlogging camera. The firmware will be available from October 19th.

The Titanium Gold variant of the Lumix S9 becomes the seventh color option for the company's 24MP vlogging-focused mirrorless camera. It will be available on December 27th, with a recommended price of $1900, bundled with the company 18-40mm 4.5-6.3 lens.

Updated apps

Meanwhile, the company is updating both its Lumix Lab and Lumix Flow apps. Lumix Lab will gain the ability to generate a LUT from a reference image (not necessarily from a Panasonic camera), to let you mimic a look in your subsequent shooting.

Meanwhile, the Lumix Flow video workflow app gains compatibility with the S5II, S5IIX and GH7 cameras, as well as gaining additional features and capabilities.

Enhanced firmware

Firmware updates for the S5II, S5IIX, GH7 and G9II add Lumix Flow compatibility, improve startup times and promise bluetooth connectivity with DJI's 4th-gen RS-series gimbals.

The S5II siblings, along with the S9, gain the ability to use the focus ring on Panasonic lenses as a custom dial and let you change the direction of focus ring operation. Firmware updates for the 18mm, 24mm 35mm, 50mm and 85mm F1.8s, along with the 100mm F2.8 Macro, enable these features on the lens side.

The company has also announced 'Adventure Kit' bundles for the S1II, S1RII, S5II and S5IIX bodies, pairing them with the 24-60mm F2.8 weather-sealed zoom lens. These kits, ranging from $2799 for the S5II A kit, to $4099 for the S1RII A kit. The pricing adds $800 to the original list prices of each model, compared with a list price of $1049 for the lens alone. However, discounts to some models can mean it's still cheaper to buy them separately. The kits will initially include a Sandisk Portable SSD.

Image: Viltrox

Sony mirrorless users now have another fast standard prime lens option thanks to Viltrox. The company has announced the AF 50mm F1.4 Pro lens, promising pro-level quality and features.

Viltrox designed the 50mm AF 50mm F1.4 Pro around 15 elements in 11 groups, including 8 high-refractive index, 3 extra-low dispersion and 1 ultra-precision aspherical lens. It also features Viltrox's "Advanced HD" nano coating. Viltrox says the lens design suppresses aberration, distortion, onion rings and ghosting, and promises flagship-level image quality with edge-to-edge sharpness that can meet the demands of high-resolution cameras.

Image: Viltrox

Viltrox is using linear motors to power the lens's autofocus; it should be able to keep up with high-speed shooting situations, such as sports and action, and it's compatible with face and eye detection. Viltrox says it has minimal focus breathing for better video performance as well. The lens can focus as close as 0.45m (1.48'), making it possible to shoot close-ups to emphasize the subject.

The lens's build quality also punches above its weight. Its metal construction provides better durability and a more premium feel, and Viltrox says it offers "high-grade" weather sealing. There's an aperture ring that can be clicked or de-clicked and an AF/MF switch. It also offers a customizable Fn button.

While it certainly has a lot going for it, the Viltrox 50mm F1.4 Pro is rather hefty for its class. It weighs 800g (1.76 lb) and measures 111mm (4.37") long, which is a fair amount heavier than the Sony 50mm F1.4 GM lens, which weighs 516g (1.4 lb).

Viltrox's latest fast standard prime may not win in size, but it does beat out most of the competition in terms of price. The lens is available for $549, which is substantially more affordable than both Sony's 50mm F1.4 GM and Sigma's 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens.

The Viltrox AF 50mm F1.4 Pro lens is available for purchase starting today.

Buy now:

Viltrox AF 50mm F1.4 Pro specifications:

Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm (24-75 equiv.) F2.8 VR, its first APS-C zoom lens with a fast, constant aperture for its mirrorless Z mount. It's an important addition to the company's lineup and will likely be very exciting for those who have cameras like the Z50II, which are very capable but have suffered from a lack of really great zooms.

The lens has 12 elements in 11 groups, with one ED element and two aspherical lenses. It's also Nikon's first APS-C lens for Z mount to have nine aperture blades rather than seven, which should provide slightly rounder bokeh. Wide open, it has a minimum focusing distance of 0.15m (5.9"), which goes up to 0.25m (9.8") at the long end. It uses a stepper motor autofocus system.

The 16-50mm F2.8 lives up to APS-C's promise of smaller, lighter lenses; at 330g (11.6oz) it's around a third lighter than the full-frame Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 S to which it's most directly comparable. It's also welcome that it includes optical stabilization, as none of Nikon's current APS-C mirrorless cameras have stabilized sensors. The lens is 88mm (3.5") long and accepts 67mm filters.

Image: Nikon

The lens has Nikon's multifunction control ring, which you can program to change settings such as aperture, ISO and more, and comes with a petal-shaped hood.

The release of this lens is a big moment for Nikon's APS-C lineup. Before now, if you wanted a standard zoom for your APS-C Z-mount camera, you were pretty much stuck with the 16-50mm F3.5-6.3 VR, which was very compact but decidedly slow on the long end. The company hasn't allowed third-party manufacturers like Sigma or Tamron to produce APS-C zooms for its mirrorless systems, so anyone looking up upgrade their kit lens was pretty much forced to go with the larger, heavier and more expensive full-frame options.

While we're very happy to see that this lens is now available, it'll be interesting to see if Nikon continues to release this kind of product for its APS-C cameras. A 70-200 equiv. F2.8 lens, for example, could be a great option for those hoping to shoot portraits or events with a Z50II. It or another lens like it would also be another sign that Nikon was really starting to take its crop sensor lineup seriously, rather than just treating it as the cheap option or a stepping stone to a full-frame system.

Coming back to the present and the 16-50mm F2.8, though, the lens will be available to order starting October 16, and will retail for $899.

Pre-production samples

Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

Note: At Nikon's insistence, these samples are re-sized out-of-camera JPEGs, and therefore include corrections and processing that we wouldn't usually include. This is not our standard way of presenting images, so they should be considered as illustrative and not used to assess the lens's performance.

Nikon Z DX 16-50mm F2.8 VR specifications:

Photo: Nikon

Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z DX Micro 35mm F1.7, an APS-C macro lens with a roughly 53mm equiv. focal length and the ability to focus on subjects as close as 0.16m (6.3") away.

The lens's formula uses eight elements in seven groups, with one ED lens. And while in most scenarios it'll have a relatively bright F1.7 aperture, it'll effectively be knocked down to F3.2 in extremely close-focus scenarios. Nikon claims the lens can achieve 0.67x magnification, which it says is "life-size equivalent" in full-frame terms.

It's lightweight at 220g (7.8 oz), and is 72mm (2.8") long, which means you can take pictures of subjects that are 0.09m (3.5") away from the front element. Autofocus is handled by a stepper motor, and the company says it has minimal focus breathing.

The lens's design is minimal; it has a single control ring, which can be customized to adjust focus, ISO, aperture, etc.

The lens is available to order today, and retails for $449.

Pre-production samples

Please do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

Note: At Nikon's insistence, these samples are re-sized out-of-camera JPEGs, and therefore include corrections and processing that we wouldn't usually include. This is not our standard way of presenting images, so they should be considered as illustrative and not used to assess the lens's performance.

Nikon Nikkor Z DX Micro 35mm F1.7 specifications:

Image: Apple

Apple has announced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro, with the most substantial upgrade coming from the newly unveiled M5 chip. Though it's using a baseline chip, not a Pro or Max model, Apple promises a host of improvements to performance that are likely more than enough for most users. The tech giant also says the new MacBook Pro offers better battery life, faster storage and more.

The latest MacBook Pro is powered by the M5 chip, which has the same mix of 10 CPU cores (four performance, six efficiency) and 10 GPU cores as the M4 found in the previous-generation 14" MacBook Pro. Unsurprisingly, Apple is touting improved AI performance thanks to special "Neural Accelerator" silicon in each GPU core and performance improvements to its CPU, GPU and dedicated Neural Engine AI accelerator.

Image: Apple

It's not all AI, though. Apple says the GPU will provide "30 percent faster performance" than the one on the M4, and 15 percent faster multithreaded performance than the M4. It also sees a boost to 150GB/s memory bandwidth, up from the M4's 120GB/s (though that's still a step down from the memory bandwidth found on the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips). Plus, Apple says the new model's SSD is up to twice as fast, which could help with importing Raw files, exporting large video files or running a local LLM. There's now a 4TB SSD option available, where the M4 model maxed out at 2TB.

Despite the performance upgrades, Apple says the computer will still be capable of 24 hours of battery life on a single charge, like its predecessor.

Design-wise, the M5 MacBook Pro keeps the status quo: it offers three Thunderbolt 4 ports – you have to upgrade to a model with a Pro or Max chip for Thunderbolt 5 – an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The 14.2-inch display remains the same, with up to 1600 nits peak brightness for HDR content or 1000 nits sustained brightness in SDR. It also supports the full P3 color gamut, making it a worthy option for those requiring precise color.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 is available for pre-order today, starting at $1599. It will be widely available on October 22.

Pre-order now: