Photo: JulyProkopiv / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Travel season is here for many. Whether you're looking to start a travel blog or simply want to document your trips, you may be trying to figure out what gear you'll need. While dedicated cameras have advantages for vlogging and video creation, smartphones are much more convenient. After all, you'll likely have it on you at all times anyway, and it takes up much less room in a bag.
While phones are highly capable these days, picking up some accessories can help you get the most out of your device when recording video. There is also plenty of overlap with what smartphone accessories are best for travel photography, such as lenses, power banks and lens cloths, so be sure to give that a look, too.
Bluetooth mic
Photo: DJI
Bluetooth microphones are an excellent accessory for anyone shooting video. They are often more critical than fancy cameras, since viewers will forgive bad image quality but not bad sound. There are now many options for compact Bluetooth mics that play well with phones, including from DJI, Rode, Sennheiser and Hollyland. These come in the form of shotgun mics, lavalier mics and more. Be sure to check compatibility with your device before purchasing, though, as not all will work across iPhone or Android systems.
Gimbal
Image: Insta360
Shaky video is also a big turnoff for many viewers. While your phone has some level of stabilization to smooth out video while you're moving, it's generally somewhat limited, especially if you want to use higher recording quality options. Gimbals will give you much better stabilization while also making it easier to hold your camera. Plus, many gimbals double as a tripod or stand, making them even more worthwhile, especially if you want to record hands-free at times. DJI, Insta360 and Hohem are brands worth considering.
SSD
Photo: Samsung
Videos consume a lot of storage space on your phone very quickly, especially if you use the highest quality settings. You'll want to invest in an SSD to keep your phone from filling up. Some phones and apps will even allow you to record directly to an SSD, so you don't need to remember to transfer files. Brands like Samsung, PNY, Lexar, Seagate and Planck all offer reliable yet tiny SSDs that work well with phones.
Add-on filters
Photo: Moment
Whether using your phone's built-in lenses or detachable smartphone lenses, having the option to use filters will open more filming opportunities and give you more creative control. Two popular choices are neutral density (ND) filters and polarizers. ND filters reduce the amount of light entering your camera, allowing you to blur movement or backgrounds even in bright conditions. Polarizers help cut down on glare on shiny or reflective surfaces. Sandmarc, Moment, Beastgrip, PolarPro and SmallRig all make quality filters and filter mounts.
Cage
Photo: Beastgrip
Phone filmmaking cages offer multiple benefits. First, they typically provide grips off to the side of your phone, making it easier to hold while filming while ensuring no fingers get in front of the camera. Second, larger ones often provide attachment points for accessories such as filters, mics, SSDs, lights and more. That way, you don't have to fumble with holding all your accessories together. As you might expect by now, Moment, Beastgrip, PolarPro and SmallRig are brands worth looking at for cages and grips.
LED light
Photo: Lume Cube
Finally, a compact light may be useful to keep on hand, especially if you plan on filming in conditions other than bright ones. Some function as ring lights that clip directly onto your phone, like Westcott's offering. Others, from brands like Lume Cube, Joby and Sandmarc, will require a cage or mount. All options are easy to use with a phone and are tiny, so they won't take up much room in your bag.
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Image: Canon
Canon has announced an RF-mount version of its 75-300mm F4.0-5.6 low-cost full-frame tele zoom lens. Though there are no details yet of a US release.
The company says the Canon RF 75-300mm F4.0-5.6 is based on the existing DC-motor version of the EF-mount 75-300mm F4.0-5.6 III, dating from April 1999.
Like the quarter-of-a-century-old lens, the RF-mount version comprises 13 elements in 9 groups, and has a minimum focusing distance of 1.5m and a maximum magnification of 0.25x, delivered at the 300mm position.
It has 7 aperture blades, a 58mm filter thread at the front and accepts the same, optional. ET-60 lens hood.
At 146mm (5.75") long, the RF-mount version is 24mm longer than the EF-mount version which, not coincidentally, is the difference in flange-back distance between the two mounts. This extra length comes with a 27g increase in weight, taking the new version to 507g (1.11lb).
The lens will primarily be sold as part of a two-lens kit, giving an affordable way to add a lot of reach to Canon's RF-mount cameras.
No details of a US launch have been given, nor has it been explained why it's not being announced alongside other markets. Speculation that Canon USA might be waiting to see what level of tariffs threatened by the US government end up being imposed was met without comment.
The EF-mount version currently sells for $199 on its own or, when combined with a shoulder bag, adds $120 to the cost of the EOS T7 APS-C DSLR.
Press release:
Bring life even closer with the new RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens
London, UK, 29 April 2025 – Today, Canon announces the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6, a lightweight, easy-to-use telephoto zoom lens that’s ideal for users starting out in nature and sports photography with an EOS R System camera.
With its amazing reach and flexible zoom range, the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 provides creative freedom when shooting photos and video of subjects you can’t physically get close to. Users can keep their distance to avoid disturbing wild animals and birds or zoom right into the action when photographing a sports event from the sidelines. The streamlined design lets users react quickly, with a large zoom ring requiring little more than a quarter of a turn to run through the entire zoom range.
At 300mm it’s possible to get as close as 1.5m to fill the frame with detail, making this lens a practical solution for portraits of animals and people. The long zoom and wide, seven-blade aperture ensure superb separation between a sharp subject and blurred background for a refined look.
This classic entry-level, full-frame 75-300mm lens can be used on any camera equipped with Canon’s advanced RF mount. Paired with an APS-C body such as the EOS R100, it delivers a more powerful 120-480mm effective reach to bring distant subjects even closer. Despite its extensive telephoto coverage, the lens weighs just 507g and is a compact 146.1mm in length when retracted. It’s one of the lightest lenses in its class and ready to go anywhere, from local sport matches to remote nature reserves.
The versatile range of focal lengths, affordable pricing and outstanding portability of the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6 ensure that everyone is able to extend their reach and take their passion further.
Key features of the RF 75-300mm F4-5.6:
Flexible 75-300mm focal length range for full-frame EOS R System cameras, extending to 120-480mm equivalent view on APS-C models
1.5 metre minimum focusing distance at 300mm for frame-filling detail
Compact and lightweight design: Measures just 146.1mm in length when stored and weighs approximately 507g
7-blade circular aperture for beautiful background blur
Super Spectra coating to reduce ghosting and flare
GDT reveals its Nature Photographer of the Year winners
The German Society of Nature Photographers (GDT) revealed the winners and finalists of its annual Nature Photographer of the Year competition. Unlike its European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, open to all European residents, this competition is a members-only affair.
This year, 507 GDT members from 11 countries submitted over 8,000 images for consideration. Following a pre-selection process from a jury, members were allowed to vote for 10 images, each, across categories including Birds, Mammals, Landscapes and Other Animals.
Patience and persistence paid off for Konrad Wothe. He was declared the Overall Winner for his image "Dipper flying through waterfall." A vision spanning over two decades, Wothe credits advances in camera technology for finally making the shot a reality. He initially attempted to capture his vision on film. It took thousands of exposures and countless trips to the dipper's nesting site to get the desired result.
To learn more about Wothe's background, the jury and to view all of the selected images, from the present and past, make sure to visit the GDT's website.
Overall Winner: "Dipper flying through waterfall" by Konrad Wothe
Image description: Wind and waves create striking patterns in the sand along the west coast of Fuerteventura. This dragonfly was a perfect eye-catcher.
Runner-up, Other Animals: "Weevil" by Torsten Christ
Image description: Even today, old-growth forests in Sweden are regularly cut down and replaced with commercial plantations. Undisturbed forests can harbour over 2000 species (many of which are endangered) and must be preserved at all costs.
Runner-up, Landscapes: "Radiance" by Thomas Froesch
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