GCCA Concrete in Life 2024/25 photography competition winners

Photo contests typically have some sort of central theme or guiding topic, but that isn't often centered around a building material. The Concrete in Life contest, however, does just that. Run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the contest aims to highlight concrete's beauty and essentiality worldwide. The winners of the sixth annual running of the contest have been announced, having been selected from more than 20,000 entries.

"The stunning images highlight concrete’s positive impact on our lives right across the planet," said Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive who helped to judge this year’s competition. "Whether it’s the vital infrastructure such as bridges, railways and roads that we travel along or the homes, offices and schools we inhabit, concrete is a truly versatile material. Our competition gives anyone with a smartphone as well as professional photographers, the chance to show just how essential concrete is to our lives, as well as how beautiful it can be."

The contest is open to any type of camera, from smartphones to professional equipment. The contest awards an overall winner with a prize of $10,000. There are also four category winners – Urban Design and Use, Concrete Infrastructure, Concrete in Daily Life and Beauty and Design – with one winner per category winning $2,500. Finally, a People's Choice award winner receives $5,000.

You can see all of the shortlisted winners and learn more about the contest at the GCCA Concrete in Life website.

Concrete in Life Photo of the Year 2024/25: Henrik Hagerup

Photographer: Henrik Hagerup

Image title: Venice Beach Skating

Image location: Venice Beach, Los Angeles, USA

Description: A magical morning where the skaters work their magic on the concrete rink with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, the picture illustrates the professional skater and the little boy who dreams big dreams.

Statement: I am truly honored, overjoyed, and deeply humbled that you have chosen my image as the Overall Winner of the Concrete in Life 2024/25 Competition.

I captured my picture at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, a vibrant destination where people from all over the world come to enjoy the sun, the ocean and not least, the iconic skate park, this vibrant space is a magnet for creativity, where something exciting is always unfolding. When in L.A. I often spend hours here, camera in hand, patiently waiting for the perfect moment to emerge. 

From the very start, I noticed a young boy who I instinctively knew could become an essential part of my story. Through this image, I aimed to illustrate how concrete shapes the lives of those who play, dream, and push the limits of possibility. The experienced skater, who has mastered the smooth surface through dedication and skill, stands as an inspiration to the child, whose hopes and ambitions are just beginning to take form.  

My image is a tribute to the way concrete, when embraced by creativity and passion, fosters connection, dreams, and boundless potential not just in skate parks, but in communities across the world.

Urban Design and Use winner: Anvar Sadath TA

Photographer: Anvar Sadath TA

Image title: Urban Flow

Image location: Dubai, UAE

Description: The iconic Burj Khalifa rises above the futuristic skyline, framed by surrounding architectural marvels and concrete curves, all mirrored in the shimmering waters of the city.

Statement: I am honored to be the winner of the Concrete in Life 2025 competition in the Urban Concrete category! My winning photograph captures the dynamic relationship between concrete structures and the vibrant cityscape, reflecting how concrete shapes our urban experiences.  

This recognition reinforces my passion for storytelling through photography, and I hope my image inspires others to find beauty in the everyday structures that define our cities. My heartfelt thanks to the GCCA for this incredible honor. I also extend my sincere gratitude to the judges and the entire GCCA team for supporting photographers and celebrating visual storytelling.

Concrete Infrastructure winner: Wentao Guo

Photographer: Wentao Guo

Image title: Structure as Aesthetics

Image location: Washington D.C. USA

Description: In Harry Weese’s Washington subway station, concrete transcends time and function: its light and shadow align precisely with the motion of countless trains passing through; its rectangular division aesthetically resonates with the sense of security and austerity of the mass transportation station in the United States’ capital city.

Statement: I took this photo at one of the Washington DC subway stations designed by Harry Weese. I was captivated by the moment when the transience of transportation runs into the permanence of concrete. Its obscurity becomes its greatest presence: its functionality, its aesthetic and its enduringness. Concrete is such an essential part of our lives and it constructs so many characters of our built environment. I am very honored to be a winner of the Concrete in Life 2425 competition, having a valuable opportunity to reveal the essence of concrete in our built environment through my lens.”

Concrete in Daily Life winner: Wellington Kuswanto

Photographer: Wellington Kuswanto

Image title: Daily Life in Bedok Jetty

Image location: Bedok Jetty, Singapore

Description: Bedok Jetty serves as an urban public space in Singapore, offering people a serene retreat for fishing, sport & leisure activities, and scenic waterfront view. Urban public space like this is vital for fostering community engagement, social interaction, and a sense of belonging among people.

Statement: I’m truly thrilled that the judges selected my photo as the winner in the daily life category. 

Bedok Jetty holds a special place for me, as I cycle and hang out there every weekend. It inspired me to submit the image of this particular place for the competition, as it showcases a public space made of concrete structure that is actively used by many people engaging in various activities as part of their daily lives

Beauty and Design winner: Artemio Layno

Photographer: Artemio Layno

Image title: Broken Building

Image location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Description: Valley is a residential and office tower on the Zuidas in Amsterdam. The three towers are respectively 100 metres (north), 66 metres (west) and 76 metres (south) high. The 75,000-square-metre building, which was recently declared the world’s best new skyscraper by the Emporis Awards, stands out in Amsterdam. The construction of Valley took four years, with the first residents and entrepreneurs moving into the building at the end of 2021.

Statement: I am really happy and grateful that my photo is chosen to be a winner of the Concrete in Life 2425 competition. I took the photo at Amsterdam, Netherlands and I was amazed how creative and modern the design of the building is, it looks like it was cut-out and separated in the middle of the main structure, the design is created by a large number of terraces. Concrete is not just used as a necessity in creating structures but it can also be used to showcase artistic works that are amazingly beautiful.

People's Choice winner: Mohamed Rafi

Photographer: Mohamed Rafi

Image title: Fluttering Through Life

Image location: Pondicherry, India

Description: When I saw this wall near Pondicherry Beach, I waited for someone to enter the frame. I captured a few casual shots, then this elderly woman walked in. Dressed in a floral outfit with a black shawl, she moved with quiet grace. I clicked my shutter as much as possible, not wanting to miss the moment. For me, it was a powerful intersection of reality and art, symbolizing unseen strength and the beauty of everyday life.

Statement: I am truly honoured to win the People’s Vote Category of the Concrete in Life 2024/25 competition. This photograph, taken in Pondicherry India, captures an everyday moment transformed by art: an elderly woman walking past a mural, unknowingly aligning with its butterfly wings painted in a wall. To me, it symbolizes resilience, unseen beauty, and how our surroundings shape us in ways we don’t always realise. Street photography is about finding meaning in fleeting moments, and I’m thrilled that this image resonated with so many people.

Shortlist: Febina Nabeel

Photographer: Febina Nabeel

Category: Beauty and Design

Title: Where Nature and Architecture come together!

Image location: Abrahamic Family House, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Description: Abrahamic Family House combines the three Houses of Worship - Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque, St.Francis Church and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.

The olive tree representing peace and friendship.

Shortlist: Edwin Loyola

Photographer: Edwin Loyola

Category: Beauty and Design

Title: The Oculus

Image location: New York City, USA

Description: The World Trade Center’s Oculus, designed by the visionary Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is a triumphant transportation hub that embodies the unbreakable spirit of New York City. Situated in the heart of Manhattan, the Oculus serves as a vibrant gateway to the city, seamlessly connecting millions of people to 12 NYC Transit subway lines, while also offering an unparalleled shopping and dining experience.

Shortlist: Jason Balaba

Photographer: Jason Balaba

Category: Beauty and Design

Title: Futuristic Ithra Library

Image location: Dhahran, Saudia Arabia

Description: The futuristic design of Ithra Library is inspired by natural, organic shapes, and the building as a whole feels like it is in constant transformation, symbolizing progress and cultural growth.

Shortlist: Ee Long Tan

Photographer: Ee Long Tan

Category: Concrete in Daily Life

Title: Colorful Stairs

Image location: Batu Caves,Selangor, Malaysia

Description: The most striking thing in the photo is the bright colors of the stairs,red,orange,yellow,green,blue,and purple,with distinct layers,as if a rainbow fell from the sky. These colors not only make the stairs more beautiful,but also give it deeper cultural and religious significance.

Shortlist:

Photographer: Ricardo Funari

Category: Concrete in Daily Life

Title: Maracanã

Image location: Outside Maracanã stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Description: My eyes were attracted by the curious and funny shadow of the boy playing with his soccer ball projected by the mid-afternoon sun on the concrete floor surrounded by palm trees at Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Shortlist: Shibasish Saha

Photographer: Shibasish Saha

Category: Concrete in Daily Life

Title: Drying incense sticks

Image location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Description: Quang Phu Cau Incense Village is a picturesque place where vibrant red incense sticks are laid out under the golden sun, creating a surreal scene. The air is filled with a calming aroma as friendly artisans dye and dry the incense with skilled, rhythmic movements. The village buzzes with quiet activity, children's laughter, and the warmth of a timeless Vietnamese tradition. It's a beautiful, unforgettable experience.

Shortlist: Ian Payne

Photographer: Ian Payne

Category: Concrete Infrastructure

Title: Hyperboloid

Image location: Slough, UK

Description: A beautiful summer's day with the temperature around 30°C, I did what any sensible person would do, walk around an industrial estate to photograph newly painted concrete cooling towers. The heat shimmered off the tarmac, but the towers stood out, sharp and clean against the sky. Worth the sweat? Absolutely.

Shortlist: Serdar Aydin

Photographer: Serdar Aydin

Category: Concrete Infrastructure

Title: Varyant

Image location: Izmir, Turkey

Description: In İzmir, Türkiye, buses navigate a winding road called Varyant. This uniquely shaped route, made of concrete and asphalt, might be an uncomfortable ride for passengers, but from above, it offers a stunning view.

Shortlist: Anna Kropf

Photographer: Anna Kropf

Category: Urban Concrete

Title: Arch_ES_Valencia

Image location: Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (2000) – an interactive museum of science that resembles the skeleton of a whale.

Description: The City of Arts and Sciences (Valencian: Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, Spanish: Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)[a] is a cultural and architectural complex in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain.

Shortlist: Jacob Surland

Photographer: Jacob Surland

Category: Urban Concrete

Title: Door to the Unknown

Image location: Aalborg, Denmark

Description: I shot this photo in February 2024. It is of a side door to the old power plant Nordkraft (North Power). It is now a recreational and cultural center including a cinema and concert hall. When I was a child, it was the new Power Plant and it was a Monument of the city and the first thing you would see, when driving towards Aalborg. It was a sign that told you, that you were soon home.

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The post The real news for April 1st appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Photo: Dale Baskin

On a recent trip to Japan, I found myself in one of those situations universally dreaded by travelers: showing up for an international flight with a pocketful of unspent local currency and nowhere to spend it except a duty-free shop. I was swimming in a Scrooge McDuckian sea of unused Yen.

The idea of bringing home yet another Toblerone bar, that triangular brick of duty-free despair, was soul crushing. I desperately searched for something – anything – else to needlessly throw my money at.

Then I saw the Hello Kitty Toy Camera, a small rangefinder-shaped camera complete with an optical viewfinder and removable memory card. You can find these toy cameras all over Japan at stores like Bic Camera, but I never considered buying one until I was in a use-it-or-lose-it cash scenario.

Given the choice of drowning my sorrows in yet another Toblerone bar, snagging a box of Tokyo Bananas or dropping a pocketful of Yen on the Hello Kitty camera, my duty to DPReview came first. Which is why, dear readers, I'm going to tell you about yet another camera you never knew you didn't want.

Key specifications

• 1.3MP Type 1/10 CMOS sensor (approximately 1.28 x 0.96mm)
• 3.2mm F2.8 fixed-focus lens
• Optical viewfinder
• ISO 100 (fixed)
• Single Micro SDHC card slot
• Video capture (720x480/30p)
• Fake buttons and controls
• Pink Hello Kitty styling

How it compares

It's hard to find cameras that are directly comparable to the Hello Kitty Toy Camera, so we decided the best course of action would be to compare it to another rangefinder-style camera: the Fujifilm X100VI.

As the table below illustrates, we can make the Hello Kitty camera appear competitive with the more expensive X100VI by picking just the right specs to compare.

On paper, both cameras earn superlatives in some areas. While the Fujifilm wins on key specs like sensor size and resolution, it's hard to ignore the price tag and uber-light weight of the Hello Kitty camera. Along with the fact that the Hello Kitty camera can fit in a real pants pocket, not the ambiguous 'jacket pocket' reviewers always talk about.

The number of existential mid-life crises induced in a camera reviewer is a spec that's often overlooked in reviews. The Hello Kitty camera definitely wins here. As long as we're clear that by 'wins', we mean 'loses'.

Body and handling

Photo: Dale Baskin

The Hello Kitty camera is a rangefinder-shaped camera with silver-colored top and bottom plates and an optical viewfinder. I call it a 'rangefinder-shaped' camera because it's not actually a rangefinder. But, then again, neither is the Fujifilm X100VI.

You won't use the viewfinder. It's either so bad that it makes you dizzy, or it's a window into 4-dimensional space the human brain isn't wired to comprehend. Either way, it will drive you to madness.

The optical viewfinder is a nice touch, but trying to use it will drive you to madness. Photo: Dale Baskin

The camera includes two functional controls along with two other controls that are just for show. The On/Off button on the top plate doubles as the shutter button, and the Mode button adjacent to it lets you switch the camera between photo, video and audio recording modes.

The other controls are fake, fooling absolutely no one.

The 3.2mm F2.8 lens, which I'm pretty sure is made of a chunk of polished candy, has ridged edges that beg to be rotated. But trying that would be a mistake as it would break the camera. You just have to embrace it for what it is.

Here's a picture of the Hello Kitty camera that better illustrates its size. Yep, it's that small. Also, that lever on the front is fake. Photo: Dale Baskin

Taking photos is best accomplished with a 'spray and pray' approach. You point, shoot and hope. I say 'hope' because the camera doesn't actually take a photo of what's in front of you but something off to one side. It's like having an integrated AI that guesses what you're trying to photograph, then fails spectacularly every time.

Image quality

No DPReview camera review would be complete without our studio test scene.

A quick glance at the studio scene doesn't reveal anything except digital despair. The camera captures light, but it's notably short on fine detail. Or any detail. The sensor's dynamic range can best be described as 'on' or 'off'.

I have to come clean. I didn't take this photo in our studio because I couldn't justify the time it would have taken to do so. Instead, I used a life-sized print of the studio scene I keep at home, captured using a $45,000, 150MP Phase One camera. Don't worry; you won't be able to tell the difference in the images from the Hello Kitty camera.

For that matter, you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the real studio scene and an impressionist painting of it.

The photos from the Hello Kitty camera are so bad as to border on some kind of avant-garde art. Photo: Dale Baskin

The one redeeming quality I can see in the images is that they're so bad as to border on some kind of avant-garde art. They have a certain je ne sais quoi, if the 'quoi' is 'blurry, pixelated and eye watering.'

Video

It's incredible that this camera even shoots video, capturing 720x480 resolution, which I'm pretty sure is the same resolution my not-inexpensive Panasonic DVX100 vIdeo camera captured about 20 years ago. Though the Panasonic had the advantage of being a 3-CCD system. And having a lens that could fully resolve an image of an avocado.

If your idea of quality video is watching a bootleg copy of the movie ET your parents recorded on network television in 1984, you'll be delighted with the results.

Conclusion

With my journalistic integrity now hanging by a thread – or a pink piece of yarn – I have to find some way to wrap up this review. My professional reputation is in the hands of an animated cat, and I'm strangely OK with that.

Photo: Dale Baskin

I'm not sure if this camera is a toy or a subtle form of psychological warfare aimed at photographers. I've temporarily convinced myself it was a sound purchase, knowing a crushing pink wave of buyer's remorse will eventually hit me like a pixelated tsunami; after all, this is one of the worst photography products I've ever used.

And yet, I have a weird affinity for it.

My six-year-old niece loves using the Hello Kitty camera. So does my cat. But instead of taking photos, he mostly just wants to kill it. I don't know if he has some kind of Hello Kitty issue he's working through or if it's just because cats are basically little killing machines who happen to be cute.

But it does make me wonder if it might actually be possible to put a price on happiness: $45 (plus the cost of therapy).

Sample Gallery

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 (in conjunction with this review); we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.

The rumored Hasselblad X2D II has already been registered with the FCC, and we have already seen the leaked picture of the camera's top plate. What we have not seen is this $140 Hasselblad-looking Minolta camera courtesy of Amazon and Adorama:

Leaked: new Hasselblad X2D II medium format camera coming soon

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The post Hasselblad-looking Minolta camera appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Here are the latest Nikon Z5II camera rumors:

• No top display
• Size and weight are almost identical to the current  Nikon Z5 (see specs)
• 14 fps RAW, 30 fps JPEG shooting
• Dual SD card slots
• Pixel shift
• Selfie mode
• Internal N-RAW 12-bit video: uncropped 4K at 30 fps, DX crop 4K at 60 fps in 10-bit
• Upgraded AF capabilities from the  Nikon Z8, including birds AF (see specs)
• EVF and LCD also from the Nikon Zf (see specs)
• Nikon Z5II is basically Zf internals in Z6III-designed body (“The mini Z6III”)
• The Nikon Z5II has almost all the features of Zf, but it will also introduce some new features and capabilities
• The upcoming Nikon Z5II camera is rumored to have a dedicated Picture Control button on the top plate, similar to Fujifilm (see above image).
• Pricing will be a little bit higher than Z5 (previously reported here, the Nikon Z5 is currently selling for $996 after a $400 rebate).
• Nikon has scheduled events for April 2-3, but as usual, it is still not certain whether this is the official camera announcement or the internal presentation to the press and the influencers. If the official Z5II announcement doesn’t happen this week, it will most likely be next week.

The post The latest Nikon Z5II camera rumors appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Topaz Labs released Photo AI version 3.6.0 with support for "Super Focus v2", which can refocus blurry photos 500% faster. Here are the details:

• Super Focus v2: A second-generation of Super Focus and now our most powerful sharpening and focus recovery model EVER. Powered by the same architecture as Recovery v2, this model is 500% faster than before.
• Super Focus is MEGA FAST in the Cloud: It’s true! This model is even FASTER in the cloud than some of our standard sharpening and upscaling models. This means the credit cost is super low in comparison to before. If you can’t run Super Focus v2 on your machine - no worries, because you’re gonna love this in the cloud.
• Color Correction, Highlights, and Shadows with Adjust Lighting v2: Our second generation AI color and lighting filter is incredible, and now you can pick whether you want color correction on or off when applying the model to your images. You can also adjust highlights and shadows to boot.
• More Improvements are also packed into this release, including a much-requested Zoom to Fit preference, new image formats and extensions (fancy JPG or JPEG? TIF or TIFF? no problem), and of course many other fixes and optimizations under the hood as well.

Reminder - the latest Topaz Labs Gigapixel version 8.3 is still $15 off:

Topaz Labs released Gigapixel 8.3 (now $15 off)

The post Topaz Photo AI v3.6.0 released: refocus blurry photos 500% faster appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Photo: Abby Ferguson

As Women's History Month comes to a close, it's a fitting time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in photography. Despite gains, women still face significant underrepresentation and inequality in the photography industry. A study by Women Photograph found that in 2023, only 21.5% of front-page images in major newspapers were taken by women. Euro News reported in 2022 that only 15% of professional photographers worldwide are women, even though roughly three-quarters of photography students are women.

We've rounded up some outstanding women photographers worth following on Instagram (and beyond). There are, however, countless more, so feel free to share your favorite women photographers in the comments as well.

Lynsey Addario

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Lynsey Addario is a renowned photojournalist whose work has been published in prominent publications like The New York Times, National Geographic, and Time. She documents conflicts, humanitarian crises and women's issues around the Middle East and Africa, highlighting the human elements of war and crisis. She wrote a New York Times Bestselling memoir in 2025 and has received numerous awards, including a MacArthur fellowship and two Emmy nominations. She was also part of the New York Times team to win a Pulitzer prize for overseas reporting from Afghanistan and Pakistan and holds three Honorary Doctorate Degrees.

Patience Zalanga

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Patience Zalanga is a freelance photographer from Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Her work is documentary in style, and, for the past six years, primarily focuses on capturing social movements across the United States. Zalanga's images have been featured in Time, The New York Times, NPR, Buzzfeed News and more.

Luisa Dörr

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Luisa Dörr is a Brazilian photographer known for her powerful portraiture and storytelling, which often focuses on themes of femininity, cultural identity and resilience. She has been widely published in outlets such as Time, National Geographic and The New York Times. Additionally, she has received international recognition for her Firsts project with Time magazine, where she photographed 46 trailblazing women and has received numerous awards, including a World Press Photo Award for her series on Falleras.

Cassy Athena

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Cassy Athena is a Los Angeles, California-based photographer renowned for her sports photography, specifically with the NBA. She has captured candid and personal moments of some of the NBA's biggest stars, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Her work has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Slam Magazine and Billboard, and she is also a Getty Images contributor. Athena has also collaborated with brands like Nike, Under Armour and Jordan Brand.

Kim Powell

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Kim Powell is an architectural photographer based in Greece. She, along with her partner, Thomas, captures a variety of projects, working with architects, interior designers and home builders. Her imagery is clean and fresh, highlighting the unique characteristics of each space.

Tawni Bannister

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Tawni Bannister is a photographer and director based in Los Angeles and New York. She works across various genres, including commercial, editorial and fashion. Her photographs blend elements of fine art and documentary photography, embracing color and texture to showcase personality. Bannister's images have been featured in publications like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and The New York Times, and she has worked with Allbirds, Allure, Athleta, Climique, J.Crew, Samsung and more.

Jamie Beck

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Jamie Beck is an American photographer, visual artist and author who is currently living and working in Provence, France. She is known for her romantic and expressive style, drawing inspiration from classical art and nature. Her floral still-life images and self-portraits are reminiscent of classical paintings, with rich texture and dramatic light. Beck's photographs have been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Fobes, Travel + Leisure and more. She, along with her husband, Kevin Burg, created the Cinemagraph, a hybrid of photography and video.

Emily Maye

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Emily Maye is a photographer and film director known for her narrative-driven approach to capturing athletes. Her images show the humanity behind the athletes' discipline, focusing on intimate, behind-the-scenes moments rather than traditional action shots. She has photographed Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, Jayson Tatum, Steve Nash and more and has collaborated with Nike, Adidas, Lululemon, Rapha, The North Face, Gatorade and Puma.

Cig Harvey

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Cig Harvey is a fine art photographer, writer and educator. Her imagery is deeply personal and evocative, exploring themes of nature, family, belonging and the passage of time. She is known for her rich use of color and natural light, capturing the magic in the mundane with a dreamlike quality. Harvey has exhibited her work internationally and received numerous awards.

Alison Arena

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Alison Arena is a professional photographer and founder of Ignite Media, a full-service agency. Much of her work is centered around motorsports, creating photographs and videos for clients such as Mazda, Red Bull, Ferrari NA and Wired. She travels around the country to capture IMSA events, the Spec Miata Series, the 24 Hours of Daytona and more.

Emily Howe

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Emily Howe is a Brooklyn-based photographer and award-winning creative. Her photographs span multiple genres, including portraiture, travel and street photography, all with a focus on storytelling. Her work has been featured in Time, NY Mag, Refinery29, Google and Netflix.

Jasmine Quiñones

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Jasmine Quiñones is a Texas-based filmmaker and director. She crafts commercial and narrative film projects with a gritty, documentary-based style. Quiñones often combines sports and urban lifestyle into her projects and has worked with various clients, including Fujifilm, Nike, Ladder and more.

Mykim Dang

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Mykim Dang is a media producer and full stack creator who works across mediums. She is currently the Director of Video and Voices here at Gear Patrol and DPReview, crafting much of the video content that you see on the site and our social media channels. Beyond her video work, she also takes spectacular photos with an eye for storytelling.

Here is a list of some of the upcoming/rumored cameras and lenses:

Cameras

• Canon retro camera
• Hasselblad X2DII camera
• Leica M11-V
• Ricoh GR IV + Ricoh GR Mono
• Pentax K-3 III replacement
• Panasonic fixed-lens camera
• Fujifilm half-frame digital compact camera
• Yashica City 300 camera
• OM SYSTEM PEN camera
• Fujifilm GFX Eterna video camera | Fujifilm X-E5
• Sony E-mount full frame compact video camera
• Panasonic Lumix L-mount full frame compact video camera
• Nikon Z9II | Nikon Z5II | Nikon Z full frane compact video camera

Lenses

• Fujinon XF 23mm pancake lens | Fujinon GF 32-90mm f/3.5
• 7Artisans 35mm f/1.4 XF and 50mm + 85mm f/1.8 L lenses
• Thypoch 21mm f/1.4 lens
• AstrHori 6.5mm f/2 lens
• Viltrox AF 50mm f/2
• Light Lens Lab 50mm f/1.5 Z21 lens
• OM SYSTEM 50-200mm Pro lens
• Zyhongyi Optics 55mm f/2.8 1-5x super macro lens
• Yongnuo YN 35mm f/1.8R DA DSM lens
• Three new Schneider Kreuznach × LK Samyang lenses
• Five new Petzval lenses

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The post What’s next? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Rumored Nikon Z5II camera specifications

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Oberwerth launched a new limited edition half case bundle for the M11 to celebrate 100 years of Leica

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Coming soon: Echolens Leica-inspired, inexpensive digital camera without a screen

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

Image: TTArtisan

TTArtisan is no stranger to making L-mount lenses, but those have always been manual focus options. That's no longer the case, though, as the budget third-party lens maker has released an autofocus lens for L-mount cameras. TTArtisan originally released the AF 75mm F2 prime lens in September 2024 for Sony E and Nikon Z-mount.

The L-mount version of the AF 75mm F2 weighs 329g (11.6oz), which is slightly less than the Z-mount model. Aside from the weight difference, the L-mount version shares the same specifications as the other mounts. It uses a stepper motor for autofocus, which TTArtisan says is fast, quiet and accurate. The lens supports eye, animal and vehicle AF detection as well, and it can focus as close as 0.75m (2.5').

Image: TTArtisan

The lens features ten elements in seven groups, including one extra-low dispersion (ED) element and four high index elements, promising to reduce chromatic aberration and improve overall image quality. It has nine diaphragm blades and an aperture range of F2 to F16.

TTArtisan's AF 75mm F2 offers a clicked aperture ring, with no option to de-click it for silent operation. It uses all-metal construction for better durability, and a USB-C port allows for firmware updates.

The TTArtisan AF 75mm F2 lens is available for purchase today for $178.

Buy now:

Photo: Mitchell Clark

We've been using the Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RII in a range of circumstances, shooting galleries, covering trade shows and photographing weddings, in addition to our standard tests. We take a look at how it works, what it does well and where it worries us.

Autofocus operation

The Panasonic S1RII features a revised version of the phase-detection AF system introduced with the S5II cameras. It can detect and track more subjects than the S5II supported at launch, and Panasonic promises it's both quicker to find focus and more tenacious in terms of tracking.

The interface will be familiar to anyone who's used a Panasonic in the past ten-or-so years: pressing the AF Area button on the back of the camera brings up a row of seven icons representing the different AF areas the camera offers. Pressing upwards on the four-way controller or joystick then lets you choose whether the camera should look for a recognized subject near your chosen AF area. Pressing the 'DISP' button lets you select which subjects the camera looks for.

There's a twist, though: the S1RII can either be set to use its focus tracking system or it can be set to track a recognized subject but, unlike most modern cameras, these are separate functions. The upshot is that if you want to focus on a non-recognized subject for one shot, or the camera fails to find the subject it's supposed to recognize, you'll need to disengage the subject tracking: the S1RII will not fall back to its generic tracking system.

This is disappointing as the S5II has now gained the ability to detect all the same subjects as the S1RII, but its subject recognition is built on top of the generic tracking system, so the camera will fall back to tracking AF, making it more flexible.

AF interface

The interface generally does a good job of managing multiple subjects without overwhelming you with information. In most AF area modes, it'll only draw a box over the recognized subject nearest your selected area. If you move the point over another subject in the scene, it'll instantly snap the box to that subject instead. It's responsive enough that it doesn't feel like you're missing out by not having all the recognized subjects highlighted.

When the S1RII finds faces, it can do a good job of sticking with them. In this scenario, it was able to track someone who started out walking straight-on towards the camera but who ended up at an angle to it without losing track of them or jumping to the person next to them. Photo: Mitchell Clark

If you prefer, you can use the 'full area' tracking mode. In this mode, the camera highlights all the recognized subjects, letting you select which one you want to focus on using the joystick or touchscreen. The boxes do jiggle quite a bit, though, and can sometimes flicker on and off, which isn't the most confidence-inspiring user experience and means a tap of the joystick doesn't always select the subject you wanted.

Autofocus performance

Our experiences with the S1RII were distinctly mixed: when the AF system works, it can be very good, but overall, we found it to be appreciably less reliable than we've come to expect from the likes of Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras.

In our standard tracking test we found the S1RII had a tricky time of following the subject – it lost track of the subject on half of the runs we performed. The camera would typically lose the subject as the rate of approach changed as the target turns a corner.

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Human detection did a better job but could still be prone to losing the subject mid-run (it did so in one of the four runs we conducted). This is consistent with our other usage of the camera: it can be very sticky once it's found a subject, but it doesn't always successfully find subjects, and it can lose track of them as you're shooting. The camera also appears to have struggled to judge subject distance consistently, resulting in some softness when the subject's approach speed varies.

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Perhaps the most concerning behavior, though, was one we've seen in other recent Panasonic cameras, where tracking AF will fail to find something to focus on at all and will simply present a red flashing box and make no further attempt to focus. This is offputting enough to undermine our faith in the reliability of the camera, probably out of proportion to how often it occurs. Just knowing that the camera will sometimes fail to focus and make you wait a few moments is an unpleasant thought to have lingering in the back of your mind and not something we're used to encountering on a modern camera.

BCN Ranking is making the case that compact fixed-lens cameras are becoming more popular, while interchangeable-lens cameras are starting to lose their popularity:

"Interchangeable lens cameras are starting to run out of steam. Sales have been declining year-on-year since last summer. Interchangeable lens cameras account for more than 60% of the market in terms of sales value.

Meanwhile, compact cameras are growing. Since last November, sales have been increasing by double digits year-on-year. As of February, compact cameras accounted for 71.0% of sales in terms of unit sales and 37.8% in terms of sales value. They are still the mainstream camera in terms of unit sales. There is a strong demand for cameras that are cheap, small, light, and can take photos with decent image quality, rather than expensive, large, and heavy interchangeable lens cameras. However, manufacturers have decided that compact cameras cannot compete with smartphones, whose camera functions have evolved significantly. They have thrown in the white flag and drastically narrowed down their compact product lineup."

BCN+R Camera Market Report (March 23, 2025)

Decline in Interchangeable Lens Cameras:

• Sales have been decreasing since summer 2024.
• High prices and inflation have dampened consumer demand.
• Post-pandemic surge in camera purchases has faded.

Resurgence of Compact Cameras:

• Sales have been increasing since November 2024, with double-digit growth continuing into February 2025.
• Compact cameras accounted for 71.0% of unit sales and 37.8% of market value in February.
• Consumers prefer affordable, lightweight options with good image quality.

Market Trends & Key Players:

• Kodak – Led in unit sales (over 20% share), driven by the PIXPRO FZ55 (~20,000 yen).
• Canon – Held the top market share from July to December 2024, fueled by the 2016 IXY 650.
• Fujifilm – Climbed to second place in February, thanks to the instax mini Evo (instant film).
• Kenko Tokina – Gained traction with budget models like the KC-03TY (<10,000 yen).
• Panasonic – Improved market ranking with the new LUMIX TZ99 (launched in February).

Notable Product Announcements (CP+2025 Exhibition):

• Canon PowerShot V1 – Vlogging-focused, launching in April 2025.
• Nikon COOLPIX P1100 – Features 125x optical zoom (24mm–3000mm), released in February.

Read the full article here.

Opinion: a new compact fixed-lens camera from Nikon would be a nice surprise

Confirmed: Panasonic to introduce new fixed-lens camera(s)

The post Compact fixed-lens cameras are becoming more popular, while interchangeable-lens cameras are starting to lose their popularity appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Peak Design launched a new Roller Pro carry-on luggage on Kickstarter and raised almost $10 million!

The funding for the Sirui AF 20mm T1.8 1.33x S35 Anamorphic Lens (E, X, Z, L, MFT) is ending soon.

DualView2 dual-screen camera: 8K | Dual Screens | 90g Ultra-light | 6-Axis Horizon Stabilization | Touchscreen | App Control | 512GB | IPX8 | Vertical Mode.

Turn any phone into a wildlife/concert camera instantly: 400mm | High-definition Night Shots without Noise.

Trexo Wheels Go: Content Creator's Toolbox: Precision Motion Control | AI Voice Commands | AI Face Tracking | Product Turntable | Portable | Mobile App | Timelapse | Mobile & DSLR.

Previous successfully funded campaigns that are still available as late pledges:

LIT DUO 1 light meter: late pledges available.

4k night vision telescope & camera: late pledges available.

The post Updates on the latest Kickstarter photography projects appeared first on Photo Rumors.

This month, we're looking for pictures that feature a red, green and blue color palette. This photo was taken on a hike with friends in Glacier National Park while I was testing the Sigma 28-105 F2.8. Unintentionally, they happened to color-coordinate their backpacks to fit this theme Photo: Mitchell Clark

The theme for our April's Editor's challenge is 'RGB,' or red, green and blue.

We're looking for photos featuring a red, green, and blue color palette. Think an apple orchard under a blue sky, a color-coordinated bookshelf, a parrot – anything with a tri-chromatic color palette utilizing the three colors that form the basis of all our digital images. Our favorites will be featured on the DPReview homepage at the end of the month.

This challenge is open to photos taken at any time.

You can submit photos to the competition starting Sunday, April 6th. The last day for entry will be Saturday, April 12th (GMT).

IMPORTANT: Images MUST include a title and a caption of at least 25 words to be eligible. Viewers want to know the story behind your photo. We will consider both photos and captions when selecting our winners, so make sure to tell us that story!

Visit the challenge page to read the full rules and to submit your photos for consideration as soon as the challenge opens.

Visit the challenge page to see all the rules

FieldMade introduced a new feature where you can customize your indicator labels.

Additionally, FieldMade is currently running a Spring Sale until Monday, where you can use the code SPRING25%OFF to get 25% off your entire order.

Now available: FieldMade fully customizable vinyl indicator labels for any Nikon Z/F lens/camera (25% off coupon included)

Via NikonRumors

The post New: FieldMade fully customizable vinyl indicator labels for any camera/lens (25% off coupon included) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The Yashica City300 compact camera with a fixed lens will be officially announced in June 2025 (Yashica cameras are sold at Amazon):

Yashica is teasing a new City 300 camera

The post The Yashica City300 compact camera will be released in June 2025 appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Eclíck released a new 3D-printed, open-source, DIY robotic panorama camera head designed for shooting panoramas, gigapixel images, and time lapse sequences:

Eclíck DIY, 3D printed robotic panorama head

The Eclíck robotic panorama head is a new open-source tool offering photographers and filmmakers an affordable, 3D printed, DIY alternative to expensive commercial options. The Eclíck distinguishes itself through an innovative steel-reinforced design that overcomes the
durability limitations typically associated with 3D-printed equipment. By embedding steel rods within the printed components, the device delivers exceptional strength and precision even when supporting heavy camera gear or operating in challenging conditions.

The system employs a dual-axis movement mechanism enabling photographers to capture flawless 360° panoramas, timelapses, and gigapixel images with precision and ease.

It works seamlessly with all modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras that support a wired remote, ensuring universal compatibility across photography systems. Users can control the Eclíck wirelessly via a built-in web app from any device equipped with WiFi and a web browser, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Linux, and more. This platform-agnostic approach eliminates the need for proprietary apps or specific hardware requirements.

Beyond its performance benefits, the Eclíck prioritizes accessibility in every aspect of the design. All files required to print components are freely available online, and the system utilizes readily available, off-the-shelf parts that are comprehensively detailed in an accompanying bill of materials. This approach eliminates the common frustration of hunting for obscure components that often plagues DIY projects.

The Eclíck has been engineered for straightforward assembly, requiring only basic tools and minimal technical expertise. This consideration extends the potential user base beyond experienced makers to include photography enthusiasts who may be attempting their first DIY equipment build.

And thanks to its fully open-source design, every part can be easily printed and replaced if needed - making the Eclíck the ultimate repairable robotic head.

Technical Specifications:

• Dual-axis (pan/tilt) motorized motion system
• Steel-reinforced 3D-printed components
• Compatible with standard stepper motors
• Universal compatibility with modern cameras supporting wired shutter remote
• Browser-based wireless control via local WiFi
• Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, macOS)
• Suitable for DSLR and mirrorless camera systems
• Load Capacity: 3Kg (6.6lbs)
• Open-source hardware and software
• Fully repairable with user-printable replacement parts

Complete documentation, printing files, and bill of materials for the Eclíck robotic head are available
at www.Eclick.org.

The post Eclick: a new 3D-printed, open-source, DIY robotic panorama camera head appeared first on Photo Rumors.

SmallRig announced the SmallRig SP-mini Spotlight - it can transform your SmallRig RC 60B/60C/100B/100C COB lights into powerful storytelling tools:

• 5x Brighter Beams
• 10 Custom Gobos
• 160° Spin Control
• Ultra-Light Build Under 1kg

The post New release: SmallRig SP-mini spotlight appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Photos: SmallRig, CineStill, Tamron

We're back with another accessory roundup. This week, we're taking a look at memory cards, memory cards, and more cards! Oh, and some other stuff, too, but we'll get to that right after we discuss the deals.

On sale this week

If you're looking for an entry-level full-frame camera, Canon's EOS R8 is one of the cheapest ever released. That's especially true now that it's on sale for $200 off, putting it at only $1300. It doesn't have all the whizz-bang features of more expensive models – IBIS is a particularly notable omission – but for the price, it's hard to complain.

If you've got $2000 to spend on a mirrorless camera, there are a lot of great options. But if you're feeling nostalgic, you're in luck – the Nikon D850 is currently on sale for $400 off. It may be a camera destined for the history books, but that doesn't mean there's no reason to use one today.

A deck of cards

Image: Pergear

It's a big week for CFexpress cards – we've seen several new options hit the market. The first two are from Pergear and Novachips, and are aimed at budget-conscious shooters. The former company is offering CFexpress Type A cards starting at just $129 for a 256GB model. Type A cards have always been more expensive than Type B or SD models, likely partly because they're far less common – Sony is the only major manufacturer whose cameras use the standard.

Novachips, meanwhile, is selling both Type A and Type B cards. You can get a 330GB Type A card for $238, and a 256GB Type B card for just $125.

Meanwhile, Delkin has updated its lineup of CFexpress Type B cards, making them even faster and adding more storage options. Unlike the other cards we've covered today, these ones aren't particularly cheap. But if you need the utmost performance, they may be the way to go.

A do-it-all reader

Image: SmallRig

If you end up buying one of those CFexpress cards, you'll probably want a way to offload data from it to your computer. SmallRig has you covered. Its new 9-in-1 docking stations offer either a CFexpress Type A or Type B reader, along with myriad other I/O options.

Despite costing less than some dedicated CFexpress card readers, the docks also include SD and Micro SD readers, two 5Gbps USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, one of which can accept 100W of power to pass along to your computer, HDMI and gigabit Ethernet ports. It also includes a cable that lets you connect it to your computer and transfer data at up to 10Gbps, though its CFexpress read speeds are limited to a (still quite fast) 6Gbps. The one downside is that you'll have to decide whether you want a dock with a Type A reader or a Type B reader; there isn't one that does both.

A bright idea

Image: SmallRig

SmallRig is also becoming a major player in the budget lighting space, to the point where it's releasing add-on products for its COB lights. This week, the company introduced the SP-mini, a spotlight attachment for its lights with the RCmini mount, including the RC60B/C and RC100B/C.

It does pretty much what it says on the tin, allowing you to focus your light on a narrow area, highlighting your subject. It also comes with 10 gobos to help you shape the light, creating interesting patterns in shadow.

The SP-mini is available now for $149.

The ProPack

If you're a medium-format shooter and a fan of CineStill's 400D film, we've got great news: you can now buy a "ProPack" with five rolls of the 120 film. You won't save much by doing so – it's only around $3 cheaper than buying five individual roles – but at least you'll know you've got enough on hand for whatever you want to photograph.

Save on a lens

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 DI III VXD G2 is currently available for $200 off. Image: Tamron

Tamron hasn't announced any new lenses, but it is having a spring sales event from now until April 20th. That means you can pick up some of its best glass for up to $200 off. The sales are available on Tamron's site and through retailers like B&H and Amazon. You can see which lenses are on sale and how much off you can expect on the company's website.

Read last week's roundup

The previously reported TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 full-frame lens for L-mount is now officially announced and available for order at TTArtisan and Pergear (international shipping available). Additional information is available here:

TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 lens for L-mount now available

Via LeicaRumors

The post TTArtisan AF 75mm f/2 full-frame lens for L-mount officially announced appeared first on Photo Rumors.