Image: Nikon

Nikon has announced a new firmware update, 5.30, for the Z9, promising a "significant improvement" to the autofocus system's performance when tracking fast-moving subjects, alongside additional features.

The company is also now letting you use the subject detection with the single point and "dynamic AF" autofocus selection point types, giving you more flexibility in how you select which subject you want to focus on. The Z9 also gains the in-camera focus limiter and additional level of live-view magnification that were added to the Z8 and Z6III earlier this year, and has its "wide" area setting expanded to cover more of the image area.

Firmware 5.30 also improves the Auto Capture feature, with the company saying it's added "a new AF standby position." It also brings support for UVC/UAC, which lets you use it as a webcam for your computer without the need for additional drivers or software (though it seems unlikely that there were that many people demanding this ability for their pro sports camera).

The camera also gains support for Nikon's "Flexible Color Picture Control," which lets you create a custom color mode using its desktop software, then load it onto the camera for it to use while creating JPEGs.

It's nice to see Nikon continuing to add new features to the Z9 over four years after it announced the camera. While some of them may have debuted in lower-end cameras in the company's lineup, that gives the company all the more reason to add them to its highest-end camera if it can, so we're happy to see Nikon taking that opportunity.

First review of the new Artra Camera One photography-inspired watch created by Artra Designs (the same company that makes the Artra lenses) has already been published on YouTube:

Use the coupon code LEICARUMORS to get a small discount if you order from their official website:

Check out this stunning new ArtraLabs “Camera One” photography-inspired watch (coupon code included) 1/4:https://t.co/xaL1dKqHDm pic.twitter.com/XPwMi8l68y

— Photo Rumors (@photorumors) December 15, 2025

Additional information on the watch can be found here:

Artra Designs’ “Camera One” collection is a series of limited-edition mechanical watches rendered in premium materials with hand-finished movements visible through sapphire casebacks that pay homage to the golden age of photography, drawing inspiration from iconic cameras and lenses dating back to 1878. Each timepiece features dials and details crafted to resemble camera apertures, shutter blades, depth-of-field scales, and film advance mechanisms. The new Camera One limited edition watch comes in five different configurations (two of them are sold out already):

Inspired by the timeless art of photography, the Artra Designs Camera One shatters conventional watchmaking boundaries with two pioneering patents (ZL202530168106.1) (ZL202520671885.1), weaving the soul of film photography into every facet of its design.

At its heart, the dial reimagines a camera’s aperture structure—turn the crown at the upper left, and the aperture blades dance open and closed, unveiling a translucent “film” beneath. As you admire this mechanical rhythm, it’s as if you’ve stepped back into the romantic golden age of film, where every frame was a deliberate, heartfelt act of creation.

The watch crystal, meanwhile, transcends its role as a mere protector, doubling as a camera lens. Through its clear transparency, it doesn’t just guard time—it captures it, freezing moments of wear into lasting memories. Even the crown rotating ring is reborn as a zoom ring; with each turn, you’re not just adjusting a watch component, but mastering the very rhythm of light and shadow, just as a photographer does when fine-tuning their lens to craft the perfect shot.

From aperture to lens to zoom, the C1 is more than a watch—it’s a wearable love letter to photography, a piece that lets you carry the romance of film in every second that ticks by.

A Tribute to the Legend of 135 Film Format

In 1925, Leica pioneered a groundbreaking idea by rotating the Super 35 film frame 90 degrees, laying the foundation for the 135 film format. Later, Kodak popularized photography among the masses by launching the Kodak Retina camera that adopted this 135 standard. A legendary chapter in imaging history was thus written. Taking time as our medium, we have integrated this legacy into watch design to create the “Light & Shadow Scale” Camera-Themed Watch, allowing the passion for imaging to flow through time.

Rekindling the love for photography

Check out this stunning new ArtraLabs “Camera One” photography-inspired watch (coupon code included) 2/4:https://t.co/xaL1dKqHDm pic.twitter.com/jG2tpKlK4V

— Photo Rumors (@photorumors) December 15, 2025

When viewed head-on, the internal “film” of the watch is arranged vertically, replicating the classic composition of traditional film frames. Every time you raise your wrist, it is a look back at the original aspiration of imaging. When the watch is rotated 90 degrees, the depth-of-field scale on the side emerges clearly, and the outline of the watch instantly aligns with the shape of a camera, like a “mini camera” that can command time, rekindling the love for photography.

Horse in Motion

Check out this stunning new ArtraLabs “Camera One” photography-inspired watch (coupon code included) 3/4:https://t.co/xaL1dKqHDm pic.twitter.com/6xxkmPPhKC

— Photo Rumors (@photorumors) December 15, 2025

The depth of field scale on the left and the rotor on the back, featuring the iconic image of “Horse in Motion,” the first moving image ever taken by Muybridge in 1878, pay tribute to the history of photography in every detail. More than just a timekeeping tool, it embodies the art of photography on the wrist—encapsulating the inspiration and essence of photography within its compact dial. Every glance at the time feels like a touch of photographic art, embarking on a journey of photographic exploration on the wrist.

Hidden Ingenious details

Check out this stunning new ArtraLabs “Camera One” photography-inspired watch (coupon code included) 4/4:https://t.co/xaL1dKqHDm pic.twitter.com/AQSXlfnvC1

— Photo Rumors (@photorumors) December 15, 2025

The bottom of the watch is equipped with an ISO and shutter speed display, identical to that of Leica cameras, fully replicating the core elements of a camera. Every design detail pays tribute to the legend of the 135 film format, presenting a wrist accessory that combines passion and quality for those who cherish both imaging and time.

“Sunny 16” principle

The bezel is designed based on the classic “Sunny 16” principle. The luminous pearls indicating the F-number correspond to ISO and shutter speed. This universal principle in photography allows photographers using film to align the luminous pearls with the aperture value at different film speeds, and quickly match the ISO indicated below the inner bezel to the appropriate shutter speed. This allows for simple metering, integrating photographic parameters into the time-reading process and seamlessly integrating timing with the professional logic of photography.

Camera One

Here, each piece embodies craftsmanship inspired by vintage cameras dating back to 1878, holds stories that resonate with legendary figures, and carries the original vision of “freezing the beauty of flow with time.” Every model is an exclusive limited edition—from design details to craft quality, all stand up to the careful appreciation of light, shadow and the passage of time.

Too broke for the Leica watch? This stunning new Artra “Camera One” photography inspired watch is a fraction of the price (coupon code included)

The ultimate Leica watch alternative just dropped: meet the new “Camera One” photography inspired watch by Artra Designs you can get for under $1,000 (coupon code included)

The post First review of the new Artra Camera One photography-inspired watch (coupon code included) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

The previously reported 7Artisans MF 50mm f/1.2 APS-C lens for Sony E/Fuji X/Nikon Z/MFT is now officially announced and available for order at B&H Photo and the official 7Artisans online store.

Additional information

Updated list of latest/upcoming/rumored Chinese lenses

The post 7Artisans MF 50mm f/1.2 APS-C lens officially announced for E/X/Z/MFT mount ($99) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Readers' Choice: Best camera of 2025

2025 was another exciting year for cameras. In addition to a variety of models that fit into easy-to-define categories, including high-end workhorses, enthusiast mirrorless, and entry-level bodies, we saw our share of quirky, unusual, and even unexpected cameras this year.

Our editorial team has already announced the winners of the 2025 DPReview Annual Awards. Now, it's time to find out what you think. Which of this year's new cameras do you think are worthy of recognition and one of our coveted Readers' Choice awards? Take our poll and let us know.

Polls are now open; see below.

Voting occurs in three categories (cameras, prime lenses, and zoom lenses) and runs through December 26.

Once the vote has closed, we'll run a fourth and final poll drawn from the first three winners to determine the Readers' Choice Product of the Year. Look out for that poll to open shortly before the end of the year.

Voting is easy: pick your top 3 products by dragging and dropping to rank them in order of priority. Products are listed alphabetically.

Please note that for the best experience, we recommend voting on our desktop site.

Poll Rules:

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

Readers' Choice: Best prime lens of 2025

We saw some exciting lenses in 2025. Established manufacturers upped the ante with new F1.2 and F1.4 lenses, and even a couple of F2 telephotos, while up-and-coming Chinese lens manufacturers delivered numerous primes designed to deliver a lot of bang for the buck.

Our editorial team has already announced the winners of the 2025 DPReview Annual Awards. Now, it's time to find out what you think. Which of this year's new prime lenses do you think are worthy of recognition and one of our coveted Readers' Choice awards? Take our poll and let us know.

Polls are now open; see below.

Voting occurs in three categories (cameras, prime lenses, and zoom lenses) and runs through December 26.

Once the vote has closed, we'll run a fourth and final poll drawn from the first three winners to determine the Readers' Choice Product of the Year. Look out for that poll to open shortly before the end of the year.

Voting is easy: pick your top 3 products by dragging and dropping to rank them in order of priority. Products are listed alphabetically.

Please note that for the best experience, we recommend voting on our desktop site.

Poll Rules:

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

Readers' Choice: Best zoom lens of 2025

In addition to the usual assortment of new and updated models, we saw some head-turning zoom lenses in 2025, including fast-aperture zooms, versatile zooms for APS-C and medium format, some heavy-hitting telephotos, and at least one new kit zoom.

Our editorial team has already announced the winners of the 2025 DPReview Annual Awards. Now, it's time to find out what you think. Which of this year's new zoom lenses do you think are worthy of recognition and one of our coveted Readers' Choice awards? Take our poll and let us know.

Polls are now open; see below.

Voting occurs in three categories (cameras, prime lenses, and zoom lenses) and runs through December 26.

Once the vote has closed, we'll run a fourth and final poll drawn from the first three winners to determine the Readers' Choice Product of the Year. Look out for that poll to open shortly before the end of the year.

Voting is easy: pick your top 3 products by dragging and dropping to rank them in order of priority. Products are listed alphabetically.

Please note that for the best experience, we recommend voting on our desktop site.

Poll Rules:

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

Godox announced a new AD300Pro II all-in-one outdoor flash:

• 300Ws · ≈350 pops/charge · 0.01–1.5s recycle
• X3Pro/X3 one-tap sync
• 16 color group indicators
• 10-stop range (1/512–1/1, ±0.1-stop precision)
• Freeze mode (t0.1 down to 1/24,390 s)
• Stable Color-Temperature Mode ( ≤100 K)
• 12 W bi-color modeling lamp
• HD color screen
• Compact 1.2-kg form factor
• Wide accessory compatibility
• Price: $499
• Additional information:

The Godox AD300ProII redefines portable power for outdoor creators. Packing 300 Ws into a compact 1.2 kg body, it offers fast recycling, approximately 350 full-power flashes per charge, and full wireless TTL/manual support across major camera systems—making it a reliable, ready-to-go option for on-location shoots.

Performance Upgrade

With 300 Ws of output, a rapid 0.01–1.5 s recycle time at full power, and roughly 350 flashes per charge at maximum output, the AD300ProII delivers sustained performance for extended location shoots. That means fewer interruptions, fewer battery swaps, and more usable frames during long assignments—minimal downtime and more decisive shots.

Lightweight & Portable

Weighing just 1.2 kg with a compact footprint, the AD300ProII is easy to carry and quick to rig — It packs neatly in a camera backpack, making it ideal for on-location portraits, editorial shoots, and run-and-gun commercial work.

Visual 16 Color Groups

The group indicator light displays 16 distinct colors, letting you identify and manage flash groups at a glance—even from a distance. Visual grouping speeds multi-light setup and reduces mis-triggering during fast on-location shoots.

Clear & Intuitive Controls

A bright color screen, a smooth metal control dial and a streamlined button layout place common functions within immediate reach. The tactile dial and clear on-screen menus accelerate setup and adjustments so you can stay focused on composition.

Versatile Triggering Options

X3Pro/X3 one-tap sync links AD300ProII instantly—no group or channel setup required. This capability is enabled by the built-in Godox 2.4 GHz Wireless X system. The AD300ProII is also compatible with other X-series transmitters (XPro Series, X2T, X1) for broader control. For wired or alternate workflows, a 3.5 mm sync port is provided, and the USB-C port supports the optional FR433 433 MHz receiver.

Precise Power Control

A 10-stop range from 1/512 to 1/1 with ±0.1-stop increments gives you very fine control over output. That precision is useful when balancing several lights or setting delicate fill: feather under harsh midday sun or go full power to cut through twilight. Small micro-adjustments let you refine exposure fast, reducing test flashes and wasted light.

12 W Bi-Color Modeling Lamp

A 12 W bi-color modeling lamp provides adjustable continuous light for accurate previews and practical on-set illumination. Brightness and color temperature can be dialed to match ambient conditions, helping you preview the final look without firing test flashes.

Comprehensive Pro Modes

The AD300ProII equips photographers with a full set of pro features—Freeze Mode, Color-Stable Mode, HSS and Multi—so you can work confidently across mixed-lighting, fast-action and multi-strobe setups.

Wide Accessory Compatibility

The AD300ProII features the native Godox mount and accepts Godox’s ecosystem of modifiers. Fit the optional S3 bracket to use Bowens-mount accessories. For still broader compatibility, the optional AD-AB adapter accepts mount adapters for Broncolor, Profoto, Elinchrom—opening access to an even wider range of light-shaping tools.

Visit the official product page for additional information.

The post Godox announced a new AD300Pro II all-in-one outdoor flash appeared first on Photo Rumors.

I took this photo of the Abraham Lincoln statue inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, in 2020 while writing an article about using anamorphic lenses on smartphones for wide-format photography. This image was captured using a Moment anamorphic lens on an iPhone 11 Pro and desqueezed to an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, about the same as CinemaScope, a widescreen cinema format originally developed in the 1950s. Photo: Dale Baskin

Our December Editors' photo challenge theme is "Shades of Gray."

Photos can be submitted between Sunday, December 14, and Saturday, December 20 (GMT). The challenge is open to photos captured at any time.

Important: Images MUST include a title and a caption of at least 25 words to be eligible. We need to be able to share 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 the full rules

Here is what else is new:

Nikon USA December Winter Savings

Nikon Comedy Wildlife 2025 winners announced

More new third-party lenses for Nikon Z-mount

What’s next for Leica? (updated)

New: Oberwerth TagCases with carbon grip for Leica M11 & Leica Q3 cameras

Officially released: Contax Biogon G28/2.8 for Leica M-mount conversion kit by Mr. Ding

Leica Camera AG announces strategic partnership with Capture One

Watch tonight: The Leica M EV1 episode at Red Dot Forum Camera Talk Live

Just announced: SmallRig accessory ecosystem for Ricoh GR IV cameras

Canon R6 Mark III Photographic Dynamic Range Reviewed

Voigtländer APO-LANTHAR 28mm F2 Aspherical Coming December 12th

Canon Patent Reveals Possible RF 300mm f/2.0L and RF 200mm f/1.8L Lenses

Fujifilm GFX ETERNA 55 and GF32-90mm Firmware Updates Released

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

This month, DxO Labs released 1,846 new DxO camera and lens modules for the latest releases like the DJI Mini 5 Pro, Fujifilm X-T30 III, Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, OM System M.Zuiko ED 50-200mm f/2.8 IS PRO, Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm f/5-7.1, and Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4.

Get 15% off DxO products with code RUMORS by purchasing from this link.

Here is the full list of new profiles:

Cameras

• Canon EOS R6 Mark III
• Canon EOS C50
• DJI Mini 5 Pro
• Fujifilm X-T30 III
• Leica M EV1

Lenses

• DJI Mini 5 Pro lens
• Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S II
• OM System M.Zuiko ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO
• OM System M.Zuiko ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO with TC x1.4 Zuiko
• OM System M.Zuiko ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO with TC x2.0 Zuiko
• Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1
• Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1 with TC14E
• Panasonic Lumix S 100-500mm F5-7.1 with TC20E
• Tamron 25-200mm F2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2 (Sony FE mount)
• Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 (Nikon Z mount)
• Zeiss Otus 85mm ML F1.4 FE (Sony FE mount)
• Zeiss Otus 85mm ML F1.4 RF (Canon RF mount)
• Zeiss Otus 85mm ML F1.4 Z (Nikon Z mount)

The new DxO Modules can be found in the following DxO software:

• DxO PhotoLab
• DxO PureRAW
• DxO FilmPack
• DxO ViewPoint
• DxO NikCollection

The post DxO released new camera & lens modules for the latest releases from DJI, Fuji, Nikon, Tamron, OM System, Panasonic, and Zeiss appeared first on Photo Rumors.

We rarely see Hasselblad discounts. Here are the latest Hasselblad holiday savings:

• The Hasselblad X2D 100C camera is now $2,460 off
• The Hasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5 lens is now $1,000 off

The post The Hasselblad X2D 100C is now $2,460 off, the XCD 30mm f/3.5 lens is $1,000 off appeared first on Photo Rumors.

PhotoRumors readers can use the exclusive discount coupon code RUMORS for 12% off sitewide (stackable with price-drop items, but not multi-item discounts) – the code works only for purchases made on the official SmallRig website:

Here are some of the latest SmallRig products:

Just announced: SmallRig accessory ecosystem for Ricoh GR IV cameras

New SmallRig cage kit for Nikon ZR released

SmallRig announced matching silver L-shape handles and other accessories for the new silver Nikon Zf camera

New: SmallRig 28mm external optical viewfinder (15% off all SmallRig products code included)

SmallRig announced a new L-shape mount plate with a handle for the Leica Q3 camera (now available for pre-order)

New grip options for the Sigma BF camera

Fujifilm X-Half camera accessories from SmallRig

The post Exclusive SmallRig discount coupon code: get 12% off sitewide  appeared first on Photo Rumors.

A quick update to my previous post: the second lens from 7Artisans will be a new 6mm f/2 diagonal fisheye manual-focus APS-C lens with a 220° field of view. The new lens will be available for E/X/Z/MFT/R mount.

Updated list of latest/upcoming/rumored Chinese lenses

Coming soon: 7Artisans MF 50mm f/1.2 (E/X/Z/MFT)

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

The post Coming soon: 7Artisans MF 6mm f/2 fisheye APS-C lens (E/X/Z/MFT/R) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Last week, we announced the winners of DPReview's Annual Awards for 2025. As always, the process for selecting them can be a bit contentious, with some heated (but still respectful) debate among the team. This year, we thought it'd be fun to give you a peek behind the scenes, so we recorded a team discussion where we go in-depth on the winners we picked, as well as some of the runners-up.

If you want to hear more about our personal favorite things from this year, even the ones that didn't get an official award, be sure to check out our Gear of the Year columns. Not all of them are out yet, but the rest of the crew's articles will be coming soon.

The previously reported Brightin Star 24mm f/1.8 full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z and Sony E cameras is now officially announced and is currently in stock. For the next two weeks, you can get the intro price of $309.99 (6% off from the original $329.99 price) at:

• Official online store
• Amazon (check out also the Brightin Star Amazon Store)

Additional information on the new lens can be found here and here:

Brightin Star 24mm f/1.8 full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z-mount announced, currently in stock

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

Updated list of latest/upcoming/rumored Chinese lenses

Via NikonRumors

The post Now available: new Brightin Star 24mm f/1.8 full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z/Sony E appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Partially stacked sensors are essentially conventional BSI sensors with more complex readout circuitry (seen at the top and bottom of the Z6III sensor, here). This allows boosted DR modes we're seeing from the Panasonic S1II and Sony a7 V. Image: Nikon

Dynamic range data for the Sony a7 V makes clear that the benefit of partially stacked CMOS isn't just speed: it's the ability to deliver higher dynamic range.

Bill Claff has just published his "photographic dynamic range" figures for the Sony a7 V, making an impressive showing and revealing what's going on behind the scenes, both for the Sony and the recent Panasonic Lumix S1II.

Partially stacked sensors are essentially conventional BSI chips with more complex readout circuitry around the edge (the sensor itself isn't stacked). The Nikon Z6III showed this could bring a speed advantage over existing BSI sensors but the Panasonic S1II and Sony a7 V show that there's much more they can do.

The dynamic range data for the Sony a7 V (black) gives a hint to how it's delivering its excellent results in mechanical shutter mode (blue). Image: Photos to Photos

Unlike existing dual conversion gain sensors, which could use either a low gain (high capacity) setting for low ISO and a high gain (lower noise but lower capacity) mode for high ISOs, the new sensors can do both, simultaneously. So you can capture the full capacity of the low gain mode but combine the cleaner shadow data of the high gain mode.

For years, we've seen dismay that the advances in sensor tech weren't giving an IQ improvement. Well here's the step forward in IQ we've all been waiting for'

This process, which we suspect involves sample-and-hold capability in the more complex readout circuitry, takes longer than reading out just a single mode. As a result, it can only be conducted in the mechanical shutter modes, where the physical shutter stops any more light accumulating, giving you as much time as you need to read the sensor.

The publication of the e-shutter data for the Sony makes this clear: in e-shutter mode you see the now-familiar shape of a dual conversion gain sensor, but in mechanical shutter mode the low ISO DR is boosted: essentially extending the shadow benefit of the high gain mode back up into the low ISO range. Panasonic's S1II does the same thing.

Compare the results of the Panasonic S1II (orange) with that of the Nikon Z6III, which uses a similar sensor but appears to always use only either its low or high gain mode, and you see the same pattern. We strongly suspect the S1II's e-shutter data would overlap very closely with the Nikon's. Image: Photons to Photos

For years now, we've seen dismay expressed that the advances in sensor tech were only giving a speed benefit, rather than an IQ improvement. And those speed improvements were often mischaracterised as solely benefiting video. Well here's the step forward in IQ we've all been hoping for, in addition to the speed boost we see in the single gain readout mode.

This isn't the only way of achieving something like this: Canon has it's own 'Dual Gain Output' technology used in some of its Cinema EOS cameras and there's a similar (though, we're told, not identical) approach used in the most recent Micro Four Thirds cameras from Panasonic.

What does this mean for the a7 V?

The upshot for the Sony is that dynamic range looks excellent in mechanical shutter shooting but you have to give up that DR boost when you switch to any of the fully e-shutter modes. So, while the Sony still outputs 14-bit files in these modes, there may not be the DR advantage over the Canon EOS R6 III's 12-bit output that some commenters have been (perhaps prematurely) crowing about.

The good news is that Bill had initially marked the a7 V's data as having noise reduction in it. He's now removed this designation as the signal processing he was observing appears to be the combination of the two readout modes, rather than anything murky goings on in the shadows.

Do I need all this DR?

This is certainly a step forward for the industry, and one that doesn't come with the significant costs of a fully stacked sensor design, so it's likely to come to a wider range of cameras. We'd assume a similar approach will appear in the next generation of fully stacked sensors, though it may still require the use of a mechanical shutter.

It's worth keeping in perspective, though. DR numbers do not represent image quality as a whole, and there's nothing to suggest that there's been a big boost in IQ across the whole tonal range of the images. The improvements will primarily be in the shadows, adding editing flexibility for things like daybreak and sunset landscapes.

For a lot of photographers, DR differences were worth considering when some models produced Raw files with relatively little opportunity to exploit shadow capture, beyond what was already present in the JPEGs. But once you reach a threshold of 'good enough' for your style of shooting, any further increase is nice to have but for an increasingly small number of your images, rather than an every-shot benefit.

It's definitely a step forward, though, and if more people start to utilize the capabilities of HDR screens to make their work more striking and lifelike and more often use more of their captured DR, then that will only increase the value of this breakthrough.

Thansk to Horshack, Bill Claff and Bob Newman for their work, insight and feedback on this technology.

We all encounter situations where the environment fights against us: the lighting is too dim, the subject moves too fast, or the focal length just isn’t long enough. You end up with a composition you love, but the photo itself—plagued by high-ISO noise, slight motion blur, or low pixel count from cropping—becomes a headache to process.

Manually correcting these fundamental image quality issues in traditional photo editors often requires tedious fine-tuning to perfectly balance sharpness and natural texture.

Aiarty Image Enhancer is designed to simplify this crucial post-processing step. It acts as an efficient specialist tool that quickly and automatically uses AI to denoise, deblur, sharpen, and upscale your photos. This approach hands you a clean, high-fidelity foundation, allowing you to spend less time fighting pixels and more time on the final artistic grade.

Christmas Special Offer: 49% off Lifetime License + extra $5 coupon

If you are tired of monthly subscriptions piling up, this offer is specifically for you. In celebration of Christmas, Aiarty is offering 49% off Aiarty Image Enhancer Lifetime License. And that’s not all! You can also use the limited-time coupon “XMASSAVE” to save an extra $5. Originally priced at $155, now you can grab it for just $74 – the lowest-ever price!

With your purchase, you’ll enjoy:

• Full access to all features and lifetime free updates
• Installation on up to 3 Windows or Mac computers
• 30-day money back guarantee
• One-time payment, no subscriptions or hidden fees

This is arguably one of the best value propositions in photo enhancement software this year. But is the software worth it? Let’s break down the performance.

Deep Dive: Why Aiarty Image Enhancer Belongs in Your Workflow

1. AI Denoise: The High-ISO Savior

Noise is the enemy of detail. Whether you are shooting indoor events, astrophotography, or wildlife at dawn, pushing your ISO is often necessary. Traditional noise reduction software works by blurring the image to hide the grain, which often results in the dreaded “waxy skin” effect or loss of fine textures like fabric or fur.

Aiarty uses advanced AI denoise technology to intelligently analyze the image. It distinguishes between luminance noise, chroma noise, and actual image detail. It allows you to remove noise from images without sacrificing the sharpness that your expensive lenses provide.

2. De-blur & Sharpening: Fixing the “Almost Perfect” Shot

Blur comes in many forms, and Aiarty tackles them all.

• Camera Shake: Even with IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization), handheld shots at slow shutter speeds can suffer from micro-jitters.
• Motion Blur: Subjects don’t always stay still. A moving child, a running pet, or a swaying branch can ruin a shot.
• Lens Softness: We all love vintage lenses or wide-open apertures, but they often lack sharpness at the edges.

Aiarty doesn’t just apply a “sharpening mask” which increases contrast at edges. Instead, it hallucinates (in a good way) the missing pixel data to reverse the blur. It restores edge definition and clarity without introducing the artificial white halos or “crunchy” look associated with over-sharpening.

3. The Upscaling Powerhouse: From Crop to Print

The freedom to crop is a luxury. Sometimes, your 200mm lens isn’t long enough, and you have to crop 50% or more of the frame to get the composition you want. In the past, such heavy cropping drastically reduced pixel density, rendering images unsuitable for large-format printing.

Aiarty excels in AI upscaling. Leveraging deep learning algorithms, it can enhance image resolution to 4K, 8K, 16K, and even up to 32K. Crucially, it generates new, realistic details and textures—like feathers, individual strands of hair, or intricate fabric patterns—rather than simply stretching pixels. This means you can crop without fear, transforming what would have been small, social media-only images into print-ready, large-format works with every pixel looking sharp and natural.

Furthermore, Aiarty allows for precise control over your output, enabling you to set custom DPI values directly within the software, a critical feature for professional printing workflows.

4. One-Stop Color & Tone Correction

While most professionals stick to Lightroom for grading, Aiarty includes a surprisingly robust set of adjustment tools. This is particularly useful for a “One-Stop” workflow. If you are rescuing an old, faded family photo or a poorly exposed JPEG where the RAW data isn’t available, you don’t need to open another app.

You can adjust temperature, tint, exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows directly within the interface. It is perfect for quickly reviving the dynamic range and color vibrancy of an image immediately after denoising or upscaling.

Professional Workflow Features

1. Extensive Format Support (Including RAW)

It doesn’t just handle JPEGs. It supports a vast array of input formats including HEIC, TIFF, PNG, and crucially, RAW files. It works seamlessly with .CR3 (Canon), .ARW (Sony), .NEF (Nikon), .RAF (Fujifilm), .DNG, and virtually every other proprietary RAW format from Leica, Panasonic, Olympus, and Hasselblad. This means you can integrate it right at the start of your editing pipeline.

1. Hardware Acceleration

Processing AI models is demanding. Aiarty is optimized for GPU acceleration (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel), dramatically cutting down processing time and ensuring a much smoother workflow, particularly when dealing with large-format files or applying complex enhancements across batches.

1. Batch Processing

Have a folder of 500 shots from a wedding that were shot at ISO 3200? You don’t need to edit them one by one. You can batch process thousands of images.

1. Granular Control

• Flexible Scaling: Many AI enhancement tools restrict control to fixed ratios (e.g., only 2x upscaling). Aiarty provides flexibility. It allows users to freely select the enlargement multiplier or directly set the final target resolution.
• Strength Slider: The software offers an intensity slider to manually adjust the strength of the AI enhancement and sharpening. This ensures you can achieve the optimal balance between maximum quality improvement and preserving the image’s natural, artifact-free look.

Verdict: Don’t Miss This Deal

In the world of photography, “saving” a photo used to mean spending hours cloning and masking in Photoshop. Aiarty Image Enhancer turns that into a simple, automated process. It is the perfect companion to your existing RAW editor, stepping in when you need to go beyond the limits of your sensor.

With the Christmas Lifetime Deal, you aren’t just buying software; you are buying an insurance policy for your images. No monthly fees, just permanent access to better image quality.

Get the Aiarty Image Enhancer Lifetime License for just $74! Grab it before this limited-time holiday deal ends!

Enhance your photos effortlessly this season and make your memories shine like never before!

The post Aiarty Image Enhancer instantly fixes blurry, grainy, and low-res photos (49% off lifetime license + extra Xmas coupon) appeared first on Photo Rumors.

A self-portrait I created during grad school. Photo: Abby Ferguson

Confession: this year has been a complicated one for me and my relationship with photography. It's been a year of conflicting emotions and unanswered questions about how to move forward with the medium. While I've already shared my reflections on some of my favorite photos taken this year, the end of the year also seems like a good opportunity for broader reflection about my place in the photographic world.

This year, I've been more involved in photography than ever before. On top of working at DPReview (for nearly a year now), I'm also teaching my second semester of photography at a local community college and I've joined local photography groups with regular meetups (a first for me). Photography has seeped into just about every aspect of my life and is part of every single day. It's become an all-consuming activity and topic. And yet, more than ever, I've also grappled with what this photography thing is to me at this point in my life. This year has challenged me to consider what kind of photographer I am and whether I'm creating work that I even want to make.

My thesis body of work from graduate school consisted of digital multiple exposures printed on transparency film and mounted to plexiglass. The work centered around the impact of failing memory, specifically visuospatial working memory. The image on the left is a very small segment of my thesis installation, with a close-up of one of the pieces on the right. Photos: Abby Ferguson

To understand why I've been grappling with this medium, some background may be helpful. I went to school for photography for seven and a half years. My undergraduate degree was a dual major in photography and art education, and I subsequently earned my Master of Fine Arts in the medium. Both my undergraduate and graduate programs were very conceptual, fine-art focused. I loved that side of photography, and it resulted in work that I am incredibly proud of to this day.

There was an interactive component of my thesis show as well. Visitors were invited to take one of the small images hanging from red string (a reference to an old memory trick), which left empty red strings by the end of the show (the image on the right). Photos: Abby Ferguson

Since graduating from graduate school, I have held a variety of photography-related jobs, all of which have been focused on the commercial or general industry side of the field. Being busy with a full-time job (and trying to make money) meant that the art side of my photography was largely pushed aside. I've made the classic excuses, including not having time and not having a dedicated space to create like I did in grad school.

I've continued to dip my toe in the art photography waters from time to time over the past decade, but not with any serious focus. There have been some conceptual self-portraits and a few series that I’ve started and stopped, but I haven't put forth the time or energy to develop anything in earnest or to get my work out there beyond my computer or the occasional Instagram post.

This is one of my more recent conceptual images, though it was taken in 2020. The red string has remained a consistent theme (or thread, if you will) in my work. Photo: Abby Ferguson

I'd already been struggling with missing the art component for some time, which has resulted in something of an existential crisis. I've been questioning whether I still like and am proud of my work since it isn't conceptually based. I've also been thinking a lot about the why. Why do I take photos? And why do I take photos of the things I do?

For a period of time, those questions resulted in my rarely taking photographs. Luckily, this year, I at least got over that hump and started shooting regularly again, largely thanks to the photo clubs. But those groups also brought all of my doubts and confusion into full view, partly because with these new people, I am frequently asked what type of photography I do. Quite frankly, I struggle to answer that question.

Film photography and photo walks with local groups (which this image is from) have brought the fun back to photography for me, though they have also brought some of my dilemmas to the forefront. Photo: Abby Ferguson

To a certain extent, it's always been that way, as I never narrowed down into one small niche as some do (and as I was constantly told to do). But it's been amplified lately. I always feel like I need some long, convoluted reply, or to have an asterisk at the end of it. Am I still a conceptual photographer at this point? I make lots of non-conceptual work, but is any of it any good? And how would I describe that work in a word or two? I can confidently say that I don't consider myself a landscape or wildlife photographer, but what type of photographer am I?

I wish I could say that as we wrap up this year, I've found my answer and can confidently say that I am a [fill in the blank] photographer or that I am in love with my photographs. Unfortunately, that's very far from the truth. While I created images I'm proud of, the big picture is something I am still wrestling with, and likely will continue to. For the time being, I'll just keep making work and perhaps find a renewed urge to put that work out there for others to see.

Here is an updated list of the latest/upcoming/rumored Chinese lenses:

• Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro lens for Nikon Z-mount
• Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 LAB lens for Nikon Z mount
• Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 for L-mount
• Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 for L-mount
• Viltrox tilt-shift lens
• Viltrox to release their first lenses for Canon RF mount?
• Viltrox AF 35-50mm f/1.4 zoom lens maybe?

• 7Artisans MF 50mm f/1.2 APS-C manual focus lens (E/X/Z/MFT)
• 7Artisans MF 6mm f/2 fisheye APS-C lens

• Brightin Star AF 24mm f/1.8 lens

• Contax 28mm f/2.8 G28 non-destructive lens conversion kit for Leica M-mount

• Artralab 28mm f/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount.

• Light Lens Lab is working on a new 300mm f/1.9 lens with an APO design.

• New DK-Optic Impastolite 50mm f/1.5 lens for Leica M-mount.

• New Yongnuo YN 33mm f/1.4 R DA DSM lens with a lock button.

• New Yongnuo 18mm f/2.8 full-frame autofocus lens.

• New Yongnuo YN23mm f/1.4R APS-C lens.

• New Yongnuo YN 56mm f/1.4 R DA DSM lens (RF mount version).

• New Yongnuo 50mm f/1.8 Z DF full-frame autofocus lens for Nikon Z mount.

• A new Lee Works 28mm/2.8 lens for Leica M-mount is coming soon (minimum focusing distance of less than 0.4m).

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

The post Updated list of latest/upcoming/rumored Chinese lenses appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Image: Sony

Sony has released an update for its ZV-E10 II that unlocks better slow-motion capabilities from the tiny vlogging-focused camera. While the addition of 4K120p recording is free, it isn’t delivered as a standard firmware‑only update.

Instead of being able to install new firmware, the typical way releases like these are disseminated, ZV-E10 II users will instead need to install a free license file. To do so, users can go to the Sony Creators' Cloud website and sign in with their account to obtain the license. Alternatively, you can generate a license without an account by entering your camera's serial number.

The upgrade also adds support for shooting Full HD footage at 240 fps.

In addition to the 4K/120 mode, the upgrade also adds support for shooting Full HD footage at 240 fps. There are some limitations with both additions, however. First, proxy recording isn't supported with either of the new frame rates. Additionally, Smart Zoom, Clear Image Zoom and Digital Zoom are also restricted when 4K120 recording or "slow and quick*" frame rates of 120 fps or higher.

The higher frame rate also comes with a more substantial crop. At 4K60, the ZV-E10 II uses a 1.1x crop (with stabilization off), while the updated 4K120 mode results in a 1.6x crop, which is a relatively substantial change in your field of view.

While the upgrade license required to unlock the new recording modes requires some extra steps compared to a typical firmware update, it being free makes that a bit easier to swallow. It also makes the ZV-E10 II an even more capable and versatile vlogging camera.

You can learn more about the 4K120 Upgrade License in Sony's help guide or head to the Creators' Cloud to upgrade.

* Sony's term for footage that's slowed down or sped up in camera.