Photo: Abby Ferguson

Travel photography can spark new inspiration and bring fun back to the medium, and, of course, allow you to document memories during your trips. But choosing a camera for your travels can be daunting. There are seemingly endless options available, with a long list of technical terms to sort through. If you're looking to pick up a new camera for travel photography, one of the first questions you'll have to answer is whether you want a DSLR or a mirrorless camera.

What's the difference between DSLR and mirrorless cameras?

DSLRs have fairly bulky components that mirrorless cameras skip out on.

Photo: Abby Ferguson

The primary difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is suggested in the latter's name. DSLRs use a movable mirror to direct light into an optical viewfinder, while mirrorless cameras display the image electronically without those components. As a result, mirrorless cameras can be more compact and lightweight than DSLRs (though not all are).

Are DSLR or mirrorless cameras better for travel?

Mirrorless cameras are often (though not always) smaller than DSLRs.

Photo: Richard Butler

Mirrorless cameras have quite a few advantages over DSLRs when it comes to travel, mainly because they use newer technology. Most companies haven't developed a new DSLR in many years, so mirrorless cameras often benefit from the most up-to-date features.

Size and weight are typically among the most important considerations for travel cameras. It's no fun to lug around a heavy backpack while traveling. Because mirrorless cameras and lenses are generally smaller, they are better suited for travel. That's especially true if you like to travel light or if you will spend a lot of time carrying your camera around.

Because mirrorless cameras and lenses are generally smaller, they are better suited for travel.

Beyond size, the new technology available in mirrorless cameras offers many benefits. Although a smaller feature at face value, mirrorless cameras often charge over USB-C. That means you don't need a separate charger. You likely already have a USB-C cable or two when traveling to keep your other devices charged, so it's not an extra bit you need to pack.

Mirrorless cameras offer more precise and more versatile autofocus. Some modern cameras often have AI-derived subject recognition and tracking systems, helping you get more images in focus even in challenging situations. Image stabilization is also more common in mirrorless cameras than DSLRs, which is helpful in dimly lit situations like museums or thick forests. Additionally, mirrorless cameras are much easier to use for shooting video, making them ideal for those looking to vlog or record their travels.

Many mirrorless cameras can charge via USB-C, eliminating the need for a separate battery charger.

Photo: Richard Butler

DSLRs' main edge over mirrorless for travel purposes is better battery life. Unlike the electronic viewfinders in mirrorless cameras, the optical viewfinders in DSLRs don’t require power other than a small amount to display exposure information. If you know you won't have frequent access to power and can't bring spare batteries, a DSLR could be a better option.

Finally, DSLRs have been around long enough that the second-hand market is robust, with lots of very affordable options. If you're worried about your camera getting damaged or stolen while traveling, a DSLR could give you more peace of mind. It risks being a bit of a dead-end long term, though.

You can find some highly versatile yet compact zoom lenses for mirrorless cameras that are ideal for travel. This Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G is a great example.

Photo: Sony

Final thoughts on the best camera system for travel

At the end of the day, the best camera for travel is one that you'll actually want to have with you. The challenge isn't necessarily whether you can fit it in your luggage, but whether you want to drag the camera around when you are out and about on your trips. As a result, because of their generally smaller size and more modern features, mirrorless cameras are typically the better choice for travel.

Influential Dutch architecture firm MVRDV has revealed plans for a striking new residential tower in Taiwan. Appropriately named Out of the Box, the project is defined by a bold blocky design and cantilevered facade that creates outdoor areas and increases indoor living space.

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Category: Architecture, Lifestyle

Tags: Building and Construction, MVRDV, Residential towers

In an impressive feat of rapid urban adaptation, sulphur-crested cockatoos have worked out how to use their feet and their large bodies to twist the tap handles of drinking fountains in order to access water from the faucet. It's the first observation of this behavior spread throughout a large population of birds.

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Category: Biology, Science

Tags: Western Sydney University, Australian National University, Max Planck Institute, University of Vienna, Birds, Animal science, Behavior, Urban, nature

New research has identified the mechanism by which air pollution damages the lungs’ self-cleaning system, leaving us vulnerable to infection. In doing so, it has also identified a way to reverse that damage and restore lung function.

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Category: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind

Tags: Respiratory health, Lung, Air pollution, Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), University of Osaka

A new study has found that gaining weight as a result of poor diet is linked to impaired cognitive functioning and developing symptoms of anxiety, adding to the growing body of evidence that there's an intrinsic biological link between our gut health and mental health.

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Category: Diet & Nutrition, Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind

Tags: Obesity, Anxiety, mental health, Georgia State University, Cognitive functioning, Microbiome, Gut health, Gut Bacteria, Nutrition, Diet, Fat cells

It was just last year that we heard about the Atmos inflatable hammock, which was claimed to keep users warm at night without adding to the bulk and weight they have to carry. Well, as promised it would be at the time, the Atmos is now the subject of a Kickstarter campaign.

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Category: Outdoors, Lifestyle

Tags: Hammocks, Inflatable, Camping, Kickstarter, 2025 Updates

Image: Sigma

Sigma has announced an ambitious series of super-bright cinema lenses, due later this year, raising at least the possibility of some of the designs making their way across to the photo space.

The Aizu Prime series of cinema lenses all cover a 46.3mm diagonal, making them suitable for use on "large-format" cinema cameras such as the Arri Alexa LF, slightly larger than what photographers would think of as 'full-frame.'

The series will include twelve lenses covering the 18mm to 125mm focal lengths, starting with eight lenses in the 25-75mm range. All the lenses will have T1.3 maximum apertures.

However, while it's plausible that some of these designs could be adapted to sit alongside the company's 35mm F1.2 and 50mm F1.2 Art photographic lenses, sadly, Sigma says all the lenses "feature an optical system developed exclusively for cinema applications." They are also priced at $8300 each.

The eight initial lenses will each be available in either PL or Sony E mounts, with choice of distance scales marked using metric measurements or feet. All eight lenses feature gears focus and iris control, have similar dimensions and share the same 95mm front diameter.

Alongside the Aizu Prime line, Sigma has also announced a 28-45mm T2 cine zoom, based on the optical formula of its 28-45mm F1.8 DG Art lens and a 24-105mm T3 zoom, derived from the 24-105mm F2.8 DG Art. Both lenses retain their autofocus functions, in contrast to the Aizu primes, which are manual focus lenses.

Sigma Corporation Announces Aizu Prime Line, the World’s First Cinema Lens Line to Feature T1.3 Across All Focal Lengths Brilliant at T1.3: Forging new expressions. Here begins a new benchmark for filmmaking.

Ronkonkoma, New York - SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is introducing the Aizu Prime Line―the world's first lineup 1 of large-format cinema lenses to achieve an aperture value of T1.3 across all focal lengths.

The lineup combines modern sharpness with an organic and naturally soft look, bringing rich texture and depth to visuals.

Boasting unparalleled brightness, refined expression, and reliable performance, the Aizu Prime Line embodies the proven technology and quality of “Made in Aizu, Japan” establishing the new standard.

The lineup of 12 lenses features a consistent T1.3 aperture across the full range from 18mm to 125mm. The initial release includes 8 lenses with focal lengths from 25mm to 75mm, covering core cinematic production needs.

1. As of June 2025, by Sigma.

KEY FEATURES Expressive power for profound beauty A consistent T1.3 across all focal lengths

The T1.3 aperture enables exceptionally shallow depth of field and graceful bokeh, seamlessly separating the subject while preserving a natural sense of depth and dimensionality. This refined visual language draws the viewer into the frame with a subtle yet powerful presence.

Optical design for the demands of cinema

All lenses in the Aizu Prime lineup feature an optical system developed exclusively for cinema applications. While maintaining modern sharpness, they avoid rigid or harsh depictions—delivering a natural, organic look. They provide quiet elegance and depth to the image, with distortion and focus breathing carefully minimized to ensure visual consistency, even in dynamic scenes.

Huge perspective range coverage

The Aizu Prime Line is designed as a system to cover a wide range of focal lengths from 18mm to 125mm. Initially, 8 core lenses ranging from 25mm to 75mm are being released, followed by 18mm and 21mm wide-angle lenses, and 100mm and 125mm telephoto lenses. This comprehensive system, covering from ultra-wide-angle to telephoto, is adaptable to diverse scenes and compositions.

Completely consistent look

Consistency of color balance, contrast, and flare characteristics ensures seamless integration between scenes, bringing a high level of harmony to the entire visual narrative across the lineup from 18mm to 125mm.

∅46.3mm image circle

The large ∅46.3mm image circle ensures full coverage not only for full-frame and Super 35 formats, but also for the latest large-format cameras such as the ARRI ALEXA LF Open Gate and VistaVision. This capability enables uncompromised filmmaking across a diverse range of projects.

High-impact close-up expression

The short minimum focusing distance enables striking close-up shots. By getting closer to the subject, the Aizu Prime lenses create visual tension and dramatic effects, adding impactful depth to the imagery.

Compact. Precise. Reliable. A compact design that unleashes creativity

Despite being built for large-format coverage and featuring an ultra-fast T1.3 aperture, the Aizu Prime lenses remain remarkably lightweight. This rare balance of exceptional speed and mobility offers the flexibility and creative freedom demanded by modern productions—from dolly and Steadicam to gimbal and handheld operation.

Precise operation and durability

The Aizu Prime lenses offer precise control, exceptional durability, and ease of maintenance. Despite its compact housing, it delivers unwavering reliability in demanding shooting environments. Every mechanical detail—from the wide focus rotation angle to the equal-pitch aperture ring—embodies the engineering expertise cultivated through the Sigma High Speed Prime series.

Supports ZEISS eXtended Data

The Aizu Prime lenses support ZEISS eXtended Data, offering real-time lens metadata during shooting. It also enables the export of distortion and shading correction data, streamlining workflows for VFX productions.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

[Common specifications]

• Available mounts: PL Mount, Sony E-mount
• Image circle: 46.3mm

Product Name Close focus Front diameter Length* Weight* 18mm T1.3 LF TBD 21mm T1.3 LF TBD 25mm T1.3 LF 0.31 m / 1'0 95 mm / 3.7" 125 mm / 5" 1.7 kg / 3.6 lb 27mm T1.3 LF 0.33 m / 1'1 95 mm / 3.7" 125.4 mm / 5" 1.7 kg / 3.6 lb 32mm T1.3 LF 0.34 m / 1'2 95 mm / 3.7" 128.5 mm / 5.1" 1.7 kg / 3.6 lb 35mm T1.3 LF 0.35 m / 1'2 95 mm / 3.7" 128.6 mm / 5.1" 1.6 kg / 3.6 lb 40mm T1.3 LF 0.38 m / 1'3 95 mm / 3.7" 128.8 mm / 5.1" 1.6 kg / 3.6 lb 50mm T1.3 LF 0.48 m / 1'7 95 mm / 3.7" 126.3 mm / 5" 1.7 kg / 3.6 lb 65mm T1.3 LF 0.61 m / 2'0 95 mm / 3.7" 125 mm / 5" 1.6 kg / 3.6 lb 75mm T1.3 LF 0.73 m / 2'5 95 mm / 3.7" 128.1 mm / 5.1" 1.7 kg / 3.6 lb 100mm T1.3 LF TBD 125mm T1.3 LF TBD

*The figures are for PL Mount

Scientists have long recognized human skin as a vibrant ecosystem that's home to millions of microorganisms. Our skin microbiome includes bacteria, fungi, and viruses; all playing a key role in shaping our health by promoting skin immunity and guarding against diseases. These friendly microbes feed on our skin's nutrients, and as a byproduct, they produce various active molecules that influence and interact with our skin cells.

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Category: Biology, Science

Tags: Bacteria, Skin, Skin Cancer, Ultra-violet, Sunscreen, Sun

Weary of everyday life and need an escape? No matter how you spec it, the all-new Hawk+ camper from pop-up truck camping pioneer Four Wheel Campers will help you disappear.

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Category: Outdoors, Lifestyle

Tags: Camping, Truck, Pickup, Off-road, Off-grid, RV

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain / Staff / Getty Images News via Getty Images

George E. Smith, one of the co-inventors of the CCD sensor, passed away on May 28th at his home in Waretown, New Jersey. The Washington Post reports that his death was confirmed by his son, Carson Smith, but that no cause was provided.

Dr. Smith was a Bell Labs researcher in 1969 when he and his colleague, Willard S. Boyle, sketched an idea on a blackboard that would eventually become the first digital image sensor. The Charge-Coupled Device, or CCD, was the first digital sensor that provided usefully good results, yet was affordable enough to put in consumer products. The first vision for CCD application was a video phone, dubbed the PicturePhone, but the project was killed as it wasn't seen as commercially viable, and Bell Labs wanted profit in the short term.

After its patent registration in 1974, the CCD sensor formed the basis of early digital cameras and sparked the digital imaging revolution. Smith and Boyle's work was so influential that they won a Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009. "Digital photography has become an irreplaceable tool in many fields of research," says the 2009 Nobel Prize press release. "The CCD has provided new possibilities to visualize the previously unseen. It has given us crystal clear images of distant places in our universe as well as the depths of the oceans."

While we appreciate the technology for what it did for photography, it impacted virtually every aspect of life

While we appreciate the technology for what it did for photography, it impacted virtually every aspect of life, as the Nobel Committee explained in its physics prize announcement. Smith and Boyle shared the prize with Charles K. Kao, who was recognized for his work with fiber-optic cables. "Taken together, these inventions may have had a greater impact on humanity than any others in the last half-century," said H. Frederick Dylla, director of the American Institute of Physics, to The Washington Post in 2009. It's been a critical tool for astronomy, undersea exploration and image-guided surgeries.

On the camera front, Eastman Kodak used the sensor in a prototype digital camera in 1975, which was as big as a shoebox and used cassette tapes to store about 30 images. Following that prototype, the CCD sensor was widely used in consumer cameras from the mid-90s to the early 2010s.

The 1.5MP Kodak DCS315 CCD Sensor.

Photo: Binarysequence (CC ShareAlike 3.0)

The CCD sensor works by reading from the edge of the sensor, one pixel at a time, with the charge cascading from one pixel to the next. CCDs require a lot of power for fast readout, though. Unfortunately, consumer batteries at the time lacked that power, so live view in compacts was slow and laggy. Naturally, the development of digital imaging sensors continued, and the CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, which enabled faster readout, became the dominant choice in digital cameras.

CCDs are no longer used in mainstream digital cameras, but they are still used in scientific and other specialized applications, such as deep space photography. The Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera, the world's largest camera, uses 189 individual 41 x 40mm 16.4MP CCD sensors. Smith's legacy lives on, continuing to drive innovation and leading to discoveries.

Front runners of the 2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards are revealing some of the best entries so far in the 2025 contest. Over a thousand entries have already been received from around the world. The contest was founded in 2015 by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks MBE and Tom Sullam to focus on "the lighter side of wildlife photography" and to help promote conservation with humor.

In line with its mission, the Comedy Wildlife Awards support a conservation organization each year. This year's partner is the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a UK charity that supports conservation leaders working in their home countries throughout the Global South. The charity has been funding conservation for over 30 years, helping more than 220 conservationists in 80 countries.

The popular competition is still open for submissions through June 30, so there's still time to submit if you have your own funny wildlife captures. There are nine different categories, including Alex Walker’s Serian Mammals Category, Spectrum Photo Birds Category, Fish and Other Aquatic Species, Nikon Young Photographer, Nikon Junior Category and more. It's free to enter, and winners will earn prizes like a safari in the Maasai Mara in Kenya for the top prize, a Nikon Z50II with 16-50mm VR kit for the Junior Category winner and a Nikon Z6II with 24-120mm kit for the Young Photographer Category winner. All category winners will receive a ThinkTank bag. You can learn more and submit your images at the contest website.

Go away

Photographer: Annette Kirby

Title: Go away

Animal: White Tailed Sea Eagle

Location of image: Hokkaido, Japan

Description: This was taken in Japan where I was observing a White-Tailed Sea Eagle putting their fish in a hole and protecting it. This one had a fish and saw another Eagle coming in to try and steal it.

Go give it a try!

Photographer: Bhargava Srivari

Title: Go give it a try!

Animal: Lion

Location of image: Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Description: The image shows Lion siblings at play, where one of the siblings seems to pushing the other one to do stuff that annoys their mom. Lions aren't natural climbers, so it looks like one sibling is encouraging the other to do something naughty!

I hate Ikea

Photographer: Brian Hempstead

Title: I hate Ikea

Animal: Common Myna Nest Build

Location of image: Kruger NP South Africa

Description: Photo taken at Kruger NP South Africa outside Skukuza Camp on Lower Sabie Rd at Sunset Dam in October and November during a self driving birding trip around National Parks of South Africa

Laugh like no-one is watching

Photographer: Emma Parker

Title: Laugh like no-one is watching

Animal: Blue Spotted Mudskipper

Location of image: Western Australia

Description: Two joyful mudskippers look they are having the best time in the mud - I just wish I knew what the joke was! Mud is fun

Happy deer

Photographer: Jeremy Duvekot

Title: Happy deer

Animal: Roedeer

Location of image: The Netherlands

Description: This roedeer was yofull running around and suddenly coming my way. Had only 1 chance and nailed it.

Aaaaaww Mum!

Photographer: Mark Meth-Cohn

Title: Aaaaaww Mum!

Animal: Gorilla

Location of image: Rwanda

Description: Caring Gorilla mum giving her infant a big sloppy kiss!

Queueing for the polar plunge

Photographer: Martin Schmid

Title: Queueing for the polar plunge

Animal: Gentoo Penguins

Location of image: Neumayer Channel, Antarctica

Description: A really spontaneous shot from an expedition ship in Antarctica. Those gentoo penguins seemed to orderly wait in queue to finally jump into the sea. Taken in January 2025.

Commandeer

Photographer: Rachelle Mackintosh

Title: Commandeer

Animal: Galapagos marine iguana and lava lizard

Location of image: Fernandina Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Description: A lava lizard takes charge of a Galapagos marine iguana and sets off on a ride. Judging by the iguana's possessed eyes, lava lizard may have taken over its soul, too. These two silly billies were hanging out with a big bunch of marine iguanas on a rocky beach. Photographed handheld on Fernandina Island in the Galapagos Islands in Oct 2023.

Waving Dragon

Photographer: Trevor Rix

Title: Waving Dragon

Animal: Gippsland Waterdragon

Location of image: Murrumbidgee River near Canberra, ACT, Australia

Description: Wandering along the Murrumbidgee River we spotted a few lizards sc urrying under the rocks looking for lunch, next thing this junior Gippsland Waterdragon popped up and gave us a friendly wave.

The wig

Photographer: Yann Chauvette

Title: The wig

Animal: Greater One-Horned Rhino

Location of image: Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Description: A Greater One-Horned Rhino feasting on aquatic fine dining, diving underwater and getting back up with a new wig made out of his delicious meal.

Compact, cute and fun. Whatever you think of its price or capabilities, it's undeniably fun.

Photo: Richard Butler

It's been an interesting experience to write about the Sigma BF and the Fujifilm X half in such close succession. Both, in their own ways, are unusual cameras that don't readily fit into existing categories. They're both designed to appeal to people who wouldn't go out and buy one of the cameras currently on the market.

In reality, they have very little in common with one another. The Sigma tries to look and feel attractive to people who aren't necessarily currently photographers and aren't arriving with preconceived notions of how a camera should operate. Conversely, the X half is aimed at a younger crowd, who may (or may not) already have the film camera it approximately mimics, but who definitely want to use something more engaging than their phone.

Cameras are supposed to be fun

Illogical, impractical, but engagingly playful.

Photo: Richard Butler

The common lesson both these cameras have reminded me of is that cameras are allowed to be fun. More than that, perhaps: they're supposed to be fun.

Most modern cameras are hugely capable, and the most significant differences between cameras of the same class is often one of usability and enjoyabilty, rather than image quality or performance. But there's also a high degree of homogeneity in mainstream models. There are plenty of cameras that do everything well, but in a similar manner. There's no harm in ones that do things a little differently.

This isn't to say either the BF or X half is beyond criticism, but their failure to follow conventional ways of operating, or to take themselves particularly seriously aren't a sensible basis to do so. In many respects it's to be applauded.

Photography is meant to be fun

The vast majority of photographers aren't professionals. There's no particular thing we have to achieve with our cameras, no specific shot that we need to get, to pay the bills. The objective is whatever we want it to be.

We don't take photos because we have to, but because we want to. It's a hobby we choose to do for the satisfaction of it. It may be that you set yourself a particular goal: to get a particular shot, to get better and photographing a particular subject, but you're still doing it because you choose to.

Photography isn't necessarily what you think it is

The Sigma BF would be a terrible choice for most professionals and for many types of photography beyond, but that doesn't mean it can't be a great camera in the right hands and the right contexts.

Photo: Richard Butler

At its heart, photography is a fascinating mixture of the technical and the aesthetic, the practical and the creative. This is the thing I've always enjoyed about it, personally: understanding the technology comes relatively easily to me, but my love of photography comes from applying this to the lifelong struggle I face in improving the aesthetic aspect of my photos.

But I also know people who come from the absolute opposite direction: with a clear vision of what they want to create and a seemingly innate sense for composition and balance, and yet barely know what an aperture is. We come from completely different starting points, we often get something very different out of the experience and frequently something very different out of our cameras. We both find something to enjoy about the process, but it's not necessarily the same thing at all.

If cameras that work differently, or prioritize playfulness over technical perfection can extend that enjoyment to a wider group of people, that seems like something we should embrace.

Animals that produce their own light source, through an internal chemical reaction, are one of the many wonders of nature – and something biotechnology scientists have been working hard to replicate and adapt for human use for some time.

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Category: Imaging & Diagnostics, Medical Innovations, Body & Mind

Tags: Mass General Brigham, HIV, SARS, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Virus, Disease, Diagnostic tools, Diagnostic devices

Archer has released video footage of the first flight of its Midnight eVTOL with a pilot at the controls, though the aircraft rolled down a runway to take off rather than using its rotors to lift it vertically.

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Category: Aircraft, Transport

Tags: Archer Aviation, Flight Tests, eVTOL

Researchers have developed a new method for preventing bacteria from adhering to surfaces, such as medical devices. It relies on the unique properties of resilin, a natural insect protein that enables fleas to jump hundreds of times their body length.

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Category: Medical Innovations, Body & Mind

Tags: Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Insect, Coating, RMIT University

A landmark 17-year study has found that a workable exercise plan significantly improves survival and enduring health of people who have experienced colorectal cancer. So much so that, as one of the researchers noted, "Our findings will change the way we treat colon cancer."

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Category: Cancer, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: University of Sydney, Queens University, University of Alberta, Exercise, Colorectal cancer, Treatment, Chemotherapy, Age-Related, life-expectancy, Life extension

Diabetic foot ulcers can be slow to heal and prone to recurring. A new study employed an existing method, used on burns patients, to assess the degree of water loss from the skin and found that it was a good diagnostic tool for predicting a foot ulcer’s comeback chances.

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Category: Diabetes, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind

Tags: Diabetes, Diabetic foot ulcer, Skin, National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Scientists have developed a fuel cell system which they say could ultimately have enough energy capacity to power regional electric aircraft. They state that the technology is capable of carrying over three times as much energy per unit of weight as a lithium-ion battery.

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Category: Energy, Technology

Tags: MIT, Fuel Cell, Electric Aircraft

Perhaps the best part of spending a night outdoors in a tent is lying on your back and watching an explosive astronomical performance play out on the stage of dark wilderness sky. The average tent, however, isn't optimized for the experience. What good is a gorgeous star-filled sky if you're lying below an opaque rain fly? Colorado startup Sky View Tents looks to create a better solution, combining a high-visibility mesh with an interior rainfly into what it believes is the best stargazing tent ever. And the tent comes in both car camping and backpacking weight classes.

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Category: Outdoors, Lifestyle

Tags: Tent, Camping, Outdoors and Camping, Backpacking

Image: Lenovo

Although Lenovo is a well-known brand, it is not typically associated with cameras. While that likely won't be changing any time soon, the company has announced a compact camera, as Yanko Design reports. The Lenovo C55 promises vlogging-focused features at a very low price, though we've not been able to confirm all the specs.

The Lenovo C55 looks like a classic compact with a glossy, white plastic shell. It's small, measuring 112 x 71.5 x 34.5mm (4.4 x 2.8 x 1.3") and weighing only 190g (6.7oz), making it a pocketable device. There are suggestions it's built around a very small Type 1/3 (∼4.9 x 3.7mm) smartphone sensor, around half the size of those historically used in most point-and-shoots.

It features a 2.8" LCD screen on the back and, like many point-and-shoots, lacks a viewfinder. A mode dial on top allows for easy switching between various modes, including photo mode, continuous shooting, loop recording, time-lapse, slow-motion, video and more.

Image: Lenovo

The C55 can record 4K video and offers electronic image stabilization. One of the most helpful features is a built-in ring light, so you don't have to fuss with separate lights when recording vlogs.

Beyond that, though, the information is a little muddy. The press images from Lenovo mention 18x digital zoom, but the lens's focal length isn't specified, so it isn't clear what that 18x zoom will get you and whether it's including any cropping to get to that number. There's also supposedly a front and rear camera, though there aren't any specific details on those, and the images of the camera don't appear to have a camera on the back. There does appear to be a mirror on the front to aid with self-recorded videos and photos.

Image: Lenovo

Things get especially confusing regarding the sensor. Multiple websites report, including Notebook Check, that the camera is built around a 64MP Sony CMOS Type 1/3 image sensor. Sony's semiconductor division doesn't list a sensor with those specs on its site, but its site typically only lists a small number of the sensors offered to the industry. The Lenovo press images also don't mention a specific megapixel count or sensor size; they only include a Sony-branded sensor graphic with text that, when translated, says "professional sensor."

It's also unclear whether this is truly a Lenovo-made device or simply one that bears the Lenovo badge through licensing. The camera is only available in China. It comes in two variants: a 64GB version and a 128GB version, which cost CNY 499 ($69) and CNY 559 ($78), respectively. Many similarly priced cameras from unfamiliar brands are available on Amazon, but it is interesting to see Lenovo building out (or licensing) its name in the camera realm.