Η ΓΝΩΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΠΕΡΑ ΑΠΟ ΑΥΤΟ
Leading 3D-printing firm Icon has revealed plans to create an ambitious new 3D-printed community for homeless people in Texas. The project will provide 100 safe and comfortable residences to those who need them most.
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Kenyon climbing Bolt Gun, 5.11b – we thought we were setting the rope up on a much easier 5.10a.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 RF @ 18mm | F2.8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 100
Photo: Mitchell Clark
As a new member of the DPReview team, I got a lot of chances to push my photography this year. Part of that involved finding a wide array of subjects to take pictures of while testing cameras and lenses; an essential process to make sure we really know the gear inside and out, and that we're not boring our readers – or ourselves – to death with the same old photos over and over.
I was assigned to take a sample gallery with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon RF mount shortly before a weekend rock climbing trip I'd planned, so it seemed obvious that I should take the lens with me and try to get some interesting shots.
It wasn't exactly my first attempt at climbing photography: I've taken many pictures of friends climbing cool routes. However, they usually turn out rather uninspiring because I take them from the ground. My goal this time was to get an angle that actually captured the experience. If I could do that without dashing the camera and lens against the rock or falling to my death, all the better.
This was my first time rigging anything, so I went overkill on attaching myself to the wall: I clipped into a bolt with my personal anchor, clove-hitched into a quickdraw, and had my rope tied off to a tree.
Photo: Tom Steeber
While I had a blast getting set up and actually taking the pictures, I don't think Jimmy Chin has to start worrying about his job anytime soon. There are plenty of shots where either my hand or my foot snuck into frame, ruining what would otherwise be a good photo.
It can be difficult to judge your own work objectively. When choosing this picture – and the runners-up included in the gallery below – I often found myself wondering whether I liked a photo because it was actually good or if I just wanted to pick it because I had good memories surrounding it or had simply taken a photo of a cool thing that I like looking at.
Undoubtedly, the photo I've chosen for this article is a mix of all three to some extent – of course, I'm going to have fond memories of a weekend spent doing a hobby that I've replaced a large chunk of my personality with. However, I do think it stands up on its own, and I plan on doing more climbing photography in the future with the hopes of increasing the percentage of keepers.
And besides, if I were picking my favorite photo of the year based purely on what made me the happiest, you'd just be getting a gallery full of pictures of my cats.
I'm not joking.You can see a few more photos that I'm quite proud of from this year in the gallery below. If you want to play a fun game, make sure the details panel is collapsed and try to guess which two were taken with a cell phone instead of a full-fledged camera.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.Kenyon climbing Bolt Gun, 5.11b – we thought we were setting the rope up on a much easier 5.10a.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 RF @ 18mm | F2.8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 100
Photo: Mitchell Clark
As a new member of the DPReview team, I got a lot of chances to push my photography this year. Part of that involved finding a wide array of subjects to take pictures of while testing cameras and lenses; an essential process to make sure we really know the gear inside and out, and that we're not boring our readers – or ourselves – to death with the same old photos over and over.
I was assigned to take a sample gallery with the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon RF mount shortly before a weekend rock climbing trip I'd planned, so it seemed obvious that I should take the lens with me and try to get some interesting shots.
It wasn't exactly my first attempt at climbing photography: I've taken many pictures of friends climbing cool routes. However, they usually turn out rather uninspiring because I take them from the ground. My goal this time was to get an angle that actually captured the experience. If I could do that without dashing the camera and lens against the rock or falling to my death, all the better.
This was my first time rigging anything, so I went overkill on attaching myself to the wall: I clipped into a bolt with my personal anchor, clove-hitched into a quickdraw, and had my rope tied off to a tree.
Photo: Tom Steeber
While I had a blast getting set up and actually taking the pictures, I don't think Jimmy Chin has to start worrying about his job anytime soon. There are plenty of shots where either my hand or my foot snuck into frame, ruining what would otherwise be a good photo.
It can be difficult to judge your own work objectively. When choosing this picture – and the runners-up included in the gallery below – I often found myself wondering whether I liked a photo because it was actually good or if I just wanted to pick it because I had good memories surrounding it or had simply taken a photo of a cool thing that I like looking at.
Undoubtedly, the photo I've chosen for this article is a mix of all three to some extent – of course, I'm going to have fond memories of a weekend spent doing a hobby that I've replaced a large chunk of my personality with. However, I do think it stands up on its own, and I plan on doing more climbing photography in the future with the hopes of increasing the percentage of keepers.
And besides, if I were picking my favorite photo of the year based purely on what made me the happiest, you'd just be getting a gallery full of pictures of my cats.
I'm not joking.You can see a few more photos that I'm quite proud of from this year in the gallery below. If you want to play a fun game, make sure the details panel is collapsed and try to guess which two were taken with a cell phone instead of a full-fledged camera.
We're coming up on the end of the year, but are hard at work on getting a few more reviews done by 2025. In case you missed a thing or two here and there, here's a recap of the reviews and testing we've done this year so far!
December Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm F1.4: Sample GalleryNikon's latest F1.4 lens doesn't focus on clinical levels of sharpness like the F1.8 S models do, but instead has a bit of character. Whether you like that or not will depend a lot on your tastes, but hopefully our sample gallery will give you a good idea of what the images from it look like.
We also put it head-to-head with Nikon's DSLR-era 50mm F1.4G, which was its highest-end 50mm lens for a few years. The results were a bit surprising.
Click to see the sample gallery
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 Di III-A RXD for RF: sample galleryThe Tamron 11-20mm F2.8 for APS-C bodies isn't a new lens, but the company recently made it available for Canon's RF mount, making it Tamron's first RF lens. We shot a sample gallery with it to see what Canon owners could expect from it.
Click to see the sample gallery
Fujifilm X-M5: Review Photo: Mitchell ClarkWe put Fujifilm's X-M5 through its paces to see how it performs as a stills and vlogging camera aimed towards beginner content creators.
You can also view the sample gallery we shot with the X-M5.
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$899 w/ 15-45 at Amazon.com$799 at Adorama$799 at B&H Photo November Nikon Z50II: Initial Review Photo: NikonThe Nikon Z50II is an update to 2019's Z50, adding Nikon's 3D Tracking autofocus, 4K 60p recording with a crop and a fully articulating touchscreen. It also adds a heavy focus on Nikon's 'Picture Control' color profiles; there's now a button dedicated to them, and you can add customized ones or pre-made ones from creators via Nikon's Imaging Cloud service.
Panasonic S9: Review Photo: Dale Baskin / Mitchell ClarkThe Panasonic S9 is a camera focused on creators who want the shorted path between shooting photos and videos and posting them to social media. We put it through its paces.
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$1799 w/ 18-40mm at Amazon.com$1498 at Adorama$1798 w/ 18-40mm at B&H Photo Sony a1 II: Initial ReviewPhoto: Mitchell Clark
The Sony a1 II is an update to the company's flagship camera aimed at professional photojournalists who need to capture high-resolution images of fast-moving subjects. The changes are relatively subtle – it uses the same sensor as its predecessor – but it comes with the company's latest industrial design and autofocusing system.
We were also able to use it to shoot part of a football game in New York City; you can see the photos in our sample gallery. It also made for a great initial impressions video, which you can watch below.
Sony 28-70mm F2 GM sample galleryWe got a bit of hands-on time with Sony's latest and brightest zoom lens, the 28-70mm F2 GM. We shot portraits with it on the High Line in New York City and took it to Florida, so there's plenty of variety there.
Click to see the Sample Gallery
October Sony ZV-E10 II: ReviewSony's ZV-E10 II is a stripped-down version of its APS-C flagship, the a6700, with a focus on vlogging. As such, our review mainly takes the form of a video, which you can watch above.
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$998 at Amazon.com$1098 w/ 16-50 at Adorama$1098 w/ 16-50 at B&H Photo Nikon Z6III: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThroughout our tests, the Nikon Z6III proved to be an incredibly capable camera at its price point. Its 24MP 'partially-stacked' sensor provided plenty of detail while also reading data out at a much higher speed, allowing for fast burst rates and video shooting with little risk of rolling shutter. We also appreciated its honed ergonomics and bright, high-resolution viewfinder.
Be sure to check out our Z6III sample gallery as well.
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$2496 at Amazon.com$2497 at Adorama$2497 at B&H Photo Panasonic 18-40mm F4.5-6.3: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkPanasonic's 18-40mm F4.5-6.3 collapsable lens is meant to be an ultra-lightweight and compact companion to the company's S9 camera and is now being sold as a kit with the creator-focused offering.
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$499 at Amazon.com$499 at Adorama$497 at B&H Photo Fujifilm XF16-55mm F2.8 II: Sample gallery Photo: Richard ButlerAnother product Fujifilm launched in October was a second-generation of the company's 16-55mm F2.8 lens. It's essentially an APS-C version of the venerable 24-70, but unlike the first generation, the XF16-55mm F2.8 II is actually around 1/3 lighter than many of its full-frame counterparts. Its smaller size and weight convinced editor Richard Butler to take a preproduction copy with him on vacation to the UK, which gave him the opportunity to capture an incredible sample gallery.
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$1199 at Adorama$1199 at B&H Photo Lowepro Photo Sport 300 photo pack: Review Photo: Dale BaskinDPReview editor Dale Baskin has had the Lowepro Photo Sport 300 AW II for over 10 years and has put thousands of miles on the pack during his adventures across the planet. Given that it's still going strong and that you can still pick one up today, we decided it was time for a review.
September Google Pixel Pro 9 Fold: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkGoogle's flagship folding phone uses a different camera setup than the regular Pixel 9 Pro, so we shot a separate gallery to get a feel for what kind of performance you can expect from a phone that costs $1,800. Our sample guide article also discusses the experience of shooting with a phone that has a foldable 8" screen.
Sigma 28-105mm F2.8 DG DN Art: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkSigma's 28-105mm F2.8 DG DN Art is a lens for L-mount and Sony E-mount that's surprisingly compact given its focal range and maximum aperture. We got the chance to shoot with it on a holiday weekend at Glacier National Park.
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Buy at Amazon.com$1499 at Adorama$1499 at B&H Photo Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F3.2-4.5 E: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinAnother lens released in September was the Hasselblad XCD 20-35mm F3.2-4.5 E, an ultra-wide zoom lens for the company's medium-format cameras. Our sample gallery was shot in Washington, DC and Oregon, giving us an idea of how the lens performs when shooting architecture and landscapes.
Canon EOS R5 II: Review Photo: Richard ButlerCanon's EOS R5 II is the company's latest high-end, full-frame mirrorless camera with a Stacked CMOS sensor and many of the autofocus features of the company's new flagship R1 model. It's so feature-rich that, in some ways, it was a struggle to review it; it's a tool for so many different types of photographers that it was nearly impossible for us to put ourselves in all those shoes. However, it's still clear that the EOS R5 II is an extremely capable camera for most use cases.
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$4299 at Amazon.com$4299 at Adorama$4299 at B&H Photo Leica Q3 43: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Leica Q3 43 is essentially what it says on the tin: a Q3 with the 28mm fixed lens replaced by a 43mm one, giving the camera a 'normal' focal length that some photographers will find more pleasing. The built-in lens is almost shockingly sharp, and the package as a whole is an impressive and premium photographic tool – as you would hope, given the $6895 price tag.
You can also view our Q3 43 sample gallery.
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Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at Leica August Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 II: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinSigma announced the second generation of its 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art lens in May, and we were able to shoot with it on our trip to Japan. However, we wound up publishing our sample gallery in August, as we wanted to ensure that the sample we'd used was representative.
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$1199 at Adorama$1199 at B&H Photo Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinWe shot a sample gallery with Google's latest flagship smartphones, making sure to test out each of the three cameras, as well as the night mode. Spoiler alert: the gallery isn't the last time Glacier National Park will feature in one of our tests.
Fujifilm X-T50: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Fujifilm X-T50 is a classically-styled mid-level APS-C mirrorless camera that uses Fujifilm's stabilized 40MP X-Trans sensor. We found that it's an excellent choice for those looking to learn the art of photography, or who want to upgrade from a smartphone – as long as they have some cash to spare.
You can also browse the sample gallery we shot with a production model.
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$1399 at Amazon.com$1399 at Adorama$1399 at B&H Photo Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinThis summer, Sony released the second generation of its FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens, which weighs around 20% less than the first-generation model. We shot a sample gallery with it and were generally impressed with how sharp the results were.
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$1798 at Adorama$1798 at B&H Photo July Leica D-Lux 8: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Leica D-Lux 8 is an updated 17MP enthusiast zoom compact camera, with a switch dedicated to taking different crops of its Four Thirds-sized sensor. It definitely comes at a premium price, but it's also one of the last enthusiast compacts left on the market.
While writing our initial review, we also shot a sample gallery with it.
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$1595 at Adorama$1595 at B&H Photo Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN for Canon RF: Sample gallery Photo: Mitchell ClarkThe Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN itself isn't new this year, but the version for Canon's RF mount is. It fills a gap in the lineup of fast standard zooms that made sense for Canon APS-C cameras, making them a little easier to recommend.
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$479 at Amazon.com$599 RF at Adorama$599 RF at B&H Photo Canon EOS R1: Initial review Photo: Dale BaskinIn July, Canon announced the EOS R1, a new high-end sports and photojournalism camera and the company's first mirrorless camera to bear the 1-series label. It features a 24MP stacked full-frame sensor and can shoot up to 40fps in E-shutter mode.
While attending Canon's North American launch event for the EOS R1, we took a sample gallery using a preproduction model.
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Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo Canon EOS R5 II: Pre-production sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinAlongside the EOS R1, Canon also announced the EOS R5 II, an update to its high-end, high-resolution hybrid camera. Like the EOS R1, it features sports-focused Action Priority autofocus modes, which is why the sample gallery we shot with a pre-production model features plenty of basketball pictures.
June Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN: Sample gallery Photo: Richard ButlerThe Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN is a wide-to-medium zoom lens for E-mount and L-mount cameras.
We were able to test it out throughout the UK, from downtown London to the serene countryside.
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$1349 at Adorama$1349 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7: Initial review Photo: Dale BaskinPanasonic's GH-line of Micro Four Thirds cameras has historically been focused on video shooters. While the GH7 is no exception, it also has a surprisingly complete suite of photography features.
In addition to our initial review, we also released an initial impressions video.
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$2197 at Amazon.com$2198 at Adorama$2198 at B&H Photo Nikon Z6III: First-look video and sample gallery Photo: Richard ButlerIn June Nikon announced the Z6III, a full-frame camera designed for hybrid shooters and featuring a 25MP 'partially-stacked' sensor. It can shoot Raw video internally, and has a higher-resolution sensor than its predecessor.
We shot a video breaking down what's new with the camera and a sample gallery with a preproduction model on a fairly typical spring day in Seattle.
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$2496 at Amazon.com$2497 at Adorama$2497 at B&H Photo Pentax 17: Review Photo: Dale BaskinThe Pentax 17 is perhaps an unusual product for DPReview to cover, given that it's a film camera. However, it was hard to pass up the opportunity to review the first new film camera we've seen from a major manufacturer in decades.
The Pentax 17 takes half-frame photos, letting you squeeze double the shots out of any given roll of film – a sign of the times in an age where film prices have only been going up.
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$499 at Amazon.com$499 at Adorama$499 at B&H Photo May Fujifilm X100VI: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Fujifilm X100VI is a photographers' fixed-lens camera that combines a stabilized 40MP APS-C sensor with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens.
We had plenty of good things to say about it when we published our in-depth review in May, but even months later, it's still not easy to buy one. Still, give the full review a read so you know whether you want to jump on the opportunity to get it if one ever shows up – or to just live vicariously through us.
Google Pixel 8a: Sample gallery Image: Mitchell ClarkJapan is one of our favorite places to shoot sample galleries, especially when it's raining. We got the opportunity to do one for Google's budget phone while visiting the country to cover the launch of the Panasonic S9.
Sigma 15mm F1.4 Diagonal Fisheye: Sample Gallery Photo: Jose Francisco SalgadoAfter Sigma's announcement of the astrophotography-focused 15mm F1.4 DG DN Art, we teamed up with photographer José Francisco Salgado to put it through its paces in the Canadian sub-arctic.
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$1959 at Amazon.comBuy at Adorama$1999 at B&H Photo Fujifilm XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR: Sample gallery Photo: Jeff CarlsonThe Fujinon XF16-50mm F2.8-4.8 R LM WR is Fujifilm's second-generation premium kit zoom, and we were able to take preproduction samples in Stockholm, Sweden.
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$699 at Amazon.com$699 at Adorama$699 at B&H Photo Sony a9 III: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Sony a9 III is the company's latest high-end sports/action photography camera, with a 24MP global shutter.
In our in-depth review, we found some image quality trade-offs, but in return, you get the ability to shoot at 120fps without fear of banding.
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$5998 at Amazon.com$5998 at Adorama$5998 at B&H Photo Fujifilm X-T50: First look video and preview samples Photo: Richard ButlerIn May, Fujifilm announced the X-T50, an APS-C camera aimed at beginners, featuring a dial dedicated to controlling the company's 'film simulation' color profiles. At launch, we published our initial review, first look video and a sample gallery taken with preproduction hardware.
April Panasonic S5II: Review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Panasonic S5II had the unfortunate luck of landing in our office right about the time we found out that our parent company planned to close DPReview in 2023, so it never went through our regular review process. We've been looking for an opportunity to review it ever since we joined forces with Gear Patrol last summer and finally found the time.
The timing turned out to be good: Panasonic was able to provide us with an early version of the camera's new firmware (v3.0), so we were able to test it with the latest features. Read our review to find out why we think this camera is such a great all-around performer for enthusiasts and pros alike.
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$1697 at Amazon.com$1798 at Adorama$1798 at B&H Photo Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G: Sample gallery Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G is a relatively compact wide-angle zoom lens aimed at street and travel photographers.
We were able to get our hands on the lens for a day and figured most readers would be curious to see some examples of street and architectural photography, so we hit the streets of downtown Seattle and ducked into the Seattle Public library when the weather turned ugly.
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$1198 at Amazon.com$1198 at Adorama$1198 at B&H Photo Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z: Sample gallery Image: Dale BaskinThe Viltrox AF 40mm F2.5 Z is a full-frame lens for Nikon Z-mount cameras.
We were able to test it out in Seattle and Oregon, testing the normal lens in a variety of lighting situations.
March Sony FE 24-50mm F2.8 G: Sample gallery Photo: Eric LimerSony's FE 24-50mm F2.8 G is a fast, compact walk-around lens for its full-frame E-mount cameras. We took it out in snow and sun in New Jersey to put it through its paces.
In practice, we found that it makes for a light and portable package with convenient and satisfying hands-on controls and quick and quiet focus.
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$1,098 at Amazon $1,098 at B&H Photo $1,098 at Adorama Leica SL3: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Leica SL3 is a 60MP DSLR-shaped mirrorless camera built around Leica's L-mount. It brings a lot of technology from the Leica M11 models but also features a radically redesigned interface. In March we published our initial review.
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$6995 at Adorama$6995 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinPanasonic's newest zoom lens, the Lumix S 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro OIS, is so small that it just begs to be used for travel, so we took it on a trip to Japan to see if it lives up to its promise. It proved to be an outstanding choice, allowing us to cover a wide range of focal lengths without ever feeling like we were dragging around too much gear. We were pretty pleased with the optical performance, too.
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$853 at Amazon.com$898 at Adorama$898 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II: Studio scene Photo: Brendan NystedtAs we enter the final phase of our Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 II review, we've added the test scene images to our image comparison tool.
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$1897 at Amazon.com$1898 at Adorama$1898 at B&H Photo Sony a9 III: Sample gallery updated Photo: Carey RoseWe updated our Sony a9 III sample gallery to include more sports and to get a feel for how effective its global shutter sensor is when combined with subject-detection autofocus in a variety of scenarios. And just to be safe, we also included some low ISO landscape images for those who want to evaluate image quality for other types of photography.
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$5998 at Amazon.com$5998 at Adorama$5998 at B&H Photo The Panasonic S5IIX goes to Japan: Sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinWe were working on our review of the Panasonic S5II when it came time for our annual trek to Yokohama, Japan, for the camera industry's annual CP+ trade show, so we took along the S5IIX for some additional testing. It was a joy to shoot and it did a great job of capturing the color and texture of Japan, from the streets of Tokyo to snow monkeys near Nagano. It also proved that its weather sealing was up to the task, operating for hours in pouring rain without missing a beat.
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$2197 at Amazon.com$1997 at Adorama$1997 at B&H Photo Panasonic Lumix G9 II: Review Photo: Brendan NystedtThe Panasonic G9 II is the first Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera to include phase detect autofocus and is based on the same body as the full-frame S5 II. It also comes with a surprisingly long list of video features. Read our full review to find out what we liked and what we didn't.
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$1897 at Amazon.com$1898 at Adorama$1898 at B&H Photo Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art: Sample gallery Photo: Jeff CarlsonThe Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art is a comparatively lightweight prime lens aimed at travel, portrait and street photographers. Contributing editor Jeff Carlson immediately jumped on the opportunity to shoot a sample gallery with this lens, capturing spring cherry blossoms, portraits and some low-light photos for good measure.
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$1399 at Adorama$1399 at B&H Photo Nikon 28-400m F4-8: Pre-production sample gallery Photo: Dale BaskinWe had an opportunity to try a pre-production version of Nikon's new 28-400mm F4-8 superzoom lens shortly before it was announced. Let's just say this lens really intrigues us, and we can't wait to get our hands on a production copy for more testing.
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$1296 at Amazon.com$1297 at Adorama$1297 at B&H Photo February Hasselblad 907X / CFV 100C: Sample galleryImage: Hasselblad
Hasselblad's CFV 100C medium format digital back brings most of the features of the X2D 100C to smaller form factor that's compatible with a wide range of cameras from the company's history. We paired it with a 907X camera / lens adaptor and XCD 28mm F4.0 and XCD 90mm F2.5 lenses to shoot a sample gallery.
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$8,199 at B&H Photo $8,199 at Adorama Megadap ETZ21 Pro Sony-to-Nikon mirrorless lens adapter: Review Photo: Dan BracagliaAfter getting our hands on it, we can say that, as far as what’s currently available for Sony shooters wishing to dabble in the Nikon realm, there is no better option on the market than the Megadap ETZ21 Sony E-mount to Nikon Z-mount lens adapter.
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$249 at Amazon $249 at B&H Photo $249 at Adorama Nikon Zf: Video reel update Photo: Richard ButlerNikon's Zf is a full-frame mirrorless camera with classic styling, built around a 24MP BSI CMOS sensor. It's designed to mimic the look of the company's FM2 SLR from the early 1980s, meaning it effectively becomes a full-frame counterpart to the company's Z fc APS-C camera. In February, we updated our review with a video reel and impressions.
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$1997 at Amazon $1997 at B&H Photo $1997 kit at Adorama Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II: Studio scene Photo: Richard ButlerAs we complete our Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 II review, we've run the camera through our recently revitalized studio test scene to see how it performs against the competition.
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$1798 at B&H Photo $1798 at Adorama $1798 at Amazon Fujifilm X100VI: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerFebruary finally brought us the X100VI, a photographers' fixed-lens camera that combines a stabilized 40MP APS-C sensor with a 35mm equivalent F2 lens. We had it day one, and have published our initial review along with a sample gallery. Unfortunately, those won't help you actually find one to buy.
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$1,599 at B&H Photo $1,599 at Adorama $1,599 at Amazon OM System OM-1 II: Sample gallery Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe OM System OM-1 Mark II is a high-speed Micro Four Thirds camera based around a 20MP Stacked CMOS sensor. As the name implies, it's an updated version of the flagship OM-1, with a series of hardware and firmware improvements. In February we published a sample gallery to update our initial review.
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$2399 at Amazon $2399 at B&H Photo $2399 kit at Adorama January Sony a9 III: Initial review Photo: Richard ButlerThe Sony a9 III is the company's latest high-speed pro sports camera. It features a Stacked CMOS sensor capable of shooting at 120 fps and able to read all its pixels out simultaneously: the long hoped-for 'global' shutter. Our studio scene analysis shows that it comes at a cost.
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$5998 at Amazon $5998 at B&H $5998 at Adorama Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro: Sample gallery Photo: Shaminder DulaiPanasonic's Lumix S 100mm F2.8 Macro is a full-frame L-mount lens that's designed to be compact and lightweight, coming in at 82mm (3.2") long and 74mm (2.9") in diameter and tipping the scales at 298g (10.5 oz). Hands-on, we can confirm it is very tidy and light.
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$998 at B&H Photo $998 at Adorama Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II: Sample galleryPhoto: Dan Bracaglia
Sony's 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens is smaller, lighter and more capable than its predecessor. Optical improvements come in the form of better corner-to-corner sharpness and a new close-focus distance of just 22 cm.
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$2,298 at B&H Photo $2,298 at Adorama iPhone 15 Pro Max: Sample gallery Photo: Jeff L CarlsonWhen we published our iPhone 15 Pro Sample Gallery, we didn’t yet have an iPhone 15 Pro Max model in hand. In addition to boasting a larger 6.7-inch screen, the Max differentiates itself by having a 5x (120mm equivalent) telephoto camera with a clever tetraprism design. The iPhone 15 Pro’s telephoto camera, meanwhile, shares the same 3x (77mm equivalent) field of view as the iPhone 14 Pro. Is the extra reach worth the bigger physical size and higher cost?
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iPhone 15 Pro Max: $1199 at Apple Canon EOS R100: Review Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe Canon EOS R100 is an ultra-compact 24 Megapixel APS-C mirrorless camera with an RF mount. It is the cheapest way to enter Canon's mirrorless ecosystem, offering more flexibility than a smartphone.
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$429 body only at Amazon $499 kit at B&H Photo $499 kit at Adorama Fujifilm XF23mm F2 R WR: Review Photo: Mike TomkinsThe Fujifilm XF 23mm F2 R WR is a very compact, portable, wide-angle prime lens for Fujifilm X-mount cameras. It makes a great walkaround lens and is well-suited for uses like travel and street photography, as well as things such as moderately wide landscapes and environmental portraiture.
Buy now:
$449 at Amazon $449 at B&H $449 at Adorama Sony ZV-1 Mark II: Review Photo: Shaminder DulaiThe Sony ZV-1 Mark II is a vlogging-focused compact camera built around a 20MP Type 1 (13.2 x 8.8mm) Stacked CMOS sensor and an 18-50mm equivalent F1.8-4.0 lens. Besides the new focal length range, much of this camera remains the same as its predecessor, which was itself a competent pocket-sized video camera.
Buy now:
$898 at Amazon $898 at B&H $898 at Adorama Tenba Axis V2 18L backpack: Review Photo: Tim BarribeauThe Tenba Axis V2 18L ($200) is a well-made, quietly competent but otherwise uninteresting backpack. Tenba has been in this industry long enough to know the basics of building a functional bag, but this simple black rectangle struggles to stand out against a field packed with more interesting, stylish, or specialized options like Peak Design's exceedingly versatile Everyday Bag or LowePro's hiking bag that happens to hold cameras well too.
Buy now:
$200 at Tenba $200 at B&H Photo $200 at AmazonIf you're looking to replace your living room TV with something that doesn't dominate your space until it's powered on, Formovie is hoping that its flagship Theater Premium ultra-short-throw projector will fit the bill. We've been sent one to try out.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Reviews, Projectors, Laser TV, 4K UHD
After stealing the show at CES 2024 in January, LG's totally transparent TV is finally available to buy. The 77-inch Signature OLED T can be yours for an eye-watering US$60,000.
Category: Home Entertainment, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: TV, OLED, LG, Gadgets, Transparency, World's First
We've seen a few inflatable mattress kits tailored to Rivian's R1S SUV, but Hest has evaded inflation and launched a set of plush foam mattresses to turn the full-size electric SUV into a sleek, simple all-terrain micro-camper. The new mattress and pillow set lets you extend the zero-emissions adventure, turning the folded seats into a proper bed, no inflation (or unexpected deflation) involved.
Tags: Rivian, Camping, RV, Off-road, Outdoors and Camping
We all like to think of ourselves as quick-witted, but a new study from Caltech calculates that our brains process information at the extremely slow speed of around 10 bits per second. This leisurely pace may have long evolutionary roots, despite our sensory systems gathering data about 100 million times faster.
Tags: Brain, Brain-to-Brain, Brain-computer interface, Brain Machine Interface, Caltech, Computer, Data, Information, Neuroscience, Neuralink
Beneficial bacteria occupy specific regions in the gut, contributing to our health via the microbiome. A new study has identified the genes that good bacteria use to colonize these regions, opening the door to creating engineered probiotics.
Category: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind
Tags: Gut Bacteria, Microbiome, Genetic engineering, Carnegie Institution for Science
In an effort to reduce fuel costs, American Airlines was the first US carrier to introduce checked baggage fees, at US$15 in 2008 (it's now $40). Since then, many airlines have followed suit, as well as hitting travelers with hefty excess baggage fees. But what would happen if the extra cost didn't just apply to heavy luggage but to the passengers themselves?
Category: Transport
Tags: Obesity, University of New Hampshire, Airlines, Climate Solutions: Aviation, Travel, Aviation, Weight, Flight
The Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro on a Canon RF-mount full-frame camera.
Image: Laowa
Laowa has expanded its lens lineup with the introduction of two tilt-shift lenses designed for full-frame camera systems: the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro. Laowa says the lenses produce an image circle large enough to also be compatible with digital medium format cameras. The company suggests the lenses are suitable for a variety of applications, including product, architectural, landscape, and macro photography.
Optically, the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, while the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro comprises 13 elements in 10 groups. As the names suggest, both lenses offer a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. The 55mm lens has a close focusing distance of 27cm (10.6"), and the 100mm lens focuses as close as 32cm (12.6").
The Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro mounted on a Fujifilm GFX-mount medium format camera.
Image: Laowa
The lenses provide ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for full-frame cameras. When used with medium format cameras, this range is reduced to ±10mm tilt and ±8mm shift, as the edge of the imaging circle will encroach on the sensor sooner. Both lenses incorporate two rotation mechanisms: one enabling the tilt function to be rotated by 90° and another allowing for shift direction adjustment in 15° increments.
Both lenses are equipped with an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot and a 77mm front filter thread.
The 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro are available now for E, Z, RF, L, and GFX-mount cameras. Each lens has a suggested retail price of $1249.
Buy now:
55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&H 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&HThe Laowa 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro on a Canon RF-mount full-frame camera.
Image: Laowa
Laowa has expanded its lens lineup with the introduction of two tilt-shift lenses designed for full-frame camera systems: the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro. Laowa says the lenses produce an image circle large enough to also be compatible with digital medium format cameras. The company suggests the lenses are suitable for a variety of applications, including product, architectural, landscape, and macro photography.
Optically, the 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro consists of 14 elements in 11 groups, while the 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro comprises 13 elements in 10 groups. As the names suggest, both lenses offer a maximum magnification ratio of 1:1. The 55mm lens has a close focusing distance of 27cm (10.6"), and the 100mm lens focuses as close as 32cm (12.6").
The Laowa 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro mounted on a Fujifilm GFX-mount medium format camera.
Image: Laowa
The lenses provide ±10° of tilt and ±12mm of shift for full-frame cameras. When used with medium format cameras, this range is reduced to ±10mm tilt and ±8mm shift, as the edge of the imaging circle will encroach on the sensor sooner. Both lenses incorporate two rotation mechanisms: one enabling the tilt function to be rotated by 90° and another allowing for shift direction adjustment in 15° increments.
Both lenses are equipped with an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod foot and a 77mm front filter thread.
The 55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro and 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift 1X Macro are available now for E, Z, RF, L, and GFX-mount cameras. Each lens has a suggested retail price of $1249.
Buy now:
55mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&H 100mm F2.8 Tilt-Shift $1249 at B&HIf you're getting tired of all the titanium multitools hitting Kickstarter lately, you might find the AX02 EDC Carabiner tool to be a breath of fresh air. The brass-bodied device lets users cut, saw, screw-drive, bottle-open, and figure out which way they need to go.
Tags: Multitools, Kickstarter
Image: Viltrox
Viltrox has announced a new APS-C lens, the 35mm (53mm equiv.) F1.7 'Air' lens, which is available for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company says it aimed to make the lens "compact" with a "highly competitive price."
The lens' optical formula includes 11 elements in 9 groups, with 1 ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 2 high-refractive lenses. It also features nano-coating, and the aperture has nine blades. While Viltrox makes no claims of weather resistance, the front element does have a coating to resist oils and liquids.
An example image provided by Viltrox, shot on a Fujifilm X-T5.
Photo: Viltrox
The lens uses a stepper motor for autofocusing, and has a minimum focusing distance of 33cm (13"). The E-mount version of the lens weighs around 170 grams, and it's 56mm long. The lens is compatible with 52mm filters.
At an MSRP of $180, the lens is definitely a budget option, but it's hard to complain about there being another affordable prime available for these systems, especially in such a classic focal length. While manufacturers like Sony and Fujifilm have similar lenses with extra features like optical stabilization or weather resistance, they also come in at a much higher price.
Buy Now:
E-mount Z-mount X-mount Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air Specifications: Principal specificationsLens typePrime lensMax Format sizeAPS-C / DXFocal length35 mmLens mountFujifilm X, Nikon Z, Sony EApertureMaximum apertureF1.7–16Minimum apertureF1.7–16Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades9OpticsElements11Groups9Special elements / coatings1 ED, 1 aspherical, 2 high-refractiveFocusMinimum focus0.33 m (12.99″)Maximum magnification0.13×AutofocusYesMotor typeStepper motorFull time manualYesDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight180 g (0.40 lb)Diameter64 mm (2.52″)Length56 mm (2.2″)SealingNoFilter thread52 mmHood suppliedYesTripod collarNoImage: Viltrox
Viltrox has announced a new APS-C lens, the 35mm (53mm equiv.) F1.7 'Air' lens, which is available for Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount and Nikon Z-mount. The company says it aimed to make the lens "compact" with a "highly competitive price."
The lens' optical formula includes 11 elements in 9 groups, with 1 ED lens, 1 aspherical lens, and 2 high-refractive lenses. It also features nano-coating, and the aperture has nine blades. While Viltrox makes no claims of weather resistance, the front element does have a coating to resist oils and liquids.
An example image provided by Viltrox, shot on a Fujifilm X-T5.
Photo: Viltrox
The lens uses a stepper motor for autofocusing, and has a minimum focusing distance of 33cm (13"). The E-mount version of the lens weighs around 170 grams, and it's 56mm long. The lens is compatible with 52mm filters.
At an MSRP of $180, the lens is definitely a budget option, but it's hard to complain about there being another affordable prime available for these systems, especially in such a classic focal length. While manufacturers like Sony and Fujifilm have similar lenses with extra features like optical stabilization or weather resistance, they also come in at a much higher price.
Buy Now:
E-mount Z-mount X-mount Viltrox AF 35mm F1.7 Air Specifications: Principal specificationsLens typePrime lensMax Format sizeAPS-C / DXFocal length35 mmLens mountFujifilm X, Nikon Z, Sony EApertureMaximum apertureF1.7–16Minimum apertureF1.7–16Aperture ringNoNumber of diaphragm blades9OpticsElements11Groups9Special elements / coatings1 ED, 1 aspherical, 2 high-refractiveFocusMinimum focus0.33 m (12.99″)Maximum magnification0.13×AutofocusYesMotor typeStepper motorFull time manualYesDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight180 g (0.40 lb)Diameter64 mm (2.52″)Length56 mm (2.2″)SealingNoFilter thread52 mmHood suppliedYesTripod collarNoSmartwatches can help improve our health and fitness. But a new report says it's important to consider what kind of bands we put on them, as several popular brands were found to contain high levels of a class of chemicals linked to health issues.
Category: Fitness & Exercise, Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & Mind
Tags: Watch, Smartwatch, PFAS, Chemicals, Chemical agents, University of Notre Dame
Updated December 18 2024
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with some of the best lenses on the market, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to sensors ranging from APS-C to full-frame to give you the perfect field of view for your style of shooting.
Our picks range from pocketable models to larger cameras that you'll have to you'll have to consciously decide to take with you. They also cover a wide range of prices; while there sadly aren't any budget options, some come with much higher price tags than others, reaching well into the thousands of dollars.
Our picks:40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder
Image: Richard ButlerBuy now:
$2174 at Amazon.com$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo What we like:Updated with in-body image stabilization rated at up to 6EV of correction and a 40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor, the X100VI is a significant upgrade over its predecessor despite looking virtually identical. It features the same 35mm equivalent F2 lens and a hybrid viewfinder that lets you use it as a traditional rangefinder – with some digital augmentation if you want it – or as a modern, fully electronic viewfinder.
The addition of subject-recognition autofocus has given the X100VI the ability to recognize animals, birds, automobiles, motorcycles and bikes, airplanes, and trains. However, human (face/eye) detection is a separate mode. The lens is not the fastest to autofocus, prioritizing sharpness over speed, though that's not necessarily unique in this category.
The elephant in the room is that the X100VI has essentially been sold out since its initial release. However, if you're patient enough to sign up for waitlist notifications from a variety of sites, you may be able to get one in time.
It's probably worth the wait. While the X100VI has more dials and functions than previous versions, it still offers one of the most engaging photographic experiences out there. It's easy to see why it became so frustratingly unobtainable: It's an even better follow-up to a camera that was already popular with photographers of all kinds, and that had already sold out after going viral.
Click here to read our review of the Fujifilm X100VI
Click here to see the Fujifilm X100VI studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR III24MP APS-C sensor | 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:The GR III is the lightest and most compact camera on this list by a long shot, thanks to its retracting lens and lack of a viewfinder. If size is a major concern for you, it's definitely the fixed lens option to look at.
The GR III's image quality is excellent, especially in Raw (we found the JPEG color to be a little drab). The lens is impressively sharp, and in-body image stabilization means you can confidently shoot down to around 1/10 sec. The built-in stabilizer can attempt to shake off dust particles that find their way to the sensor. "Offers direct control and excellent image quality in a pocketable camera" The GR III handles well, despite its size, thanks to well-placed controls, flexible customization options and a responsive touchscreen. The grip is just the right size for easy one-handed operation. The Ricoh GR III offers direct control and excellent image quality in a pocketable camera. Its short battery life and fixed focal length lens mean this camera certainly isn't for everyone, but it's a compelling offering for travel, street and casual photographers alike.Click here to read our review of the Ricoh GR III
Click here to see the Ricoh GR III studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. A different perspectiveRicoh also sells the GR IIIx, which is the same great camera as the standard GR III but with a 40mm equiv. lens instead. If you prefer the 'normal' field of view to a wider one, be sure to pick the IIIx up instead.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content.Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo The Rolls Royce of fixed lens cameras: Leica Q3 4343mm F2 stabilized lens | 60MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor | 5.76M dot OLED EVF
Photo: Richard ButlerBuy now:
Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at Leica What we like:While we've chosen the Q3 43 for its excellent control layout that puts photography first, the camera is also available with a 28mm F1.7 lens. There are minor cosmetic differences between the two Q3 models, such as the color of the leatherette wrap, but they're otherwise the same camera. There's also a price difference, with the 43 coming at a $600 premium.
Image quality is superb, with a lens that's very sharp and with high cross-frame consistency even at wide apertures. The light luminance noise reduction helps preserve detail at high ISOs. The Leica Q3 43 is a beautiful piece of engineering and design, and a welcome addition to the range. The controls are minimal, but help focus your attention on the fundamental settings of photography. It has the build quality that you'd expect of a luxury product. Autofocus is swift and precise, though the subject recognition system doesn't let you specify an AF point to pre-select a subject and can jump from one subject to another if there are multiple options in a scene. The Q3 43 is an impressive photographic tool, and manages to feel like a first-rate camera, not just a desirable object.Click here to read our review of the Leica Q3 43
Click here to see the Leica Q3 43 studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. The other full-frame optionDespite the fact that the RX1R II is almost a decade old at this point, you can still buy Sony's last compact full-frame fixed-lens camera. Unsurprisingly, as a nine-year-old camera, it's rather showing its age. Its autofocus and menu systems are significantly more primitive than we've subsequently become used to, but focus speed isn't exactly a strength for any of the cameras in its class. Its 35mm F2 lens is excellent, and its sensor still delivers excellent image quality. Battery life is atrocious, though, and we considered its performance sluggish even by 2016 standards.
We can't wholeheartedly recommend it after all this time, but if you've already made the seemingly irrational decision of buying an expensive camera with a single, fixed focal length that doesn't really even fit in your pocket, you might be the sort of person that gets some enjoyment out of opting for the slow, awkward, oddball choice.
Buy Now:
$3,298 at Amazon $3,298 at B&H $3,298 at Adorama Why should you trust us?Our Buying Guides are based on extensive use and testing of the cameras included. We only recommend cameras once we know how they compare to their peers in a variety of shooting situations. All selections are made solely by our editorial and video teams and are the models we'd buy or recommend to friends and family. We gain no financial advantage from recommending one camera over another, either as individuals or as a business.
Updated December 18 2024
Fixed lens cameras may be a bit niche, but there's a reason they're so popular amongst photographers. They often come with some of the best lenses on the market, in a variety of focal lengths, matched to sensors ranging from APS-C to full-frame to give you the perfect field of view for your style of shooting.
Our picks range from pocketable models to larger cameras that you'll have to you'll have to consciously decide to take with you. They also cover a wide range of prices; while there sadly aren't any budget options, some come with much higher price tags than others, reaching well into the thousands of dollars.
Our picks:40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor | 35mm equiv F2 lens | Hybrid viewfinder
Image: Richard ButlerBuy now:
$2199 at Amazon.com$1599 at Adorama$1599 at B&H Photo What we like:Updated with in-body image stabilization rated at up to 6EV of correction and a 40MP BSI CMOS APS-C X-Trans sensor, the X100VI is a significant upgrade over its predecessor despite looking virtually identical. It features the same 35mm equivalent F2 lens and a hybrid viewfinder that lets you use it as a traditional rangefinder – with some digital augmentation if you want it – or as a modern, fully electronic viewfinder.
The addition of subject-recognition autofocus has given the X100VI the ability to recognize animals, birds, automobiles, motorcycles and bikes, airplanes, and trains. However, human (face/eye) detection is a separate mode. The lens is not the fastest to autofocus, prioritizing sharpness over speed, though that's not necessarily unique in this category.
The elephant in the room is that the X100VI has essentially been sold out since its initial release. However, if you're patient enough to sign up for waitlist notifications from a variety of sites, you may be able to get one in time.
It's probably worth the wait. While the X100VI has more dials and functions than previous versions, it still offers one of the most engaging photographic experiences out there. It's easy to see why it became so frustratingly unobtainable: It's an even better follow-up to a camera that was already popular with photographers of all kinds, and that had already sold out after going viral.
Click here to read our review of the Fujifilm X100VI
Click here to see the Fujifilm X100VI studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. Best pocketable fixed lens camera: Ricoh GR III24MP APS-C sensor | 28mm equiv. F2.8 lens | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo What we like:The GR III is the lightest and most compact camera on this list by a long shot, thanks to its retracting lens and lack of a viewfinder. If size is a major concern for you, it's definitely the fixed lens option to look at.
The GR III's image quality is excellent, especially in Raw (we found the JPEG color to be a little drab). The lens is impressively sharp, and in-body image stabilization means you can confidently shoot down to around 1/10 sec. The built-in stabilizer can attempt to shake off dust particles that find their way to the sensor. "Offers direct control and excellent image quality in a pocketable camera" The GR III handles well, despite its size, thanks to well-placed controls, flexible customization options and a responsive touchscreen. The grip is just the right size for easy one-handed operation. The Ricoh GR III offers direct control and excellent image quality in a pocketable camera. Its short battery life and fixed focal length lens mean this camera certainly isn't for everyone, but it's a compelling offering for travel, street and casual photographers alike.Click here to read our review of the Ricoh GR III
Click here to see the Ricoh GR III studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. A different perspectiveRicoh also sells the GR IIIx, which is the same great camera as the standard GR III but with a 40mm equiv. lens instead. If you prefer the 'normal' field of view to a wider one, be sure to pick the IIIx up instead.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content.Buy now:
Buy at Amazon.comBuy at AdoramaBuy at B&H Photo The Rolls Royce of fixed lens cameras: Leica Q3 4343mm F2 stabilized lens | 60MP BSI CMOS full-frame sensor | 5.76M dot OLED EVF
Photo: Richard ButlerBuy now:
Buy at AdoramaBuy at B&H PhotoBuy at Leica What we like:While we've chosen the Q3 43 for its excellent control layout that puts photography first, the camera is also available with a 28mm F1.7 lens. There are minor cosmetic differences between the two Q3 models, such as the color of the leatherette wrap, but they're otherwise the same camera. There's also a price difference, with the 43 coming at a $600 premium.
Image quality is superb, with a lens that's very sharp and with high cross-frame consistency even at wide apertures. The light luminance noise reduction helps preserve detail at high ISOs. The Leica Q3 43 is a beautiful piece of engineering and design, and a welcome addition to the range. The controls are minimal, but help focus your attention on the fundamental settings of photography. It has the build quality that you'd expect of a luxury product. Autofocus is swift and precise, though the subject recognition system doesn't let you specify an AF point to pre-select a subject and can jump from one subject to another if there are multiple options in a scene. The Q3 43 is an impressive photographic tool, and manages to feel like a first-rate camera, not just a desirable object.Click here to read our review of the Leica Q3 43
Click here to see the Leica Q3 43 studio scene
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Please open this article's permalink in a browser to view this content. The other full-frame optionDespite the fact that the RX1R II is almost a decade old at this point, you can still buy Sony's last compact full-frame fixed-lens camera. Unsurprisingly, as a nine-year-old camera, it's rather showing its age. Its autofocus and menu systems are significantly more primitive than we've subsequently become used to, but focus speed isn't exactly a strength for any of the cameras in its class. Its 35mm F2 lens is excellent, and its sensor still delivers excellent image quality. Battery life is atrocious, though, and we considered its performance sluggish even by 2016 standards.
We can't wholeheartedly recommend it after all this time, but if you've already made the seemingly irrational decision of buying an expensive camera with a single, fixed focal length that doesn't really even fit in your pocket, you might be the sort of person that gets some enjoyment out of opting for the slow, awkward, oddball choice.
Buy Now:
$3,298 at Amazon $3,298 at B&H $3,298 at Adorama Why should you trust us?Our Buying Guides are based on extensive use and testing of the cameras included. We only recommend cameras once we know how they compare to their peers in a variety of shooting situations. All selections are made solely by our editorial and video teams and are the models we'd buy or recommend to friends and family. We gain no financial advantage from recommending one camera over another, either as individuals or as a business.
A big ol' SUV isn't the ideal choice for city folk needing to quietly and cleanly zip around busy streets. Micro-cars make more sense, and the boxy A05 that made its debut at EICMA 2024 in Milan last month is now up for pre-order.
Category: Urban Transport, Transport
If you were to compile a list of walkable cities, the scorching desert metropolis of Dubai would probably rank pretty low. However, this will soon change with an extensive network of walkways, including raised and air-conditioned footpaths.
Category: Architecture, Lifestyle
Tags: Building and Construction, Dubai, Pedestrian
